RANDOM INSPIRATION

Hope everyone is having a great week, I know my posts have been lacking this week but it is drawing near to the end of my school term and I need to focus.

For anyone interested, I am a court reporting student going into my third trimester in September. Court reporters are usually the little lady in the courtroom with that machine writing everything down. I started this course a few years ago and could't continue because of schedule conflicts.. Anyway, back in January I decided to go back..

Dreaming is great.. 

Living that dream and working towards that dream is an awesome feeling!!!!!

Set yourself in order, write it all out, take the steps nessasary and make it happen..

Today I passed my 50wpm speed test and I could have jumped out of my skin -- This was something I was just thinking about nine months ago -- I was at a job i couldn't stand doing something I had no passion for and something as small as passing this test today meant that I'm in the right place.

I pray every day to be prepared for the awesome things that are going to happen for me. It's hard work and I do get discouraged but if it is a real joy, a real passion push through that negativity!

I have 175 more words needed before I graduate but I'm up for the challenge!

 MY MACHINE!!!!!!

MY VISION BOARD!!!!!!!

Forget the nay sayers and the haters. Ignore those people who don't understand your dreams. If you are crazy enough to believe you can do this impossible thing -- Make it happen!

WASH & GO

I just want to congratulate myself on my 1st ever SUCCESSFUL, can b worn OUTSIDE in PUBLIC in the DAYTIME --- wash & go!

I have to admit I've had wash & go envy lately...

"I have curls.. My hair can do that" <--------- conversations with myself

Slight traces of hate were flowing through my veins every time I saw another natural rocking her wash & go..

So this week for wash day I tried it.. I went out got some more product SPECIFICALLY for this carefree, effortless, hair do!

#1 This is NOT an effortless, easy breezy, carefree hair do
#2 They should change the name to WASH, do a bunch of stuff to your hair and then GO



LOL! But it was cute and it held up all weekend... Check out the pics!

PRODUCTS USED:

• Jane Carter Curling defining cream
• Carol's Daughter Tui leave-in conditioner
• Eco Styler gel 
• wide tooth comb

Now I don't normally use a comb in my hair but the comb helped with making sure the product was through all of my strands and it helped to clump my curls.. 

I liked it.. I will definitely do it again but I didn't like HOW MUCH PRODUCT I had to use! I didn't like the crunchy feeling from the gel either and there was some flaking -- other than that this hair do is a 7!

SLIGHTLY OBSESSED SUNDAY

Hey guys!!!!!! I know I'm a day late with my weekly obsession but I'm here today and I'm quite obsessed!

The natural hair police might scroll my blog and crucify me for this but they will just have to get over it boo boo..  There has been much debate on every social media outlet about if coloring your hair still makes you an "official" natural or not -- I don't know who the GURU is or the Natural Nazi is but I'm saying COLOR CAN BE FUN..


I AM OBSESSED WITH COLOR..

Now I am aware that achieving some of these colors could jeopardize the integrity of my natural curls and change the texture but as soon as I find a safer, less damaging solution I'm getting some color!!!!!!!

THE "N" WORD!!!!!!!!!!!

NAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today someone asked me why would I want to wear my hair nappy like that???? It took me three seconds to compose myself and keep my head from spinning completely around like the exorcist then I had to remember..


BITCHHHHHHHHHHHHHH *hair flip* MY HAIR *hair flip* is F'N FABULOUS *hair flip*

LOVING IT!

Something about her statement made me sad for her. Aside from her jacked up .50 weave I was bothered that the way MY HAIR grows out of my head was such a spot of contention for her....

I have embraced my KINKS, CURLS, COILS, NAPS, AND WAVES... I'm not asking other people to like it -- this isn't a fade -- this is ME! 

YESSSSSSSSS BABY!

Ladies.. Embrace it! Love it! Rock that "NAPPY" S#$^&%!

HOMEMADE DEEP CONDITIONER

In keeping with the last post,  I thought it would be fitting to share my homemade deep conditioner.. There are a few varieations for this conditioner since my hair calls for different things at different times..

