Blushblog

The Hair God Gave Me

As many of you are aware, Chris Rock is coming out with a new movie, Good Hair, which I cannot not wait to see.  He is presenting a light-hearted documentary about the treatment and perception of black hair.  The trailer looks quite funny but there is truth in every joke.  

    Whether you call it a relaxer, a process, or a conk, a chemical hair straightener has been used by black women (and some men) for decades.  It consists of strong chemical ingredients designed to take the natural curl out of hair.  I have used a relaxer for years.  At different times in my adult life, I have considered "going natural" and for one reason or another have talked myself out of it.  The excuses are many..."I don't have time to deal with my natural hair...",  "Natural hair is too hard to maintain..."  etc.  Perhaps the truth of it all is that I am not comfortable with my natural hair.  I am rather ashamed to admit that I don't remember what my natural hair looks like.  I have had a chemical relaxer in my hair since childhood.  My mother took me to the hair salon for a relaxer when I was in elementary school because I think with three active kids it was just easier for her to deal with my hair if it was relaxed.  She always taught me to take good care of my hair and I have followed that example.  I have always gone to the hair salon pretty regularly.  I spend the money on good products.  I get it trimmed regularly.  Despite the care I give my hair, perhaps the best thing to do for my hair would be to just stop relaxing it and just let it be what God gave me.  There are a zillion ways to wear natural hair.

     For umpteen years, black women have been told that their beauty, including hair, skin, physique and features, is less than and that the standard of beauty does not include us, so we shuffle and hustle trying to obtain what beauty dictates.  Unfortunately, many of us have bought into that over the span of these many decades.  I admire those women who do not internalize that madness.  I need to be one of them.  At the end of the day, you alone are responsible for how you perceive yourself.  A young lady in the movie trailer said that she is addicted to the "creamy crack."  I couldn't help but think that "damn that's me".  Every three to four months like clockwork I walk into the salon and endure the smell and burn while the stylist "touches up my roots".  Common sense should tell you that if if stinks and burns then you should not be using it.  Another segment of the movie trailer shows an Asian wig vendor who is appauled by the thought of selling black hair.  Chris Rock then replies, "So my nappy hair is not worth anything?"  I suppose the lesson here is that if we do not treasure our hair (ourselves) why would anyone else.

     Aside from the obvious implications on perceptions of beauty, relaxers contain chemicals that may have health ramifications.  While a recent study said that breast cancer is not linked to chemical relaxers, the FDA does not fully monitor relaxer products and manufactures are not required to list all ingredients.  (See Hair Relaxers: No Link to Breast Cancer by Jennifer Warner, WebMd Health News)  So, who the hell knows what else is being used.  This alone should  be enough for you to give your natural hair the consideration it deserves.

Are you thinking of going natural?  Here are a few things to consider...

1. Consider slowing growing out the relaxer by decreasing the strength of the relaxer.  For example, if you use a regular strength relaxer consider going to a mild or a texturizer while you adjust to a more natural look.

2.  Find a hair stylist that specializes in natural hair.

3. Consider the look you think best fits you  etc. dreads, short fro, or simply blowing your hair out.

4. Trim your hair regularly.

5. Use quality products

Blushing Ladies Speak:  What are your beauty or hair issues/insecurities/revelations?  Have you gone natural?  Are you thinking about going natural?

Weekend Happenings - Atlanta

Well, it is the first weekend of fall.  How are you going to spend it?  Will you be trying to cling to some remaining summer heat or will you be seeking out an early fall breeze?  If you are going to be in the Atlanta area this weekend, here are a few things popping off in this peachy city.

Love your Organ...

Free Kidney Health Screening

Georgia World Congress Center

285 Andrew Young International Blvd, NW

Atlanta, GA  30313

Friday, September 25th, 10:00am to 4:00pm

Looking for a good home show?

2009 Fall Atlanta Home Show

Cobb Galleria Centre

2 Galleria Parkway

Atlanta, GA  30339

Friday, September 25th, 10:00am to 8:00pm

For business owners...

New Media Atlanta:  Social Media for Business

Georgia Tech Research Institute

250 14th Street, NW

Atlanta, GA  30332

Friday, September 25th, 8:00am to 5:00pm

Ladies, get your empowerment and makeover on at...

