Music- Lightning Crashes

Folica.com is All New

Folica.com launched it's new website.  The design is much easier to navigate, it gives shoppers the chance to see reviews before they purchase, create a review after they've purchased, and provides hair styling tips.  The site is much more than just a flat iron store, you can head there to read see photos of other women celebrating their hair! 

Right now just in time for the launch Folica.com is having a sales and providing discounts for you! 

The BEST offer?!?  10% off any product in their 10 top list.

 

Poolside Hair Favorites: Edition 1

I'm the girl by the pool with the huge sunglasses, killer caribbean like tan (if I must say so myself), and a bag full of hair products next to my lounger!  If you need a spray, lotion, or gel I have you covered.  I protect my skin and my hair at all times when I'm lounging by the pool, it might look like all fun and games but I'm serious about protecting myself.  Skin cancer is not just for white folks and damaged hair is never a good look.

Here are a few of my favorite hair items to keep on hand:

Amazon.com for $17.38

Redken Color Extend Sun - Even though my hair isn't exactly color treated, I love the fact that this product contains Mango Oil to help moisturize my hair.

Federic Fekkai Marine Summer Hair Beachcomber Leave-In, $22.95 Amazon.com

Fekkai Marine Summer Hair Beachcomber Leave-in - I spritz this on when I'm planning on hitting the water again in a while.  It adds moisture to my hair and it feels renewed after using just a little bit.  You know how you're hair can feel dry after getting out of the water, even after rinsing?  Well this is the solution to that problem. 

Available from Amazon for $11.25

Biolage Thermal-Active Repair Cream - Even though this is a thermal product, meaning it's mean to be used with heat tools what's hotter than the sun?  This product gets a spot in my bag because it features Cera Heat Technology which is a restorative blend of ceramide and natural oils.  I save this product to use once I'm done with the pool and I'm just going to be laying out because it does provide a light hold.

Joi's on Madame Noire

Hey Ladies!  Guess what?  5 of my hair tips for this summer were featured on Madame Noire!  Do me a favor, head over and check them out!  Leave a comment if you are so inclinded, Thanks! 

More about Madame Noire:  Madame Noire is a passionate, cutting-edge web publication geared towards African-American women. The publication's mission is to unite black women at various stages of their lives, around a common aspiration for better, more fulfilling lifestyles. 

Thanks again guys!  You're the best. 

Rock the Look: Monica at the 2010 BET Awards

While I don't usually tune into anything on BET, I always like to see what the stars looked like at any awards show and this was no different.  Monica's short do was on point thanks to Motion’s Celebrity Hairstylist, Ursula Stephen. 

Step 1: Relax the sides and back of hair with Motions Silkening Shine Relaxer System to give hair the foundation for great style. This is the first at-home relaxer kit that reduces breakage by up to 85% and moisturizes in each step.

Step 2: Then, wash and mold hair with Motions Foaming Wrap Lotion – it holds hair in place and keeps curls looking fresh!
Step 3: Curl small sections of hair with a small flat iron while randomly curling pieces in the OPPOSITE direction of the rest of the hair, allowing hair to “stand up.” This showcases the shape of the cut and creates beautiful texture.
Step 4: Add shine to hair by massaging a dollop of Motions Shine Enhancing Pomade in hands and rubbing through hair. The Pomade provides hold while shaping hair to create beautiful curls!
Step 5: Finally, to keep hair in place all day - finish the look with Motions Light Hold Working Spritz.

& yes!  Motions got a makeover!  Check out the new packaging below.

The Unbearable Shortness Of Being

When my husband died he was in his mid fifties and I was in my early thirties.  At that time I thought that the age of fifty something was unfathomably old.  Naturally my perspective on the matter has changed greatly. At least, when he died, I could say that he had lived a rich and full life. Strangely knowing that he had five decades to live up to his potential, including having two marriages, five children, a successful business and a multitude of friends, made his death less traumatic.

