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Exploring Heatless Curl Styles

How one rocks her natural tresses is very important in maintaining its overall health. Protective styles and wash n goes are a great option for the summer time. But what about when you’ve exhausted those options and become bored with your hair? 

Here are three styles that will give Brown Beauties fierce curls and can also be accomplished without using heat.  

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Twist Out: Twist outs accomplish great volume and give hair crazy definition. Start by washing and conditioning hair. Some Brown Beauties prefer dividing hair into sections (8-16) and twisting these individual sections. While other Brown Beauties prefer to divide hair into sections and flat twist their hair (flat twist are similar to a cornroll but the hair is twisted instead of braided). Which ever method you prefer, its always a great idea to place rollers on the ends of the twists for a uniform curl pattern. Allow hair to air dry over night & in the morning you will have a FIERCE twist out!

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Curlformers: Curlformers are a great alternative for Brown Beauties that would like to stretch their curls! Curlformers may look complicated but the application is fairly simple. Insert the rollers in the hair by stretching the roller onto the rod. Then, slightly twist your hair at the root and place the rod at the root of the scalp.  Once the rod is released, the roller conforms hair into a curl on the roller.  (Note: The smaller you section your hair the better! Also, don’t take the rollers out until your hair is completely dry or else this whole process is a COMPLETE waste of time) Curlformers are a great choice if you are looking for an alternative style, perfect for weddings, special celebrations, and parties.

 

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Flexi Rods: Flexi Rods are a viable option for Brown Beauties that would like to expand their curls. The extra incentive is that after the ‘new curl’ look has worn off you can play with the curls by picking them out and it gives hair the ‘natural’ look. Flexis come in all sizes so the Brown Beauty must decide what look or curl they want. But one does not have to sit underneath the hair dryer to accomplish shiny curls, use a ‘wrap/curl’ lotion like Jane Carter Wrap and Roll Lotion or Design Essentials Twist and Set Lotion, allow hair to air dry & when the rollers are removed, your curls will be popping!

Heatless styles are great for the summertime. After all if it’s already scorching outside, who wants to add to the heat and make it even hotter? This summer let’s take a break from the heat and explore some heatless styles.

Brown Beauties what are some of your favorite styles that can be accomplished without using heat?

Love, Hugs & Beautiful Tresses, 

VeCoya 

@vecoya

Images Are Everything

I own a television that is essentially a very fancy computer monitor.  I can’t view network television.  I don’t have cable.  Everything I use as a source of entertainment comes from the internet.   I’m sure you can guess how excited I was when during a recent business trip I had unlimited access to cable!  My days were suddenly split between meetings, trainings, room service and drowning myself in the joys of reality TV. 

Imagine my surprise when during what was supposed to be my all cable everything week, I was greeted with several confusing ways to define myself as a woman of color.

Seriously, I could be:

Gone with the wind fabulous

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Barbie

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Or even the baddest bitch in the land

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Seems harmless right?  How horrible can it be to describe yourself as a Barbie doll?  The problem begins when those descriptions create damaging comparisons based on dimming the light of another woman of color.  I like to call it comparison confidence. You see in order for me to be the “baddest bitch” I have to view all of you as lesser women.  

I felt the sinking feeling in my stomach that happens when I am angry about how my people are represented and I assume no one else cares.  There I was having a decidedly womanist moment out of the blue! Fed up with it all, I decided to reenter The Door.


 

The fifth installment of The Women’s Tales by Miu Miu, a line from the Prada fashion house, The Door is a short film written and directed by cinematic powerhouse Ava DuVernay.  Along with the stars Gabrielle Union, Alfre Woodard, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Adepero Oduye and singer-songwriter Goapele; DuVernay crafts a visually stunning representation of African American women and the strength of true friendship.  As the film unfolds we see Union rebound from the depths of despair as each of the most important women in her life arrive at her door with nurturing spirits in tow.  Their individual gifts, from encouragement to creativity to imparting wisdom, appear to be exactly what Union needs to recover from heartache and face the world again a woman fully realized.  

Images that portray African American women as overtly sexual, angry, and primal creatures are flooding all media outlets.  It is comforting to see ourselves as bold, stylish, joyous, and most of all compassionate towards each other.   In The Door, we witness friendships that are not based on hierarchy or mutual dislike of a common enemy.  Their friendships reflect my own and are based on mutual respect and genuine love. 

I have a feeling that I am not alone.  I believe that the vast majority of women of color open their doors to similar friendships and define themselves proudly as women.  We know that there is immense power in embracing ourselves as we are. 

How do you define yourself?  If you would like to continue the discussion hit me on twitter @CDioneJones!  I’d love to set up a chat with you all! Are you too shy for social media?  Email me at cdionejones@gmail.com and share your thoughts! 

