Okay, so recently I went to pick up a new bottle of Revlon Colorstay Makeup from my local Walmart because I was getting low on my old one. Just like every morning, I showered and got ready to do my makeup routine for the day. After shaking the bottle a little to mix the foundation, I took the top off and tipped the bottle in order to  pour the makeup onto the back of my hand...and after several moments of waiting...nothing came out!  LOL  I looked inside the bottle to make sure there was actually makeup inside and to make sure I wasn't losing my mind (after all, it was pretty early! LOL)   Well, the bottle was completely full! :O
  
    Needless to say, I was completely thrown off by this lol, I started to tap the bottle on the back of my hand to encourage the makeup to come out and.......nothing!   So, I starting hitting the bottle against the  back of my hand, pretty hard btw, to get it to come out!  Nothing came out :(   I  even tried getting it to come out onto the palm of my hand! Sigh, after about 2 minutes of war, only a TINY bit came out!  LOL  From that tiny bit, I noticed that the foundation was a completely different texture than before. It was kind of like a "cream."  It's much thicker than the foundation from my previous bottle.  When I applied the makeup to my skin, it felt like it was whipped or something. ( It's funny because Revlon does in fact have a whipped makeup that I haven't tried yet, but would imagine it feeling very similar to this!)   One good thing about this "possible" new formula, is that the coverage was much better than it was before. However, the color was also a little light for my skin tone at first. :/  I was immediately concerned about this lol, but after a few minutes, it blended perfectly to my skin tone as it once did.  Phew!  
   
    I'm really not sure if this is a new formula or if I just got a faulty one :/   Overall, I still love this foundation :D  It's still awesome! It has the same great lasting power and natural looking finish (but now, it also has a little transfer which I'm not thrilled about...the old formula DID NOT transfer at all! So I hope they fix this...  sigh)  Most of all, I DO NOT like that the packaging makes it nearly impossible for the "cream like" makeup to come out lol!  It usually takes me about 5 minutes to do my foundation and it took double the time because I was boxing with this bottle!  SMH...   Have a blessed day! 

  I was a little skeptical about using this conditioner :)  I've heard soo many wonderful things about the Giovanni direct leave in that I wasn't sure how this would measure up.  But after searching high and low for the leave in lol, I decided to give the Smooth as Silk a try.  After all, my hair tends to thrive on using regular conditioners as leave ins as long as there are no nasty ingredients in it lol.  I have been nothing but incredibly shocked by the performance of this conditioner! I have NEVER used a conditioner in my hair, relaxed or natural, quite like this one!  This conditioner leaves my hair crazy soft!  I've even asked my husband many times to feel my hair because it was sooo soft  LOL!  When twisting my hair the first time using this, it was as though I had no SSK's lol.  Usually, I can feel them and either snip them or  try to just ignore them because they come back no matter what lol.  But this time???!  I felt only 1 SSK that I had to snip lol. ( Now I know there are others lol, but I didn't feel them!)  It kinda reminds me of the results of an apple cider vinegar rinse...super smooth and silky feeling hair.   I love this!  

   Yesterday I took another trip to the Goodwill just to see what I could find :D  There was no 50% off sale this time,  but I pretty much always end up buying something no matter what!  I usually try to set a $15.00 budget each time I go lol....most of the time I go over...  like last month!  This time, I got 4 basic tops and spent EXACTLY 15 bucks!  YUP :)

   I wanted to know what my husband really thought about my natural hair lol.  So I talked him into doing a fun tag on YouTube, created by Alicia James, called "Love and Natural Hair."  He is officially on the hot seat!  Ladies, grab your man and find out what's going on in his mind too!  LOL

   I really need to start deep conditioning more often!  I have been slacking off with it...sigh.... Whenever I do decide to deep condition, I have really kept it simple :)  Deep conditioning helps keep my scalp healthy.  I tend to have an itchy scalp especially during the winter.  I also have a sensitive scalp that gets irritated if I don't wash it after sweating etc.  So deep conditioning with oils help me out soo much :D  First, I oil my scalp on dry hair, and use a cheap conditioner(Suave Naturals) on my length :)  After that, I either hang out for a few hours while wearing a shower cap, or sit under the dryer for 20-30 minutes.  That's it lol!  Here is a little info on the oils I like to use :)

   Castor oil can be a little intimidating when considering to use it on your hair lol.  It is VERY thick and sticky...it seems like it would cause nothing but problems and take forever to remove from the hair!  But this oil is actually amazing :D  It has soo many great benefits, that it is hard not to try!  

