Ready-made VS. Home-made

So, today I was at Target shopping for a familiar hair care product that I'm low on. A woman that seemed to know a thing or two about natural hair struck a conversation with me, discouraging me from a jar I had in my hand.

"I've tried that before... it's not very good."

I was surprised, because I saw short, black, processed, straight, hair... the more we spoke, she later revealed it was a wig, and that she was doing a deep-treatment conditioner wrapped up beneath the hair - the length of which, she displayed with one finger beneath her right shoulder-blade, went down to the middle of her back.

I was looking for something to help control frizz and define my curls better. Her remedy?

1 part glycerin, 1 part water, 1 part conditioner, mix in a spray bottle, and GO. Really??

"Oh... and add some honey to soften the curls."

We were getting so intimate with our personal hair care regiment, that I finally had to officially introduce myself (we were so busy jack-jawing about hair that we didn't exchange our names at that point). Her name was Takema, but I could call her Kema.

Glycerin is a "humectant", meaning it attracts moisture, and would be good for use in the summer, she said, since it would attract the humidity in the air and lock the water in my hair.

My main issue: I'm laaazy. Why go mixing things I have to go out and buy or find at home when I can just purchase something that's already made??

Well, here's a few reasons I thought of after I found myself in the local beauty supply store later this afternoon, with a bottle of "Africare" 100% vegetarian/kosher Glycerine in one hand and "Shea Moisture" Curl Enhancing Smoothie (with glycerine!) in the other:

• Cheaper to make at home, I guess
• Home-made products would be easier to customize the ingredient ratio based on its response to my hair
• Food-safe glycerin would have less "stuff" in it (like preservatives or other chemicals) - if it's safe to eat, it's safe to put in your hair! <----- P.S. - I met ANOTHER natural hair aficionado at the beauty supply store, that quote was hers. Her name was Renee, she had long natural hair as well.
• Self-fulfilling - knowing that I made something from basic ingredients in my own kitchen. I can't cook, but I can do hair!

In the end, I bought both - the glycerine and hair product are in direct view right now on my dresser. I will experiment with the two and see how my coils react.

One thing I read from an article on the Natural Hair Community newsletter:

"You don't tell your hair what to do - your hair tells YOU what to do."

The right combination of product, maintenance, restoration, and good ol' TLC will make for beautiful, strong, happy hair.


What do you think about ready-made vs. home-made?
Do you have any hybrid home-made recipes that you use in your own hair???

I to I - "I am Philip Gibson"

I am Tamara Monique. 

I work in an office with incoming and outgoing 'people traffic' going by my desk on the regular. Full-time, part-time, day shift, and night. One day, recently, I saw Phil with a uniquely designed graphic tee and a colorful Haiwaiian button-up shirt over it, worn undone. I was drawn to it, and his style in general. He's a quiet and friendly guy, and his arrangements were quirky and cool, both bold and subtle with color essences found within the flavor of his shirt and in the tone of his shoes. I would turn with anticipation every morning as he passed by to grab a glance of what he would show up in that day – and OUTWARDLY, I would express my enthusiasm, until one day I decided:

I need to take his picture.

By this point, we already established some things during a semi in-depth conversation, so I knew what the deal was with his shirts, including – he prints his OWN designs! Phil is a silkscreen artist, and printmaking is actually his focus in College.. as well as being a drummer in a band (or 2?), and a part-time art instructor at a university pretty much teaching young kids how to be creative outlets of their own. For someone so young, just shy of 20 years-old, it's truly refreshing to be a witness to this sort of interest, talent, and passion in the Arts, and forging ahead to make their mark on the industry in their own unique way.

"I need to take his picture" – and so I did. This is Phil, featured in his own design work:

Featured design "Til Death" currently ON SALE! http://lockstitchdesigns.bigcartel.com/

I am Philip Gibson.

Lockstitch Designs is a company based on out-of-the-box forward thinking. It is a company built on pooling together a community of entrepreneurial artists and musicians, & it is a brand that aims to be more of a "creative initiative" than a clothing company. As a designer and artist, I enjoy working as a printmaker and the medium of t-shirts in an effort to influence people to think twice about consumerism while still creating a product that looks and feels good.

My newest release is a 3/4 sleeve blk/wht baseball tee titled "No Education." Each shirt is uniquely tie dyed 1 of 8 colors and printed myself. No two pieces are identical!

