I have struggled with face issues for like...ever! I have... I don't know what kind of skin, I'd just say irrational! I get lots of breakouts and have a super dry nose and chin and oily checks and forehead. Crazy!
I have used EVERYTHING under the sun for this. Neutrogena, Biore, Oil of Olay, Dove, and prescriptions from my doctor (at like $100 a pop!).
One of my favorite bloggers discusses and alternative to commercial cleansers and I decided to give it a try. The MoptopMaven showed me the light with the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM). If you click on her name, it will take you to the post where this method is discussed. Her skin is beautiful!!!
The OCM basically teaches the user to use oil only to clean your face. It may sound crazy but after almost 2 weeks, I can say, it has totally changed my skin more than any of the other crap I've used before. I want this moment for life!
I love finding out new things, stuff we have been sleeping on and this is really it for me! Using this method has reduced my winter dryness and started to heal blemishes that have been on my face for years. Lady K told me "Mommy, your face is pretty" and I didn't even have on makeup! This was also followed by "Mommy can I have a donut?" but I am taking all the compliments I can get!
So, what is my regimen for my face utilizing the moptops' suggestions:
1. Clean - I mix a small container with about 5 tablespoons of castor oil (pure or organic is best) and 5 tablespoons of grapeseed oil. I put about a dime to quarter size of the mixture in my hands, and distribute on my face. I apply it like I am exfoliating, in a circular motion. I rub the mixture into my face and neck for about 2 minutes. Once complete I heat a washcloth (use 1 washcloth each day or more if you are removing makeup). I get the water as hot as I can stand it, wring out, and apply the hot steamy cloth to my face. I leave the washcloth on until it cools off. This is the part I totally love. It is like a mini facial. I repeat this for about 2-3 times (or more if I have time because it feels awesome). I then use the washcloth to wipe away the oil. Be sure to totally wipe the oil away (don't forget the chin and neck). Last step, rinse face with a splash of cool water to close those pores you opened up with the steam.
*I recommend you research which oils work best for you and the effects. There are lots of articles if you google oil cleansing method. Olive oil is mentioned most, however, this oil drys my skin and hair, so I use grapeseed. But you will find through trial and error what works best for you.
2. Tone - So I am not a fan of extra steps, but toner is really important to keeping your face tight. I can say since using this for the past 2 weeks, my face is doing great. I use a natural remedy again for this. A lot of bloggers use green tea, but I didn't have this so I just used regular Lipton's tea. This is black tea, which can be good too and has the same antioxidants that green tea is known for. I steeped 3 tea bags, cooled the tea, and then added to a small container with about 5 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. And that's the toner! My DH hates the smell of the vinegar and for the past 2 weeks talks about it EVERY TIME I put it on. But he compliments my awesome face, so its a trade off!
3. Moisturize - I am recovering from lots of acne scars. A lot of people who use the OCM pick one of the oils and use it as a moisturizer. I would use whichever is the secondary oil you use with the castor oil in the OCM. I use grapeseed as my moisturizer. This can be used alone, however, I use it with about 60% pure aloe vera gel and 40% grapeseed oil. The aloe vera gel has a lot of awesome benefits which I will discuss one day, but it feels great and really cooling to your face. This has been THE ONLY thing that keeps my nose from peeling during the day.
4. Spot treatments - Most of use always have those blemishes that come up during that time of the month. I used to used a super expensive gel from the dermatologist, but now...of course...natural. The one concoction I love right now is 2 tablespoons of honey to one teaspoon of cinnamon. Yes, its super sweet, gooey and I have licked it off my fingers after mixing and applying lol. You apply this mixture to each blemish, rub in and keep on for about 15 minutes. The above recipe is enough for about 2 weeks (depending on your blemishes). I'm telling you, the next day the blemish is gone or severely reduced. Some people keep it on all night, but I haven't figured out how to make it stick so it won't rub off all night.
I've only started these treatments in the last couple of weeks so I will post some pix of my face sans makeup now and more in a couple of months. My last videos posted were make up free (unfortunately lol), but I will get some closeups to document my changes. I will also take some pix of the containers, oils and mixtures, etc because these have been beneficial to me in trying to figure out what the ___ people are talking about.
Wish me luck!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
My body so far...
So...2 years ago the good Lord blessed me with a little girl. For this purpose we will call her "Lady K". She was a ummmmm pleasant surprise. Before her, I was thick...in all the right places. Now...I'm just plain thick...in places I didn't even know existed. The weight definitely did not just fall off like I expected it to since, in my mind, I'm a superstar and on TV superstars are back sexy in a couple of weeks. Two years later, I'm still working on it.
