7/31/2015

12 Wonders of Black Hair & Skin

Maybe you've got yourself your first black friend or you're just intrigued, but you have so many questions but don't want to come across like a clueless country bumpkin. From my primary to university years, I am used to being one of very few (if any) black kids in my class and I'm pretty light hearted about other people's curiosity and have decided to list a few of the most common queries I get.

Source: shutterstock
Black hair probably sparks the most questions as the difference of coarse Nigerian hair compared to theirs can be intriguing. Now I'm not easy to annoy but one thing I do have to insist when it comes to all black people- ASK BEFORE YOU GO PETTING SOMEONE'S HAIR... I'm likely to say no. Respect that.


1. When I have extensions- "What part is your real hair?"
 Extensions have become much more mainstream as I got older but people do still ask this so check below about how it works. Still confused? Google it!

2. With braids- "How do they put it in?"
Here's a tutorial vid by Kali Kashmere because, after repeating myself to multiple people for15 odd years, it can get tiring...

3. "How long does it take?"
6 hours and a sore bum later- I look fabulous! Sitting on a chair for half a day obviously isn't fun but after all these years, it's not as big of a deal as you think.

4. "What is a weave?"
Aaand another tutorial, this time by HairByLin.

5. "How do you wash it?" 
The same as how you wash yours really...
When hair is in braids or a weave, it's really not necessary to wash it much but when I have natural hair, I probably was it every 3ish weeks. No, it's not dirty. White hair gets greasy if you don't wash it often however afro-caribbean hair dries out and breaks if you wash it too frequently. Natural oils take longer to affect black skin, I assume it's because of the fact that black skin is thicker with more layers than white (but I'm no doctor) which is why we apply hair oil and other products to give it more moisture.

6. "So is your hair, like, an afro?"
No. My hair is relaxed instead of 100% natural. Relaxer is a type of long-term straightening formula however I do cheat an 'afro' every now and then using bantu knots.

7. "Why don't you keep your hair natural?"
I know afros are just oh so more interesting but I relax my hair because it makes it easier to maintain and I'm super lazy with my hair. Props to the girls taking that #NaturalHairJourney, it's just not my choice at the moment.

8. "You change your hair all the time!"
Well I can't sit with the same weave for 2 years now, can I? Black people can use braids and weaves as a way of protecting natural hair whilst still looking uber cute but, eventually, it will get messy so it kinda needs to be redone. Just sit back and enjoy the variation.

9. That "Yes, I have tights on my head" moment...
Night Time Weave Routine Using Tights | Edee Beau
If I stay over, I'll probably put on a head scarf to stop it getting messy and dry, but you know what's just as good?? Tights! Perfectly elasticated for ideal hair protection.

10. "Do you have to moisturise EVERY day?"
I usually have to explain this when it comes to changing after swimming and everyone's like "what are you doing?". Yes, I moisturise on a daily basis because dry skin feels as bad as it looks. Just accept it as something every black person does and move on. The faves are Palmer's Coco Butter and, for the dry winter, Vaseline jelly (because it's not just for lips!).

11. "Why are your palms and the bottom of your feet white?"
Why does it matter? They just are...

12. "Do you tan?" 
Well yes, I get darker in the sun. Although, for me, it has to be super sunny so this British summer isn't really cutting it.

So that's all I have to tell you this time round. Take this information, hold it close to your heart and avoid asking again. 


Broke BB xx


P.S. No, I won't teach you how to twerk and no you're not 'blacker' than me because you listen to more rap music. 
Love ya!

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7/27/2015

Music Monday: Lianne La Havas

I've decided to introduce a new weekly feature on my blog where, every week, I bring you the song getting me through that ever dreaded Monday. From chart hits to nostalgic oldies- I got you!


In anticipation of the release of the luscious Lianne La Havas' new album, Blood, I have decided to pick a couple of her tracks, What You Don't Do and Green and Gold. Both are from the upcoming album which will be released this Friday (31st July).