HOW OFTEN DO YOU DEEP CONDITION????

I deep condition EVERY WASH DAY!!!!!!!!!!! It is essential for my hair -- I have tried to skip a week and have noticed a difference in the way my hair feels.

IN WHAT ORDER DO YOU DEEP CONDITION?????

I rinse my hair with warm water, apply my DC, rinse, co-wash, rinse, apply black tea rinse, rinse again!

LOL!!!!!!!! Just writing it all out looks extensive but I've adapted my routine to my needs and it works for me.

SOOOOOOOOOOOO WHATS IN IT??????

• Plain Greek yogurt
• 2 egg yolks
• three caps of lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• essential oil of choice (peppermint)
• carrier oil of choice (coconut)
• 2 tablespoons of EVOO

SPECIAL ADD-INS INCLUDE:

• avocados or bananas (extra moisture)

It has taken me almost this entire natural journey to come up with the perfect homemade DC.. It has just the right oils, the right amount of protein and the yogurt is a gentle cleanser.

POTIONS & CONCOCTIONS

If you have been natural long enough or even if u are just starting you may start to notice that some parts of your hair regimen seem like you are participating in the science fair.... Its gotten so bad that my kids are never sure if the avocados mean "TACO NIGHT" or "WASH DAY".....  I am sharing my potions with you!


BLACK TEA RINSE:

• 2-3 TEA BAGS 
• 4 CUPS OF WATER
• 2 TABLESPOONS OF ACV (apple cider vinegar)

Steep the tea bags for a few hours or overnight if you prefer and pour into your hair after the shampoo process... Leave on for 15-20mins... RINSE!


WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BLACK TEA??? 


OK! OK! OK! Natural hair has a tendency to be a little drier, prone to breakage and shedding.. NO ONE wants a cracked up fro.. Black tea blocks the hormone DHT which is responsible for hair loss. It reduces shedding SIGNIFICANTLY. It adds shine, softens hair and for us all ready browned haired girls it darkens our tresses.


AND WHAT ABOUT THE VINEGAR???


Our hair is naturally mildly acidic -- after using shampoos, dyes, products -- we can throw off our own PH balance. Apple cider vinegar restores our PH. It closes the cuticle surrounding the hair shaft for shinier, smoother looking hair.. Don't worry about the smell -- It doesn't linger!!!

I make this rinse at least once a month.. I tend to shed more during the winter so I switch it up to twice a month. Pay attention to what your hair likes and needs.

WHO KNEW WE REALLY WERE GONNA NEED SCIENCE WHEN WE GREW UP??

BIG FAT OBNOXIOUS BRAID

FOR THIS STYLE YOU WILL NEED:

• GEL
• BRAIDING HAIR 
• BOBBY PINS
• BLACK OUCH LESS ELASTIC BAND

I initially bought "Marley braid" hair because it has more texture than regular braiding hair but after putting it in the big braid it reminded me of cabbage patch hair and it didn't match my hair AT ALL!!! 

I scraped the braid and went to the beauty supply again on Saturday. This time I picked up regular braiding hair and it worked A LOT better!!

You can use as much or as little hair as you want -- I used a pack and a half but I would probably use a full 2packs the next time for a fuller braid..

Mold your own hair into a high ponytail and make your bun as small as you possible and then secure your  BIG FAT OBNOXIOUS BRAID with bobby pins

THAT'S IT!!!! SUPER EASY! SUPER CUTE!

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!

Photo Booth photo shoots are the best.. LOL!

Try it and let me know how it works for you

SLIGHTLY OBSESSED!!!!!!!!

MORNING!!!!!!!!!! Happy Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!

This week I am slightly obsessed with Tae Heckard.. If you don't know who she is, she has been in a bunch of music videos and she is most known for her part on THE GAME..


Sooooooooooooooooo in my head she is going to be on the Internet one day, google her name and come across this blog, then we will become BFFs with matching tattoos!

