RaiNa's Review: Mizani & Cantu's NEW Natural Hair Product Review

This is my with my new PURPLE color by Adore. It's
a mix of Purple Rage & Violet Gem.

        I recently uploaded a new video to my youtube channel.  It was motivated by my new hair color and the challenges that it may bring.  I usually do not participate in product reviews on natural hair products because I honestly have not been pleased with many of them that are on the market.  Many of the ingredients do not fair well with natural afro/curly hair in my opinion. So in my case I have always opted to use simple oils such as Vegetable Glycerin and butters like Shea Butter to keep my hair groomed.  This new hair color had me trying new things.  Check out my video and rate it then comment to let me know your thoughts on the product.  Are you willing to try something new? Check it out & become a "TheGlamourBOXinc" youtube subscriber.

Spring/Summer 2013 Hair CoLor InsPiraTioNs

   I'm on the east coast in New York City and I am dying for Spring to get here.  I already have my spring hair and it's purple.  Pastels, teals, blues, pinks and purple are the trend for the season.  This trend is for the bold fashionista who is not afraid to literally let her hair down.  Anytime you color your hair you have to give it a little TLC.  Remember that color is a commitment. So if you choose to do this consider the cost to upkeep it and the wear and tear it can possibly have on your mane.  To achieve these colors the hair must be pre-lightened first for the intensity.  Choose a stylist/colorist that truly understands YOUR hair and one that will be honest in telling you as to whether your hair can withstand the color process, not just one that wants to take your money.  I will NEVER recommend you doing this at home. You will need to purchase PROFESSIONAL products to maintain the integrity of your strands.  Cheap shampoo/conditioner will ruin the hair and your color. There are always alternatives to applying color all over like extensions and wigs.  Here are a couple of looks that I know you will absolutely love.

*(CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO ENLARGE) The Olsen Twins are pastel pink & lavendar. Rapper Azaelia Banks
wears teal inspired extensions. Then there is me holding the iPhone with my naturally curly hair in Adore's Purple Rage.  A model with hot pink highlights, a blonde with ombre pink hair, an icy pink haired
model and the tral and purple bowl cut model. I love it! Get into it!

RaiNa's Review: MIZANIs SUPREME Oil Shampoo & Conditioner

     I tried Mizani's Supreme Oil Shampoo & Conditioner for the first time today.  Now understand me when I say that I am a person who is very leery of trying NEW products.  I feel like if it works for me then hey I'm fine with it.  I took out my hair weave today after wearing one for months on end out of pure laziness.  My hair is natural and is very curly, I have a so much of it.   Yes, I am a licensed cosmetologist and YES I get lazy with my hair.  But, the one thing I do is I take care of my real hair.  I take the extensions out, shampoo, deep condition and trim my hair every 4-6 weeks.  I was pleasantly surprised that I actually liked this product.  I am a lover of Mizani's shampoo and conditioning products. I am however leery of products that are always labeled "For all Curl Types."  Natural hair products scare me a lot. Besides it being good to my hair and resotring its moisture, it also has a nice light scent.  Here are the pros and cons.
PROS

Mizani's Supreme Oil Shampoo & Conditioner
can be purchased at JCPenney hair salon
& other fine salons.

• Sulfate-free       
• Moisturizing Shampoo
• The shampoo contains Argan & Sesame Oil
• The conditioner contains Avocado Olive and Jojoba Oils
• Paraben, Mineral oil and Silicone Free
• No greasy build up   

CONS

• There are NONE!  

Rate: 5 out of 5...and that's a lot coming from ME =)

RaiNa's Guide to: MAKEUP & EXPIRATION

Left to Right (clockwise) mascara, liquid eye liner
faces with foundation, eye and lip pencils
lipsticks.

      Great skin is the foundation to flawless makeup.  But do you know that it can be ruined easily by "expired" makeup?  Yes, just like food makeup expires too.  Do not put your health at risk just to get that  last bit of mascara out of the tube, purchase a new one.  Here is a guide to your makeup's expiration date.  After you read this list you may have to go in your stash and throw some items out.

1) Mascara & Liquid eyeliner
Expires in 3 months of purchase and use. Replace it often to prevent eye infections. And do NOT pump the wand in and out of the tube.  You introduce bacteria into it.
2) Lipstick
Last 2 years.  Do not share your lipstick with anyone to prevent cross contamination.
3) Lip and Eye pencils
Last 3 to 5 years.  To preserve and keep your pencil clean make sure you sharpen it after EACH use.
4) Foundation
Expires after 2 years.