Benefits include:

* Detoxifies/cleans scalp
  
* Stimulates scalp
  
* Helps with itchy scalp

*Can help thicken hair

*Softens the hair

* Prevents hairloss

   Olive oil is still reigning champion for my fro!  I love how it helps seal in moisture and adds shine to my hair :)  I've recently added this oil to my deep conditioning regimen to help thin out the castor oil lol.  With all of the wonderful things it is capable of, I'm not sure why I haven't added it in sooner!  

Some Benefits include: 
* Penetrating hair shaft for deep conditioning

* Helps prevent dandruff

* Smooths hair

* Reduces frizz

*Can improve hair elasticity and strength

*Adds shine

    After much research, I chose peppermint oil to use for my itchy scalp.  Since I cowash frequently my scalp is clean but I still occasionally get a dry scalp...especially during the winter lol.  Peppermint oil not only smells awesome, it  is very soothing! It really calms the itching and the tingling "effects" last long after it is washed out.   I really like it :)   

Benefits include:

* Smells awesome! lol

* Tingles and cools the scalp

* Helps with itching

* Stimulates scalp

*Treatment for hairloss

  Some other oils I'm interested in are avocado oil, jojoba oil and coconut oil :)  They have great benefits for the hair and scalp so I will definitely be trying these out!  LOL


What are your favorite oils?


                               Check out Simple Deep Conditioning 4C Hair- NaturalMe4C on Youtube!  

  I broke yet another top!  LOL This time, instead of the Shea Moisture Mist top, it's my color applicator bottle top that is broken :)  So, after many drips of excess oil... I decided to purchase the Roots Only Comb Applicator Bottle from Sally's.  I had seen these in Walmart not long ago and I put if off assuming they would always be there.  I was wrong!  I ended up paying $5.99 for it :/  But it's kool.  
  So, This comb attachment is awesome!  It's sooo much better than that skinny nozzle I was using for years.  It allows whatever you put inside the bottle, color, oils, conditioner, shampoo etc., to glide onto the hair and scalp with very little effort.  It also covers a lot more ground than the regular nozzle tip.  My natural hair is soo much thicker than my relaxed hair was so this is VERY helpful for me lol.  
  The bottle is 4 oz which is a little small, but the comb attaches to other applicator bottles as well so that makes up for its small size. ( Shh! I did a quick test to make sure, in the store lol! ) I do wish they just sold the comb attachments separately so I can get one for my old larger bottle but oh well...   Needless to say, I'm through with the tiny nozzle tip and I'm upgrading to Roots Only!  Have a blessed day!

Check out my YouTube video Roots Only Comb Applicator Bottle Review- NaturalMe4C 

  So my husband Ty talked me into allowing him to do my Twistout for Valentines Day lol.  (Why I agreed is beyond me!  LOL)  He said he wanted to give me a "break" from doing my hair so I could relax!  So as an exercise of trust, I decided to put myself at risk(lol) and let him try it out :D  We had a ton of fun during this process even though it took over 3 hours!  LOL  

He owes me dinner after this!  LOL

                                                Watch my husband do my Twistout on YouTube! 

                                              Husband Does My Twistout! Part 1- NaturalMe4C
                                             
                                            Husband Does My Twistout! (results) Part 2- NaturalMe4C

 Where do I begin with this???  I LOVE THIS FOUNDATION!  I really do!  I have been using this foundation consistently for about 7 years and it has never let me down.  This will be my makeup of choice unless Revlon changes the formula for the worse or my skin stops loving it :D  I wear Caramel 400 in combination/oily. 

                                                        Highlights:
Seriously long wear 
 I put this on around 6:30 in the morning and don't wash it off until almost midnight lol no joke!  It stays put! 

No transfer
  Once this makeup dries to my skin which is very oily, it is there to stay. I can try on clothes without worrying I'm going to get makeup everywhere.  (It also doesn't get all over my husband if he touches my face or something lol.)