I am also on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/LockstitchDesigns?ref=hl

Instagram @LockstitchDesigns

Twitter @LockstitchDsgns

I support the Local Artist. I am inspired by the go-getters, DIY enforcers, and unique-thinking forces behind crafts and designs that make you go "aaah".

"I to I" is a segment featuring people that I meet in depth or just pass in the street, that are incredible in their own way, and were introduced to me - so I introduce them to you.

Best of Luck, Phil*

Black Girl Hair Stuff: - Deep Conditioning / feat.Shea Moisture

Water - an essential ingredient to what keeps our bodies in "fluid motion": hydrated, nourished, functioning smoothly.

Blood flows through your winding veins, muscles embrace the bones and tendons that hold you together, your skin and your stomach are flushed of impurities with each glass you consume.. all moisturized and invigorated by water.


Hair with curves - kinky hair, coily hair, spiraling curly hair - lust for moisture how our thirst craves for water.. I had a mop for an extended amount of time that resembled the appearance of a dried old plant left in the window, forgotten about in the basement with little to no sunlight... you know the one? Now, why did that happen? Well - I simply did not realize how much of an importance daily moisturizing was, every-single-day. Like that plant I just mentioned, actually.

See the photo below - see the dry, tangled, wispy strands.. and the coarse, dense, matted base underneath? This was my hair for years - on top of spontaneous blow-drying and straightening.



Heat + no moisturizer = Hot Mess Desert. No bueno!

Why did it get this bad and go so far? Well - I didn't know how to take good care of my Natural hair. Curl strands are delicate.. they can be broken, stressed, torn out, and knotted with little effort and even by accident.

Thanks to the various resources available on the internet about natural hair care, and a trip to a not-so-inexpensive high end hair salon, I learned about - CONDITIONING!! Condition, Condition, Condition your hair GIRLS AND BOYS!!

Not talking about hair grease, or oils, or sprays - these products tend to stay on the surface and "sit", most times causing build-up on the scalp, weighing hair down, and causing funky smells.. eck. I did a little bit of research and came across this great line of Curly Hair care products that is inexpensive, animal friendly, and full of delicious natural ingredients for your thirsty hair - Shea Moisture.
 
 

• Rooted in the homemade hair and skin products by the founder's grandmother, a widowed mother of four in Sierra Leone selling shea butter and black soap around 1912. Her name was Sofi Tucker. "Shea Moisture is her legacy". 

• Certified organic ingredients

• (Reading from the side of the jar) NO: Parabens, Phthalates, Paraffin, Gluten, Propylene Glycol, Mineral Oil, Synthetic Fragrance, Animal Testing, PABA, Synthetic Color, DEA, Animal Ingredients, or Sulfates

• Ethically traded ingredients sustainably produced 

• An inexpensive buy - ranging from $10-15

• Available in many accessible areas besides your local beauty supple store, like TARGET!

(Left Hand/Yellow Jar)
Called: "Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque w/ Sea Kelp, Argan Oil and Shea Butter"
For: Dry, Damaged Hair
Target: Heal, Grow, and Strengthen

(Right Hand/Brown Jar)
Called: "Organic African Black Soap Purification Masque w/ Plaintain Enzyme, Tea Tree, and Willow Bark extract"
For: Dry, Itchy Scalp
Target: Dandruff, Eczeme, and Psoriasis

HOW TO GET YOUR DEEP CONDITION ON!

Step 1 - Let's wet your hair. Find a comfortable temperature, not too hot and not too cold. Hot water can actually strip the hair of it's naturally produced oil, aiding in breakage because the hair's too dry. Lukewarm, more on the warm side.*

Step 2 - Pick up some goo! I use four fingers-full to dig two hearty scoops of the Purification Masque. Careful, it's creamy so you don't need TOO much.

Note: This product "removes product buildup" and "preserves hair by sealing in natural moisture". I use this FIRST because it sort of works as a cleansing palette... well not sort of, it DOES. Recommended for use before or after shampooing. *

Step 3 - Massage the masque deep throughout, interlocking fingers, rubbing at the base of the strands up through the tips....

Step 3 cont. - Pull sections apart, push hair forward and gently pulling back.. go crazy, making sure you saturate every single inch of your head!

Let sit for 10-15 minutes
(The jar advertises 5-30 minutes)










See those curls getting plump and sucking up all that goodness?

