Hello, hello, hello!!!

So, I know it has been eons but I am back, and with a treat no less! I'll be blogging my hair journey, reviews, and life in general pretty soon. I wanted to kick this off with some news about influenster!

Now, if you don''t know about influenster you'd better get on this fast.

What Is Influenster

Influenster is a free-to-join community of invited trendsetters who live to give opinions of products and experiences. Influenster creates links between brands and members to reward participation and influence future products.

What’s involved in a membership?

As a member, you prove your influence by gaining Expert Badges and show how you live by earning LifeStage Badges...both of which are won in a variety of ways, such as: completing surveys, writing reviews, creating videos, and engaging in other social media.

What’s in it for me?

Very important. As a contributing member of Influenster, you get the chance to share your knowledge and know-how with other like-minded people.

You also get exclusive discounts on products and services based on the Expert Badges you unlock. You’ll have access to content and sales based on your influence and area of expertise.

As an active influencer, you’ll have the chance to get invites to Influenster programs so you can try the latest and coolest products catered towards your lifestyle before anyone else.

Members who participate actively on Influenster and engage in programs increase their opportunities to receive rewards.

If you participate in online challenges, play interactive games, spread the word to your friends, and gain currency within our system, you’ll earn serious street cred.

So wait, is this about getting free stuff?

Nope. If you’re here to mooch, this isn't the place for you. Nobody, no matter how high his or her Influenster Score, is guaranteed rewards. Even if you are offered a reward, you can always opt out. The real benefit of membership is access to exclusive content, product reviews, and discussion within a community of tastemakers. Perks are just the icing on the proverbial cake.

You read that right.......try stuff for free and give your opinion to earl influenster points! I was lucky enough to get the Spring Vox box and I really enjoyed the experience. I have some invites if anyone is interested in giving this a go. Once again there is absolutely ZERO cost to you.


http://www.influenster.com/about

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B.A.S.K. Palm Tapioca Review

I know its been a while. Don't make feel guilty...let's just git er done.

So, have you heard about B.A.S.K? If you haven't you are missing out big-time! I first heard about B.A.S.K. (beauty assortment for the sun-kissed) last fall. It seemed like everyone was raving about the yummy "dessert" treats for hair and body. I kept my distance and waited to see how the company would progress over the next few months (after the infamous Enso Naturals catastrophe can you blame me?). If you know me though, you know if I want something bad enough I can't help myself (plus I couldn't find any bad reviews). I eventually gave into my desires in late January. I purchased a few things that I will review (eh, and I have more coming), and palm tapioca is up first.

From the company:

Thick, concentrated, and highly moisturizing- this hair buttercream is super duper rich with loads of softening emollients.

Specs:

NET WEIGHT: 8 oz

Ingredients: Distilled Water, Cocoa Butter, Unrefined Cupuacu Butter, Cetearyl Alcohol, Babassu Oil, Virgin Coconut Oil, Organic Palm Oil, Virgin Palm Kernel Oil, Ucuuba Butter, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Beeswax, Ceteareth-20, Fragrance, & Phenoxyethanol (and) Ethylhexylglycerin.

Lightly scented with an essence of Vanilla Dulce de Leche & Almond. Texture is of a rich buttercream with easy spreadability on either wet or dry curls without being greasy.

Price:

$16

What I think:

Smell- smells light and sweet, a cross between amaretto and a little vanilla..yummy

Consistency- Now here's where it really gets you....this stuff is THICK, like super-duper thick in the jar. I could probably hold it upside down forever and it wouldn't come out. However, it melts LIKE A DREAM! I have low porosity hair, and it melts right into my strands (I don't even know how this is possible, but I like it).

Slip- Decent slip, not like CJ smoothing lotion slip, but good slip. I used it on wet hair and had no problems distributing it.

How used- I used this to do a braidout, a twistout, and to moisturize my 2nd and 3rd day WNG. Each time I got good moisture retention and nice shine without weighed down, greasy hair.

Pros: Smells great, applies easily, quality ingredients, GREAT customer service from Rashida, free sample with order, and fast shipping.

Cons: The only one I can think of is that I can't run out to the store and get it if I run out (no worries, I have another one on the way).

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Hair Length OBSESSION??

Today while on naturallycurly.com I came across an article that ponders if we as naturals have an obsession with hair length. I had to stop for a second and think about just how much attaining my goal length means to me.....turns out it means a lot! I have just as many gadgets to protect my hair, or somehow length related as I do stylers.


