Crochet Braids: Protective Style Winter

What is up everyone.

So this year I have been on a mission to take really good care of my curls. I quickly found that protecting my hair front he elements is just as important as a good deep conditioner, de-tangling, or wrapping it up at night.

So last month I put the curls to bed for the winter and got some crochet braids done. I was kinda in two minds about it all because it's the first time I have tried this style, especially because it's so curly. But, I went to Revelation in Ipswich, sat in the hair throne and watched the magic happen! I instantly fell in love!

I mean look at this hair. How could I not love it!!

Now it's been 6 weeks and I thought I would share with you how I take care of them. I have to say I would be able to keep them in for far longer, if it wasn't for these damn edges and roots. They are looking real ratchet!

week 3 of the Crochet. My hair grows so quickly!

So here is how I take care of these bad boys!

From day 1 I have been very careful with how I wrap my hair at night. It makes the difference between on fleck to oh hell 2 day naw.

I done some serious YouTube researching and found Taste Pink she is a crochet braid Guru and I couldn't have a clue without her videos!!

I literally follow her steps other than adding a few additions to tailor to my own hair needs.

Yes I know I look like 'Hi Felicia' but hey means to and end!

So I like to treat my weave, even when it's synthetic hair like it is just my natural hair. To adapt her method I alternate leave in conditioner and smoothing serum. I suggest just using you favourite. So I use either Keracare leave in or Cantu Shea Butter leave in. For a smoothing serum, I like Argan oil based one and just go with whatever I am using at the time. I like to change it up a bit.

I only use these products a few times a week and never at the same time. It is just took much product for this hair. I simply smooth a tiny amount to the hair when I have de-tangled and then twist it up. It's as simple as that really.

I have to wash the scalp as it will just smell from working out, so fortnightly I use a small amount of shampoo in a spray bottle mixed with water. I section and twist the braids, get in the shower and spray the scalp, massage and rinse. Try not to use water which is too hot and keep getting the braids wet to a minimum. Then I go in with essential oils to sooth the scalp.

I use oils to stop any itching and love Argan or coconut oil.

I can't stress enough how important it is to have a good night time routine. Its definitely why mine have last so long without getting matted.

I love this style. It's so versatile. I can have it in so many styles and I just can't get enough of it!

swept to one side

low bun with swept fringe

side ponytail for a easy breasy look

But alas I can not have these forever and want to change it up a bit. I just don't know how.

SO I am coming to you. Comment on tho post whether I should go for tree braids with human hair or a lace front wig. Whichever has more, will be the one I go with! In a few weeks I will let you know what I went with.

Until next time!!

MOTN - Oktoberfest Make Up Of The Night

Well sorry it has been a minute since I have posted anything, but I have taken a little time off from my busy schedule to just let loose.

I went to the big city of Liverpool to see one of my dearest friends and we headed over to Oktoberfest to have a little 'Woohoo' moment.

Of course I wanted to use this time to experiment with make up. I bought a new product to try out and could wait to do it.

Me and my gorgeous friend at Oktoberfest PAARRTTYY!

So here is my make up of the night and an impromptu review of my new foundation!!

First you always have to prime the face!

Now I have a pretty oily T zone so I like to rub on a little Dr Feelgood from Benefit to get me started.

My Oily GP

 I love it because it instantly mattes my face, where I normally look an oily mess!

I then hit my T zone with some Maybelline baby skin pore eraser.

Bring on the baby smooth skin!! 

On the rest of my face I use a cheap but very effective George generic face primer. I rub it gently in my face until it is slightly tacky, this way the makeup never budges!!

I prime my eyes with George eye primer, then on to the colour correction. 

I like to use a mixture of LA girl orange corrector and the lightest foundation shade of this palette to make a perfect coral. This works wonders for my dark circles and dark pigment around my mouth. (Let me know if you want more info on colour correction!)

Now for my brows!! I like to keep it simple and cost effective, so I use a mixture of Collection brow powder and Maybelline brow drama to snatch those brows!! They're a perfect combination!!

On to the Eyes!

For Oktoberfest I wanted to keep my eyes simple, but popping and have the focus on my lips. So I decided to use my Maybelline Nude palette. I used the Dark brown to smoke out and the golden tones to highlight. For the Inner her ducts, I used the champagne colour, as it gives me a great awakened look. A bit of Kohl on the outer half of my waterline and outer half tight lining. I then snatch the lashes with my Maybelline Falsies Lashes. I decided not to use false ones as I wanted to look a little more natural. This is a great way to have snatch lashes when looking natural!

