Me and My Hair: Genie Locks

I knew that these braids were going to be quite a task going into it, but dang I wasn't even ready for it. It took me 21 hours over two days to complete these genie locks, but I am satisfied with the results.

This is what I used:
Washed, conditioned and deep conditioned with Carol's Daughter Tui Set.

I bought this set off of HSN for $27! It's $35 now.

I applied Hair Rules Leave in Conditioner and de-tangled with my Tangle Tweezer.

Purchased at Ulta.

Purchased at Sally Beauty Supply

Applied grapeseed oil prior to blow drying each section.

Purchased at Beauty Supply

Used Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie for each braid.

Purchased at Target

I used Red Heart 100% acrylic yarn in black- bought 2 packs only used 1 and 1/4 of the second one.

Purchased at Michael's. It was a big roll, too. On sale 2 for $5.

I did the three strand method throughout the whole head and tied and burnt the ends.

I let my kids tear up my house all weekend while I watched movie after movie and show after show including:
-4 episodes of Real Housewives of Atlanta
-3 Tyler Perry movies
-The last 3 Twilight movies
-and a whole bunch of other mindless TV that I can't recall.

Unfortunately, I did not take pictures throughout to track my progress or make a video like I had planned because I just wanted to be done. I'll post pics along the way though of the fabulous styles I hope to create. I want to say that these will stay in for 2-3 months, but I know me and my love for big fluffy hair, so I will try to keep them in for at least 2 months.

Love, Peace and Soul Deep Beauty

Beauty products sent to my door?... Yes, please.

I don't know what's more dangerous- window shopping or internet shopping. With window shopping, I almost always find something I just have to have. But, with internet shopping it's so simple and convenient. You put your cloths/shoes/accessories into the "cart", enter your payment info (I suggest paypal) and in a few days, your item comes right to your door.

Well, there have been some people who have taken internet shopping to a whole other level with monthly subscriptions. For those of you who read my post about my shoe subscription, your gonna love this.  There are several options out there to sign up to a monthly subscription for health and beauty products and here a few that I'm considering. It's great way for product junkies like my self to try before I buy.

The Look Bag

Membership Program Options: Yearly or Monthly

Cost: $110/Year, $10/Month, can also transfer to a friend or gift it for 3. 6 or 12 months

What's inside: 5 luxury beauty product samples 

Extras- Spearheaded by renowned Eyebrow King Damone Roberts

            - Samples sent are according to results from your personal beauty profile

            - You get 20% discount off merchandise on thelookstore.com

            -Previous bags included products like Shadow Shields or Damone Robert's Brow Highlighter

Beauty Army

Membership Program Options: Monthly

Cost: $12/ Month

What's inside: 6 beauty samples

Extras- You get to pick what samples you want

            - Previous samples included products from La Fresh, NYX and Rapid Lash

Birchbox

Membership Program Options: Monthly, Yearly or gift for 3, 6 or 12 Months

Cost- $10/ Month

What's inside: Samples from a long list of brand partners including Dermalogica, Bliss and Wei

Extras: You can get a sample box for men's products for $20/Month

 My Glam

Membership Program Options: Monthly *At this time there is a waiting list

Cost: $10/  Month

What's inside: 4-5 Full sized products

Extras- Created by YouTube makeup vlogger Michelle Phan

           -Products based on beauty quiz results

           - Comes in a cute makeup bag

           -There are videos featuring the month's beauty products and users are encouraged to upload their own reviews

 New Beauty Test Tube

Membership Program Options: Tubes are available 4 times a year

Cost: $29.95 plus 8.95 S+H

What's Inside: Deluxe and full size products

Extras- Gift cards to spend on spalook.com

           - Past products include Moroccanoil, Mally, Skin Ceuticals

           - Subscribers will get video emails about products

Sample Society

Membership Program Options: Monthly *There is a waiting list

Cost: $15/ M

What's inside: 5 deluxe size samples

Extras- $15 coupon towards a $50 Beautybar.com purchase

          - Free one year subscription to Allure Magazine

          - Collaboration between Allure Magazine and Soap.com' Beauty Bar

Glossy Box

Membership Program Options: Monthly *Will be coming to the US soon, currently in UK

Cost: $10/ Month

What's inside: 5-6 deluxe samples

Extras: Have option for men box as well

I even found one for the nail enthusiast!

Julep Maven

Membership Program Options: Monthly 

Cost: $20/ Month

What's inside: $40 worth of customized products including never before released colors

Extras- In introductory box you get the Julep Facial for Hands Glycolic Hand Scrub

           - You receive 20% off purchases from Julep Maven Boutique

           - You have the option to skip the month

           - All nail polishes are free of carcinogens, formaldehyde or DBP

And you know I couldn't leave out my natural hair divas.

Curl Box

Membership Program Options: Monthly *Subscriptions are sold out right now

Cost: $20/ Month

What's inside: 5-7 samples and coupons

Previous boxes included products from Hair Rules, Ouidad, Shea Moisture and Curls

Curl Kit

Membership Program Options: Monthly

Cost: $20/ Month

What's inside: 5-7 samples and coupons

Previous kit included products from Carol's Daughter, Shea Moisture and Uncle Funky's Daughter

In a perfect world, I would subscribe to all of these, but I did the math and it ain't pretty. So, I'll choose 2, or 3 and keep you posted. 

Love, Peace and Soul Deep Beauty

Naturally Flyy Detroit Meet Up

"An independent woman can't find a man because an independent woman IS a man." (Pause for reaction.) That was just one of the pearls of wisdom that was dropped at Saturday's Naturally Flyy Detroit Presents the Mens Forum, Part 2. But, that little pearl didn't come from a brotha, it came from one of the founders of Naturally Flyy Detroit, Ms. Espy "Etta Flyy" and she shut the crowd down with that one.

If you saw my previous article about Naturally Flyy then you know that I had been waiting with anticipation for Saturday night's festivities. There were vendors who sold everything from earrings and hats to candles, hair butters and even hand made purses from Africa. There was a belly dancing segment from Tene' of House of Bastet, a natural hair Q & A session with Ms. Wanda from Transitions Salon and Ms. Everette from Everette's Natural Hair and Beauty School/Salon. (S/N- I plan on taking classes at both House of Bastet and Ms. Everett's school. I'll keep yall posted.) There were women, men and children taking in the sights and smells as natural hair became the main event.

But, little did I know that hair was just the beginning as the men's forum opened the floor to the dynamics of  male/female relationships, how the media portrays black women, interracial relationships and how the men were brought up played a part in how they looked at themselves. The men were respectfully blunt and honest and I think we all left with the overwhelming theme of the night and that is simply to be who you are and don't wait for anybody to validate you. One of the gentlemen said that when a woman walks around confident with her head held high, a man can't help but to bow down to her. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Now, let me show you what I bought. BTW, I did have some pics of the event but they came out so dark it wouldn't even be worth posting them.

My girl from college, Stephanie and myself. So Flyy.

I got a tank for me and a t-shirt for my daughter. Too Cute.

Ms. Eartha Kitt Ladies and Gentleman.
I don't know the young lady's name who made these because I grabbed the wrong card
but I do know that she is at the Rustbelt Market on Weekends.

I circled around this cuff about 3 times before I decided to bite.
It is...the business.
The young lady who made this is Jocelyn of Jewelry Fetish and she
sells her creations out of The Artist Village where event was held.

So that's it for now. A good time was had by all and I hear that the next meet up will be May 19th. Yeah.

Love, peace and Soul Deep Beauty!