How To Care For Your Bald Head

July 16, 2019July 16, 2019Leave a comment

You may think that shaving all of your hair and rocking a bald style is easy to maintain, yes you are partially correct.

With that being said, many often mistaken this for no longer cleaning the scalp. Not true at all. To put things in perspective, let’s say that you are someone who never wears makeup, this will cut down on using any sort of makeup remover on your face, but you still need to wash your face. Why? Because when you are particularly outside, at work, or anywhere that exposes you to pollution to the air, you need to cleanse you face on a daily basis. Washing your scalp is a similar concept. Plus majority of us have dandruff, we workout so therefore we sweat which then equates the purpose of cleaning dirt from you bald head. This is part of taking care of your style. Here are some ways to take care your baldness.

1. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize

The benefits of being a bald chick are endless, but moisturizing your scalp will be a beneficial factor in the long run. This avoids razor bumps, possible ingrown hair, and just the smoothness of your scalp. People will want to rub it whether you like it or not (unfortunately). Any moisturizer will do, you don’t need a specific product, just one that works.

2. Sunscreen for Those Summer Days

With the top of your head being bare skinned, it is being exposed to the harmful UV rays that the sun emits. We all know what this may lead to if the SPF is not on all parts of your skin. So please do not forget the scalp area!

3. Wash the scalp

I did explain the importance of this, plus you will feel better afterwards.

4. Schedule Your Cuts on a Regular Basis

Of course as a baldie, you want to maintain your look. Whether you own a pair of clippers, or prefer to see a barber cut your hair, scheduling your haircuts on routinely basis will aid in maintaining your style. If you are one who uses razors, shaving cream will be the best option.

—So get to snipping!

The Power of Being Bald

July 5, 20195 Comments

Now before I start about this topic, I will state that this is not a dig to those who chose to style their hair in any particular way:

I am just speaking to encourage women to go outside the standards of beauty. A lot of us are scared to do just that because we care what other people think, more so if you are a women. Being beautiful sometimes is the only ideal of being a woman especially of colour. What is usually attached to beauty?

Our hair.

Yes, I have no hair, right now I am bald because that was my choice, but some don’t have that privilege in making a decision that may seem minuscule to some, and a big deal to others.

Articles on being a bald women (or female identifying) are slim to none, majority of the time it is usually actresses cutting of their tresses all in part for a movie which means that this is all temporary, a trend that at times prove that women will go back to the long flowing hair eventually because it is not normal to have no hair. You see we to an extent, look up to celebrities (I try to steer clear from trends), especially when younger. I can speak to being a little girl and only seeing commercials of women who didn’t look like me, or seeing the typical token black girl who usually adorned a wig that was long, flowing, straight to the bone, no curls to arise. She was usually ‘sassy’, loud, had no back story, not the main character in a major film screen, and basically had no depth to her character whatsoever, just a stereotype. But I always observed the hair because I knew for a fact that it did not resemble mine.

I can go on and on about blaming society in particular for how black women are viewed, but sometimes it becomes ingrained in some, not all… of our conscience. We worry whether or not we will get that job based on our looks, and yes it is important to look the part ( I can’t stress that enough), but when you go against the grain of what beauty looks like… that can be daunting.

When you cut off your hair, this is a process, externally and internally. Yes, you have literally have nothing to hide but your face, but you are cutting off way more then just hair. There is baggage where all that hair came from. From the time you are just a kid to becoming a young adult, the baggage women carry in terms of attaining beauty standards become enormous and ridiculous at times. We all fall into that trap whether we want to admit that, whether we like it… or not. The constant need to looking a certain way because this is the way it should be can be detrimental to anyone’s self esteem. So yes I do believe that shaving off your hair can be brave but to an extent.

Are you brave enough to maintain the look? Even when you get the questionable stares, creeps who have bald fetishes or older women who will put you down and ask why you are still bald when they don’t even know you well enough… can you handle that? Kids will stare at you, that is in their nature and you can’t blame them, they are sponges that will absorb anything. Or if a guy tells you that he likes his women with hair, or even requests that you grow your hair back because again this is to appease him and his own insecurity… can you handle that? Can you even handle going into a barber shop with a bunch of men there while you’re the only woman in the whole shop?

I know some can’t.

