Happy National Natural Hair Day to all my fellow naturals, as well as transitioners and natural hair lovers out there!

I’m still rocking my protective styles (right now, microbraids). Here are a few random thoughts regarding natural hair and some advice on going natural.

BTW… Please excuse my hyper-ness.

I used to think that I had to stay in really bad, painful situations because of the love I had for the people I was involved with, be it with family or a “boyfriend”. But I had to learn that I had no business being there in the first place because love has nothing to do with pain.

We live, we learn, and — most important of all — love yourself enough to know the difference. If you are not happy where you are, do something about it to move out of the unhappy circumstance, because if you are waiting for the other person to change, it will only change who you are...

Keep it moving, learn from it and don’t make the same mistake again!

By the way,  you’d be surprised at the outcome when you make that move. You never know what God has in store for you.

Courtesy of:  T Schneill Rainey-Hall

I’m not sure whether to make fun of this video or download it to my iPod…

*Prints out lyrics and runs to grocery store*

Who says you need massive amounts of meat to build muscle? (Click to enlarge).

Don’t forget to check out Noel “Vegan” Sparatacus’s Facebook page and YouTube channel – His message is pure light.

I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport.. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged, and the mother said, ‘I love you, and I pray you enough.’

The daughter replied, ‘Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I pray you enough, too, Mom.’

They kissed, and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, ‘Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?’

Yes, I have,’ I replied. ‘Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?’

‘Well…I’m not as young as I once was, she lives so far away & has her own busy life. I have some challenges ahead, and the reality is – her next trip back will be for my funeral,’ she said.

‘When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, ‘I pray you enough.’ May I ask what that means?’

The reason so many people are against skin bleaching. In addition to it being harsh on your skin and perhaps a sign of “self hate” to others, it can also look unnatural. My advice?  Use at your own risk.

Truth.

As mentioned in a previous post, hyperpigmentation is a condition that occurs often in dark-skinned individuals. It’s defined as “unusual darkening of the skin.” Some ways to treat this condition include…

1. Chemical peels.  A chemical peel involves applying a low dose of acid (diluted with water) to the skin in order to remove the first layer or two, revealing a “fresher” layer underneath. The most recommended type of chemical peel for hyperpigmentation/dark-skinned individuals is glycolic acid in a strength ranging from 10 to 25 percent. You can purchase various acids online (salicylic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, etc.) but it is strongly recommended that you go to a dermatologist or licensed esthetician to have one done. It’s very easy to choose the wrong percentage, wrong type of peel, and/or inadvertently burn yourself at home. My favourite glycolic peel is Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel for Sensitive Skin. It contains 10% glycolic acid, which is safe/mild enough for at-home use. It’s gentle yet effective.

2. Sunbathing. If you aren’t self-conscious or have access to a private area outdoors, a quick trick involves applying zinc oxide or a high SPF sunscreen (at least 30+) to your dark spots and sitting out in the sun for at least 20 minutes. The exposed area of your face will tan, the dark spots will not, making them less noticeable.

3. Skin brightening moisturizers. I love moisturizers that help brighten your skin tone and fade dark marks. It usually takes a while to see significant results (at least 6 weeks) but the ones I’ve tried do work. They include: Dove Energy Glow, Alba Botanica Hawaiian Aloe & Green Tea (not even marketed as skin brightening), and Neutrogena Visibly Even (hard to find in Canada, but my favourite).

4. Microdermabrasion. Microdermabrasion usually isn’t recommended for darker skin, but we are not all the same complexion and we all respond to things differently. Microdermabrasion is a cosmetic technique that uses a mechanical medium for exfoliation to remove the outermost layer of dead skin cells from the epidermis. The results are just as dramatic as those obtained by high-percentage chemical peels. Just make sure to go to a professional experienced in darker/ethnic skin.

5. Skin whitening creams. I may not use skin whitening creams but I have friends and family who have. I’ve seen them significantly lighten their entire face/neck area (desirable for some, undesirable for others) and end up with smooth/flawless (albeit washed out) skin.  You can purchase such creams online or at your local beauty supply store. Some of the most popular brands include Ambi, Xtreme White, Dermologica, and Fair and Flawless. Like chemical relaxers for hair, skin whitening creams are not my personal cup of tea. If you feel the need to lighten your skin, however, there are natural alternatives, stay tuned for an upcoming post!

“There are two kinds of people; those who give and those who take.”

Here, Forest Whittaker does an excellent retelling of the story of “The Scorpion and the Frog.” *chills*

Discussing soy, exercise, and what I’ve decided…