My Hair Regimen From Start to Finish.

Hey you beautiful people!
Lately I've been getting A LOT of questions about my hair, how I got it to this length and how I maintain a healthy state. I decided it was time to give the full regimen start to finish. I'll list all of the products I use and how I use them.

After going to rehab for being a product junky I knew it was time to adopt the KISS mentality when it came to my hair. Using a million products left me unhappy and walking around with a lot of bad hair days. My advice: Once you find what works for your hair stick with it. The further you go into your hair journey the more you will learn how it responds to certain products. At different stages your regimen will need to be tweaked here and there but don't just throw out your whole regimen.

START:
Whenever I know I'm going to wash my hair I always prep my hair the night before. I section my hair into 5 sections, place a plastic cap over my head, put my on my bonnet and let the products work overnight. I pre-poo (the process of preparing your hair for a shampoo with moisturizing products) throughout the night with the following products:

 Honey

 Oil of choice (Coconut in the winter, Extra Virgin Olive Oil in warmer months, Sweet Almond Oil)

Tresemme Naturals Moisturizing Conditioner (Lower Sulfates)

The following day I shampoo and condition.
Shampoo and Conditioners:

 Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Shampoo

 Herbal Essence Hello Hydration Conditioner

 Naked Shampoo

Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Conditioner

While in the shower I rinse out the prepoo and shampoo each section. After the section I'm working on is thoroughly cleansed I apply my conditioner. This is when I detangle with a wide tooth comb. When my hair was shorter I didn't apply conditioner until my whole head had been shampooed but now the process takes more time so my hair can condition as I'm working on other sections. After conditioning I wash my body to give my hair a little more time to soak up the moisture lol. Then I go back and rinse every section out. I no longer use a towel to dry my hair I use a t-shirt because it limits frizz and keeps my hair moisturized.

Styling
After my hair is about 80% dry I begin to style. No matter what curly style I do (braid out, twist out, bantu knots) I use these products.

Oil of choice (see oils listed above)

 Cantu Shea Butter Leave in Conditioner

Fantasia IC Gel

After running my wide tooth comb through the section I'm working on I apply a generous amount of the Cantu Shea Butter to my hair working it all the way through. Next a apply a little bit of oil (no more than a dime size if it's a big section), style (twist, etc.) and then I put a dime sized amount of gel on my index finger and thumb and run it down the twist so I get a little hold. For each section I repeat. Most of the time I air dry but if I'm in a rush I sit under the hair dryer.
AND THAT'S IT. Very simple. Very minimal product.

I've been blessed to have a great amount of hair growth and I retained my length. Of course I protective style but the regimen always stays the same. Thanks for reading and I hope I helped some of your with your journey! Never quit. Never give up. It's not easy but it's so worth it! I'm in LOVE with my hair.

Desaree Where Have You Been?!!?

I know I have been gone for a MINUTE. Please excuse my absence because it was not intended, I just needed a moment to myself. Thank you all for your patience... I'M BACK.

Have Social Networks Removed Us From Reality?

Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. If you're old enough.. Myspace. Blackplanet. and the list continues. Over the last 10 years social networks have become the means of communication, advertising and for some an avenue to show off. Facebook has gone from a social network only accessed by college students to a website that is used to report breaking news on CNN. Who am I to deny the fact that I spend hours scrolling through endless timelines. If Facebook is dead I switch to Instagram. If Instagram if flooded by #tbt posts Twitter helps me keep up on what people are randomly thinking at any given moment. But when is this all just too much?

With the ability to keep in touch with family and friends, promote your business and all the other great things social networks have to offer I find myself beginning to wonder... Have social networks removed us from reality? Imagine this scenario... You go out for a nice night with friends you haven't seen in a while. Everyone is so excited to see one another when you arrive. After hugs and kisses the party sits at the table and small talk begins. Slowly but surely the cell phones start to emerge from under the table. One person is viciously scrolling through their timeline to get a quick laugh. The next person passes their phone around for everyone to laugh at another Kevin Hart photo just posted. The food is served. EVERYONE pulls out their cellphone to take a picture of their meal. These moments on our phones have robbed us from the memories that we will never get back while they are happening right in front of us. As much as I love Beyoncé, what she's eating for the day isn't more important than the blue sky above me as I'm sitting next to the one I love.

