I think that summer is the best season ever. from the Caribbean, I say bring on the heat! Summer is also the best time to start eating right because so many fruits are in season and thus are affordable, better tasting and plentiful. If you were thinking about trying out veganism, now is the perfect time because salads are the being outdoors, getting active and spending time with friends & family. Summer is also a time to shed layers and in my case, shed tons of hair! In case you missed it, I cut off all of my waist length hair in favor of an edgy Frohawk. This issue tells you how awesome doing the Big Chop is, and take it
We have also dedicated this issue to Lupus. Recently, the natural hair community lost a blogger to lupus. Toni, who is an activist, blogger and natural discusses her condition and how she maintains it. We also discuss what foods to eat and what to avoid to prevent flare ups. I hope
Creator of Wonder Curl Editor of Health, Hair & Happiness
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Contributors is a wife, mother, and nationally-qualified fitness competitor. She seeks to motivate and inspire women to achieve their fitness goals, no matter where they are on their journey. Find Maya at: mayafitgirl.wordpress.com Instagram- @maya_fitgirl Twitter- @maya_fitgirl
AKA Naturally Kish, Natural Hair/Healthy Living Blogger and Events Host from Baltimore MD. Find Lakisha at: Passionistas.me/category/naturally-kish/ Instagram: @naturallykish Twitter: @naturallykish
planned her life out in 2nd grade. Two Psychology degrees later she realized she was insane, unhappy, and unrealistic. She got out of her head and began her happy. Find Jasmine at: http://www.eyecheated.blogspot.com/ Instagram @lyrical_prodigi
aka Tootieboots has been natural for 5 years. She is a natural hair enthusiast with a passion for encouraging others to explore their natural mane. She is by no means a professional natural hair expert but she enjoys sharing and exchanging healthy hair tips. Find Dayo at: free2bnaturelle.blogspot.com Instagram: @tootas_25
is founder of Fountain of Life Health & Wellness that helps its clients maintain a healthy lifestyle. She also works in a private rheumatologist office and cherishes her 5 beautiful children & happily married life. Find Jasmine at: Facebook.com/NaturalBkBeauty Instagram: @NaturalBkBeauty
a Jamaican girl, on the journey to lifestyle development and healthy hair. I am a DIY and hair blogger, aspiring model, motivational speaker and follower of Christ. Find Yulli at: http://kreamykurls.blogspot.com/ Twitter: @Blue_Grrl IG: @Kreamykurls
Summertime Inspiration Summer, Summer, Summertime! Yay! Its summertime! After the winter we had I’m sure you’re thankful the temperature has cleared eighty plus degrees or are you? People spend the entire winter impatiently awaited summer’s arrival. It is almost as though spring’s only purpose is to commence summer. Yet, when summer arrives most of us begin to complain about it coming to an end too quickly. Is the moment ever good enough for us? Summer could teach us one of life’s most important lessons; living in the moment.
The summers are filled with camps, trips, and most importantly, family gatherings. Though people continue with their daily routines, there is a different feel in the air. Spring is considered to be the new birth of the earth and of self. It signifies a cleansing of old and the beginning of what is new. So, if spring is the birth of what is new then summer is the maintenance of this transformation.
For the month of July:
There is an undeniable inspiration that summer brings. The warmth of the sun, though scorching at times, the opportunity to fellowship with people you haven’t seen all year, and the long days are all reasons to explore the importance of intimacy with self. An opportunity has been given to fully indulge in what the sun and the longer days have to offer.
• If a spontaneous thought enters your mind, GO WITH IT! As long as it is realistic and within reason there is no reason you cannot act on a random trip to the beach or a weekend road trip.
In May’s issue my Write for Yourself article introduces the idea of journaling. I encouraged going with the moment. What better way to continue the challenge of reflection than to challenge yourself to live in the moment this July?!
• Find at least 15 minutes in the morning or early evening (when its not too hot) to walk on a nature trail. Take your journal to write down what you see, smell, hear, and feel. If you walk the same trail/path each day then make a note of any differences.