SLLLURP*

Then - let's rinse out!

 Step 4 - Deep Treatment Masque. Repeat instruction from Step 2. This product is a little bit more like 'paste' than the first masque. Use at your discretion. My hair is short, but I like to slather this baby on.

Let sit for 10-15 minutes.
(The jar advertises 5-30 minutes)

 

Step 5 (Not for ALL hair types) - Gently use your fingers to guide a wide-tooth comb detangling session. Depending on the coarse coil/kinkiness of your locks, DO NOT force the comb through your hair if it hurts. If you are able to catch a small section at a time and work the comb through without ripping your hair out, go for it. If the comb is proving too painful, try finger coming. Why this step? It helps the product work through your strands from base to tip, also removing any dead hair/loose kinks from your crown,

A close-up of the comb I use! Wide teeth are less likely to pull healthy hair out, also, is much better suited for curls by allowing them to uncoil and recoil freely when doing strokes. Find one that's best and most comfortable for you!

Step 6 - Towel dry. Gently pat and squeeze the water from your hair. Try to refrain from "spiral spinning" the towel (making circles) to prevent unintentional locking at the roots and harvesting lint in your hair from the fabric's fibers.

For Locs, Twist, or Hair Types with a tendency to frizz - Try drying with a cotton T-shirt (take a pair of scissors and cut it open so it's flat like a towel). It absorbs the water without rapidly stripping your hair of water or fraying the edges. Also - towel fuzzy free!

And VOILA! Clean, crisp, light-weight hair that feels like it can breathe.

The follow-up here, and the product that I use everyday after rinsing out with plain water in the shower is Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner. It comes in a pump-bottle and with it's light-weight nature, I use this as a leave-in and I have no need for anything else.

I use 4-5 pumps for full coverage with my length hair, so start with 2 or 3 squirts and see how much more coverage your hair length and type requires to be happy.*












Natural Hair Girls and Boys: What hair products do you use and love? 

Share & Comment!

Screenprinting @ Polluted Eyeball, Brooklyn

On the press, and ready to Rock and Roll!

   Saturday 1/23 -- My good friend Jennifer and I made a hike out from the Island to Brooklyn for a 3-hour Basic Screenprinting class @ Polluted Eyeball, instructed by Peter McGouran. Many thanks to Living Social.*

     The studio was a medium sized space for our class of 7 students, and the walls were decked with colorful posters, prints, fliers, and post cards of various bands, rappers, celebrities, music festivals, personal work, and photographs. Though they covered every wall up toward the ceiling (making the room feel even smaller), it was an impressive display of a truly great body of work.

My original design, a metaphor of "voice". Made with one continuous line starting and meeting again at the back of the head. Many thanks and eternal gratitude to Professor Kathy Reba.*

  We provided our drawings/designs to the instructor via email, which were then printed onto transparent acetate paper on-site at the studio. Our mesh screens were prepared, applied with light sensitive emulsion, the acetate paper and screens were then exposed to light, and when rinsed with water, the dense lines of our drawings washed away on the screen, which could then be exposed to ink on fabric.

The light-sensitive emulsion is pink. The black lines of my design "broke down" the emulsion (since light could not get through and harden it), and when rinsed with water, the design gradually appears. It was like MAGIC! See it?

    The screens were taped in the corners and edges with packing tape, making sure to leave a 2 inch border all around the image. This will prevent any unwanted colored ink going through the screen. We put our shirts in place and positioned to liking. At the base of the screen, a few spoon-fulls of ink were applied and dragged across the image with a squeegee and consistent pressure at a 45 degree angle (2 or 3 passes over with the ink, just to make sure the lines would be deep and bold). Hold a corner of the shirt, and lift the screen, and VOILA!! We had a Graphic Shirt!

Jennifer (Graphic Artist) and I (Manual Artist). What a great sight and feeling to have our designs printed onto clothing. Walking billboards for our work!

POLLUTED EYEBALL SCREENPRINT STUDIO

56 Bogart St., Ste 212, Brooklyn NY 11206 - 917-627-9931

www.pollutedeyeball.com

FACEBOOK 

Screenprinting and F.I.T. Design Panel

Drafting last-minute, inspired by a 2-D design from an art school sketchbook

In my make-shift studio this afternoon! I've got a 3PM deadline to submit my design to an instructor (Peter) at POLLUTED EYEBALL screenprint studio in Brooklyn. I'm taking a 3-hour 'Basic' course this Saturday, making printed Tees.

