*sings in falsetto*
“ICE…..I.C.E. feels so… nice. …”

That’s my jam!! lol I was scrolling through my Instagram (@leopardkissez) to see Ms.Kelly was serving up something fierce on The View today. Click here for a recap. She also did a performance with Big Boi of Outkast. Not only does she have remarkable talent but she always looks so well put together. She can rock any hairstyle from her short coif during her Destiny’s Child days to big voluminous ‘natural’ curls to long flowing tresses. Her new album Year of the Woman is due out early next year. She opened up about her new album during an interview with Sister2Sister Magazine. Kelly is on top of the world these days with her hit single ICE, and I wish her much more success in the New Year!

“Get to the apricot oil whudya!” Ok ok!

Recently I’ve decided to ‘simplify’ my hair care regimen (more info to come) as much as possible. While on this journey I came across Apricot Oil. My original intentions were to purchase a big bottle of sweet almond oil and use nothing else but that. Then I saw this bottle on the shelf at my local health food store.

 I read the label 100% moisturizing oil–treat dry hair. Hmmmmmm…….and the price was right too! Retailing at less than $7 for 16 oz I say it was worth a shot. Since then I have consistently used this oil to seal my hair. I can honestly say I have noticed softer more manageable hair, and not to mention the shine! Could this be my new ‘miracle oil’?? Here are some of the benefits of Apricot Oil that I found on the web.

“Heated apricot oil has been has been long used as a hair treatment to restore shine and lost nutrients to dry or damaged hair. Essential fatty acids help restore softness to hair. Simply mix a few drops into shampoo, or rub a few drops between your palms then through hair.” (Quote provided by eHow.com)

“Rich in essential  fatty acids like oleic and linoleic, apricot kernel oil is high in vitamin A. Since it easily penetrates the skin, it is good for prematurely aged, dry or irritated skin. The excellent softening and moisturizing properties is great for face, hands, and hair.” (Quote provided by healthguidance.org)

I have yet to use this oil for my face or body. The oil is very light in texture similar to jojoba oil. But moisturizing like EVOO, and provides sheen like EVCO. Darcy’s Botanicals also sells this oil with a light fragrance on her website here.

Photo courtesy of DarcysBotanicals.com

*This product can be found at your local health food store or Amazon.com

Does this setting sound familiar to you? As a kid with a lot of hair, my mom (and aunts) were often overwhelmed with my hard to manage hair. Tired arms and tears where the norm. Well those days are no more with simple practices that can make washing her precious curls a breeze!

These are the tools you will need

Grab some toys, coloring books, and movies they will help keep your little princess occupied. Snacks are great too! TAKE BREAKS if she begins to get antsy let her stretch and grab a drink of water. You want this experience to run as smoothly as possible.

Finger detangling is your best friend!! Spraying a conditioner mix (w/plain H2O) will help “melt” those tangles and knots. The conditioner I used (pictured above) is a cheap conditioner by VO5  I found at Meijer. You can use whatever you have on hand.

1. Saturate hair with conditioner mix.

2.  Section hair in workable sections and secure with hair clips

3. Working one section at a time. Begin separating any tangles or knots with ONLY your fingers.

4. GENTLY comb out any further tangles with a shower comb or paddle brush. If you run into a ‘trouble’ area STOP combing and work out the tangle with your fingers and proceed with the comb.

5. Braid (I find that these stay together better than twist) the detangled section.

6. Continue until entire head is detangled.

I found a great YouTube channel GirlsLoveYourCurls that has some great ino and styles for your little curly! Check out her Facebook page too here.

This look was for a casual day of shopping (no surprise here *wink-wink*). I know the photo quality isn’t the best, still working on that. Anywho, as promised here are the deets:

Denim Vest: Thrifted/Modified by Calvin Klein

V-neck Black Tee: JCPenny by Decree

Stripped Body Con Skirt: JCPenny by Decree

Yellow Tights: Target by Xhilaration

Gray Leg Warmers: Target by Xhilaration

Boots: Kmart by Bongo

Bamboo Earrings: BSS

Although the Winter season is upon us, that doesn’t mean you should shy away from color just don’t over do it! Stay tuned for my post on the lastest trend NEONS!