• Do something you have never done before. Find ways to push yourself out of your comfort zone! • At the end of your day, journal some more. The journaling is your accountability partner! Jasmine Price http://www.eyecheated.blogspot.com http://www.instagram.com/lyrical_prodigi
Fitness Being outdoors and summer go hand-in-hand. Take advantage of the longer days by doing some fun activities that will not only burn calories, but will also get you active.
Go Bike Riding My husband and I usually take the kids out for a bike ride around our neighborhood park. The kids love the fresh air and we all get to spend a little quality time together. Before we know it, we’ve trekked over 5 miles and burned about 700 calories or more in about two hours. Biking works the upper body, legs, quads, glutes and calves, so if done regularly, you may end up having that killer summer bod you have been longing for (if incorporated within your regular workout routine).
Fun in the Sun Spending the day at the pool is great way to participate in a little cardiovascular, low-intensity fun activity with the family. With games like Marco Polo, dive to the bottom of the pool to get the random item that sank, splashing each other, swimming back and forth countless times across the pool, etc. Throw in a couple of arbitrary laps, jumping jacks or sprints and you’ve burned 1500 calories in about five hours. Pool exercise/activities are low impact on your joints, increases your endurance, and strength-ens and tones muscles as water provides a resistance equal to the effort you put in.
Take a Hike Taking a hike or a brisk walk with your mate and/or family, is a great time to talk about what’s going on each other’s lives while burning about 250 calories per hour. Long walks have also been known to create intimacy between couples, creating a time and place to connect in a stress-free environment. The best time to go for a vigorous walk in the summertime is usually in the early morning or right at dusk. Those times of day are the coolest and you will be less likely to feel fatigue from the sun, rather than the actual walk. By Maya Williams http://mayafitgirl.wordpress.com/
Recipes When ever summer time rolls around, I get really excited. Summer is the time when my family dusts off the grill, get some great meat, veggies, and fruit from the store, and start having some outdoor fun. Instead of grilling the standard items, like burgers, corn on the cob, hot dogs, and chicken legs, I decided to try new dishes, mixing together unconventional ingredients to create some really de-licious dishes that are sure be a hit. Not only are these recipes super yummy, but they are also good for you. So let’s get started with the main dish.
Grilled Salmon with Mango, Pineapple, and Strawberry Salsa Ingredients • 4 tsp olive oil (in a bowl) • 3-4 6 oz salmon fillets
Spice mix: • 2 1/2 tbs paprika • 2 tbs sea salt • 2 tbs garlic powder • 1 tbs fresh cracked black pepper • 1 tbs onion powder • 1 tbs cayenne pepper • 1 tbs dried oregano *Mix all spices together
Salsa: • 3/4 cup small diced pineapple • 3/4 cup small dices mango • 1/2 cup small diced strawberries
• 1 tbs freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/4 cup small diced red onion
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 jalapeño, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped
*Mix ingredients together in a bowl, cover with plastic and let marinate for about 20 minutes.
• 2 tbs freshly squeezed orange juice
Instructions Brush both sides of the salmon with olive oil. Evenly season both sides of the salmon with the spice mix. Place fish on the grill (or griddle) and cook for 6 minutes. Flip it over and cook for another 3 minutes. Turn over once more and cook for 2 minutes or until it is done to your desired specifications. Serve with a few spoonfuls of salsa on top. So de-licious! If you do not like salmon, use grilled chicken breast instead. Now for the sides.
Grilled Vegetable Platter
Instructions
Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together the first 7 ingredients. Take 3 tbs of that mixture and put inside of a large resealable plastic bag. Add the all of the veggies in the bag. Seal the bag and make sure to coat the mix-ture all over the veggies. Let marinate for about 1 and 1/2 hours at room temperature.
Marinade: • 1/4 cup olive oil • 2 tbs honey • 4 tsp balsamic vinegar • 1 tsp dried oregano • 1/2 tsp garlic powder • 1/8 tsp pepper • Dash of sea salt
Veggies:
• 1 medium green pepper (cut into strips)
Place veggies on a grilling grid or griddle. Grill veggies while covered over medium heat for about 10 minutes or until crisp and tender.
• 1 medium yellow squash (cut into 1/2 in. slices)
Turn occasionally. Place veggies on large ser-ving platter and drizzle with remaining marinade.