A few months ago I decided to take my life back and start a somewhat extreme eating/diet plan. It is called the HCG diet. You can google it to get more info, but in a nutshell. Its torture, but the results are quick fast. I lost about 1-2 lbs a day and my dear hubby (DH) lost about 3 lbs a day. We did it for about 3 weeks, you are supposed to do it for 40 days, but we couldn't make it. I lost about 27 lbs and he lost about 35 lbs.
This was about 3 months ago. I have put on maybe 5 of those lbs back and for the new year, I plan to get back on it. We are starting the diet again tomorrow. Wish us luck!
So this is the plan for the diet. Per day you can have the following:
2 fruits (an apple, 1/2 cup of strawberries, or 1/2 grapefruit)
2 cups of veggies (lettuce, asparagus, tomato, cabbage...and only one type per meal)
2 proteins (3 ozs of chicken breast or lean flank steak, or 7 oz fish)
Sauces - apple cider vinegar, lemon, salt, pepper, and garlic
Melba Toast (a couple pieces with each snack and lunch/dinner)
(no liquor...all of this and no liquor)
Don't judge me.
What this ends up being is about 500 calories per day! I know, its drastic. Really drastic. We cheat a little and it ends up being a little more than 500, but definitely not more than 1000. For breakfast I will have an apple, for lunch a salad with one of the meats, for snack, another apple, and for dinner, pretty much the same thing for lunch. Its pretty boring but you can make some good meals and it really works to drop the weight fast. I typically get bored with diets if I don't see speedy results, so this works.
I hope to make it at least 30 days. I did all my grocery shopping today for the next 2 weeks. The meal preparation is what kills you, but if you cook and prepare in advance, all of the food can be done and you can just pick your poison.
I will upload pix of our meals and keep you posted on our progress throughout the next couple of weeks...if I have the strength.
So here are my before and afters...
A few months ago I decided to take my life back and start a somewhat extreme eating/diet plan. It is called the HCG diet. You can google it to get more info, but in a nutshell. Its torture, but the results are quick fast. I lost about 1-2 lbs a day and my dear hubby (DH) lost about 3 lbs a day. We did it for about 3 weeks, you are supposed to do it for 40 days, but we couldn't make it. I lost about 27 lbs and he lost about 35 lbs.
This was about 3 months ago. I have put on maybe 5 of those lbs back and for the new year, I plan to get back on it. We are starting the diet again tomorrow. Wish us luck!
So this is the plan for the diet. Per day you can have the following:
2 fruits (an apple, 1/2 cup of strawberries, or 1/2 grapefruit)
2 cups of veggies (lettuce, asparagus, tomato, cabbage...and only one type per meal)
2 proteins (3 ozs of chicken breast or lean flank steak, or 7 oz fish)
Sauces - apple cider vinegar, lemon, salt, pepper, and garlic
Melba Toast (a couple pieces with each snack and lunch/dinner)
(no liquor...all of this and no liquor)
Don't judge me.
What this ends up being is about 500 calories per day! I know, its drastic. Really drastic. We cheat a little and it ends up being a little more than 500, but definitely not more than 1000. For breakfast I will have an apple, for lunch a salad with one of the meats, for snack, another apple, and for dinner, pretty much the same thing for lunch. Its pretty boring but you can make some good meals and it really works to drop the weight fast. I typically get bored with diets if I don't see speedy results, so this works.
I hope to make it at least 30 days. I did all my grocery shopping today for the next 2 weeks. The meal preparation is what kills you, but if you cook and prepare in advance, all of the food can be done and you can just pick your poison.
I will upload pix of our meals and keep you posted on our progress throughout the next couple of weeks...if I have the strength.
So here are my before and afters...
About 1 year before the baby
Almost a year later and I am about 7 months preggo (how that happen??)
My 30th birthday a couple of months ago, post HCG diet and 27 lb lost.
Can't wait to see what I will look like post HCG again...hopefully we can go to prebaby!!!!
My hair journey so far...
So, my natural hair journey started around 8/15/2010. I am now about 4 months into the natural process and I started from a totally bald head. I wore a fad for years and since my daughter's hair has started to grow (she is two) I said, let me start figuring out both of our hair.
