MERRY CHRISTMAS!



To all of my wonderful followers..

I just wanted to wish you all a very, Merry Christmas and to say that I'm grateful for each and every one of you. Knowing that there are people who are interested in what I have to say makes me smile, so thank you all. I hope you all have an amazing Christmas and remember what's really important during this holiday season.

Happy Holidays!!
XO, Deanna

TWO BEAUTY WISH LIST PRODUCTS

Every year, new beauty products emerge on the shelves -- during this time of the year, special edition holiday products arrive. There are tons of new products I'd like to add to my wish list, and below, I've listed two that I believe we ALL could faithfully use.


The Clarisonic is definitely not the new kid on the block, but I still, unfortunately, do not own one, and it wasn't until a month ago that I realized I could really benefit from using it. I marched into Sephora, asked a few questions, and got a sample use of the product (on my hand, of course). My hand felt AMAZING!!!

You can find the Clarisonic at any Sephora or Ulta, and there are many different editions. This one in particular includes a pink Mia, replacement brush head, charger, 3 cleansers, mask and travel bag; it retails at $99.




When I first read about this new palette, I instantly thought of Beyonce -- this product has absolutely nothing to do with her (lol).  The packaging is so beautiful! The rose gold palette holds 3 shimmer shadows & 2 mattes, bronzer/blush & highlight, as well as mascara, eyeliner and lipgloss; it retails at $54.

XO, Deanna

CYBER MONDAY DEALS

Hola! I hope you all had an amazing and long weekend! I, unfortunately, worked all weekend long and didn't get to do any Black Friday shopping, which is fine. So, I decided that I'd Cyber Monday shop instead. It's honestly a lot easier than fighting the insane crowds. Below, I've posted some of my favorite sales that are happening today; I hope you enjoy!


ASOS: 30% off everything with code: ILOVEMONDAYS
C. Wonder: 40% off everything
Express: 50% off everything + free shipping
French Connection: 30% off full priced items with code: 30FCBF
Sole Society: 30% off everything


There are tons and tons of Cyber Monday sales happening RIGHT NOW! Some even started yesterday. Just go to your favorite shops' websites and shop 'til you drop (lol). Don't miss out!

Happy shopping!
XO, Deanna

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday spent with family and friends, filled with lots of love and amazing food. It's the perfect time to reflect and to remember what you're thankful for this year. I'd like to take a moment to say that I am incredibly grateful for each of you who reads my blog. Although this is just a hobby, I'm grateful for being able to do what I love; your support keeps me going, so thank you all :)

I love you all!
XO, Deanna

MAKE ROOM FOR WHAT FEELS RIGHT

XO, Deanna

SOMEWHERE OVER-THE-KNEE

This Fall season, boots are the trend. Although, they're the trend every Fall & Winter. From booties to over-the-knee, they will never go out of style, but they can be a bit expensive. 

Lately, I've been craving for over-the-knee boots. Sadly, I do not own a pair, but that will soon change because finally, I've found a pair that I absolutely love, and they're SUPER budget friendly! :)

These beauties can be found at Target.com on clearance for 40 dollars! Talk about a steal. Hurry & buy them before they're gone!

XO, Deanna

STAPLE ITEMS FOR YOUR CLOSET


Just a few staple pieces every girl should have in her closet. Have nothing to wear? No worries, just rely on these classics; you could never go wrong.

Thanks for stopping by!
XO, Deanna

WAYS TO GROW AND RETAIN NATURAL HAIR


Growing long, healthy hair and retaining your length are not unreachable goals. Although I'm not fully natural just yet, I have experienced many forms of damage: split ends, heat, lack of moisture, etc. Yet my hair still grows! This simple routine, after many years of trial and error, works for my hair. We all have different hair textures and types, but these tips may make your journey to long and healthier hair a little easier.

1. The "One Style Per Week" Rule
It's pretty simple. Pick one style and wear it for that week. Over-styling your hair can cause major damage, like heat & hair color, if you're not allowing time for it to relax. 

2. Time Between Washes
I generally wash my hair once a week. Now that I am transitioning, once my hair is clean, I like to use a leave-in conditioner, essential oil, and curl lotion/cream when protective styling. Throughout the week, I keep my hair hydrated with a mixture of water and leave-in conditioner. 

3. Protective Styling
Protective styling is probably what I should've been doing years ago, but honestly, I'm really just getting into it (within the last 2 years). Your protective style should last no less than 5 days. Preserve your styles by using a satin/silk bonnet/scarf when you sleep at night.

