Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Great Oils for Natural Hair

I'm back!
You know when you just have a flow of inspiration and you just have to let it out. That's me right now! I don't know if it's this pandora station or the fact that I slept all day, but I just felt like blogging my heart out tonight! OK, so I'm a lazy natural. That being said, each morning and night I make sure I spray my hair with water and seal with oil or a light leave in. I just have to. It's too cold and my scalp is too dry for me to forget to do this. I also don't overwash, but that's another blogpost! Here's a list of some bomb-ass oils and their benefits.




Image result for coconut oil
Coconut Oil:
Now, Y'all know I had to talk about this because CLEARLY everyone is losing their minds over this oil, right now. You can use coconut oil all over your body AND to cook. This oil contains Vitamin E and reduces frizz and damage while still leaving a shine. This oil can also penetrate the hair strands but I still use it with water, just in case! I always have coconut oil on deck. 



Olive Oil:
Now this oil, right here is the shit and urine!! One of my favorite oils and I absolutely love how it made my hair feel and smell. It's great for frizz and a dry scalp which I used it for. I also helps with split ends.



Castor Oil:
You may also know this as Jamaican Black Castor Oil. This oil will replenish those edges and have you acting some type of way. On a serious note, castor oil improves circulation in your scalp to grow new hair and can be used to seal your ends to prevent breakage and split ends.







Almond Oil:
This is great for sealing and protecting you ends!



Image result for grapeseed oil



Grapeseed Oil:
Better seal those ends, againnnn! This can also help a dry scalp.

Image result for jojoba oil


Jojoba Oil: 
This can be use all throughout the hair to seal in moisture and help grow more hair. Works great as a pre-poo and can help control dandruff.


Image result for argan oil

Argan Oil: 
Helps reduce frizz and split ends. This is also a great Heat-protectant! This oil is great for shine and is one of the most moisturizing oils out there! 

I hope you guys try one or more of these oils if you haven't already. If you have, what are your favorite oils??
Until Next time!
XO, 9jaknots

Fingercombing

Alright, y'all let's get down to the nitty gritty shall we?
It should be self explanatory but Fingercombing is combing with your fingers.
Basically you just gently run your fingers through your hair and find knots as you go through. I used to do this a lot but now that I'm loc-ing my hair I obviously do not fingercomb anymore, that would be very counterproductive wouldn't it? Anyway this is a great way to prevent breakage and learn more about the type of hair you have. If you don't fingercomb make sure you are using a denman brush or a wide-tooth comb of some sort. Once I finally bought a quality wide tooth comb, my life was forever changed. Lastly, y'all, NEVER, ever comb on DRY HAIR!! May your edges flourish this new year!

Pros:
promotes patience- You're gonna need that with natural hair
It's absolutely free- Who doesn't love free shit?
Helps move product throughout your hair
Very Easy
Can be done while dancing to your favorite tunes- I've personally tried that
Helps promote growth if done correctly

Cons:
VERY time consuming-Better get a comfy chair
Not a thorough method just supplemental-I had to go back in with my wide tooth comb




Low Porosity Hair

Hey Dolls!
I have been managing my low porosity hair for 8 years now and it has not been easy, but I find the more I learn about my hair the easier my natural hair journey has been. I hope this post will help you guys, getcho life and replenish your edges by 10 fold!!

What is Low Porosity?
Low porosity hair is basically hair that has a tight cuticle layer that makes it hard to retain water. This type of hair can be quite coarse and dry because of this.


How can I test my porosity?
Just get a strand of your hair and a glass of water. If your hair floats-You have low porosity. If it stays in the middle of the glass you have medium/normal porosity. If it completely sinks, then you have high porosity-which means you probably have overly damaged hair. High porosity hair has too many spaces which also does not allow it to fully retain moisture.
Now back to that Low porosity..