Posted below is a video I did really quick today just to show my hair growth at 4 months. My hair in this video is about 2.5 inches (at its longest) and about 2 inches at the shortest points. I started a Castor Oil Challenge about 3 days ago and put the oil (mixed with grapeseed) in my hair nightly. Last night I washed with Suave Naturals and Aussie Moist conditioner. I deep conditioned overnight with Organics Hair Mayo (mixed with Castor Oil) and I coiled it with Eco Styler Gel after washing out the conditioner. My leave in of choice today is Talijih Waaidd (Medicated). I love the tingling I feel when I use it.
In the video below I am only 2 months natural. I am so awkward with my speech and looking at the camera. I promise to really never talk unless necessary. I think at this point I am just using Organics or Suave and Co-Washing. My hair was about 1.5 inches. My afro is super fuzzy. Still trying to figure it out.
I will keep you posted on my regimens, my favorite products up to this point, and what I am doing with Lady K's (my daughter) hair.
Happy New Year!
Today is 1/1/11...I played these numbers in the lottery. I know its a long shot, but had to do it!
I love blogs, so I decided, in the new year, I'd start one that can totally synopsize my life. Turning 30 recently has kick started my journey to self discovery. This blog will be a journal of my experiences which I hope to one day look back on and laugh...or cry:-)
I'm on a natural hair journey, which will be discussed along the way. I'm trying to get my pre-baby body back, which will be discussed along the way. I love music and fashion and a bunch of other stuff which will also be discussed along the way.
I'm no expert, however, I would hope that my trials and errors can somehow be of help to someone, or at least create great comic relief.
Stay tuned for my adventures. I plan to have this moment for life.
I love blogs, so I decided, in the new year, I'd start one that can totally synopsize my life. Turning 30 recently has kick started my journey to self discovery. This blog will be a journal of my experiences which I hope to one day look back on and laugh...or cry:-)
I'm on a natural hair journey, which will be discussed along the way. I'm trying to get my pre-baby body back, which will be discussed along the way. I love music and fashion and a bunch of other stuff which will also be discussed along the way.
I'm no expert, however, I would hope that my trials and errors can somehow be of help to someone, or at least create great comic relief.
Stay tuned for my adventures. I plan to have this moment for life.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
...um...not sure...
Ok, so since I've had the baby, something bad has happened to my memory. I had a topic picked out for today's blog. Rae Pembroke loves...something...wait, okay, whatever. I had to go to the bathroom, but sidetracked with a work email and then...poof! Like fucking smoke it disappeared.
My hubby has been saying that I "allegedly" don't tell him things I think I do, or don't communicate my wants that I think I say, but come on...he's a man. Men do this all the time, say they don't hear you, you didn't say it, etc as a way to get out of things. But recently my mom said I did it to her. I said I asked her to go to the store and she said I didn't. I feel she and I had a whole conversation about the store and she says that never took place.
Last night, my hubby said its becoming a real problem and now I went totally blank during my blog topic. So...is it me or has my hubby rubbed off on my mom? I pick the later, lmao.
I think carrying another person zapped all my good stuff. My ability to think and say what i'm thinking out loud, my ability to tone up fat...especially in my belly, my ability to give a damn about most things, lol. Oh well...I guess the next blog will be Rae Pembroke loves...ginko golaba, lmao.
My hubby has been saying that I "allegedly" don't tell him things I think I do, or don't communicate my wants that I think I say, but come on...he's a man. Men do this all the time, say they don't hear you, you didn't say it, etc as a way to get out of things. But recently my mom said I did it to her. I said I asked her to go to the store and she said I didn't. I feel she and I had a whole conversation about the store and she says that never took place.
Last night, my hubby said its becoming a real problem and now I went totally blank during my blog topic. So...is it me or has my hubby rubbed off on my mom? I pick the later, lmao.
I think carrying another person zapped all my good stuff. My ability to think and say what i'm thinking out loud, my ability to tone up fat...especially in my belly, my ability to give a damn about most things, lol. Oh well...I guess the next blog will be Rae Pembroke loves...ginko golaba, lmao.
Friday, January 30, 2009
...Joke? or Real Life?
A married woman had lunch with 2 of her unmarried friends; one engaged and the other a mistress. Of course the married woman had been married for 20+ years. They were chatting about their relationships and decided to amaze their men by wearing a black leather bra, stiletto heels and a mask over their eyes. They agreed to meet in a few days to exchange notes.
Here's how it all went....
The engaged friend: The other night when my boyfriend came over he found me with a black leather bodice, tall stilettos and a mask. He saw me and said, "You are the woman of my dreams. I love you." Then we made love all night long.
The mistress: Me too! The other night I met my lover at his office and I was wearing the leather bodice, heels and mask over my eyes and a raincoat. When I opened the raincoat he didn't say a word, but we had wild sex all night.
