My Skincare Routine for Combination Oily Skin Types (Part 2)

My Skin as of June 2014

Hey all!  I've updated my original skincare post, which includes the products and tools that I use on the daily to cleanse my skin, fade old scars, and moisturize.  However, this post is to tell you about the extras that I didn't include on the first post!

Spotlight Monday: J'Lisa

Tell us about yourself.
> My name is J’Lisa and I am from and currently reside on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.  I have a BS in Health and Exercise Science from Syracuse University and I am currently pursuing my Physician Assistant Certification/Masters in Clinical Medical Science.

How long have you been natural? What is your hair type?  Describe your curls!

> I have been natural for 2 years and 3 months.  I think my hair type is 3c/4a-- somewhere in between there lol.  My hair type is sort of kinky-curly.  They (my curls) have a mind of their own depending on which part of my head they are on!

Did you transition or big chop?  Why did you take that route?
> I big chopped after about 2 months of no relaxer.  I am sort of impulsive and couldn’t wait to transition lol.  It was and still is one of the most liberating things I’ve ever done.

What was it like when you experienced your natural hair for the first time?
> I was natural until about 17yo and then relaxed my hair before I went to college.  I actually big chopped as I was finishing up my degree.  It was weird to see my natural hair again because while I was natural for a long time, I had heat damage because I would mainly blow dry my hair.  It was really eye opening to see my natural texture.

What are some of your favorite products? (Top 3)
> My top 3 products would have to be the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancer Smoothie, the Shea Moisture Reconstructive conditioner and any leave-in conditioner from Blue Magic.

What are your go-to hairstyles?
> My go to hairstyles would be twist outs or just wake up and go’s lol.

How do you feel about your hair today?

> As of today, I feel really proud of my hair length and strength.  I think back and can’t believe it’s already been 2 years!  Looking back at pictures it was a long road but I am more than happy with my decision and plan to keep it going!

Here are a few more pictures of J'Lisa and her glorious hair:

                            

Until next time,

Ashley, xo.

Do you have any questions for J'Lisa about her hair?  Comment below!

Spotlight Monday: Mercedes

Tell us about yourself.

> My name is Mercedes, and I’m an ambitious 21 year old from Hot-lanta!  I'm currently a senior at Syracuse University in the Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs, studying Political Science.  I aspire to fulfill my dreams of one day becoming a legend in both the entertainment and political spheres.

How long have you been natural? What is your hair type?  Describe your curls!

> I've been natural since the 8th grade.  That was the last time I had a relaxer.  My hair is very curly & springy.  The curls resemble little ringlets like the Shirley Temple curls.  My hair is very thick, but soft.  For the most part, my hair is very manageable.  I would say my hair type is mixture of 3A, 3C & 4A.

Did you transition or big chop?  Why did you take that route?
> I was actually forced to transition when a relaxer caused my hair to fall out in the crown area of my head.  The relaxer caused horrible scabbing, and once the scabs fell off, it took my hair with it.  I had a huge bald spot that got infected.  Going natural was the only option; I didn't have much of a choice.  I eventually found out that I’m allergic to some of the chemicals within relaxers (because I have a very sensitive scalp), which is one of the reasons I stopped getting them.  I was on antibiotics and had to use medicated shampoo for a year.  It took a total of 2 years to completely revitalize my hair to its natural state.  I've cut my hair several times, but my "Big Chop" happened during my freshmen year of college in 2010.  I cut my hair because of heat damage.  No dramatic revelations over here-- I just wanted my healthy hair back.

On big chopping-- how did you feel?
> I felt so beautiful!  I loved the feeling of simply rubbing moisturizer & oil in my hair without having to really 'do' anything to it.  I was very comfortable with short hair.  Cutting my hair isn't a big deal to me (I would do it again in a heartbeat).

What was it like when you experienced your natural hair for the first time?

