Beat that face

I have always been amazed at the incredible transformation of drag queens, Rupaul pioneered the incredibly beautiful face of drag queens. His show drag race, brought us into the world of makeup and transformations.  Contouring has always been a drag queens secret to getting a look that made everyone say, you got your face “BEAT”! But what does this phrase mean. Urban dictionary says that it’s when the makeup applied to a person's face is so powerful and amazing that it makes them look truly stunning. “Beat” can also be used to describe any variety of things, not just one's face. The term is popular among make up enthusiasts and the gay community. I can remember when Oprah shared her makeup tips and revealed that she slimmed her nose by using contours. This incredible tool is used by some of the most Gorgeous drag queens have also been utilized by Hollywood. Stars like Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Kim Kardashian have mastered the art! We have watched plain canvasses turn into some of the most beautiful women in the world. So it’s, not surprising that this has become an everyday occurrence, with everyday people.  Make up is an enhancement, like weave I think many people use it to exemplify what they already have, but can it also be used as a con? I mean really, so what if you use make up to hide blemishes, make your nose smaller, hide the dark circles under your eyes, make your eyes “chinky”, increase the size of your lips, make your lips smaller, change the shape of your face………..and even change the color of your skin.  Is that really a crime? With this new contouring technique, woman have taken the “beating  of the face” to a whole new level.  Let’s look at some individuals who have masterfully change how they look.

Do you feel that this is deceitful, or just plain art.

Hair Weaves for men.

Women have worn weaves for years. Weaves are worn to enhance the hair, change styles or to lengthen the hair quickly. But how would you feel if your man wanted to get a weave. Hollywood men have worn lace front for years. Stars like John Travolta, Samuel L Jackson and Jamie Fox have thrived wearing fake hair.

 But now the craze has come to local hair salons. If you have ever gotten a weave you know the time and money it takes for this investment, but is this new fad for you man? Here are some of the new styles. 

There has always been the traditional paint.

Here is a video depicting hair added to a bald head.

Hair Weaving technique for men.

Instagram has gone on a rampage, exposing men with weave. The comments have been less than kind, calling the process witchcraft!

How do you feel about this look, and is it for your partner?

Just dance like you have no other care in the world….why because your natural!

Hola Chulas, I woke up this morning and I looked at my hair and thought, wow I love my hair! Last night I finger de-tangled, co-washed and then shingled my hair with Shea butter, olive oil, castor oil and glycerin, a mix I made to add moisture to my hair, I then used a little Bioinfushion pomade by Walgreen's, Argan oil mouse by Crème of nature and then placed my hair in 5 braids in preparation of my braid out that I am wearing on Saturday! I feel so free, my hair is protected and healthy! I slapped my beanie on and  began to do a little dance as I walked out the door. It reminded me of the little girl that danced her heart out in a recital. While everyone, danced to the routine she added her own steps, and was so happy with her creation that she stole the show!!!  Steal the show with you Gorgeous natural hair…just dance to your own tune!

Getting Moisture into Low Porosity Hair

So you did the water test and placed your clean hair into a cup  of water and your hair did not sink! If you read the blog on  the-porosity-of-your-hair., your now know you have Low Porosity hair. I am sure your next thought is why? Low Porosity hair is when the cuticle layer is tightly-bound and closed.  Because of this, it is very difficult to get moisture into the hair.  But once it is moisturized properly, it holds moisture really well.   Low Porosity hair can be hereditary or from straightening damage.

The best was to get moisture into the hair is to slightly raise the cuticle. By adding warm water,  the hair the cuticle will raise. But as we discussed in our Understanding PH Balance blog we know that alkaline products will open the cuticles. Now let’s understand how the principles of PH can help get moisture into the hair.

Potential of Hydrogen, or pH, is the measurement of how acidic or alkali a substance is. It is judged on a scale between 0 and 14. Anything between 0 and 6.9 is acidic, 7 is neutral, and anything between 7.1 and 14 is alkaline. Human hair and scalp oil, sebum, has a pH balance of between 4.5 and 5.5.

Baking Soda has a PH balance of 9. A small amount of baking soda dissolved in warm water will help to open the cuticle. You only need about 1 teaspoon in a pint of water. Take the PH strips that we discussed in our last blog, and make sure that the rinse is between 7.5 and 8. Pour this rinse onto the hair and rinse with warm water. 

Now that the cuticles are slightly open add a good DC and oils and sit under the dryer or steamer for 20 minutes, once you have completed this,  rinse the hair. Take Apple cider vinegar  and cold water (1/4 tbsp. of ACV and 16 oz. cup of water) and pour over the hair. Rinse hair in warm water.  ACV is acidic, If you use cold water to make a rinse,  this process will close the cuticles. The ACV  rinse will also give you a great shine. Now Apply your LOC (Liquid/oil/cream) and you are ready for great moisturized hair! Below is a chart showing the PH Balance of products.

PH Value		Example
0		battery acid
1		concentrated sulfuric acid
2		lemon juice, vinegar
3		orange juice, soda
4		tomato juice, acid rain
5		black coffee, bananas
6		urine, milk
7		pure water
8		sea water, eggs
9		baking soda
10		Great Salt Lake, milk of magnesia
11		ammonia solution
12		soapy water
13		bleach, oven cleaner
14		liquid drain cleaner

Another way to extend your twist out while protecting your hair.

Bantu Knot out

So I have been experimenting, and decided to take my 3 day old braid out and try a Bantu Knot out. I only used eco styling gel because I had so many products in my hair (Shea Moisture and castor oil)

So I used a small amount or Olive Oil eco styling gel and placed my hair in 8 knots

Here is what I got:

 Here is my braid out after 3 days. This braid out was don on dry hair using Eco styling gel, Shea Moisture and castor Oil.

I tied up the knots and slept on them for 8 hours, and I took each of them down with no manipulation.

I then turned my hair upside down and ran my finger through the roots to lift the hair and this is what I ended up with. 

The style lasted for about 6 to 7 hours, and by the end of the day it was frizzy!

Sleeping on the knots were very uncomfortable and my ends were fished tail because of how I pinned them up. I like the results but, I want to try them on clean hair.