My hair this week

Still rocking my side cornrows!

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Fall Fashion for Less - Knit-Cuff Wedge Booties

There is no reason for you to run out there and buy designer duds, unless you really have the $ and want it. Certain trends I am more comfortable buying the cheaper version especially if by the next season, it's old news.

I was perusing through Nordstrom's website (they are my weakness) and came across these great booties:
Report "Ceron" Bootie

$109.95

Then I said, "Wait, didn't I see a similar pair in my Avon demo book"? Sure enough:

Avon Cushion Walk Genuine Suede Knit-Cuff Bootie (no link because it isn't available to the masses yet)

$49.99, available in C20, from Sept. 8th

See? Both genuine suede and very similar.

Every time I come across hot fall fashion (#hotfallfashion) for less, I will put up a post.

My nails this week

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Avon and mark Fall Fashion

Summer is my favorite season, but I absolutely adore Fall fashion. Something about wearing boots, light jackets and sweaters excites me. Then along comes winter to ruin it all, yuck. Anyway, that's another story. I am feeling Avon/mark's Fall 2011 fashion and accessories. I keep getting more and more impressed by the items they come out with. I remember when there was no mark and Avon was just makeup that my Mom sold! ;)

mark

mark High Stepping Boots <<-- click on the links to see the item on my Avon e-store

Wear them cuffed or flipped up and over the knee. Gray faux leather. Partial side zipper. 4" heel/3/4" hidden platform. 15 1/4" calf circumference.
whole sizes 6-10
Half sizes, order one size up.
Price: $70.00 




mark Scene Stealer Necklace

Three off-center rhinestone clusters are a playful detail. Faux pearls, goldtone and silvertone chains, clear glass rhinestones and beads. 21 1/2" L (with 3" extender).
Item#: 522-840
Price: $36.00 





ROCK STEADY EARRINGS  
 
Pair them with fall's romantic looks. Post backs. 1 1/2" L.
Item#: 329-633
Price: $16.00 

GLAMMED UP RING 

Rock and roll meets glitz and glam. Hematite with clear glass pavé rhinestones. 2 1/4" H.
small/medium (sizes 6-7), large/x-large (sizes 8-10)
Price: $28.00 

 BEAD YOU TO IT BRACELET 

20 conjoined rows add up to one sleek statement piece. Pewter faux pearls. 3" L.
Item#: 370-393
Price: $18.00 

mark Something Wild Purse

Small in stature but big on attitude. Faux suede and patent with goldtone hardware and zipper closure. 3 interior pockets: 1 zippered at back, 2 slip pockets at front. 9 1/2" L x 2 1/4" W x 8" H (8 1/2" handle drop).
Item#: 525-099
Price: $32.00 

LACE IT UP TIGHTS (shown all the way above)
Our vertical crochet pattern isn't just sassy, it also has a leg-lengthening effect. 95.4% nylon/4.6% spandex. Imported.
small (4'11"-5'6"; 100-150 lbs), medium (5'2"-6'0"; 120-170 lbs), large (5'2"-6'0"; 165-200 lbs)
Price: $12.00 

Avon

A. Sequin Cross-Body Bag Mini sequined bag with foldover flap and turnlock closure. Detachable cross-body chain-link strap. Wear bag three ways: cross-body, handbag or clutch. 4 1/2" H x 6 1/4" W x 2 1/2" D; max. handle drop, 25 1/2".
Price: $16.99
buy now & save
Will be $19.99 

B. Racerback Top Polyester with spandex. Machine wash and dry. Imported.
S(6-8), M(10-12), L(14-16), XL(18)
Price: $24.99 

C. 5 Pocket Stretch Black Denim Leggings 
Cotton, polyester and spandex. Two functional pockets on back. Machine wash and dry. Wash before wearing. Imported.
Misses

XS(2-4), S(6-8), M(10-12), L(14-16), XL(18)
Price: $24.99  
Women's
1X(18W-20W), 2X(22W-24W)
Price: $29.99 

