Things That 2012 Has Taught Me!

Can you guys believe that this year is over? It really flew by, I try not to make resolutions because I never really stick to them. But I did learn some things about myself and wanted to share some of them with y'all.
1) My hair and I both do not like wash n gos, as cute and carefree as it looks the detangling session that follows is just too painful.
2) Stretched hair is best for me, it really cuts down on knots and tangles when it comes time for wash days.
3) I love braid outs more than twist outs! Yes the braids take longer to take down, but I am developing a method.
4) The less I bother my hair, the happier it seems. Doing more than one style a week normally results in my hair being full of knots.
5) I need to switch up the shampoos and conditioners that I use, it's hard to explain but I feel like my hair doesn't respond to the same shampoo & conditioner if I use it for months on end.
6) My inner product junkie has calmed down, even though I have turned to nail polish as an alternative lol.
7) Buns make me happy, especially a high bun I always feel so fancy!
8) Less product on my hair gives the best results
9) Mini twists allow me to have a faux wash n go experience, I can wear my hair curly and keep it protected.
10) Water is my best friend! It does wonders for my hair, skin and overall health
11) I have a crazy obsession with Chick-fil-A, I can eat it everyday and never get sick of it. I can always tell the type of morning I'm going to have based on how much I enjoy my chicken biscuit from them lol.
12) I love a new mani, but doing one before bed is a no no! I have went to bed with beautiful nails and then woke up with polish on my face lol
13) Couponing is becoming a new favorite thing for me, I'm slowly building a stockpile. It is so funny to run out of something and instead of heading to the store just walking to the pantry and picking it up.
14) I'm obsessed with reality tv and will not apologize for it. I watch so much tv that I actually got a new one for my birthday lol
15) I maybe the world's slowest reader( I'm sure that's because I watch too much tv) I have been reading the Fifty Shades of Grey books for at least six months. I'm a hundred pages from finishing the second book.
16) Washing my face before bed is a must! No matter how tired I maybe, I have woken up with a huge pimple or two for not following this and have learned my lesson.
17) Whitewater rafting changed the way I conquer my fears!
18) Smoking Hookah is fun but gives me the worst hangovers the next day
19) I no longer like clubs, but can still hang out and party until at least 1 am, and not sleep the rest of the next day.
20) I complain about how I hate to be super busy, but I really think I love it. I hate sitting around and being bored. Having something to do, running errands and what not helps me feel like I have accomplished something during the day.
So that is about it for my list guys, I really want to wish everyone a happy and safe New Year, see y'all in 2013!! :)
Xoxo,
TwistedMarie

Flax Seed Braid Out

So this week I opted for a braid out and wore my hair down for the beginning of the week. I made a batch of flax seed last Sunday and it is almost gone. I placed my hair in ten braids for this look below.
Xoxo,
TwistedMarie

Product Junkie Review:Herbal Essences Honey I'm Strong Conditioner

So I know I had told you all that I would do a review on the Herbal Essences: Honey I'm Strong Conditioner so here it is! This stuff is amazing, first it's awesome and provides great slip. I love that it is thick and creamy, it allows me to detangle my hair in about 30 minutes tops and for the past two weeks I have used it to twist my hair for a twist out. Normally when I twist my hair I have to use some gel or something to hold my hair but this conditioner does the job fine, especially since the weather is cool I don't have to worry about it swelling. I have used Herbal Essences before but this is my first time using the Honey I'm Strong line, but I do recommend it. I know it was introduced over the summer, but it took a few weeks for me to see it in stores in my area so hopefully you all can find it too! So the picture to the right is my twist out from last week(sorry it's blurry...i'm counting down the days until a new phone!) and below is what I wore this week. Tomorrow is wash day for me and I plan on making a batch of flax seed gel to use with the Honey I'm Strong, so I will let y'all know how that turns out (hopefully my hair will love it!)
XOXO,
TwistedMarie

P.S. I am so excited for Christmas, more than gifts I am glad to spend time with my family and friends. Especially after yesterday's tragedy, we have to remember that our lives can change in a blink of an eye so regardless if you celebrate Christmas or any other holidays please enjoy life! :)

Birthday Looks

So my birthday was on last Thursday and I had a great night out at dinner with my family and then on Sunday I hit the town with my friends at a Tapas Bar downtown. I of course partied a little hard so I wasn't able to snap a lot of pics but here are some pics below.
XOXO,
TwistedMarie

P.S. For my second look I did a three strand twist out using Herbal Essence Honey I'm Strong Conditioner full review coming soon!

