My latest You Tube upload about my new dread journey

OOTD 4/26/14

Since my hair is almost fully transitioned, i having the time of my life experimenting with hair styles!  Here is my natural Mohawk with flat twist.

Why I had to cut my hair!!

Waist Training *Join The Movement*

Ever heard of waist training?  Well I've been waist training for 3 months and I have lost 6 in.  I especially wear it as I'm working out to keep my core tight. I'm actually starting too see my abs, lol, didn't know they existed! 

But here are some options, join the movement!!

Even Your Skin Tone!!

Skin lightening products -- also known as bleaching creams, whiteners, skin brighteners, or fade -- work by reducing a pigment called melanin in the skin. Most people who use lighteners do so to treat skin problems such as age spots, acne scars, or discoloration related to hormones.

Iv'e been working on my lightning my under-arms for about 6 mos now and now i can dance at the club without being afraid to raise my arms...lol.  I use Genuine Black & White Bleaching Cream and have been seeing great results.

Here is some of these creams to achieve your even skin tone on your face, elbows, bikini area, anywhere!!

1 Month Hairfinity Growth

Earlier in the month I cut off about 1.5 inches of relaxed ends at it ended at the '3'.  Less than 30 days later, I got it back!! 

 For results like mine, shop http://www.shopbrockbeauty.com/?AffId=778

Hair Style of the day!

Wearing my hair natural to let it rest from the sew-in's. It's fun experimenting with styles and different looks. And I'm loving my new texture! Go like my business fb page at www.facebook.com/beyoutifulblog,and invite your friends to like it too. Thanks for the support!

Hair Update Over the Last 4 months

I've actually seen more progress as I thought I would.  I thought i was just a slow grower but I found that not to be true.  My hair was unhealthy and had allot of breakage.  I've tried regimen after regimen until I finally found what my hair responds most to!  I also realized I have low porosity hair, I've learned allot!!  LOL

Well these are pictures from August 2013 when I first bought my HairLista shirt.  It's at the '2' line.

These are pictures from October 2013. As you can see from extreme breakage, it's uneven but it grew to the '4' line!!  Which was very exciting for me!  :( So i planned to do a cut every 6 months. Next cut? December!

These are pictures from December 13 2013. It grew to the '6' line but it was time for my cut! This is the picture from before the cut...grew 2" but the previous breakage really shows. Scissors here we go!!

This is the result! Back to the '3', but healthier & stronger!

Stay Tuned for my January update!!

Hair Journey

Hello!  I just wanted to update you guys on my hair journey.  I know this seems more like a fashion blog, but I'm actually on a journey to see how long i can grow long & HEALTHY hair.  You can visit my YouTube page and check out my progress.  I will also start posting them to my blog as well now.  So follow me, subscribe to my channel and appreciate all the support!!

How I wash my face with Baking Soda and my nightly routine

I got allot of responses to my blog post about baking soda so I made a video showing you guys how i clean my face at night

Now if you guys want to purchase an electronic brush, try this one! Only $20 bucks!!

Natural Deodorants to Avoid Toxins!!

Remember the commercial “Never let them see you sweat;” sweating is actually very healthy for you. It is our body’s way of getting rid of unwanted toxins. Unfortunately all products are not created equal and many health and beauty items are full of toxic ingredients. 

Some of the most common ingredients found in deodorants and antiperspirants are: parabens, zirconium and aluminum.  Research at Reading University has suggested there may be a link between the increase in breast cancer in the last 25 years which coincides with the introduction of antiperspirants. Breast cancer tumors in men and women tend to occur in the upper-outer section of the left breast, which could be because right-handed people apply more deodorant into their left armpit. 

Since learning this information i did some research and found natural ways to stop sweat and ans keep your underarms dry!!

Step 1:  Rub a lemon, cut in half on your armpit, allow to dry. You can do this twice just for extra protection. Lemon actually kills the bacteria that causes body odor. Do this under both arms.
 
Step 2: Once lemon dry, pat the baking soda on your armpit to stop sweating! And that's it!  Try it and let me know if you found it helpful or not.

Low Porosity Hair Care

Always wonder why it takes your hair forever and a day to dry? Or how about why it seems as if products, particularly heavy butters and creams, just sit on your hair? Chances are you may have low porosity hair.  To figure out what your hair porosity is, i will post a video later showing you how to check.  I was about 8 mos into my hair journey before I even realized what was wrong!! But I did some research and realized I just needed to open the cuticle layers of my hair shaft.  The best way to get any type of product inside your strands to actually help, you have to add heat!!  Especially on wash days and you need to deep condition.  Check out some of these portable dryers, I hate sitting in one spot, lol

How to Use Baking Soda as a Natural Cleaner for Your Face

Washing your face with baking soda helps reduce water pollution.

You can replace your chemical-laden facial soaps with homemade baking soda cleanser to save money, save the Earth and save your skin. The naturally occurring chemical compound sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, effectively deep cleans pores and and say bye to acne problems!

