Beauty Diary: My Hair

You guys may be aware of my hair journey, I departed from weave in december 2009 and I have not gone back since. Its been tough, especially with outburst of the brazilian hair, the ombre effect, that pretty Kelly Rowland curls, the waves, the Kim Kardashian inspired hair styles. Even people who went through transition form relax to natural. I have been brave and loyal to my crop look which has seen many different styles of its own, shapes, layers to shaving in the last three years.

Now I keep my hair in a classic bob. But I am getting tired of it. Any suggestions?

Which style should I revisit. Let me know please

xoxo

Haul Post: My Most Loved Purchases This Month

1. Laptop Table 

Its amazing that this is on the top of my list, I feel like such a neek. But I like comfort, and sitting at the desk in my room makes me feel like such a neek. Using the laptop in bed makes it heat up, so I got this very convenient and affordable table with a cooling fan, a mouse board, a cup holder from ebay so now, I can blog, comfortably in bed.

2. New Look for my Mac

I have been meaning to remove the clear acrylic case around my baby, but I could not find one I liked to replace it with. I found this satin feel snap on case in black. It looks so sexy and stylish. Mac looks so much better now. (yup I refer to my laptop as a person, its a he and I love him very much)

3. Famous Lipstick in Kiss ME

  

Its a lie, I have had this lipstick for like two months now and I love it so much, I got an extra one. Its long lasting, very moisturising, and allows me to play with lip liners to achieve different shades.
I got it from Superdrug, if you are in the United Kingdom, I am not sure if they have discontinued the brand, but I would like to try the other shades.

4. Sleek Blush By Three Palette in Sugar

Turbinado             Muscovado              Demerara

This product is highly pigmented, I mostly use the matte colours during the day, but add shimmer for a glamours look when I am going out at night.  My favourite is the  Turbinado, it absolutely compliments my skin, however for a soft look i have to wear the 'Demerara' on stop.  

I want to get the lace palette too, I love the colours, would really work for the summer. (what doe you think?)

5. Organice Root Stimulator Olive Oil Aloe Shampoo and Organice Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner 

I absolutely love this shampoo and conditioner, It moisturises my hair and does not make it feel try out at all...I still prefer my Kera Care Hydrating shampoo when I want a deep clean, but i uses the replenishing conditioner to restore moisture back in my hair. Regardless this product really gets the thumps up from me.

Let me know if you use any of these products, or any product you think I may like.

xoxo

http://SimplyMsNana.blogspot.com/

Diary Of A Shallow Black Girl

Look Diary: Roulette

Roulette .... for the red and black combination

I hardly go anywhere but Church, and I think I have to make an effort, because God like nice things :).    You guys know that I am growing out my hair, I have stop shaving the sides *see previous post* And its grown, I had to cut it again, to achieve this look, I am trying to grow the sides and back out, how long I want it, I don't know, but for now I love it like this.

Dress: Boohoo

Snood: River Island

Jacker: Matalan

Shoes: Asos

Glove: Mummy's :)

_______________________________________

Diary Of A Shallow Black Girl

http://simplymsnana.blogspot.com/

TRESemmé On Relaxed-Afro Hair

We all know that TRESemmé is for Caucasian hair, well most Afro heads think so anyway especially with the models in the adverts being Caucasians. So with my subscription to Glamour Magazine I received the TRESemmé Naturals pack, which included their nourishing shampoo, and the nourishing conditioner, the waterless foam shampoo and the salon silk serum.

For someone with Caucasian hair, this would be a dream bargain, I mean, you see adverts everywhere promoting how good it is, “professional affordable” thus getting it free will be great news.

When I first got, I thought I’ll give it away to a friend or something, but then my hairdresser told me that, the shampoo might dry my hair out but products as such have a good conditioner, thus I decided to give it ago,

Dry Shampoo

I only used it once and i washed my hair out because, my hair is thick i was scared that it will not eliminate or the odours and also i was scared that it might masked the sent, making it even worst.

Serum

the serum is a bit too light for my thick afro/relaxed hair... i don't feel it does it job, so i use a bit of IC heat protection oil as well as.

Shampoo

The shampoo is alright, it makes the hair very silky whiles washing, but after, it tends to be very dry. Thus i Had to use a lot of grease, to give it a bit of shine..but it does make the hair soft and smooth.

Conditioner

This was actually very good.. it made my hair very full but soft at the same time. I really loved it.

Sadly I gave to my friend, because she is Caucasian and the product is made for her hair. But My hairdresser was right, the conditioner is very good.

p.s. All the product smell so heavenly.

Diary Of A Shallow Black Girl

x

Rihanna Through The Years

You all know who she is, the beautiful Barbados native singer...

I could only separate the years by looking at her hair styles.

Her fashion as you all know as developed through the years

there some good and some bad, but through all of it, we remain loyal and watch her move to the new phase.

she has been the inspiration to may of our hair styles, including mine. (although i must say mine is more Kelis and Lala but hey)

 Hope you enjoy the pictures..

Pictures are from all over the web.

Diary Of A Shallow Black Girl

x

Great British Hairdresser

For those of you that aren't familiar with this show its a search for the next big session stylist in Great Britain. Session stylists are the creative masterminds that produce iconic hairstyles for the stars and covers of magazines. Behind all great starts they're great hairdressers, I one day will become one but I have so much to learn before that day comes so I immerse myself into anything about hair.

Celebrity stylist James Brown who has a client list to be envious of with the likes of Supermodel Kate Moss as a close friend and Demi Moore, Lily Allen, Angelina Jolie as clients he's more than qualified to decide who the next big thing in session styling will be. Week by week the stylist are given gruelling challenges against the clock to fight for their place. The editor of Glamour magazine Jo Elvin also judges the hopefuls often clashing opinions with James but as the winner will premier their work on the cover on Glamour magazine her opinion definitely holds power,WAG and model Abbey Clancy hosts the show engaging with the contestants to obtain their thoughts on their performances and James critiquing their work.