Scrolling. Scrolling. Scrolling. Have you ever found yourself awake at 2am scrolling through Instagram? You have to be awake for work in a few hours but you can't seem to put your phone down. Finally you fall asleep. You wake up and you're back to scrolling again. You think to yourself "Man she's always out having fun!" "He has all the hottest kicks. He must have money." Unfortunately we now live in a time where we need to be constantly stimulated. If we don't have something happening that very moment "boredom" and self-loathing creep in. A lot of people fail to remember that social networks are also highlight reels. You see people at their happiest, when they're reaping the benefits or when they're indulging. Let us not forget there is a story behind every photo. There is a credit card bill behind that girls new pair of Louboutin's that she just posted. Those new Jordans that the local sneaker head just got were purchased in alley way because his friend stole them from Foot Locker. My point is things aren't always how they seem. You see people living it up but the backstory could be something totally different. That girl who travels all over was broke a year ago and she finally landed a job after losing everything. You never know what someone is going through. Keep yourself from getting sucked in to the hype. Don't allow your mind to tell you you're not good enough and things aren't happening for you because you're watching someone's highlight reel while comparing it to your behind the scenes.  All things come with great sacrifice.

I know that social networks are not all bad. They've definitely helped me with my career. I do encourage you to take a moment and live your life. Put down your phone, close your laptop and enjoy the things that life has to offer. Hear the birds chirp. Spend time with a loved one. Master that hobby that you've always wanted to. Refrain from staring at your phone a majority of the day and see what life has to offer. I promise you it'll be worth way more than the likes you get on a new post.

Be safe. Be free. Be you. Always.
With Love.
Desaree

The Beauty in The Now

There is something freeing when you can identify one of the constant themes that are being shown in your life. It could be expressing yourself creatively more, being nicer to people or taking your time with things. Today I got a chance to reflect and noticed that I am constantly being reminded to let things be. There are times when you go out and make things happen but there are others where you have to sit back and allow them to take care of themselves.

I work very hard for everything I have. At a young age my parents instilled a strong work ethic in me. I would watch them work excessive hours to make sure that we could live comfortably. When they owned a hair salon my mom would have me come over and sweep, wash hair and answer the phone. At the time I thought it was fun (for the first hour) but I didn't realize what they were really doing. Now I can be a bit of a work horse and I don't know when to quit. Relaxing is very hard for me because I always feel like there is something to be done or if I do go to sleep I could miss out on an opportunity.

Lately I've kicked the pursuit of my career into overdrive. I'm constantly on my phone sending emails, checking for castings, trying to network and searching for any sign of success. Unfortunately this has led me to overanalyzing everything and worrying that I'm not doing enough. Living in the now can make it easy to forget your traveled journeys. Society has this idea that if you're not up all night, taking great risks and living for your dream that you're not working hard enough. I believe in hard work but driving yourself into insanity prevents you from being able to perform when it's time for your dream to become reality.

What I'm saying is that it is okay to take a break. It is ok to be human. It is ok to enjoy living in the now without dedicating your every moment to your future. You be alive and still not living. If something isn't happening for you today.. go and take a walk in the park. Admire the beauty in your situation. Read a new book. Go visit a loved one and create memories that will last forever. Life is about the moments we create and the memories that live on. Living for the future is great but don't forget to enjoy your present state. There's beauty in it all. We may not be where we want to be but we're better than before. Each day is a blessing and I'm glad that God took the chance to remind me of that. So you beautiful people... go out and do something different and spontaneous. That thing you've been dying to do... stop waiting and GO. You'll thank me later ;-)

Just Unloading This Brain of Mine

Writing a blog post has been very hard lately. There was a time when the words seem to flow so easily. I could have a conversation with a person about something so simple and I would be immediately inspired. Unfortunately I haven't been able to do that in a VERY long time. I'm sure some of that is due to my lack of clarity in life. I promise you my brain has a circus going on inside of it. There are people performing multiple acts at the same time, animals running around, lights, fire blowing and sirens sounding praying that one person will pay attention. I know that my issue is that I don't take the time to unload my brain but how do you write in your journal about thoughts that you can't seem to gather?