D. Lace Bootie 
Genuine suede and polyester lace peep-toe bootie with heel zipper. 4 1/2" heel, 5/8" at toe. Skid-resistant sole.
Whole sizes 6M-10M
Half sizes order one size up.
Price: $39.99
buy now & save
Will be $44.99 

Glam Star Ring 
Hematite-look ring with faceted onyx-like stone and rhinestone embellishments. Fits sizes 7 to 8.
Price: $14.99 

Glam Star Bracelet 
Cluster of beads and rhinestones on adjustable black cord. One size fits most.
Price: $9.99

GLAM STAR EARRINGS $5.00 EACH PAIR, with each $10.00 Brochure purchase, details, page 9.  (I have the hematite color and it's HAWT! Decent size too, not small)

Glam Star Multistrand Necklace 
Metallic hematite-look chain with faux pearls and onyx-like stones. 28" L with 3" extender.
Item#: 364-463
Price: $14.99


If you see anything you like, feel free to contact me, kifana_fashion@yahoo.com. My e-store is http://www.youravon.com/khinkson.

I Got My Curly Girl Collective Twitter Prize!

Got it last week

I wrote about this event back in May here.

In the prize pack:

Mixed Chicks, all full sizes,
gentle clarifying SHAMPOO (10oz / 300ml)
"MIXED CHICKS shampoo gets straight, wavy and curly hair squeaky clean.
KEY INGREDIENTS: borage seed, avocado oil, & panthenol for healing and luster"

detangling DEEP conditioner (8 oz / 236ml) 
"Nourish, detangle, and restore curly, tightly curled or straight hair with MIXED CHICKS exclusive conditioning blend which penetrates and reconstructs damaged areas, transforming style-stubborn-locks into resilient, easy to maintain tresses.
KEY INGREDIENT: safflower seed oil"

LEAVE-IN conditioner (10oz / 300ml)
"USE THIS TO: TAME FRIZZ and DEFINE CURLS on many hair textures & weaves (synthetic or human)."

gloss and shining HAIR SILK
"USE THIS TO:
add a POLISHED texture
help color treated hair look vibrant
works for curls or straight looks"

Pura Body Naturals
Sapote Hair Lotion Sample in Tahitian Vanilla, 2oz
"Make dry brittle hair a thing of the past.  Sapote Hair Lotion is an excellent leave-in conditioner that promotes moisture retention and softness for dry lifeless hair."

Cupuacu Hair Butter Sample, 1oz
"A rich creamy blend of natural butters and oils to combat dry, brittle hair.  Cupuacu is well known for its high fatty acid content which benefits dry, damaged hair while protecting moisture and leaving hair soft and silky."

Ododo Originals Beaded Hair Flower
It looks like I have the Golden Belle one, which can be purchased at their Etsy Store. It is absolutely GORGEOUS!
"Golden Belle - Beaded Floral Hair Clip or Brooch
A shimmery muted gold that can go from night to day. The faceted surface of the beads give the illusion a sparkling colored stones.
Constructed with gold wire and held in place by a duckbill hair clip."

What a great prize pack, I can't wait to use my products and wear my clip! Thank-you Curly Girl Collective!!

My hair today, Aug 25

I decided not to set it (twist) it last night. I wanted more of a curly afro effect. I like! All I did this morning was put a bit of Jane Carter Nourish & Shine and frizzed out my hair with my hands.

Sent from my Motorola ATRIX™ 4G on AT&T

How cute is it that Garcelle Beauvais' son loves his hair?

Sent from my Motorola ATRIX™ 4G on AT&T

Fall is coming, are you prepared?

Sent from my Motorola ATRIX™ 4G on AT&T

How hot are these shoes?

Vince Camuto

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SheaMoisture gel on the way @ Target this Sunday Aug. 28th!

