I've always assumed I had straight hair. Until I watched videos on the internet of women with my hair type trying the curly girl method. I was shocked to see these women's hair transform from frizzy "straight hair" to gorgeous wavy/curly hair. I was intrigued and curious to find out if my hair was actually wavy. I used to wonder why my hair was never pinned straight and why some strands were on the wavier side.  I noticed a difference in the texture of my hair after I stopped using heat tools, products with harsh ingredients, and when I cut off the dead ends. When I finally tried the curly girl method, I discovered that my hair was wavy. The more I did it, the wavy my hair became. This experience taught me how to properly care for my hair and how to embrace my 2a/2b waves.

LEARNING ABOUT HAIR PATTERNS:

Back when I had no idea my hair was wavy. My haircare routine after the shower was straightforward. I'd let my hair air dry before brushing it and would apply a small amount of oil to the ends (that was it!)  I'd always noticed that I had a slight wave in my hair, almost like an "s" shape. I discovered my curl pattern after watching Brad Mondo. (His video was very informative, especially if you don't know what your hair pattern is.) He discusses four separate topics. The first of which is scalp type. Which can be normal, oily, or dry. Hair thickness and density fall into the second category. People (including myself) frequently confuse the differences between these two topics, so he explains them in greater detail in his video. He'll help determine whether your hair is thick or thin. If it's damaged or if it's healthy. The final topic he discusses is hair patterns. Type 1 is a rare hair type that is naturally straight with no curl pattern. If your hair isn't pinned straight, it's because it's wavy or curly. Wavy, curly, and coiled hair are the three subcategories. Once you've determined your hair type, you'll have a thorough understanding of what products your hair requires.

HOW I TRANSITIONED:

As stated earlier, I stopped using heat on my hair to reduce damage, switched to natural products, and got rid of the split ends. I purchased hair care products specifically designed for wavy/curly hair. Along with styling moose/gel. Once a week, I use hair treatments to strengthen and repair my hair. A few times a month, I rinse my hair with rice water, which has improved the overall texture of my hair. In addition, I use a regrowth serum ( I highly recommend incorporating both into your hair care routine.) I scrunch and plop my hair after the shower. After that, I'll wrap a silk scarf around my hair before going to bed.

THEN V.S NOW:

DON'T GIVE UP:

Never in a million years did I imagine my hair to be wavy. I've only been using the curly girl method for a month, and I've already noticed a significant improvement in my hair's appearance and texture. Transitioning to wavy hair is difficult as it requires a lot of maintenance, but believe me when I say it gets easier once you get the hang of it. If you think you have wavy/curly hair and want to find out, I recommend the curly girl method. Walmart and Target sell affordable hair products for curly hair under 20 dollars. Give it a shot, and share your results in the comments section below.

Dealing with dark underarms could make you feel self-conscious, especially when they are in full display. One of the reasons I disliked wearing tank tops during the summer was my dark underarms. They were never super dark, but dark enough to make me feel insecure. If you are experiencing this problem, I have great news for you. Lightening your armpits is totally possible and easy to achieve using natural ingredients.

TURMERIC: Turmeric has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce dark spots and evens out the skin tone.

HONEY: Honey is antibacterial, contains antioxidants, minimizes inflammation, moisturizes, and brightens the skin.

LEMON: Lemon contains a high amount of vitamin C, which helps lighten the skin naturally and removes dead skin cells.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tbsp baking soda
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/2 lemon
• enough water to make a paste consistency

DIRECTION:

1.) In a small bowl, add the baking soda and turmeric powder.

2.) Add the honey, lemon, and water.

3.) Mix well to combine all of the ingredients until you obtain a paste consistency.

HOW TO USE:

1.) Apply the mixture to the underarms. 

2.) Leave it for about 5-10 minutes and wash it off.