Non oily and helps control oil
  Since using this makeup I can honestly say that I don't breakout as often.  I still get the usual monthly pimples but that's going to happen regardless lol.
 Tip: If this makeup controls your oil a little too much, try adding a little moisturizer on after it dries. This will not remove the makeup but will give your skin the moisture it needs.)


No SPF
    I actually like that this has no SPF because there is no weird aluminum look to your skin. It stays natural looking.

No glitter or sparkle
  I don't even know why companies continue to put glitter in foundations and concealers...ugh.  I'm soo glad that this one doesn't have that .

Sweat proof
  I have excercized in this (I know that's bad lol)  and I have gone through many humid summers wearing this lol. This may sound weird but,  I am able to sweat through this makeup....however, the makeup doesn't sweat off!  Even if I'm blotting the sweat away!  Crazy amazing right??? lol

Water proof 
  There have been times where I had to wash off my eye makeup with my cleanser and this makeup did not budge. I haven't gone swimming wearing this makeup so I don't know if chlorine or salt water removes it.

Tear proof lol
  Having an emotional melt down?  No need to worry!  Your mascara may run but not this foundation lol.

Excellent color range
  The ColorStay line has a ton of colors to choose from unlike most drugstore brands...There are also two formulas to choose from:  Normal/Dry and Combination/Oily.  (If you are a woman of color, the combination/oily line has a better color selection.) 

Natural looking coverage
 I would say this makeup is medium to full coverage.  




                                                     Things that can be a "Con"
No pump 
  This makeup doesn't have a pump so it can be a little messy having to pour it out onto your hand.  It would also be more sanitary if it had a pump.

Expensive for drugstore
  This makeup is quite expensive for drugstore makeup ranging from 10 to 14 dollars.

Dries quickly
You have to work quick when applying it because it dries fast.  If you wait too long inbetween "coats" you may run into trouble blending.  
Tip: Use a slightly damp foundation brush to place the makeup on your skin and then buff out with a round brush like a blush or small powder brush.  Just remember that this makeup is waterproof so if your brush has too much water the foundation won't apply right.  lol 


Can be tough to remove
  I just figured out that I need to remove this makeup with an oil based cleanser for gentle and effective cleaning.  I use coconut oil to remove it from my skin.  It will take several washes and a toner to remove with a regular cleanser...unless the cleanser is very harsh.  (If you use a cleanser to remove Colorstay be sure to use a toner and a cotton ball to make sure you got it all!  lol

    I have never tried doing a complete bantu knot set before.  Even when I was relaxed, I didn't think it would come out right, so I scared myself out of trying it lol.  I have heard and seen both great results and slight disasters with this style LOL.   But this time, I  was playing around with Day 2 hair  from a fluffy fro and I wanted to add a different shape to it.  My hair was still pretty stretched out so I figured why not give the bantu knots a try :)   I wasn't ready to wash my hair yet, so I decided to do a dry set while my husband and I watched tv.  ( I also coughed through the enitre process lol... there's a bug going around again and I have been a mess!  Sigh.)  

    I didn't have any problem sleeping with the knots in and the take down was pretty simple :)  I wasn't quite sure what to make of the loose curls when I first looked at my hair lol.  But i was like "You know what?  Let's work this lol."  I'm pretty pleased with the results and I will definitely be doing this style again very soon.  It adds a softer look to my fro, but it's also a little bold :D    Have you ever tried bantu knots?  

  I mentioned recently that I was probably going to change my leave in conditioner again!  I know!  What is going on?!?!?  Lol  But, I've been a little thrown off with Tresemme recently.  I  was browsing the internet and noticed that the ingredients were labeled different than the bottles I have. The websites had the conditioner containing "not so good" alcohols...  I'm not sure if it is an error or not, but I'm more than likely going to switch brands if I find something better :)  

  Many people have suggested that I try the Giovanni Direct Leave In Conditioner.  I would really like to try it but I can't find it on the ground!  LOL  The only Giovanni products that I have really found, have been from my local Walmart...and they don't have the leave in conditioner in the store.  They did however, have the Smooth As Silk Deeper Moisture Conditioner!  So after looking at the ingredients, I decided to buy it :)  

  This conditioner  is for rinsing out, but I'm going to attempt to try to use it as a leave in first, because there appears to be nothing harsh in it.  (The ingredients seem very similar to the Direct Leave In with using many oils and nothing harsh or drying.)  But I have to see how my hair responds to it LOL. Many people say that its a little greasy and heavy, but my 4C hair tends to like heavier products lol.   I will be trying this out very soon and want to give it several washes to make sure my hair really loves it.  I hope it works!    Have a blessed day!  