"y'all know the ninja bun is my way of saying eff the comb, I ain't doing my hair. Just happens to be sexy. The messier the better." -- Tae

Ugh!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just love her *swoons* 

FALLING OVER FALL FASHION

I am a true summer baby, I love the heat but there is something magical about fall fashion that I can't get enough of..

The weather this time of the year can be a lil tricky, its too hot for uggs and snow boots, but it isn't quite warm enough for pum-pum shorts so what is a girl to do???

DON'T WORRY... I HAVE GOT YOU COVERED!!!!!!

You know that fabulous maxi dress??? Welllllllllllllllll why not add a cute belted sweater to it

Those just right oh so perfect shorts??? Add a pair of tights and a cute blazer for a brand new fall look

ACCESSORIES, ACCESSORIES, ACCESSORIES, ACCESSORIES.... Its all about the cute scarf, chunky jewelry, knit hats, slouchy bags, studs, and cap toe flats

Get in touch with your masculine side -- This trend is a personal fave of mine!!!!!!!! That prep school remix, a bow tie, the super cute pocket square, funky oxfords, intellectual frames, and blazers

Layer responsibly!


Embrace fall colors!

Whatever you choose to do, remember to have fun and be fierce!

PLAYING IN MY HAIR

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO... 

Its Thursday evening, I don't have any school tomorrow and I got a 100 on my sten chapter test *smile*

Perfect time to deep condition and play in my hair..


Lately I've seen so many pictures of this long obnoxious fat braid that I just had to try it!!!!!

I stopped at my local beauty supply and picked up a few things for my experiment -- I've seen a few YouTube videos and I think I have enough info to pull this off..

FOR THIS STYLE YOU WILL NEED;

• gel -- I'm using eco styler
• braiding hair -- I'm using 100% kanekalon marley braid hair
• bobby pins & hair pins
• elastic ouch-less hair bands

Here is a collage of the style I want to recreate

I can't wait to show you guys what I come up with... 

STAY TUNED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IGNORANT SHIT MEN SAY TO NATURALS

"You must listen to Jill Scott and music like that"

"You are very Afrocentric"



WHY??????????????  UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fellas let me break it down for you right quick... My hair is natural! All that means is that I have decided not to chemically treat my hair anymore..

IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT I AM QUEEN OF THE MOTHERLAND.. 

I DO NOT BURN INCENSE!!  

I am a NOT feminist trying to move away from "the man's" oppressive standard of beauty! 

I DO NOT HAVE A TATTOO OF AN ANKH ANYWHERE ON MY BODY!!!!!!!!

YESSS!!! I love artists like Chrisette Michelle, Floetry and Jill Scott BUT I listen to everyone else too!

I DO NOT WEAR NOR HAVE I EVER OWNED A KENTI CLOTH!!!!!


Fellas! Fellas! Fellas! I love you.. I really do but y'all are gonna have to do better.. This madness has got to stop. It is a hair choice -- that's it! I do not assume you have Michael Jordan money because your rocking a baldie so knock it off!!!!

UPDATE.. UPDATE.. UPDATE..

Well I have taken out my rods, fluffed and separated my hair...

I have taken countless bathroom shots and I am ready to debut my look for the week...


*DRUM ROLL*

TA-DAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! Isn't she fabulous? YES!!!!!! Baby this hair is giving me life..
If you are just joining or if you skipped the other post -- I had wash day on saturday and I used Carol's Daughter hair milk pudding to set my rods.. Aside from the initial smell, I really have no complaints..

My curls have definition. My curls have hold WITHOUT the crunch. My curls move & blow in the wind. I will be rocking this set for the rest of the week --HOPEFULLY-- cross your fingers and your toes its suppose to rain in NY tomorrow *sigh*

BUT CAN WE TALK ABOUT THIS SHRINKAGE????

COMING UP....

I'm on my way to bed (class in the morning) but I wanted to give you guys a sneak peek on everything metrocitycurly!!!!

Since starting this blog I've gotten about 300 readers so thank you so much!!!!!! In a time where there are 23 ba-zillion blogs out there, I am honored that you decided to read mine..

