Keep things simple ~ is my motto

Happy Halloween everyone just making my rounds. Anyway over the past few months Ive been tweaking and playing with regimens, fixing weak roots, and just week to week upkeep of my hair. After tons of trial and error Ive settled on an even simpler routine of washing once a week with an organic shampoo (non residual) a simple gel and a micro fiber wash cloth. Ive just decided that with my oh so busy life I just don't have time to sit and twist my hair. I mean don't get me wrong I love the manicured look (I dont what anyone says) but as the days go by I am learning to accept my hair and what it truly wants to do and that's be free as it can be. I noticed on You tube that some people are going the free form route (cant do it) but once again I have revisited the micro fiber rub. My locs are still soft unfortunately but Ive learned to live with it. My roots gets a deep cleansing and then a good mass twisting without me having to roll each individual loc. You can't get any simpler then this (actually you can but I'm not a fan of the one dread matted look)










1. Wet hair thoroughly
2. add shampoo
3. wash in clockwise motion with micro fiber always rubbing same way each time
4. Rinse hair thoroughly making sure all shampoo is rinsed out completely
5. squeeze out as much water as you can. You can use your micro fiber to squeeze excess water or if you have a micro fiber towel use it because it will grab up 90% of water in your locs which is especially great for avoiding mildew buildup you hair will be dry within an hour or two.
6. Put gel through out hair you don't have to soak them just the ample amount you would use in each.
7. Now Take Micro fiber and rub in clockwise or whatever comfortable position you like and rub in a circular motion always going the same way.

Now if your hair is soft like mine and not completely locked you'll probably have a bunch of fuzz everywhere and the ends will looks unraveled. No worries everything will seal up eventually but if you cant stand it don't do it. Just make sure you pull marrying locs apart. Your roots will be fully twisted and if you still feel inclined you can pick through and roll the ones you feel that need it (I still do)

Hope this helps those looking for a very simplified routine (I just couldn't do all that other stuff no more and I don't mean to sound redundant every month but it is a learning process and I am always finding new ways to manage my hair. So with that said Life is beautiful when you can make time to smell the roses.

Peace and blessings y'all

NAt

Dry Twist N Curl

Hello all! I love my two strand twists and twist outs but I wanted to try something different this time around. So, I decided to try out Curly Nikki's signature style- the one and only Twist N Curl! I have tried it before on wet hair but this was the first time trying it on dry hair. I bought these bigger rollers (perm rods really) at the beauty supply store. Before rolling, I wet the ends with a spray leave-in conditioner and sealed them with my CocoShea mix.

I slept in those huge rollers overnight (was not an easy task!) and when I awoke, these were my results!

This was after it had been down all day en semi-humid conditions. I put a scarf around it to get it off my face since I OD'd on the CocoShea mix. It was getting all over my face and that is a no no!

So all in all I really like it. I had been rocking these twists for a few days and wanted to spice it up before I untwisted them. It was very fluffy and bouncy and I got some compliments. So overall, it was worth it and I will definitely try the dry Twist N Curl again! Thanks Nikki!

Watch New Videos!

XIAXUE'S GUIDE TO LIFE



Guide to Emergency Household tips!!

My very own special method of hiding period stains
on your skirt!! LOL!!



Guide to photoshop part II!!

Many of you have requested for this...

More ways to lie and cheat your way to internet chioness!



CHICK VS DICK



Kaykay and Paul are forced to phone their
parents and blabber the most vulgar words!

Watch to find out why!



THE SHAN AND ROZZ SHOW



Shan and Rozz interviews Ris Low, who turns out
to be a bit ding dong!

This episode even made it to The Newpaper (2 pages can?)
and she even strips down to her bikini... You just HAVE to watch it!



NUMBNUTS




Poor boys... Numbnuts indeed - forced to sit naked on ice cubes...

Loser gets pepper sprayed in the face!

Really, you should watch it just coz they suffer so much...




The boys get into a cage fight.

LOSER EATS A FUCKING BALUT!!

That fucking thing is how muthafucking gross!

I gagged like five times watching this.

p/s: You guys need to chill about the promised blog entries ok? I'm gonna write them, but a good entry needs inspiration and time!!

I miss you!

Wow I can't believe I still have this many readers! I'm really sorry it's been a LOOONG while but I've been caught up with school! Hopefully I'll have time to blog soon!

Product Placement

For many, going natural is not just about a change in styles but also a change in what we use on our hair. After 10 years of being natural myself, I know I have done my fair share of PJ-ism! I've gone through phases of ONLY using natural products, then trying to find the cheapest effective products, then searching for specific ingredients, and so on. There have been full bottles of product that never get touched once I use it and determine it doesn't work for me. Then there are others that most people denounce that seem to work like magic on my hair.

So...I am really interested in seeing what you ladies (and gents) out there are loving right now to care for your tresses!

