MANIC PANIC EQUALS EPIC FAIL

As you can tell by the title I've tried something and failed. If you know what manic panic is then you know I tried to color my hair. I took the leap of faith a while back at coloring my hair. I started with what I thought would be an Auburn color which ended up becoming a brown color. I was okay with that because I hadn't seen color in my hair in so long I didn't need such a drastic change.

Since then I have realized a few key points in coloring my hair with box dyes. Like number one, the developer really helps in processing the color to be what you want it to be or at least close to. Needless to say I have experienced my fair share of coloring my hair. Brown, Auburn, Red and now.....

Purple...yep purple. I know I know you might be thinking WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT? I will say the purple wasn't going to be a BRIGHT purple or neon purple, but I was going for noticeable. Not crazy. I slept on it for a LOOOONG time and finally decided to go to Sally's and purchase the manic panic. I had a picture of a Natural hair woman who had the same purple I wanted. I took my photo and headed in. I picked my color which was Ultra Violet and my color bowl and checked out. I couldn't wait to get home and try my new color. I decided to do a test section to make sure I liked the color and that it turned out the way I needed it to. 

Before I show you the results I would just like to inform you that I did have color already in my hair. It was a really bright red that faded into a blondish brown color. Here is a pic of what my hair looked like prior to me attempting the purple.

Again, it was already colored so I assumed that the purple would latch onto that and it would be alright. I would also like to say that Manic Panic is a Semi-Permanent which I don't know if it makes a difference but I thought I'd throw that in there. So here is my first attempt at my test section.

First of all when I dyed it my hair looked jet black. It wasn't until I grabbed my camera which has a flash that I even saw color. So needless to say I was NOT happy. This doesn't look anything like the color I was going for. I threw my hair in a ponytail and headed back up to Sally's once I arrived the clerk and the manager tried so very hard to convince me that my hair was purple and it looked great. -__- lies lies lies....anyways they also told me to try it again and this time add conditioner to make it lighten a few shades. I knew this trick and have heard of it a few times so I decided to try it. Back home I go, add my conditioner, add my color and wait another 45 minutes to an hour...even though the jar says 30 minutes I like to push the envelop sometimes.

Here are my results

Yep...you guessed it. No difference. 

HUGE EPIC FAIL......(I still love you Manic Panic but you're just not for me)

So I did what I knew I could do. I pulled out my trusty red and slapped it on. I think I am meant to be a red head anyways :) I love the color I just wanted to try something new. Loreal Execellence Hi-Color Hi-light for dark hair only and I get along so very well!!

My end result....LOVE

What do you guys think? Do you have any hair coloring horror stories....share with me

DISCLAIMER: I was not sent these products nor paid for this review. I paid for these products with my own money and the review and comments are of my own.

IT'S MY BLOGIVERSARY!!

That's right...you read that correctly. September is the anniversary of my blog. I have officially been blogging for an entire year. It's amazing when I think back on when I first started. The friendships I have made, the friendships I had that are now stronger. I know more than I knew back then, I am not as nervous to get out there and say what I need to say, and most of all my tenacity, ambition and drive are at full force. Waiting for the next opportunity to talk about my blog, share with the world, and help one beautiful man or woman at a time. It's liberating, it's exciting, it's what I was meant to do.

I love talking about the things I talk about on my blog. I love when people stop me in the street and want to know how I got my hair to look a certain way, how they love my lipstick and want to know where I got it from, when they ask me (what may seem random to some but interesting to me) questions. That is why I started the #asknapturalista segment to my vlogs. Doing this makes me happy, it makes me feel awesome that I am helping others with my knowledge in certain areas. 

