Quiz: Is Our Natural Hair Normally Very Strong?

It's always believed that natural hair, particularly tightly coiled hair type (i.e. Type 4) is very strong. This question is mostly for my team natural readers. Is natural hair always and normally very strong? Click to see the answer and you can also put out your answers too.

From Olive to Argan – View the Top 10 Essential Oils for Natural & Relaxed Hair

I found this very useful for my hair journey with so much to keep up with in this time of team natural and the oodles of tips and tricks. Considering i'm a sucker for body oils and hair oils this got my attention. My hair is relaxed and i've recently decided to grow out healthy hair but with less complications and confusion. So here goes, i hope you find it as useful as i did.

Why Heat Damage Can Never Be Reversed

So you went to the salon and received the best blow out of your life. You’re feeling yourself, you can actually feel the breeze on your scalp as your hair dances in the wind. A week later, you wash the straight strands in anticipation of seeing your ‘fro, but there’s one big problem. The curls are gone. Vanished. Disappeared. The culprit? Heat.

Heat damage occurs when heat is applied to hair strands on a setting that is too high. It damages the hair shaft and changes it’s original curly form. Unfortunately, there is no way to revert your hair since the structure of the strand has been changed.

Because the hair is permanently altered, the only way to get rid of heat damage is to cut it off. Many claim applying beer to the hair can reverse heat damage but after several attempts, I learned this is untrue. Protein treatments can help improve the look of your curls but once the damage from the heat has occurred your curls won’t ever completely bounce back.

Avoid damage by air-drying your hair, and if you are using heat, always use a protector (conditioner, lotion or spray) before the heat application.

10 Tips to Overcome a Weightloss Plateau

So you stopped drinking soda and bringing ice cream into the house, and the weight started to peel off. This boosted your confidence, so you joined a gym to burn some extra calories on the stationary bike. All of your efforts paid off and you lost weight, possibly even a lot of weight … well, for a while. But now you feel stuck; you feel as if you’ve reached a weight-loss plateau.

Possibly you’re at a healthy weight, albeit above your dream weight, but those pesky 5-10-15 pounds are still lingering. Why? Are you just dreaming too big and searching for something that is out of reach? If you’re at a healthy weight, this might be because the body likes to maintain a stable weight, also known as set-point weight. While your body’s set point can be adjusted, it can take some time to get there.

As you are losing weight, it can be tempting to cut calories too low to shed pounds faster. The down side to this technique: your muscle can be used as energy and this gradually slows your metabolism to spare energy. Whether you find yourself above your body’s natural set-point weight or if you’re hard pressed to lose those vanity pounds, here are 10 ways to overcome a weight-loss plateau.

What causes a Weight loss Plateau

If you’ve ever experienced a weight-loss plateau, you know the disappointment of stepping on the scale after another week of eating well and exercising only to see the same exact number as the week before and the scale not budging. For days, or sometimes even weeks at a time, your weight may not budge, which can make your efforts to eat well and move more seem, well, like a waste of time.

The truth is, weight-loss plateaus happen to almost everyone trying to lose weight–even those go-getters with plateau prevention plans. In order to overcome one, it’s important first to understand why they occur. Here are three contributing factors that can lead to a stalemate with the scale:

How Long You Can Store Almost Anything in the Fridge and Freezer?

I find this important and helpful and i actually use this chart myself. It comes very handy and helps you make safe decisions for your home when it comes to what your family feeds on.
They can feel like life’s greatest mysteries: Is that chicken breast at the bottom of the freezer still safe to eat? Or is that mustard jar in the back of the cupboard still any good? The process has been de-mystified with this handy chart, which incorporates advice from the USDA, food scientists, and food manufacturers. Scroll down for downloadable, kitchen-ready versions.

Download and print out your own versions to stick up in your kitchen. This infographic includes expiration dates on items in the pantry too.

Here's How to be Totally Irresistible Again

I read about these ways to make your partner notice you again and decided to share.

Does it seem like your partner is not interested in you? You don’t get those texts you used to get asking how your day is going. You don’t remember the last time he seemed super turned on and wanted to have sex with you. Maybe he barely even says hello when he walks through the door.