 

Now for the rest of the face. I decided to try out this as I saw a boat load of YouTube videos which raved about them. I can see why. It kept my face good and matte and stayed where it was all night. I love this stuff. It's affordable and good for a full coverage effect!!




I concealed and highlighted with a mixture of La girl toffee concealer and Avon Illuminating pen. Such a good pair and gives me a radiant glow.

To set I use Ben Nye Banana Powder for the highlighted sections, baking the under eye (can't have the shizz creased!!) and L'oreal for all over

Before hitting those lips, I have to get some warmth and colour to my face, so I use Sunkissed for this. I use sun kissed dark bronzer and use the 3 method. I use it to contour a little too, but not a great deal. Then I use the blush in the travel kit as it's a gorgeous deep colour. Perfect for my skin tone. 

Then this bad boy for my highlight. All I can say it wow. SOOOOOOO cheap but the pop on my face makes me go 'OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH YASSSSSSSS!!!' It looks white, but on the face it's a boss gold colour and hell yes! On the cheek bones, tip on the nose, Cupid's bow and brow bone you find the glow from within!

 Now as I said I wanted the lips to be popping, so I used a black and a purple liner and Rimmel dark red lipstick and I Ombre that ish! I just used generic liners, but the Rimmel lipstick it to die for. I have to be careful with the size of my lips so the dark the lip, the better!

If I say so myself, I looked pretty dang cute! If you want a full tutorial, let me know and I will post a video on youtube!

Stay boss peeps and slay!!!

Hit and Miss Life of Ebay Shopping

This is a little bit of an impromptu post, but I feel a little rant coming on.

This weekend I am heading over to Liverpool to visit some friends and partake in a bit of Oktoberfest. We all know how cold it can get up North, so u thought I would do the sensible thing and buy a hat. Only I wanted a cool hat, one that will bring my outfit from OK to SLAY!!!!

So me being the bargain queen I am (and a little Lazy), I went over to E of the Bay and bought a nice wool blend one, which in the pictures looked edgy, on point and well on fleek!

Then it came yesterday!

It was folded in half, flat as a pancake, with a creased up brim. Me being the glass half full person I am, thought it may straighten out and look good when I put it on. HAHAHAHA yeah right!

The creases in the brim made it look like a farmers hat. There turns out to be not even a tiny bit of wool for there to be a blend and it kept popping off my head because the folds can not be put right.

I m normally pretty lucky when I buy from EBay. I buy unique shoes, clothes and also makeup items on it. There are times when it can go horribly wrong.

I normally have problems when I buy anything from China, Hong Kong and Japan as there plus sizes are just not plus size. When I buy front the U.K and the U.S I don't have issues.

This hat was from the UK so I thought it would be safe. Yeah, this is what hindsight told me!

Now I am without the Panama style hat, my outfit will be all off and just like everyone else and well I'm P.Od!

Moral of the story, if you have a specific outfit in your mind and you need one thing to tie it all together, just go to the high street and don't be lazy!!

You live and you learn!

Keep an eye for my next posts all about my Oktoberfest outfit and snatched face!!

Bow Chic Bargain - Jumpsuit/ Waistcoat Combo

I am a sucker for Facebook competitions. Ones you tag friends in, share and like, pretty much anything really. I just love swag! Well think of my joy when I found one which included plus size fashionistas. I thank you!!

This one featured a stunning jumpsuit, waterfall waistcoat combo. I pretty much felt love at first sight! I need this outfit in my wardrobe and my life! Needless to say lady luck was not shining on my behind. To hell with it, I'll just buy it!

How could I not buy this outfit, I mean look at it!

I love the drape, harem effect of the jumpsuit. The very top hugs you chest area nicely and features spaghetti straps. It makes it so easy to put on and take off. From the chest down it drapes perfectly, into a baggy leg effect. 

I love the fact that it is a cross between a jump and playsuit. It makes it perfect for those summer days. 

The waterfall waistcoat is my favourite out of the two. I love the fact that I can dress it down with a pair of leggings or jeans and and a simple top or dress it up with some stroppy sandals and an LBD. I have to say, it dresses up this jumpsuit beautifully. 

