I Finally Found The One: The Epic Search for the Perfect Kinky Conditioner

The search for the ideal conditioner for kinky hair is like the search for the perfect man. It needs to make you feel beautiful, be multi-talented, be easy to work with, know how to take care of you, inspire you to be your best - and is most likely super rich. Under steamy conditions it gets the job done. When times are tough, it has your back. For better and worse, the perfect conditioner is “the one”.   

I am afraid of commitment. I get bored and play the field. Some may have long term potential, but most are disappointing and only deserve a one wash stand. Finally, after all these years, I met my match. We have been going steady for about a year now. I think it’s time for this one to meet the friends and family ( and you ).

I was reluctant to give this one a try. I knew I would have to invest a lot, financially and emotionally. I was skeptical, so I did a background check. After being reassured by other lovers, I took a chance. Post first date, Ady M. told Influenster, “it is just the best hair I have ever had.” So, I opened up my heart ( and my wallet ) and my hair followed. Bumble and Bumble Creme de Coco conditioner put a ring on my ringlets.

This is how “the one” won me over:

1. It has smooth moves. It has amazing “slip” to distribute evenly, detangle, and silkify.
2. It never leaves me dry. As a leave-in, it leaves my mane moisturized for days.
3. It is so deep. Deep Conditioning that is. I can leave this on for 30 minutes or overnight and rinse off in ecstasy.
4. Great for quickies. Five minutes can leave you satisfied.
5. It is so stylish. If I’m feeling extra kinky, this styler sculpts my curls with soft definition.
6. Its edginess excites me. It is a great alternative to pomades or gels for slicking edges without stiffness or crunch.
7. It’s sexy. Containing coconut milk and other exotic additives, a roll in the shower will leave you smelling like a good time.

I hate to share, but I encourage you ladies to give my perfect ten a try.

   

Image courtesy of Lily’sApothecary.com.

The Discoloration Dilemma

Many Black women are chanting, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the clearest of them all?” LovetoKnow.com  reports that thirty percent of us with a deeper hue have hyperpigmentation. Are you disillusioned with discoloration? Speckled skin is not a spell that cannot be broken. The cure for the curse can be found. Let’s connect the dots to banishing those spots.

Damaged skin equals hyperpigmentation. Physical damage can occur from aggressive actions like vigorous scrubbing or picking pimples. Chemical damage can occur from photosensitizing agents such as citrus essences. Environmental damage can occur from inadequate sun protection. Always treat skin with the gentlest touch, calmest ingredients, and wear sunscreen daily. DailyGlow.com recommends a calming combination of sensitive skin care products combined with daily UVA/UVB defense. Look for aloe, chamomile, honey, and an SPF of 20 or higher.

Dark marks can be lightened with routine exfoliation and the targeted application of active ingredients. Retin-A is the top skin sloughing pick prescribed by doctors. Dermatologist Joel L. Cohen told The New York Times, “There is so much historical evidence that this ingredient works better than anything else, it actually works to remodel skin on a cellular level.” MulticulturalBeauty.com lists hydroquinone, botanical extracts ( from licorice, mulberry, bearberry, and burdock ), and acids ( salicylic, glycolic, azelaic, and kojic ) as the best solutions to break up the blotches.

No need to feel destined to a life of dullness and dots. Recite the incantation “prevent, protect, and be proactive.” The fate of your flawless face is in your hands.

Image courtesy Cosmetic-Hospital.ch.

Jolie Icon: Josephine Baker

"Beautiful? It's all a question of luck. I was born with good legs. As for the rest. . . beautiful, no. Amusing, yes," Josephine Baker joked, according to BellaSugar.com’s Brittney Stephens. Though her features lacked classic perfection, she knew how to encite intrigue and worship. Self invention produced a goddess who earned the titles “Black Venus” and “Jazz Cleopatra”. In Hungry Heart, Steven Gaines shared Ernest Hemingway’s impression, “The most beautiful woman there is, there ever was, or ever will be.”

Josephine Baker was born in the slums of St. Louis, raised on the stages of New York, and reinvented in Paris as “La Baker”. The pioneering performer’s “banana skirted” Revue Negre debut sparked stardom. The eccentric adopted a pet Cheetah, Chiquita,

and a “rainbow tribe” of children. She was an honored World War II spy and Civil Rights rebel. Now, she is a beauty icon.

Her stylized features epitomized flapper “it”. Finger-waved, kiss-curled, and face framing, her slicked down pixie was the chicest “do” of the day. Her image even graced a namesake styling pomade, “BakerFix”. She masterfully juxtaposed a dash of “vamp” and a splash of glam, on a bold Black canvas. It was all in her exoticly smoked Cleopatra eyes and adoration for adornment. She took the bob haired world by storm. Baker was not just “it”, she redefined “it” for generations to come.

Baker’s look has inspired women since her 1920’s reign until recently. Essence beauty editor, Tia Williams, reported, “we're obsessed with the original ‘Jazz Baby’ herself.” Prada’s Spring 2011 collection was an homage to Baker’s visage. Vogue Italia’s “Black Allure” editorial alluded to Baker’s essence. Superstar Rihanna is rumored to be starring in a Baker biopic. Baker is back.

My favorite photograph of Baker, the one holding court on my boudoir wall, captures her grandeur and grace. Nude except for ribbons of crystalline jewels and wings of white feathers, her sultry kohl rimmed eyes tease. Her cupid bowed lips are smiling bright. She is dark, flirty, mischievous. The moment pictured is the ultimate incarnation of her sophistication. In that moment she becomes a muse. 