I am such a gel freak since the wash-n-go style seems to be my style of choice with my length of hair. It's quick and it's easy. That being said, I'm still on the lookout for a cheaper Kinky Curly Curling Custard (KCCC) alternative. I love how it defines each coil and I get multiple day hair with it. I like Queen Helene's Curl Shaping Creme and it's the closest I've found so far (see my past review). Imagine my excitement when I found out that SheaMoisture will be debuting their Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Gel Soufflé with Agave Nectar & Flax Seed Oil this Sunday at Target. I like SM products because they're natural, smell great, work for my hair and they're readily available at Target, Duane Reade and Walgreens for only $9.99 each. Let's look at the two main ingredients, Agave Nectar is also in the QH creme and helps with moisture and curl defining, and Flax Seed Oil (aka Linseed Oil) is helpful not only for heart disease and high cholesterol, but for the hair as well as it penetrates the shaft inside and out and promotes healthy hair growth (YAY!) The Omega-3 fatty acids is the "super-ingredient" in this oil and a lot of other products or vitamins you may have come across. You can't go wrong.

Here's a sneak peek from the SM FB page:

I don't want to sound like an obsessive hair product psycho, but it does look like KCCC :$

They say that it's "A curl gel like no other out there -- it defines curls with agave nectar, sugar cane extract and pectin, not plasticized chemicals such as PVC and polymers that can buildup up in hair, as well as cause dryness and damage! And, it's all-natural!"

My hair Tues Aug. 23

What I did different last night in setting it:

I didn't put the 3 single twists on the top. I think I should have since that created the mohawk effect with the hair sticking up on top yesterday. Today my hair is definitely in two sections, 1)bang and 2) back, whereas yesterday it was one piece front to back, aka mohawk.

I also created bantu knots at the ends of the braids last night with the intention of letting them down this morning, but I liked how they looked so I left them!

I didn't put any product in setting it or when I took out the twists. There is enough in there, all I needed was water to help detangle before twisting. This morning my hair was still perfectly shiny and moisturized!

My hair this week

My cuz put some cornrows on the sides on Saturday.

Sunday evening, I spritzed my hair with water and did four flat twists in my bangs going forward with bantu knots at the end. Then right at the top of my head I did 3 single twists with knots so that it would stick straight up when I took it out. Then the back I did 3 flat twists going back and knotted the ends as well.

This morning I put some KBB jojoba oil after I took the twists out and twisted the braids together and tucked each end in with hair pins.

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Naturally Curly & Natural Selections Curly Pool Party!

Since I quite frequent www.naturallycurly.com and their forums, I was excited when they announced they were having a pool party in NYC! I was least excited that they said you had to wear swimsuits, but I guess I wasn't the only one because they did away with that rule. The main focus of the event was to let people with natural hair know that they should not be afraid and can go swimming with their natural hair. There were representatives from Jane Carter Solutions (she was there herself), Hair Rules (owner Dickey was there as well), Ouidad and SheaMoisture. The cost was $25, but with a coupon code, you could have gotten $5 off. Come on, $20 for an event at a posh boutique hotel poolside where you get to mingle with other curlies, try products, see demonstrations, hear great music, get a $50 gift bag, and the chance to win an iPad and other prizes?!! I'm in! I told my cousin about it and we got our tix and were amped! She was especially interested in how to keep the form of her twist-outs. 

I decided to wear a romper with my bikini under even though I had no intention of swimming since, well, I can't :/ I'm more of a poser :D

My cuz also wore a romper, she looked adorable!

Of course, the MTA was being its normal self and made us later than we wanted, but we still got there in good time. When we walked in we got our gift bags right away. The ambiance was great, nice "club" lighting with ladies mingling and snacking in the first room with the bar, then around the corner poolside was where all the action was. Ladies swimming, others sitting and chatting, the dj and SheaMoisture were set up upstairs on one side. We checked them out and got some samples of their Raw Shea masque and some body scrubs and just scoped out the venue from high up. Then I spotted there was another section to the other side, wow, more?! So we went back down and back up to the other side. That place was buzzing. Jane Carter, Hair Rules and Ouidad were set up over there and it had normal lighting so you were able to see products and read labels and pamphlets. They even had someone re-twisting locs.

