WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?

GIRL.... When life gets in the way this blog takes a back seat!

I am so srry for my absence and the lack of participation on my part -- Thank you to all of you who have sent emails, left comments, hit me up on instagram like excuse me miss where the hell are you?! LOL!!

I have a new school schedule so I will get right back to blogging ASAP'ington

Much love,
Asia

BEAUTY BLOGGERS.. IMATS.. MAKEUP HAUL.. INGLOT - NAKED COSMETICS - ROYAL & LANGNICKEL BRUSHES

This past week was the INTERNATIONAL MAKEUP ARTIST TRADE SHOW (IMATS) here in NYC. Three full days of non-stop beauty and makeup all in one place -- the girly girl's place to be and Metrocitycurly was in the building!!!!


Y'all don't really wanna read my rambling -- you wanna c what I wore, how my hair was and what I bought.. So lets get started!

MY OUTFIT: Zara 3/4 sleeve sweatshirt with lime green details. booty shorts, polka dot tights, Melody Ehsani for Reebok sneakers, lime green cross body bag, FAVORITE leather jacket!

MY HAIR: Chunky twist out -- I washed the night before, sectioned off random pieces, I detangled and used leave-in oil gel leave-in oil, and proceeded to throw in 12 twists around my head..  I rolled the ends with gray and white perm rods.

WHAT I GOT:

12pc. Royal & Langnickel Silk Pro set.. I got it for $50 it is on their website for $119.99

I saved MORE THAN HALF!

I watched some reviews on this brush set and I think I picked a winner.. These brushes are SUPER DUPER SOFT ON THE SKIN! I'll probably do a full review after i use them for a while but i can already tell they are a definite upgrade from my Sephora brushes

INGLOT BLUSH

INGLOT EYESHADOW -- 10 SHADOW PALETTE

INGLOT LIPSTICKS

I didn't own any Inglot cosmetics so I was very happy to see them at IMATS. All of the colors are extremely pigmented and the cool magnetic palette keeps them secure.. The best find was when we went back around the second time and discovered these new lipsticks - they go into a magnetic palette as well and they can be mixed and matched for custom colors! 

If you girls wanna see swatches of anything jst shoot me an email or leave a comment and I'll make sure to do that for you..

RANDOM SHADOWS 2 FOR $3

GLITTERS 4 FOR $20

MY CUZZIN HAS TWO

I picked up some pigments from Naked Cosmetics -- 2 tubes with 6 pigments a piece -- all different colors.. The box comes with instructions on how to use these pigments so I will try my best not to make a big ass mess whenever i do use them. The coolest part about pigment is you can use them any way u like  eyeshadow, eyeliner, nail polish, lips, temporary hair highlights or bronzer o_O who knew???

NAKED COSMETICS LOOSE PIGMENT

 MY VERY BEST PURCHASE FROM IMATS WAS *DRUM ROLL PLEASE* 

A BEDAZZLED MAKEUP CASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL! Up until yesterday I store all of my makeup in a shoebox -- don't judge me! I originally had one of those makeup gift bag things and all of my stuff was in there THEN I outgrew that so I had everything in a shoebox NOW I am officially official and I have a real case! 

It opens up with side compartments and one really deep bottom compartment -- its super cute with the sparkle on the outside - it came with a set of keys so i could lock it up and it was only 50 BUCKS!!!!!

It was a great trip and I'm looking forward to going again nxt year!

DID YOU ATTEND IMATS THIS YEAR??? WHAT DID U GET????

SHE STAYED ON THESE STILTS UNTIL THE VERY END

MY PARTNER IN CRIME!

REVERTING BACK TO CURLY --- HEAT DAMAGE?? CURL CARE BLOWOUT FOAM... TRESEMME HEAT TAMER...

Saturday was the day.. I found 3hrs I could dedicate to washing my hair..

Would it revert??

Did I ruin my curl pattern??

Did those heat protectants really protect my curls??

Is there any heat damage??

The anticipation was too much! I stuck my head under the water and waited for the magic to happen *insert jeopardy music* SHE'S BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OH! WHAT A RELIEF! 

I thought I was gonna have to come on here and tell you girls how that heat jacked up my curls and how I'm never never never ever gonna straighten my hair again... BUT she came back! THANK YOU BABY JESUS..

Lemme tell you what I've noticed...

My hair is not dry.. 

My ends look and feel a lot better since OLGA trimmed them..

I experienced minimum shedding while my hair was straightened and no bits in the sink

The Mr. Mr. likes my hair straight as do a lot of ppl and we have come up with a deal that at least every 6 months or so I should have it blown out.

This week my deep conditioner of choice was 

• plain Greek yogurt

• honey

• extra virgin olive oil

• coconut milk

A lil protein - A lil moisture...  I still plan to do the beer rinse i jst didn't have the beer in the house on Saturday.  Nxt week is also my week for my black tea rinse so I may have to push it back until after the beer rinse *taps chin* I will let y'all knw!