I want to compile a list of CUPs (commonly used products) and sort it by hair type/texture/length. So what I need from you is to send me your list of fave products along with a brief description of your hair as it is now. Tell me what you keep coming back to gain and again that seems to get the job done right! This includes shampoos, conditioners, gels, oils, pomades, creams, butters, spritzers, etc. All price points are welcome since I understand different people have different budgets. If you make something at home that is the best you 'eva had', send me that too.

With all of the products out there already, and new ones popping up every day, what is your go-to list that works every time?

Send your list/hair description to my email (not in the comments section) to naturallyleslie@gmail.com. After I get a good comprehensive list, I will post it for all to share.

Sexxi Sassy & Locked

Hey, My name is Marna and I hail from the wonderful beautiful city of San Francisco, California. You can checkout my blogged Sisterlocks journey (I am one month into it right now). I'd love to have some followers and I will in turn follow you. I am a mother, and an entrprenuer. My partner/cousin and I am launching a ladies tees line in the Spring 2010, so you;'ll get to see how my life unfolds and the joys of me having Sisterlocks and living life to the fullest!

Please visit my blog Sexxi Sassy & Locked today!

What's Your Opinion: Enough About Hair For Now...

...What about marriage?

So I saw this video and thought it was an interesting topic to discuss. What do you think about marriage and living together before marriage? Is it a religious issue for you or a matter of legality? Or both? I saw a video similar to this about a program that works to wed unmarried couples, especially those who have already had kids. I know that it is commonly discussed how so many African American children are born out of wedlock and many grow up in single parent households. Then, of course, we have many celebrity examples (Angie and Brad, Halle and Gabe, Kurt and Goldie, etc etc) who have 'successful' relationships where they have been together for years and continue to have and raise children. It seems that in our society, it is ok for them but then "regular" couples are looked down upon. Is this a double standard?

I do not consider myself a religious person but the idea of having children out is not for me. I don't know if it is because I think I will be judged or that in my profession, I am looked at as a role model for kids or what. But that is for me, I don't judge what other people do and I don't think of it as necessarily a right or wrong thing per se.

So check out this vid and drop your opinion. Do we need more Black marriages or more marriages in general? Or, should people be able to live together as they wish without the legal commitment? Some people might think less marriage equals less divorces, especially considering the divorce rate in this country. I wonder if the trend of less marriage has anything to do with the decline in people identifying as religious or members of a certain faith.

So complex, so interesting....weigh in!

Wolves in the photographer's clothing

NSFW


Today I was just thinking to myself... Why the hell is it that all these male, "amatuer" photographers all like to photograph these "models" in lingerie or bikini??

If they are so interested in photography, then why don't they shoot other things such as... family portraits, close-up shots of a fly's eyes, a droplet of water dropping into a pool of water etc etc other artsy fartsy nonsense?

WHY GIRLS??

And the most puzzling of all... Why do they like to shoot FLAWED girls??

Ok I know. Firstly, they would of course want to shoot flawless girls if possible, but flawless girls are unlikely to want to be shot by amatuer lechers, plus they are of limited stock.

Secondly, I know even people like Megan Fox have their flaws, but I don't mean like a clubbed thumb...

I mean like... They are trying so hard to ooze sexuality and then it's like they are hideous.

I know I sound fucking elitist or something, but it just seems to me that it's totally silly to allow a girl's armpit fats to ruin an otherwise good piece of photography!

I mean, if you changed the subject from a race queen with terrible black roots to, say, a butterfly or an elderly woman pushing a cart, it just won't be RUINED that way, you get what I mean??

Anyway that's not what I'm gripping about. I'd get back to this later.

I am actually really annoyed with the increment of these "photographers" around, who are actually just wankers wanting to snap a sexy shot for his evening stroke.

Honestly man, if you are a fucking pervert, just fucking admit it instead of parading around with your E05 or whatever and pretending to care about the fucking proper lighting!

Let's see... If we let them choose between shooting a fat tou geh plucking auntie with the most fabulous lighting and equipment... or shooting a nude race queen with a compact camera, which do you think they will pick?

Please leh! The nude of course! You know why? Coz they are fucking wankers!


The whole "models" photography culture is just sick.


If you go to Clubsnap's forum, you will see pages like this.


Girls, whored out by these organisers... Enticing these "photographers" with either lingerie, bikini or sexy fashion shoots... Guess which is the most expensive?


For $100 you can snap snap snap away at a model of your choice while you try to entice her to give even more smothering looks and jut out her ass more.

Then you can go home and wank to the close-up boobage shots, while imagining having a kinky photographer-model relationship with her.


After that, even better still, you can add the "artistic" shots to your portfolio and earn respect as a PHOTOGRAPHER!!!!!!!!

Not.

I don't know what these men are thinking when they snap all these slutty photos, but here's what I think when I see some of them.

"How did she manage to get such a hideous bikini?"




