Beauty Bit, Frizz Tips

Illustrated By Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Every natural- haired chica knows the struggle of dealing with dry, crackly hair–especially during the frigid, winter months. As the air gets colder, it’s important to spend a little extra time keeping our hair both smooth and moisturized. Whether you’re rocking a protective style, or bravely sporting a "wash and go," here are my go to five essential tips and tricks to ensure your natural curls, kinks and coils stay soft and moisturized both in and out of this chilly season.

Keeping Up With Health Through Winter

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Despite the coming joys of the Holiday season, there is still plenty to be weary of this winter.
Cold weather provides a whole new set of obstacles for our health and can wreak havoc on our
bodies. However, with the right preparation, you can show winter who’s boss! Below are some
of my favorite tips to ensure your mind and body are in their best possible
state to combat the harsh elements.

If You Must Heat, Protect!

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Heat protection at times can be the epitome of a messy and greasy situation. From tacky textured hair, defected spray nozzles, and excess pours, this necessary step can be maddening for even the most patient. However many hairstylists would agree that the most criminal offense is a protectant that sells you the dream of heat protection, free of charred, split ends and foul smells (the usual burnt hair with a whiff of a fragrant additive) only to leave you with crispy curls hanging limply amongst frizzy kinks (we’ve all been there, especially me). Holiday season for many natural haired chicas like myself means more opportunity for straight hairstyles, no humidity to worry about frizz!

So how does hair become damaged to the point of no return? We damage our hair regularly through bleaching, color treatments, heat tools, and excessive sun exposure. Okay, so you don’t necessarily want to sacrifice your personal style to save your hair, but how can you keep your hair looking healthy without giving these up? Bottom line, heat damage is irreversible and should be avoided at all absolute costs. The solution, trusted protectants that deliver tried and true results.

A Menu For Your Skin

Illustrated By Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Most of us know, to have a flawless complexion we need to have a skincare regimen for day and night. For me, it's essential to have a regimented routine especially because many of my family members suffer from adult acne. Sometimes we get lazy and use a makeup wipe or a facial wash without correctly removing the makeup from our skin, been there- done that! Sorry ladies and gents, but in order to have firm and glowing skin we need a little more than a wipe. Here is a menu of skincare needs to incorporate into our day and night skincare routine especially now that that the weather is getting significantly cooler!

Personal Essay #13

"Self Portrait" Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

As many of you may already know about me is that I'm Latina. With so much going on in the world right now, it's nice to know that there is a month dedicated to the people of the Spanish- speaking kind. From September 15th to October 15th, hispanics in the USA rejoice and observe in celebration of what makes us proud to be a part of such a wonderful community and diverse culture. 

Read My Lips

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

As a busy bee, you can most likely find me on the move from one place to another. Because of that I don't often get the joy to discover new makeup products but when I do, I really enjoy the chance mixing up my routine. I am obsessed with makeup, mostly because it gives anyone a chance to enhance their natural beauty and also because it's fun! I tend to focus on lips when it comes to makeup looks, so when Almay reached out with their new metallic lip glosses I was already prepping my lips!

Everyday Makeup Routine

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

When it comes to routines, we tend to stick with what we know. From the choice of morning food choices to how we pick out our clothing options for the day, it's as if everything is a some how predetermined. It would be an understatement to say that I like makeup, not a makeup professional in the least but I genuinely enjoy it. One of my favorite ways to do my makeup is via the "No Makeup, Makeup" look, which is a bit of an oxymoron moron! 

Lipgloss Poppin'

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

For the longest time, I have not been a fan of lipgloss. Something about the tacky feeling that I never got used to, growing up lipglosses all were tacky or at least the ones that my friends and I used in high school were. I'll admit I likened lipgloss to 12-16 year old girls and not for adult 20 somethings and beyond. I love my mattes, satins, velvety lipsticks and of course dashes of color too. But I have learned that lately many makers of lip glosses have been creating better options for adults that don't include glitter or "bubble gum" pink! My latest obsession is with Marc Jacob's new lip gloss, Enamored.

Health Check

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Imagine this, your phone buzzes. It’s an email from your boss, in less than a minute, you’ve read and started to write a draft answer on the go and of course you're checking the time as you type. Indeed, I’ve got a busy schedule to keep up with, between work, the gym and your friends/ family. It’s fair to say that I don’t take the time to think twice before making a decision: time is a luxury after all! Here are a few tips on how I make the most of my time to enjoy more of "me" time!

Summer Hair Hack

Illustrated By Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Summer, summer, summmmmertime! We're in the "dog days of summer" where the the temperatures comfortably nestle at 90+ degrees, humidity is out of control, pools are populated, air conditioners are always running and wearing makeup almost seems impossible. But we cannot forget to treat our hair with extra care, all the UV rays, pool chemicals and air conditioners strip hair of it's essential moisture. Especially all the curly/ kinky haired girls like myself! Everyday I'm learning to embrace my hair's tendency to frizz because it naturally happens but I make sure to pay attention to the way it frizzes because that's how your hair tells you it needs more moisture. I've also colored my hair recently and have been using heat styling to my hair. MY hair needs all the love right now! Fortunately i've teamed up with Aussie for their summer Miracle Curls campaign to treat my hair with the love and care that it needs! Check out how I moisturize my strands to the fullest during the summer time to achieve beautiful hair.

Living In The Present

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

We live in a world where a heck of a lot of people are trying to find out how to be more happy. Whether it's looking for an inspirational book, tackling the quarterly life crisis, or just desperately trying to get out of a funk, it's something that many of us have experienced. Unfortunately, it's just not something that we always like to talk about, especially myself. But, here's the truth, life isn't always rainbows and butterflies. Something that i've come to grips with recently. And that's totally okay, we just have to figure out how to go with the flow, ones path goes on a different pace than someone else. One of my absolute favorite ways to do so is with yoga. Sure, there are tons of other ways to cope and manage your stress but theres something about vinyasa that magically eases you. I'm going to let you in on my little secret, the four ways that yoga has helped me improve my mood and I'm certain it will for you too!