• 1 medium red onion (cut into wedges)
This is very tasty either by themselves or served with a meat entree.
• 1 pound fresh asparagus • 1 medium yellow pepper (cut into strips) • 1 medium red pepper (cut into strips)
And last, but not least: dessert.
Grilled Fruit Salad With Creamy Topping Ingredients Fruit: • 2 peaches, halved with pit removed • 3 nectarines (or plum), halved with pit removed • 2 bose pears, halved, cored and stemmed • 1 pink grapefruit, halved
Spices: • Dash of freshly cracked black pepper • 2 tbs basil (fresh, finely chopped or dried) • 2 tbs mint, finely chopped
Topping: • 2 tbs fat free plain Greek yogurt • 1 scoop strawberry (or vanilla) whey protein powder • 30g ripened goat cheese (optional)
Instructions After halving the fruits, place face up on the cutting board and sprinkle with the freshly cracked black pepper. Place fruits face down on the hot grill (or griddle) and cook until they get the grill marks or a dark brown crust (about 3-5 minutes). Remove from grill and place on cutting board. Cut fruit into bite sized pieces, leaving a few pieces of pear cut long ways for garnish. Place in medium bowl. If adding grapefruit, use a teaspoon to remove the flesh from the grapefruit and add to the bowl of fruits. Add in basil and mint and thoroughly combined the fruits and spices. Set aside.
In another bowl, combine the Greek yogurt and protein powder (and cheese). Mix until there are no more lumps and the mixture is smooth and creamy. Divide the fruit into 4 serving bowls and spoon on the creamy topping. Don’t be scared of this recipe, it’s like a party in your mouth!
Inspiration I’m Not My Diagnosis Altonia Fowler-Dugar: The Lupie Chick 2011 was supposed to be the year I showed up and showed out on life! I was preparing for my 40th birthday bash when I became ill. During that time I was self diagnosing. I worked 50+ hours per week; I was the Executive Director of Majestic Divas, Inc (social & charitable organization based in Laurel, MD), mentor, philanthropist, wife, mother, and grandmother. I wore many hats and in my mind I needed a vacation, sleep, and eat better. Spring 2011 I began to experience shortness of breath, hot flashes, extreme sweating, headaches, fatigue, anemia, gastrointestinal problems, weight gain, and insomnia. I could not get out of bed, my feet and ankles were swollen and always hurting (I wore 5-6 inch stilettos shoes everyday), and most importantly (at that time), the skin rashes and black marks on my forehead was spreading, dark circles under my eyes, and the skin on my nose would peel until there wasn’t any skin left. I felt awful and my confidence was nonexistent. I’d visited several dermatologists who’d diagnosed me with anemia, hyper pigmentation and adult acne. I would try different things, some worked for a while, and some never worked at all. Growing more and more frustrated and embarrassed by my skin, I decided to seek the help of a specialist. (Funny thing, I was more concerned with my skin than I was with the fatigue and swollen ankles). At my first visit at Callender Dermatology, I was seen by the physician assistant. She took pictures of my face, prescribed me a hydrocortisone cream and sent me on my way. I thought to myself “That was easy! $25 co pay and hydrocortisone, I will be picture perfect in a few weeks, in time for my birthday photo shoot”. As I began any normal day, I went to CVS hoping to come out with a tube of some magical cream that would clear up my adult acne (the diagnose I’d previously been given). The pharmacist informed me that my prescription required authorization. When he called to get authorization, the dr. instructed him not to fill it and have me come in the office. I said to myself- “great, she is going to give me the good stuff to clear this up”. I made an appointment to see the doctor the next day, never mentioning it to my husband or friends as I wasn’t the
least bit concerned. I went to work late so that I could see the doctor and drop my prescription off as soon as possible. At my appointment with Dr. Callender it was her suggestion that I get tested for Lupus. She wasn’t clear as to why no one had tested me. She also believed I was in a Lupus flare up (which was the cause of the rash and dark circles). I agreed to be tested. The only problem was that, I had never heard of Lupus and didn’t know what it was. She handed me a few pamphlets and began to tell me that Lupus is a disease that leads to chronic inflammation of the skin. I had no idea I would be in for the fight of my life. I was officially diagnosed with Systemic Lupus on July 9, 2011. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect virtually any organ of the body. In lupus, the body’s immune system, which normally functions to protect against foreign invaders, becomes hyperactive, forming antibodies that attack normal tissues and organs, including the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, heart,
lungs, and blood. Lupus is characterized by periods of illness, called flares, and periods of wellness, or remission.