But I also know that all above those ignorant comments, there are people who will admire you for the look, including older women. I point this out because there has always been a stigma surrounding bald women. The standards of beauty has been around for years, decades, centuries and beyond that. I don’t even get offended when someone states that they can never shave off their hair because I have been in that position, I usually ask them why they feel such a way and I encourage them to just do it. A lot will say it’s because their head it not as smooth, or that they are not pretty enough which breaks my heart when I hear that. Again… beauty always comes to surface. I love a good compliment on my look, what women doesn’t like being called beautiful? But, I will never understand when women for example, will call you beautiful for having no hair, then put themselves down at the same time. I will never get that, this is one of the reasons why I am writing this post. If you want to cut it all off, all the baggage, all of the bullshit attached to what a woman should look like, I say go for it. Yes, some people who you don’t even know will ask you if you have Cancer, or if you are a Lesbian (nothing wrong with this), hate men, shaved it for Cancer awareness (which is a great cause) or trying to look like Eve of Amber Rose. Some can’t picture a woman cutting their hair just for the reason that they wanted to do it. That’s on them. People who judge you for being different in whatever way will say horrible things to you because they are shedding their insecurities on you, not the other way around…remember that.

Being a bald woman will intimidate some, weed out all of the haters and attract the right people in your life. If that manager didn’t want to hire you for a position based on you being a baldie, well it’s their loss and why on earth would you want to work for an organization that discriminates a person based on their appearance? On that note, when you are bald (both men and women), you are as groomed as one can be… clean cut. So I will never understand to whole double standards towards a woman’s appearance compared to a man’s. Being a bald women will encourage other women to do it, or to just be themselves because in itself if a hard feature. We as women need to encourage and uplift other women… period. You never know who you will inspire, it could just be that woman who was going through chemo, ready to come out to her family and friends, or the one who is scared of what her husband might say about her new look, or even men will be inspired by this. Some just can’t grow their hair out, which is Alopecia, I just can’t imagine that frustration.

You see, there is power in the baldness of a woman. The power in not giving shit on what others think about you. The power of being yourself knowing that you matter in this world. The power to uplift, inspire and encourage. The power to question what is beautiful and challenge that notion that one standard is the standard of all standards, well that is courage.

That’s the power of being bald.

Reasons Why You Should Be A Baldie

June 25, 2019June 25, 20192 Comments

So you’re considering being a baldie?

Hey I get it. After the last blog post, How To Be a Bald Chick, you were reading how to be one, now this is just another push to show why women (in particular) should take the plunge even if it is just a one time event. Yes it is daunting especially going into a barbershop where the environment is male dominant. Yes you will have people within your close circle convince you not to cut it (since it can be deemed as crazy). Yes you will probably be missing your tresses. But if you have been, and I know there are some of you who have considered shaving your hair off to a crop/bald style for years, why not just go ahead and go for it! You have one life to live and it’s too short to care what anyone thinks especially when it’s on you. If you’re not convinced yet. Here are a few reasons why you should be a baldie.

1. It’s Easy

Ah the joys of low maintenance: no comb, no brush, not a single single strand of hair. You won’t even need to spend much on hair products if any at all. Life is easy and so is being a bald lady!

2. You Will Stand Out From the Crowd

For all the right reasons… this is something you are doing for yourself so you’re not hurting anyone. You just may change a life too. Not many women sport this super cropped look, so when you are out in a crowd… trust me you stand out from the rest of the pack. You’re going against the grain and challenging what beauty if supposed to look like, pretty much a middle finger to beauty standards. And who wants to blend in anyway?

3. Keeps You Cool In The Summer

For all those three months of heat and humidity, you want to keep as cool as possible, and hair can be a hinderance. When you cut it all off, you just kept yourself cooler. Plus guys do it, so why can’t you do it?

4. It’s Edgy (You Will Look Badass)

There is something quite fearless and bold about a woman who for whatever reason dons a buzzcut or a bald look. Again, even in today’s culture where style can be fluid, the stigma against bald women still prevails. Also, whether it be in a movie or t.v. show, a bald woman is always the badass out of the crew. They are either a warrior, someone who has major powers or just that chick who can fight til kingdom come. Pretty badass if you tell me.