You try to do special things, plan nice dinners and outings he will enjoy, perhaps buy him small gifts or do little special things for him around the house, hoping and waiting for him to come around and notice how great you are.

And it doesn't work. You just continue to be the invisible woman, hurt, and confused and wondering how to get him back.

Well, lovers I’ve got news for you: Your man doesn't want a partner who orbits around him. He wants YOU!! He fell in love with you for who you are, your passions and your quirks and that's what is going to get his attention.

Here’s the rule: People can only love and enjoy you as much as you love and enjoy yourself.

Try these 5 things and breathe life back into your relationship:

How To Stop A Jealous Thought In Its Tracks

We've all been there. We see our partner (most likely harmlessly) flirting with the waitress or hear about our co-worker getting the promotion we really wanted. The knowledge of these events can launch us from content to seething in a matter of moments.

Jealousy and envy both have a tendency to bubble up unexpectedly -- one little observation can have a huge impact on our emotions. But how we handle them is what truly matters.

We all get a visit from the green-eyed monster from time to time, but that doesn't mean we have to let him rent space in our minds. Below are a few tips to help you manage jealousy or envy without losing control.

Voice your concerns.

The simplest way to deal with these emotions is to plainly discuss them, Keith Humphreys, Ph.D., a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University, told The Huffington Post. This shouldn't be a rage-filled conversation, but rather an opportunity to explore what's really going on and open the lines of communication. "Bring up your feelings, but not in an accusatory way," he said. "Use it as a way to talk about what's going on and what behavior you're seeing that is causing these emotions."

Photos from The Oscars 2015

The biggest night of the year in Hollywood, the 87th Academy Awards ceremony presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, honored the best films of 2014 and took place on February 22, 2015, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. The Oscars, hosted by Neil Patrick Harris will honor the best in film from around the world.

Here are photos from inside the Oscars.

Using Castor Oil for Treating Dandruff

If someone were to ask you to name the oil that is best for treating dandruff, what would your answer be? Almond, Jojoba or Olive oil? Well, the fact is you would be terribly off the mark, each time! These oils cure dandruff but not as effectively as the humble, affordable and time-tested castor oil!

So if you still doubt the ability of castor oil to cure dandruff, then it’s high time you stopped doing that. Why? Read this post for the answer!

PS: I use Black Jamaican castor oil

Castor Oil – A Brief History:

Castor oil is lauded for its benefits to mankind. But, it has to contend with a bit of an evil reputation as well. It is said that Mussolini, the Italian dictator, ruled with the help of the bludgeon and castor oil. People who didn’t fall in with the dictator’s demands were force-fed castor oil causing gut wrenching diarrhoea, to make them breathe their last.

But apart from this, castor oil carries an impeccable reputation for healing – it has been known to induce labour, the US FDA has categorized it as a safe and effective laxative and Ayurveda says that it is a time tested remedy for a number of maladies of skin and hair, like dandruff and myriad scalp infections.

Castor oil is a unique substance, even though it doesn’t look that impressive. And it owes its uniqueness to the fact that it has a considerable amount of fatty acids. Ricinoleic acid forms almost 90 percent of the fats in castor oil and it is this fatty acid which gives the oil its therapeutic punch against dandruff and other scalp infections.

Does Drinking Lemon Juice Help You Lose Weight?

Lemon Juice for Weight Loss Does it Help? Yes! Right! Drink your way to weight loss with Lemon! It works for me i hope it works for you too.

Just add lemon juice to lukewarm water and get going. Professional nutritionists claim that drinking lemon water induces weight loss. It also helps regulate metabolism and sugar absorption in the body, thereby helping you lose extra weight.

Additionally, lemon water also flushes out some of the toxins in your body, promotes quick rush of energy and even eliminates some of your body’s internal waste.

Lemon Juice for Weight Loss

Consuming lemon water has proven results in terms of weight loss because the mixture of lemon and water is made up of natural ingredients. There are no additives or preservatives or any kind of processed elements; thus making this combination the healthiest for your body.