A Day of Reinvention

Saks Fifth Avenue

3440 Peachtree Road, NE

Atlanta, GA  30326

Saturday, September 26th, 10:00am to 5:00pm

Sweat, Flirt, and/or Laugh (in that order)

Body Design Flag Football Tournament

Piedmont Park Conservancy Community Center

1071 Piedmont Avenue, NE

Atlanta, GA  30309

Saturday, September 26th, 1:00pm to 3:00pm

(Register by today to be guaranteed a spot)

Have a happy Saturday at...

WestFest

Home Park

455 14th Street, NW

Atlanta, GA  30318

Saturday, September 26th, 1:00pm to 10:00pm 

Celebrate the power of dance (for free)

Project Dance

Centennial Olympic Park

265 Park Avenue West, NW

Atlanta, GA  30313

Saturday, September 26th, 10:00am to 7:00pm

End the weekend with a great Sunday brunch

Loca Luna

550C Amsterdam Avenue

Atlanta, GA  30306

Product of the Week - MX Puring Leave in Conditioner

I have fallen in love with a leave in conditioner.  Previously, I avoided leave in conditioners because the brands I tried made my hair feel heavy.  Recently, I asked my hair stylist about good hair care products for my toddler.  She recommened a leave in conditioner called MX Puring by Maxima Hair and Body Technology.  It was a bit pricey, as in $15 pricey, but I am glad I bought it.  It is working great on my daughters hair.  In fact, it worked so well that I began using it on my hair.  Love it and love it.

www.maximacosmetics.com

Maxima Cosmetics is an Italian company and the website does not offer a "shop" feature but ask your stlyist about it.  If you are in the DC metro area, go to Sintia's Dominican Hair Salon and ask for it.  If you are a hair stylist, the website has printable catalogues.

If you can't eat it, it ain't natural!

My skin has been a flaky mess over the past few months, so I scheduled an appointment with my esthetician.  She told me to bring in my current products and she'd give them the once over to see if there is anything in the list of ingredients that may be drying my skin out.

So I brought in all of my products and she pointed out something that almost knocked my socks off. 

My moisturizer only listed "active ingredients" on the back of it.  And there were only 4 ingredients listed.  Inactive ingredients weren't listed on the back panel.  But as my esthetician noted, inactive ingredients are being applied to my face as well, so I should know what they are.  They keep a list of inactive products for each group of products that are brought in.  They also call different manufacturers to get a list of the inactive ingredients and often get the run around. 

So she is calling to get the rest of my ingredients so that she can tell me how they affect my skin.  I suggest that you have your esthetician do the same or you can do it on your own and have your skin care professional tell you how it may affect your skin since what may be good for one goose, may not be good for the gander.

Not having the in-active ingredients listed doesn't automatically mean that it's a bad product, but if you're using it on your skin everyday and ESPECIALLY if you're paying a pretty penny for it, it's worth having a professional analyze it.

Now the cleanser that I was using does appear to be the culprit and what's drying my skin out. She said that using something is better than nothing, so I shouldn't throw away my product.  She said to finish using it and then try some others. 

She gave me some suggestions.   One line that they sell and some that they don't.  She gave the following advice:

• Always try the sample packs first and ask for free samples before purchasing.  There's no reason to spend tons of money on huge bottles unless you know if it'll work for you.
• If you can't eat it, it's not natural/organic.  If it says to call the poison control center in case it's ingested, there's a reason.
• Your cleanser doesn't have to lather to work.  There is often an ingredient used that creates lather, but it's not always the best for your skin.
• There are many fruits that create the same benefits as lab manufactured serums.  Work with your skin care professional to find the best ones.  The internet is also FULL of info, but get it from a reputable site.  Blush blog also lists different products from time to time.  Keep checking in.  This info will cause me to go back and look at some of the products that i've been gung ho about.
• Many companies will list Fragrance as one line item.  There could be several ingredients that make up fragrance.  So it can be way more prominent than it looks.  Try finding products that do not use fragrance.   It does not benefit your skin.
• If you're so busy that you only use 2 products now, don't switch to a skin care system that has 15 steps.  You probably won't keep up with it.  If you find that you need more steps, increase them gradually so that you can identify your limit before you waste your money.  As for me, i'm lazy.  I need a moisturize, cleanser, and then exfoliate.  That's about my limit.  And I only use the exfoliant twice a week.

Hope this helps.

