I've Been Jaded!

And I am NEVER going back (to my other stylist)...Tameeka McNeil Johnson aka "The Curl Whisperer" is #thetruthdotcom.

I've had obnoxiously big curly, oftentimes frizzy hair my entire life but I never knew the beauty that my curls could be until the first time I sat in her chair. She taught me the technique for applying product so that every kink, coil, and curl on my head POPS! The best part...my signature WNG lasts a week! 

One year ago this month my hair affair started and unlike other hair stylists I have not been able to cheat on her. I went in recently to have my base color and highlights touched up, time for these coils to come alive with a very subtle 'sun kissed' hue. 

One of the things that I love most about Tameeka is that she LISTENS shes does not do what she wants to do to your hair, she does what YOU want done to your hair. Having said that she also manages expectations extremely well and tells you the truth about how what you want will look on your head. Remember no two heads of curly hair are the same! 

My hair is in heaven and so Tameeka and I are forever bound in Hair and Hair Stylist Matrimony! 

For more info on Tameeka: www.jadedtresses.com 

Coming next week: My Review of Blended Beauty Curl Styling Buttercream...My HOLY GRAIL styler for over six months now!

In Review: SheaMoisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner

I live in the North East. Home of humidity. Temps in July and August climb close to if not over 100 degrees and the humidity follows suit with many 100% humidity days….#seriously. One thing that I have found since going natural is that my hair will swell to darn near epic proportions without a product that provides me with definition AND hold. Most gels are a no go as they contain alchohols and other chemicals that turn my soft bouncy coils into crispy coils. What’s a curl to do?

Enter my find from last year… Teri LaFlesh’s “Tightly Curly” method www.tightlycurly.com. Have you seen this woman’s hair? Ummm #infriggincredible. Teri styles with conditioner only. Go to her site to see what she recommends as the best ‘combing conditioners’ the conditioners that you can use to style your coils, kinks, and curls.

Recently I discovered Hey Fran Hey www.heyfranhey.com and can you say #HAIRCRSUSHALERT, check out her site and when you do remember that I said ‘mmmm hmmm girl I told you so.’ Fran shares tips and tricks on growing and maintaining healthy locks, as well as, her own personal hair regimen. I am incredibly drawn to the simplicity of her regimen and the fact that the products she uses contain natural, good for your hair ingredients. Fran co-washes with SheaMoisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner and I remembered that I had a bottle stuck in a cabinet or under a sink somewhere in my house (hello my name is Etoile, and I’m a PJ).

After pre-pooing overnight and shampooing the next day I deep conditioned for thirty minutes under my heating cap, rinsed and then finger raked the SheaMoisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner in small sections throughout my hair.

They Say:

Product Description:
Our all‐natural, daily conditioner moisturizes and repairs dry, lifeless, over‐processed and damaged hair.

Ingredients:
Deionized Water, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Argan Oil, Coconut Oil*, Behentrimonium Chloride, Essential Oil Blend, Vegetable Glycerin, Emulsifying Wax, Sea Kelp Extract, Panthenol (Vitamin B‐5), Avocado Oil, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower (and) Lonicera Japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) Flower extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil.

Ingredient Attributes: silicone free, paraben free, organic

I Say:

I am not a huge fan of Coconut Oil, I am protein sensitive and CO usually leaves my hair with some crunchified curls. Not so with this product. I like this conditioner a lot! It smells good and as you can see in the pic above my second day curls look soft and bouncy. New HG!!! I plan to add this conditioner to my regimen as both a co-wash and a leave in conditioner.

In Review: N-Diya Sweet Surrender Honey Body Wash

I was recently introduced to Safiya the proprietress and chief mixtress of N-Diya. N-Diya is an all natural bath and body store that is located at 449 Nostrand Avenue btw. Halsey & Hancock in the Bedsty section of Brooklyn...and is truly an urban oasis.

Safiya makes the most incredible all natural body and hair products and as her tag line states they are made so that one can ‘Nurture Yourself Naturally.'  Safiya ‘gifted’ me with a bag of samples and I must say that her products are truly my new #ish. It feels good to take care of yourself from head to toe with quality all natural ingredients that are not only good for you but that make you feel and smell incredible.

During my transition to natural I discovered firsthand the benefits of honey as a moisturizing ingredient for hair, I add a dollop of honey to my condish and deep condish whenever my tresses start to feel a bit parched and voila moisture is restored. Armed with this knowledge I was amped to try her Honey Body Wash.

They Say:
These shower gels are scented for an aromatic experience to indulge your senses and loaded with honey to moisturize and soften your skin. The use of Honey dates back to 3000 BC. It was recorded that people of ancient Egypt used honey as medicine, applying it to scrapes and cuts to increase healing, as well as to prevent bacteria. Cleopatra bath in honey and her beauty is still being talked about today. Honey is a powerful natural humectant (moisturizer). Its ability to attract and retain moisture and rebuild the moisture level in the skin without making it oil is astounding.

Note From Safiya: I can't tell you how much I love Honey. It is my absolute favorite ingredient. As someone who has eczema, I thought my skin would never be soft and supple. However, my special formulation which includes this awesome ingredient has changed all that! Please enjoy !

I Say: #loveit! I live in the North East and the cold harsh winter elements usually leave me with dry and yes I’ll cop to it…#ashy skin…not this winter…my skin remained soft, supple, and moisturized from November until now.

If you live in the NYC area stop in and visit Safiya, her products are AMAZING AND she also offers spa services!!!

For more info: www.n-diya.com

Restaurant Review: Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar

Ummm Hmmmm Wine AND Burgers…that’s EXACTLY what I said!!!!!