THIS WEEK:

• I still have to give my final overall experience score for the carol's daughter hair milk pudding
• I am styling my flexi rod set and posting pictures
• Fall fashions & transitioning from summer to fall fashion post
• My slight obsessions of the week

SOMETIME IN THE NOT SO FAR OFF FUTURE:

• Hair regimen (mixes, concoctions, & potions)
• NY fashion week
• Makeup chats
• Interview with a metro of the month

INITIAL PRODUCT THOUGHTS

I got my curl box today and in true junkie form I had to have a wash day!!

Three products I had to try IMMEDIATELY;

1. palmers deep conditioning pack
2. cantu shea butter coconut conditioning cream
3. carol's daughter hair milk pudding

I added the deep conditioning pack to my regularly scheduled homemade deep conditioning treatment.. It was extra thick but a little too floral for me. It blended nicely with the rest of my D.C. concoction. I deep condition every wash day!!!! My hair is extra thick and the creamier the D.C. the better so the palmers was an extra bonus..

INITIAL OVERALL EXPERIENCE SCORE: 6.5

 I took off for the floral smell

 I would need five packs if I ever wanted to use it alone

I loved the consistency

FOUR HOURS LATER..... 

Oooooooooooooooooo EM Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!! This stuff smells like vacation in a bottle.. Y'all should just go to your nearest beauty supply and take a whiff.. Ugh! I love this! It is super thick! Turn it upside down -- shake it -- it ain't going ANYWHERE!! I decided to finger detangle and section my hair off with this product. I sealed my ends with an oil mix.

INITIAL OVERALL EXPERIENCE SCORE: 9.25

I only took off because I'm not sure if all the ingredients are curly girl friendly

no other complaints, I LOVE THIS STUFF!!!!!!

OK! let me keep it real right quick... I've always wanted to try these products, the new packaging is super cute but this reminds me of my cleanser from my Proactive system.. I even grabbed the cleanser just to make sure I wasn't tripping and sure enough it smells exactly like it. Luckily the smell doesn't linger, I used it to flexi rod my hair. 

INITIAL OVERALL EXPERIENCE SCORE: TBA

I have to wait until my rods are taken out to really see the hold and definition

Overall wash day was AWESOME! My hair is very soft and it smells awesome.. Sleeping with these rods is not the business but oh well, beauty is painful!

UPDATE: AFTER TAKING OUT MY RODS I GIVE THE HAIR MILK A 8.5 FOR OVERALL EXPERIENCE

MY VERY 1ST CURLBOX!!!!!!!

Happy Saturday Guys!!!

I am very very very excited to announce that I finally received my 1st CURL BOX today.


For anyone who may not know what a curl box is -- it is a $20 monthly subscription and every month you receive a box full of natural hair products!!


I heard about curl box a few months ago and the product junkie inside me desperately needed to get my hands on one. I went to http://curlbox.com/ and signed up for their newsletter. Unfortunately whenever the list would open up it would sell out before I could order one, well this month I stalked that website.. I had my phone, my laptop, my boyfriend's phone all locked and loaded and ready to order.

Annnndddddddddddddd I got on the list *happy dance* I got on the list *happy dance*

This is an amazing service... For my first box I got two full-size products, a bunch of samples, some coupons and a really cute letter from the editor. Stay tuned for reviews because today is DEFINITELY hair wash day!!!!

If your interested in getting your own curl box (I'm not sharing mine) go to the website:
http://curlbox.com/

Follow the CEO and her team on instagram: @curlbox @myleik 

SLIGHTLY OBSESSED SATURDAY!!!!!

Whenever I'm on the internet I find myself taking screenshots of everything I love -- Like EVERYTHING!!!!!

SLIGHTLY OBSESSED SATURDAY... 

WHAT ARE YOUR SLIGHT OBSESSIONS?

BABY..... THEM EDGES THO!

DISCLAIMER: I am not a licensed professional stylist nor am I a medical professional

With that being said....