5. You Can Change It Up

Yes this is true: you can rock the bald look by using the zero guard on a clipper, you can dye your hair in numerous colours and bleach it without any worries of… it all falling out (yep remember you have no hair). Patterns come to thought as well, or even having the sides of your head more closely shaved while keeping the top of your head longer to create an elongation with your face. If you love tattoos and is considering to tattoo your head, I know that this would look pretty cool (yes I have tattoos but mom no I will not tattoo my head don’t worry). If you want to rock the wigs, then I say by all means all the power to you. Scarves are also another consideration to the styles. I told you, the possibilities are endless.

6. It Will Be a Liberating Moment

You know the hardest process of going bald will not be the shaving process, it will be after when you go out in the world. When you go to work, or head to the mall, you may need to visit your doctor, or even out on a date, your family will have those summer barbecues, or getting ready for a gala… you will get the stares. But those who judge you wrongfully are projecting their insecurities on you. Therefore it is none of your business what strangers, your family, friends or coworkers have to say about your no hair style.

When you go beyond all of this and you believe in yourself, this will be the liberating moment that I am talking about: all those invisible shackles that you have on yourself when coming to beauty will start to melt.

Oh how emancipating!

How To Be a Bald Chick

June 21, 2019June 21, 20194 Comments

For most who know me, or recognizes my appearance, I have no hair.

No I don’t have Cancer or even Alopecia, but was my decision, yes… I am bald by choice. Now this concept can seem like a bewildering thought for many, but I am not the only one. In fact this article is not just geared for just the Baldies who chooses the style, but it is for anyone who yes is struggling with their health, all who identify as a women including queer women that it is not a stigma despite the margins that are directed towards them.

When you talk about beauty standards for women in general, hair is always at the top of the list. If you don’t have a certain lengths, certain people question that. Hair has been linked to health, fertility and a woman’s crown and glory. This is why when a kid, girl or boy, stares in shock when a badass bald lady walks down the street. A lot of the times all they are seeing on TV, the movie screens, books and of course commercials are women who have hair. It’s also one of the reasons why women are so scared of taking the plunge to just cut it all off. Being a bald women brings the automatic judgement of the whys, the whats and the wonderment that goes on in strangers’ minds: oh how bold she is. If I can give advise to anyone who sees a bald women, remember this… she is aware that you are staring her down, and she has to wake up every morning to look in the mirror to try and see value in her appearance. With that being said here is how to be a Bald Chick. Go ahead and take that chance… even if it may be a one time experiment.

Step 1: Go To the Barbershop

So if you are not someone who cuts hair, the first step that you need to do is just go to the barbershop and get the professionals to cut your hair. Yes this is one of the most daunting things a girl can do… walk into a place that is dominated by men, but trust me if you want to take the plunge, it will feel liberating.

Step 2: Shop Shop Shop

This may seem like a minute thing to consider, but once your hair is all gone, your style will change slightly. I am not in any way saying to change how you express yourself if you are a tomboy, girly girl, or whatever expression you desire to be, but there will be a few tweaks that need to be conducted. First thing to consider are accessories. Back when I had a full head of hair, I didn’t need to worry about wearing ear cuffs or earrings, but with no hair that was my forefront of thought. Plus I love jewelry and believe that accessories can make or break an outfit so consider that. Another factor to take in is the makeup you wear. Now this is for anyone who loves makeup in the first place. Your face is not on display, there is no hiding behind your hair as before. So you want to highlight your features like bringing out your eyes, the high cheekbones or enhance you lip shape, well rock that new shade of lipstick!

Step 3: Define Your Style

Now this goes hand in hand with step the las step, but as a baldie you do already stand out. But, if you want to add some pizzazz with your style, look in your closest and take the time to define what it is you like and don’t like. For me I like high heels but sneakers, running shoes and flats are apart of my style. I am a mixture of girly girl styles along with a sporty twist while applying funky patterns to the list. What is your style?

Step 4: Ignore all The Negative/Backhanded Comments

Now this can be tricky and complicated if it is coming from family and friends. You have to see them on an occasional basis. But this will make you a stronger person. To really go against the grain, question the pressure society puts on women and girls from such a young age will provide the strength you never knew you had. Plus when strangers want to comment you are prepared to hold your head held up high with confidence.

