Sisterlocks – Keeping it Natural Not Nappy Headed

Hairstyles come and go. Over the decades we have seen big hair, flat hair and moussed hair. Our hairstyles have been fried, dyed and slicked to the side. What does it take for an African American women to go completely natural? Contrary to popular belief, going natural does not mean going nappy.

Going natural for most means a lifestyle change and not simply a short-term hairdo. With the societal brainwashing of straight hair being best; even worse the negative stereotypes of kinky hair being “bad hair,” often times black women are raised not knowing how to properly care for their own natural hair. There are a number of natural hairstyles one can choose, from afros to cornrows, twists or dredlocs just to name a few, but Sisterlocks is the best at offering freedom and versatility. Sisterlocks use a special locking technique with natural hair. In appearance, they look similar to what could be called very neat micro-dreadlocks.

Listed below are 5 distinct characteristics normally found in women eager to go natural. Women willing to side step commonly accepted views of beauty as reported by U.S. media markets and sometimes even black society itself.

Characteristic 1 – TrailBlazer. She often blazes new pathways, loves to initiate and to do. This self-starter is frequently the one to get something off the ground.

Characteristic 2 – Honest. She tends to be direct and honest with people. If you really don’t want to know the answer, then don’t ask this audacious woman.

Characteristic 3 – Fearless. When the world is telling her, “You are too thick, too ugly, too dark, too outspoken and nappy-headed, she completely ignores them and continues forward. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious. She defines her own beauty.

Characteristic 4 – Earthy Mother. She is usually juggling three or four balls in the air and not dropping a one. You will find her raising her children or someone elses’ kids; taking good care of her household; she is middle or upper management at the office; and of course there is a business or hobby on the side. Where does she find time for herself? Her hair is the least of her worries, she requires it to be healthy, neat, clean, and stylish.

Characteristic 5 – Decisive. She knows what she wants. Sisterlocks are a permanent hairstyle not a fad. They require nurturing, a skilled stylist and patience to get started. This woman is committed and in it for the long haul.

African American women are the luckiest when it comes to the availability of hairstyles, because of their unique hair type and texture there is a veritable buffet of choices. You can go to sisterlocks.com for more information on the history of sisterlocks or to find a stylist near you.

Rejoice in your uniqueness and beauty, You Go Girl!

How to become a classy bride

The wedding day is the most important important day in any woman’s life since she’s dreaming about it since childhood.Mostly due to the fairy tales she’s been read. While in the midst of wedding preparations, a bride will have nothing else on her mind than herlace wedding dresses! Choosing the perfect dress you always dreamed about as a little girl could prove to be a quite stressful and tiresome task.

A classic hairstyle: a bun is considered the most classy hairstyle and the best one to choose for a wedding. Some will even recommend curls for a classic wedding day hairstyle.

A classy looking wedding gown: this must be colored white, ivory or champagne, while its outline must be A-line. The skirt can be pleated while the fabric should be satin or even silk if you want an expensive wedding dress.

Another classy wedding gown style is the tight fitted, mermaid one. This kind of gown is a suitable choice for both a younger or a mature bride, but it’s important you have a slender body frame.

Wedding is such a big day for her, she wants it to be perfect and her look will pay a great part in all this. There are 2 looks the future brides want to achieve: either a princess look either a classy look, and each of them is easily achieved and somehow both of these look are considered ‘classic’ for a bride.

Learning the Basics of Face Moisturizing Creams

Simply put, moisturizers include products that help in water retention in the epidermis which aids in increasing the life of the skin cells. The moisturizers available over the counter at this time have so many other advantages as well. Whether the cream defends the skin against environmental damage depends on the ingredients such as humectants, fragrances and emollients added to it. Many companies choose to make boastful claims about their moisturizers.

The first step to picking the right moisturizer for your face is figuring out the products that have been combined to make the moisturizer. There is literally a mind boggling number of face moisturizers on the shelves today and it can be very cumbersome to choose one , a small amount of basic knowledge about products will significantly help you to buy the perfect items.

Emollients help in replenishing the cells reducing the space between them. Skin issues are caused due to the depletion of lipids from the skin, emollients refurbish the lipids in the skin improving the skin texture. Oil and water based emollients are offered although many of the the creams on the shelves today have water as the primary ingredient. Creams with oil as the primary product are long lasting but they give the skin an oily look. The most widely used emollients are lanolin, petrolatum and mineral oil.

Humectants behave like water magnets absorbing the water from the air and using it to replenish the skin. Humectants work as skin softners and are used to remove the effects of skin damage. The most common ingredients used as humectants areurea, glycerine and alpha hydroxy acids.

Some of the ingredients have annoying odor and perfumes are used to mask these odors. Fragrances are also added to incorporate the positive effects of aroma therapy. It is perfumes that are the main cause of most skin allergies experienced after using new lotions.

Another essential in skin care products today are the preservatives. Preservatives are required to avoid bacterial contamination after the first use of a water or oil based product. The number of preservatives used varies. Some skin allergies or reactions can be caused by preservatives.

Most creams and lotions also have in them other ingredients like vitamins, sun screens, minerals and many other elements. Most moisturizers are sold on the basis of the boastful claims which have absolutely no scientific backing. Beauty Products dont have to go through an identical effectiveness testing as food and drugs by the FDA.

The most appropriate facial beauty product for you will depend on the combination of your skin type, any special skin conditions and your age. When looking for a beauty product that is apt for your skin type and makes your skin soft, keep in mind that there is no association between effectiveness and price. You may try many brands before finding one that suits you so start with small quantities.