In case you have not noticed I'm a foodie. I love to cook, I love to try new restaurants and I love to eat...

While on a recent retail therapy mission at The Promenade Shops in Clifton, NJ my friends Blair, Linda & I decided to dine at Zinburger and let's just say I was NOT disappointed!

The decor is sleek and modern with a very ‘zen’ feel.  The staff is informative, warm, and friendly. As I scanned the menu my taste bud's started to gently hum the happy song tome...I hadn't eaten all day and everything on the menu looked so good! Sensory overload. Thank goodness I did not have to think too hard...Blair and Linda had both dined there previously #clearsthroat  #raisesbotheyebrows...WITHOUT me...but that's a 'whole other story' and told me hands down to order the Turkey Sloppy Joe.

Menu Description
Turkey Sloppy Joe $9
Roasted Poblano Peppers & Pepper jack Cheese

Etoile’s Description
A plate full of #yumminess. Seriously one of the best SloppyJoe’s that I can ever remember eating!! The combination of sauce, peppers and cheese were beyond flavorful. I also indulged in the hand cut fries…what’s a burger without fries #justsayin. This was one of the most delicious meals that I’ve had of late…so much so that I have wanted to go back EVERYDAY since then…I’ll be there tomorrow nite!

For more info: http://www.zinburgernj.com/

Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar the place where Yin met Yang and I fell in food love.

In Review: Wonder Curl Get Set Hair Jelly

I am not a huge fan of hair gel…the whole ‘helmet’ head thing...

I like my curls & coils to be touchably soft and not only do gels leave my hair hard and crunchy they also tend to dry my coils out leaving them parched and thirsty.

But….the lovely Scarlett, the visionary behind Wonder Curl has changed my mind!

Wonder Curl Get Set Hair Jelly…where have you been every hot, sticky, humid, afro inducing summer of my life?!

What they say: Get Set Hair Jelly smoothes, soothes and controls frizz without stiffness. Used with organic aloe vera which for many is a miraculous plant. In hair it is used to promote growth and revitalize hair. This jelly is also loaded with pro-vitamin B5 (panthenol) to strengthen your hair. Get Set Hair Jelly keeps your coils looking fresh and fabulous all day. Get Set Hair Jelly isn’t your typical hair gel. This Jelly defines your curls and protects your hair from humidity. For best results, use with Get Slick Hair Smoothie.

I say: My curls are soft & well defined (pictured above with 3 day hair). I co-washed with Aussie Moist, applied the Wonder Curl Get Slick Hair Smoothie (review coming next week), and then applied the Get Set Hair Jelly in sections using the finger rake method. New HG gel! #love.

For more info: www.wondercurl.com

In Review: Levi’s Curve ID Jeans

To know me is to know that I am a #trueblue jeans girl…pun intended.

Fun Fact 1: I have an entire closet with nothing but jeans in it.


Fun Fact 2: When I find a pair of jeans that fit well I will purchase several pairs.


Fun Fact 3: Levi’s Curve Id is that #ISH!!!


OMG Levi’s Curve ID where have you been all my life?!


They Say: Levi’s® Curve ID is a revolutionary way to shop for jeans, with four distinct fits that address a range of body shapes. Get a custom fit in a few easy steps.


I Say: Yes! Yes! Yes!


Several months ago when the product debuted I used the on-line tool to find my curve; no surprise here that with curves galore I am a ‘bold’ curve. I purchased a pair and fell in love.


I have a small waist and am quite the curvy gal so I usually wind up purchasing jeans that gap in the back. These fit as though they were made just for me. So much so that one day I forgot to put on my belt and they stayed on my waist all day. They have just the right amount of stretch and come in great washes…they are now #jeanofchoice.


I just ordered a pair of Bold Ankle Skinny Jeans (pictured above) for Spring/Summer and I cannot wait for them to arrive.


Curvy girls go to www.levi.com  and use the tool to ‘find your curve’…I promise you will not be disappointed!

In Review: Lux Naturals Moonlight Pomegranate Shea Body Butter

Hello my name is Etoile and I am a product junkie…no really a licensed, card carrying, certified, don’t try this at home kids PJ and right now I am #pissed off!

The other day my girlfriend’s and I make a run to Whole Foods after dinner to pick up a tea that purportedly has sleep enhancing benefits (more on that in another post) and while in their my friend who shall remain nameless says to me ‘Etoile you have got to smell this Body Butter’ HA now why does she say that to me?! So I mosey on over take a whiff and hold the bottle up to read the name of this jar of butter that smells like QUITE THE SLICE OF HEAVEN…Lux Naturals Moonlight Pomegranate Shea Body Butter; I then dip my finger in dab a small amount on my hand and am #blownaway by the ‘sheer’ lusciousness of it all.

They Say:

A blend of pomegranate, orange, cinnamon and vanilla. Sophisticated and complex this is sure to awaken your senses. Treat yourself to this rich deep penetrating Shea Body Butter. It will soothe, nourish and pamper your skin. Use it on your elbows, knees, hands, feet or all over. It is ultra rich and thick so a little goes a long way! Contains: 90% Organic Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Tapioca Starch, Mineral Pigments, Blend of Natural Fragrances and Essential Oils. Note: Color will vary based on scent. Do not expose to heat, may melt.

I Say:

I am hizooked! This is simply the most emollient body butter that I have ever used. Loaded with good for you oils & shea butter whipped to cloud like consistency my body stayed not only moisturized all day but the light yet moody fragrance stayed with me all day as well. #loveit. #curveapproved.

RUN do not walk to your nearest Whole Food to buy it!

www.luxnaturals.com