Step 5: Buy Clippers

I believe if you are someone who likes to experiment with different forms of creativity, is independent, likes to be frugal with your money, buying a set of clippers won’t hurt. Like any skill, this takes practise, and if you are a baldie, it will help you save money on those regular barber visits. Yes it is tedious. Yes you have to be careful especially when using no guard because you just might bruise yourself, but it’s a great skill to attain. And in an era that is digital, you have the tools and techniques to do the research on how to cut your hair. Plus this blog as a reference!

Step 6: Hold Your Head Up High

Out of all the steps this is the most crucial. There will be mean people who just don’t like you because of how you look. Some may not hire you, promote you because the fact that you are bald. Some may not even date you because they don’t want a bald chick on their arm. Family members just may not get it… a woman’s beauty is supposed to be attached to their hair. Others may suggest that you wear a wig so you can ‘change it up a bit,’ or to just fit in. You may even get others, people who pretend to be your friends, meanwhile they are laughing behind your back when there is any sort of insecurity regarding your lack of hair. You will get the long stares from children (but this is my favourite because I know at that point I affected their life in that moment). Creepy guys or women may just date you only to fetishize you (this so creepy), just because of your unique bald style. Despite all of this, all you need to know, and you do need to know this:

You are what defines your own beauty… not anyone else. That is your greatest power in being a bald, bold badass chick. Remember that.

My Trip To Malta and Amsterdam

June 17, 2019June 21, 20191 Comment

Some things never come in to plan as one may expect.This trip was no different. When we flew from the Toronto Pearson Airport the night before arriving to Amsterdam, our light was delayed by 45 minutes. Okay, no big deal, these things happen almost all the time for flights. So we arrive the Saturday morning with a few delays with the plane, so long story short, we missed our flight to Malta. At first I was not happy, but there was a sense that all would work out fine in terms of the trip, and it did, Amsterdam became an addition to the trip in an unexpected but adventurous way.

Amsterdam:

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As most know, Amsterdam, is a very liberal city, with multiple cultures combined, their love of bikes and public transportation, and of course the world famous red light district ( you are not allowed to take pictures of the workers for obvious reasons), the city is full of intrigue while the night becomes alive with tourists around the world.Now while Amsterdam is known for their wild, liberal spirit in the Dutch air, Malta is more traditional.

Amsterdam

Malta:

Just located between Sicily and Tunisia (North Africa), Malta is what I call a hidden gem. Out of all the countries I’ve visited, it is understandable why people ask… why Malta? Where is Malta?I’ll tell you why.This small Mediterranean island in Europe has a lot of interesting history. Now to start, the Maltese language is a mixture of Arabic, Italian and English. Malta was once ruled by all three of these cultures which explain the influence. The island’s two official languages are Maltese and English, while Italian is spoken in a conversational tone. Like any period in history, particularly in World War Two, a turn of events occurred and the British ruled the country until their independence. The Catholic religion is predominant in Malta. Everywhere you go, you see a church as being Catholic is of huge importance there.

Near The Island of Comino

Blue Lagoon

Malta is a place not just for worship, but also somewhere to just get away and explore the scene as it is truly a sight for sore eyes. The Blue Lagoon is beyond what you see in pictures, plus it is no wonder why Hollywood loves filming in places like this. You never see water this blue, clear and serene, it’s a bucket list you never knew you needed to accomplish. Just beyond anything and it brings shock to see such a picturesque place, almost like a painting.

Blue Grotto

Being on a little boat can be both terrifying and exciting, while the water can bring a sense of peace. The caves of Blue Grotto is unlike anything that I have seen. For any traveler, it gives you the reasons as to why we love… traveling because you don’t see stuff like this anywhere. You explore and you watch in wonder. Blue Grotto is a place for the divers and swimmers alike who want to do just that, explore.

The Food:

Like anywhere you go, there is always a staple food or drink. Now the standouts in this island for food would be their pies and pastries. Malta had this cheese pie that was addictive you really don’t need to know the calories in a pie. And Kinnie is soft drink you should at least try once as it is acquired, but refreshing.When you talk about island hopping from Malta, there is Comino which only has a population of three people including a cop, and Gozo, where Game of Thrones was filmed (not the reason why I went), your trip will be fulfilled.So when someone asks you why Malta instead of the more popular places like Barcelona, Paris or Rome… now you know the big charm of little Malta.