Underarms, Eyeliner, and Bikram Yoga

As I have professed previously, I am a low maintenance kind of girl.  However, as I get older, I am beginning to realize the value of taking a few extra minutes to glam up my face a bit.  But after years of never applying eyeliner on my own I am now trying to perfect the art.  Luckily, there are several sites that offer makeup tutorials.  Below are a few that I have found helpful...

www.smashbox.com/video-allvideos

www.covergirl.com/makeup-tips/

www.bellasugar.com/tag/how+to

I have had sensitive skin since I can remember.  Because my skin is easily irritated, breakouts and scarring are destined to occur at some time or another.  No other place on my body is more vulnerable than my underarm region.  I have never been able to wear the scented varieties and some of the unscented brands are a no no.  I have worn Secret for years because it is the only deordorant that won't eat me alive.  However, my husband made the mistake of buying a line of Secret that has committed havoc on my underarm skin.  As a result, the darkness of my underarms has become worse.  Now, I am on a hunt for a way to lighten that skin.  So I you have dark marks on your underarms that you would like to correct, here are are a few tips I have learned (not in any particular order).

1. Gently rub the underarm skin with a pumice stone
2. Coat the skin in Vitamin E oil
3. Gently rub the skin with lemon juice.
4. Try waving instead of shaving.

As suggested, I have begun to take Bikram Yoga.  I have been to three classes now.  If you have not tried it, I highly recommend giving it a chance.  Submerging myself in the heat for an hour and a half has been quite the challenge but after each class I am glad that I sweated it out (literally).  Bikram Yoga consists of 26 poses.  Some poses are more difficult than others.  Despite the yoga master's demands to touch either my knees or my shins with my forehead the forces that are my breasts do not allow for such an accomplishment.  Perhaps as a I improve my flexiblilty my twin obstacles won't be able to hold me back.  I'll keep you posted.

For the Frugal

While flipping through this months Glamour magazine, I came across information for Frucall.  

                                                       

If you're in a store and see a product that you like, you can call Frucall (1-888-do-frucall) and enter the barcode.  The Frucall system will tell you if the item is available online for a cheaper price.  And with so many stores matching competitors pricing these days, it may be a great way to get the store to discount it so that you can walk out with the product that day.

You are also able to use the system via text or mobile web.

Happy Shopping

IT'S FASHION WEEK!!!

New York is a-buzz with celebrities and high fashion.  Fashion week has descended once again and I have been combing the web to find things that I like.  I can't really afford them, but they're great to look at.  

Most designers decided to scale things back this year due to the economic crisis.  Again, I still can't afford it.  But a girl can dream. 
Here are some of my fave picks so far:

BCBGMAXAZRIA                                                                Cesar Galindo 




I am a HUGE fan of Project Runway's Christian Siriano.  I loved him on the show and the below looks display why he deserved to win.  I have no idea where i'd wear that hat, but I want it. Go Christian!



Cynthia Steffe                                            Lela Rose


I loved many of Marsha Hoffman's looks.  It was hard to narrow them down.


Michael Angel                                        Whitney Eve



I'm a big fan of Tadashi



Tracy Reese


All pictures courtesy of http://www.mbfashionweek.com/

MTV VMA REVIEW

I love the days when blogs write themselves.  Gotta love the VMAs and these celebrities....

First thing is first, WTF Kanye West?  When the nominees for Female Video of the Year were announced, I am quite sure that no one expected Taylor Swift to be the victorious dark horse.  She was up against Lady Gaga and Beyonce for heaven's sake..  Alas, I guess this is why the game is played.  As Taylor stood on the stage to accept her award who should emerge in his stage crashing glory?  Kanye West.  Apparently, he not only crashing the stage for awards he is nominated for but does not win but apparently for any award outcome he is not happy with.  Good Ye proceeds to tell the crowd that Beyonce's "Single Ladies" was the best video of all time, completely steeling Taylor's shine.  Really?  "Single Ladies" the best?  Come on Ye.  I know Beyonce is flawless in the eyes of many but come on now.  The "Single Ladies" video consisted of Beyonce and two other chicks dancing around on a white background.  Ye must be wowed by the easiest things, including that lame haircut he is rocking.  Maybe his hair was supposed to match Amber's snakeskin bodysuit.  Look, I like Ye.  I have even blogged my admiration of his hustle.  However, nonsence is nonsence.  I think this borning industry needs Ye to spice up award shows and black and white videos (ummm, Beyonce).  I wouldn't have picked Taylor but I certaintly wouldn't have handed that award to Beyonce either.  I do wonder, however, if that moment was staged.  It felt less than spontaneous to me.  Just a thought.