 

Facial Wash

1. Mix 2 teaspoons of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of warm water in a small bowl. Use a clean finger to stir the ingredients until a soft paste forms.

2. Splash your face thoroughly with warm water. Dip your fingers into the baking soda paste. Apply the paste to your wet face using a gentle circular motion. Cover your entire face with the paste.

3. Rinse your face thoroughly with warm water, splashing the water over the skin repeatedly until your face rinses clean. Pat your face dry with a clean towel.

Facial Exfoliator

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of warm water and 2 teaspoons of oat flour in a small bowl to create a natural facial cleanser that also exfoliates.

2. Rinse your face with warm water. Dip your fingers into the cleanser and apply it to your face and neck using a gentle circular motion. Let the paste dry on your skin for 5 minutes.

3. Buff away the dried cleanser by moving your fingers in a gentle circular motion. The dried paste exfoliates your skin as you buff it away.

4. Splash your face thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining cleanser. Pat your face dry with a clean towel.

 I've been using baking soda for washing my face, under my arms, brush my teeth with it for whitening.  So many uses, and so in-expensive. Just make sure it is Pure Baking Soda!!

Miss Jessie's Unscented Curly Pudding Works!!

By an overwhelming popular demand... you asked for it! Now it's here! If you've got a "sensitive sniffer" Unscented Curly Pudding is perfect for you curlies who want amazing Curly Pudding performance without the added scent or color.

Apply a palm full of Unscented Curly Pudding™ to damp freshly shampooed and conditioned hair. Rake through large sections and air dry. For maximum elongation comb a nickel sized dollop thru small sections and air dry. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT CHEMICALLY ALTERING!!

Here's a tutorial on how to use the product!! 

Want to try! Click the pic to order!

Hairfinity Affiliate !!!

I'm pretty sure you have heard of Haifinty!! It is great if you are trying to meet your goals!  I just ordered a 2 month supply and cant wait for it to arrive!!  Let me know how it works for you!

If you want to order, click here!

http://www.shopbrockbeauty.com/?AffId=778

Skin Bleaching Information

What Causes Hyper Pigmentation? 

Hyper pigmentation is a condition that appears when levels of melanin, a natural pigment in the skin, are increased. A variety of skin injuries such as cuts, scrapes or acne can stimulate hyper pigmentation but the primary cause is excess sun damage. A quality bleaching cream can help remove the dark spots that appear but the first step in battling hyper pigmentation is knowing what causes it and then how to avoid those situations.

I'm currently on a mission to lighten my underarms, bikini line and elbows. I use a bleaching cream twice a day on affected ares. I've only been using for 1 month but I am starting to see a difference already!!

How To Effectively Use Bleaching Creams? 

 When using any new bleaching cream, it is important to follow a good, consistent daily routine in order to get the most our of your treatment period.  First and foremost, use a smaller amount in an inconspicuous area to see if you develop any reactions to the cream.  The suggestion is to test this area 2-3 times at least when giving a new cream a try.   Test the bleach on the same little area of skin, wait a few days and then proceed with the full treatment if there is not noticeable reaction.  Skin turning a bit red or irritated is not uncommon but this condition should be slight if at all, and dissipate quickly.

 You can try this bleaching cream, it has less hydroquinone in it to avoid side effects. 

My Hairlista shirt arrived, so excited to do my length checks now!!

Yes I am a Hairlista!  And I finally got their length check shirt, so happy!!

Check em out and also sign up for Hairlista if you're on a hair journey.

Don't Tear Your Hair!!

To prevent breakage and split ends, it's important to make sure you be patient while detangling and make sure to use a shower comb when wet.



Shower combs are best when hair is wet, just remember to start detangling from ends to the roots!! Try combs like these!

Split-Ender review

 

I bought the Split-Ender about 6 mos ago and my ends are still great, along with protective styling.  For the naturals, you will need to straiten your hair before using.  Below is a video demo, enjoy!

It is a great product! If you want to purchase, click the ad!

Lengths of hair

      
Hair is often visually measured by where it reaches the point on your body. We often refer to hair as being one of the following lengths:


Chin length: Just reaching the chin

Shoulder length: touching the shoulders

Collar bone length: touching the collar bone

Bra Strap length: length that reaches the bra strap

Waist length: when hair reaches the smallest part of your waist

Tail bone length: when hair reaches the end of your tail bone

Classic length: when hair reaches just below your rear end

Hip Length: when hair reaches your upper hips and is below Classic

Thigh length: when hair reaches your mid-thigh

Knee length, calf length, ankle length: when hair reaches this specific part of your body

Floor length: When hair length touches the floor (without bending over, of course!) 

Right now im SL, my goal is APL by this time next year.  What are your goals??

Let me introduce myself, I'm Erica Lee, and i have been on a hair, nail and skin journey for a little over a year.  But about 4 months ago i decided to start transitioning, which was one of the best choices I've made!  I also have a YouTube channel where i document my progress.  So please follow along with me and we can go on our journeys together!!