Valetta

How I Prepare For My Trips Abroad

May 24, 2019May 24, 20192 Comments

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Ah it’s that time of year again… vacation time!

So if this is the first time you are reading my blog, I can’t stress how much I love to travel. Within five years, having ventured to nine countries, commuting to three continents, it’s pretty safe to say that I am a world traveler. As many adventurists know, once you get stung by the traveling bug you just cannot stop. I know that I have many more countries to explore, sightsee, and just be present in my surroundings along with experiencing a different culture.

This month I will be going on another adventure, once more. But before I disclose where I will be traveling (discreetly since more information will be disclosed when I come back), here are some ways that I prepare for my vacation.

1. Doing My Research

Doing research to any country where you may be a foreigner to is crucial for numerous reasons. If for any reasons that may require you to cancel your trip, prepare for the worst in terms of safety, poisonous insects and viruses that require vaccinations, or a water crisis (like the time I traveled to South Africa last year in April which was the height of the crisis), you need to be aware of what’s going on for the proper precautions taken. I can’t stress this enough about the importance of doing your homework.

2. Checking To See If Your Passport Needs To Be Updated

Trust me on this, you don’t want to already be commuting to the airport to a country that requires your passport to be valid within 6 months before expiration when yours expires in just a month. The security won’t have it and you will have 2 options that will not benefit you at all (one being paying a fine and two to not fly). So this is another reason as to why doing your proper research will benefit you in the long run. Different countries within different continents have different rules on the expiration date on a passport. I can’t stress this enough.

3. Getting The Best Sleep The Day Before

Because you may not get any sleep at all on the plane if you are like me. Plus once you enter the airport, if you haven’t yet… get your boarding pass, check in your luggage, and my least favourite activity, do a security check up which can include taking your shoes off. This is why there’s a requirement to show up at least three hours before the departure.

4. Jogging

I had to add this in since I love running. Pretty much before any trip, a good workout will energize you that results (may or may not in my case) in possibly sleeping on a plane. Also there are endorphins released resulting in good moods hence since you will be on an adventure so why be mad? Plus you are doing a lot of walking especially on a layover when you arrive in one country for let’s say an hour, flying to another.

5. Drinking Plenty Water

As we all are aware of the amazing benefits of water. Another addition to the proof of benefits is the fact that drinking water before, during and after a plain ride may help improve any sort of jet lag. So drinking alcohol will not help your situation if you are trying to avoid the dreaded jet lag.

6. Packing Not Too Much Clothes

For reasons that include not breaking the bank when you have to pay extra if your luggage weighs more than the requirement, or it’s just too damn heavy to drag along, you want to be comfortable when heading from one place to another. Half the time you are not even wearing all of you clothes.

7. Packing Enough Undergarments

You can never have enough underwear, bras, panties… you name it. This is crucial and I don’t even need to explain. Also other aspects of hygiene are applicable to this including lotion, deodorant, dentil floss, a tooth brush and mouth wash. No one wants to be around someone who does not take care of themselves… just saying.

8. Eating A Well Balanced Diet When Flying At Night

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, no words could be any truer. Plus a nutritious meal on a whole will benefit you in ways like for example your head. Flying thousands of feet up in the air will take a toll on you, and not eating at all will make you feel lightheaded. Don’t do that! Eat away.

9. Listening To All The Staff Members In The Airport and Airplane

I just think it would be stupid for you to do the opposite. It may cause you your trip.

10. Being Friendly/Cooperative Passenger To The Person Beside/Behind/In Front of You

Especially when you have to travel longs hours on a plane, being friendly to everyone without being annoying just makes life easier on a whole for everyone. Don’t be that person who has their stretched all the way to the back when someone behind you is pretty much suffocating, or taking up space when not necessary. I know claustrophobia is a real thing and this is also not fun to experience.

11. Where Comfy Clothes

Since going on an excursion requires time and effort, both mental and physical, being in breathable clothing is a must. This also goes for shoes as well. I know some people are all about following their favourite celebrities like Kylie and Kendal, and that’s cool, be Instagram ready, I love fashion and having a look so rock your style in breathable clothing. This is just my suggestion based on my experience with traveling. Doing 30 hours in total of traveling takes a toll on your body. It’s your choice though.

