Get Rid of Annoying Razor Bumps!

The problem with shaving or waxing is getting those painful razor bumps and ingrown hairs in areas that are hard to deal with.

Under the armpits and bikini areas are especially embarrassing in the Summertime!

Fortunately I came across a product called "Tend Skin" at Sephora (you can find it online or at the stores) that deals with those horrible bumps.


They come in 4oz and 8oz bottles for $20 or $35. There are many other razor bump remedy creams and gels, but this is one product that I know works. If you have any others, leave a comment telling where you got it from, how much, and how it worked!


FEATURED PRODUCT:



Tend Skin

"The solution for any cosmetic problem related to hair removal. Men can use it on their face, neck and back of the head while women find it useful on legs, bikini line, underarms and anywhere else hair removal causes razor bumps. Use in conjunction with shaving, waxing electrolysis or epilating. Caution: If you have an allergy to Aspirin (hives, itching) do not use this product."

(As found on Sephora.com)

Black Beauty: Make Up Tips for Black Women from CareFair.com

"African-American women have a wide variety of skin tones – from lighter to darker and everything in between. And while makeup lines have improved vastly in the last five years, it’s still a tricky undertaking to find the right shade for your skin tone. So finding the right makeup for your personal skin tone can be a tricky thing. If you choose the wrong color family, you can find yourself with a flat complexion or an ashen look. With a little guidance and some trial and error, you can find a color combination that works for you.



Here are three simple steps to help you on your way:



1. Pay attention to your undertones. Look beyond your skin’s color (overtone) to find the undertones that give definition to your features. For instance, rich ebony complexions often have cool undertones (look for colors in the blue family). Brown and caramel complexions may have warmer undertones (look for golden colors). Once you determine which colors are yours, use them as accents – especially around your eyes.



2. Find your color family – not just what you think is your color family. You might be surprised at just how off many women are when it comes to an accurate assessment of the colors that work for them. You may need to enlist the aid of a makeup specialist or your local cosmetics counter. In fact, you should consult a second opinion. And remember that foundation can look very different on your face than in the bottle or on that thumbnail palette, so be sure to test it on your jawline or on the inside of your wrist to see if it will work for you.



Tip: If your complexion is uneven, you may need two different colors of foundation that can be used together. When spread correctly over the right areas, a two-color approach can give you the even skin tone you’re looking for.



3. Use blush to contour your cheekbones. Here is one area where less is definitely more – especially if you use a more exotic color. A simple brush of currant or mauve can really set off and flatter a medium to dark complexion, while a sweep of caramel, honey or apricot can give definition to a medium to light complexion.



Tip: Bronzer can be used as an effective alternative to blush if you have a warmer complexion. Try dusting a light coating over your face, concentrating contoured strokes at your temples and cheekbones.



Something to Think About:

When selecting a makeup, color should not be your only concern. Remember your skin type. If you have normal to oily skin, a water-based liquid foundation and a cream blush may work best for you. On the other hand, normal to dry skin can benefit form an entire line of cream formulas."

Nappturality, Black Hair Untouched

Many women of African descent all over the world have stopped relaxing, straightening, and playing with their hair, and have started embracing the natural look. There are many different reasons why people decided to go natural, whether it is because of hair damage from chemicals, scalp problems, illnesses, finances, hair loss, being tired of spending hours at the beauty salon/weaving lady's house....or simply curiosity. Or, if they're anything like me, others are just looking for something new and interesting to try when it comes to black hair.

No matter why we choose to go natural, it is a very convenient choice when it comes to maintenance, and it is definitely something that our wallets will thank us for.


The site Nappturality.com is a website dedicated solely and specifically to the woman who chooses to go "au natural". The site was created to help those who were simply looking for healthy, beautiful and painless hair solutions, and those who needed to see things that actually worked for others.

Nappturality.com provides photographs, Black natural hair articles and journals, links to websites, forums, other information and links about the care, maintenance and politics of natural hair.

The site is also a community where people discuss and upload their own photos, so if you're already wearing it natural, check the site out...and then come back and tell us about your experience!

Some of the Many Black Hair Care Myths

Over the years I have done a lot of hair and met a lot of people. With that has come some incredibly false information about how to take care of our black hair. I know the feeling, after a while we just don't know what to believe or what works. Well, here are at least 5 things you can be sure about:


Top 5 Black Hair Care Myths: True or False?

1. Relaxed hair will NOT grow.

- This is FALSE. Relaxing the hair does present a lot of chemicals that your hair may not be used to, but that doesn't necessarily hinder growth. Proper upkeep after a relaxer can maintain hair growth. By not applying too much heat (blow dryers, straighterners, etc.) and other chemicals closely after relaxing, you can prevent a lot of damage. Further help with relaxing hair will be featured in this blog soon.

2. Black Women should NOT wash their hair.

- This is definitely FALSE. Black women should NOT wash their hair EVERYDAY. Unlike our white friends, Black hair is much more dry and excessive washing can lead to excessive breakage. We should not wash it every day, but instead once every 3-7 days depending on your level of dryness. A mistake often made is not washing it for extended amounts of time, such as every 2 weeks, or even months while hair is braided or weaved. Instead, very dirty hair can slow down hair growth.

3. Herbs help hair growth.

- This is TRUE. Some herbs such as rosemary, chamomile and ginkgo are as good for the hair as they are for the body. Our friends at Kristen Lock detail the herbs myth on their site. (Check it out here: http://www.kristenlock.com/Herbal-Remedies-For-Black-Hair-Growth)


4. Leave-In-Conditioners DO NOT work.

- This is FALSE. Leave-In-Conditioners provide hydration and nutrients necessary for hair health. In fact, you can use leave-in-conditioners often without shampoo, especially after washing or quick rinses to maintain curls (for those of us with natural waves).


5. Massaging the scalp regularly stimulates hair growth.

- This is TRUE. Massaging the scalp regularly can stimulate hair folicles to grow. A daily 5 minute massage can help your hair grow (in addition to proper hair care), and make you feel better and calm while you're at it!



FEATURED PRODUCT: Motions Nourish Leave-In Conditioner.



This spray is easy to use, and leaves hair managable, fresh and detangled. It is about $5 at hair supply stores.



There are many myths, do's, and don'ts to black hair care, and I will make sure to tell you what I know, what works, and what just doesn't! Some of it will come from my own personal experiences with doing hair, and others will come from questions and comments, so feel free to leave some!