But how does anyone deal with the death of a young adult.  There is no way to put an ameliorating layer of "he lived a full life" on the comprehension of death.  The death of the young is so very sad because it is also the death of potential.  Who would this young man have become if he had lived out his life?  What would he have brought to the world?

In this particular situation there are even more questions about how a strapping young man of 20 could disappear on his way home from a friend's house in Bel Air a mile away from his home in Brentwood.  How the police and coroner could mistake the identity of a hit and run victim for two days after the family had filed a missing persons report, searched the neighborhoods and trails of western Bel Air by foot, hired a private investigator and searched by bloodhound and helicopter.

A rather amazing thing came out of the senselessness of this situation.  Through the use of Facebook and Twitter, the news of his disappearance spread quickly and many more people than just the immediate family and friends could be on the lookout for him.  Unfortunately, by then it was too late but it was an important reminder of how technology can help in times of crisis. 

Jamie O'Connell, had your grandfather lived to have seen the fine young man that you became, he would have been very proud.  
Jamie O'Connell, R.I.P.

Beauty Break: Sephora makes Sun Safety Easy

SEPHORA COLLECTION Sephora Sun Safety Kit ($95 Value) Sephora Sun Safety Kit

Every year Sephora and The Skin Cancer Foundation rounds up the best sun protections products availabe to create the Sephora Sun Safety Kit. For just $25.00 the Sephora Sun Safety Kit has got you covered and 100% of the net profits will benefit The Skin Cancer Foundation.


Why I love it: As a brown girl finding a sunblock that doesn't make me look like I'm radioactive is a hard feat. Either I have a radioactive purple tint or I look like a stand in for HBO's True Blood. All the sun safety products, including eye cream and lip balm, and self tanner come in an adorable pink clutch too!

Keep Reading to find out what brands are included:

Sephora’s 2010 Sun Safety Kit includes:



Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer SPF15 & Dermaxyl™ (0.25 oz) - This anti-aging primer contains SPF15 to guard against UVA/UVB rays while prepping skin for perfect foundation application.


DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew™ UV Moisturizer SPF 15 (0.23 oz) – This fragrance-free lotion absorbs quickly and replenishes moisture while providing full UVA/UVB protection.




Kate Somerville Protect SPF 55 Serum Sunscreen (0.16 oz) – A breakthrough serum-based sunscreen that offers broad spectrum SPF 55 protection without a chalky white residue.




Murad Essential-C Eye Cream SPF 15 (0.14 oz) – A patented formulation designed to correct, protect and hydrate with powerful Vitamin C and UVA/UVB protection.




Bliss Best of Skintentions Daily Moisturizer (0.34 oz) – A weightless daily moisturizer that has it all: UVA/UVB protection, vitamins, minerals and omegas. It defends against free radical damage, and contains illumination phytonutrients to even skin tone.




PeterThomasRoth Max Sheer All Day Moisture Defense Lotion with SPF 30 (0.25 oz) – This ultra-light lotion offers maximum hydration and utilizes Parsol® 1789 for protection from UVA rays.




Ole Henriksen Herbal Day Crème SPF 15 (0.25 oz) - Ideal for sensitive skin, this day crème shields skin with SPF 15 while harnessing the power of herbal ingredients to soothe, hydrate and repair.




Cover FX BritePrep FX Brightening Foundation Primer & Photo Aging Defense SPF 50 (0.16 oz) – This “anti-UV” makeup primer creates the ideal surface for makeup while fighting the effects of the sun both before and after exposure with SPF 50 and skin illuminators.




Bare Escentuals Summer Bisque SPF 20 (0.02 oz) – A touch of color and skin protecting SPF 20 help this multi-tasking face product conceal and enhance skin while protecting from the sun’s rays.




Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion N SPF 60 PA+++ (0.23 oz) – This highly nourishing, anti-aging sunscreen defends against UVA/UVB rays with one of the highest levels of SPF available.




Jack Black Lip Balm Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 with Lemon and Chamomile (0.10 oz) – Lips are even more vulnerable to the sun than the face and body so keep this hydrating balm handy to keep them looking and feeling luscious.