4. Balance Moisture
Depending on your hair's texture, it may require more or less moisture. When your hair's moisture is perfectly balanced, it grows easily, it's more flexible and it's stronger, which makes it less prone to breakage. Here are a few signs of what your hair may be going through when it comes to moisture:

Over-moisturized hair: product build-up
Under-moisturized hair: dry, flaky scalp, brittle hair, and damaged ends
Balanced moisture: flexible, moisture retention, and strength.

5. Control Damage
The sooner you control any damage to your hair, the quicker you'll be on the journey to healthier, growing hair.

XO, Deanna

STATEMENT NECKLACES


Hey guys!

So yesterday, I went to Walmart to pick up a few things. As I was walking, I saw these beautiful necklaces in the jewelry section. I don't know about you, but I LOVE statement necklaces. They're just too darn expensive; I don't want to dish out 50 bucks for one necklace. I don't care how pretty it is, nor do I care about the brand. Anyway, these beauties were $10 each.

TEN FREAKING DOLLARS!!!

Talk about bang for your buck (lol). I was super excited and wanted to buy them all, but I didn't (lol). A few of my favs are pictured above, but there are tons more at Walmart.com.

Happy shopping!
XO, Deanna

MUST HAVE HAIR PRODUCTS

Often times, I get tons of comments and questions about my hair. So, I've decided to share with you guys some of my favorite/staple products, but first I'm going to give you a little of my hair's background. First things first, I'm transitioning to healthier and natural hair. My last relaxer was October 2013, so I'm working with two different textures. My hair is thick (both textures) and decides when it wants to hold moisture or not. 


This stuff is amaze-balls! It's also SUPER affordable. I was a little hesitant to purchase because I read mixed reviews, and honestly, I've only been using this product for a few weeks now, but since I've began using it, detangling my hair has been so much easier. I split my hair into 4 sections, detangle each section with my fingers, then spray a little of the detangler on each section and comb through with a wide tooth comb. If you decide to go with this product, a little goes a long way (don't spray too much, or it could possibly weigh your hair down).


This wide-tooth comb is my friend. Like seriously lol. You can find a wide tooth comb anywhere (i.e: Sally Beauty, Target, Walmart) at an affordable price.


By now, you should all know that I swear by Coconut Oil. So many benefits of using this oil, not only in your hair, but also for your skin, your food, and whatever else lol. You can purchase coconut oil at your local grocery store.

XO, Deanna

SWITCH TO FALL MAKE-UP

Reasons to get excited about Fall are endless; from chunky knits to dark lipstick, transitioning our makeup bag to the next season totally boosts happiness! Read on to see my tips:
TINTED LIP BALM --> DARK LIPSTICK

Although bold lips will never get old, swap out your sheer and bright colors for the more muted and dark lipsticks when Fall comes around.

BB CREAM --> FOUNDATION

BB/CC creams are staple products during the summer. They're lightweight, hydrating, and melt-proof with SPF, but once the weather begins to cool down, we need something that covers any imperfections and dry patches. 

SHIMMERY GOLDS --> SMOKEY EYE

Throughout the summer, we're all about the golden/bronze, shimmery lids while soaking up the sun. Try mixing it up for Autumn; rich, matte eyeshadows are the go-tos in brown, cranberry, etc.

BRIGHT CORALS --> NAVY NAILS

Light pinks, corals, neon greens, and the list goes on; switch it up a bit this Fall with your navy blues, forest greens, etc. Autumn calls for gothic-tinged manicures.

XO, Deanna

SUMMER'S ENDING SOON

Which means there are TONS of "End of Summer" sales going on.
The most talked about....Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale!!!


It officially starts TODAY, so don't miss out! Get a jump start on fall fashion!!

Thanks for stopping by; happy shopping!
XO, Deanna

LIPSTICK GUIDE: A SHADE FOR EVERY OCCASION

Hey guys!

If you're like me, you love lip products (i.e.: lipstick, lipgloss, lip balm, etc.). I often times battle with what type of lip shade I should wear for a certain occasion, and I recently saw a guide on Pinterest. Normally, because of my skin complexion, I stick with the berry, red, and plum shades; every so often, I'll wear a nude or pink shade that's not too bright (I don't want my lips to look ashy lol), or I'll settle for a simple clear gloss or lip balm. I've decided to recreate this guide and share a few tips.


First dates are traditionally romantic, however, times have changed. You can never go wrong with a rose colored/romantic shade of lipstick or gloss. It's subtle, as well as flirty.