12. Buy Travel Medical Insurance

It does not matter how old you are. Whether you are in your 20’s or 100 years old, please do yourself a favour and buy the travel medical insurance. You never, I repeat, never know when you may need this to come in handy. Health is wealth… you will be doing yourself a huge favour.

13. Taking It All In

Just take in everything… yes I mean EVERYTHING. Because like many major events in life, like planning a wedding, a graduation or even a monumental birthday. The preparation for any milestones are part of the milestone. So just take it all in and with stride because you will get to where you need to be eventually.

So off I go on my next adventure!

Next stop… Malta.

Quiet

May 19, 20192 Comments

Is it wrong to be who you are even when you’re quiet?

Nah:

—-This is a famous quote said from the fellow introvert and inspiring Activist Rosa Parks who spoke up against the injustice of what may seem like a simple act of sitting in front of the bus.

Not too long ago, I was reminded, yet again, of my mysterious/reserved personality, like as if it were a weakness or even a burden.

Like myself, I am certain all people who are considered introverted, quiet or reserved will relate to the fact that this aspect of your personality has been pointed out to you your whole life. From report cards, to workplaces and social settings, the ‘quiet’ label invisibly hangs on your neck like an unwanted shackle weighing the neck down with a feeling of automatic judgement piercing from strangers and at times family.

Time and time again… I am here to prove that being quiet is not a burden, weakness or a negative aspect to one’s personality if this is who you are as a person. Now I am not talking against the more loud and boisterous group of people, I can be pretty loud myself, but there is just a bit of a stigma against the opposite. Right now as I am typing these words to this blog post, I am being quiet. Here are the benefits of being quiet in a world that tells you to fit in.

1. You Listen Better

I think this is pretty self explanatory, great listeners are ones who have the ability to hear other people talk, therefore being great listeners.

2. Creative

Have you ever heard of a quiet voice equals a loud mind? There’s a reason for that. The list of famous introverted artists, writers, musicians and directors are endless…. ask J.K. Rowling.

3. You Think Before Talking

This can coincide with being able to listen. You think before acting.

4. Independent

A lot of introverts are generally loners, but not alone. For me that is my way of needed solitude to recharge and get lost into whatever makes me feel whole.

5. Quiet Confidence

This is a fact, no explanation needed. Think Beyonce….

6. Have a Voice

No need to explain, so I will show you better than I can tell you:

— The list is endless. This is just a few famous people who happen to be an introvert.

Now next time someone wants to bring up your quietness in any negative way, keep your head held up high and tell them that this is who you are and there is nothing wrong with that.

We run the world too, just quietly.

Finding My Way

May 13, 2019May 13, 20194 Comments

Where do I start?

I guess that’s the struggle when I haven’t written a blog post in almost 10 months. There’s a sense of urgency to write but yet a hesitation to compose anything because the sense and worry that you (or me in particular) have nothing meaningful to even put in words. It’s like for me, I felt as though my hesitation was due in part that I needed to write something not only worthwhile, but conduct some Picasso-like poetic justice of a blog post.

Now when you look at the title above, Finding My Way, some of you (or if anyone), are probably thinking that this particular post is about me being lost, having some sort of crisis (I will be turning 30 soon), or a life changing event has occurred… it hasn’t. What has happened is: panic.

Not the type of panicking where anxiety rushes through your rapid heart beat or cold sweat reaping through your pores. Nope. This is a panic where uncertainty of life is prevalent. But this excites me. I know conflicting as it may sound, I am not worried about not knowing the answers, but I am, finding my way.

For me, as I have written numerous times, writing is a big part of who I am whether it pays or does not. And for 10 months, I’ve been pondering and pondering why I was not posting anything on my blog for that span of time.

The truth is, I did not have anything to talk about.

As the time went by, it got harder to think of anything to write. I was almost about to quit this blog to be quite frank. But every time I was going to come up with a goodbye article, I couldn’t find the words. It was more than just a writer’s block because I was writing other formats that did not really appeal to me, but a rush of a feeling of unfinished business.