What Low Porosity Hair Loves:
*For Daily Hair Care: light-weight conditioners are the bomb. If you get something too heavy, chances are it's just sitting on top of your hair and not really doing anything! This is where build-up starts. Now, I love me some Shea Butter but, it tends to do this a whole lot. Those more heavy creams are best used less frequently and to seal in moisture.
*For Deep Conditioning: Moderate Heat with a conditioner is what you need to open up your cuticles! I used to wear a baggy on my head for about an hour to make sure it really penetrated my strands. You can also put your conditioner bottle in lukewarm water prior to applying it to your hair.
You also want to make sure you are really clarifying your scalp if you use a lot of different products.
That build-up is not cute, boo!
*3 key ingredients we need to look out for:
Silk Protein, Wheat Protein and Hydrolyzed Protein-These are the proteins Low porosity loves!
Warm water should actually be your last rinse when washing to open up your cuticles and allow the products to penetrate.
Acidic products, like Apple Cider Vinegar are great.
Steam is a great way to seal in moisture as well!


What Low Porosity Hates:
*The overuse of Heat
That means you, Flat-iron fanatics

*Basic (ph) products
Don't be a basic bitch

*Dehydration
Please don't shampoo everyday!! 

*Being overwhelmed by products
I knew being a lazy natural would pay off!

I hope this answered your questions. If you would like to know more, feel free to comment below. Also, have you found any of those proteins in a product in your house? I would love to know which products!
XO, 9jaknots






2015: WTF am I doing with my life?

Hey!
2015 has been a roller coaster of crazy and it's hard to believe that it's almost over. My blog has always been a place of openness and honesty. It's also a place free of judgment. I would like to be free to say whatever is on my mind. Here's what I've learned this year.

1. Sometimes life is more gray than Black and White
What I mean by this is that, We like to separate right and wrong without realizing none of us are living completely like Christ. We are not on either side of the spectrum, in one way or the other we are in the middle, Gray. I have always felt this way though. I know I was talking about Celibacy just a couple months ago. This is not hypocritical, this is uncut and honest. Hypocritical would be writing about the good but hiding the ugly. I'm not that kind of Christian. Never have been and never will be. HONESTLY, I have ping ponged about this idea. I would like to wait until marriage but you can never be sure. I love myself and want to fulfill all that God has for me. Can we ever be sure of the future? No, absolutely not. Throughout this year I have faced scrutiny and support, and looking at the people who are getting married-I'm like is there even hope? Is there even room for a girl like me? I hope so. I ultimately want a partner, a best friend and I just battle with this idea of whether I even still want to date or just be friends with a guy. I actually don't think a man and woman can be completely friendly, unless one of them is gay. Feel free to disagree. I think that there will always be some sort of sexual tension either between the two or it might be one sided. This year, despite being an over-planning and anxious mess, I have learned there are some things you cannot plan. Be that, career oppurtunities, love or other life experiences. Yes, I am interested in someone. Yes, we shared an intimate moment.  I still hold my beliefs but I have been shown time and time again that some things aren't black and white. I don't know when I'll meet my husband but I do hope I'm mature and ready. Celibacy is important and guarding your heart is also nice. Feelings develop and I just hope I share that experience with someone I truly love. I do not want to regret anything. I will try to live my life as moral as I can. I'll leave it at that.


2. Anxiety is Real
I've never shared this on the blog but, after my Mom passed I changed. It was like there was a shift within me that hardened my heart. I honestly stopped caring about a lot of things-which was bad because I had finals the next week. I stopped caring about myself. I actually wanted to die. Life did not have a meaning. That grief carried on into anxiety. I has been 4 years. Earlier this year, I moved into my first apartment and I started really experiencing anxiety. There is something that happens when you and your nightmare are face to face. For me, that was being alone. I was alone for months and months in a room that seemed like a box. Even a couple of months ago, I felt like I wanted to jump out of my skin. I asked for healing and talked to God. I asked for patience and wisdom. I took up things to help me stay busy. I took walks even when I didn't need anything. I left my house and went to different events. This goes back to the over planning thing. I needed to stop doing that. When things don't go my way, I worry. I need to also stop doing that. I also got a coloring book. That helps. I haven't felt that level of anxiety in a while and I am so happy. I am so blessed and I need to focus on each wonderful moment that I share with those closest to me!