> When I first experienced my natural hair after I stopped relaxing it, I hated it.  I was very athletic & played several sports, so the relaxer maintained my roots and edges from "drawing up" or "napping up".  It took a couple of years to get used to it.  After doing research on the actual maintenance, I fell in love with it.  I'm in love with my natural hair now to the extent where I'll go months without putting the slightest bit of heat on it (including a blow dryer). 

What are some of your favorite products? (Top 3)
> Raw Coconut Oil, Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Shampoo, and Miss Jesse’s Curly Pudding.  These are products that I liked, and I found that they worked best for my hair.  However, I’m somewhat of a product junkie, and I’m constantly trying new things in my hair routine, especially when the seasons change.

What are your go-to hairstyles?

> My go-to hairstyles are curly 'fros using twist outs, two-strand twists, Bantu Knots on semi blow-dried hair (hair is still fairly damp, just blow-dried to stretch the curls) and natural updo hairstyles.  I’m known to switch up my hair A LOT.  I always have different hairstyles and I'm willing to switch things up.

How do you feel about your hair today?

> I've been through a long journey with my hair, but it was worth it to obtain healthy hair.  I love my natural roots and curls!

Bonus: Check out Mercedes' growth as of December 2013!  She's definitely serving up fierceness in this pic, :)

Until next time,

Ashley, xo.

Do you have any questions for Mercedes about her natural hair journey?  Comment below!

Spotlight Monday: Christinia

Tell us about yourself.
> I am a Syracuse University Alumna pursuing a career as a Criminalist-- one laboratory position at a time.  I love to dance, watch movies (action & horror), paint my nails, do hair, shop and EAT!  I just enjoy having a good time with good people.

How long have you been natural?  What is your hair type?  Describe your curls!
> I have been fully natural for 2 years & 7months, but began the process April 2010 (my last relaxer was for my 20^th birthday).  My hair type is 4a/4c; my hair is very tightly coiled yet soft.  However, the middle of my hair is so thick and tightly coiled that it lacks definite shape while the sides of my head have more defined curls that are springy when pulled.

Did you transition or big chop?  Why did you take that route?
> In May of 2011 I did my Big Chop!  Prior to, I would just wear braid outs, but running out of patience, I was ready to cut all of the remainder of my relaxed hair off.  I thought and found it to be easier to deal with one texture of hair.

On big chopping-- how did you feel?
> After my BC I felt like a new person.  I had given myself a new look; however, I was still shy to show it off because it was very different than what I was used to.  It was definitely a style I would have to get used to being that it was only my natural hair.  I also felt like I had accomplished a goal being that I had been talking about going natural for a long time.

What was it like when you experienced your natural hair for the first time?
>  As time went on, I was surprised at how much I began to fall in love with my hair.  Not only was it easy to maintain, as far as saving time on doing my hair, the compliments I was getting played a part on it growing on me.  But when it came time for me to style my hair differently, I did think "OMG! what did I do?!" because it was so thick, and short, and I thought there was no way I could straighten it as good as it could have been straightened with a relaxer-- glad to know I was wrong.

What are some of your favorite products? (Top 3)
> I love using curling lotions and smoothies especially the Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie.  Prior to washing my hair, I apply Taliah Waajid’s The Great Detangler while twisting my hair (I wash my hair while its twisted), and I wash and condition with Crème of Nature’s Shampoo and Conditioner with Argan Oil.

What are your go-to hairstyles?
> I love, love, love wearing Bantu knot outs, regular twist outs and my wash-and-go 'fro!  As a protective style, or a style when I know I’m not going to want to do my hair for a long time, I braid my hair in goddess box braids.

How do you feel about your hair today?
> I love my hair!  I find it simpler to maintain than if it was relaxed.  I am so glad I became natural because my hair is much healthier.  I know I can still do as many styles as I want, as well as styles I have done prior to becoming a Naturalista!

Until next time,
Ashley, xo.

Do you have any questions for Christinia about her natural hair?  Comment below!