* Recommend using 3-4 times a week*

*Do not apply on recently shaved underarms as it may cause irritation.*

A year ago, I published a post discussing cellulite and 6 natural ways to minimize it. (If you haven't read it, I'll leave a link to that post here.) On one of the topics, I mentioned that coffee can help reduce the appearance of cellulite. I recommended making a coffee body scrub for a reason. This recipe is effective, natural, and only has three main ingredients.

COFFEE: The caffeine in coffee can help treat cellulite and lessen its appearance. Massaging coffee grounds on the affected area can improve blood flow, circulation, tighten and plump the skin. 

COCONUT OIL: Coconut oil contains collagen-boosting properties that can naturally improve the look of cellulite. It could help nourish, firm, tighten, and smooth the skin.

BROWN SUGAR: Brown sugar is a natural ingredient used in many homemade body scrubs to exfoliate. It's gentle on the skin, removes dead skin cells, moisturizes, and softens the skin.

 INGREDIENTS:

• 3 tbsp ground coffee 
• 5 tbsp of brown sugar
• 3 tbsp of fractionated coconut oil or olive oil
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract 

Lauren Fleischmann

For years and years now, I've been dying my own hair at home. Not only do I save money by doing so, but I also enjoy the process. I love that I can give myself a fresh new look without having to leave the comfort of my own home. However, dying your hair from home can be a bit tricky, that's why I decided to share with you ladies some of my favorite tips and tricks to make dying your hair, less intimidating and a lot easier, so let's get started...




MATERIALS NEEDED:

• Hair dye kit
• Comb
• Petroleum jelly
• Hair clips
• Gloves
• Old T-shirt
• Deep conditioner for your hair type

Godisable Jacob

Let's clear something up, cellulite is a natural thing. More than 80 percent of women have it regardless of what size they are, so we shouldn't be ashamed of it. However, there's nothing wrong with wanting to get rid of it. Personally for me ever since I can remember, I've always had cellulite on the back of my thighs, and now that I'm older, it got worse. To the point where it started to bother me, so I knew I needed to do something about it. After trying out numerous different methods and changing my diet. I finally minimized the appearance of my cellulite, and today, I wanted to share with you ladies how I did it.



WHAT IS CELLULITE?

Before I start talking about how to minimize your cellulite, let's talk about what it is. Cellulite is a skin condition that occurs when fat deposits beneath the skin. Cellulite is dimpled-looking skin that typically appears in the butt, thighs, and hip region. The exact cause of cellulite is unknown, but women are more likely to develop cellulite than men due to the difference in fat cells, muscle, and connective tissue. Regardless of your age or weight, anyone can have cellulite.



HOW TO GET RID OF CELLULITE.

1.) EXERCISING.

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One of the most effective ways (I've found) to fight against cellulite is by exercising to burn unwanted fat. Toning your body and strengthening your muscles will help to minimize the appearance of cellulite. Some exercises you might want to try are squats, lunges, leg lifts, or any kind of cardio to burn fight. Weight lifting is another great option that I recommend you incorporate into your exercising routine.



2.) STAYING HYDRATED.


Another natural and extremely inexpensive way of getting rid of cellulite is by drinking lots of liquid. Dehydration can cause thinner and weaker skin, thus making cellulite more visible. Make sure to consume at least 8-10 cups of water daily to stay hydrated and flush out any toxins from your body.


3.) CHANGE YOUR DIET.

Amoon Ra

Avoid foods that contain high amounts of sodium, because consuming too much salt can make you retain water, and make cellulite more visible. Avoid processed sugar, sugary drinks, alcohol, and junk food overall because it makes cellulite worse as it slows down collagen production, making the dimples on the skin look more noticeable.

Hadis Safari

There are days threw out the week that I like to go out without having to put makeup on. Especially when the weather is crazy hot! Skipping days of not wearing makeup can be very beneficial for your skin. Take a break every now and then to let your skin breathe. I know that not all of us have the confidence to go outdoors without a single drop of makeup, but you'll be surprised by how much your confidence and skin can improve by making a few changes to your everyday routine. Down below, I will be sharing 14 clever tips on how to look better without makeup.