Image courtesy of KayKeys.net

Five Minutes to a Natural Face

I had an agenda. My mission: leave the makeup counter with a “natural look”. At the end of the hour I realized, “mission impossible”. No matter how many times I stated the code words, “subtle”, “soft”, “daytime”, and “work appropriate”, the artist was determined to make me over in her image. The image was “nude”, but not Kerry Washington on a Sunday afternoon in the city “nude”. Instead I left with at least a dozen products on my face… and I looked “nude”, in that porn star “nude” way.

Disgraced and defaced, I set out on my own to uncover the top secret “natural look” for Black women. I have spied it on Ms. Washington, Rihanna, and Liya Kebede, but never a civilian. Finally, I uncovered the secret to looking uncovered. All you need is five minutes and five steps to fuss-free fabulous.

1. Concealer only, for face. Take a fine tipped skinny brush and spot

2. Conceal your blemishes. Blend in the cover-up with a dome shaped brush or your fingers. All you want is an even-tone, not airbrushed.
3. Concealer only, for around the eyes. Skip the cloying colors and simply dot a creamy, highlighting concealer around the eyes. Tap into the skin with your fingers. You now look effortlessly awake.
4. Mascara only. Apply mascara generously at the base of the lashes to deepen your definition. This creates the illusion of eyeliner without the harsh effect. Next, focus on separating individual hairs with the end of the brush to give a delicate feel. You want fluttery, not fake.
5. Barely blush. Fluffy brush a spicy hued powder ( think cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg ) on the highest contour of your cheekbones.  
6. Lipliner only. Think double chocolate. Pink is too precious for this lip look. A true cocoa lipcolor, accenting a real cocoa lip, is ideal. Lipgloss, liner, or lipstick work to add a touch of texture, while begging to be kissed.

“Mission accomplished” if you want  a polished and pampered, without the pressure look.

Image courtesy of WebMD.com

The New Wave in Natural Hair

Move over traditional cornrows, dreadlocks, and afros. The modern natural hair movement is raising the style profile. The key trends are vintage inspired updos for longer lengths and tapered twa’s for cropped cuts.

VINTAGE VIXENS

This look screams screen siren sultriness.

Volume is at an advantage with this super pompadoured put-up.

Twisted tendrils and a side sweep are super elegant and easy.

A bounty of braids wraps up this look. 

CROPPED CUTIES

This style is soft, simple, and serene.

Shaved sides give this pixie a punk attitude.

Ombre pieces punctuate this graduated gorgeousness.

Crisp and clean, who knew curls could look so sharp.

The trend is toward, “more fun and sophistication in natural hair looks,” cited TribeCalledCurl.com.

All images courtesy of Tumblr.com

Soft Beauty in Focus on the Spring Runways

Despite the extreme beauty statements on many runways, chicness and a natural beauty approach inspired many of the hair and makeup looks at New York’s Spring 2013 Fashion Week. There was an emphasis on softness and understated sex appeal. 

Textured hair designs embraced curves and bends. At Altuzarra low buns were knotted to mimic a kimono’s obi tie. The Jason Wu runway welcomed “mermaid waves” cascading down the models’ backs. Delicate crimps replaced super straight blowouts at Thakoon. “Spring is all about having an effortless and relaxed look,” said hair stylist Tiffany Mauk (PaulMitchell.com).

Fresh faces and nails glowed under the spotlights. The beauty team at Rodarte was influenced by the dusk and dawn hued scenes of the classic movie “Days of Thunder”. Diane Von Furstenberg wanted to enhance each model’s natural bone structure with subtle highlighting. A pearlized effect was achieved on nails by layering nude and pale shimmery polish at BCBG. “We want the girls to be extremely perfect but in a simple way,” said Tom Pechaux, BCBG's chief backstage makeup artist (Style.com).

Guido Palau of Redken shared his spring trend conclusion. “This is an especially sensual season for beauty,” said Palau (YouBeauty.com).
Image courtesy Noemia.ru

Beauty Services Turn Ugly in the Wrong Hands

You have always considered yourself fashionable. Finally you have a little money to burn and want to step your personal style up another notch. You bought the new Alexander Wang tote, the Helmut Newton pencil skirt, and the A.L.C. blouse to get you started. It is time for hair and makeup! You decide to get some professional help to complete your transformation from girl next door to hip sophisticate. Young, polished, and professional is the mantra you want to adopt with a little help from a beauty guru or two. 

Online you research cosmetics lines and salons paying attention to their reviews and galleries. You add images of your desired new look to Pinterest for inspiration. Angelina Jolie's picture is the epitome of natural chic. Her face is minimal, sultry, and luminous. Rihanna's picture encapsulates the power of a sharp haircut. Her pixie is edgy, classic, and modern. You are no ingenue or rock star but surely these looks are achievable with expert direction. 

Your makeover day has arrived. Your chosen cosmetics line is legendary in the industry. Every color is at their artists’ disposal and every application technique is crafted to perfection. Your selected salon is a best kept secret with a cult following. Executives, models, and artists round out 

their client profile. Why do you exit the doors of both establishments feeling like you just broke up with your boyfriend? The makeup artist made you look like a drag queen despite you hinting “approachable” every step of the way. When the hairstylist swiveled the chair around to the mirror you resembled every other client being serviced that day even though you kept repeating “punky”. 

Almost every woman has had experiences similar to these. Incompetent beauty professionals are to blame. Professional women spend their hard earned money and their precious time in the hands of “experts” who do not listen, do not deviate from one prescribed look, and do not set aside their egos to service their clients effectively. Ladies, never leave any service unhappy or demand a refund. Never forget, “the customer is always right.”
Image courtesy Gopixpic.com