I owe all of this to my amiga. If it wasn't for her persistence, her belief in me, her love for me and our friendship I would have never stepped into the blogging waters. She could see something in me that I couldn't see in myself, and still does. She's helped me grow, she's helped me realize my potential and I am so grateful, and appreciative of her. I have to give credit where credit is due. Without her there would be no Songstress or Napturalista. There just wouldn't be. So thank you amiga for believing in me and guiding me through the path, thank you for your continued love and support. <3 <3

Thank you to my new and old friends that I have made along the way, I appreciate you being there with and for me. I appreciate the love and support. I look forward to the new friendships I will make in this next year and I look forward to hopefully attending some conferences as well. 

I'm not where I want to be but I sure am well on my way!

HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY TO ALL MY FELLOW BLOGGERS/VLOGGERS OUT THERE THAT ARE CELEBRATING THEIR BLOGIVERSARY THIS MONTH!!!!

ASK NAPTURALISTA

Hey beautiful people

Hope you all are well. I've been away a lot longer than I planned and I apologize. I have been really focused on growing my YouTube profile and my Facebook page with this whole re-vamping thing. I have really exciting news I have reached over 100 likes on my Facebook fan page. Its actually 137 to be exact lol. My goal was to reach 100 in three months and I started actively promoting it in August. I am happy about this goal but my goal to reach 50 subscribers on my YouTube is not going as well but I am still hopeful.

I wanted to let you guys know about a new segment in my videos that is called Ask Napturalista. Ask Napturalista is basically like a Dear Abby section to my videos. You can ask me anything dealing with natural hair, makeup, beauty, weight loss, healthy living, relationship, kids etc. Simply post your questions here, on my Facebook fan page, on my Twitter or Instagram, or on my YouTube page and I'll answer them in my Ask Napturalista segment on my YouTube page. I do not mention names so if you send them to me in a private message your name won't be used, I simply just ask the question and answer it. So far its been fun and I have received a lot of questions but would definitely like to receive more. So if you would like to participate I would love to have you. 

Lastly, thank you all for your continued love and support as I transition and further break into the blogging/vlogging world. I love you all so much. Please take a look at some of my #asknapturalista videos and if you haven't please don't forget to check out the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the YouTube 

Until next time<3 <3

IT'S IPSY TIME!!

Hi lovelies,

A few months ago, I was sitting at my desk, putting on my makeup, and my old boss recognized that I was pulling makeup out of a Target bag. She asked "where's your makeup bag" I said "I don't have one...I need to get one, DON'T JUDGE ME" we both laughed and she proceeded to tell me about this subscription company where I pay $10 a month and they send me a new makeup bag every month with a few products in it for me to try. 

A new makeup bag every month? You mean I don't have to carry around a Target, or Walmart or grocery bag anymore full of my makeup? (I know SUPER ghetto...DON'T JUDGE ME) I was so excited to hear about it. And my old boss even gave me some of the makeup bags she got. I was intrigued for sure.

I guess not that intrigued because, I didn't jump on it right away, it wasn't until July, I heard about the company again, I decided to check it out. I answered the questions they asked, signed up and was now an official ipsy subscriber. I couldn't wait for my August Glam Bag as they call it, and ladies and gentlemen here it is!!

How pretty is that? I was beyond excited to receive my glam bag. 

Here's all the goodies I had inside.

NYX - Rouge Cream Blush

Pixi - Lash Booster Mascara

Michael Todd - Charcoal & Jojoba facial scrub

Urban Decay - Anarchy lipstick

Pacifica Natural Skincare - BB cream...

Here's a close up of the lipstick (top) and blush(bottom lighter pink)

Needless to say...I'm sold. I loved everything I received and I was super excited.

Check out my reaction in my "It's Ipsy Time" YouTube video

Check out www.ipsy.com for more information and as always thank you for the love and support.

~N

RE-VAMPING/RE-BRANDING

Hello beautiful people,

I have decided to go a slightly different direction with my blog/vlog. Not straying off too far, but actually falling into my niche. I will still talk hair, still talk healthy living (ie. working out, meals etc) I will also be adding in beauty and some plus size fashion will be in there as well.

