A collage of color

Hi beauties:

Since I have not been doing single "tutorials" blog posts of myself lately, I figured the least I could do was create a collage of what I have been doing and share it with you. As of late, makeup after, late at night has been my therapy to unwind after horrible work days.

So.....here's to horrible work days.

Click on picture to enlarge

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The Interview- A different perspective

Hi beauties:

Today I'm back with another hair interview but this one is from a completely different perspective and hits home for me because it's about loc'd hair.

As you read through this interview, you will get a sense of who "LW" really is. She has such a beautiful, positive and vibrant spirit. I love this girl....

Let's get right into it.

BEFORE

Me: What inspired/ motivated you to loc your hair?

LW: I locked my hair 5 days after graduating from university. It was about 3 years ago now. At that time in my life I felt like everything I had done/accomplished thus far was all according to what was the "norm" and what was expected of me, you know, going through high school, then college and finally university, so when all that was over I felt soooo freeeeeeeeeee and was ready to express myself in a different way. So, my dreadlock research began and I looked up a ton of information about it and then found the perfect person in Florida who made that dream a reality. Although dreadlocks are external, it really started what has been a beautiful 3 year journey of internal understanding about myself, the world and people around me. An important inspiration was my best friend who I met in university. He's such a free spirit, so fun-loving and after learning how to twist/neaten up his locks and getting into them every couple of months, I really enjoyed learning the process of growing and twisting, locking, maintaining etc., and I decided to get mine done.

Me: How did you initially loc your hair? What process did you use- interlock, twisting, loc extensions, free form, etc)

LW: The lady who started my locks used a combination of methods-first she sectioned my hair, back combed it all and then did a twist/interlock/palm rolling method.

AFTER

Me: What is your hair regimen? (daily/weekly/monthly)

LW: I wash my locks once each week to 9 days. On a daily basis, I run my fingers through to keep them separated and on a weekly basis I try to palm roll them.

Me: How long have you been loc'd?

LW: 3 Years

Me: What are 3-5 of your favorite loc care products and how do you use them?

LW:  I don't use a lot of products on my locks. I use shampoo to wash and sometimes a little conditioner to soften them up a touch. I use an olive oil based serum/sheen type product in my roots and all the way down my locks.

Me: How often do you "groom" your new growth and how do you do so? Twisting, free form, interlock etc?

LW:  I have to groom more often and I'm up for a session of grooming VERY soon, but I would say I get them locked every 6 months or more, by interlocking.

Me: What are some of your favorite hairstyles?

LW:  I like to tie up my locks with each other to create a style that leaves some of them up and some of them down. I also keep them in a bun style quite often, high up on my head which is comfy, as they are heavy at times.

Me: Do you know how many locs you have?

LW: 54

Me: What type of feedback have you received about your locs and how has it affected your lifestyle?

LW: Positive feedback on the whole. Most people tell me they look "cool" or unique and most people are interested in how they were done and how someone with such naturally straight hair could have locks. A lot of people are just plain curious and it doesn't bother me at all. I've had some pretty fun conversations with people over the past 3 years because people approach me randomly and begin questions about my locks. Someone even asked me if I wash them with cow sh*t! I was sooo shocked and had to ask him if he thought that anything could be cleaned with cow dung. Of course not! It's funny though. I have to be understanding of the myths and ideas that people have about dreadlocks, most of them being a little far fetched!

In terms of how having locks has affected my life, I would say that since the beginning of time, man kind has a tendency to judge one before knowing them based on their looks. Thankfully,  as time goes on, I am able to decipher people who are accepting of differences in other people, which people aren't, which ones are quick to jump to conclusions and which ones aren't. It really takes all kinds of people to make the world turn. None of this has affected me negatively because I love my locks and made the best decision of my life to get them. I guess it's kind of difficult to fully describe how my life has been affected, but I would without a doubt say that it has all been extremely positive and I couldn't be happier!

Me:  What is your least favorite thing about your loc'd hair?

LW: Nothing. Honestly, I love my locks and would be lying if I told you I had a least favourite thing about them :)

Me: What single piece of advice would you give to someone who wants to loc their hair?

LW: Make sure you find the "right" person who knows how to handle your hair. There isn't anything worse than having the locks not done well or thow you want them to be. 