The sole purpose of this blog was for me to escape into a hobby that has been a healthy coping mechanism on my darkest days up until the brightest. It was and still is the beginning middle and end, the highs and lows that life itself brings. Initially this blog was supposed to be about my love for fashion but in my words with an editorial aspect to the article I learned in school, but here I am, almost three years later, on what is the 55th blog post, talking about finding my way. Go figure. From what felt like the nightmare at times not finding the right words to type on the screen, this is also what needed to happen in order to free my mind, while knowing that my heart, soul and being missed this blog and my love of this sort of writing. This right here is my return.

So for those who have asked me in the recent how my writing is, I will tell you simply, it’s going… meaning that it is never over for me. I am 28, almost about to turn 29, almost about to head into a new decade, but smart enough to know that I am still young. Young enough to know that there is room for improvement. More room for self expression within any form of writing that I conduct. More room for me to not be too hard on myself and sometimes, a good friend of mine has told me, to just go with the flow.

That’s the beauty in creativity and… ambiguity of life.

Let’s welcome more of that.

I know I will be.

Beauty Products I’ve Been Using This Summer

July 27, 2018July 27, 2018Leave a comment

Ah summer time.

What’s not to love about it?

Aside from the sticky weather that occurs at times, at least we don’t have to hide inside the house like a hermit. Plus you can change into lighter clothing, maybe even lighter hair (like myself), and a nice dark golden brown tan to boot. Of course the beauty regiment has to change due to the warmer season. Here are a few beauty products that I am currently using this summer.

1. Clippers

Since I am not in any way planning to grow out my hair, I have to maintain that crop style. Wahl’s clippers are easy to use, making life for me 10 times easier without heading over to a barber. All that is needed is a hand mirror just in case of any hair that is missed from cutting it.

2. L’Oreal Blue Powder Bleach

Now this right here is the gold for hair lightening products! So easy to use in my hair, plus I can hardly smell the dreaded scent of bleach. Now I have weird hair in terms of the colour. Growing up, well into me being 19, I have dark brown hair with natural red highlights, however my hair has gotten much darker over the years, and if I need to dye my hair a unique colour like for example pink, bleaching my barely there hair is a must in order to even achieve the colour. With this powder you need to mix it with a cream developer in order for the bleach to be activated. These activators come in volumes, I think 40 is the highest (and most potent), so I have volume 30 which has more than done the job! I use these tools because I know that I will be using this for the whole summer and not just one occasion. The bleach is a big tube so you will be getting your money’s worth which is about $32.00, I got it 50 percent off!

3. Kiss Express Hair Color

Okay the colour displayed above is not the right one that I am using. What I have is K51 cherry cola, and the colour is like a pinkish red combination. Since it is semi permanent, it does fade into a pinkish blonde colour, and still looks amazing! Plus this product has no ammonia along with no peroxide. The price is very reasonable at just five dollars.

4. Black Soap

This soap can save lives… or just bless the skin, one day at a time as it has so many benefits. I use this to wash my scalp along with washing my face, as it is great for dry scalps, acne, premature aging and clearing discolouration. You don’t have to pay a hefty price for such a skin miracle worker. All of the ingredients are natural (which include plantains, shea butter etc.) if the soap bar is brown, the ‘black’ colour has more unnatural ingredients that don’t have the same benefits. On a side note, this soap has been around for centuries, originating from West Africa, more so Ghana, and has a huge part in the African diaspora as countries like Trinidad, Jamaica and the U.S. (more particularly African Americans) have created beauty products based all on black soap.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

This product is another blessing for the skin! Like black soap it has all of the needed benefits to combat acne, dark marks and wrinkles, but the smell is left to be desired. I can’t wear this during the day so I use it as a toner during the night. Again, in relation to black soap, I suggest buying the organic version as it has the benefits provided above.

6. Pro Filt’r Foundation by Fenty Beauty

I finally bought the foundation from this ever growing makeup line by Rihanna, after what seemed like a constant sellout. It’s a full coverage foundation that lasts the whole day and it’s cruelty free. Now I have oily skin, and I have read many articles stating that it oxidizes, for me I have not yet run into that problem. With oily skin, there’s always a tendency to for this to happen which is a pain in the ass. However Sephora sells the upper scale product that is a descent price for this makeup store ($42), plus I can’t go any cheaper since I had struggles with it either being the right match, or worst is oxidizes within three hours in the summer. Now I will also point out that when it comes to brown skin, in order to find the right foundation, you need to know your undertone. Some people have red undertones, while others may have a pink, or even blue undertone. For me I have a yellow undertone, so a foundation may match by medium brown skin, but it is is red, blue or pink in undertone… it does not match my skin. It looks off, and can either look pasty or too dark. With Fenty Beauty, I was able to match 370 as it is a warm undertone. I can’t stress enough the importance of makeup lines being more inclusive with all skin tones. It’s a must in 2018. Thank heavens for Fenty Beauty!

