Oscars 2016 Best Makeup

This year Oscars 2016 Best Makeup goes to Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington looked absolutely Beautiful last night!!! Her sexy tousled ponytail and simply gorgeous makeup was just outstanding! She is such a classic beauty!
Neutrogena could not have chosen a better representative for their products. She always looks so elegant and beautiful.

First Kerry skin was prepped with Neutrogena's Hydra Boost Water Gel.

 Using Neutrogena's Healthy Skin Liquid Foundation in Cocoa.

Then her cheekbones was contoured with a flesh toned blush to top it off on her lips was  neutral shade lipstick.

 Then to top it off on her lips was  neutral shade lipstick. 

Bringing together a Elegant, Classic, Gorgeous look.
She looked totally stunning!

Congratulations Mrs. Kerry Washington for a "job well done"

Have a blessed day!

My 2016 Oscar Favorites

I know there was so much controversy around this years Oscars but the hair stylist and makeup artist in me could not keep myself away. I love the red carpet, checking out everyone beautiful gowns, hair and makeup.

But before I get into who were my favorites  I want to say "Congratulations!!" for winning their first Oscar.  This goes to the hair and makeup team:  Lesley Vanderwalt, Elka Wardega, Damian Martin for winning "Best Hair and Makeup" for George Miller film Mad Max: Fury Road.

Now some of my favorites on the red carpet was Charlize Theron wearing Diore' Haute Couture

Charlize Theron

Lady Gaga wearing Brandon Maxwell

Lady Gaga

Priyanka Chopra styled beautifully in Zuhair Murad

Priyanka Chopra

And of course my girl Kerry Washington looking  beautiful as always rocking Atelier Versace and shoes by Gianvito Rossi

Kerry Washington

Now I can not leave the men out. There was some handsome men strutting down the red carpet as well.

Kevin Hart rocking Dolce & Gabbana

Kevin Hart

Chadwick Boseman wearing such a classic look by  Giorgio Armani

Chadwick Boseman

And this handsome young man named Abraham Attah who was wearing Dolce & Gabbana

Abraham Attah

Now I loved  Abraham classic tuxedo suit but that was not the only reason he landed as one of my favorites for the night, The most amazing thing that I believed that should have  been talked about  was that Abraham Attah wore TOMS shoes! Okay Vanessa so what's so special about that? Well by him wearing TOMS shoes they will be donating 10,000 pairs to his home country of Ghana!!! 

Now that I believe is Awesome and Newsworthy!!!

Have a blessed day!

Boxer Braids????? NO IT'S CALLED CORNROWS!!!

Lately there have been so much controversy going on about cornrows or what some are trying to call boxer braids. REALLY... BOXER BRAIDS!!!!!  People are wanting to change the name, and origin. I guess those same people must have been born yesterday because there is no way they can actually believe what they are saying!! But no  I'm going to give those people the benefit of the doubt, maybe they don't know the history!! Well allow me to give a short, (I mean very short) history of its origin!


Cornrows has been worn over centuries to symbolize: status,age, kinship, and ethnicity. Cornrows has also been known as canerows. They were not only widespread in Africa but  they go back as far as 500 B.C.. The African people of Namibia have been braiding their hair for centuries. 

Through out and even after the Civil War African American adults was straightening their hair, but the children hair was still being cornrowed.  

In the 1900's school girls was beginning to wear their hair straightened due to the straighten comb invented by Madam C.J. Walker(but was patented by a French women named Annie Malone).

But by  1969 we were back in full swing with Black Power and wearing our African rooted styled hair.  In the 1970's Afro's and Cornrows was steady rising and being worn by many women.

Then in 1972 Cicely Tyson shocked Hollywood when she wore cornrows in the movie "Sounder". In the black community we were already wearing cornrows and other braided styled hair but never seen anyone on the silver screen do it.  Cicely Tyson cornrow style braids was both stunning  and liberating! She even rocked Cornrows on the cover of Jet magazine.

As hip-hop emerged women and men wore braided styles. The styles were beautiful and expressed our love for our culture. They were even adorned  with beads or shells some of the times.

Cornrows and many other braided styles have been worn in our community for many years with extra flare and style. They have been worn down the red carpet and even in the board rooms.

Now that I have given a very short history lesson about Cornrows no recent celebrity can take credit for a style that has been worn for many centuries!!
We love our " Cornrows" and the history it brings with it!!

Have a blessed day!

Beauty Products you Gotta Try!!!

There are so many cool and new things in the drugstore! When I go to CVS or Walgreen's I get side tracked and leave out with more than I came for, or better yet I don't even get what I came to the store for! LOL !
But any way here are a couple of items that you must try!!!

Garnier  Micellar Cleansing Water: It's a makeup remover,cleanser and hydrator. Just add a little to a cotton ball and wipe away! NO RINSING REQUIRED!!Yesss!!!!

Biore' Pore Penetrating Charcoal Bar: If  you are having breakouts try this! This will clean your skin and the charcoal will unclog your pores. Awesome!!

Rimmel London Wonder Lash Mascara: This mascara separates and lengthens your lashes. NO NEED FOR FALSIES!! Great!!

Milani Color Statement Matte Lipstick in Flirty: It's a rich deep berry shade that is very comfortable(especially for a matte lippie) and long lasting.  This lipstick is infused with grape seed oil extract so it won't dry out your lips! Wonderful!!!!!

Covergirl truNaked eyeshadow palette in Roses:  With this awesome palette you get different finishes;matte,shimmer and a little sparkle. This makes it great to do a complete eye look with this one palette! How awesome is that!!!!!