I haven't yet selected my favourite of the 10 as there are many attributes that make a great hairdresser; technical ability, creativity, bubbly personality and a eye for fashion are a bare minimum. As the weeks go by hopefully with the direction of James Brown the hair stylists will progress and blossom into the great session stylist they have the potential to be and produce hair worthy of a magazine cover that will make James proud.

This show will make a dream a reality for one person, boosting their profile, confidence and salary. Finally there is a show on t.v I can relate to that inspires me.

Bold & Beautiful: Leona Lewis

Known for her sultry voice Leona Lewis is often put on the back burner in the fashion stakes, it seems Miss Lewis has upgraded her style with long chocolate tresses, eye grazing fringe and a wardrobe that makes Andy Warhol's colour palette seem dull.

There will be many critics(probably fat, ugly and only friends are ones on Facebook) but i'm loving the new look, the injection of colour instantly demands attention, with 70's inspired bangs Leona is on trend for SS fashion. I feel inspired to follow suit and steal her style. Leona is definitely one to watch!

A Week Of Freedom

So I'm just evaluating my week of being natural NO WEAVE NO RELAXER NO MAKE UP and I must admit the thought of it initially made me uneasy, I was worried at the thought of having to look at my reflection and be dissatisfied was daunting. To be honest most like woman I'm always singling out bits I don't like from my elfin ears to the gap in my teeth.

From a young age I've been image conscious, school mornings began with a ritual of 2 hours of hair prep and styling followed by make up some may say its ridiculous but I had to be ready for my public, others had an expectation of me that I had to maintain and ponytails on a bad hair day were unacceptable and ignited queries regarding the state of my hair.

For many years my crowning glory has been masked with weaves and altered by relaxer which after some time takes its toll on the hair line; Super model Naomi Campbell is a victim of traction alopecia and I wish to not suffer the same fate. The only way to prevent it is to let me hair be free.

During this time I reflected on how my hair represents me and my identity. With arguments or debates justify the replacement of curls, kinks and 'fro's by relaxed poker straight hair and weaves that mimic asian, hispanic and european I honestly believe it about conformity.

Working in a hair salon myself I often hear false promises of clients claiming they will stop relaxing their hair but the truth is they won't. I struggled with the hair task myself, made to feel like my hair isn't acceptable or beautiful by on the whole black woman.

As the week came to end I grew more fond of my textured hair, I have however returned to chocolate long waves but when I have more length I will proudly parade my own hair.

Still Day 1

So I'm outside for the first time in years wearing my natural hair and I couldn't feel more strange, imagine that! Its like I've become so accustom to my long wavy remy hair in my deluded world I believed it a part of me, a part of my identity.
Currently I'm a volunteer at an after school club so I'm expecting the children to ask question since they last saw me with red, long layered hair and the person before them now has a brown afro. The adults however said nothing just an uncomfortable stare at my hair n back to my eyes followed by a greeting or a smile.
I've felt a bit paranoid like everyone is watching me but I'm starting to think I'm projecting my own insecurities and feeling uneasy, I've come this far and will continue tomorrow, usually I would be sewing the weave back in but I'm surprising even myself. So until tomorrow goodnight .Kisses

x Zateesha x

Me & my hair

Day 1
So its 1.15am as usual I can't sleep, why??I have no clue, so I'm using this time to evaluate how I'm feeling at the moment.
I've made a promise to myself to attempt to be weave free for whole 7 days, to some of you reading this it may seem trivial but for those who do know me my hair and overall appearance has always been important to me, maybe too important so that has prompted me to try something outside my comfort zone.
I've rocked many styles from a mohawk, side shaved, betty page bangs, short pixie crop, a bowl cut, with colours ranging from fiery red, warm chocolate brown to jet black and a selection of texture. You name it I've pretty much done it but the one option I tend not to proudly flaunt is my own natural hair; no weave and no relaxer/perm.
I'm already contemplating the reactions I will get like "what happened to your hair?!" I've already spent minutes of the day gazing in the mirror with horror and confusion, I'm beginning to think the problem isn't what other will think of my hair but what I think of it myself, do I hate my hair that much that I can't bare to look at it?
Many women try to justify reasons as to why they wear weaves or have permed/relaxed hair the usual excuses are:
1. Its more convenient and easier to manage
2. I want to keep my hair natural(not relax it)
3. I don't have good hair
4. I like the way it makes me feel
5. I work in an office my natural hair isn't acceptable
I feel like a hypocrite because I had my hair relaxed at age 8, an idea that I had persistently asked my mum to pursue, since then I've alternated between weaves and relaxers until now age 19 where I have taken the decision to be natural. To be frankly honest I doubt I will last the week but its worth a try, I might even like it lol. Throughout the week I will try my best to update daily about my thoughts and feeling towards my hair.

x Zateesha x

My Inspiration

As an aspiring Hair Stylist in order to be unique, and innovating i must explore the work of Stylists before me. Taking place this year is the prestigious British Hairdressing Awards 2010, on the 22nd November the who's who of the hairdressing elite will gather to celebrate the best of British hairdressing.

The category I anxiously await for is the Afro Hairdresser of the Year, afro hair so versatile the styling possibilities are endless and each year its demonstrated through the creativity of Afro stylists. My favourite is the fabulous award winning Michelle Thompson of The Francesco Group, below is the artist and examples her work.

Michelle's TRIBE collection for her 2010 collection

Michelle's winning collection of 2009