Skin can be categorized into 5 different types. Normal skin does not have dry or oily areas. For people with normal skin a light water based moisturizer is the most appropriate. Cetyl Alcohol or cyclomethicone are the usual ingredients in these type of preparations. If you have a dry skin an oil based cream with hydrate your skin. Urea and Propylene glycol are the common ingredients in oil based preparations. Products meant for greasy skin will be water based and will be labeled as “noncomedogenic” This type will not clog pores which would cause acne. Sensitive skin products are artificial color and fragrance free. Damaged skin benefits from oil-based petrolatum rich moisturizers that contain lactic acid or alpha hydroxy acids.

How to Start a Personal Skin Care Routine

One of the most necessary things for any person is skin care. Depending on a persons beliefs they will have different personal skin care routines. For some their personal routine involves going to their favorite parlor to beautify their skin. Some would prefer to do their personal routine through facials and body scrubs, which they use, skin care products for. When it comes to personal skin care individuals have their own convictions. Contrary to what many think skin care doesnt have to be complex or expensive. Considering the benefits you can get by developing a personal skin care routine the cost you may pay out is well worth it.

The first step in determining your personal skin care routine is to find out what your skin type is. You skin is dry, sensitive, normal or oily. Finding your skin type is the most important step in starting a routine. Buying products that arent suitable for you skin wont work well. The basis of all your skin care product purchases should be those that match your skin type. The following example is of a routine for people with normal skin.

The first and most essential part of a skin care routine is cleansing. Using water that is too hot or cold will only dry your skin and cause damage so during cleansing your should use warm water. The three major components of cleansers are called wetting agents and they are typically oil, water and surfactants. The oil and surfactant help to remove dirt from the skin while the water washes the dirt away. You should take the time to find a cleanser that works well with your bodies chemistry. When shopping for cleansers it is a good idea to use a cleanser that is soap-free since over cleaning the skin can also cause additional damage.

The second step is the removal of dead skin cells through exfoliation. Renewing the skin and removing the dead skin cells is the bodies natural continuation process. The efficiency of skin care products will be increased by the exfoliation process. After cleansing the skin you will perform the exfoliation. If you have normal or oily skin then you should exfoliate your skin at least four to five times a week. If you have sensitive or dry skin then you should exfoliate your skin only one to two times a week.

After showering or bathing while your skin is still damp you should apply a moisturizer. Every person no matter what their skin type should use moisturizers, even if their skin is oily. Moisturizers are play an important role in attracting moisture from the environment to your skin and then locking it in the skin. However, harm can result if you use too much moisturizer on your skin.

The last step in your personal skin care routine is the use of sunscreens. One option you can choose is finding a moisturizer or lotion that has a SPF or UV protection built in so that you can get two benefits from one application.

You will have to do some testing first in order to find the best personal skin care product for you. Not all skin care products are going to work for every individual so you cant determine a product is good until you find one that works with your skin. If you have skin disorders it is a good idea to get advice from a dermatologist before starting a personal skin care routine.

Brazilian Blowout or Brazilian Keratin Treatment in Seattle WA

Brazilian Keratin Treatment, or Brazilian Blowout is has become one of the most popular ways to eliminate curly or frizzy hair and create a beautiful head of silky straight hair. The reason for the curly hair is not important. It could be natural or from a permanent. We have found that some people Seattle seek Brazilian Blowout treatment after Japanese straightening and it is even possible to receive a Brazilian Blowout treatment with extensions. The folks at the Brazilian Blowout company web site as well is Seattle Brazilian Blowout Specialists McLaughlin Hair Design have found the treatment to work well under a variety of conditions and with great results. The result of the treatment, Julee at Seattle based McLaughlin Hair Design tells me, is the hair is perfectly straight and even healthier than it was prior to the treatment. It seems strange that a treatment, which creates such a dramatic change in the hair, can actually make it healthier in the process. But, it is true with the Brazilian Keratin Treatment. One of the McLaughlin clients in Seattle that recently had the Brazilian Blowout would spend a long time each day on the hair straightening process. She told me that several hours have been added back in to her week as a result of getting the Blowout. Obviously she is very pleased. Other reviews and testimonials include friends who have used the Brazilian Blowout or Keratin Treatment. In one case I was talking to a friend who usually has very frizzy hair. I had not seen in her in some time, but her hair was just slightly wavy. She doesn’t live in Seattle so she hasn’t been to Julee at McLaughlin Hair Design, but her story is like many others. I asked what hair straightening procedure she used and was surprised by the answer. She had a Brazilian Blowout treatment that was six months old. One of the side affects, is her hair is actually healthier now than before the Brazilian Blowout treatment. Part of the reason is because she no longer needs to use any hot tools to create to do the straightening. The other reason is because the process actually has fortifying and conditioning elements that are long lasting. Another friend told of her stylist in Seattle that refused to do the old-fashioned hair permanents, but is very happy when someone wants to do the Brazilian Blowout. This hair stylist tries to educate her hair-straightening clients not only on the ability of the process to make the hair perfectly straight but also provides the added strengthening attributes as well as making hair more shinny. Who wouldn’t want that? The conclusion I had after talking to each of these people in Seattle and other areas was that Brazilian Blowout or Keratin Treatment is not just a great alternative to the other style of hair straightening, but it is really become the standard. It is extremely effective for all types of hair, is not only safe but also leaves hair in better condition, lasts a long time and is therefore very economical. For people in Seattle, or anywhere else for that matter, the clear choice in my mind for hair straightening is Brazilian Blowout.