the411 on Beauty...
Here are some of my personal "tricks" for hair, skin, make-up, and weight loss. Normally I don't share my secrets, but since I love y'all so much, here goes...
HAIR (APPLYING RELAXERS)
Now, ya know you should ONLY relax your new growth, but that's quite difficult, I know. SO-- If you're giving yourself a relaxer with one of those home perms known for drying out your hair, you NEED the following:
1. That ghetto, dark brown hair gel (you know what I'm talkin' 'bout)--preferably Ampro or LeKair.
2. Porosity Control conditioner
Thoroughly saturate the hair with the gel. It will act as a filter that will keep the hair from "absorbing" too many chemicals (this is a MUST if your hair is already damaged from heat and chemicals). Carefully apply the relaxer, doing your best to stay on the new growth. I suggest very thin parts (with a rat-tail comb). Also, depending on how you normally style your hair and where your "burn-zones" are, have a system for where you apply the relaxer first. I usually wear my hair in a short bob with a part in the middle or on the sides, so I always do the back (i.e. "kitchen") and the center (where the parts would be) first. Now, once you've applied the relaxer, thoroughly cover the hair with the Porosity Control. This will help the hair maintain it's pH balance and avoid over-processing those areas where you've (accidentally) relaxed more than the new growth. You could actually comb through the hair now without severely weakening it. Porosity Control will also "loosen" the consistency of the relaxer, making it less pasty, and thus earier to rinse out.
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SKIN
Queen Helene Mint Jolep face mask is a MUST-HAVE if you suffer from oily, acne-prone skin. I suggest putting it on oily areas and letting it stay on over night to shrink pores. You could also put it on pimples to dry them out because the clay is medicated, but gentle. In the morning, use an exfoliating cocoa butter cleanser (Queen Helene has this, too) to remove the dead skin cells and smooth out the surface of the face.
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MAKE-UP
I suggest adding 1 or 2 drops of an oil-free moisturizer to your favorite foundation and mixing it together before applying. This will keep your skin soft and alleviate that "cakey" look that some make-ups give you. What's EVEN BETTER than foundation is Fashion Fair's Oil-Control Lotion. It has a light brown pigment in it that conforms to ANY black woman's skin color (light or dark). I don't like foundation, so I put a light concealer under my eyes and on dark spots (like pimple marks), then I apply the Oil Control Lotion. It gives you a smooth, matte finish because it "blocks" oil instantly. Then, I take a big blush brush and apply a few sweeps of a feathery light pressed powder. Instead of re-applying pressed powder later for oil control (which just adds build-up), I use oil-absorbing film sheets (by M.A.C.) to fight shine because it won't mess up the make-up.
For a dramatic look for the eyes, apply your eye shadow in 3 layers of colors. Apply a lighter color right under the arch of the eyebrow to accentuate the arch. By "light", I mean something a little lighter/brighter (preferably with subtle sparkles) than your natural skin color. At the crease of the eyelids (above the eyeballs), apply a darker color from corner to corner because it will really make the eyes stand out. Then, on the lid, apply a more dramatic color. Next, take a clean (make-up-free) blush brush and do a quick brush over the entire lid to blend the three colors for a gradient, transitioning effect. Follow up with a carefully applied eyeliner in a soft black or brown, and a few strokes of L'Oreal Volumizing mascara.
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WEIGHT LOSS
In the past 11 months, I have lost exactly 40 pounds! In the beginning, I tried EVERYTHING under the sun that was on the market for quick weight loss, but I realized that there is no such thing--at least not when it comes to staying healthy and keeping the weight off. HOWEVER, in addition to eating right and exercising, three things have helped me more than I can ever express!
1. Xenadrine RFA-1 diet supplements
2. Drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day
3. Chewing sugar-free gum
Xenadrine gave me the energy boost I needed to work out and eliminated my binge tendencies by suppressing my appetite. However, you should know that any supplement with ephedrine is NOT SAFE FOR EVERYONE. Do your research before taking it, and never start with the full dosages.
Drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day is like giving your body and mind a spa treatment. It addition, it curbs your appetite, which makes it easier for you to eat only when you're supposed to. Plus, you feel fuller faster, so you don't over-eat.
Sugar-free gum is great for satisfying a sweet-tooth and fighting the urge to nibble on junk foods. Plus, research shows that, by chewing gum, the average person burns at least 11 more calories per hour at rest(depending on how often you chew gum), because gum-chewing is exercise.
I have many more weight-loss tips, so if you have questions about my regimen, just let me know!
the411
WHEW!!!
And I'm Out!
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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Pi Kappa, SP97
#3 of QUINTESSENCE
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