Key:

*1-2 uses left

**New Purchase

Shampoos

• Shea Moisture Moisture Rentention Shampoo
• MyHoneyChild Honey Nutt Scalp Cleanser *
• Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut
• Trader Joe’s Nourish Spa
• Curls Curlie Cutie Cleansing Cream*
• Bio Infusion Rosemary Mint

Conditioners (Rinse Out)

• As I Am Naturally Cowash (1 1/2)
• Avon Naturals Banana & Coconut Milk (2)
• Avon Naturals Cherry Blossom
• Avon Naturals Almond Oil & Avocado
• Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth
• Herbal Essences Totally Twisted
• Herbal Essences Hello Hydratioin *
• Aphogee Balancing Moisturizer (1 1/2)
• TRESemme’ Flawless Curls
• Afroveda Holy Basil* (Free)
• Curl Junkie Smoothing Daily Hair Conditioner
• Aussie Cleanse & Mend

Deep Conditioners

• Bio Infusion Rosemary Mint
• GVP Nexxus Humectress Moisturizing Conditioner
• Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose
• Mixed Silk Nourishing Deep Conditioner**(2)
• Elasta QP DPR-11*
• Lustrasilk Olive Oil Cholesterol

Protein Treatments

• deFabulous Reviver Hair Repair Conditioner *
• Aubrey Organics GPB Balancing Conditioner **
• Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer**
• ion Repail Solutions Effective Care Treatment **

Leave-In Conditioners

• Kinky-Curly Knot Today*
• Curl Junkie Beauticurls
• Taliah Waajid Protective Mist Bodifier*
• Biosilk Silk Therapy 17 Miracle Leave-In*
• Silken Child Leave-In Detangler
• Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Honey Butta
• Dollar Tree Paul Mitchell The Conditioner
• Curls Milkshake
• Hairveda Whipped Creme Ends Hydration
• Curls Junkie Smoothing Lotion
• Hair Rules Nourishment Leave-In Conditioner* (Sample)
• Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave-In (1 1/2)
• Mixed Silk Leave-In Conditioning Creme
• As I Am Naturally Leave-In
• Yes to Carrots Leave-In**
• Beautiful Textures Tangle Taming Leave-In**
• Hawaiian Silky 14-in-1 Miracle Worker **
• GVP Sebastian Potion 9

Butters/Moisturizers

• Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Butter Cream* (sample)
• Wonder Curl Butter than love Pudding
• WonderCurl Butter than Love Whipped(never used)
• Donna Marie Super Buttercreme (never used)
• As I Am Naturally DoubleButter Cream**
• Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter Moisturizer
• Curls (for Target) Curl Creme Brule
• MyHoneyChild Coconut Hair Milk
• Silk Elements Silken Child Moisturizing Creme **
• Shea Moisutre Curl & Style Milk
• Motions Oil Moisturizer Hair Lotion

Stylers/Finishers/Gels

• Darcy’s Botanicals Avocado & Honey Twisting Cream
• Pureology Crl Define Creme (free/never used)
• Kinky-Curly Curling Custard **
• Silk Elements MegaSilk Heat Protection Spray
• Mixed Silk Curly Gel (free/never used)
• Eco Styler Gel Krystal
• Curls (for Target) Goddess Curls
• Wonder Curl Get Set Hair Jelly (sample/never used)
• Jamaican Mango & Lime Springing Gel (2 samples/never used)
• Curl Junkie Curls in a Bottle
• As I Am Naturally Smoothing Gel (1 1/2)
• Hair Solutions Curl Keeper
• got2b Smooth Operation Smooting Lustre Lotion
• Elasta QP Feels Like Silj Liquid Styling Gel
• Curls Souffle *
• Curls Whipped Cream*
• GVP Smoothing Ultimate Styling Creme
• Miss Jessie’s Quick Curls
• Jane Carter Solutions Wrap & Roll
• Taliah Waajid Curly Curl Cream*
• Taliah Waajid Kinky,Wavy,Natural Style & Shine (used once)
• Kinky-Curly Spiral Spritz
• One ‘n Only Argan Oil Styling Cream*
• Victoria Secret So Sexy Smooth & Glossy Shine Serum (used twice)
• Kenra Platinum Straightening Gelee (free/never used)
• Motions Light Hold Workng Spritz

