Natural Hair Transition : 6 Month Update

Four month into this transition now and I think I might stick with this process. No matter how many relaxers I previously added to my hair it would always remain voluminous and I could spend hours trying to straighten it. Now I don't straighten or blow-dry my hair anymore and I don't miss it at all! I do  however spend a lot more time entangling my hair but I've been pretending it's a scavenger hunt, makes the tedious process more interesting. I used very few products in my hair (I mean isn't it called going natural) and natural hair specific products tend be be much pricier here in Canada. My staples are coconut oil for daily conditioning, apple cider vinegar for weekly cleansing, a gel to attempt to tame the frizz and of course H₂O because my hair is often dry. Here's what I learned so far:

The Perfect One Piece Bathing Suit

 

Does your summer body have more jiggle than abs? Don't fret, I have the solution for you. A one piece bathing suit will give you the perfect coverage to camouflage your little flaws while still leaving you looking like a summer goddess. This scalloped swimsuit from Topshop (sold out, similar here, here and here) comes in bright colours like tomato and cream or lilac to keep your summer body looking ***flawless***.

Curly Hair Inspiration: World Cup Players Edition

We've already visited the Hotties of this WorldCup now let's look at the players with beautiful curly hair. Like Samson, their strength comes from their hair and these players can think their manes for helping them along in the competition.

1. Maraoune Felliani, Belgium 

2. David Luiz, Brazil 

3. Axel Witsel, Belgium 

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Off-Shoulder Tops

Summer is here and your shoulders need a break after being hidden under heavy winter coats. Let them free with these cool off-shoulder tops, just watch out for Luis Suarez ( I couldn't help it)

Bucket Bags Under $50

 Image via Tip and Think 

The bucket bag has become the It bag for this Spring/Summer . It's spacious for people like me who carry their life with them (I currently have a tube of hair gel, a large hairbrush in three overdue library books in my bag). It also cinches at the top so you can securely store all your belongings. Whether you want all leather or a little bit of fringe, there's a style to suit everywhere. The Mansur Graviel bucket bag became a highly coveted item as soon as it came out and sold-out everywhere, but at $495 it's slightly( ridiculously) above my budget so I found different alternatives under 50 bucks, so let's go bucket bag shopping. 

bucket bags by cottoncandychic on polyvore.com

Curly Hair Inspiration

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Hair Envy: Dyed Curly Hair

So you've patiently gone through your hair journey, your hair has gone from a short post big chop stage to your dream length, now what? Try changing your hair with a hair colour change. Whether it be a new bold colour,  highlights or simply lightening your mane, a new hair colour can dramatically change your hair. Consulting a professional hair stylist is highly advised- curly hair has a low porosity so it does not absorb products such as hair dye easily, so trying to do it at home could lead to unnecessary damage without the desired results. Henna is also a natural alternative to consider. Here are some ladies giving me major hair envy with their brightly coloured curls: 

Bold Colours 

 

 

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Distressed Jeans $50 and Under

You're not the only one who's stressed out these days, your jeans are also in the same predicament. Distressed boyfriend jeans are perfect for a comfortable and casual look. They're not as tight as their skinny jean cousins and allow for a lot of aeration, leaving you feeling as cool as you look. So whether you prefer the semi-distressed look or the full on, completely cut-out look, I've got you covered with distressed jeans options $50 and under : 

New Look distressed jeans / H&M boyfriend jeans / Cotton boyfriend jeans /  H&M boyfriend jeans / 

Topshop boyfriend jeans / Forever 21 lightweight jeans / Pull&Bear distressed jeans / Mango distressed jeans / 

Distressed cut out jeans / Charlotte Russe jeans / Boohoo distressed jeans /Thigh cut-out skinny jeans / 

How To Combat Frizz

My hair is as dry as the Sahara desert, during a heatwave, in July and ever since going natural it's gotten much frizzier. Natural curly hair has a low porosity so it does not retain moisture leaving my hair prone to breakage and looking brittle. However, there are tips and tricks I've learned to add moisture to my hair and attempt to reduce the frizz produced by dryness:

1.  Water frequently- Water is a small molecule and its size allows it to penetrate even low porosity hair. I wash my hair two to three times a week with conditioner and spritz it daily with water. Basically, pretend your hair is a plant.

