Tuesday Chic Spotlight: Amber G.

It's Tuesday! You know what time is....this week's Tuesday Chic feature is someone that is really dear to my heart....she along with two others pretty much inspired me to go natural so it goes without saying how I feel about her hair!  She has got tons of style and is coming to us from St. Louis....Tuesday Chic:

{Amber G.}

On Hair...

What is you hair anthem?

It's kind of cliche but I'd have to go with "Whip my hair" by Willow Smith.

What is your favorite hairstyle to rock?

I would have to say a two-strand up-do

What are three words to describe your hair?

Wild, fun, and dramatic!

What have you been doing to maintain healthy hair?

I have been doing lots of moisturizing using a natural Shea butter application at night, moisturizing deep condition, and a natural stylist.

How long have you been natural and what made you go natural?

I haven been natural for about 2 years.  I decided to go natural because I did not want a relaxer any longer and I wanted to try something different with my hair and play around with styles that complemented my natural texture.

What is the best part about having textured hair?

Simple maintenance.  I apply the Shea butter at night and two strand twist if I need to, wrap it up and call it a night.  Just as easy in the morning to style and go.

On Fashion and other things...

What is one beauty product that you cannot live without? Why?

I would have to say my Moroccan Oil moisturizing shampoo and conditioner because it gives my hair so much moisture.  But I also have to have LIV for the the dry days when my hair just isn't responding well to the Shea butter.

What would you say your fashion style was?

I would say it's casually chic

What are three things that are always in your purse?

 Lip gloss, a pair of earrings, and gum.

What are the top three pieces in your wardrobe?

I would have to say hoop earrings, cardigans, and shoes!

Anything else you want to add?

Well I  want to say that wearing my natural hair has been amazing.  I inspire people that I didn't even know I'd inspire just by posting pictures of my hair on Facebook. If you're going to go natural you have to own it.  Don't be afraid to try new things...different colors, or whatever personalizes your style.

And there you have it....Tuesday Chic feature Amber G!  She is right about one thing she does inspire people shoot I know she inspired me!  

Until next time ciao!

Trend Alert: The High - Low Effect...

Yes I have yet another trend that I love and want to share with you all and that's the high-low look.  Whether your wearing this trend in a shirt, dress mini, midi, or full length skirt you will  be sure to make a statement. 

How to wear it:

Mini Skirt - In mu opinion a high low mini skirt is best paired with a form fitting tank styled top.  I personally think this brings more attention the skirt you are wearing.

Midi/Full Length Skirt - I think this length of skirt is best paired with some sort of cap sleeve crop top it can give a really romantic looking skirt a "not afraid to play" feel.

High-Low Shirt - I think this look is best pair with a mini skirt or your favorite pair of stretch skinny pants.

*Hint for those of us who are bottom heavy (like me) look for a high low top where the back of the shirt comes below your bottom.


Shoes:
I am not sure if this is just one of those things we all know but definitely pair a high-low skirt or dress with a pair of fun and flirty open toe shoe (whether it's a wedge or chunky heel with a strap).

That pretty much sums it up...snatch a few high-low pieces and you will be ready for some summer fun!

I've got the hair blues....

Photo Credit

After coming off of a weekend of joy I have found myself having the hair blues.  I mean it!  I went from feeling my hair to feeling like I am letting my hair get the best of me!  I know you all know the feeling I am talking about sort of when your hair goes from doing everything you want to just not laying right.  I mean I feel like I went from Tracy Ellis Ross to the black boy in high school musical.....it's just got me all in a funk.  

I was in target the other day (shopping for hair product) and a lady stopped me and said "what do I need to put on my hair to make it look like yours?"  That got me thinking about how I have felt like that many times and what I have tried to do to change my attitude (all of that is what led to this post)

First things first....you have got to stop comparing your hair to every other person's hair
This is probably the single most hardest thing to do.  We see people everyday on television, in the mall, at the club, or wherever and we get caught up in the "my hair won't do that" syndrome.  I have been guilty of this many times and I am sure I will have a few more moments like this.  I think the thing here is you have to stay motivated and find ways to "own" your hair.  I know there have been moments when I thought my hair could have turned out better but random people have stopped to share their admiration.  So find yourself and stick with it!  Focus on the great times with your hair and use that as motivation for future styles.