3. I am Sexy AF
Not to toot my own horn, but I am so beautiful and I don't know why it took me so long to realize that. I have never felt so much self confidence in my life. I love my hair, I love my features and my mannerisms. I don't care what anyone might think about me as long as I believe I'm beautiful. This was definitely a year of magnificent growth for me.


4. Just Let it be
Towards the end of this year I cut some people out of my life but I also just like things naturally happen. I am not forcing relationships, jobs, hairstyles or lifestyles anymore. I am not fighting over anything with anyone. It's all no stress and I like it like that. I people don't want me in their life, they can leave. Why give myself unnecessary stress? Who wants an early grave? Not me. Sometimes, I have to remind myself to just BREATHE. Take it easy. One step at a time.

Happy Holidays!
XO, 9jaknots







#25daysoflippies Roll Call

Hey Peeps! #25daysoflippies is a tag that I created on instagram that basically compiles all the lippies that I wore in the first 25 days of Christmas. This was very challenging because I did have to wear more makeup than I have worn this whole year but it was pretty darn fun as well! I am thinking of just doing a 12 days of christmas next year though. 
X 9jaknots

                 Day 1: Colourpop Ultra Matte Lipstick in Guess
                 Eggplant Purple
This is a wonderful and rare color but girrrrrl it does apply patchy and you will need multiple coats. Also as you can see it does settle into your fine lines. Other than that it lasts you all day.




             Day 2: Colourpop Ultra Matte Lipstick in Limbo
             Chocolate Brown
The most comfortable color that I have tried from Colourpop. I did not even feel like I was wearing lipstick and it lasted me all day-SAY WHAT!?





            Day 3: Colourpop Ultra Matte Lipstick in Jellies
            Cobalt Blue
What can I say? This is an extremely daring color that I knew I wanted the first time I saw it on Youtube. It is a bit patchy but also somewhat buildable.



                Day 4: Colourpop Ultra Matte Lipstick in Dr. M
                Forest Green
I never actually thought that I would be wearing green lipstick as a Woman of Color, there are specific rules on what we can and cannot wear but oh well. I do like neat lines so I lined it with black liner to tone it down. 


    
                Day 5: Ruby Kisses Matte lipstick in Purple Affair
                Barney Purple
Always get compliments on it and this one of my few matte purples. 
               



           Day 6: Colourpop Ultra Matte Lipstick in Drive in
           Muted Magenta
The colourpop website describes the color that way but it honestly comes off brighter on me. Almost hot pink but still wearable. It does settle in your lines a bit but is pretty comfortable. Don't worry guys, no more colourpop talk for a while. 





                    Day 7: Lagirl Matte Flat Velvet Lipstick in Blue Velvet
                    Navy Blue
Very pretty matte color that does transfer a little bit.



                       Day 8: Wet n Wild mochalicious + NYX buttergloss in Tiramisu




Day 9: Ulta dual eyeliner in brown + Avon everlasting petal  lipgloss + NYX buttergloss in Tiramisu
This is more like my lips but better. I wanted to experiment with different nude combinations.








Day 10: Lagirl Matte Flat Velvet in Spicy + NYX cosmetics buttergloss in Tiramisu
I really wanted to play around with tiramisu because it's too light for me on it's own and Spicy is a nice chocolate brown.