During a job interview, you want to give the best first impression. Depending on the job, your experience is only a fraction of what your potential employer is looking for; you also have to factor in appearance, personality, and a few other things. A berry shade lipstick is great; it's not too harsh and it also shows that you are feminine.


When officially meeting your boyfriend's family, you probably would want your first impression to be that you are sweet and innocent. Peachy shades of lipgloss does just that.


For a night out on the town, whether it's for drinks or a night out dancing, red lips are perfect. It makes everything (make-up and attire) pop. Because there are SO many different shades of red, make sure the shade you choose is best for your skin complexion.


If you wear make-up when you're running errands (i.e.: grocery shopping, post office runs, etc), a nice nude lip works. Honestly, when you're running errands, you're not looking to impress anyone. So, this is for those of you who like to look presentable without overdoing it.


For business meetings, wine/plum shade lipsticks are great. It shows that you are serious and not to be mistaken as lesser than.


Weddings, dinner parties, etc. are all considered special occasions. Like peachy shades, shades of pink lipstick or gloss shows that you are sweet; pink shades also shows that you are fun and girly, with a soft side. 


Always remember, for ANY shade of lip product, consider your skin complexion. Hope this helps!
*all lip products pictured are Bobbi Brown Cosmetics*

XO, Deanna

L.O.C. IT UP!

The L.O.C Method is a technique used to moisturize hair. It moisturizes your hair in literally 3 simple steps. Many women with natural hair have found great success with this method, however it's a great method for ALL hair types, especially if you're struggling with dry hair. With the right products and in the right order, you will find that this is the best way to add moisture to your hair, so let's explore how this amazing method works.

L. = Liquid

Water is moisture. Adding water as the liquid not only moisturizes, it also hydrates the hair. The issue with that is retaining the moisture from the water. That being said, this is where the other components of the L.O.C. Method come into play.

O. = Oil

Oil helps the hair hold on to the water molecules. Water and oil typically do not mix, therefore, you must use oils that penetrates the hair, otherwise, use your cream before using your oil (L.C.O. Method). Certain natural oils (Coconut, Olive, and Avocado) have the ability to penetrate the hair shaft and bind with the hair's internal protein. They also increase the hair's ability to hold on to water molecules.  

C. = Cream

It's important to use a product that has the ingredients that acts as a moisture sealant. This does not mean that the product has to be an actual cream. There are natural oils that are coating oils such as, Castor, Grapeseed, and Jojoba oils, which acts as moisture sealants. Some women, however, use their conditioners, cream, or styling products as their sealant. I personally have been using the Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter Moisturizer. The purpose of the cream component is to seal/lock in the moisture from the liquid and oil components. If you have extremely dry hair or live in harsh winter climates, I suggest using natural butters, such as Shea and Mango, as your cream component. 



I use the L.O.C. Method often, especially when I'm doing my twist outs and bantu-knot outs, but I'd like to reiterate: this method is for ALL hair types. Natural or not, healthy hair is the best hair. 

XO, Deanna

FAVORITES: MAKE-UP PRODUCTS

Make-up, make-up, make-up!

This beauty enhancer is EVERYTHING & I truly believe it's a girl's best friend (yes, even over diamonds). Often times, there are some who believe that women use make-up to cover their flaws. Well, this is true; we like to correct the imperfections (i.e: blemishes, acne, etc.). However, make-up should not be used to change the shape of your face; that's false advertisement. Make-up is a form of art and our faces are the canvases, but try not to over do it; simplicity is key (unless you're in some drastic make-up competition lol).

I believe make-up is an accessory and it completes an outfit, whether it's day or night make-up. I have a few go-to products that I CANNOT forget. They're kind of like, dare I say it, my make-up addictions.

CONCEALER

This bad boy really does the job. It conceals & brightens all at the same time. I use 3 different brands daily for different areas of my face (eyebrows, under eye, & blemishes); yes, they are in 3 different tones.

Favorite Brands:




MASCARA

Maximize and volumize your lashes; it brightens your eyes. I typically use 2 coats of mascara, any more could possible cause damage to your lashes, and believe or not, your eyelashes are extremely important.

Favorite Brands:




BB CREAM

BB Cream is perfect for those with minimum acne & blemishes. It's not heavy, unlike some foundations. I pretty much wear BB Cream daily, unless there's a special occasion.

