Mummy & Me Leopard Print

Guest Post: Calamity Jane

The mystery of this iniquity we call love

Unsure why this blog is the forum to share this, I write on regardless. I guess it’s an experience universal to womankind that transcends race and place and time. Some of you may recognise my words.

I have met a man.

He is different to me in every way.

When I listen to him speak, (and I love for him to speak because he is knowledgeable and witty and so very excited by the times within which he lives and the opportunities it affords him) even his voice sounds unfamiliar. The rhythm of his speech and tone proves a strain on my far from delicate ears. He mumbles with vigour, adopting a distinctly public school tone of ‘poshness’, estranged from the languid, pounding assertive syllables of my working class world. ‘Err?’ ‘Pardon?’ ‘Sorry?’ I repeat vociferously, astounded that we share the same language, but are so alienated by dialect – the subtle dialect of class.

He is a kind and gentle and somewhat effeminate soul. He lacks the raw magnetism I once believed necessary to be attracted to a man – That ‘sex appeal’ and ‘hot body’ was a prerequisite of my youthful dalliances (both real and imagined). Now it’s a different type of mysticism I find alluring - It is intelligence, broad interests, humour, drive and honesty (oh no that sounds like a shopping list. Have I become that woman?). I expected him to talk at length on current affairs or subject matter of significance in a world as ruptured as ours (a precondition of a good education. Plus his age – he is 10 years older than me so has seen more of the world), but to date the conversation has inhabited two spheres, his social life, which is vast beyond comprehension and our respective jobs. It’s not that I don’t believe him capable of broad conversation, to the contrary, it’s just his social life, which is stimulating enough (for him alone it seems) has come to dominate our exchanges.

Hair Talk With Paola

Firstly introduce yourself? Where are you from? What do you do?

My name is Paola. I'm originally from Haiti, but I reside in New York City. I work in the hospitality field, and my current position is Accounting Manager. I'm also a blogger at findingpaola.com.

How long have you been natural?

I've been natural off and on for many years. However, I've maintained my natural hair since my senior year in college. I've kept it in a short boy’s cut for a large portion of the time.

If you have transitioned to natural what prompted you more from processed to natural hair?

I was at the beach in Puerto Rico, and I realized I just didn't want to keep relaxing my hair any more. As soon as I got back on campus, I just shaved it as low as my hair had already grown naturally (which Washburn much). It was a spontaneous act, but I wasn't  nervous about the change. I already did that once in high school, and when I was younger my mom gave me the same hair cut. I knew how I’d look already, and I've always loved the look.

The Review: MUA Nail Constellation

3D or 'caviar' nails are all over the place at the moment, I picked up one from MUA (£3) available online or  at Superdugs stores nationwide. MUA have created Nail Constellation line of 3D nail art kits named after star signs, I got Pisces which is a mix of silver, green and peach balls. A lot of the sets available come with a nail polish however the MUA Nail Constellation kit just comes with the beads and applicator. 

The beads are easy to apply, just sprinkle them onto wet nail polish and this should set the beads into place, however I used a topcoat to secure the beads as I wanted it to last. The beads give a great look, I opted to apply to one finger as the whole hand would have been  overkill and very messy!

Talking of mess, the instructions say the eccess beads can go back into the pot, I found this really difficult and my living room floor is now full of small beads!! in hindsight it would have been a better idea to dip my finger in the pot! as the beads got stuck in the dispenser.

I'm not in love with this look, I kind of think it looks like my nail has a acne. and the beads are already falling off, so I would use this for a night out or a photoshoot.

Hair Talk With Ndoema

Firstly introduce yourself? Where are you from and what do you do?

My name is Ndoema (en-DOY-mah). I was born in Bangui, capital of Central African Republic and grew up between there, France, Cameroon and Switzerland. I have triple citizenship and have lived in over a dozen countries across the globe. I really consider myself a citizen of the World.

I think the two foremost driving forces in my life are empowerment and self-exploration, the pursuit of which has taken me on a transformative and global life journey. From the Law campuses of Paris, Madrid, Boston and Geneva to living in an ashram in India, working with refugees for the United Nations in Malawi and Mozambique, teaching fashion at Parsons NYC, writing a PhD thesis on AIDS and Women’s Rights in Africa and walking the catwalk in Paris.

I’m also very passionate about film and filmmaking. I produced and starred in my first film “I’m not Britney”, which premiered at Cannes, won several awards and screened at a dozen international film festivals. I am a finalist of the Sundance Producing Fellowship and the co-founder of a new LA-based independent film production company that’s harnessing the power of entertainment to foster meaningful social change.

I recently launched theglobalgirl.com my Style and Lifestyle Blog. It’s an exciting new pursuit and a wonderful means of sharing my passions: Fashion, Photography, Film and Healthy Living.

You are quite the world traveller do you have a favorite destination? if so where?

Every country in the world has something special to offer and I really feel that my life has been enriched by every single place I’ve visited and every person I’ve met and shared with during my travels.

The Review: Design Essentials Curl Enhancing Mousse

Design Essentials Natural hair line is now available in the UK, the brand was launched in Europe during last years Afro Hair Live.  Design Essentials began in the 1990's and now has a huge range of hair care products including Design Essentials Natural. I was lucky enough to have been sent the range to try and will be reviewing each product over the next month. 

The first Product I tried was the Curl Enhancing Mousse a wash and go product great for wavy to tightly curled hair. The Mousse, defines curls, reduces frizz and adds shine.