Babyyyyyyyyyyyyyy have y'all seen Ms. Naomi lately? LOL! unless you have been living under a rock in the last few days or you don't keep up with the comings & goings of our beloved celebs, you may not be aware of the news, so let me share it with you!

Now I already said that I am not a licensed professional stylist or her medical provider so I am not sure if Ms. Campbell suffers from any serious medical condition which causes hair loss but baby them edges is non existent!

LOL its not funny -- (LOL) OK! I'm lying -- its a lil bit funny... Ms. Campbell is the walking poster child for taking care of your hair while rocking your protective styling. Weaves are great! I love me a good weave.  I will rock a weave at least two or three times a year but you can not neglect the hair underneath.

MY TOP 5 WEAVE WEARING RULES:

1. TRIM ENDS & DO A PROTEIN TREATMENT BEFORE INSTALL
2. LET STYLIST KNOW IF YOUR BRAIDS ARE TOO TIGHT OR PULLING
3. WASH & DEEP CONDITION WHILE THE WEAVE IS INSTALLED
4. OIL SCALP IN BETWEEN YOUR TRACKS
5. NEVER LEAVE YOUR WEAVE IN FOR EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF TIME

Let this be a WARNIING!! Be good to your edges and they will be good to you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU... HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.... AND MANY MOREEEEEEEEEEE


12:01am on the dot.... 

just woke my baby up with a very loud and endearing version of the happy birthday song... Aside from frightening the poor child out of his sleep, I think he enjoyed my off pitch rendition.

Seems like just yesterday I was bringing home this cute butterball bundle of joy and now my lil man is a whopping 8yrs old *tear*

Its crazy how time flies.. 

MY HAIR STORY.....

"Girlllllllllllllllllll you got good hair!" 


Someone asked why i went natural. 


Well, I didn't have a moment of enlightening, i never suffered those scary chemical burns, no allergic reaction, wasn't trying to get in touch with my ancestors, i honestly just stopped relaxing my hair *shock & awe*

I knw.. I knw.. Most naturals come up with a million philosophical reasons why they gave up the creamy crack but my story isn't that "deep"


I am the granddaughter of a licensed cosmetologist, I am the daughter of a licensed cosmetologist... Hair is something that has always been around. Sitting In the shop for hours on the weekend has been ingrained in me since i could remember. wash & sets, press & curls, pigtails, ponytails, dax and blue magic hair grease. yo momma yelling to hold your head still was all apart of being a lil girl in my family

AND THEN HERE COME THE 90S

I wanted finger waves soooooooooooooooooo bad! UGH! i had a cousin who got haircuts, braids, those funny looking twists in the front with the hair hanging in the back!!!! UGH!!! y'all don't understand! i had hair envy! I begged and pleaded for a relaxer.. plz plz plz let me get a relaxer.. My mom finally gave in. I got my relaxer only to find out my damn hair was too long to finger wave.. it was a tragic day for a very sad 15yr old 

Skip ahead to the new millennium 

i get a touch up every 3-4 months... girl what?! yes! i get a touch up every 3-4 months.. anytime anyone would ask about my regimen that little fact would send people into a frenzy.

"why u even get a perm"
"my hair would look jacked up if i waited that long"
"you sure you not Spanish"
"girl u got good hair"

while this banter was always good for a chuckle, I grew tired of this same conversation. My mom and I discussed it and i made the conscious decision to skip my scheduled touch up - those 3months passed and i skipped it again! Before u know it, I had transitioned for a year with wash & sets and weaves. One year turned into two and here i am..

Relaxer free for 2yrs and 4months

ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF

Few things in this world that get me going.. My hair, My work and My city! 

Its 1am, I'm burnt out over my studies and I'm rocking a lopsided fro *shrugs* just one of those nights I guess.. 

This blog is a distraction, an escape if u will from what i really should be doing -- studying!

I'm a court reporting student.. Born & raised in the big apple... Annnndddddd I've been natural for two years..

I'm going talk about the things that move me, that excite me, please expect a lil bit of rambling and random thoughts, fashion, shoes, tattoos and natural hair stuff too!!!!!!!

A!