Have you tried this conditioner?  

 






   As a side note, I have been playing around with the Shea Moisture Curl and Style Milk  (as my leave in) again as well.  So I'm going to see how this works for my fro at this point in my journey.  I used to use this when I first big chopped but it became to light for me.  Now that my hair has calmed down , I want to see how this will work in my regimen :)   It will be nice to have options!  

 So I cowashed the Eco styler gel out of my hair getting rid of all that crunch lol. I really love to wear my hair full and undefined more often than not.  I think that it allows my fine hair to look much thicker than it actually is :)  I also try to embrace my hair when it's undefined because that's what it does naturally!

Hair clips-  To hold the sections that aren't being worked on, out of the way

Hair Bands-  Elastic bands without metal pieces.  These will be used to stretch the hair.

Hair Pik-  Oh yes!  We definitely need this :)  We want a ton of volume and height!  lol

Bobby Pins- not pictured :)  

                                     Check out my YouTube video, Big Fluffy Fro- NaturalMe4C  for this style :)

   This has got to be the most popular gel for ladies with natural hair lol.  I can't count how many times I have heard and seen this gel being used!  I have not been able to get this gel to work for me without some kind of disappointment.  My hair always feels dry when using it.  And I touch my hair way too much for that! LOL  
  So, I was inspired to give this gel another shot.  After seeing some awesome results from other users, I was like, "Why not?"  The huge tub I have was just collecting dust anyways lol.  I figured that since my moisture levels have been a lot better and since I'm using olive oil and avocado butter in my regimen, it should make the gel agree better with my hair.  Here we go again!  LOL
 

    This is what I used for this Wash and Go: 

  First I added my olive oil to wet hair, followed by a little avocado butter.  After that, I only used a nickel size amount of Tresemme to avoid white balls and flaking in my hair lol.  Next, I added a nice amount of Eco Styler Gel to medium sized sections of my hair.  I smoothed the gel through my hair and separated my coils as I smoothed.
 I didn't take super small sections and shingle....it was after midnight LOL and I was TIRED.  The gel went on a lot better than it did before...it wasn't as dry feeling.   I think that the olive oil and avocado butter gave it more slip :)  (I haven't noticed a big difference between "shingling" and "smoothing"with my hair. Either way, my hair still shrinks all the way up and it looks pretty much the same in the end lol.)  
    After I was done with the gel, I started to panic lol....I just knew it was going to be VERY CRUNCHY when it dried......so I sprayed some Shea moisture Hold and Shine on my fro. (about 12-15 pumps lol)  I was really trying to avoid hard hair!  

  The next morning, my hair was 99% dry and it looked awesome!  It was totally shrunken but my tiny coils were magnified! (It does a much better job at amplifying and clumping my coils than the other gels I have.)   I thought it looked soo cute!  LOL  I was actually shocked.  My hair was pretty shiny...but it also had a bit of a white cast over it ugh...   And the feel???  VERY CRISPY!  lol  I used the palm of my hand to feel it first and it felt like potato chips....but with the back of my hand it felt softer...not sure what to make of that! (It failed the front of the hand test, and passed the back of the hand test lol.)  I'm flip flopping with this gel!  
    I can't believe I'm saying this about the ECO STYLER but I actually loved the way it made my hair look.  BUT I cant stand the cripsiness :(  However, even with that, I am willing to try using it again for another wash and go. Maybe I'll tweak what products I layer with the gel.  I think I could have gotten way more than 3 days of wear with this wash and go which is awesome.   Hmmm...    The jury is still out for this gel for me lol.    Have you tried the Eco Styler Olive Oil gel?  How does it work for your hair?