I love this product! it really elongated and defined my mini twists that I am wearing at the moment. However I'm not sure how it would fair if my hair was loose (I'd probably use it to set my twist outs). The Mousse dries fast and doesn't leave any residue and unlike some setting products I can touch my hair afterwards and it doesn't feel like hair not rice cakes!

The only downer is that like many products you have to apply the mousse generously, which is fine for my shorter hair, but those of you with extra long hair may struggle to make the mousse last.

Over all this is a fab product, it's quick and easy and great for wash and go's and of course it smells divine! 

before dry hair

I washed hair with Design Essentials cleanser and conditioner, and applied 6 pumps of Curl Enhancing Mousse with my fingers and ran though my hair making sure my hair was evenly and generously covered from root to tip then left to air dry.

mousse applied

Water (Aqua), Polyquaternium 55, Cetyl Triethylmonium Olivate Dimethicone PEG-8 Succinate, Decyl Glucoside, Cetrimonium Chloride, Methylisothiazolinone (and) Caprylyl Glycol, PEG 75 Lanolin, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Panthenol, Polysorbate 20, Fragrance (Parfum), Dimethicone Coployol, Citric Acid, FD&C Blue No.1 (C.I.42090), FD&C Yellow No.5 (C.I. 19140)

My curls be poppin!!

Guest Post: MIxed Chicks & RoseBox Events

There have been some great launch parties in the Capital recently.

Last month I was lucky enough to attend Curls In The City, at The Picadilly Institute in Central London, for the official launch of Mixed Chicks products in the UK. It was an invite only event and even sprinkled with a few V.I.Ps including celebrity stylist Michelle Sultan, Lisa Mafia and Javine.

Mixed Chicks Founders Wendi Levy and Kim Etheridge had flown over from The States to personally introduce us to their products, which despite the name are not race-specific, and can be used on all types of curly hair, including thicker Afro hair like mine, and have even been used by celebrities ranging from Macy Gray to Halle Berry.

I couldn’t resist putting on my LBD and heels for the Sexy And The City themed event. There were of course, plenty of Cosmopolitans, and everyone received a goody-bag containing the Mixed Chicks box-set of full-sized products including the shampoo, deep conditioner, leave-in conditioner and the brand new Hair Silk.

Last week saw the lauch of Rosebox UK, a subscription service for hair care products, combining both British and American brands.

A lot of bloggers and vloggers came down to the Southwark Rooms in London Bridge to support Rosebox Founder Rose Akoko.

It was a really fun night and a great chance for everyone to catch up and mingle. Rose took lots of questions from women who were curious to know what they could expect and I was pleased to hear that she aims to include at least one full-sized product in each box. To find out more about Rosebox visit www.Rosebox.com.

Crystal Afro

Ataui Deng and Marihenny Rivera for Ellle FR

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Style Steal: Yaya DaCosta

Yaya is a huge fan of batik and African inspired prints, she wears it from head to toe above and just a hint below with this printed bra top both ways look fab!

Shop Fashion Conscience for key pieces in African inspired prints, they have a great selection in key shapes for the season like the peplum top, pencil skirt and  cropped trousers.

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Solange @ Glamour Women Of The Year Awards

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The Eyes: Violent Eyes Review

There back! last year I did a photoshoot for Violent Lips the very cool lip transfers seen on the likes of Kim Kardsashian and Jessie J. The the Unique beauty company now brings us Violent Eyes, sparkly eye appliqués.

I tried out the Jet Black Glitteratti Eyes, which I found alot easier to apply than the Violent Lips, all you do is measure it up to your eye soak with water (like a kids fake tattoo) remove the back and use a Q-Tip to adjust if needed. Make sure you really soak the transfer as I had trouble getting it to stick.

The transfer really does Glitter, although you could probably achieve the look with a dark liquid eye liner and some glitter, Violent Eyes is a lot easier and won't make such a mess. with four different shapes from large to small flicks you can be as dramatic as you want.

Priced around £6.00 for a set of 8, Violent Eyes are available at Harvey Nicholls or from Violent Lips

As a mama who is short on time but big on style Violent Eyes are great, they took less than 5 minutes to apply and you have instant glam! 

Thandie Newton in Jewel By Lisa

Thandie Newton headed out wearing a Jewel By Lisa beaded jumpsuit from the spring/summer 2012 collection. The naturalista wore her hair in a messy bun at an event in Canada last week.

www.jewelbylisa.com

Mavala Metallics

My favourite little polishes are back! this time Mavala brings us a range of metallic polishes. The winter line 'Arabesque' is inspired by the A/W13 collections which are big on opulent and ornate fabrics and colours

Versace A/W2013

Lanvin A/W 2013

Metallic Nails 

I love that Mavala always keeps on trend, as one of the most natural polishes you can purchase, Mavala polishes do NOT contain Parabens, Toluene, camphore, cellophane, animal ingredients or heavy metals   So we can still be natural and not give up fashion polishes!

The Arabesque line is available in four colours Metallic Grey, Peacock Green, Copper Gold & Shimmer Violet (£4.30 each)

The Long Socks: Corinne Bailey Rae

Ms Bailey Rae working a1960's inspired shift dress and her signature over the knee socks at the Mercury Awards 2012, she also wore a similar look during Paris fashion week pick up a good quality pair  of socks from J-crew also check out my past post on Corinne's hair regimen here

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