Drinking lemon water in the morning helps your body in natural cleansing and detoxifying process, therefore the more lemon water you consume the more you speed up with the weight loss.

The Amazing Power of Giving a Compliment

You have the power to turn someone’s entire day around, and it’s easier than you think. All it takes is a compliment. It's Monday, the start of a new week, put a smile on someone's face..that could be all the person needs at that time.

Life coach Shannon Battle says that as human beings, we crave feeling acknowledged and validated. “We want someone to recognize us, and when people give compliments, that signifies that someone is paying attention,” she explains. In a world where people often feel alone and disconnected, a simple compliment triggers feelings of self-worth. “It just helps them to feel better altogether,” says Battle.

You don’t have to put much effort into a compliment. Just try it. Next time you’re in line at the grocery store, tell someone that you like her haircut, her shoes, or her earrings. Next time you’re working alongside a colleague, take a moment to point out a personal strength. Tell a friend you value her friendship. Compliments don’t need to be elaborate. They just need to be sincere.

There’s something in it for you, too. According to Battle, the benefits aren’t only for the person receiving the compliment. She says that giving a compliment allows people to feel like they’re contributing positively to the world. It triggers a rush of good feelings, and it teaches a lesson. “It helps someone be in tune with others’ needs and not be selfish with their own,” she explains.

What’s more, a compliment has the power to stick with someone for years. Something that may have felt insignificant or simple to you could have immense significance to someone else.

Top dos and don’ts to mend those annoying manicure mishaps.

It’s Saturday night. The kids are in bed. It’s time for that oh-so-rare moment of “me time.” The plan: Turn on your favorite rom-com, munch on some chocolate, and give yourself an at-home mani-pedi.

Fast-forward to Sunday at noon, and you realize the paint on your pinky is already chipped. How did that happen? You attempt to fix it with polish and a cotton swab. The result? You’ve somehow removed half of the polish on three other nails.

Avoid making that manicure mistake – and others -- ever again! From how to fix that one-nail flub to the real trick to removing polish on the skin around your nail, we have your essential list of dos and don’ts for DIY manicure maintenance.

1. DO prime your nails for a longer-lasting manicure. The best tool for preventing premature chipping is something in your kitchen cabinet. “Swipe a little vinegar across the nail before painting,” instructs beauty expert Amy Bobeda. “The vinegar will remove natural oils, and give your nail a slightly grippy texture.” Love this idea, but hate the scent of vinegar? Bobeda suggests neutralizing with a little lemon juice.

2. DON’T use a cotton swab to try to remove polish on your skin. So, you spot an annoying strip of polish on the edge of your nail or along the skin below your nail. Most of us grab a cotton ball and the bottle of remover to fix it. What happens? Little cotton strands get caught in your nail polish, causing even more woes. Next time, ditch the cotton ball, and use a small makeup tool, like an eyeliner brush. A little brush is easy to dip into the polish remover and erases that stray bit of polish without creating more mess.

David Beckham's daughter, Harper Beckham 'flooded with modelling offers' worth £30million

Modelling, getting paid for having fun like i like to call it. The famous three year-old has reportedly had an amazing £30 million worth of modelling offers.

It really was only a matter of time before Harper Beckham became involved in what is fast becoming the family business. With two of her brothers, Romeo and Brooklyn, and a mum and dad all partial to a bit of posing, her fate as a model seems somewhat set.

The tot, who recently stole the spotlight as she sat front row at mum Victoria's latest New York Fashion Week show, has reportedly been "flooded with modelling offers" totalling £30 million.

The Daily Star quotes a 'fashion insider' as saying: "Companies see her as the greatest role model for a wholesome, modern family image." 

"She's surrounded by a happily-married working couple and go-getting brothers. You cannot buy that kind of appeal," they add.

Harper is now, rather disturbingly, "the most wanted female in the world of fashion and entertainment, even putting North West and Blue Ivy in the shade."