Symptoms vary from person to person, and may come and go. I typically experience • Chest pain • Joint Pain • Fatigue • Fever • Nauseous • Hair Loss • Sensitivity to sunlight • Skin rash aka the “butterfly” rash. The rash is most often seen over the cheeks and bridge of the nose, but can be widespread. It gets worse in sunlight. I was very angry that I had Lupus, I felt like my body had betrayed me and that God had betrayed me. I questioned-WHY ME?? I live a good life, I give back, I support my community, my friends, my family- WHY ME?? I felt alone and shunned. My friends could not understand how I could feel fine one minute and 5 minutes later felt like death had warmed over. Some thought I was faking or making excuses and I became undependable. Most of the time, I don’t look the way I feel. I’ve heard a thousand times “you don’t look sick”, “you need to work out”, “you need to eat this... don’t eat that”. It takes a lot of work, effort, and energy to not look sick. I remember having a pity party & crying my eyes out. My (oldest) brother said to me “God didn’t send you this challenge to defeat you-He gave you this challenge to increase you- you are your mother’s daughter- you may bend BUT you won’t break!” My mother had battled Breast Cancer and was battling Alzheimer’s disease (mom passed away September 23, 2013). I saw the strength in her fight and I come from that- I KNEW IT WAS IN ME TO FIGHT-AND WIN! That day I decided to live in peace with Lupus instead of pieces. Currently I’m under the care of a Neurologist, Rheumatologist, Endocrinologist, and Dermatologist. I have a “cocktail” of meds that I take daily in addition to B12 injections. So far, I’ve been lucky enough to not have any “major” procedures. I’ve been hospitalized 3 times due to complications of Lupus, suffered a mild seizure, and complete hair loss. Every day I’m in pain (similar to the body aches you feel when you have the flu), and I suffer with migraines, insomnia, and short term memory loss. I hide my pain because I don’t want
to worry my family and (most importantly) I don’t want people to feel sorry for me. After diagnosis, I immediately took to the internet to arm myself with as much information as possible. I came across all of the text book “stuff” and was disheartened to know that there hadn’t been any new drugs or treatments introduced to treat Lupus in more than 37 years. My team of doctors (at that time) was not very optimistic about my survival rate or quality of life I would have. I was taking 15 pills a day and feeling worst every day. I started to experience anxiety about taking that much medicine and effects it was having on my body. I decided that I was not going to allow anyone to dictate my life or death.
I took steps to regain my health and wellness: 1. Eliminated Stress: My life was one stress monster. I have made many adjustments in my daily routine, in my relationships, and in my life. With mounting medical bills and other financial obligations, I was hanging on by a string to maintain my lifestyle. I (now) live a simple life; I downsized my home, relocated from Washington, DC to Atlanta, GA, changed professions, recognized stress triggers and eliminated what was triggering stress (including people and relationships). 2. Diet: It’s my opinion that food was the cause of me developing Lupus. I’m the only person in my family that has Lupus and I ate differently (as an adult) than my parents & siblings. I consumed a lot of fast food, processed food, red meat, and “cheap” food. I practice a Pescatarian lifestyle, a die that includes eating fish or other seafood but no other animal flesh. I juice (greens
c. Breathe deeply, and think of something that makes me happy ( I do this for 2-3 minutes)
& various fruit) & eat raw 1-2 days a week. I also eat organic as much as possible. 3. Exercise: I resisted this notion for years! Almost from day one, I was advised to work out at minimum-walk and participate in aqua therapy. March 2013, I joined a gym and work out 2-3 days per week. I can honestly say I feel better, and when stressful situations occur, I release it in the gym. 4. Pain Management: We have become conditioned that at the slightest hint of pain, we pop a pill to eliminate the pain. When I experience pain, I do the following: a. Slow Down-Stop what I’m doing and SLOW DOWN b. Try putting myself in a relaxed position in a dark room, or close my eyes
5. Educate: I educated myself on the disease, treatment, and explore options! You are entitled to a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, opinion. I changed medical teams 3 times, and now I 100% satisfied with my medical team and treatment. 6. Respect the process: I embrace and celebrate life EVERYDAY! The good –the bad- the ugly! I post a selfie everyday of myself smiling. I smile through the pain, fears, and the tears. When you choose peace & happiness, your attitude changes and you can think clearly and positively. Depression is an ugly green head monster! Don’t allow negative energy to invade you. 7. Fight: We all have a fighter spirit in us. FIND IT AND FIGHT FOR YOUR LIFE!!!!!