7. Makeup Forever

So since it is summertime, I do tan a bit from being outside (yes black people tan also). I had to point that out since I get so much comments on if I get darker, or not, and that I don’t need to (colourism being taken place). With that being said in order to match the rest of my skin, I still have this line of foundation that I mix with Fenty Beauty’s due to it being a little darker. Plus my products last longer, and I haven’t six months of buying this product (not recommended in using).

8. Stunna Lip Paint by Fenty Beauty

For me, this lip paint is a must for everyday use! It’s such a beautiful colour that compliments any skin tone. Even though it is over $30, the matte product does not dry out your lips, and it is long-lasting. No need to redo you lips after lunch or any time.

9. Gloss Bomb by Fenty Beauty

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This is becoming a Fenty Beauty affair! Maybe, in the near future Miss Fenty herself may hire me as a spokesperson for using her products; a girl can dream big. For me this lip gloss is a reminiscence of a throwback. As a teenager all I would wear is lip gloss, but it has been 10 years since I’ve donned the look due to my love of lipsticks. Gloss bomb creates the theme of makeup, no makeup look, equating into enhancing someone’s natural beauty. It’s pretty much for the days where you’re not in the mood for such a dramatic look that… say a red lipstick brings. This is simple and natural while still feeling beautiful.

10. Sun Screen

This is a must, I don’t care what skin tone you fall under, everyone needs to wear sunscreen during the summertime. Skin cancer is not a fun journey, plus I’ve seen people, including ones who have brown skin have skin cancer. That SPF blocks any of the harmful rays from the sun, plus you can still get darker, unless you want sun block. Please stop the nonsense of black people not needing sun screen. We can use less than light skin tones but that does not mean you don’t have to use it, plus if you have freckles, moles or any marks on your skin, this is all the more reason to wear sun screen or sun block.

11. Country Apple by Bath and Body Works

This fresh fruity scent is perfect for the summer! I’ll most likely use this all throughout the year since it’s not a strong scent. It’s evident that black people love our lotions so clearly this blog post would be nothing without talking about a good cream for the skin. Sorry I had to say it!

Enjoy the summer!

4 Things That Are Different Without Using Social Media

July 23, 2018July 23, 2018Leave a comment

So it’s been exactly 23 days since I’ve deleted most of my social media accounts. Time just seems to fly. I have noticed a few changes, some that are obvious, some that aren’t. With this being said, I will keep this blog post as brief as possible since this anti social media journey has only started three weeks ago, I will will keep tabs on how this journey is going. Here are three things that I have noticed that is different without using the media platform.

1. Less Urgency To Check My Phone In The Morning

Pretty much every morning I had to check my instagram to see if there were any updates on anyone including celebrities, plus it was something to do before heading to work. This routine at times did waste a lot of time… almost to the point where it got too much in the way of errands I had to do.

2. More Hobbies

With hobbies, I get to focus on the things that I love doing whether it be more reading, more jogging or anything else that comes to mind. Plus I get to see what choice of travel is on the horizon within the few months or next year… we will see.

3. More Contemplating

This may seem like an obvious point, but my mind has been cleared from all of the social media life, therefore making me be more aware of myself in terms of life in general. Where I’m at. Where I want to be, and how I will get there. Also not putting up with any nonsense from anyone… knowing that my self worth is not devalued or taken a notch down by anyone.

4. Happier

Knowing that I am not in the loop with other people’s life events has been ironically more fulfilling for me. It was nice to see what people were up to, but the constant need to be in the loop of that along with depressing news was a constant downer, now I don’t have to worry about this anymore. Also posting pictures, statuses and anything else: just waiting for likes and comments, I no longer have to worry about updating my profile.

Hammer Style Girl

All About The Culture

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