2013 Spring & Summer Makeup Trends

       This year's makeup look is all about simplicity.  First thing you want to do is develop a skincare regimen to ensure that your skin is in tip top shape.  Every skin type is different and requires something unique.  Basically you want to 1) CLEANSE , 2) TONE and 3) MOISTURIZE.  Make sure that each product specifically caters to your skin type.  Fresh skin accompanied by a bold lip is the look.  It's not a far cry from my regular routine, just minus the cat eye that I love so much.  It is instead replaced with a white eyeliner along the lower rim of the eye.  Make sure you apply moisturizer before you apply your foundation and don't let it dry all the way, put the foundation on it to give your face a natural dewy look.  And use concealer only where needed.  Take a look at some products I recommend and some of the makeup work I did on some models for New York Fashion Week 2013.
Try these shades by Motives by LaLa which will be on my website for sale VERY soon!! I will keep you all updated.

Motives by Lala lip gloss for those who
prefer a shine.

Misture-rich matte Motives by Lala
lipstick

Makeup artist: RaiNa (The Glamour BOX)
Photography courtesy of Two Flash

Makeup Artist: Raina (The Glamour BOX)
Photography courtesy of Christopher Butt
Designer:  Elissee Furs
Event: New York Fashion Week 2013 (Feb)

RaiNa's AcaDemy AwaRds 2013 RECAP!

Kelendria Rowland bka
Miss Kelly! Hair, makeup,dress..
YOU BETTA WERK!

All HAIL to the FASHION GODS!
Charlize Theron...hair,makeup, THAT
DRESS oh YASS!

   The 2013 Academy Awards is an awards show that I mostly watch for the fashion...ONLY! After all I am a fashionista, makeup artist & hairstylist.  My life is consumed with all things beauty-related.  This year I was pleasantly surprised by a few of the celebrities and still bored with one.  Here is a recap of the beautiful scenery better known as "The Oscars."

Reese Witherspoon I "LIVE" because of her Old Hollywood
hair. The makeup & that dress! Oh Yasss!

Halle Berry NEVER fails...from
head to toe she is an ETERNAL SLAYER! 

 

Ms. Kerry baby!
Kerry Washington Yasss! All hail the
fashion gods! The color
of this dress compliments her skin
tone.

BORING AS USUAL!!     Jennifer Aniston (le sigh) Same BORING hair. The color of the dress is beautiful, but she needed a REAL hairstyle! Her makeup...((YAWN)) Somebody hire me please!! ~RaiNa

                                             

PROTECTIVE STYLES: Hair ExtensioNs...

All hair & makeup done by me for The Glamour BOX & my hairline
RaiNa's Glamour LOX

       Protective styles are a great way to give yourself and your hair a break, especially if you have natural hair like I do.  They range anywhere from braids to sew-in extensions. Abuse of protective styles has been a major concern of mine. I am a licensed cosmetologist, so I come across all types of mishaps and self-inflicted hair trauma. The key to wearing these styles is to make sure they are installed properly and by a licensed, and experienced hair technician. Here are some ways to ensure that your real hair is getting the TLC it needs while donning these styles.

-NEVER GET YOUR HAIR EXTENSIONS SEWN ONTO YOUR EDGES.


-NEVER LEAVE YOUR EXTENSIONS IN FOR MORE THAN 3 MONTHS AT A TIME & MAKE SURE THE TRACK IS TIGHTENED SO THAT THE WEIGHT OF THE TRACK IS NOT PULLING ON YOUR HAIR UNDERNEATH.


-GET YOUR HAIR SHAMPOOED AT LEAST TWICE A MONTH AND MAKE SURE IT IS THOROUGHLY DRIED TO PREVENT MILDEW AND POSSIBLE HAIR LOSS.


-ALTERNATE YOUR WEAVE STYLES AS TO NOT CAUSE TRACTION ON ONE PARTICULAR AREA. ie: alternate parts from left to right.


-KEEP YOUR EDGES MOISTURIZED WITH A PRODUCT THAT USES ESSENTIAL OILS, OR PURCHASE ESSENTIAL OILS FROM A HEALTH FOOD STORE. ****(stay away from petroleum-based products, they will clog up your pores & inhibit hair growth)****


-WHEN YOU REMOVE YOUR EXTENSION INSTALLATION, MAKE SURE TO GET YOUR REAL HAIR DEEP CONDITIONED AND TRIMMED, AND PLEASE WEAR YOUR OWN HAIR AT LEAST FOR A WEEK