"Invisible mirror squishing monster!! HAHAHA!
Ass distractingly flat."




"MUST... GIVE... SMOTHERING... LOOK... No matter what...."





"Why is she wearing a bra to shower? That doesn't seem to make much sense?

Hard to dry... Imagine all the padding heavy and soaked with water. Urgh!
Must bring the bra home in a plastic bag.
If she got no other bra and wears the bra home
she will look like she is lactating HAHAHAHA!"




"Fine I'd buy you that LV bag now please put your clothes back on."





"AHAHHAHA I REALLY don't think you fit into the S sized top!"




"Surely that beach is not very clean..."




"I open the toilet door and URGHHHH!!!!
What sort of person sits on a toilet bowl with underwear on?
You peeing through it??"




"You are facing the wrong way."




"Is her ass cold on that table?
When she stands up, will the table have ass-shaped steam marks?
Did they photograph that? Coz that would be FUNNEH!!!"





"No."





"Really now... Don't ever wear a thong again."





"The phone must be ringing and she REALLY doesn't want to pick it up.
Ooohh... Label on shoes? How much?"




"My god woman, put your pants back on!
And next time, please wear matching lingerie for christ's fuck sake."





"Her asscrack is entirely too short."



"She is surely not very comfortable..."




"WTF? And honestly, who you trying to bluff with
BOTH bra straps falling down 'accidentally'??"

So anyway... My point is... Do those photos show off great photography skills? Not one bit. They just show how fucking perverse the photographer is.

If you have real talent, why would you try to distract from it with all these sexual vibes?? I don't think anyone is looking at the composition or whatever is important in photography coz everyone's trying to find nipple slips!!


I must, of course, credit the photographer whom I got all these photos from.

Dunno his name but at least he is not a hypocrite - he did go semi-naked himself complete with come-hither eyes.



Check out his photographer 'friends'....

They are buzzing around these car shows like flies on corpses... Gross.


p/s: I have nothing against girls taking such photos. As you all would possibly point out, Kaykay also does such shots. What she does is her business and if it earns her money without hurting anyone, why not?

Hell even I took bikini shots for Maxim before.

My disdain is for the lecherous photographers, not the models. Although, it is still fun to laugh at the ugly models when they do stupid poses.

What? They dare to take then dare to be criticised lah! Nothing wrong what! You all also criticise my Maxim shots - and I totally deserve it. They are horrid to the max.

And of course, these photographers' natural defence will be that I am JEALOUS coz nobody wants to shoot ME.

Yes, yes, I wrote this post coz I am fat and jealous. Because every girl would love a pack of perverse, scary middle-aged uncles photographing them.


p/p/s: Why can't all these men control their penises?!

40+ Naturals: Meet Tara!

Welcome Tara to NL! She is a very recent 'chopper' and I love her short do! Look at that smile full of

self-confidence and pride. I love it!

NL: When did you decide to go natural and what went into that decision?

I decided to go natural Oct 17, 2009 and the reason I made that decision is I just got tired of the chemicals,salon visits and the cost of it all. I started remembering when I was young and my hair was natural I had no problems with it and wore it curly all the time....we called it big hair in those days...(smile)

NL: Did you transition over time or do a big chop?
I thought about transitioning but I was already wearing a short hairstyle and just decided to the big chop which was Oct 18, 2009

NL: What are some of your favorite products and styles?
Well as of right now I've just been going to forums getting tips for other naturals. At the moment I'm using Suave Conditioner, Jam Protein Styling Gel, Motions Daily Moisturizer, Motions Nourish Leave-in Conditioner and Olive Oil. Right now I'm just exploring what will work for me.

NL: Describe your expectations and feelings before you made the leap to natural. How did you feel post-transition?
Well my expectations was hoping that it would turn out curly like it was when I was young although in the back of my mind I was a little nervous. My post-transition feelings was that family,friends and strangers out in public would look at me strange and that my family would disapprove.

NL: What have been the reactions of family, friends, etc to the newly natural you?
Well my family was pretty shocked they loved the short cuts and styles I was wearing with the relaxers. My children were a little stunned but said if I'm comfortable with it then so where they. As for friends they didn't like it so short and some said I was cute (smile) I guess everyone has an opinion.

NL: Describe what it was like to return to work after going natural.
Well at the moment I am laid off so I really didn't have to worry about that transition (smile)

NL: Overall, what has been your greatest discovery about being natural?
Well its kinda like being reborn again to your natural state, I felt like I just took off a mask and now I can be what God intended "Natural" no additives to change who I actually am...and I feel great!

NL: What advice would you give to another 40+ woman who is considering going natural?

The advice I would give is to go back to the way God intended ....and don't change it again. God made everyone different and we should be happy with the design he has made us to be....so rock and wear it!

Thanks Tara!

***If you're 40+ and loving your natural hair, please send me an email with some pics and answers to the questions above to naturallyleslie@gmail.com so you can be featured!***