Step back and see the bigger picture...
Hair is just that ...hair! It will grow it will shed and if you don't trim it, it will split (lol).  So even when you are frustrated with your hair do not make fast decisions. I have been guilty of this many times!  I have been in the position where a style didn't turn out the way I wanted I grabbed a pair of scissors and cut it out.  I am known for acting on impulse and sometimes it worked out where others I wished I had never done it.  So the key is to take the time to think about it before you do it.

Lastly know your going to fail (it's the truth)
Most of us are not natural born hairstylists shoot there have been several times in the beginning of my hair journey where I tried a style once (for some several) times and it did not turn out the way I expected.  The key here is to take note of what you can change about the process you did and the next time change it.  For example my first set of  Bantu Knots on my natural hair did not turn out the way it did when my hair was still relaxed (I liked the outcome better then ha ha).  It took about seven tries before I got some results I loved.  So be prepared to fail at some styles a couple of times before your in love with the results.

So the next time your feeling down and out about your hair try to use these tips to help you "cope" through the blues...

Shop Here: ASOS



 So I know many of us know what ASOS.com is but lately I have mentioned this online wonderland to people and they had never heard of it.  This got me to thinking that I should do a post on this store.  I am addicted to ASOS for so many reasons.  It could be because they have free shipping and free returns or because they have so many different brands and can be considered a one stop shop. 

I figured there would be no better time than now since they are having a sale (up to 50% off of select items).  Which basically means you could get a dress for $20 (trust me I have one in my cart now lol).  So ASOS sales clothes, jewelry, shoes, outerwear for  both men and women.

Also in the past few months they have added an online marketplace where you can purchase items from other people's online boutique's ...it's pretty friggin cool.

So check them out at: ASOS.com  and please share your findings....

1 Year Natural ...My Hair Journey!!!!

Okay so I can't beleieve that its been an entire year since I did the big chop!  I am both excited and curious to see what the next year will bring in terms of growth and styling opportunities for my hair.  Below is a video highlighting the first year of my natural hair journey!!!




 

{My 1 Year Natural Journey}

I really hope you all enjoyed the video! Feel free to leave any questions in the comments section! Until next time!!!



Choosing the right Shampoo

Photo Credit

Okay this post is for all of my natural chica's out there and those that aren't natural but really just want to take care of their hair.  I know when I was first considering going natural the first thing I read was has some shampoo's were not very good for your hair because they have chemicals in them that tend to do more harm than help.  There were times when I went to purchase a product but I got bogged down by the ingredients  I had read soo many posts and watched so many YouTube video's I couldn't remember all of the do's and dont's for choosing a shampoo.  So I have decided to put all of my knowledge of choosing the right shampoo into one place...one source of information, so when you are in the store with the bottle in hand you only have to look one place (here...lol) to see all that should and should not be in a shampoo!


Let's start with the basics....

Why do we need shampoo?
Well we need shampoo because it removes dirt and oils that builds up from our hair (it's like dirt is the villain and shampoo is the superhero who chases it away...okay maybe that was a bad example but you get my point)

You get what you pay for

I know that sounds harsh especially for those of us on a budget but that is as honest as I can be.  If you can;t afford or don't want to pay $15-$20 for a bottle of Shampoo (because I can be like that sometimes) you have to keep in mind you may miss out on some healthier ingredients or end up with a product that snuck a few bad ones in).