I’ve shared my journey, my pain, my fears, and my tears by utilizing social media outlets putting a “face” to a little known disease and have kept it “real, raw, & relevant”. I started my advocacy by forming The Lupie Chick Project, a charitable organization dedicated to raising awareness of Lupus through advocacy, education, and FUNdraising events, and Social Media Campaigns, #SelfiesForLupus, POP (Put On Purple For Lupus in partnership with The Lupus Foundation). I have learned that my ability is stronger than my disability. I’M ABLE! I’m stronger than Lupus and I make one hell of a cheerleader (lol…lol..) Cheering for myself, maintaining a positive attitude for myself and others are some of the courageous steps I took to reach my goal of living well, despite lupus.
For speaking opportunities I can be contacted via: EMAIL: info@lupieChick.com SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITE: www.lupiechick.com INSTAGRAM: Naturally_Lupie TWITTER: @NaturallyLupie FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheLupieChickProject YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/user/allwayzalady Google+: google.com/+ADugar
Nutrition Lupus and Nutrition By: Jasmin Kearse Systemic lupus erythematosus (S.L.E.) also called lupus, is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can affect virtually any organ of the body. When living with lupus, the body’s immune system, which normally functions to protect foreign invaders, become hyperactive, and forms antibodies that attack normal tissues and organs, including the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, heart, lungs and blood. Lupus is usually characterized by periods of illness, called flares and periods of wellness or remission. Most people with lupus have symptoms in only a few of their organs. If a person has already been diagnosed, these symptoms may indicate increased activity of the disease, commonly known as flares; however, there may be periods of remission, when few or no symptoms are present. For most people, lupus can be managed and only affects only a few organs; others may face serious, sometimes life-threatening problems. There are no foods that cause lupus or that can cure it, but good nutrition is an important part of an overall treatment plan for the disease. Generally, people with lupus should aim for a well balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It should include moderate amounts of meats, poultry and oily fish. If you have lupus, following a healthy diet may assist with reducing inflammation and other symptoms as well as maintaining strong bones and muscles, combating the side effects of medications, achieving or maintaining a healthy weight and reducing the risk of heart disease. Lupus is an inflammatory disease, so it is possible, that certain foods that fight inflammation can help lupus symptoms. Foods with possible anti-inflammatory agents include fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants. Also, foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, ground flaxseed, canola oil, and olive oil may also assist with fighting inflammation. On the other hand, saturated fats can raise cholesterol levels and may contribute to inflammation. So they should be eliminated from daily consumption. Sources of saturated fats include fried foods, commercial baked goods, creamed soups and sauces, red meat, animal fat, processed meat products and high fat
dairy foods. Inclusive of these sources include milk, half and half, cheeses, butter and ice cream. Another, food to avoid is alfalfa sprouts. Alfalfa tablets have been associated with lupus flares or lupus like syndromes that include muscle pain, fatigue, abnormal test results and kidney problems. These problems may be due to a reaction to an amino acid found in alfalfa sprouts and seeds. This amino acid can activate the immune system and increase inflammation in people with lupus. Garlic tends to also stimulate the immune system. Maintaining good nutrition is important for strong bones and muscles. For people with lupus, bone health is a particular concern because medications used to treat lupus can increase the risk for osteoporosis, which is a condition in which the bones become less dense and break easily. Eating foods high in calcium and vitamin D is important for bone health. When buying dairy products, it is important to choose ones that are either low fat or fat free. Dark green vegetables are another source of calcium. If you have been diagnosed with lupus, it is imperative that you are monitored by a rheumatologist, particularly one who specializes with the disease. It is also of great importance that you proactively maintain a healthy diet, educating yourself on the foods that you consume can greatly reduce your symptoms, and prevent flare ups.