These beauty products are awesome and won't hurt your pocket!!

Have a blessed day!

View Product

Combating Greasy Hair !!

Having greasy hair is a recurrent problem.  I know you wash your hair everyday or every other day to keep your tress clean and fresh. But did you know shampooing your hair takes away from all of its natural oils.  This then makes the scalp go into oil production mode, producing the very thing you just tried to wash away!! Seems like a cruel joke right! LOL!!!

Here are a few tips to help reduce the overflow of oil being produced:

• Try to pick a shampoo that is clear over a creamy one.  You can even try a clarifying shampoo.  If you are going to choose a clarifying shampoo do not use it more than 1 time in a week.
  
• Apple cider vinegar treatment can also be helpful.  Wet your hair in a warm shower then apply some apple cider vinegar to the hair roots and then down the hair strand. Rinse out.  This will restore the pH balance because vinegar is acidic.  This will also get rid of the oil build-up.

  

  apple cider vinegar

• Last but not least!!!! DRY SHAMPOO!!!!! Dry shampoo can be your best friend.  Apply it directly on your roots.

  

  Dry Shampoo

** Here's a bonus tip about dry shampoo it can be applied right after you shampoo. Blow dry your hair and apply it directly on the roots.  Then as time goes on during the day and your scalp starts to produce oil the dry shampoo will began doing its job.  This may buy you a extra day or two. **

Have a blessed day!

UN-Healthy Relaxed Hair Tips!!

Irregular Washes - I can pretty much bet if your not shampooing your hair on a regular basis that you are not deep conditioning as well.  Start a  regimen that includes shampooing you hair if not once a week  at least once every other week.

Lack of Protein - When we  relax  our hair we have broken the disulfide bonds and now we need to provide protein to make it strong again. Protein treatments should be done at least once a month!

Excessive Heat - I know some of us love that sleek look, but flat ironing our hair daily is a definite NO! NO!. To achieve that daily sleek look, on the day you shampoo and condition your hair instead of blow drying your hair try a silk wrap. Not only will it be sleek but will have unbelievable shine and body!

Over Processed Hair - If you are relaxing your hair every 4-6 weeks you are asking for trouble.  Try to stretch your relaxing service. Relax your hair between  8 -12 weeks(longer if possible) before retouching.

If you try these tips you will see a huge difference in your  beautiful relaxed hair!

Have a blessed day!

Top 3 Oils for Relaxed Hair

When hair is relaxed Moisture is very important. In a previous post  called  " Natural VS Relaxed  Which one is better?!" I explained what stages the hair goes through and how it effects the hair.(which is a good read. Check it out)

Adding  moisture can be what saves your hair from breakage. So here is  the Top 3 Oils that will help you on your journey to Healthy Hair.

1. Avocado Oil - Avocado oil contains the  monounsaturated fatty acid phytosterols  and has high levels of Antioxidants!! When massaged on the scalp it stimulates blood circulation unclogging hair follicles, promoting hair growth. This oil is also best for sealing!!

Avocado Oil

2. Argan Oil - I know we see this everywhere now, but this oil is rich in Vitamin A & E. It is packed with Omega -6 fatty acids and contain linolenic acid. The Vitamin E in Aragan oil helps boost cell production promoting healthy skin, hair, and scalp!

If you have a problem with dandruff or dry scalp  place a few drops on your finger tips and massage onto your scalp.  Your body temperature  will  release the linolenic acid which helps the body produce  a substance called prostaglandins which helps calm down overactive  oil glands(which is one cause of dandruff)

Argan Oil

3.Extra Virgin Coconut Oil -  Coconut oil   has Anti fungal & Antibacterial properties in it. These properties improves scalp health by fighting fungus and infections.

If you ever had a bug bite like a mosquito bite on your scalp, massage a little coconut oil on the bump this will help protect the bump from getting infected.

Coconut Oil

Try these  Top 3 Oils and you watch the difference they will make on your healthy hair journey!!

Have a blessed day!

Blow Dry like a PRO !!!

Now that we have shampooed and conditioned our hair, now its time for the infamous blow drying process! Ughhh !!! But hey don't fret!!!!!

Here are a few steps you can take to achieve a sleek, polished look!

1. Gently blot your hair with a T-Shirt or a microfiber towel - BE GENTLE!! When your hair is wet it is at a very fragile state. Any excessive and rough friction can cause frizz, tangles and breakage!!

So gently blot away excess moisture.

2. Collect your Tools - Gather a wide tooth comb, blow dryer with a nozzle, round ventilated bristle(ceramic if you have one)brush, 6 hair clips.

3.Apply Products -  First thing that needs to applied is a heat protectant (ex Chi Iron Guard Thermal Spray).  If you want to achieve volume and body I suggest spraying a leave in voluminzing spray at the root of your hair(ex.  Paul Mitchell Volumizing Spray)

 4. Section hair- if hair is long  and or thick section in 6 sections. 3 sections in the front and 3 sections in the back

5. Start in the back - Take a back outer section and sub-divide that section in half. (do the outer section first,then the middle then the other outer section)

6. Blow Dry - Wrap hair around round brush  and pull at a 45 degree angle. Keep the nozzle at least an inch away from hair. For a smooth look direct the air flow along the hair strand. This will minimize frizz. Do this for all sections except the front center.  On the front center direct air flow against hair strand this will build body and create volume.

When complete if you have any flyaways just apply a small amount of serum(ex. Kenra Silkening Gloss)

kenra silkening gloss

Now you have Sleek, Full, Bouncy Hair!!

Have a blessed day!!