Me: Are you a member of any loc community groups? If so, which one(s)? How has it helped you?

LW: I am not a member of any loc community group.

Until next time.....blessed love!

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Cayman Carnival, Batabano 2012!!! Time to fete!

Carnival fever is in the air and the people of the Cayman Islands are in full swing and ready to fete. All the revellers are excited and ready to go and the radio stations are pumping the latest calypso and soca to keep the soca junkies' adrenaline going.

Cayman Carnival, Batabano was launched by the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman in 1983 (see more info here: Cayman Carnival Batabano).

On Saturday, May 5, 2012, soca junkies will be in the streets of Grand Cayman displaying their vibrant costume colours. Two of the main groups that I always look forward to seeing their costumes are Island Mas Cayman and Swanky International .

I actually won't be 'chipping down di road' but I will try to get in on some of the action and take a few pics to share with you.

To  feed in on some of the Carnival energy, I decided to create my own colourful looks to share with you so enjoy!

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Here comes the...ehhh.....bride.....uh oh

Hi beauties:

I don't know about you but of all the various types of makeup that I do, wedding makeup has got to be the most heart-warming for me. Why? Because I get to be a part of one of the most important and memorable days for a woman, her wedding day.

This client, absolutely no stranger to me, mentioned that she was getting married in Jamaica. Of course, I gave her the face because I doubt that I would be able to go to Jamaica for her wedding. A few months later, I received an email from her inquiring about bridal makeup services. I did a little cart wheel! Plans had changed and Jamaica was no longer on the "list".

First there was the bridal makeup trial....then a second one.....then wedding dress dilemma on d-day! I thought the first makeup trial went well until the bride rang a few days later telling me that she had an allergic reaction to the makeup (this was 4 days before the wedding). Hmm, I had to quickly think of plan B. Plan B was pretty much to buy a completely different set of makeup and a new set of brushes. Oh for the love of my clients......

On d-day, all seemed to be going well until the bride got in her dress and what a GORGEOUS dress it was....then......the zip broke. Agh boi! *hand over eyes* To make a long story short, a seamstress was quickly called up to fix the zip, stitch the bride back in to her dress and send her on her merry way. I must say, the bride kept it together. I would've died.

Here comes the bride...

Bride BEFORE

Bride AFTER (without lipstick)

Bride trying to get her zipper fixed

STUNNING, GLOWING bride

Here comes the bride....

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Pretty maids all in a row.....trial session

Hi beauties:

I am not sure if wedding season is the same where you come from but I have recently discovered that wedding season in the Cayman Islands is late November to the end of April. Weddings take place throughout the year but they are usually in full force between November and April (in my opinion) 

Since the beginning of the new year, I have done makeup for close to 10 weddings if not more. For the most part, I rarely get pictures of my work but for this bridal party trial, I ensured that I found time to take a few pictures.

This wedding is not expected to happen until late June however, the bride wanted to get her bride's maids' trial out of the way (and so did I).

All young and trendy ladies, the bride wanted her bride's maids to have bright, colourful eyes of fushia with a hint of teal, without seeming too OTT.

Before I share the pics with you, here's the look I wore to the ladies' trial.

And as promised....here are a few pictures of the ladies.

At a later date, I will share a post on the bride's trial.

Which do you like the best?

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Interview: My daughter said....

Hi lovelies:


I'm back with another natural hair interview and this one is near and dear to me just because I am soooo in love with her hair.....she's a great sport and I was over the moon when she agreed to do the interview.


                                                                       BEFORE                                                                                

AFTER

Me: How long have you been natural?

JG: 3 years and 3 months

Me: What inspired/motivated you to go natural?

JG: My daughter.  She wanted to relax her hair and I am trying to teach her to love who she is.  I want her to appreciate her beautiful curls.  One day she said to me "well you relaxed yours".  That did it.

Me: What were your biggest fears/ concerns (if any) about going natural?

JG: The transition from relaxed to natural. At first I didnt know if I should cut it all off or transition.

 

Me: Did you 'big chop' or transition?

JG: I elected to transition.

Me: If you transitioned, then how? (Weave, braids, wig, etc). If you big chopped, what motivated you?

JG: I started the process in the winter which helped.   I was able to use a flat iron to press out my curls and kept my hair straight for several months.  Every 3 months or so I would cut  some of the relaxed hair. 