Scalp Refresher Tea Rinse As the summer days get hotter, keeping the hair moisturized is imperative with the heat and dry air. Many opt to hold off on shampooing and do more cowashing. It is still necessary to have the scalp clean and refreshed and I have just the thing to help. A Scalp Refreshing Tea Rinse comprising of rosemary, tea tree and lavender essential oil. Herbal rinses are very effective in strengthening the hair and scalp. Rosemary acts as a conditioning tonic; stimulating hair growth, aids in shine and helping with dandruff. Tea tree moisturizes the scalp, eliminates bacteria/ fungal problems and prevents hair loss while lavender is a great treatment for alopecia, controlling itchiness, dandruff and breakage.
You will need: • 7 sprigs of dried rosemary • 2-5 drops of lavender and tea tree essential oils • 2 cups of water Mess level: High 1. Place water and rosemary in a pot and allow it to come to a boil. 2. Once it has boiled remove the flame. 3. Allow to cool overnight. 4. Place in a spray bottle or old conditioner bottle and focus on the scalp. Using the pads of your fingers to massage your scalp. 5. Follow by cowashing with your desired conditioner Dried herbs are recommended for this rinse as they are more concentrated than fresh ones. You can do this before or after cowashing. I had deep conditioned overnight, followed with this rinse and finally cowashed. After this rinse, your hair should be soft and shiny with your scalp feeling clean and cool.
Summertime Curls It is finally the best time of the year – SUMMERTIME!!!! LOL I am a HUGE fan of the warmer temperatures and all things summer!! For some of us curlies however, summer can wreak havoc on our curls! The humidity and warmer temps aren’t always kind to us curly girls. Here are a few tips to aid us in maintaining our “SUMMERTIME FINE”. 1. HYDRATE. Making sure you drink enough water is very important as an overall rule of thumb but even more important during the warmer months. An easy practice would be - for every non-water beverage follow it with equal amounts of water. This should ensure that you prevent dehydration and water deprivation of your body and your curls. 2. PRE-POO. I wouldn’t suggest you abandon this step altogether but you should be able to significantly cut down on the time you spend pre-pooing. The elements are not as harsh on the hair in the summer months so you may not lose as much moisture between wash days. 3. CO-WASH. You will probably find that you sweat more during the summer months which will require more frequent shampoo sessions. To prevent stripping the hair, I would suggest doing a co-wash or a simple water rinse every couple days. This should rid the hair of sweat and dirt buildup. 4. DEEP CONDITION. I would suggest you incorporate this step into your regimen for every wash day during the warmer months. The time of your deep condition can be count down to 20-30 minutes but to ensure that your curls are retaining
moisture, this step is imperative. 5. L.O.C. METHOD. This step is where you should experiment with different products. You may find that your styles work better when you use products that are lighter. A heavy butter may be a little too heavy for that bouncy twistout style that you’re going for. 6. PROTECTIVE STYLES. Summer is a great time to get creative with those fancy flat twists/braid styles. You may also want to try goddess braids, Marley twists, etc. Just remember even though your hair is in a protective style, it still needs to be maintained and moisturized. Wigs/weaves may not be ideal for the warmer months as they are HOT! It may be a good idea to consider those protective styles for the fall and winter months. Another tip to remember is that when you go swimming; remember to add conditioner to your hair BEFORE hitting the water. Chlorine and salt can cause the hair to be extremely dry. A way to prevent this is to coat the strands with an inexpensive conditioner before hitting the beach. Also, summertime is a great time to experiment with color! Visit your local colorist for a splash of color – blonds, reds and orange hues get an extra boost from the sun in the summertime and can give the hair that extra ounce of pizzazz you were looking for. And for the curly girl itching to go even BOLDER summer is a great time of year to chop, chop, chop!!! This can be soooo liberating. The less time you spend styling your hair, the more time to enjoy all that summer has to offer!! Lastly, remember that summer is a time to spend living life and having fun with family, friends and fellow curly girls! Make sure you get out and enjoy yourself. Make memories!!!! Lakisha Hill AKA Naturally Kish, Natural Hair Blogger and Events Planner Blog: http://passionistas.me/category/all-thingsnatural/naturally-kish/ www.Facebook.com/naturallykish www.Twitter.com/naturallykish94 www.instagram.com/naturallykish