QUESTIONS.. QUESTIONS.. QUESTIONS..

How long was Ur hair straight?

From March 28th - April 6th 10 days.. And I think if I would have left it alone it would still be straight today

What heat protectants did you use?

Curl Care Blowout Foam

Tresemme Heat Tamer Leave-in spray

Both offer protection from heat for temperatures up to 450 degrees -- its very hard to review a heat protectant considering I never straighten my hair before and I would have to compare the results to not using any protectants on my hair (NOT HAPPENING) I can say they worked for me during this blowout flatiron process and if you wanna try them plz be mindful that every one's hair is different 

Would you do it again?

Yes. I liked seeing the length - it is less wrk than having it curly - my slick back ponytail was really cute

BYE BYE STRAIGHT HAIR!

HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CURLS!

MAINTAINING YOUR STRAIGHT NATURAL HAIR... BANTU KNOT OUT PICTORIAL.. CURLBOX PRODUCTS

HEY LOVES,


Its been a week since I've been to the salon and my hair is still LAID FOR THE GODS!!!!!!! I was so worried about my edges betraying me before Easter Sunday that I borrowed a flat iron from my little cuzzin -- i didn't use it!

Before church...

I kept my hair wrapped unless I was going outside. It was soooooooooooooo hot in that chuch that I have been rocking a ponytail since Sunday afternoon. The Mr. Mr. even commented that I was looking like a joint with my pony -lol!

After church.. ponytail

As far as my hair is concerned it still feels smooth and silky -- I haven't seen any LIL bits of hair in the sink and I've been staying away from styling tools as much as I can considering straight hair needs to b combed

IN THE MORNING..
Every morning I've put on a lil of my oil mix to the outside and the length of my ponytail then use my boar brush to smooth any fly aways

AT NIGHT..
Every night before bed I tie my hair up with a scarf and cover it with my bonnet in case my scarf slips off

STYLING..
After the initial salon bounce wore off I was rocking a ponytail - very low maintenance and I wasn't really worried about my edges reverting at this point. I decided to try a Bantu knot out since my hair is stretched..

PRODUCTS USED:

• Cantu Shea Butter Coconut Curling Cream
• Dark & Lovely Au Naturale 10-in-1 Styles Gelee 
• Creme of Nature Perfect Edges with Argan Oil
• Bobby pins

I set my hair on Tuesday and I took the knots down Wednesday morning..

DUCK LIPS IN MY PIC!

My hair had great bounce.It did not revert back and I did not experience too much shrinkage. This has been the only way i have ever successfully done a Bantu knot out!

The next post is gonna be about reverting back to curly.. Seeing if there is any heat damage.. OH! and I'm trying a beer rinse for the first time!

C u girls in the next post..

THE TRUTH SERIES.. ARE NATURAL HAIR GURU'S STUCK UP?????

Hey ladies popping in real quick to tell you about my new series I am doing for the month of APRIL...

Every Friday I am coming to you guys with MY TRUTHS! I'm not sure if it is gonna be all blog posts or maybe even a vlog just about the things I have noticed or have been made aware of during my natural hair journey.

If you girls have any suggestions you already know to hit me up and leave a comment or shoot me an email and I will try to incorporate your suggestions...

This should be fun so I will see you on FRIDAY for the first installation of my series

 "ARE NATURAL HAIR GURU'S STUCK UP???????????"

LOL! Stay Tuned!!!!!!

Check out my Instagram @metrocitycurly 

And if you've missed it read all about my straightening experience in my last post!

U DID WHAT??? STRAIGHTENED NATURAL HAIR.. BLOW OUT! FLAT IRON!

I DID IT!!  I FINALLY DID IT!!  I HAD MY HAIR PROFESSIONALLY STRAIGHTENED!! 

*gag sigh & faint*

I know this comes as a shock to most of you -- hell it is a shock for me too -- but its done and I'm happy about it.

I've been thinking about it for a few weeks and today I decided to bite the bullet and just do it! I haven't had straight hair since *jeopardy music* I cant even remember! Its been that long.. And the last time I put any type of heat on my hair was back in July for my birthday 

July 2012

I had a weave in and I let my stylist blow it out for me so of course she had to blow my leave out too! I stay away from heat -- until today 

THE PROCESS...

I applied my deep conditioner before I left for the salon.. 

2hrs later it was time to wash & condition. 

I am the neurotic kind of customer that brings her own products and I'm like "UH_HUH Don't put That in my HAIR!!" I've been there enough times that the shampoo girl doesn't talk about me anymore

After the conditioner she went to detangle my hair and y'all 

*side eye* I wanted to slap the pee out of her!

Like.. 

MISS DO YOU SEE ALL THIS HAIR???? 

DO YOU THINK THAT LIL ASS COMB IS GONNA GET THROUGH ALL THIS HAIR????  