Clarins Delectable Self Tanning Mousse SPF 15 (0.27 oz) – This light, creamy, non-tinted self tanning mousse is the only way to guarantee a safe sun-kissed look.

UVSUNSENSE Bracelet – Never question if you’re protected again! This bracelet monitors the sun’s UVA/UVB rays and indicates when it’s time to reapply sunscreen or head for the shade.

Pantene Clarifies Conditioner Myths

While at the Pantene Pro-V breakfast the conditioner stories just kept pouring out.  Like most of  you, the women at the breakfast confessed that we love to leave our conditioner on long.  The directions say let sit 5-10 minutes?  We leave it on for at least 30 minutes with heat and sometimes even overnight, with the idea that if 5-10 minutes is good well 1 hour plus heat is even better.  Well guess what ladies?  Pantene Scientist Jeni Thomas says it's not true.  If the conditioner is not formulated to be heat-activated then adding heat is just a waste of time and enegry.  Another big mistake?  Using too much conditioner.  The directions say a dime sized amount?  We take fists full and glop it on our hair.  Guess what?  We are wasting product.  Celebrity stylist and Pantene user, Tippi Shorter says we only need enough conditioner to coat our strands and a dollar coin sized amount should do the trick, because remember you don't need to condition your scalp, in fact Tippi warns against it. 

Product tip:  The newest Pantene products are specifically tailored to different hair types.  Just because you are  a black woman doesn't mean Relaxed & Naturals is for you!  Keep your eyes peeled for more posts on more Pantene News.

Black Fashion Models 2009

The current issue of Italian Vogue looks at how the fashion industry has moved past the rail thin negative size models to the lack of black models in the industry.

In a move that is causing the industry to take a deep look at itself the July issue of Italian Vogue features only black models shot by fashion photographer Steven Meisel. Mr. Meisel is also the photographer behind Madonna’s infamous 1992 book, “Sex”.

black fashion models
black fashion models
black fashion models
black fashion models
black fashion models

Fashion Models 2009

Tao Okamoto. Tao Okamoto, Japanese (1987), mysterious, elegant. She had long hair, now it is short. Very professional, very perfectionist.

models interested in being featured, interviewed or photographed can inquire via e-mail: models (at) asianglam.com - of course replace (at) with @

Fashion Models
Fashion Models
Fashion Models
Fashion Models
Fashion Models

Veuve Clicquot Classic - Go Polo!

Forgetting about the World (snore) Cup action in South Africa
Heather Clawson over at Habitually Chic blogged last week about this new book Polo: The Nomadic Tribe
and last weekends Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic starring Prince Harry and polo superstar and face of Ralph Lauren Black, Nacho Figueras.

Harry had a little tumble, ouch

but Nacho was a suave as ever... and Black Watch won the match...of course.
More on polo out in blogland
The Trad has been weighing in on the the lack of spectator chic at Palm Beach Polo compared to how the polo crowd dressed for the games back in the 1980s.
Having seen these photos of the 2009 Westchester Cup  I can report that there are still plenty of well turned out fans at Palm Beach.

But no matter how the fans dress, the game is still the most elegant professional sport out there even if the life is nomadic....and it is. 
And it's not all champagne and caviar because you don't get to be a top American polo player like this talented horseman and to play on the team that won the Triple Crown of Polo without years of hard work and training.  Yes, the Argentine players like Nacho add the sexiness and excitement, but the American players like Julio add the goals.

Jennifer and Kyle's Unique Wedding at the Page Walker Arts and History Center!

Jennifer and Kyle met with me in May to officiate their wedding on June 20, 2010. They are a pretty laid back and quite mature couple to be in their twenties, late twenties. It is probably because they have been together for almost 11 years. They planned a small uncomplicated ceremony at the Page-Walker Arts and History Center with a dinner reception at Lucky 32 in Cary. Page-Walker started out circa 1868 as a hotel right on the railroad tracks of the town now known as Cary. It is now owned and operated by the Town of Cary and has gone through many changes through the years being a museum, art gallery, historical site, wedding venue, and so on. I have done many weddings there. A few years ago they turned the adjacent lot into a beautiful garden and lawn with a portico for weddings and that is where we planned to do the wedding until the weather got so hot that weekend. Jennifer and Kyle wisely moved their wedding to the smaller brick courtyard which is shaded by old oak trees and the cool indoors was readily accessible. 