Parents David and Victoria are said to have shunned the offers, understandably, given that Harper is so young. Nevertheless, her brother Romeo was only 10 when he first modelled for Burberry, so no doubt Harper will take a slice on the £30 million pie before long. 

Romeo Beckham modelling for Burberry

Credit:Daily Star

How to make eyelash extensions last!

In this photo i used 100% human hair Broadway Eyes, the medium size. After spending time and money getting eyelash extensions, the last thing you want is to have them falling out in no time. By taking care of your extensions, it’s actually easy to keep them both healthy and long lasting. All you have to do is make a few changes to your routine and be aware of your lashes and you won’t have to rush back in a few days to get them fixed.

Relax For 24 Hours

The adhesive used to bond the extensions to your natural lashes takes time to setup fully. Try to avoid extremely humid areas and much physical activity. Basically, sit down and relax for the day. If the adhesive doesn’t bond properly, the extensions won’t last as long as they should. Stay away from saunas and overly hot showers – especially for the first 48 hours.

Is Facial Steaming Right For Your Skin?

I'm guessing it should feel just like when you walk into a steam bath or maybe not, Lol! A professional facial by a trained esthetician can give your skin a transformation whether it be to turn back time or get clearer skin. One step you can try yourself at home is facial steaming. I'm always tempted to incorporated this relaxing step to my beauty routine, but what is the purpose of steaming and is it suitable for you?
Steaming the skin either at home or under professional care does a multitude of things for our skin. Not only is it enjoyable and relaxing to feel the warmth of the steam, but it also improves the skin’s health at the same time. The warmth of steam increases blood and lymphatic circulation helping get oxygen to cells, while our lymphatic system clears away bacteria and toxins from various parts of the body. Steaming also causes some perspiration to occur that further detoxifies the skin on a minimal level by simply having water and salt push out any dirt and toxins hiding in the pores. It also softens the top layer of skin to allow for easier exfoliation of dead skin cells and deeper penetration of skincare products.

Make Your Own Non-Dairy Alternative to Ice Cream

Ice cream is one of those special treats where you can’t stop at one bite. Trust me, I’ve tried!  But with all the excess sugars and fats, guilt can set in quickly–especially if you’ve been working hard to lose or maintain weight. There are also a ton of additives in many brands of ice cream that can simply be avoided if you plan your desserts ahead.  Time to introduce yourself to nana ice cream – which is dairy-free and in most cases depending on what you add in, vegan!
Did you know you can make a wonderfully tasting and filling frozen treat with bananas and your favorite toppings? I promise you will ask yourself why you never did this before because you will be impressed with your own culinary skills after enjoying a bowl. A delicious “skinny” treat that will have you start imagining all sorts of recipes you can come up with!
I’ll start you off with my own favorite version of nana nice cream: A banana-Coconut-Pineapple version.  For any of these recipes you will need a small mixer, like a ninja or magic bullet.
Coco-Banana-Pineapple

1. Peel one or two bananas, slice them up and let them sit in the freezer for a few hours.  I generally found that one small banana was enough for a single serving, and one large banana was enough for two!
2. After waiting at least 4 hours for the banana slices to harden, gather your other ingredients of choice to mix in.  I like to use an organic shredded coconut and pineapple chunks. For extra coconut flavor I will sometimes add in teaspoon coconut manna.
3. Toss all the banana slices into the mixer along with the shredded coconut (and manna if you choose) and blend until it become a thick and creamy consistency.  You may need to stop the blender and shake it around to get all the chunks blended well.
4. After blending, toss in your pineapple chunks and hand mix with a spoon. If you use the blender it will pulverize the fruit instead! You can also try freezing the chunks in advance but some fruit pieces may not stand up to the blending.
5. Scoop your creation into a bowl and enjoy the goodness! Yum!

Is Sugar Bad For The Skin?