The Do's (what to look for in a shampoo)
* Shea butter (moisturizer, our hair tends to be more dry than others
* Creamy shampoos
* Glycerin (restores moisture)
* Collagen   (restores moisture)
* Jojoba extract (helps damaged ends)

The Do Not's  (Try to avoid)

* Artificial Fragrances (if you want a scent look for something that has a natural scent)
* Alcohol rich shampoos (will result in dryness)
* Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or any other sulfate (can weaken the strength of your hair and strip it of moisture)
* Artificial Color (don't like a shampoo because you like a color, shampoo doesn't have to look pretty) and example of how a color reads in shampoo is (FD&C Red No. 6)
* Methychloroisothiazolinone (supposed to kill fungi and extend the shampoo's shelf life but it is pretty toxic)
* Silicone's -(yep all of them...they make your hair easier to comb on the front end but over time they will coat you hair and make it hard for true moisture to set in)

The Middle (the one's we love to hate, use them less often)

* Lathering products (we all love a good lather makes the shampoo feel "official" but this tends to cause frizz)

Some final advice :

I say find a few shampoo's that work for you and switch them up...I also recommend shampooing once a week.

***Please not these are my opinions from my own experiences and research that I have done.

Tuesday Chic Spotlight: Leslie P.

It's that time!  This week's Tuesday Chic is pretty darn cool....not only do I think she is stylish but so do others she is a model! Her style is sleek and simple but still her own coming to us from Kansas City, MO meet this week's Tuesday Chic:

{Leslie P.}

On Hair...

1) So what are three words you use to describe your hair?

 Crazy, sexy, cool

2) If you had to choose a song do represent you hair what would your hair anthem be?

I would say "Whip my hair" by Willow Smith.

3) As if there aren't tons of options, what is your favorite hairstyle to rock?

My favorite hairstyle to rock is "Hollywood Hair"!  That's when I do spiral curls all over and brush them out.  I'm then left with big sexy waves like the girls in Hollywood.

4) What have you been doing to maintain healthy hair?

I've started reading ingredient labels on my hair products the way I do food products.  I try to stay away from products that have fragrance, coloring, and unnecessary ingredients.

On fashion and other things...

5) If you had to categorize you style what would you say it was?

I would have to call it simple sophistication
 

6)  What are the top three pieces in your wardrobe?

I would have to say my white BCBG Jeans, a black blazer from H&M,  and I love that blazer so much I bought in red.

7) What is current fashion trend you wish would stop?

Hair feathers! WTF!

8) Name one beauty product you cannot live without? Why?

EcoLips, it's the best lip moisturizer ever! It's organic and you can only buy it online but it's worth the hassle.  It keeps my lips so soft all day long, I also use it as a base under all of my lipsticks.

9) What are three things that are always in your purse?

I would say EcoLips, black ponytail holder, and red lipstick.

10) Is there anything else you want to add?

I would say to check me out on the Pacsun.com site under new arrivals!

Well guys there you have it! Leslie P.!  Be sure to check here out on Pacsun.  I know I plan on looking into that Eco Lips...I am always down to try something new....

If you would like to be featured in the Tuesday Chic Spotlight please send an e mail to admin@allrelevantthings.com

 

New Jersey Full Figured Fashion Week 2012 Recap Pt 1!

Okay so for those of you who didn't know I was able to attend New Jersey Full Figured Fashion Week (NJFFFW) this past weekend in Atlantic City!  I was so excited to be in attendance of an event that catered to women with curves (because we all come in different shapes and sizes).  The whole event lasted 3 days (Fri-Sun) and I was able to attend about a day and a half (I arrived on Friday and and left on Saturday afternoon, I had another event to attend Sat evening in Philly).  The weekend was jam packed with musical performances (Musiq Soulchild - who I missed *sigh) and celebrity hosts (Chelsea Settles, Darrin Henson, Nikki Blonsky, and more) not to mention fashion shows, as well as a sip and shop (yes I did buy something even though I am on a "restricted" budget because of the wedding.  On a random note I recent got a new camera (the Sony Nex-5 and I LOVE it) Any way lets get to the events....

*Please note I covered what I wore in my last two "Look of the Day" posts (03.30.12 and 03.31.12)

{Friday 03.30.12}

Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray) and Chelsea Settles (MTV)

I just loved her dress!