Oils

• Vitamin E
• Jojoba
• Hairveda Cocasta Shikakai
• Wonder Curl Get Slick Hair Smoothie
• Grapeseed
• Coconut Oil
• Beautiful Textures Shine & Silken Growth Oil
• Amla Light
• Bergamot Essential Oil**
• Neem Oil EO**
• Lemongrass EO
• Rosemary EO
• Ylang Ylang EO

I think I got everything

I am surprised how many products I Don’t Have because of this finish-to buy challenge. I stumbled across Miss Jessie’s the other day. And I thought to myself, I really need to use this stuff!! For what it cost me….. Because everyone knows the products are not cheap! My only issue was the dry crunchiness I experienced the few times I did use it.

After careful planning lol I finally decided on a leave-in *drum roll please*

Yes I chose my boo As I Am! Lol It was my wash day Sunday but I was too tired after partying Saturday night. Soooo I unintentionally prepood over night with Evco. Yesterday I used suave coconut with grapeseed oil to shampoo. And Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose (AOHSR) with grapeseed and honey, baggyed and dc’d over night. I was never really wow’d with the condish before, but my hair felt like butter. Not sure if it was the overnight that did it or what.

Acv rinsed and another quick shot of cold water……I couldn’t believe how soft my hair was!!! Seriously! I plopped with a tshirt and proceeded with the products. I decided to diffuse but I added some heat protectant first. Here’s the results

So far no crunch….

The dress (I recieved NUMEROUS compliments) was from Avon! Yes I said Avon lol I’ve had it for awhile but was waiting for the right occasion. I apologize for the bathroom pics :/ I was in a rush *shrugs* LOL Enjoy!

Accessories: Earrings and necklace were thrifted. Belt from Dots (?) and bangles JCP.

Boots : Worthington(Jcpenny)

Coat: Worthington (JCPenny)

Clutch: Payless

Back seamed pantyhose (Sears)

Makeup

• Foundation: Loreal True Match
• Loose Powder: CoverGirl TruBlend Mineral (love)
• Eyes: E.L.F.  eye palette
• Lipstick: NYC mixed sheer red and blossom together
• Mascara: NYC
• Eye Liner: Bonnebell

Nails: China Glaze in Liquid Leather

Smell Goods: DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom

My hair was simple. Wet bunned with Flawless Curls conditioner as my leave-in. As I Am Naturally Smoothing Gel to slick down the sides. I think that just about covers everything !

Before we get into Hair Talk….for my Twitter followers, earlier today I tweeted asking for input on what kind of accessories to wear with my birthday dress. The color is iridescent and most thought black would be best. Hmmmm…that was too boring and typical. After venturing from store to store I finally chose GOLD!!! My mom suggested silver, but although I value mommy dearest opinion…I stuck with my decision. When I have to dress for a special occasion (or just for any outfit) I visualize in my head the look I want to go for. For some reason gold just felt right! No worries I’ll post pics

Ok a little bit ago I was moisturizing and sealing my hair to rebraid for the night (did a braidout 2 days prior).  Check out Nina Pruitt 6 Plait Braid Out Part 1 and Part 2. I find her technique is  the best because I prefer full hair over super defined hair. She also put me up on Silk Elements Silken Child Moisturizing Creme. (Have I mentioned this stuff before? *shrugs*)  That stuff is the BOMB!! It smells soooooooo good and it’s cheap! Ingredients are awesome and the price is even better. I highly recommend it. But anyway back on track. LOL While rebraiding my honey was showering so the bathroom began to get steamy from the door being shut. I started to notice the steam from the shower was making my hair feel really nice!! Prior to rebraiding I spritzed my hair (lightly) and heavily saturated my ends with my h2o and oil mix Oils used: castor, grapeseed, vit.E, and amla light I was thinking hmmmm…I wonder is that how my hair WOULD feel if I used the Huetiful Hair Steamer??? The wonder machine retails for a whopping 114 buckaroos!

Photos courtesy of BeHuetiful.com

Do you own a Huetiful? Did you notice changes after the first use? Was it worth the money? I would love to hear your thoughts!