Everyone knows too much sugar in the diet can create undesirable results in the weight department, but did you know it also affects the skin? Without even realizing it, many of us over consume sugars which can wreak havoc on the skin over time causing acne, skin flare ups and accelerated aging. Time for a quick science lesson. Sugars come to us in the form of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are then broken down into glucose which fuels the body. Some types of carbohydrates are broken down very quickly, these are called simple carbs. There are also some that are slowly processed by the body and those are complex carbs.
Simple carbs, such as refined sugars, soda, white bread or fruit juice are quickly processed and cause spikes of insulin to occur which is actually seen as an inflammatory response in the body. When inflammation occurs in the skin, enzymes are created that break down collagen and elastin. Once collagen levels are depleted, skin looks dehydrated, dull and eventually show signs of wrinkles and aging. Not to mention that reduced levels collagen in the skin exacerbate our favorite skin conditions like acne or rosacea.

Fresh from NYFW, Julianne Moore and Dakota Johnson Hit the Airport Together in Style

Talk about an A-list flight! Julianne Moore and Dakota Johnson touched down together at LAX yesterday ahead of this Sunday’s Academy Awards, where Moore is nominated for Best Actress and Johnson is set to present.
The Still Alice and Fifty Shades of Grey actresses donned casual cool ensembles for their turn on the airport runway that consisted of statement outerwear, skinny jeans, black ankle boots, and dark shades. While their looks were similar, Moore grabbed attention in a bold cream topper and Johnson looked chic in a sleek leather moto jacket.
And this isn’t the pair’s first outing together: On Wednesday, the duo buddied up in the front row at the BOSS by Hugo Boss runway show during New York Fashion Week. Is this Hollywood’s newest pair of BFFs?

The Reason Behind Scandal's Olivia Pope “Slightly Off” Wardrobe

Finally! After several torturous episodes, Olive Pope (Kerry Washington) has been rescued by the highest bidder on the international auction. Abby Whelan (Darby Stanchfield), determined not to let the CIA sacrifice her friend, hunts down former gladiator, Stephen Finch, and finagles a way for him to accept the $2 billion auction prize (Olivia) on Russia’s behalf, ultimately saving her life. Thank goodness!
Olivia springs into action after she realizes that her buyer is on her side. She grabs Stephen’s gun, shoots her captor in the leg, and kicks him repeatedly in the gut after he falls to the ground. In this scene, we couldn’t help but notice her kick-butt Burberry boots. “We needed a solid boot so that she had lots of support,” costume designer, Lyn Paolo says. “We knew that she was going to do a lot of action-related things in this episode so that’s why we put her in those.”
As for the rest of her outfit, don’t forget that those items were all picked out by her captors, who had previously been surveilling her for months to make sure she looked as ‘Olivia Pope’ as possible for her prospective auction bidders. “We wanted the look to be slightly off from her normal look so that it was clear that her kidnappers dressed her,” Paolo explains. “We wouldn’t normally use this particular coat on Olivia. Baby pink is not generally in her colorway, but overall it looks like they were at least trying.” Paolo paired the Burberry boots with J. Brand jeans, a Vince boatneck sweater, and a Burberry coat to top it off.
Scandal is going on a brief hiatus (sigh), but be sure to tune in when the show returns to ABC on March 5th!

Make your day-to-night beauty transition a breeze with these fresh tips.

Taking your look from day to night doesn’t have to be complicated — especially if you are a busy mom. Just keep the following tips in mind for the next time you want a look that’s perfect for both work and play.

1. Set Your Hair up for Success-If your hair holds a blowout well, this will certainly make transitioning simple. But for those who lack the time, talent or cooperative hair, make the styling easy and just leave it down all day and night. If you want to pull your hair back for daytime, braid it. At the end of the day, your braid will have created natural, loose waves. Once hair is out of the braid, spray a little Aussie Sprunch Hairspray onto hair and tousle it gently with your fingers to maintain waviness all night.

2. Choose Lasting Makeup-You don’t want to drag your makeup bag around all day, so choose your products wisely. Start with a long-wear foundation like COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation. Then put on a coat or two of waterproof mascara, like COVERGIRL Professional Remarkable Washable Waterproof Mascara.If you want a little more intensity at night, bring eyeliner with you and lightly line your top lids at the end of the day. Then add a pop of color to your night out with a bold shade of COVERGIRL Outlast All-Day Lipcolor.

