One Minute With Polly...

...and I already know we're kindred spirits. Polly, this is exactly how I've been feeling lately!

My Natural Hair Product Staples

More than ever, there is a serious natural hair revolution going on right now. I have so many friends who are either transitioning to natural hair or have natural hair and need help picking products. One friend in particular, my old college roomie, is in Korea and needs help picking products that can be bought easily online or picked up in a store. So here you have it!

1. Deep Conditioner: I suggest a homemade mixture of honey and olive oil. A few tablespoons of each coat the shaft and lock in moisture. Leave in for an hour, rinse, and use your favorite conditioner to cleanse (co-poo!).


2. Leave-In Conditioner: A water-based mixture of the deep conditioner ingredients, the conditioner you used to cleanse, and raw shea butter oil in a spray bottle. Works wonders for refreshing and waking up curls in the morning.


3. Smooth N' Shine Polishing, Gellation Gel can be found at most drugstores for less than $4. The alcohol-free gel was my only product I used when I first BC'd. It was my equivalent to aloe vera gel.


4. Organic Root Stimulator Lock & Twist Gel is perfect for twist-outs. The putty consistency doesn't weigh the hair down. Also found at most drugstores, this gel keeps my hair manageable and pretty.


5. Soft Sheen Carson Sta Sof Fro Rub On Hair & Scalp Conditioner: My best kept secret, this gel is also great for fluffy twist-outs. A little goes a very long way!


6. Garnier Fructis Style Play Style Reshapeable Putty: I'm not usually a fan of commercial brands for my hair, but Garnier Fructis has become a favorite! Available just about everywhere, this putty is great for braid-outs and for fluffing up a great hairstyle.


7. Ecostyler Protein Styling Gel is a great alternative to Kinky Curly Curling Custard. Great for holding a curl, Ecostyler is a quick fix for on-the-go hair.


And there you have it gals (and guys)! What's in your hair arsenal?

Fall/Winter Trend: Floppy Hats

                                                                    

The floppy hat is always the pick of the most darling of ladies during the summer time, protecting pretty cheeks and skin all over from UV damage. Just like all summer must-haves, can this style be extended throughout the Fall and Winter months? MyStyle asked and I answered:

Of course!

Okay...so it's not super floppy, but you get the picture (trust, if I had something floppier I would absolutely wear it). For maximum #pow, adorn your flopper with some very fall-appropriate pieces (think huge orange/wine red flowers/brooches, luxe ribbons in satin and thick materials, etc).

These floppers are surefire seasonless staples!

Halloween Fun Stuffs!

With Halloween almost a week away and little to no time to create an elaborate costume, I have some DIY makeup tips and tricks to execute some fun last-minute costumes.

An amazing beauty YouTuber, MissChievous, does a ton of Halloween looks – Dead Doll, Angel, Fantasy…you name it, she’s done it. One of her most impressive, and honestly one of everyone’s go-to costume, is the Cat. She puts her pretty spin on it with glitter (all that glitters is gold!).

Looking to be Kat Von D? Try out Temptu Temporary Tattoos, sold at Sephora. These tattoo sheets last 2 – 5 days and  come with  application pads. Martha Stewart took the tattoos to another level, and used them on her face as a Spellbinding Sorceress.

Maybe you want to play into this season’s animal print trend? Keep it simple with a solid head-to-toe outfit and these fun paw hoods. Slightly zany but very chic, Spirit Hoods are faux-fur and wildlife conscious. Prices range from $59 to $129.

Have a fun and safe Halloween!

Shoedazzle for Breast Cancer Awareness

Many companies partner with the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure during October to help spread awareness and raise funds to fight Breast Cancer. What better way to help something that is affecting women than a company full of style?


Shoedazzle, a cute online-personal stylist site, has joined forces with Susan G. Komen and portions of the proceeds from certain products will go towards the research to find a cure. This year’s Breast Cancer Awareness shoe, Beth, is named for a woman whose strength in the face of her diagnosis is truly dazzling. She fought for both her country and her life and now we need to give back to her and many like her who fight for their lives everyday. Three products are benefiting the cause: The Beth shoe, the Hope bag, and the Baila accessory. On top of what is sold on the site, Shoedazzle is making a minimum donation of $25,000. Go girls!

The ladies at Shoedazzle were gracious enough to send me a pair of Beth shoes. It’s so great to be part of a good cause. The suede peep-toe booties are a true gift – now let’s continue to fight for a cure!