The first Lianne track that I heard was Is Your Love Big Enough? from her 2012 album, of the same name, which was just stunning. After experiencing the entrancing voice live at a show in Bournemouth, it was official, I was a FAN! A few years on, Unstoppable popped up and it was the much needed reminder of this babe's talent. I'm always ready for more Lianne La Havas and FINALLY the new parcel of musical perfection is nigh! Click here to pre order Lianne's album and check out her live dates here- trust me, you will NOT regret it!


Check out Lianne in the video for What You Don't Do which is the perfect combo of 60s Jazz and modern pop.


Here's her brand new single, Green and Gold, a charmingly jazzy chill tune. Enjoy! 


Broke BB xx

7/10/2015

WIN: MDMflow

Want to win a gorgeous handmade lipstick by MDMflow? Of course!
This Monday I launched my first every Twitter competition so just follow and retweet to be in with the chance to win the stunning Von Dutch.
Competition ends 14/07/15

7/06/2015

On the MDMFlow

Yay to new and original independent brands! I had a chat with Florence Adepoju, the creative mind behind MDMflow, about her handmade lipstick brand. If you love to finish an outfit off with an edgy lip colour then you need to get on that MDMflow.

   
HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN?
I studied BSc Cosmetics Science at the London College of Fashion and decided upon graduation to create a brand that represented all my influences- 90s Hip hop, street style, colour and science.

WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?
My main sources of inspiration are hip hop and street culture. I love that hip hop is all encompassing, its real and it raw yet its aspirational and flashy. I like things that contain depth and aren't just surface level sugar coated. At the moment I'm obsessed with watching rappers being interviewed and mini documentaries. My current fave to listen to is A$AP rocky

WHO’S YOUR ULTIMATE HIP-HOP ICON?
My male icon is Notorious B.I.G and my female changes all the time but right now I would say Eve. I listen to her hit, Satisfaction, every now and then and it really resonates. "Everything I am just because I had to make it happen they never thought that I would make it rappin'" that's how I feel right now. She was a female rapper that really said it how it was. 


SOME GIRLS CAN FEEL DISCOURAGED TO WEAR BRIGHT LIP COLOUR, IF ANY AT ALL, AND ARE WORRIED THAT IT WON’T SUIT THEM, DID YOU EVER EXPERIENCE THE SAME THING IN THE PAST AND WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR GIRLS WANTING TO CHANGE IT UP A LITTLE? 
I think I've always been a bit crazy and pushed the boat out with my beauty styling, I grew up around boys so I didn't really have an older female to lay down the rules and my mum isn't really into make-up. I always looked at music videos as inspiration, Kelis early 2000's styling still inspires me now. In my opinion the best way to change up your style is to work on your attitude and how you feel about yourself. Beauty should be an expression of how you feel and not to mask it. I don't think there is any point in rocking a look that doesn't represent you. If you are feeling classic rock try a Supreme red but if you are feeling punk, it’s Di La La black all the way. 

WHO WOULD YOU LOVE TO SEE ROCKING THE MDMFLOW

THE MDMFLOW GIRL IS… Confident and expressive 


COLOUR POP OR CHILL PASTEL?
Colour pop, I've just never really gotten into pastels, I find them very demure and I'm the opposite 

WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?
Gourmet burgers

WHO’S YOUR MOST PLAYED ARTIST AT THE MOMENT?

WHAT BRANDS SHOULD WE BE CHECKING OUT AND WHY?
 Caudalie, a really cool French skincare brand where all the active ingredients are derived from grapes. I love everything they do. For colour cosmetics it's Nars and, for fashion, I'm really into TTYA- the perfect brand for tall girls. I also love sequins and glitter so loving Ashish too. 

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE OF MDMFLOW HOLD?
More products, more visuals, I'm also hoping to do more pop-up events, I love meeting the girls that buy my products.

FAVE QUOTE? 
"Stay far from timid
Only make moves when your heart's in it
And live the phrase Sky's The Limit" 
- Notorious B.I.G 

Images sourced fromHigh Content by Joe Starbuck

Start your MDMflow collection now and check out the MDMflow mascara, Greater Than, out now!

Broke BB xx