2.  Shampoo less frequently- By now we've all hard how sulphate shampoos are the nemesis to natural hair. Shampoos are essentially harsh soaps that dry your hair out. Instead opt for a natural cleanser- I use diluted apple cider vinegar once a week. I smell like a salad after but at least my hair is  moist and shiny.

3.  Avoid towels- On your hair that is. My sister gave me this trick and it pains me to say she's right. Rubbing wet hair with a towel creates friction between your strands and the fabric which increases the frizz, adds tension and can lead to breakage. Instead, use a cotton t-shirt or simply let your hair air dry.

4. Do a hair mask- Use rich oils such as coconut or olive oil to do a hair mask. Leave it in the hair for minimum 30 minutes and help your hair re-gain moisture. Oils are much larger particles than water so it takes longer for them to twist and turn their way into the hair shaft so the longer the product is on your hair, the better. This will significantly reduce the appearance of frizz.

5. Invest in better hair tools- A well constructed wide tooth comb or an efficient detangling brush that detangles more than it pulls remove tangles instead of pulling your hair and causing more frizz. So no, the dollar store comb won't cut it.

6. Get a hair cut- Simply for aesthetics but split ends make frizz appear exponentially worst.

4.  Embrace the frizz- Curly hair is frizzy and dry and it's a fact. Most anti-frizz products can only coat the hair, giving you an artificial idea of moisture but on a cellular level, the hair is still as dry so add some distracting red lipstick and embrace the frizz.

Bathing Suits for a Larger Chest Under $30

Finding a bathing suit when you have a larger bust is a difficult task and most of the time you end up spilling out of the top. I've tried about every single brand and no matter if it was expensive or Walmart couture, I still looked like a stripper, not even a high class one. When I saw Kate Upton's flowery retro bikini on the British Vogue cover I saw the light, it seemed the perfect solution to the busty girl bathing suit problem: the straps are wide for added support and the cup is large enough to fit properly however seeing as it was Dolce and Gabbana, it's wayyy over my unemployed grad budget. I thought there was no solution to my problem until I stumbled into Old Navy and saw their wide selection of swimwear. Their biggest size is XXL which fit perfectly for my 34DDD girls and unlike most DD+ swimwear, the pieces are sold separately so I can have have a top and a bottom that fit. And on top of all these bonuses, they were on sale! I might go back and get all the colours available in my size. 

Curly Hair Inspiration

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All Black Everything for Summer

Wearing all black is always a winning combination- it's simple, slimming and understated. However, wearing all black in the summer can be tricky: there is the fear of melting into a puddle of sweat or people thinking your high school emo phase came back. With summer coming, I need to find ways to incorporate black clothes and continue to wear my go to colour. The solution is lightweight black clothing in breathable fabrics such as chiffon or cotton so I don't suffocate in the hot Canadian summer. Here are some example of how to wear black in summer.

 Bottoms:

      

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World Cup Hotties To Watch

Time to objectify men for a change and look at soccer players. Soccer may be the beautiful game due to its simplicity and skills but I think it's due to it's beautiful hottie players. This world cup has already brought next-level excitement and we're only in the first week. Here are my players to watch out for purely based on looks. Yes some of them have world records, some even stopped wars but on this list, abs triumph over everything. 

Neymar (Brazil) - All of Brazil's hopes fall on the young 22 year old player's shoulders but we're just waiting on his hairstyle changes.

Clauudio Marchisio (Italy) - They don't call him Il Principino ("The Little Prince") without reason. He too must come from an alien planet, his looks are that unreal.

Rafael Marquez (Mexico) - This player has worn a captain's cap for four consecutive World Cups yet he still looks and plays better than anyone on the field with him. What's your magic potion Rafa?