Beauty Products Promote Healthy Skin Beauty products can do more than enhance your natural beauty or conceal imperfections. Many products can actually improve the texture and tone of your skin. There is a lot of companies that claim to do the aforementioned, but not all of them actually yield proven results. The next time you purchase beauty products, you may want to choose products that contain the following ingredients that have been scientifically proven to improve skin conditions:
Vitamin C It may help keep skin plump so that sagging and wrinkles are less noticeable. It may also lighten dark spots and protect against sun damage. Vitamin C may stop harmful changes that sunlight can trigger deep in your skin. “It helps to block the damage from free radicals that are produced by UV light that passes through the makeup or SPF,” says David H. McDaniel, MD, director of the McDaniel Institute of Anti-Aging Research in Virginia. • Vitamin C Skin Boost (Primer) - contains Amazonian Camu Camu berry, which is known to have one of the highest contents of vitamin C in nature. Antioxidant vitamin C brightens skin, encourages collagen production, improves elasticity, and works along with skin-softening vitamin E to protect skin from environmental aggressors. • Peter Thomas Roth Camu Camu Power C x 30 contains the Amazonian Camu Camu berry has 30 times the vitamin C of an orange. This highly concentrated vitamin C has superior absorption properties due to its low molecular weight allowing it to better penetrate the skin, support natural collagen production, brighten, smooth, firm, and improve the appearance of uneven skin tone along with fine lines and wrinkles. Powerful antioxidant Camu Camu with vitamins A, D, and E also helps revitalize the look of skin while helping to fight free radical attack.
Collagen Collagen can temporarily fill fine lines and big pores for a smoother complexion. • Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Extra Strength Alpha Beta Peel - delivers full results in 28 days, but we noticed brighter skin after just one use. • DR. BRANDT SKINCARE dr brandt® collagen booster™ - is a customized blend of key amino acids helps visually minimize the breakdown of collagen and support natural collagen production for younger-looking skin. Almost 80 percent of collagen composition includes only the amino acids found in this lightweight youth-restoring complex. Apply underneath moisturizer to maximize elasticity and minimize the appearance of wrinkles.
Kombucha Kombucha is made from fermented tea and packed with antioxidants. It’s believed to help keep skin moist and tight with fewer wrinkles.
• MURAD Pore & Line Minimizing Hydrator - Kombucha Collagen Defense®: Supports natural collagen production and smoothes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Lentil Seed Extract and Witch Hazel: Tighten pores and help control excess oil. Cinnamon Extract: Restores skin surface, reduces redness, and optimizes oil production.
Resveratrol Resveratrol is a heart-healthy ingredient found in red wine. It’s been added to makeup because it offers anti-aging benefits. • BITE BEAUTY Luminous Crème Lipstick - delivers super antioxidant resveratrol, which fights free radicals with potent long-term anti-aging benefits. Each lipstick contains the amount of resveratrol found in five glasses of red wine. • BITE BEAUTY Whipped Cherry Lip Scrub – is made from antioxidant Resveratrol, fruit acids rich in vitamin C and rice bran, the Fruit Scrub exfoliates and helps to brighten lips over time while fighting free radicals and conditioning around the lip line.
Spot Correct • Yves Saint Laurent Teint Radiance foundation provides light to moderate coverage. • L’Oréal Paris Visible Lift Serum Absolute foundation – provides slightly heavier coverage. • CLINIQUE Even Better Makeup SPF 15 – is oil-free and you will see improved clarity, a more even skin tone, and visibly diminished age spots. These results can be witnessed in just 4 to 6 weeks. The formula provides moderateto-full coverage and also helps prevent new discolorations with SPF-plus antioxidants.