         

Day 11: Nicka K Berry Plum lipstick
Red-Orange
Cream finish but a nice quality lipstick
   

             

           Day 12: Ulta eyeliner+NYX Cosmetics soft matte lip cream in Monte Carlo 
      



                 Day 13: Wet n Wild Dollhouse Pink + NYX Sweet Pink Lipgloss



                Day 14: Wet n Wild Fergie Collection: Ferguson Crest
                Deep Burgundy




                  Day 15: Lagirl Cosmetics Matte Flat Velvet Lipstick in Spicy
                  Chocolate Brown


                Day 16: Jordana Cosmetics BFF Lipgloss
                Soft pink gloss



            Day 17: Ruby Kisses Matte lipstick in Blackism
            True Black



                  Day 18: NYX Cosmetics Intense Buttergloss in Berry Strudel
                  High-gloss Dark Lavender


                     Day 19: Revlon Lip Butter in Lollipop
                     Magenta with light sparkles



                   Day 20: Ruby Kisses Matte lipstick in Red Mangrove
                   Reddish Coral
Puh-leassse excuse my dry ass skin in the next few swatches, this is why moisturizer and foundation have been on deck through this season!!! They were honestly swatched on the same day. These dry patches are trying to shame me, chai!

   

                    Day 21: NYX Intense Buttergloss in Black Cherry Tart
                    Dark Purple



                 Day 22: Wet n Wild Cherry Bomb 
                Blue-toned Red
Can I just say WetnWild is just a great brand. I'm a simple girl who loves to save coins and they just come in clutch with all these great dupes for just $2.99




              Day 23: NYX Currant lipliner+ Maybelline Vibrant Violet Matte lipstick+ NYX buttergloss in Strawberry Parfait
Very Flattering on my skin-I really enjoy making new colors!

       

               Day 24: NYX Soft matte lip cream in Addis Ababa
               Soft Pink
It's actually more wearable than it looks. 





                   Day 25: Nicka K Lipstick in Smalt 
                   Iridescent Cobalt blue
The only difference between this and Jellies is the finish and opacity. This is one of my first lipsticks and I still gravitate towards it! Very beautiful and not too overpowering.




Monday, December 28, 2015

The Different Faces of BLOGMAS

Hey peeps!
BLOGMAS was a time of loving myself, and embracing my confidence. I wore quite a few looks and quite a few lippies as well. Here are the different faces of this great month! Hope y'all enjoy and feel free to comment what your favorite look was and what your favorite makeup brands are below!
X 9jaknots






                    DEC 1st: Vampy Vixen
          Honestly, this look came out better than I thought it would. Mama likkkkee.






            DEC 2nd: Sultry Brown Look
  Inspired by a very purty youtuber, who is also Nigerian. 
           Her handle is @thetemiotouch



       DEC 3rd: Baddie with a Blue Lip
                      Blue is literally everything right in the world. I have so much blue in my closet and I do not                             know why....






                      DEC 6th: Barbie Pink






                     DEC 9th: Holiday Glam








                  DEC 11th: Simplistic Red









         DEC 16th: Care-Free Black Girl: Is it possible to be unbothered and awkward?
                        



 DEC 17th: Kanye's Graduation Album
                              Yes it is absolutely possible to feel like an entire album-just listen to it!
 It's about feeling so unstoppable and bad-ass you can take on the world.



                            DEC 18th: Neutral






                 DEC 22nd: I Feel Pretty
            I was basically ready for my vacation at this point. I wanted a little something since I                                     would not be wearing makeup for a good minute.


Product list:
Loreal true match foundation: N8 cappuccino
Covergirl Ready, Set, Gorgeous Foundation: 320 soft sable
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind: 360 cocoa
Black Radiance bb cream: Brown sugar
NYX HD concealer: Nutmeg
Covergirl Queen Concealer
LAgirl liquid eye marker
Wetnwild Highlighter in Hollywood Boulevard
Wetnwild Blush in Berry Shimmer
NYX eyebrow mascara
ULTA Foundation
Elf primer 
Elf Setting Spray


*All lippies will be in the next post!