Many thanks to Living Social. I owe huge chunks of my continued education plight to their discounted NYC/Brooklyn Art classes, which are made available to the masses every now and again. Let's see how I do!

TOMORROW // 2-20-13 @ The Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC

F.I.T. Students, Designers, Costumers, Fine Artists, Magazine/Media Editors, Curious/Interested parties, feel free to share with others who might be interested in attending this Panel Discussion:

"At FIT, we believe that the experience of learning and working with people of diverse cultures, races, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds nourishes a capacity for understanding different perspectives and for interacting effectively and sensitively with people of backgrounds different than our own."  (www.fitnyc.edu/diversity)

"About-Face!": The Cruelty-Free skin care movement

    A few weeks ago, to express the true depth of my care for animals and the environment, I made the decision to switch up my skin care regiment after going back and forth in my head about trying "cruelty-free" brands, and whether or not I should make an exception for a product if it works well for my "exceptional" needs.. my needs being: 1) Treatment/prevention for off-and-on Acne, 2) Oil, and 3) Sensitivity.

  My current track record for store-bought brands marketed towards acne-prone skin is extensive, and after many years of trials and errors with different skin care brands, I found Aveeno to be the best solution for me.

  It was great! My skin took a major transformation, over time of course, and revealed a face that was bright and clear, and even in tone and texture.. meaning no more scarring or dark spots.

  Fast Forward to 2013, I'm no super health-nut "this is good/this is bad" product pro, but I'm much more aware of what and how I eat these days, as well as the chemicals/ingredients in the products I put in my hair and on my skin. So when the day came to finally turn over the bottle of my Aveeno face wash, amongst many other ingredients there was butylene glycol, sodium benzoate, and polyethylene. According to google, those mean PETROLEUM, PRESERVATIVES, and PLASTIC. What...???

*enter Heart Break*

A combination of things held me back at first, but I've put my Aveeno bottles away in the cabinet beneath the sink.

That's where Alba Botanica comes in.. Here is what's printed on the back of the bottle:

No:
Animal Testing
Artificial Colors
Parabens
Phthalates
Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate
or Sodium Methyl Sulfate

There is also the internationally recognized "hopping bunny" logo, confirming it's Cruelty-Free certification, and the universal Recycling Symbol (the three chasing arrows), so the bottle is made from post-consumer material.

On the surface it sounds great, but whether or not it can deliver is what really matters.

For the next four weeks, I will be documenting my progress with this brand and follow-up with documentation and detailed description of it's effectiveness

DAY 1 - BEFORE Photo - Full face shot with runny make-up and general grime of the day on my skin.

DAY 1 - BEFORE Photo Eye close-up: Glittery eyeshadow and dark eyeliner/mascara.

 DAY 1 - AFTER Photo Eye close-up: With just a few drops, Alba Botanica's Even Balance Eye Make-up Remover took it all off in one smooth swoop. This product worked very well! I was rubbing deep into the crevices of my eyelids to get at that eyeliner, and while I'm sure a small amount likely seeped in through my eyelids, there was absolutely NO EYE IRRITATION. I am 100% a believer and promoter of this product!

DAY 1 - AFTER Photo - Full face shot. I used Alba Botanica's Acnedote Deep Pore Wash and Acnedote Deep Clean Astringent, followed by Acnedote Invisible Treatment Gel. It appears as though the weight of the world has been lifted off my face. It looks so much lighter in tone here! But in a big way, it's mainly because my skin was left much drier than I could have expected following a wash, tone, and moisturizing. Slightly irritated as well. The wash had a minty/menthol "open pore" sensation which was nice, but following with the astringent was agonizing! Yeowch!! The gel to cover my face with added to the burning. Very uncomfortable. This was the skin sensitivity issue I was afraid of.

DAY 1 - AFTER Photo - Right side view of my acne affliction (consistently the more 'complicated' side of the two).

DAY 1 - AFTER Photo - Left side view of my acne affliction.

DAY 2 - Right side view with an irritated reaction to the Alba Botanica Acnedote Deep Clean Astringent and Acnedote Oil-Control Lotion. Flaky/peeling, and very, very dry.I think the amounts of Salicylic Acid in these two products are too harsh for my skin. My face looks terrible..

