Transitioning from Relaxed to Natural Hair Without the Big Chop

Vogue Italia Editorial Tribute to Black Beauties

There could be many reasons why you choose to transition rather than big chop. Regardless of your reason, congratulations! You've made a courageous first step. Transitioning is a process that allows you to grow out your natural hair without cutting off your relaxed hair all at once as you would with "the big chop". You are transitioning your hair from a chemically relaxed state to a natural state. If you transition, your primary goal is to maintain length.

At the beginning of the transition phase you determine how long you want to transition. There is no right or wrong time frame. No specific length of time is required. There are three ways to determine how long you will transition.

The first is by selecting a timeline beginning with the date of your last relaxer. If I relax today and decide that this is my last relaxer, my transition begins. Let's say you decide to transition for two years. You will big chop two years from the date of your last relaxer. This date will be your anniversary for each year that you transition.

Nail Art That Jumps Off the Page

Nail Rock Dalmation

My favorite line from the movie "21" was when actor Jim Sturges as Ben Campbell said, "Does that jump off the page?" while recounting his tale to the scholarship administrator. Don't quote me. If you've seen the movie you're probably smiling and if not, I recommend watching it. It's about six MIT students that were trained by one of their professors to become expert card counters and take Vegas casinos for millions in winnings. Excellent movie.

Let's rewind back to 3000 B.C., long before movie pictures and manufactured cosmetics, where the history of nail color began. The ancient Chinese used colored lacquer; a mixture of beeswax, gelatin, egg whites, and Arabic gum to tint their nails with color. In ancient Egypt women of aristocracy adorned their nails with the color red using stains derived from the juice of the henna plant to signify social order and prosperity while lower ranking women were permitted to use pastel colors only. In India henna was also used.

Pushing time forward, Michelle Menard, a french makeup artist, was credited with inventing modern day nail polish sometime during the early 1920's. Her invention inspired the launch of Revlon in 1932, which began its empire with a single product - a new kind of nail enamel. Using pigments instead of dyes, Revlon created a variety of new nail colors and soon became a multimillion dollar organization.

Today, nail art has taken the fashion world by storm and is taking leaps and bounds off the pages of history. To soothe the most expressive and artistic fashionista, she needs an array of vibrant colors and true nail art that embraces self expression and customization. Two methods of applying nail art include using your artistic skills to create a design with nail polish, acrylic paints, rhinestones and glitter or using pre-designed nail wraps.

If you're a true nail artist junkie, be sure to check out Nails Magazine and Nail Rock nail wraps.

Frozen Yogurt

And you thought there was no frozen yogurt heaven.

Frozen yogurt parlors are popping up all across the U.S. With health conscious consumers in mind; well, anyone who loves yogurt, this delicious frozen treat is a popular alternative to ice cream. With flavors like mango tango, pomegranate, and pink lemonade, who could pass it up. With such bold flavor, who knew this concoction was low-fat, low in cholesterol, high in calcium and Vitamin B2. Hair, skin, and nail alert! Perfect treat natural ladies.

Have you tried Pinkberry and Yogurtland? Well, now there's Zinga! All three of these establishments offer self-serve yogurt in a variety of flavors and more than 50 toppings from fruit to nuts. At Zinga you select your bottom; a waffle bowl bottom sounds yummy, add your frozen yogurt in as many flavors as you can fit; don't be a wuss, and pile it high with your favorite toppings. Your unique creation is charged by weight. You rule the portions!

Zinga!

Turn 'Plain Natural' into 'Glam Natural' with Accessories

Vogue Italia Editorial Tribute to Black Beauties

Are you afraid that sporting natural hair will put a halt on your femininity? Maybe you feel that a TWA will make you look boyish? There are ways to exude your feminine side and turn plain natural into glam natural. Do it with accessories!

Accessories have transformative powers. They can transform any outfit into a runway look and any hairstyle into a masterpiece. Jewelry, belts, shoes, handbags, scarves, hats, and headbands are accessories that can take you from winter to summer, day to night, drab to bright and cheery, soft to bold, casual to sexy, and plain to glam.

Can Decluttering Relieve Stress? Clean Out That Messy Closet for 2012

We're not all gifted with the talent of organization and cleanliness. Life strikes at every moment and sorting, packing, filing, and organizing may have to take a back seat to deadlines, hectic work schedules, children, and of all things, sleep. People are more stressed than they've ever been. With rising costs and stagnant salaries, we have to work harder and longer just to make ends meet.

With an over-pouring dislike for clutter, I learned some time ago that a messy space can intensify confusion and a cluttered home can enhance stress. True or not? If you're a fashionista with a messy closet, listen up! Researchers at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute found that physical clutter negatively affects your ability to focus and process information. Let's consider the theory. With so much going on day to day, our brains are cluttered. Cluttered with deadlines, to-do lists, daily demands, names, phone numbers, account numbers, user names/passwords, and memories; good and bad. We're in mental over drive!

Good Bye 2011. Hello 2012! In My BCBG Accessories

BCBG Paris Phynia Leopard Pumps, BCBG Lattice Waist Belt, BCBG Quilted Clutch

Happy New Year!

It's a new dawn, a new day, and a new life - for me. And I'm feeling good! May this new year find you generous, prosperous, and fabulous.

Yours Truly,