Satin pillowcase- check
Satin bonnet - check
Silk scarfs - check
Length check shirt (2) - check

I also spoil my hair with natural/nearly all natural products because I want it to be healthy. Healthy hair to me is evident when I can see my process in terms of growth. It only makes sense that if my ends are being preserved and my hair is growing (as hair always is) that I'll see the evidence in greater lengths. Now, I'm not talking hair that is down to my waist with ridiculously thin and chewed up ends from APL down (side-eye to that shit). No, I mean nice looking healthy ends on a healthy head of hair. Of course there are other means of identifying healthy hair, i.e. shine/sheen, moisture, elasticity, strength, and on and on. Those are all things I aspire to for my mane. Don't begrudge me because I want the length too.

Alright, so maybe I am a little obsessed. Sue me.

*ETA- it's also interesting that the article states that type 4 naturals seem to be more obsessed. For me personally growing my hair to long lengths is sort of a screw you to all the people that said/thought that it isn't possible for a person with dark skin to do so. Also, I want to be able to cover my boobies in a nakie pic, and possibly use my ponytail as a weapon if need be. Eh.

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Bantu knot out

I did a bantu knot out while my hair was straight back in December and found a pic (ignore the lack of makeup). I hope you're having a wonderful start to the week!

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The Worst Day of My "Natural" Life!!

Yes, the absolute worst day.

First, let me say that I am (of course) referring to my natural hair and not my entire life...on to the story............

I was minding my own business at work one day (back in September), and started talking to one of my coworkers about my recent visit to the doctor. I had gone to see my nurse practitioner because I'd come down with a really nasty virus, and during that time she ran a battery of tests on me. Once I got better she gave me a call and told me that she wanted me to start taking a prescription vitamin with extra iron because I was apparently anemic. While talking I realized that I hadn't taken my vitamin that day so I decided to go do it right then. I went to the break room with the pill (coworker following behind), got some water and proceeded to take it. About three gulps in I felt it, but It was too late! I had started drinking the water without looking in the cup. If I had looked I would have no doubt seen the shed hair that had fallen in. I looked down and could see the tail end of the hair bobbing in the cup. It was from the front, so it had to be at least 7 inches long. OMG, I started to gag and convulse. My coworker pat me on the back trying to help....I swallowed. OH NO! The shed hair was now caught on the left side of my throat somewhere between my tonsil and esophagus. Let me tell you over the next few weeks I tried bread, water, food, milk, and yes I stuck my finger back there more than a few times. The thing would not budge! Every time I swallowed I felt it. Truly it didn't help that my hair is not fine. My husband threatened to take me to the ENT a few times but I resisted. I can make light of the situation now 4 months down the road because I finally stopped feeling the thing about a month ago so I think its (FINALLY) gone.

Moral of the story:

Be careful, your hair just may be trying to kill you.

Oh, and take your vitamins :)

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Boom

I am loving my hair today <3

Appetizer- Tresemme Naturals Conditioner

Main Course- Hairveda Whipped Gelly

Dessert- CJ CIAB

POW!

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Length Check

I flat ironed my hair the day before we left for Florida (Dec. 14th) so that my mom could trim my hair for me. While traveling I wore it in a super high bun, and you'd better believe that I wore my silk scarf on the planes (I sure did). The funny thing is I really couldn't think of any other styles to wear my hair in while it was straight. Well, any other styles that didn't require heat (now that I have flexirods I'll add those to the straight style rotation). Anyhow, all that to say that after my mom trimmed about an inch or so off I am armpit length. I'm happy with that considering that I had trimmed it to shoulder length in June. Next stop bra-strap length baby!

Pic taken on December 16th

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Happy New Year!!

Yeah, yeah....I know I'm late as hell, LOL.

Well, I had a wonderful time visiting my sis in Florida (my nephew is so cute). We all hung out, ate, drank, talked crap, and alladat family type stuff. I had so much of my mom's good cooking, and that in conjunction with multiple starbucks runs = +6lbs on the scale *frowns*.

I did lots of shopping for my fam, and managed to not get a (whole) suitcase of stuff for myself.

Haul:

Mac MSF Natural in dark

Mac Ruby Woo Lipstick

Mac Blush (can't remember the darn name)

Purple flexi rods

Large perm rods

Aphogee 2 min reconstructor

Creme of Nature argan oil serum

Bobby pins and hair pins

Trimming shears

Creme of Nature Argan oil shampoo

Kinky Curly Curling Custard

Eco Styler Gel

*I STILL wasn't able to find a foundation that I liked.

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