So the first pic is the look I wore for my actual birthday on Thursday. The second is my free gift from Sephora for my birthday, the third is my gifts from my family: a sweater, Hello Kitty Steering Wheel Cover and a MAC eyeshadow palette (Holiday Collection). The last picture is David and I at my party out with my friends this may have been the only picture that he and I took together, we had so much fun!

Product Junkie Alert: Shea Moisture's Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo

I swear Shea Moisture has the longest names for there products lol, but there items just keep getting better and better. This shampoo worked great for my dry and dirty hair. Of course it doesn't sud up like a typical shampoo but  I have grown use to that and it hasn't bothered me.

Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo's claim to fame :

Target

Our gentle, all-natural shampoo will help soften,moisturize and repair damaged, over-processed hair 

So I really do feel like this was a accurate description to what it did for my hair, the smell of course was the same as that masque that I use by this part of the line and it is a keeper. I grabbed this shampoo on sale this week at CVS for 8.99, this will be in rotation for sure. 

XOXO,

TwistedMarie

P.S. This is my second day ponytail I shampooed with Shea Moisture, Conditioned with Organix Macadamia Oil and used EcoStyler for hold. 

NOTD

So this is a gold/green color by Forever 21, I picked this up in the store for 2.80. 

DIY Makeup Vanity For Less Than $50

So as you guys know I am a bit obsessed with makeup and my collection has outgrew my space in the bathroom, so I have been searching for an inexpensive makeup vanity. I have searched everywhere and was not able to find anything that was less than 300 bucks and of course I was not willing to spend that much so I figured that I could make one for much less. I jumped in the car last Saturday and headed to Ikea, I picked up the desk for 20 dollars, the mirror for 10 dollars and a HD lamp for 10 bucks(plus tax, that brought me to a total of 42 dollars and some change). The whole desk took me about 3 hours to put together those directions are insane( lol)! Anyhoo, I was very pleased with how it turned out the jars that I keep my brushes in cost me nothing since I recycled them instead of throwing them away!
XOXO,
TwistedMarie

P.S. I took my mini twists out they held up good for 30 plus days and I plan on rocking a bun for Thanksgiving, my birthday is next week and I'm still not sure how I will wear my hair :(

Georgia Coast Vacation Trip

So I know I said I would post some pics last week but I had so much to do last week. Anyhoo, David and I had a great time we went to Sapelo Island which is apart of the islands of off the coast of GA. We also went to Savannah and Brunswick. I highly recommend this trip although Sapelo only allows guests when the festival is held during October unless you know someone on the island that you can stay with since there are no hotels.
Xoxo,
TwistedMarie

Mini E.L.F Haul, Twists Update and Vacation

Ok so this is a close up of the products I picked up and this bottom pic is the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean this was while we where on the ferry to Sapelo...more pics to come soon :) 

Vacation

David and I are heading to the coast and expect to have a great time and much needed rest and relaxation! The twists are holding up well and in a ponytail for now. I will post some pics later, have a great weekend!!! :)
XOXO,
TwistedMarie

Procrastination

I know I promised a video this weekend and I really did try to stick to it so I recorded a haul video tonight waited for it to upload only to see that I recorded it upside down :( This.just.sucks so sorry guys this weekend flew by and I am also trying to get my taxes done by tomorrow night ugh! I really need to make sure that I don't procrastinate about my taxes next year! Let's not even talk about how I have to get ready to go out of town for next weekend.

goggle

Mini Twists Are Back!

So my mini twists are back this set felt like it took me the longest to do, I started Friday night and finished late Saturday night. So far they look great I twisted on stretched hair with shea butter. Below is a pic before I wet the ends and then after the ends have been wet and shrinkage has set in lol. I plan to do a September favorites video this weekend, I didn't really try too many new products last month so the video will be a bit short. By the way my weight loss is going pretty good I have been working a lot so I haven't been able to hit the gym like I would want and last night I had ice-cream (I know this is so bad, but I couldn't resist) but so far I have lost 4 pounds with just watching what I eat and using a fitness app on my phone.

XOXO,

TwistedMarie  

***So in the above pic I know the ends look strange but I never like to twists down to the ends, excuse my last pic I look so washed out I had just washed off my makeup***

Hello Fall

So I know it seems that I have been a bit M.I.A but I promise I am not trying this on purpose. I have recently started a new role(got a promotion) and am trying to adjust to my new schedule and of course coordinate with everybody else around me so my post have been far, few and in between. Nothing is really new with me or my hair I wore my hair in a single braid all last week and did a few makeup and nail looks see the pic below. For my hair currently,  I co- washed Sunday afternoon and  two strand twisted with my own mix of unrefined shea butter and pure aloe vera gel. I have worn the twists for the past two days and plan to take them down for a twist out tomorrow so stay tuned for pics.
XOXO,
TwistedMarie
P.S. I forgot to tell y'all that I have lost 3 pounds only 7 more to go before my b-day ( I am really hoping that I can exceed 10 lbs of weight loss!!!)