DAY 16 - Right side view, some good improvement from Day 1!  Blemishes and swelling are down. The dark marks are still healing but I am using Alba Botanica's "Even Tone" line with sea kelp along with the Acnedote face wash. The spots will take a while, so this is definitely a step in a better direction. I stopped using the Acne toner and lotion, actually returned them for a refund. I think I've found a good balance here.

DAY 16 - Left side view, very happy with these results thus far.

  

DAY 34 - Maybe a week or two after my Day 16 photo, I was on the internet exploring a few familiar skin care lines and was interested in a few new products to add to my regiment: Yes to Grapefruit Daily Facial Scrub and The Body Shop's Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask (once/week). The Grapefruit advertises correction and repair to skin that's prone to hyper-pigmentation (dark marks/scarring post-sebum extraction a.k.a popping zits), and I must say - very gentle, light citrus scent, and super smooth. The clay mask is great, and literally the weight of the WORLD is lifted off my face. Extracts oil, impurities, and dirt with positive/negatively charged ions deep into your pores. Super impressive.. I love it.

DAY 34 - Left side view, feeling like I'm 75% there to total clarity. There were a few small tough-guy blemishes that broke through between DAY 16 and here, but everything is evening out pretty well and the dark spots have been fading more and more.

DAY 34 - Right side view, I am beyond THRILLED with the improvement on my "problem side". It hasn't been blemish-free since DAY 16, but the recovery rate from outbreak to its healing period is much quicker. As with the left side, this side is seeing some great fading with those dark spots.

  Looking at myself from Day 1 to Day 34, there are some incredible strides and such a difference I have made (thus far) in my Cruelty-free skin care movement. It's also wonderful to know that the changes I've made for my skin are helping me make a change in the way I see the benefits of using products that have a lesser impact on the environment and base their campaign on refusing harsh chemicals and encouraging natural-based ingredients. Even better -- this is all AFFORDABLE and accessible online, or at your local drugstore and chain stores like Wal-mart and Target!

Below is a listing of my full skin care regiment in a week:

MORNINGS:
Alba Botanica Natural Acnedote Face & Body Scrub
Alba Botanica Natural Even Advanced Sea Algae Enzyme Scrub
Yes to Grapefruit Correct and Repair Daily Facial Scrub
Alba Botanica Natural Hawaiian Facial Toner, Complexion Balancing Hibiscus
Yes to Tomatoes Clear Skin Daily Balancing Moisturizer

EVENINGS:
Alba Botanica Natural Acnedote Deep Pore Wash
Alba Botanica Natural Even Advanced Sea Mineral Cleansing Gel
Alba Botanica Natural Even Advanced Sea Kelp Facial Toner
Yes to Tomatoes Clear Skin Daily Balancing Moisturizer

-- or --
Yes to Cucumber Soothing Facial Towelette (if I'm feeling lazy...)

ONCE/WEEK TREATMENT:
Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask by The Body Shop
or
Alba Botanica Papaya Enzyme Facial Mask
Vitamin C Microdermabrasion by The Body Shop
Alba Botanica Natural Acnedote Invisible Treatment Gel (for on the spot blemish treatment, as needed)


  I will continue on my journey, and would welcome any of you readers to ask questions or offer any comments in regards to what you've read here, or perhaps what you would like to know outside of here!

  Suffer from any similar symptoms? Have any tips? Like to mention some products you use yourself? PLEASE SHARE!

Thank you for reading**

WELCOME to my blog!

This is I. Thanks for visiting!

WELCOME to the new and improved blog of Tamara Monique.

HAPPY 2013! There are new ideas, projects, events, and relevant conversation to share this time around.

Art. Cuisine. Personal Health. Travel. Dilemmas. Photography. Questions. Mentionable People. *Our Communication*. New York Life.

This is where the lot will be shared.

Upcoming Topics:
+ The transition into cruelty-free cosmetics and personal care products. The "What", and why. +
+ Drypoint & Etching progress. This is my second print-making course, six years post-Graduation.+
+ "Poll for the People"! - topic TBD ---> Your participation would be encouraged!+

'Life' is interesting, and I like to talk about it!

For longtime and new readers/followers on Facebook ---> PLEASE SUBSCRIBE!!

Thank you for the support... and Happy Reading everyone :)


Tamara