Summer giveaway on Fashionista Next Door!

I never win anything but I've been following Fashionista Next Door for awhile now & I couldn't resist entering the giveaway because, well shucks, the prizes are awesome! Now, I'm sharing with y'all lovely readers so you can get a chance at the yumminess (while decreasing my odds lol...see how much I love y'all?)....so go over there, follow (you won't regret it, even if you don't win), and leave a comment with your 3 summer must haves to enter. If you'd like a bonus entry, blog about her giveaway also! GOOD LUCK to us all :)

---> GIVEAWAY HERE <---

Here's the list of goodies for the lucky winner (pics on blog):

1. H&M Aviator Sunglasses
2. My FAVORITE H&M Bangles (Yes, this is THEE bangle that I wear every single day, except you get one in gold, too!)
3. H&M Silver Hoop Earrings (have you noticed I wear hoops almost daily?)
4. Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara in "Very Black" (Don't wear much makeup but I wear mascara every day!)
5. MAC To The Beach Collection Lipglass in "Splashing" (I was originally going to get 'Pinkarat' Lustreglass, which is actually my every day color, but I figured I'd get something from the To the Beach collection instead because it's limited in availability. I did try the color on in the store and it is FABULOUS and very natural looking which is right up my alley!)
6. OPI Nail Lacquer in "Gargantuan Green Grape" and "Samoan Sand" (I am officially in love with my lime sherbet toes! I could not find the exact color anywhere, but I did find this OPI polish that is very similar! I also got a nude shade because I never, ever do color on my hands regardless of what I've got going on the feet. I always stick to nudes and buffs on the finger nails)

Air dry

Co- wash with Mane n' Tail conditioner, condition with Aphogee 2 minute reconstructor, then air dried. I was too hot to roller set or sit under dryer. I'll go to the hair salon this weekend and get a blow out for the holiday weekend. I'm 4 weeks post relaxer.

Okay, guys, can't a lady get henna in peace?? No one wants me to get henna. Why are you doing henna? Your hair looks fine without it. Sigh. So now idk. Maybe I'll go purchase cellophanes and do that instead...I guess I'm not as sure as I thought I was...

I promise this isn't a rash decision

I have wanted to do this for awhile and I've been afraid but I don't think I should be.

Henna.

I remember my 2009 traumatic experience but I really think it was 2 things that caused the bad experience the 2nd time: the product {I used henna someone gave me instead of the one I purchased at the store} & going under the dryer {I should have just walked around for a few hours like I did the time before}. Also, remember the first experience was positive...

I'm gonna do it. If it goes all south and I have to cut my hair, there's a 75% chance I'll be texlaxing.

Fingers crossed.

& OMG, am I almost at 60 followers? I'm going to think of my favorite product and do a give away as soon as it hits 60...you all rock. HARD.

Diva Smooth Update & random pics

So I wrote to the folks at Diva Smooth (Janelle Beauty) for an exact listing of the ingredients versus the page of ingredients in the line...I wanted to know what was in the DIVA SMOOTH itself. Here's the response:

You can check out the ingredient page to ensure there is nothing in any of our hair care products that you might be allergic to. There are no chemicals in any of our products, therefore, there is nothing to change your virgin hair into chemically processed hair. Your hair will remain virgin hair, but you will now have the flexibility to wear straight styles whenever you desire.

So Idk what exactly is in the smooth product. The end until someone (outside of the vendor) reviews this for me.

Here's my attempt at claw clipping versus bunning. I am attempting to minimize the stress on my hair. This should be possible at least 5 weeks out of my 12 weeks stretch and on the days after wash day or even wash day itself.

Prods for last wash: lustrasilk, honey, proclaim 7 oil mix for dry DC, mane n tail for cowash, HE LTR and JC solutions for leave in

Let's learn together: DIVA SMOOTH

I was randomly reading the news today and saw an ad about a product called Diva Smooth that claims to be non-chemical natural alternative to a relaxer. All the info below was taken directly from the website (image as well). I have no idea what I think about this product because this is 100% new information for me. First, I thought it was like the Brazilian keratin application but after reading the info on the site, I don't think so. I can't seem to find a list of ingredients (e-mailed them for one) so I really have no idea what to think. I'm just informing my readers about this new product and hopefully one of you can help us all out if you know anything more.

Here is some basic info from their website. There is lots more on the site (link below) including customer reviews and photos of women who use the product:
"Janelle Beauty's Diva Smooth is extremely easy to apply and can be applied by yourself or a Salon professional - Anyone can do it!l. You simply apply the Diva Smooth, let it sit. Shampoo, Rinse, Condition, Blow Dry. Flat iron for that straight look. Beautiful, healthy chemical free hair!"

Here's some information from the FAQS

Q. My hair has no chemicals..it is completely natural...can I use Diva Smooth?
A. YES! Diva Smooth is a Hair smoothing agent..it is not a relaxer..it will NOT chemically alter your hair. However, after applying DIVA SMooth and using a flat iron...your hair will be lustrously smooth and straight.

Q. Why can't I just use a flat-iron to get my hair straight?
A. You can. But with Diva Smooth it is not only straight it is AMAZINGLY smooth and hair damage is significantly reduced! After repeated use...your hair will GLOW!

Q. My Hair is relaxed and I have no intention of stopping the use of relaxer in my hair...is Diva Smooth for me?
A. YES! Diva Smooth does not chemically alter your hair and can be used on relaxed hair if you want that add that layer of smooth and shine that is unique to Diva Smooth.

Q. My hair is relaxed and my roots are growing out...can I use Diva Smooth as I transition to natural hair?
A. YES! There will be no difference between your roots and your relaxed hair as you use Diva Smooth to tranistion out of the use of harsh chemicals!

FOR MORE INFO CLICK HERE

Wash day pictorial

My gym regimen

You'll remember I complained that since I sweat in my hair, going to the gym is a hair challenge (soaked hair by the time I'm done). I needed some regimen to stick to where the gym was concerned.

First I considered & even tried the midweek cowash but it didn't last long, I think I did it twice. I just don't have the energy, time, or motivation; I can't believe I used to be midweek co-washing queen. Besides I go to the gym 3 or 4 times per week Mon-Thurs, so when would my midweek cowash be? Thurs when I'm done with the gym? That makes no sense because I do my weekly wash Fri eve/Sat morn. I was doing the midweek wash on Tues but that didn't last and by Wed/Thurs it was sweaty again.

Since I haven't been cowashing midweek, I had to do something to my hair after the gym. I decided to fall back on something at least one reader mentioned (or maybe I did, I can't remember). Anyhoo, post gym I moisturize with my HE LTR leave-in conditioner instead of my Wave Nouv. and then seal with my grape seed oil (or Proclaim 7). The following morning I go back to my Wave Nouv./grape seed or P7 m&s.

Here's my hair after gym - soaking wet with leave-in & sealant added

Next day for work - m&s and back in protective styling

Oh, I discovered my browser is preventing my photos from being clickable. There was a time I could click on them and they'd expand. Now they won't. I've been using Google Chrome recently. I don't have an alternative on this computer but when I'm on my other, I'll use Firefox.