Feeling myself, but can you blame me????

I like the look of it open and just draping the shoulders, but with a skinny belt, it can be close and provide a nice conservative look. 

The jumpsuit and waistcoat comes in a range of colours, but I like to keep it simple. Let's face it navy is my colour. I love the way it compliments my skin tone and it the white waistcoat I can give it a little twist, without overshadowing the jumpsuit. 

How much for this combo you ask? I paid just 25 English pounds! it has a small delivery charge depending on where you live, but it's well worth it!

Like what you see??? check out their Facebook page, where you will find a boat load of gorgeous clothes. 

This waistcoat though!

I love the unusual look. I hate looking like everyone else. I have found one of my havens!!  

Model Behaviour - Suffolk Fashion Week 2015

This week has certainly been epic, mind you I can safely say this year has been epic! This week I have mostly been realising a life long deem of walking a catwalk.

Thursday evening saw over 100 people descend on Inspire Suffolk for the annual Suffolk Fashion Week, only this time I was included as one of the models! I was lucky enough to walk for the love Liz Smith and Apples and Pears Boutique. An even better silver lining was that I also got to reunite with some stunning Miss British Beauty Curve Alumni.

Rehearsal Time! left to right Cara, Natasha, Pam (organiser), Clare, Me, Emily an Nikki

Prior to the big night there were 3 rehearsals. The whole thing was choreographed by the very talented 'Just Day Dance' and wow he did an amazing job. It was no standard up and down catwalk, oh no, there were turns, steps crosses, all sorts.

Other designers included Coes of Ipswich, Fanny and Frank, Estelle Ruth, Co-op glasses just to name a few, but there were at least twenty.

Plus size squad in the changing room

The only line flying the Plus size flag was Apples and Pears, although some of the other retailers have plus sizes.

I had the honour of sharing the stage with Miss British Beauty Curve 2014 and Miss Supranational East Anglia Emily Blake (get on their Facebook page and vote for her!!), Miss Teen Suffolk Emma Colleridge (again show your support for this girly) and Miss Great Britain United Nations Natalie Moloney (check her Facebook page and vote for people choice!). I learnt a heck of a lot from them and so grateful for that!

This girl is too funny!

Super Models!! Natalie and Clare

This was my very first time modelling and even though I'm a pretty confident person, I felt the pressure.  I have to admit I always felt a type of way about the modelling industry, and always thought I would fit in as it seemed quite intense. I thought I would handle the judgement, cattiness, general not niceness. Well shame on me! Never judge a book by what you've seen on TV. I couldn't be more wrong.
I have never met such nice, funny, inviting people. I have never belly laughed, cried with laughter or felt so confident because of everyone! It was the most relaxed place, with no judgement and a whole lot of fun and foolishness.

Before Make up with Confidence an Natalie. After the makeup from stunning and talented Hayley Sparkes

The big day started with a pretty early rehearsal, to make sure we all knew what we were doing. Then it was time to glam up, with hair and make up. I'm currently rocking some fierce crochet braids so I thought it best to just do my own. But my makeup was done my the lovely Hayley Sparkes, well known for her appearances on 'This Morning' and 'QVC'/ I love this girl. I went from 'Oh hell no' to 'Yasssssssss Slay' all from her magic fingers!!

Beautiful Natalie getting her makeup did by Hayley

Then it was time for the clothes, and man the clothes!! Everyone was on fleek! All of a sudden it was a real show! the changing room was insanely busy, but we all clubbed together to make sure everyone looked great and and were out on queue. Here ate a few pics from the night, courtesy of Heffs Photography and Malcolm Green

Who said big girls can't strut! Especially when wearing fierce clothing!

Time to Slay! Yasssssss love this dress and the colour!

Chris Slaying like a boss Yasssssssss

The very Dapper Jerome and Jordan… men in suits, that's all I have to say!

The Stunning Emily in Apples and Pears

Hand me my shades! Amy and Jess are just Stunners!

I love this dress and Nikki works it like a boss!

This pretty dress on a very pretty Cara

If you like what you see why not take a look at Apples and Pears website.

Photo credit and thanks go to Heffs Photography  (click his name and check out the website!) and Malcolm Green (07776417579) these stunning pics.

Most of all thanks to Pam Davis, Liz Smith and all the models who made me have the best time ever! I truly felt like part of the team xxx

What a night!

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