Friday's events were fun...the evening kicked off with a mixer and then went into the fashion show followed by the after party (where Musiq performed). 

Stay tuned for a post on Saturday's events!

Tuesday Chic Spotlight: Leslie M.

Okay last week I totally did not feature anyone in the Tuesday Chic Spotlight but it was not without reason with the newness of the engagement, work, and other random events my week was hectic.  However I promise this week's feature makes it all worth the wait...she has sooo much style (I am not kidding) she truly walks to her own beat...meet this week's Tuesday Chic:

{Leslie M.}

On Hair...

1) What would you say your hair "anthem" was?

Right now I'm really into Black Hippy, so I would have to sat Kendrick Lamar's "F**k Your Ethnicity."  It's semi care free, and just about representing yourself.

2) What is your favorite hairstyle to rock?

I'm really enjoying wearing it up right now...so I would say any style that does not leave any hanging hair. 

3) What are three words that describe your hair?

Thick, carefree, and spontaneous.

4) What have you been doing to maintain healthy hair?

Honestly, I don't do much.  I just try to get my ends trimmed on a regular basis, and give myself breaks with the heat.  At night I wrap my hair, and when I wake up, I hardly have anything to do to it (whether it's flat ironed or braided in an updo).

5) I assume you get this a lot and I am dying to know...are you natural? 

I am actually not natural,  My hair is relaxed.  I style my hair as if it's natural sometimes, so it may seem that way.  I've skipped on a relaxer a for a few months and contemplated on going natural but right now its not for me.

On Beauty, Fashion, and other things...

6) Name on beauty product you cannot live without? Why?

Facial moisturizer or lip balm.  If either of those disappear, I may as well go too.

7) What would you say your fashion style was?

I wear what makes me happy and not necessarily what's "in style."  If I like it, then I am wearing it.  I shop mainly at thrift stores along with every other store known to man.  I like to get pieces that I can mix and match.  I ten to be pretty retro though.

8) Favorite Bag and Shoes?

Black quilted Marc Jacobs bag and leopard print loafers

9) Name three things that are always in your purse?

Lip gloss, black eye liner, and a nail file.

10) Name one fashion trend you are loving for 2012?

I'm excited that we've gotten back to the point where not matching is matching.  It's fun.

Well...there you have it Leslie M.  Didn't I say she has style and moves to her own drum....I just love her style!  Not to mention those tights are hott! (I ordered the chain suspender style ones from Nordstorm just waiting to rock them).

If you would like to be featured in the Tuesday Chic Spotlight Series simply send an e-mail to admin@allrelevantthings.com

Until next time!!!

Look of the Day...NJFFFW Edition

So this look is a throwback ha ha I pretty much pieced together items I have had forever...the pants are the newest item I have on (I brought them a year ago).  I want to post this because I just wanted to show that it so easy to create something "new" from something "old."  Recap of the actual NJFFFW coming soon!

What I wore...

Mustard Top - Forever 21 (got this 3-4years ago)

Blue Denim Vest - Charlotte Russe (4-5 years ago)

Multi Color parachute pants - H&M (1 year ago)

Tan Belt -  not sure where I got this but I have had it for like 5 years

I am not sure if these clothes being "old" is a sign of how fashion re-invents itself or that I am hoarder ha ha...

***Random...I know I am overdue for a hair post...it's coming I plan on taking these twists out next week...thanks for your patience!

Look of the Day...

Sooo this weekend I was able to attend the New Jersey Full Figured Fashion week and it was exciting! I will be covering the event in another post but for now I want to share what I wore to Friday's event.  The post for my Saturday look as well the recap of the event will be up in the next day or so...be sure to check back to see those posts...so on to my look...

{Look of the Day 3.30.12}

What I am wearing

Black Leotard - Forever 21

Black and Nude Polka Dot Skirt - Forever 21

Fishnets - Target

Black Wedge Boots - Bakers

Jewelry - Pearl Necklace & Black/Silver Necklace  - Forever 21

Hair: Senegalese Twists (oh how I am missing my hair!)