Finding the right hair products for curly hair
can be darn frustrating. Some products weight the hair down. Others use
alcohol to hold the curls in place, which ends up leaving hair feeling
like straw.
It’s not often I come across a product that offers both hold a feeling of moisture and in one. Earth’s Nectar recently debuted their new product, Coconut Curls.
COCONUT CURLS REVIEW – WHAT IS IT?
Coconut Curls an all-in-one solution for repairing, moisturizing,
conditioning, and styling naturally curly hair. Lucky for me, I was
recently sent a bottle to try out, and was pleasantly surprised.
WHAT MAKES EARTH’S NECTAR SUCH A GREAT BRAND?
Created by Tamika Fletcher, owner of Natural Resources Salon in
Houston, Texas, what’s wonderful and unique about Earth’s Nectar is that
it’s an all-natural beauty brand that boasts all sulfate, alcohol, and
paraben free products–with no fillers or stripping additives. Fletcher
started the line by using natural ingredients in her own
kitchen—bananas, mayonnaise, and fresh herbs. She’s said her clients
were her guinea pigs. Eventually, Fletcher found the winning recipes and
began professionally manufacturing and selling under the name Earth’s
Nectar.
MY EXPERIENCE WITH COCONUT CURLS
Last weekend, I had the time to try out the Coconut Curl, just in
time for a particularly dry spell in our Southern California weather. I
added a big dollop to my hair after blow-drying and found the
moisturizing cream to easily detangle, soften and smoothe away my frizz
and fly-aways.
I’ve tried a lot of curly hair products over the years, and most
actually feel as if they’re stripping the moisture from my hair instead
of adding to it. I was able to style my hair, and it looked a bit more
shiny as well.
CONCLUSION
The best part is knowing there’s no chemicals and even though I’m adding moisture, I’m not making my hair greasy.
Shopping for vintage jewelry is a popular activity among jewelry lovers.
Hunting for and finding a unique piece delivers a thrill that few
other shopping experiences can, yet many people who are new and
unseasoned in the game are apprehensive about getting involved — and
with good reason. With all the factors to consider, it’s easy to get
overwhelmed and opt for buying items at a chain mall store and call it a
day.
But why settle for a mass-produced, generic piece when you can have a unique item that has both stood the test of time and has a story behind it?
With a little bit of knowledge and some practice, anyone can
successfully navigate the vintage jewelry scene. To learn more, we spoke
with Dawn Sheppard, owner of Dawn’s Vintage Jewelry in Brookfield, CT. Here are a few things she says you should keep in mind when shopping vintage.
Vintage or antique?
Although these two terms are often used interchangeably, shoppers
should know they are not the same thing. Technically vintage pieces are
more than 20 years old and antiques are over 100 years old. However,
these definitions are not strictly adhered to, and the stylistic period
of the piece holds more weight in determining whether it’s considered
vintage or antique. Items from before the Art Deco period of the 1930s
are generally considered antique and those after the ‘40s are considered
vintage.
Fine or costume?
When it comes to vintage jewelry, there is also another highly
important distinction that must be made before you get involved.
Shoppers should consider whether they want fine or costume jewelry.
In terms of vintage, fine jewelry is made of precious metals like
karate gold, platinum and silver or precious to semi-precious stones
like diamonds, rubies, and topaz. Costume jewelry on the other hand –
which reflects the fashion of the period it was made in – is usually
made with materials such as glass, plated metals, plastic and wood.
Do your research beforehand
There is nothing wrong with walking into a store and being drawn to a
piece that speaks to you, but it can also be beneficial to know what
you are looking for. Research the different era pieces – are you going
for the nature-inspired designs of the Georgian Era, the geometric
shapes of the art deco period, or the intricate etchings found in pieces
from the early Victorian era? Knowing these details can make the
experience all the more rewarding.
A few ways to expand your knowledge base is to dig up information
online, speak with jewelry enthusiasts and collectors, and visit
bookstores, libraries and museums.
Observe closely
When buying a piece, make sure you examine it closely. Although true
vintage pieces (as opposed to reproductions) are generally of high
quality, it is a good idea to look at the clasps and backings, as well
as the weight and texture of the item before you buy. You want to be
aware of any existing scratches, chips, missing pieces, discolorations,
corrosion and other flaws. Sheppard also warns of green metal parts on
pieces as that’s an indicator that the item has been compromised and
will most likely continue to deteriorate. This can happen if the item
has been placed in humid or wet conditions.
A good tip for beginners is to shop specifically at vintage stores as
opposed to online, as you can look at the item in person. Additionally,
the pieces in most of these stores are likely to have been pre-examined
before being put up for sale, which lessens the work load for you.
If you see a damaged item that you absolutely love and still want to
make a purchase on, Sheppard suggests it might work in your benefit to
point it out to the seller and negotiate a lower price.
Another thing to keep in mind is certain stores and repair shops will
offer to fix items that have loose parts or minor damages. Make sure if
you are having repair work done to ask for the correct era stones and
parts if you want to maintain the integrity of your vintage piece.
Caring for your jewelry
Congratulations, you’ve made your purchase! Now you have to maintain
it so you can love it, show it off, and pass it down to your children.
To keep your items in good shape, follow a basic care guide: handle the
jewelry gently, store in a dry, safe and clean place, and use a soft
cloth and just a little bit of glass cleaner to remove any grime. Don’t
use modern jewelry cleansers, as those may ruin your piece.
With these basic tips and tricks anyone can enter the vintage jewelry
shopping world with ease. With practice and time you will garner enough
know-how and knowledge to shop, buy, trade and collect vintage just
like the pros.
The truth is, red hair is sexy and it's only getting
more trendy. Because let's be honest, any woman can merely color her
hair, but we'd like to pay homage to the women who started it all-the
ladies who've changed the "landscalp" of what we all think is
super-sexy.
The color red has hit the roots of women across the globe.
Here are ten reasons why being a redhead is awesome... but naturally!
Redheads are rare.
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Only about 2% of the United States’ population are
natural redheads. You're practically a member of the Cullen family--
pale, majestic, and astonishingly beautiful.
All eyes on you.
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We all want to stand out. One perk of being a redhead
is you never have to worry about blending in. Redheads can be picked
out of a crowd. So if you're ever lost at Disneyland, don't worry--
guest services will find you in no time.
The BEST Disney princess is a redhead.
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There's not much to say on this one. We have the best
Disney princess around. She can swim, talk to animals, and pick up the
hottest men on shore.
Merida is pretty awesome too.
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Yeah, those red curly locks speak for themselves.
The full package.
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If you are dating a redhead, consider it a blessing
because we have the entire package. Instead of being the butt of jokes,
we are men-magnets. Feel free to look at yourself in the mirror and
say, "Damn, I'm hot."
You're hotter than Emma Stone.
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Emma Stone is idolized for her fiery red hair, but did
you know she's a natural blonde? This means you're hotter, sexier, and
more irresistible than Ms. Stone. How does it feel?
You're hotter than Rachel McAdams.
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Natural redhead? I think not. This brunette has nothing
on you. In a competition for Ryan Gosling, let's just say you'd be the
next Allie to his Noah.
Red is the new blonde.
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Forget the bleach blonde-- red hair is the color everybody wants.
There are conventions in our honor.
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Have you ever heard of blonde or brunette conventions? Didn't think so.
Your hair is the best revenge.
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For all you ladies going through a tough breakup, just
remember—you’re a redhead, so, a guy will never find anyone like
you--because you’re a redhead. Your hair is the best revenge. Be sure
to flaunt what gorgeous hair you were blessed with, and remember you
will never be replaced.
