Janelle Monae

I got the amazing oppourtunity to see this extraordinary artist over the past weekend at a free concert Florida State University was giving. Janelle Monae is the ultimate performer; from her high kicks to her shuck and jive moves. She is the epitome of James brown, Prince, MJ, and so many other members of Soul that contributed to our amazing music community back in the day. Her voice is truly angelic and settling. While she performed tracks from her 3rd album The Archandroid which my personal favorites are many moons, cold world, wonderland, smile, and tightrope remix. I was lured in by the amazing talent Ms. Monae posses. At only 24 she has capitavated a different point of view and has given mixed feelings to everyone who has ever seen her. I know a couple of people who claim to just "not get her" and are confused by the pompadour she rocks and the ever so chic black and white Cindi Maywheather (her alter ego) get ups that covers her 5ft petite frame from head to toe. When she came on stage I was in awe of her beautiful skin and total look. Pure beauty is what i could describe. I love her style ranging from music to clothes, hairstyle, and makeup. While reading her article in Vogue she discussed her style "I want to look timeless," she says, rationalizing her rigorous dress code. "I want to be able to look at images of myself over the years and not be able to date them. Plus," she adds, "you can get in anywhere wearing a tuxedo." Damn rite Ms. Monae!! It is indeed better to be overdressed than underdressed anytime. Chek out this interview! Courtsey of youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya6qYbkJb9U

HAIR WE GO!!

Ok ladies in my 22yrs of living and forever changing my hair . I have realized that there is no one awesome hair style that will require no work. All hair styles will ultimately require your part in maintanence. However, there are seleceted ways to wear your hair that can require minimum maintenince, one just has to decide wether or not that style is right for you and your lifestyle. While being away from home at school I have become more self dependent with caring for my hair. Thus I believie it is essential to come up with a regimen that best suites your tresses. Depending on the way you wear your hair regimens will vary. In this post I will share with you my personal regi that was inspired by 2 main youtube guru's Buildable Beauty and Ateyaa. I love the products that Ateyaaa suggest but I love Buildable Beauty's approach to a minimum heat alternative. Below is a regi that i used while relaxed9currently transitioning) which has a collaboration of both Ateyaaa's and Buildable Beauty regi's.

This regimen was done each week sat or sun morning to achieve a wrap look.

Step1. Shampoo hair twice with a moisturizing shampoo.

Step 2. Apply conditioner to thourougly towel blotted hair. Comb thru and detangle from bottom to top or section off in 4 sections with a wide tooth comb. Leave conditioner on for 15 min under heat or 30 min under shower cap.

Step3. Rinse hair in cool water(helps seal in moisture and makes cuticles on hair shaft smoother)

Step4. Apply a leave in conditioner, a serum , heat protectant and foam wrap(optional) to hair

Step 5. While leave ins are in your hair comb hair down leaving the front part of hair down in your face and sit under dryer for 20 min. If you dont have a dryer walk around and clean up or jus sit n watch tv. The main point is we want hair to be at least 30% dry before we apply a blowdryer to it.

Step 6. Section Partially dried hair off into four sections and blow dry on medium heat and medium speed. Minimum heat is ideal but depending on how far you are into your relaxers that can take a longggg time.

Step 7. with each section u want to grab hair and blow dryer and comb or brush down . I have difficulty using a comb attachment dryer thus i use a brush but watever suits u best.

Step 8. Completing all 4 sections make sure hair is 100% dry. spray heat protectant 6 inches away from hair wait 5 min. Then go in with the flat iron.

Step 9. Depending on flat iron you would want to set it at an appropiate heat index for your hair. You will burn hair shaft if flat iron is too hot , thus i reccomend grabing an end paper or any piece of paper of sum sort and putting your paper between the flat iron press down for 15 seconds and if the paper is yellow this means your flat iron is too hot. DECREASE TEMP.
I reccomend about 300 degrees for medium-course/thick hair and around 200 for less course hair.

Step 10. Section hair off starting with the back prefferably place a small amount of hair thru flat iron and pull thru no more than 2 times. Move on to the next piece of section and work your way up.

Step 11. (optional) spray with oil sheen 6 inches away from hair and wrap add rollers at the crown for an extra bump.

Step 12. FLYNESS IS NOW IN EFFECT!!!!!! START UR SWANGIN ASAP!!


Chek out vids for visual effectshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7joDaDZJAk

http://www.youtube.com/user/BuildableBeauty#p/u/1/IPckY7UivTM

"It is every woman's inalienable right to have a pulled-together stylish, confident wardrobe with money left over to live"-SJP

Seeming as I am a college student with little to no funds at times I find it kinda hard to upkeep my hair,nails,and clothes on point. However that SHOULD NOT be an excuse. Style is not about the amount of money one has but working with soley what youve got. With that said I wanted to start a series on the college gurl's budget guide to flyness. Ive been the ultimate chaser of a polished look. And to be honest the only thing that has kept me from it was lazyness and resources. However now i have found so many resourcful sites i.e.(youtube,collegefashionet, ehow, longhaircareforum.com,blackhairmedia.com) and so much more. In these next few post I will include beauty regimens from my most favorite sites, bloggers, and youtube vids, for all kinds of hair types but mostley A.A. since I have more of a personal standpoint on that side. So sit back and enjoy!!!!