I am so excited to go through the re-branding process. I have a graphics artist in the process of creating my new logo and banner...CAN'T WAIT, I am in the process of getting a dot com, some business cards and so much more. This ish is serious!! LOL 

My new name is not that different than my current name but its different. All shall be revealed soon and I am so excited I just wanted to share with you all.

Thank you for the continued love and support and baring with me through it all. I really appreciate it :)

Peace & Blessings

~N

CHRONICLES OF CROSSFIT

Hi my lovelies,

I know it's been a LONG while since we last chatted. I have so much exciting news to share but that will come in a later post. Right now, I want to chat with you about Cross fit...the exercise.

So for the past 3 months I have been working out Monday-Saturday at 5 am except Saturday's I try to sleep in a little but I am usually at the gym by 10:30. Anyways, I have been very consistent, I have even had some people that came on board with me and wanted me to motivate and encourage them so that's what I did. I have several workout partners and we all meet to workout together. 

About 4 weeks ago my gym was offering a bootcamp class. Small, intimate class with about 8 of us. It was a one week free class and then ended up turning into 2 weeks. I was actually bamboozled into signing up for that class. I had no intention on taking a class just wanted to workout on the machines, do some free weights and a little circuit and that be that. But nope one of my friends/workout partner decided to sign me up. So I did it, I took the class and finished it. 

Before the class was over, my friend was telling me about a "Circuit" class that was being offered through her church, she said "I think I want to do it" I said...You should tell me how it is. A week later we started round 2 of the bootcamp class. While we were in class my friend proceeds to tell me how she "signed me up for the circuit class" WHAT???? Lady are you serious...I don't want to do a circuit class... Anyways, I asked her when she was going to tell me, she said "Tuesday"...the class started on Wednesday...SMH 

Fast forward to the first "circuit" class. I found out the class was outside, in the heat...thankfully it was by the water but still. IT'S HOT!! As I am in the middle of typing a Facebook status I find out that the "circuit" class I was at was actually a CROSS FIT CLASS!!!! OMG I think I died really quick and came back to life. Have you seen me?? I can't do Crossfit. Ugh...I was so annoyed. I finished the class. I think I died again but I did finish it. 

I went back despite not wanting to, I pushed myself to go. The second class....well lets just say I was defeated.

Check out my video below to see what I'm talking about, and check out the video below that to see how I was bamboozled into doing the "circuit" class.

Have you ever been bamboozled into doing something? Please share

Thank for your support 
SS <3

HOW I WAS BAMBOOZLED (It's further into the video but keep watching I promise its funny)

NEXT LEVEL!!

Hello Beautiful People,

Long time no see, I miss you all and I thank all my loyal people that check on me and keep up with me through Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

I wanted to give you guys a brief update about me and what I have been up to. I am still trying to work out a schedule that will allow me to blog more so that I may get some new material out to you guys. 

My blog is a mixture of so many different things, hair, fashion, beauty, cooking, traveling etc. and I want to showcase all of that as much as I can but I don't think I have a specific niche...or do I? 

Well anyways, long story short I have just recently started vlogging also known as Video Blogging. I have created my own personal YouTube account and I have a couple of videos posted all ready (Intro and a couple of hair tutorials). I have always wanted to do it, but for whatever reason was too nervous, scared or didn't think I was good enough, but when I went to The Craft of Blogging Workshop a few weekends ago I was so inspired. No better time like the present to get started so I got started :) I want my vlog to be an extension of my blog. I am definitely excited about this new journey and of course I hope I can maintain and be successful with it. 

So I ask you, do you guys have any tips for me? What do you think about Vlogging and would you want to see me do it? What type of topics would you like for me to discuss or would want to see me do? 

And, for you techy people or those of you that have AWESOME cameras, what type of camera would you recommend for me to do my videos? (I am looking for the more of the point and shoot kinda cameras, so I can take photos and do videos...a girls on a budget lol) 

My YouTube video

It wouldn't let me post my introductory video so here is a part 2 of the hairstyle I did :) 

P.S. I welcome constructive criticism 

SS <3