Favorite Brands:




XO, Deanna

3 TERRIBLE HAIR MISTAKES

Ok, so I'm no "hairologist" (correct term being cosmetologist/beautician). I am, however, the average African-American girl who has made some pretty terrible mistakes when it comes to my hair. Unfortunately, we've grown up in a time where straight, long hair is considered beautiful, which is why we resort to weaves & wigs. Some of us are just now beginning to really embrace the natural textures of our hair. 

Well, I'm not here to give you a history lesson on African-American hair. I just thought I'd share 3 of my biggest hair mistakes, that I'm sure many of you have experienced, and the lessons I've learned from them.

Heat Protectant


My main mistake was not using heat protectant, and honestly, growing up, I did not know these products existed outside of a hair salon. Sad, I know.

During my high school days, and even early college years, I used so much heat on my hair. After shampooing and towel drying, I'd blow dry then flat iron, to the highest degree, with no protectant. Although I didn't wash my hair everyday (I still don't), I definitely flat ironed it everyday & sometimes twice a day, depending on the occasion. I guess I thought my hair was invincible to breakage.

Boy was I wrong! It took for my hair to dangerously break off in 2010 for me to really take notice.
Lesson Learned: ALWAYS use heat protectant when drying and/or curling your hair, but the BEST heat protectant is NO HEAT at all. :)

Regular Cuts


I'm not talking about actual hair cuts where 5-6", or more, is chopped off, but you should get a hair trim regularly.

Before my hairstylist moved to another state, she would trim my hair every 2 months, which was actually way too often. Once she moved, I was unable to find a stylist that I liked, so I, or a close friend (with a license of course), would clip my ends. Problem is, this would only happen once a year. I believe this was an added problem to my breakage.

It's debatable of how often one should get a hair trim. A known fact is that your hair grows only half of an inch (0.5") to maybe one inch (1") a month. ONE WHOLE MONTH. Some of you may take supplements or have your own regimen for faster hair growth; I don't know. I do know that your hair naturally should grow only about one inch a month.
Lesson Learned: Get hair trims regularly, but also allow hair room to grow.

*Tip: If trimming/cutting your own hair, make sure you use hair scissors. Scissors used for paper will snag your hair, causing more damage.*

Moisture, Moisture, MOISTURE!


No matter what the texture of your hair may be, you should keep it moisturized. Again, my problem with this really began once my hairstylist moved. Having to do my hair on my own, I'd skip the whole moisturizing step (being lazy). FACT: dry hair causes breakage/damage.

In the past, I never really liked oils nor did I like grease (a product often used in the Black community) because it would weigh my hair down (I like when it's bouncing & behaving lol). When shampooing, I wouldn't deep condition nor put in a leave-in conditioner; I'd just put in a rinse-out conditioner & be done.
Lesson Learned: KEEP HAIR MOISTURIZED!

*Tip: you do not have to purchase a lot of synthetic hair products to obtain moisture. Although some synthetic products may be better, natural products work just as well & can be found in your local grocery store (& no, not the hair section).*

I'm so happy to have learned from these mistakes and to be on this journey back to healthy hair. Hopefully, my experiences have helped you, and if you'd like, share some of yours in the comments below. :)

XO, Deanna

VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT GUIDE

Hi!

To be completely honest, Valentine's Day is definitely not one of my favorite holidays. Single or not, I have never had a great day lol. However, despite my dislike for the holiday, I've decided to help a few of you out with a gift guide.

No, you do not have to get exactly what I've listed, because: 1. these are things I personally would like and 2. these are just ideas. Know your lady (or guy) well enough to know what he or she likes. They may not even want a gift. 

 
flowers | watch | necklace | perfume

Guys like gifts, too! So I also took the liberty of creating a gift guide for men. Btw, I totally do not know what guys would like. I asked some of my guy friends and they all said that they do not know what they would want lol, so I'm just winging it. 

cologne | shoes | baked goods | watch

XO, Deanna

ONE YEAR SAVINGS CHALLENGE

Hey guys! You're probably wondering what this saving challenge is all about. Well, if you're a Pinterest fanatic, like myself, then you should already know what it is, considering that it's been pinned EVERYWHERE.

This chart is pretty self-explanatory, but I'll guide those who seem to be lost.

Beginning with week #1, if you save $1.00, your total savings will be $1.00. Week #2, save $2.00, your total savings will be $3.00. Week #3, save $3.00, your total savings will be $6.00, and so on and so forth. Now, because it's week #4, you should just put away $10.00 :)

TIP:

It helps to have a proper location for your savings (i.e.: savings account, safe in your home, etc.)

HAPPY SAVING!!
XO, Deanna
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