I don't want you guys to think that I have forgotten about my blog but I'm trying to figure my way through life right now. I have reached a point in my 20's where I have to make very important decisions about my future and this ish is cra-zy! Like I don't understand why I wasn't warned about all of this. While I was in college the world seemed to be this big ocean just waiting for me to swim through it to my success, but no one mentioned the troubled waters. No one mentioned that once you hit a certain age everyone starts pressuring you to "Be Great". No one mentioned that everyone would make me feel like an old hag because I don't have children at my age. No one mentioned that whether you like politics you will be forced to play a part in them at some point with or without you consent. No one mentioned that the older you get the more expensive you are. I mean seriously though I have to use a credit card that has money on it that technically isn't mine, just to pay you back to show you that I have the ability to pay people back on time?!!? lol Cheese and rice.

Living in New York has definitely been mind blowing in a good way. I've made  A LOT of connections and gained some great experience so far. The people who are important were quickly revealed. It's ironic how before I left everyone wanted to see me but now I'm lucky if I get a phone call from those people. I'm not mad about it but I was reminded quickly of the lessons I learned in college. It's so important to hold the people who genuinely care about you close. There are a lot of individuals who will promise you that they're on your team but will be nowhere to be found when you're in need of an ear. There will be people only in your life to take from you what they can and they have no intent on filling you back up. Unfortunately most of this is learned the hard way but there are times when we ignore that little voice telling us that someone isn't any good. No worries I haven't had anyone treat me wrong here but I have had LOTS of time to think about things since I spend a lot of time alone. My daily epiphanies are at an all-time high. lol

Ok I'm done rambling. I'm not sure if anyone will read this but hey I definitely got a little off my chest. Until next time...

Open Diary: Hello New York!!!

(Cuts on Jay-Z - Holy Grail)
It's been a while! Hello everyone! Much has changed. Living life in New York is very different and I'm definitely going through an adjustment period but I'm very happy that I'm here nonetheless.

Living in New Jersey my whole life has given me one perspective on this huge world that we live in. I haven't lived far from my family at any point in life so there have been many tears shed on my end lol. It's funny now but I had a few meltdowns because part of me knew that things were going to change drastically. I was going to see my family, friends and boyfriend a lot less and that scared the crap out of me. Everything I knew to be familiar was no longer going to be in immediate reach and that was pretty nerve wracking. BUT I'm here and in a few days I will be making my one month mark and I'm proud.

Although challenging there have been nothing but great things happening since I've gotten into New York. I've networked with a lot of people, booked a few jobs including runway shows for New York Fashion Week and being closer to the city has given me the ability to just get up and go to last minute things I couldn't while living in South Jersey. I haven't heard if I booked the job yet but I auditioned to be a model on Project Runway. That in itself is BIG compared to where I was a month ago. Prior to moving I was struggling to find paid work, couldn't find representation and I wasn't sure if I could do this anymore. Being caught in the vicious cycle of working a full-time job but trying to pursue a career was leaving me stressed, tired and missing many opportunities. God has truly looked me out since I made the decision to pursue modeling whole-heartedly. I thank him for giving me the strength to do the inevitable. It took a little longer than expected but as I look back I know I wasn't ready to move. Had I moved to New York by myself as I planned years ago I wouldn't have lasted long. There were many lessons I had to learn and people I had to meet in order to get to who I am now. As crazy as it feels typing this... all those crazy customers from The Sugarhouse Casino helped me build a SUPER thick skin and they taught me to let things roll off my shoulders. Everyone will have their thoughts and perceptions of you but all that matters is what you think of yourself. My co-workers also helped me come out of my shell. They play a big part in why I stopped making excuses and decided to go out and do a lot of the things that I always wanted to.

As I enter my next month here I'm super excited for all that's to come. I'm praying that I wasn't too real on this post but hey (Kanye shrug) who cares lol. Love you guys and stay inspired!!!

Desarée