Is it just me or was Beyonce's performance outfit damn near vulgar?  Is it ok to wear a unitard, stand with legs spread eagle and grind your barely covered vagina in the camera?  I need you to do better, Beyonce.  There needs to be some creativitly in your performance.  If I'm being honest, I don't think you deserved any nominations.  You were the most interesting when you looked shocked by Kanye's stage crashing nonsence.  Let's face it.  No one does the "what's going on?" face quite like you.

Why do I love Lady GaGa??  Her performance outfit was teetering on vulgar as well but at least I was entertained.  I think she had the best performance of the night.  Unfortunately, Beyonce won the Video of the Year.  Perez Hilton should have crashed the stage on that one.  I think GaGa's video was far more entertaining.  Also, the red lace mask and tilted red crown she was wear last night was hilarious.  This chick is bugged out.  I love it.  Eminem and Tracey Morgan presented her award and the the look on their faces was priceless.

Serena Williams was there to announce a performance.  I guess there is not much left to do after you get kicked out of the US Open.  Wow, Serena.  I was pulling for you, as usual.  But, Common come get your girl.

Lastly, Jay-Z hit the stage to perform his song with Alicia Keys.  It was a pretty good performance.  The entrance drama was desperate but the performance was good just the same.  Alicia's vocals were very impressive last night.  Go Miss Keys!!  One last thing...was lame ass Lil' Mama supposed to be on the stage with them?  I think if you are going to crash the stage you should at least get dressed for the event and not look like you are about to go to homeroom at PS 123.  Wow Lil' Mama you are the wackest.  Didn't you just get played by a transgender dancer for your random nonsence?  I sure hope Jay-Z told you that "you need more people".

Product of the Week - Bikram Yoga

If you read this blog, you know that I am always on the prowl for new exercises.  For weeks now, I have been going to a Zumba class two times a week.  I have seen good results.  I am definitely toning and have lost a couple of inches.  In a couple of weeks, I will be embarking on a new exercise class - Aqua Kickboxing.  Now, I have used kickboxing as a weight loss tool before and saw great results;  however, I have a feeling that adding the pool element to this high energy cardio routine will be extraordinary.  Stay tuned.

For quite some time, my good friend, KND, has been recommending that I give Bikram Yoga a try.  She testifies that Bikram Yoga has given her remarkable weight loss results.  I do love yoga.  I love the way it opens my body.  I love the peace I feel when I practice.  I have been a champion of yoga since I began taking classes a few years ago.  That said, I hate being hot.  The heat and I do not get along well, yet I feel swayed to give it a try.  After reading up on Bikram Yoga, I have learned it not only aids in weight loss and toning but also the substantial sweating releases toxins from the body.  We all know that in this polluted society freeing your body of toxins is very necessary.  So, Bikram Yoga it is.

Note:  If you try Bikram Yoga, please drink plenty of water.  The room temperature is usually set between 95 and 100 degrees, so wear light clothing and bring a towel.  May I also recommend an immediate shower.  If Bikram Yoga is not for you but you still want to lose weight via yoga, then try Ashtanga Yoga and/or Power Yoga.

Jive Nation

Ok, I'm still steaming and this is going to be a long post, so sit back and relax.  

I paid $36 for the Soul Music Festival in Raleigh NC.  The headliners were Musiq, Erykah Badu, Chrisette Michelle, Ginuwine, Chaka Kahn, Charlie Wilson, Monica, Chubb Rock, Doug E Fresh, Big Daddy Kane, and Chuck Brown to name a few.  It was advertised that the event was going to be hosted by Big Daddy Kane.

It was the worst concert experience that I've ever had.  I STILL can't believe it.

But you know what?  There were signs along the way that I should've just abandoned the whole thing and went to have drinks with the girls.

Alert #1: The line up was different based on what website you visited and what ad was being broadcasted.  Live nations official website only listed about three people.  The official website for the festival listed 11 people.  The radio ads had a couple others who weren't listed on either site.

Alert #2: The Time Warner Music Pavilion has more rules than the TSA at the airport.  You can't take in the canvas fold up chairs that come in the bags, your chair can't be more than 9 inches off of the ground (I'm short and that's to my knee), when they check your purse if you have prescription meds, you have to take it over to ems to have them double check your id against your prescription.  No aerosol sunblock.  I mean seriously! 