Glowing Skin • L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Healthy Luminous Makeup – is 40% pure water for all day hydration. Antioxidants Vitamins C and E for improved clarity and skin tone. And Liquid Light Technology for an instant, luminous glow. • PERRICONE MD No Blush Blush - is a revolutionary cheek serum with SPF 30 designed to shape softly rounded cheekbones and impart a healthy perfusion of color.
Lush Lashes • PETER THOMAS ROTH Lashes To Die For™ The Mascara - coats and defines every lash for a thick, healthy look, without clumping, smudging, or flaking. Loaded with nourishing and softening ingredients, this formula guards against brittleness and dryness, which make lashes more susceptible to falling out. • LANCOME DÉFINICILS PRECIOUS CELLS – improves the condition of lashes. It reveals beautifully defined, fuller, stronger lashes. Its secret is the lash densifier complex, with a precious plant cell extract, which helps regenerate lash condition, so they’re stronger, denser and less likely to fall-out during makeup removal.
Healthy Eyeliners • Buxom Insider Eyeliner - delivers rich, longwearing color that’s so gentle you can apply it to the inner rims of your eyes for the deepest, most dramatic definition. The silky, emollient formula contains a healthy blend of antioxidants and vitamins to protect the delicate skin along your lash line from environmental damage. It can also be applied along the outer lash line for the maximum effect and glides on without tugging or irritating your eyes. • Neutrogena Nourishing Eye Liner - defines and brightens eyes with luminous color. Subtle light diffusers make the whites of eyes appear whiter, while rich color nourishes skin with Olive Oil and Rainforest Shea Butter. The built-in sharpener gives precise definition and the contoured smudger softens and blends for a variety of looks. Makeup does not have to clog your pores, which can cause acne and other problematic skin conditions. Just as you should read the labels on the foods you eat, you should do the same with your cosmetics. There are many products that contain healthy ingredients and can show improvements in the condition of your skin. I have provided a chosen few, but I recommend you also do your own research and find what is best for you! Written by Holly Byrd Miller www.makeupbyhollyb.com
Hair Cuts Into The Big Chop Summer is here! Let the beach vacations, outdoor activities, hair ‘flowing’ in the wind begin. Sign me up for everything, because nature and I are about to become one. Especially after winter overstayed its welcome. But of course summer brings the rain, HOT days and every Naturals favorite: HUMIDITY. The other thing about this season is that it’s a great time for……The Big Chop! So, if you have been thinking about doing the ‘Big Chop’ i.e. cutting off your relaxed ends, then this article is for you. Disclaimer: Not everyone has to go through the big chop-short hair phase to be natural. I do think it’s a phase everyone should experience, because it changes you in a positive way. It may be because we get to focus on others areas of our lives and not just on what our hair looks like. I am sure by now many of you have noticed many relaxed ladies plunging into the big chop sea, as well as the natural veterans going for their 2nd and even 3rd big chop. If you live anywhere near the south, you know how unbearable summer is. So why deal with all that hair, especially if it’s damaged, looks limp and acts funny? One of the advantages of doing it now, is that by winter you should have enough growth to keep you warm or put it in a protective style. Thank me later. While you are still thinking about it, let me run through some benefits and tell you what I loved about my big chop phase. 1. With all the sweat we get from the heat and our summer activities, one should probably wash their hair more than once a week. Why not take advantage of it and experiment with different styles and learning how to define your natural curls? After all, if you don’t like it, it’s a lot easier to wash the style out and start over.
6. Your hair will feel healthier and look healthier by saying goodbye to the split and damaged ends.
2. You can literally wash AND go. Maybe wash, shake and go?! You don’t have to spend HOURS in your hair. So you can be at every BBQ or event AND ontime.
It may not be the easiest decision to chop off all your hair, but the short hair look will grow on you. So be curly and proud, as you raise your fist in the air. Like our editor said after her recent chop “……short hair is dope too and we should love our hair at any length”. If she can do it AGAIN, so can you. If you do end up chopping it off, be sure to send in a picture to wondercurl.com/tootieboots@me.com and tell us about your experience.
3. You can go swimming and let your hair get wet.
Dayo Lewis
4. You can get in a good workout.
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5. You aren’t as frustrated trying to work with two different textures. Gives you time to spend in the sun, instead of in your bathroom.
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