Then the married woman shared her story: When my husband came home I was wearing the leather bodice, black stockings, stilettos and a mask over my eyes. As soon as he came in the door and saw me he said, "What's for dinner, Batman??"
And the above story is why I was terrified to ever get married!
Here's how it all went....
The engaged friend: The other night when my boyfriend came over he found me with a black leather bodice, tall stilettos and a mask. He saw me and said, "You are the woman of my dreams. I love you." Then we made love all night long.
The mistress: Me too! The other night I met my lover at his office and I was wearing the leather bodice, heels and mask over my eyes and a raincoat. When I opened the raincoat he didn't say a word, but we had wild sex all night.
Then the married woman shared her story: When my husband came home I was wearing the leather bodice, black stockings, stilettos and a mask over my eyes. As soon as he came in the door and saw me he said, "What's for dinner, Batman??"
And the above story is why I was terrified to ever get married!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
I'm Baaacccckkkk and Crack is Whack
So, I'm back Bitches!
Yes, the Rae Pembroke is back...the same only...my water has been broke. I got caught up in the "crack" game and all that lovey dovey, rock the boat, new position shit landed me bare foot and pregnant.
Now after almost a year, I have resurfaced with a whole new perspective, kinda...on life, love, babies, music, it all.
As you know my posts are quite random and will probably be even more so because I have no idea what to talk about now. My baby, celebrity gossip, sex positions while pregnant, weight, my severe hair loss...who knows where I'm going but ride wit me.
Today, I want to discuss Jodeci. Where are they and why did crack have to be their drug of choice? I know people who have smoked weed and never felt they needed to take it to the other level. Maybe even pop a pill or do a line of coke and keep it moving...but why crack. Haven't we learned its whack? Damn. On the way to work I heard "Stay" the remix. And you know the break down at the end..."oh, i'm sorry i left you so wrong, so wrong, but I really need for you to come back home...whhooooooooooo, i'm begging you baby, no, no, no, no, no, no, nooooooo" That part? It just made me remember first hearing that in like...6th/7th grade, and though I didn't get it then, it was so awesome. They made music that we loved. I remember my Jodeci boots I would wear with my stretch pants...man, classic! And crack took them away.
Below is my memorial of all those greats we have lost to crack:
Jodeci
Whitney Houston
Bobby Brown
Rick James
My Uncle Charlie
David Ruffin
Randolph Cook - Oprah's ex boyfriend in the 80's who says they got high and had good sex togehter...true...maybe
Darrly Strawberry
Christan Slater
Noelle Bush - Jeb's Daughter, Ex-prez neice
Robert Downing Jr. - almost but he made a crack comeback
Amy Winehouse - so sad, she even did an instructional video on how to hit the pipe
Donnie - My neighbor who used to shovel our snow
Yes, the Rae Pembroke is back...the same only...my water has been broke. I got caught up in the "crack" game and all that lovey dovey, rock the boat, new position shit landed me bare foot and pregnant.
Now after almost a year, I have resurfaced with a whole new perspective, kinda...on life, love, babies, music, it all.
As you know my posts are quite random and will probably be even more so because I have no idea what to talk about now. My baby, celebrity gossip, sex positions while pregnant, weight, my severe hair loss...who knows where I'm going but ride wit me.
Today, I want to discuss Jodeci. Where are they and why did crack have to be their drug of choice? I know people who have smoked weed and never felt they needed to take it to the other level. Maybe even pop a pill or do a line of coke and keep it moving...but why crack. Haven't we learned its whack? Damn. On the way to work I heard "Stay" the remix. And you know the break down at the end..."oh, i'm sorry i left you so wrong, so wrong, but I really need for you to come back home...whhooooooooooo, i'm begging you baby, no, no, no, no, no, no, nooooooo" That part? It just made me remember first hearing that in like...6th/7th grade, and though I didn't get it then, it was so awesome. They made music that we loved. I remember my Jodeci boots I would wear with my stretch pants...man, classic! And crack took them away.
Below is my memorial of all those greats we have lost to crack:
Jodeci
Whitney Houston
Bobby Brown
Rick James
My Uncle Charlie
David Ruffin
Randolph Cook - Oprah's ex boyfriend in the 80's who says they got high and had good sex togehter...true...maybe
Darrly Strawberry
Christan Slater
Noelle Bush - Jeb's Daughter, Ex-prez neice
Robert Downing Jr. - almost but he made a crack comeback
Amy Winehouse - so sad, she even did an instructional video on how to hit the pipe
Donnie - My neighbor who used to shovel our snow
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