 

They also did something else rather unusual. They had a little concert for entertaining the guests before the wedding started. I did not know until the day of her wedding that Jennifer is a vocalist with a degree in Opera although currently she works as a video game designer. Kyle's father is an accomplished vocalist with the Houston Symphony Chorus. So, with a talented pianist as accompanist, Kyle's father, Kevin, and Jennifer's voice teacher, Jennifer Seiger, entertained us for about 15 to 20 minutes before everyone went out into the courtyard for the ceremony. It was really a special treat and everyone enjoyed their wonderful singing.

When it was time, Cathy, Mother of the groom, was escorted in by Kevin. Father of the groom. Then the groom and his best man, his brother Brian, and I entered. Then Susan, the Maid of Honor took her place. Our wonderful ceremony music was provided by Craig Hanemann with Arioso Strings. I see Craig at a lot of weddings in duets, trios and quartets and this was the first time I have heard him solo. He is really fabulous!

Jennifer was escorted in by her parents, Emily and John.  They came for the wedding from Indiana. Seems that John has a bit of a dilemma here as to how to step out the door without stepping on the bride's train and Jennifer and her mother are obviously not aware of his problem!

John figured it out somehow because they made it down the aisle to present her to Kyle to be married and Jennifer's train is still intact! Jennifer made some really attractive wedding programs. You can see one in a guest's hand on the right side of the photo. (I like to collect left-over programs and give them to my upcoming wedding couples for ideas for their own.)

The ceremony was rolling right along after Jennifer shed a few tears. Here Brian is presenting a thought-provoking reading from the Tao Te Ching.

Their friends Timothy and Mary presented "Waltzing of the Spheres" by Susan Thompson. A great poem for a wedding.

This wonderful photo is by our wedding photographer, Michelle Gunton, who so generously sent me a bunch of her fabulous photos of the wedding. I think at this point I am telling the couple's story about how they met when they were both students at Rice University in Texas, moving to North Carolina and adopting Milly the cat. As I mentioned before, Jennifer creates video games and Kyle develops software for medical applications. They are both brilliant people.

Another photo by Michelle. It was at this point in the ceremony that a very long train came rumbling and tooting through! You can see it in the background to the left. It was much too large and loud for me to compete with so we just stopped and laughed for a while.

Still laughing. It was a long train! Every venue has the potential for excessive noise interruptions whether a train, a motorcycle passing by or even a helicopter flying over Duke Gardens. I have learned to make the best of it and go with the flow by incorporating it impromptu into the ceremony, making the ceremony just that much more memorable. Photo by Michelle Gunton.

Finally the train has gone by and it is time to get serious again! Ha! Everyone was in a laughing mode by then.So then they said their vows to each other and exchanged rings. 

Another two great photos from Michelle. The pronouncement of marriage............

Finally, the kiss! They've been practicing, I see! 

It is time to go celebrate! Notice Kyle's mother, Cathy, cheering because she now has a daughter!

Such a great wedding! Jennifer wrote me before the wedding that they were "...very pleased with the ceremony.  I am really looking forward to it!   Thank you so much for helping us create a ceremony that is perfect for us." Jennifer and Kyle, it was such a pleasure working with you and being a part of your very special day. I know you will have much happiness and joy! (The beautiful bouquets for Jennifer and Susan were by GCG Flowers of Cary.)

I just love this photo by Michelle. 

Michelle, you have a really good eye and perspective. I like your style and I thank you for sending these to me! Hope to work with you again soon!  Here is a link to Michelle's blog post on this wedding. Go see more of Jennifer and Kyle's wedding celebration in the slide show.