Alert #3: When you walked in, they had a program with information of the day's events.  It only listed about 6 entertainers.  No Erykah Badu.  No Chrisette Michelle. But you know.  That didn't even jump out at me.

Alert #4: We had lawn seats, and I wanted a great one, so we got there at about 1.  The concert was suppose to start at 2.  So we get to the steps that lead to the lawn.  We were stopped by the staff.  They weren't letting people on the lawn yet.  I'm generally patient.  Even though it was 1,000 degrees outside, we decided to wait patiently.  By about 1:30 or so, the natives were getting restless. 

At about 1:45, the staff member said ok, you guys can come on up.  Whew, finally.  When we got to the top of the stairs guess what?  We were stopped again.  Ummm why?  Because they're still doing sound check.  Excuse me Mr. Live Nation man.  You do realize that we can still hear them right.  They're only a few feet away from us.  Making us stand and wait isn't really serving a purpose.

At about 2:15, they FINALLY let us take our seat on the lawn.

Alert #5: The first performer didn't come on stage until 3:30.  By now, I'm about 10 shades darker and the water that I brought in is warm.  Not happy

Alert #6:  Play (of Kid n Play) came out to host.  He did a great job.  Glad to see him.  Looks great.  But wasn't Big Daddy Kane suppose to host? 

We interrupt for a good note: Monica came out to perform. She did a great job.  She looked and sounded great.  So then they said, are you ready for Musiq?  We all say yeah!

Alert #7: about 20 or 30 min later, they brought out a band from my home town of DC.  I'm always happy to see local talent, but didn't they say that Musiq was coming out?  By now, the crowd (me included) is not happy.  A couple of other local NC acts came out to perform, and again, any other time, I may have been happy to see them, but dang it, Where is Musiq? 

The whole time play is saying oh I just saw Musiq and Charlie Wilson backstage.  Ginuwine was getting dressed and ready to come on. 

What happened to Musiq?  and Big Daddy Kane?  Hello! 

So by about 5:30, I'm pissed. I've been in the boiling sun all day and the only person that I've seen, that I paid to see, is Monica. 

They have a dj spinning, but I could've went to a club to hear a dj and it wouldn't have costs half as much money.  And I wish that they'd stop announcing this damn after-party.  Get the concert right!

By now, facebook is on fire about the concert and so is my cell phone.  People saying that they heard the concert was garbage and nobody is coming, yadda, yadda, yadda.  And then I got the call that changed my day.  My cousin called and said that a friend of hers wrote a note on facebook that if you wanted a refund, you'd better come to the box office now.   

Aint this a mickey flick?  No announcement about that, of course.  Just that the performers were coming on stage and that there was an after party. 

So once she called her contact to confirm, my folks and I folded up our blanket, packed our stuff and headed to the box office.  Well it appears that a bunch of others got the memo too.  We waited in line for over an hour to get our refund.  And you could only get it at the box office if you purchased it from there.  Those who purchased online had to call Live Nation for a refund.  So heads up, if you haven't done it already, I suggest that you do.

The line had no order.  People were just kind of blending in.  And to my surprise, there were no police out to control the crowd.  I figured that these people are a trusting bunch to have hundreds of people who've been sitting in the boiling sun, mad because they didn't get the show that they paid for, and now they have to stand in a long line to get a refund, and they didn't request that the Raleigh police be on hand just in case.  That's Madness.

I will note that when we got to the window, there was one policeman.  Inside the box office.  One of the attendees politely told him that he and some of his coworkers should probably be outside helping out rather than standing inside the box office chillin against the wall.  He had no words for her.  And didn't move.  That DEFINITELY wouldn't have happened at many of the other venues that I've visited.

They processed my transaction and gave me a confirmation number.   My refund STILL hasn't hit my bank account.  They will be getting a phone call by tomorrow.  I figure that three business days is more than enough time to process my credit.

When we were walking to our car, I heard Ginuwine performing.  I heard that Charlie Wilson came out and tore it up and so did Chaka Kahn.  I also heard (although it wasn't confirmed) that the artist performed for free.

I've been to many Live Nation events and have never had this problem.  I am deeply disappointed and shocked.  It's not a good look Live Nation.  I don't know if there were money issues, promoter issues or what.  But I'll definitely be hesitant to attend another concert at the Time Warner Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek  (which is a Live Nation venue). 

With all that being said.  I STILL can't believe that Big Daddy Kane didn't show up.  He lives in the Raleigh area!

Damn Jive Nation!