                                           

                                        Flat ironed hair

Me: How do you maintain your natural hair/ what is your hair regimen (daily, weekly, monthly)?

JG: For me, conditioning is key. I deep condition my hair on a weekly basis. When I wash it I also use a leave in conditioner. There are some days I twist it and some days I don't. It depends and my mood and timing.

Me: Are you a memeber of any natural hair group? If so, which one(s)?

JG: Yes, I follow FB Natural Hair.       

                                         

Me: What is/ are your natural hair goal(s)?

JG: I want to grow my hair a bit more then find a fabulous cut which will show off my curls even more :)

Me: List 3-5 of your favorite natural hair products? How do you use them? (include frequency of use)

JG: I like the Mizani True Texture products and sometime I use Pantene's Natural products. To hold my curls I always use Curls Goddess Curls and Motions Foam Wrap.

Me: What type of feedback have you received since you went natural (transitioned or big chopped)? 

JG: Eveyone loves it. 

Me: How has your natural hair journey been since you went natural?
JG: I love it.  I feel more like myself, the person who I was meant to be. 

Until next time, be beautiful. Be naturally you!

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The Interview: TD on her "new hair"

Hey beauties:

Recently, a few of my friends decided that it was time to come off the "cremey crack" (so coined by my sister Nic as hair relaxer) and venture down the road of Natural Hair Bliss  (insert me doing cartwheels). So, today I'm going to share an interview that I did with one of my friends about her "new hair".

1- How long have you been natural?

Mmmm...it's been about 7 months actually.

2- What inspired you to go natural?

One of my buddies - who is the owner of Shades Makeup...hint...hint...Lol...provided me with great advice on how I could transition from relaxed to natural hair. She was my inspiration as I was clueless about the entire hair process to transitioning to natural hair. She provided such great hair tips and even recommended excellent hair products to use to keep my hair healthy. Amazingly true to her craft:)!

3- What were your biggest fears/ concerns (if any) about going natural?

Honestly - I didn't know what to expect...how my hair was going to look. I've always had relaxed hair and this was a HUGE change for me. It was extremely scary. If I had to select one concern, it has to be my lack of knowledge in transitioning and maintaining natural hair.

4- Did you 'big chop' or transition?

Definitely transition...too chicken to do the 'big chop'...Lol:).

5- If you transitioned, then how? (Weave, braids, wig, etc)

Braids for sure:)! I'm really enjoying the number of options I could do to braid my hair. The hair styles are limitless.

6- How do you maintain your natural hair/ what is your hair regimen (daily, weekly, monthly)?

First, I wash my hair weekly using mostly natural/organic and herbal products. Second, I deep condition my hair every 2 weeks and apply a hot hair treatment at least once a month or more if needed. Third, I mix various oils together (e.g. jojoba oil, castor oil, olive oil, carrot tea-tree oil and coconut oil) and then apply the mixed oils to my shampooed hair...even apply it to my hair throughout the week when needed. It works for me...Lol.

7- Are you a memeber of any natural hair group? If so, which one(s)?

Sorry, I'm not a member of any natural hair group but I sometimes read hair blogs and visit youtube to view videos on hair tips etc. It's amazing to know that other ladies share similar experiences, so it's very encouraging to know that I'm not alone.

8- What is/ are your natural hair goal(s)?

I would REALLY LOVE to have healthy, thick, long hair. If I could comb my hair in a pony tail, I'm GOOOOOOOODDDDDD...Lol.

9- List 3-5 of your favorite natural hair products? How do you use them? (include frequency of use)

I absolutely love Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayonnaise, Organics Carrot Tea-Tree Oil Therapy, African Best Hair Spray for Braids, Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut Shampoo and pure coconut oil.

 

 

10- What type of feedback have you received since you went natural (transitioned or big chopped)?

Despite a few negative remarks, I have a number of friends and family who are now natural and have no regrets. So when they discovered that I had transitioned from relaxed to natural hair, they were thrilled! Some are encouraging me to try out a new organic hair line sponsored by a young Caymanian. Others are excited about my trying to 'lock' my hair, while a few stated that I should continue braiding my hair because they LOVE how it looks on me. Honestly, I'm just enjoying the process and remaining patient to see how where it leads me.

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