She lucky she don't speak no English!

I had her apply my Dr. Miracles Blow Out Foam heat protectant that I received in this month's CURLBOX and she rolled my hair with those magnetic rollers.. 

All I'm gonna say is THAT DRYER IS THE DEVIL!!!!! IDK how you girls go through that every week -- OMG! I turned mine down at least two times and still kept the lil door thingy open

OH-EM-GEE!!

My home girl -- Spanish mommy -- OLGA *hey girl* hooked a sista up! I pulled out my Tresemme Thermal Creations heat protectant and Olga went to town on this head.

 I had her turn the blow dryer down to medium and I only allowed her to blow the roots. I got a trim and then she let me go!

All in all I am very happy with the way my hair turned out. Will I go back on a regular basis and let them blow my hair out??? HELL NO!!!!!!!! I love love love love my curly fro and all that heat can not b good for any one's hair -- relaxed or natural!

LEMME TELL YOU WHAT I NOTICED...

There are A LOT of bald headed Spanish women too!

Spanish girls wear weaves and get relaxers too!

Natural hair is some form of leprosy in a beauty salon -- you would think they never saw a head of curly hair

The health of your hair is nvr discussed or taking into consideration -- everyone gets the same hot ass dryer, hot ass blow dryer, flat iron, curling iron and pins -- UNLESS you specify otherwise 

STRAIGHT HAIR ROUTINE???

Ummmm right now I don't really have one except stay away from all water (shower, rain, steam,sweat) Try not to sweat out my edges and nvr go to bed without my scarf and bonnet!

STRAIGHT HAIR DONT CARE

ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT HEAT DAMAGE???

I AM TERRIFIED THAT I AM GOING TO WASH MY HAIR AND MY FRO WON'T COME BACK! 

I am also optimistic -- I used TWO HEAT PROTECTANTS AND TWO DIFFERENT LEAVE-IN'S. 

Both heat protectants offer protection for up to 450 degrees soooooooo *crosses fingers and toes* 

Pray for me y'all..

BEAUTIFUL TEXTURES CURL DEFINER REVIEW -- UPDATE 5/26/13

This month in my Curlbox I received a full sized Beautiful Textures Curl Definer Styling Custard and I decided to try it on a new style I was trying out -- finger coils. I washed, conditioned and  detangled and proceeded to style.

A finger coil is basically taking a small section of hair and twirling it around your fingers to create a coil.

Now I had never done finger coils so I wasn't sure what to expect - I would say I have about medium length hair and it still took my 3 HOURS to coil all of my hair *side eye* yea.. NVR AGAIN!

ANYWAY.. 

Beautiful Textures - Curl Definer Styling Custard for mixed textures (curly, wavy, kinky-Colly, frizzy)

"Achieve amazing manageability and styling versatility for the curly, wavy, kinky-coily, or frizzy hair. Get soft defined curls, bodacious bouncy spirals, and smooth silky tresses while nurturing natural growth of mixed textured hair"

The Styling Custard has a very loose jelly like consistency. It smells good but the smell is a little overwhelming -- luckily the smell doesn't linger. It reminds me of the Kinky Curly Custard - same clear jelly type stuff.

Y'all already know that I am a ingredient conscious natural and I will say I was pleasantly surprised by the ingredients.  There is water, aloe leaf extract, ginseng root extract, olive oil, mango butter, nut oil, hydrolyzed wheat protein and some other not so bad stuff in this product. Towards the bottom of the list  you will find some gycols and polysorbates but all in all it isn't the worst product you can use on your hair.

As far as styling is concerned -- THIS PRODUCT WORKS!!!!! MY CURLS WERE POP'N! The jar says: "Attain the ultimate moisture, definition and curl control"

Did I like the finger coils?? EH--NOT SO MUCH... But I still had excellent definition. My hair wasn't frizzy and it didn't shrink up as much as it normally does. I ended up pulling the coils apart and jst slicking my hair back for a ponytail on Sunday.

I'm going to use this product again with a different style and I'll show you girls the results in another post.

Here are a few pics from Instagram - LATA!

INITIAL EXPERIENCE SCORE: B-

I loved the definition

My hair was not crunchy

I'm taking off for the very perfumed smell

It gets points for less shrinkage & frizz but I still have to take off bcuz the style didn't quite work out 

UPDATE!! UPDATE!! UPDATE!!! UPDATE!! UPDATE!! UPDATE!! UPDATE!! UPDATE!!

LADIESSSSSSSSSSS.... While this product gives AMAZING definition it dries my hair out like no tomorrow and it FLAKES!!!!!!!! like disgusting huge white flakes! 

I've mixed it with oils.. I've tried to use very little and it still flakes up on me and dries me out no matter the product combination so I will nvr go out and purchase this product with my own money.

OVERALL EXPERIENCE SCORE: D

The only reason it didnt get an F was because of the definition I received