4 Simple Steps To Fill Your Eyebrows

Fuller eyebrows signify youth. It is no surprise then why all of us long for thicker and fuller brows. But when it comes to make the eyes look fuller by filling in the eyebrows, you need to be very careful as a small mistake can ruin your efforts completely. Don’t worry! Filling in eyebrow is not a Herculean task! Lol.
Basically, the job is divided into two segments

• 1. Shaping up the eyebrows
• 2. Filling in the eyebrows

Let us guide you through the stepwise methods for accomplishing both of these tasks:

10 Superfoods To Get Glowing Skin This Winter

1. Olive Oil:

Olive oil contains many nutrients like vitamins A and E, and fatty acids. It has emollient properties that help hydrate the skin and maintain its suppleness and flexibility. Olive oil is rich in antioxidants that eliminate free radicals and prevent discoloration and other damage.

2. Avocados:

Avocados contain loads of nutrients like vitamins A, C and E. They also contain monounsaturated fats, which help the skin acquire and retain moisture. Avocados are also a storehouse of minerals that are essential for a healthy skin.

3. Grapefruit:

Grapefruit is rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C helps fight many skin ailments. Grapefruits are also rich in lycopene, a chemical that helps keep the skin smooth and protects it from UV rays.

4. Broccoli:

Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable that is good for the skin. It is rich in Vitamins A and C. Vitamin A helps keep the skin healthy and reduces scars. Vitamin C helps to maintain collagen production. Broccoli also contains B-vitamins that help reduce dry and flaky patches.

My 8 Simple Tips To Look Beautiful Without Makeup

Ok this is me with absolutely no make up on. Yeah i know i'm lucky, Lol! And i'm going to share my beauty regimen with you guys. If you were to ask any lady about that one thing in common which all women share, the answer would be easy to come by – Makeup! Right? And if your next question was to be ‘Do you have any skin problems?’ chances are most ladies would reply positively cause no one is perfect. But there are ways to reduce these worries and have clear beautiful skin.

Common Skin Complaints and Best Way to Tackle Them

The most sensitive issue for majority of the people specifically women and teenagers, is to take care of their skin in every possible way, as it is said that the first impression is the last impression, and skin is the first and foremost feature to gaze and observe. Today’s generation is quite conscious about their physical appearance whether they are girls or boys, because of the peer pressure and consequently they are more concerned about their overall personalities.

With the intention that they can feel confident about them at all times, and can avoid the harassment by the friends or family who usually target the weak aspects and make intimidating comments. So, let’s have a review of the common skin problems faced by people and what are the possible solutions to them.

Facial Concerns and Solutions

Generally, most irritating part of the life is when you wake up with a fresh pimple on your face, and you just cannot do anything about it, except for ignoring it and going to your school, college, university or office, with that pimple peeking out from your face, where your friends and colleagues are suggesting you to have a treatment for it.

The possible solution for acne or breakouts is, not to think about it and let it be there, as it takes time but eventually it goes away as you grow up. Probable reasons for acne are hormonal changes during teenage, burdening us with stress or tensions resulting in more oil secretions and oily face. Other factors include applying makeup for long intervals and then leaving it on the face all over the night, this causes the pores to clog and frequent breakouts.

For oily skin, use of water based or mineral based makeups should be utilized which are new in the market, and thus keeps the skin hydrated. Therefore, one should take care of the facial skin by cleansing it daily, especially after removing makeup. Following are some home remedies to cleanse up your face;

• Apply cucumber, tomato or lime juice combination with milk over the dark areas, or simply rub a slice of tomato or cucumber to your skin and see if it suits you.

• Apply a mask of “Multani mitti” to your face with fresh aloe vera, to soothe your skin, if it is aggravated by the acne or is dark due to sunburn.

• Apply some ghee or else vegetable oil to heal your cracked lips, or just after taking bath apply a thin layer of olive oil to your lips and massage it using your fingertips.

• For dark circles, just apply cold milk with the help of cotton balls over the eyes and let it be there for 10 minutes.