August Favorites!

I'm so sorry I know I said this video would be up last week, but YouTube said it was too long so I had to shorten it (it took several videos to get it right lol).

My Fall Inspired Makeup 

This was my hair after I took out my large twist, I wore it in a bun for a few days. 

NOTD (Nails of the Day)

So you guys know that I love getting stuff on sale, and what I love more than a sale is when I take a chance on a new product and it becomes my favorite item. This nail polish line by Wet n Wild, I can't brag enough!
P.S. I have a total of 10 (ten )polishes in my collection from Wet n Wild and at a 1.99....I am in love!!! :)

XOXO,
TwistedMarie
Btw my August favorite items video will be up tomorrow I recorded a few days ago and forgot to post it.

Large Twists

So this is what I consider large twists I did these last Saturday and have been wearing them up all week.They took about an hour and a half and I used Shea Moisture's Curl Enhancing Smoothie to twist. I plan on keeping them in until next weekend since I have a baby shower to go to. Also stay turned for my video of my August Favorites!! Have a great Labor Day weekend folks :) 

XOXO,

TwistedMarie 

P.S. I'm on a challenge to Get Fit (lose 10 pounds ) by my birthday I have less than 90 days, I will keep y'all posted on my journey.

Twists Day: 30

Oh it has been fun, I have loved these twists but they frizzed up on me badly so I needed to co-wash more than I normally would. I am taking them down tomorrow night but not sure what I plan to do with my hair after...I just my do another set but larger than this time.
XOXO,
TwistedMarie
P.S. Below is my most recent pics on instagram, you can follow me at TwistedMarie

Whitwater Rafting on the Ocoee River

 

 

This was so fun as you can see the look on our faces we had a blast last weekend. 

XOXO,

TwistedMarie

Twists Day 15

Wow!! I love this picture of my twists...have a great weekend folks!!!

Twists Day 12

I co-washed last night with Organix Macadamia Oil and then banded my hair in two ponytails. Have a great weekend folks!
XOXO,
TwistedMarie

July Favorites

*Hey guys this video is about the things that I am loving for the month of July sorry it get's kind of dark, I started to lose daylight while shooting this. If you expand the video it is easier to see than watching it from the post*

XOXO,

TwistedMarie 

Twists Day 8

Shrinkage but I'm use to it.
Xoxo,
TwistedMarie

Twists Are Back!

Hey so my twists are back and I also talked about a new product I used  by Organix, check it out above! :)
XOXO,
TwistedMarie

Product Review: Shea Moisture's Organic Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque

So as promised I wanted to give y'all my take on Shea Moisture's Deep Treatment Masque. So as you all know I have been wearing twist-outs and loving them. But in wearing them I am going more time in between co-washing my hair, so I went to Walgreens and picked up this deep conditioner. The product is a thick cream and very similar to the texture of the Curl Enhancing Smoothie by SM. So I applied it to wet hair after washing and left it on for a couple of hours while keeping my hair under a plastic cap. Once I rinsed it out my hair didn't really feel different, it felt the same as when I use a cheapie conditioner to co-wash. I tried to use it as a leave in for my twists out, the next morning when I took my twists down my hair felt very moisturized.
 Pros:
-moisturizing
-thick consistency, not runny or watery
- 12 oz product for 9.99 (often can be caught on sale for BOGO)
-a little amount of product goes a long way for a leave in
Cons:
-the smell is too strong, lingers for several days (smells never bother me, but this one did a bit)
-didn't feel much of a difference then a regular conditioner 
-didn't make my hair feel stronger after use

 So in all I think that this product is best for my hair as a leave in. I haven't tried to use it again as a deep conditioner, but do see myself keeping it for a leave in and doing dry twist outs. I can't say if I would buy this product again since I didn't really feel a difference in my hair after washing it out, but for 9.99 it would be a great leave in. I am hoping to pick up the Restorative Masque from SM to use as a deep conditioner and will let y'all know how it works.
Have y'all tried this products? Did any of you like it? Please leave a comment below telling me your thoughts. :)
XOXO,
TwistedMarie

Twisted High Ponytail

So I know it has been a minute since my last post but again I haven't been doing anything new with my hair. Thankfully it has cooled off a bit here so I am able to rock a twist out ponytail. I deep conditioned my hair last week with Shea Moisture's Organic Raw Shea Deep Treatment Masque (a full review is coming soon, I have a few product reviews for y'all!) I then washed my hair and twisted with my aloe vera gel and shea butter mix. See the pic below I was headed to breakfast and a movie with David, we saw "Ted" it was so freaking funny! I will definitely get it on Blu-Ray when it comes out.
XOXO,
TwistedMarie