Beauty Bit, Daytime Skincare

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Routines are ever changing, especially when it comes to skincare. Young women and men are always seeking to find that holy grail product that they can't live without, I myself am always on the look out. While I may have a few haircare and makeup products that I absolutely can't live without, my skincare regime changes as often as the season does. Skin is finicky and subject to change without a days notice which is why I'm always having to adjust. My skin, especially during the summer months tends to be on the oilier side which means I have to work on controlling that before anything else. You can't have "poppin" makeup with bad skin so check out what I do to keep the skin at bay.

Personal Essay #12

C/O Hello Healthy

It has been about five solid years since I embarked on a journey to take care of my body. Unfortunately, the learning process, as it is with many things, was quite a love- hate relationship. It is a shame that even though I’ve been in this journey for a long time it was only recently that I actually considered myself to be on track. I was, finally, looking for results not just an easy way into what I wanted. I set out the goals I wanted to achieve; results that would not only help me reach these goals but maintain me in a healthy mindset and would stick with me as a lifestyle.

Simple Summer Fashion Modifications

Illustrations by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Sometimes you have pieces of clothing that you love soooooooo much, that you just can’t part with. No matter how ratty it can start to look like. These items we love so much vary from being extremely comfortable or perhaps just a classic design, but they might be not as fashionable as they used to be. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to throw them away or relegate them to the back of the wardrobe, with some patience and modifications you can turn them into a more contemporary style.

The Hair Controversy

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Hair is such a finicky subject especially for women of color. From wondering if your hair is too "untamed" looking for work to being able to go to school with dreadlocks and not being stereotyped as "dirty." Literally when I think of hair, I think of India Arie's hit song I Am Not My Hair. Its a song which talks about not being identified or type casted because of the style of hair you choose to wear because no one person is a monolith for a group of people. As I have mentioned before on the blog, I use to use chemicals to alter my hair to keep it  straight.  I did that for years since I was an infant to my early 20's and in all that time I never actually knew what my hair texture looked like under all of those chemicals. So when  I gave up the "creamy crack"/ lye  it was almost like a morbid curiosity to see how my hair grew the way God intended. I feel for women and men that hide their hair's natural texture intentionally and unintentionally because I too understand the hardships that come from it.

Give A Girl The Right Shirt

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

It's no secret that I'm obsessed with designer styles like Helmut Lang, Alexander Wang, The Row, Diane Von Furstenberg to name a few. Contemporary womens designers have this element of design unlike others, theres always an attention to details and quality that a "minimalista" like myself crave. I yearn for a wardrobe that expresses a timeless aesthetic and a bold mix of blacks, whites, and neutrals but i'll admit the occasional trend will sneak itself into my wardrobe! Whenever I shop for pieces to add to my closet, I try to imagine myself wearing it for years on end, this process is how I determine if it's timeless, meaning it's something I can wear 10 years from now or even 20 years from now! For me it's important to have a wardrobe that isn't full of fluff but containing quality and capsule pieces which is why Barney's is one of my favorite stores to visit. Barney's is what I like to think of as a boutique department store with contemporary and premier designers for both men and women. I am an avid online shopper and would prefer to keep it that way but Barney's offers an awesome in store experience with helpful employees to answer your needs, snacks, drinks, great lighting for selfies, large fitting rooms and of course a more intimate feel with the products that online shopping yet does not offer. I recently visited my local Barney's here in Philadelphia and went in thinking I was going to pick something out that would be neutral and left with something totally left field!

Hairy Situation

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

As you may have noticed recently, I have colored my hair, technically lightened it! I was admittedly getting bored with my dark kinks and wanted something drastically different, i've never had blonde or at least "blonde-ish" hair and knew that was what I wanted to achieve. I took time out one weekend to try it and 5 hours of grueling intensity with lots and lots of foil. End result, an ombre crown! I totally love it, but I am also aware of the work it takes to maintain lightened hair. The stress of maintenance for naturally coily hair has doubled for me but with a tweak in my routine I can make it manageable!

Travel Plans

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Vacations aren’t nearly learning experiences for most of us. No, they are opportunities to relieve tension, soak up the sun, and indulge. On a separate note, I can’t wait to plan for my next getaway! Phew, now that that is out of my system, let’s get back to the program! Vacations are supposed to be fun, but every now and then they are also opportunities to grow and develop. Maybe not in a human sense but from a lifestyle viewpoint. Now let me ask you this, have you never been on vacation from hell? One that just isn't enjoyable no matter what you do? If you haven’t, you’re one of the lucky ones. Everyone and I mean everyone, wants to avoid disasters, and by analyzing what was good and what was bad is the most straightforward method to plan for much more successful vacations.

Beauty Bit, Micellar Waters

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

I've read many beauty articles that claim French women have the best skincare, i've always wondered why that is? Could it be their effortlessly simple makeup routine, or their natural glow from within, dew? I've actually learned recently that their secret weapon of choice is micellar water, this magical water is a skincare game changer and I knew I had to try it out for myself!

Get Your Boho Style On For Spring

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

As spring marches on towards the promises and dreams of a glorious summer it’s a good time to make sure you have a wardrobe of clothes ready to go. The season of long evenings, busy weekends and (hopefully) lots of lovely sun to bask in; providing endless opportunities to get a lighter, more whimsical bohemian style on. Thaw off your winter style to welcome the abundance of Spring's new trend!