Shine Bright BrownBeauties,

Cassandra

January’s My Brown Box Review

Hello Brown Beauties! 

It’s VeCoya, here to discuss the contents in January’s My Brown Box. As you know, the ‘My Brown Box’ subscription caters to a wide range of products for your hair, skin, body and more. Watch the video & feel free to share your thoughts with us!

The process to become a subscriber is as easy as following these 3 steps:

Number 1 – Figure out when the subscription list opens by signing up to receive updates at www.mybrownbox.com. Or follow ‘MyBrownBox’ on a social network (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) and we will post information about the next time that the subscription list opens.

Number 2 – Get to a computer before the subscription list opens. It is important to place the subscription in your shopping cart and order the subscription as soon as it becomes available. So if the list opens at 3 PM, you want to be on the website at 3 o’clock on the dot. There is a limited supply so they usually sell out quick. 

Number 3 – After you order your subscription and receive the confirmation email, sit back and relax because your ‘My Brown Box’ will be arriving at your door shortly. (Shortly meaning the next month that they ship out)

Ultimately, I was thoroughly impressed and very pleased with this box’s content and overall presentation. I love being exposed to brands that I’ve never encountered before! 

What did you think of January’s My Brown Box?

My BrownBox Official Launch Announcement!

*** #BrownBeauties THE WAIT IS OVER!***

We’re extremely excited to announce that we are officially launching! Subscriptions for My BrownBox will be available 3pm EST January 5th, 2013 exclusively at mybrownbox.com


Watch the video for further details.

Brown Beauties Guide to: Living Your Best Life

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There are few celebrities who I can honestly say that I admire. Oprah Winfrey is among the select few. When she speaks I listen. I make it my business to try and absorb every little piece of wisdom that travels out of her mouth and implement it into my daily life. She has had several quotable quotes over the years but one that seems to remain with me is “strive to live your best life”. I interpret this to mean – guiding and living your life in such a way that blessings will continuously present themselves in your path. I know, I know, easier said than done, right? Well, trust me I am right there with you but if Ms. Winfrey “guru of all gurus” says it produces positive results, I’m all in. So, #BrownBeauties let’s begin anew today and strive to live our best lives!  How? Let’s let Oprah’s words lead the way -

  • “Be more splendid, more extraordinary. Use every moment to fill yourself up.” — Oprah

  • “When your to-do list has you coming undone, you have to step back and come back to center. Without a connection to something that is real, you will lose your way.” — Oprah
  •  “Every day brings a chance for you to draw in a breath, kick off your shoes, and dance.” — Oprah

  • “I believe that everyone is a keeper of a dream - and by tuning into one another’s secret hopes, we can become better friends, better partners, better parents, and better lovers.” — Oprah

  • “Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure”. — Oprah

  • “I believe that one of life’s greatest risks is never daring to risk.” — Oprah

  • “The whole point of being alive is to evolve into the complete person you were intended to be.” — Oprah

  • “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” — Oprah

  • “If you want your life to be more rewarding, you have to change the way you think.” — Oprah

  • “The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.” — Oprah

  • “Use what you have to run towards your best - that’s how I now live my life.” — Oprah
     
  • “I really believe when you give to other people, you give to yourself.” — Oprah

#BrownBeauties how do you strive to live your best life?

 

C♥ndice 

BrownBeauty Tip Tuesday: DIY 14 Kt Gold Lips

I’ve got a fun one for you today, beauties!

If you’re tired of the same old nude, red or glossed lip then I have just the tip for you. Gold lips, that’s right sparkling gold lips. Not as intimidating as it sounds, trust me.

Here’s how to do it:

1.     Apply a foundation or concealer that matches your skin tone all over the lips.

2.     With an eye shadow brush apply a loose gold powder of your choice all over the lips. Try to pack or press the pigment into your lips, the more powder you apply the more dramatic the look.

3.     Use a small precision lip brush to line around the lips and edges of your mouth with the powder.

4.     Clean up any mistakes or imperfections with a clean lip brush dipped in foundation or concealer.

There you have it, sassy 14kt lips! Try it out and tell me how it goes!

Alisha, Beauty Ambassador

All About Hair: Braids as a Protective Style

#BrownBeauties it’s time to update a classic hair style: today, we are giving braids a grown up twist. Now don’t fret because I’m sure some of you may think braids are so elementary school, but sporting braids as an adult can be fun and stylish. Growing up I was an avid braid wearer, From micro braids at a young age to my middle school years when I paid homage to Alicia Keys by rocking the backwards side braids with beads. Lately I have seen braids making a major comeback and hopefully they’re here to stay.

Hair Tip: Braids are great protective styles but remember to not pull edges too tight and don’t forget to moisturize scalp, hair, and ends.

Halo Braid

Fishtail Braid

Box Braids

French Braid

Bee, Beauty Writer

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