Curly Hair and Tanned Skin

I know it has been a while but I really have not done anything to my hair. I am beyond excited that I have worn it in this three strand twist out for almost two weeks! I do plan to wash it this weekend (hopefully) and then attempt another three strand twist out it is soooo hot here in Atlanta and my hair has held up amazing well. The only thing that I used for this twist out is pure aloe vera gel and shea butter that is it! I have learned that anything with glycerin in this heat equals a hot mess for my hair! So I have stayed clear of anything that has glycerin and opted to make my own twist cream! Monday my mom, sister and I headed to Acworth Beach (Lake Allatoona) and had a blast I of course got a nice tan and heat rash ( this happens to me every beginning of the summer). Well I am headed to volunteer and then a night out on the town later, have a great weekend!
XOXO,
TwistedMarie

                                  *I am in love with summer, look at this tan and my curly hair!!!*

Attempted Wash n Go

So the other day I decided to henna my hair it has been, a few months and I knew my hair needed it. This was an overnight process and then the next few days I wore my hair in a high bun. Well on Tuesday night I co-washed and thought that maybe I should try a wash n go. My Instagram has been full of Natural Hair ladies that have been rocking the best wash n gos, so I thought I would try one myself. Now the problem is that I have always attempted them and never had them turn out right, I have way too much hair for it to dry properly and I hate having soaking wet hair(walking around with water running down my neck and back is not cute)! But I gave it a try anyway I used Suave Naturals Almond and Shea Butter condish and let me tell you guys it is the best (I will do a full review on it soon!) and Suave's Captivating Curls Gel. I loved the idea of a spray gel but it just wasn't enough hold for my thick hair and I had to use it with Ecostyler without it would have looked a mess(well worse than how it turned out). It never dried fully so I said whatever and did a three strand twist out.  I was surprised that it held up great when I was out in the city yesterday. For the three strand twist out I used Shea Moisture, this might be my go to look for the summer when I want to wear my hair out since wash n gos and my hair don't get along.
XOXO
TwistedMarie

*Ok so the condish was a hit! I can't really give a review on the Captivating Curls because it didn't have enough hold I had to mix it with Eco styler, hopefully I can try to use it again (I had high hopes for it)!  But can we talk about how tan I look in the bottom pic!?!? I went to South Carolina last weekend for a cookout and spent sometime walking around the city yesterday this is insane the sun loves me lol*

NOTD (Nails Of The Day)

So I have this mini obsession with nail polish and have a nice little collection. This is my newest purchase that I wanted to share with you guys, Ulta's Oh!!! I love this color it is a peachy bronze color that is perfect for summer, Ulta has a sale right now that is 2 for $6 and send out regular coupons for 3.50 off of a purchase of 10 dollars or more. I don't change my polish everyday but I do change it up a few times a week so I plan to do a few posts like this to show you guys colors that I love! Have a great day! Happy Friday!!!

XOXO,

TwistedMarie

Braid Out With Flax Seed Gel Part II

So I finally took my braids done on Saturday and I loved my braid out! Yesterday David and I went to Amicolola Falls for a hike and got caught in the rain but we had a blast! It is about an hour from Atlanta in the Georgia Mountains and we really ruffed it we had no gps signal, cell signal or snacks lol. We had a great time and I was so glad that I kept my hair in the braids that I put back in Saturday night because it poured down raining the whole time. I hope everyone had a great weekend.
XOXO,
TwistedMarie

 This was part of about 600 hundred stairs to the top of the mountain

 David and I stopped along the way to the Falls to take a pic it was pouring

 I looked so unprepared I threw this sweater on to beat the rain   This was actually the middle of the Falls, I believe it is 800 ft up

 This was my braid out after I finally took the braids out

Platted Hair = Work Out Hair

So in the past few weeks I have started trying to develop a work out routine. I have tried to figure out ways to prevent my scalp from being incredibly itchy because if I don't wash every time I save myself  from washing or co-washing daily but also not washing every time guarantees me an itchy scalp. So my hair has still been braided up from the braids that I put in on Tuesday for my braid out, I don't mind walking around with them in and thought today would be perfect to work out with them in. This actually proved to be beneficial my scalp was still able to breathe which I think helped prevent the sweat from building up like last time when I wore that bun and had the worst case of itchy scalp. For this look below I have three braids pulled up in a ponytail and five down the back. I pulled them together and twisted them up and secured with a bobby pin. I hit the treadmill and didn't have a problem with them falling down.
XO,
TwistedMarie
P.S. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

 This is my hair up

 The ponytail down 

 The side view of it down