Christiano Ronaldo (Portugal) & Didier Drogba (Côte-d'Ivoire) - A picture speaks a thousand words and these abs say it all. (…more) 

Style Icon: Miroslava Duma

Russian fashion editor Miroslava Duma has easily become a favourite among the fashion crowds and an omnipresent figure at fashion week. The petite icon, often seen in enviable coats, mixes haute couture and bright high fashion pieces in a most wearable way. Her characteristic short bob shows how elegant a shorter hairdo can be, even when dressed in gowns and formal wear. Her Instagram page is a fashion lover's dream, giving daily dosages of her stylish outfits (it's also a source of controversy). She shows that you don't have to be a tall glamazon to be chic! 

 

            

     

             
 

        

Shortalls Under $50

Image via 

Do you hear that sound? It's the 90's coming and they've brought back with them the overalls. Shortalls are showing up at every store this summer and paired with a simple t-shirt, they can become a perfect casual summer outfit. Much like the 90's, this trend won't stay forever, so there is no need to spend a lot money on this particular piece. Instead, I will look for cheaper alternatives to incorporate them into my summer wardrobe. (…more) 

Curly Hair Inspiration

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The Black Stripes

If I could wear one item of clothing everyday it would be a striped white top. In fact, I already wore two of them this week and since they all look identical the bus driver probably thinks I  only own one shirt. The solution: a striped white shirt with more pizzazz like the open back one J-Lo (you may know her as Jenny From the Block) was seen elegantly wearing. This way I can continue to wear my go to outfit without getting a judgmental side-eye from the bus driver. Here are striped t-shirt options to elevate your striped shirt game. (… more)

How to Be a Happy, Broke, Unemployed Grad

Being an unemployed grad changes how I go about my day to day life. Previously a trip to Starbucks was part of my work day, now I can't even fathom spending over five dollars on a drink. Money is  limited to state the obvious so I have to choose different ways to entertain myself without having to spend much.

1. Go to museums & art galleries on their free days : Here in Ottawa where I live, a few museums are free on Thursday nights and you can find me cruising the isles and taking in all the culture. Museums are great teachers that show me how little I know and encourage me to further educate myself.

National Gallery of Canada 

2. Walk in the mall : It's always fun to walk around stores and look at their new clothes and it's a good cardio. The key is not to buy anything however tempting they are.

3. Volunteer : Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community. Find a cause or organization  you're passionate about and reach out to them to see if they are in need of volunteers, they usually are. There are even websites specially designed to help you find volunteer opportunities in your area. The experience you gain can even be added to your résumé. (more…) 

Idées Cadeux : Fête Des Pères

Ma soeur et moi nous achetons les mêmes choses pour notre père pour la fête des pères : un  t-shirt ,  des jeans qu'on trouve en solde, ou  un paquet de chaussettes.  Notre Baldie (il est chauve le monsieur) mérite mieux. Fini les cadeaux banals et impersonnels, cette année on gâte Baldie sans réserves- mais vraiment avec un peu de réserve parce qu'il dit toujours l'argent ne pousse pas sur les arbres. Avec seulement quelques jours restants, la meilleure option est de chercher en ligne et de délivrer ce cadeau extra-double express. 

1. Une nouvelle paire de tennis.

2. Des shorts de sport de son équipe de football. 

3. Des espadrilles comme ça on peut matcher. 

4. Un album de ses musiques des préhistoriques.

5. Un carnet pour garder toutes ses notes importantes comme : les filles ont brisé ma voiture.

6. Une jolie plume pour écrire ses notes comme : les filles ont encore brisé ma voiture. 

Hair Envy : Waist Length Box Braids

Beyonce's recent hairdo is giving me major hair envy. With summer coming up, box braids are an effective way to keep my hair protected and "away from the elements" which my advanced natural friends say is great for hair growth.

Style Icon : Solange Knowles

Today's Style Icon title goes to Solange Knowles. Elevator scandals aside, Solange emerged out of her famous older sister's shadow to make a name for herself as a fashion inspiration. She often wears bright colours and has no problem mixing prints I wouldn't never think of combining and making classic outfits out of them. She also has a keen eye for accessories and often  rocks her natural hair on red carpets. She is not only a style icon but she is a hair icon as well, having done a big chop back in 2009.

Some of my favourite looks: