My Hair Journey 2013

Hello My Beauties. I hope 2013 is starting of well for all of you.  I decided 2 years ago to go natural. It was a personal choice. I learned so much about taking care of my hair  what products to use and such. while i enjoyed the journey, I went back to relaxing my hair. Before anyone judges, I always believe whatever anyone does to their hair is their decision.

It sometimes felt that when i was natural, I was part of secret club of those who wore their pride on their head. The problem I always face and will always face is no one ever believes it is my natural hair color ( well except my mom and my friends who have known me for years) so whether natural or relaxed, I couldn't win anyway.

I decided to do what is best for me but take what i learned during my natural time to maintain my growth cycle. I went to my hairdresser that I have had for about 15 years. I trust her to take care of my hair and she always does an amazing job. Her name is Merna and her shop is Ebony Styles Beauty Salon. It is located on the east side of Manhattan. Merna is amazing and anyone that gets her to to their hair will love it.

The products I  used while natural will still be jojoba oil, coconut oil and olive oil. My hair is naturally dry so those particular oils are my friend. Also. I got a fab haircut and it is something I can maintain on my own. I am really excited and I got my BANGS BACK!!!!!

Hello 2013

Hello my beauties. My apologies for my blog disappearance. 2012 was not the greatest year for me but it did help lay the groundwork for 2013.

Just to give you background into me: I am a freelance photographer, currently work for a cosmetics retailer, in the process moving to the Midwest and a writer.

Beauty is an extension of everything above but unfortunately it has been some what neglected.  Never fear, I have begun a new time management program so starting in Feb 2013, I will have found a way to post timely and more effectively.

For those that have stuck with me, thank you so much. You have no idea how much that means to me.

If you want to follow most of my other exploits, you can check my photo on Facebook at facebook.com/ dracophoto. My instagram is beautyamateur_janadd.  My other blog for more family, topical, and personal is draco1976.wordpress.com.

Thanks for sticking with me my BA Beauties.

Beauty Bloggers Influenster Vox BOX

Hey My Beauties... I know Long time no see.. Forgive me. I got a promotion at work so learning all these new things is making me a bit tired.  I am good though and I hope all of you are great as well. I received my second VOX BOX and it is right up my alley. It is the BEAUTY BLOGGER VOX BOX. ( AMAZING RIGHT!!!) In this Voxbox from Influenster , I received  Kiss Ever pro lashes , NYC Color Individual Eyes.. The color is Dark Shadows...ooooooooooo . Best part of this eyeshadow set, it has primer, Illuminator, Crease/contour colors, All over lid color and Highlighter.

If you consider yourself not so skilled in applying eye shadow, this palette makes it easy for you

I received a coupon for Bath and Body works Candles.( I unfortunately did not read the date and missed out, but it gave me incentive to go candle shopping again; it used to be an addiction)

 I also received The spin pin from Goody . The pins are for light hair but since I am currently braided, I am going to give these to my friends you love to do the up-do. ( I will harass them for feedback).

I received No.7 beautiful skin Cleansing Lotion and Night cream. Both are hypoallergenic so I am going to give it a try this weekend. 

I got Not your mother's Kinky moves Curl defining hair cream. I will be holding on to this. I am currently in protective style mode so It will not be used till January.. Sorry my loves. My hair really cannot stand the winter and it is dry enough as is. In braids my hair grows and I have better control over conditioning.

I received great White Barn Votive candle in the scent of nutmeg and spice.. Smells amazing even without being lit... it is my room deodorizer and it will stay that way till I reignite my candle addiction .

Last but not least I also received The daily eboost energy supplement. Though the taste may not be great for all taste buds, it does make you feel better.


For all my beauties who would love to get goodies to try, you should definitely sign up for Influenster. You can earn badges see how far and wide your influence can really go and also see that you may be doing things already that will help build your influence.

Have a great Friday loves and as always

BE GORGEOUS. BE WONDERFUL. BE YOU!!!!

disclaimer: I have received each product complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.

My FIRST INFLUENSTER BOX::: NATURAL VOX BOX

Hey beauties. Hope all is going well for you all, inside and out. A  few days ago, I received my first Influenster box. I was more than excited to get chosen for a box. For those of you that may not know what influenster is I will explain. Influenster is a Word of Mouth marketing in which members are selectively chosen to test out and give their opinions on certain products.

To register click here -----> Influenster.

YEAH!!!! My first box 

Above is my first box... To say I was excited to receive it is a bit of an understatement. I was on influenster for a bit so I was super psyched to be chosen.

Look at my goodies

Inside I received The Original Dish drying Mat, LypSyl Intense Protection Lypmoisturizer, EBOOST, Cleanwell Individual Hand Sanitizer Wipes, GeoDeo Deordorant , Nectresse Sweetner and country Life Maxi Hair Maximized dietary supplements.

I have tried the Country life Supplements because I am always looks for something to strengthen my nails. If it will help my hair and skin, BONUS!!!!!!

I have also tried the EBOOST energy supplement. It is in natural orange and though the flavor is an acquired taste, I can say I felt better and more alert. ( It is actually helping me write this post).

The dish drying mat is a no brainer. My glasses have dried fast and allowing it to dry afterwards will help extend its life use.

I cannot wait to try the other products. I know these days we are trying to more conscious of our environment and what we use and I am very happy that I can try these products out to help out.

For my lovelies, You can follow Influenster https://twitter.com/Influenster

disclaimer: I have received each product complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.

BE GORGEOUS. BE WONDERFUL. BE YOU 

Hello... Good Morning. I am a Lucky LUCY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good Morning My beauties and welcome to another installment of my POV.

I was "Lucky" enough to be sent samples of  a beautiful new body care line. The company name is Lucky Lucy.

Gorgeous packaging , right 

 Lucky Lucy began in 2010 by two best friends one of which I happen to know :)

From their FaceBook page Lucky Lucy Body Desserts 

" Founded in 2010 by Nicole Fisher & Tara Martin, Lucky Lucy Body Desserts is a line that uses “naturally organic” ingredients.

Our beauty line was created to provide a uniq

ue experience proving that "Natural ingredients do not=boring." 

Started as an idea from Nicole’s Grandmother Ethel Lucille aka "Lucky Lucy" and tired of the chemicals and under delivered promises of overpriced products this product line was born. 

This brand offers luxurious scents and moisturizing agents that will have all your senses pleasantly pleased. 

Every product in this line have been tested by us before selling them to "You". We know that “Every woman deserves to feel her best, with a product she can afford."

The great thing about our product besides being naturally inspired, we can custom make a product for you- if you have a skin condition like eczema and traditional medicines are not working, give us a shout and we will see what we can do to help you out !

We promise to deliver a product that is great and one that really works........That is the Lucky Lucy way !

ooooooo  goodies inside

 I was so excited to receive a sample of the goodies. Once I did, I was amazed. The packaging is gorgeous. Definite feel of luxury. Once you open the box , you see all the delectable goodies for you to try. I received  1 fl oz of the Hello Good Morning Body wash, Lady E body souffle and the Hello good morning body buffer. Also included is a wonderful letter telling about the product line as well as the ingredients listed in each product.  The letter is so warm, you feel a part of the fam. ( that's a nice feeling)

I not only tried this but I let my mom try it as well. Both my mom and I  LOVED IT!!!!!! The scent of the Body wash is wonderful citrus which will wake up any tired soul.

The Body scrub felt amazing on my skin and left my skin moisturized.... very nice side benefit. The scrub contains shea butter, sugar, spice, grape seed and apricots..

The Body Souffle OMG.. you want to eat it. It smells divine. You can smell the delicious honey and beautiful oils.

All in all, my skin felt amazing and I smelled delicious. ( Shouldn't we always smell delicious)


To find Lucky Lucy Body desserts please visit:

Lucky Lucy Body Desserts Facebook 

Lucky Lucy Body Desserts Twitter 

Lucky Lucy Body Desserts Pinterest 

BE GORGEOUS. BE WONDERFUL. BE YOU

I think I need a little "Ocean Salt and Grass" in my life

Hey my beauty loves. I hope all is amazing in your worlds and that summer has left you feeling beautiful and amazing. Today's POV is about what body wash I am currently using to leave my skin feeling good and Also smelling good.

This Size $34.95 and soooooooo worth it 

The first product is called Ocean Salt from Lush Cosmetics. The beautiful face and body scrub is an absolute dream. It was great especially when we had those really warm days in NYC. Refreshing and cooling and smelling like a delicious margarita. Made with fine and coarse sea salt, Grapefruit infusion, lime oil, Extra virgin coconut oil and fresh lime extracted in Vodka ( yes you read right). This delicious body scrub exfoliates and leaves your body feeling brightened and soft.

Smells just a like a fresh spring day  or a fresh mowed lawn

Once I have exfoliated, I have discovered a new lovely shower gel called Grass. Yes Grass ( no giggling). This shower gel is made with beautiful wheat grass ( which BTW is good for you inside on out) and also has bergamot and neroli oil. Bergamot oil is a beautiful oil that can uplift you and make you feel really good and has great antibacterial qualities.  Neroli Oil which help increase serotonin levels which help alter our moods and give you a sense of serenity and well being.

the coolest thing however besides all the previous loveliness is that when grass is mixed with ocean salt, the smell is gives off is heavenly. You smell so clean and refreshing, you may want to smell yourself  almost all day. ( I'm just saying)

As you can see, my grass is almost gone ( Stop Giggling)

I did discover this concoction on my own and the scent is ever so nice. I submit this to my lovely readers as definitely a body wash mix to try.


Have a great day loves

BE GORGEOUS. BE WONDERFUL. BE YOU.

Welcome to world of taking care of curls.. Part Deux

Hello my lovelies. As promised, I am doing my second follow up on taking care of my mane of tight curls. Today was hair washing day so I used these three products.
All from Lush Cosmetics

One size for this Moisturizer $21.95

1st - Jasmine and Henna fluff Hair Moisturizer . This contains Jojoba oil, Almond, Brazil nut and extra virgin coconut oils. This is perfect for us curl girls who are always on the prowl for moisture and great oils for our hair.  You must apply this before you actually do any washing or conditioning. Consider this almost your pre-treatment for your hair. It must stay on your hair for 20 minutes.  The amount you use depends on how long and thick your hair is. For me I used half. for my longer haired beauties, you should use the hole tub. Now before you cry bloody murder about using the whole thing at once, remember this is a treatment. The effects are very long lasting because of the oils in the moisturizer.

Yummy at $23.95

2nd - I rinsed out the Jasmine and Henna Fluff and washed my hair with Curly Wurly Shampoo.  This shampoo seems so good and it is REALLY THICK. It has coconut oil, creamed coconut,  vanilla, mashed avocado and fresh eggs. ( talk about a moisture cocktail). This product also has SLS which helps it lather. You need to make sure when rinsing that you rinse well because there may be bits of coconut around your hair. When I said thick, I meant it ;)

Feels Great $27.95

3rd - For the conditioner, I used Retread. Retread is Lush's triple strength conditioner. ( most of my curl girls know. we always need moisture) Retread has seaweed, lanolin, and soya milk. These provide much needed protein. It also has Jojoba and Avocado. (I wasn't kidding ladies about the moisture). I left this on my hair for 10 minutes, then rinsed.

Now what I will say to my loves with curls, Pat dry your hair. Do not let that towel scrub through your hair. In fact , comb and let air dry .

Here is my end result
 I am shiny , less frizz ( thank god)  curly mess.  My hair feels clean and moisturized.


Have a great day beauties

Be Gorgeous. Be Wonderful. Be YOU!!!!