We went to JC first, she was so sweet. I basically told her that her Curl Defining Cream didn't do much for defining my curls for a wash-n-go, so she put a bit in my hair and did a finger-twist. I took that to mean that for my hair type, maybe it's best used for twist-outs. So I will try that. I actually didn't go to Ouidad, and Hair Rules was a mob scene! So we just took in some music, man that dj was good! They did the prizes shortly after, which I didn't win, I don't know what the deal is with that. We went back to the bar area and got a drink, whoa, hi there, $16! Hehehe, fine, it was the city and a hotel, we get it ;) Karen Tappin of Karen's Body Beautiful popped in, her hair was FIRE! I snapped a pic with her and we chatted, she remembered me from the Huetiful event at her store. We spoke about different peoples' perceptions of natural/curly hair. Then I saw Jane Carter by the bar, we also had a chat and she spoke about why she started her line. Basically she had an allergic reaction one day to some products and decided to start her own. Why the heck don't I think of these things? She gave us some more product recommendations. She really is a nice person, she said she felt like a celebrity when I asked for a picture because in NJ no one recognizes her. Ha! I actually didn't even know she was right here in NJ. Taren916 was also there, man do I love her YouTube videos. She was probably the first person I subscribed to when I first cut off my locs back in April. She's done a big chop since then, and still looks fab. When I saw Michelle of NaturallyCurly, I told her that I'm on her site basically all day and she said she wanted to interview me, so I met her outside and she asked me some questions with her iPhone 4 (that phone can do anything apparently) and I had to pretend I wasn't nervous and gave her answers. Let's hope it turned out okay! I love events like this. It was nice meeting the people who's products you use and chatting with other natural ladies with similar hair in different styles. It gave you style ideas, encouragement and just a "feel good" feeling about your hair.

View of pool area from the DJ area, the section with Jane Carter is right above

Jane Carter doing her thing

Jane giving my cousin advice

Ladies by the pool

Pool on the other side, so it was a swim-up bar

My cousin's pretty flower

Jane Carter and myself

Karen Tappin of Karen's Body Beautiful and myself

Taren and me

Dickey of Hair Rules and myself

Michelle of Naturallycurly.com and myself

Prize time!

More pictures here

In my goodie bag:

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine shampoo, 4oz

Jane Carter travel sized Curl Defining Cream and Revitalizing Leave-In

Hair Rules travel sized Nourishment Leave-In Conditioner

Ouidad Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel, 6oz

I also grabbed samples along the way. This is a great way to decide if you like something without committing. Like I discovered that I love the Shea Moisture body scrubs and I now have to purchase one!

I can't wait for the next curly girl event which should be at Karen's Body Beautiful in two weeks.

** I apologize for the delay, I wrote this since July 29th and had it sitting as a draft until now! **

My hair today

Yesterday:
wng co-wash using Queen Helene Royal Curly Conditioner
Curl Junkie Curl Assurance Smoothing Lotion as the li
QH curl shaping creme as my styler

This morning:
Wet it a bit in the shower
Put 4 mini comb clips on the sides
Spritzed SM Hold & Shine spray
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My nails this week

Sally Hansen Salon Effects nail polish strips in Check it Out. I put a little silver glitter on it and I also did my toes. Heyyyy, $10 mani/pedi! ;)

I wrote about this previously here.

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My Faux-Hawk Revisited

Last night:

- Spritzed water and did 4 2-strand flat-twists going forward in my bang
- Then I did big single twists on the rest (dry, no water added)

This morning:
- I took twists out and tousled at the roots to get rid of any spaces to re-do the style from yesterday, my faux-hawk.

- I put some SM Yucca & Baobab thickening milk in the back and Enso milk in the bangs (I didn't want it too poufy that's why I didn't use the SM).

- I finished with a little Jane Carter Nourish &Shine on the bangs and sides.

I didn't spritz water or any SM CE mist this time. I think I made it too poufy yesterday.

I also pinned back some more of my bang as to not get that fanned out rake look like yesterday.

Let's compare:

 

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My hair today, quasi faux-hawk!

Not the greatest angle :/

Last night I just spritzed the bang with water and did 4 braids.

This morning I spritzed some water because it was a little too flat.  Then I put some Curl Junkie Curl Assurance Smoothing Lotion throughout, and Eco Styler Argan Oil gel on the sides and used two comb clips at the sides.

It expanded by the time I got to work, I had to re-twist pieces for a minute and undo

Going to try to fix it a bit.

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