ONCE YOU GO BIG, YOU NEVER GO TWIG!!!

(image source: Jezebel.com)

Now I would be lying to you if I said reality televsion is not a guilty pleasure of mine, but it is my observation that it is rare that reality TV actually showcases uplifing messaging in my opinion, which is why I was absolutely tickled and delighted when I saw the preview for the TLC Network's upcoming reality TV series "Big Sexy." The show follows five gorgeous, fashion-focused plus-size women in New York who are committed to conquring the big city. What I love about the preview was the vision of brazen women who loved their size and refused to conform to stick-skinny standard of beauty, and I love non-comformity. The show appears to be a stark contrast to other stereotypical images of insecure plus-size women because the fact of the matter is, not all women desire to be a size zero, myself included. I hope the show does well, and if not, it will certainly give a refreshingly empowering perspective, at the very least. And I LOVE the show's tagline:

"ONCE YOU GO BIG, YOU NEVER GO TWIG!!!"



"BIG SEXY" airs on TLC on August 30 at 10:00 PM-11:00 PM EST

What do you think: Will this type of  TV show be a major hit?

(image source: Beutifulmagazine.com)

25 WAYS TO WEAR A SCARF

So, I know it is suppose summer, but the way this weather has been flucatuating, you can never be too sure.

I have been completely obessed with different ways to transform and wear fabrics, scarves in particular. I found this video created by one of my favorite bloggers, the adorable Wendy's Lookbook and thought it was so helpful to figure out the best scarf shapes for me, so I wanted to share. Finding different ways to wear those summer scarves can be most useful on those cooler summer nights and before you know it, it will be cold again-dare I utter.



Anywho, enjoy! And check out Wendy's Lookbook!

$90K WORTH OF WEAVE STOLEN FROM BEAUTY SUPPLY!

Damn. Are you quite sure the recession is over???

I know the owner of this store is too sick about this-that restocking process is going to be a bear. Hm, I wonder if it was an inside job.

$90K Worth of weave stolen from Chicago beauty supply:




So my Chicago friends, if you see a man selling loose squares AND a #4 Indian water wave on the low off Stoney, I suggest you notify the authorities immediately. #citizensarrest

THE ART OF GETTING NAILED

      picture courtesy wah-nails.com London

Get your mind out of the gutter! This is NOT that type of post, however, this year’s increasingly striking nail trends could heighten your chances of getting noticed by a special someone to help you in that department, but I digress.This season’s manicure brings a noticeable departure from single nail shades from years past, evolving into more of a flamboyant form of individualistic, artistic expression.

“No one finger is the same,” said Marchia Stallensworth, a manicurist who specializes in minx manicures from Polish nail lounge in the South Loop and owner of the Mobile Nail Bar. “There is a movement to make more natural nails jazzed up and flashy.”

At the top of the nail style favorites is The Half Moon manicure, also dubbed the “half-naked nail,” where only half the nail is painted, turning your simple shade into a graphic design statement in a blink.“That came from fashion week,” said Stallensworth. “A lot of designers were requesting the half moon style and people have been coming in and requesting that.”
 

    Japanese nail magazine, featuring 3-D design, UV coating, and piercing - Defyingmainstream.com

Cosmetic retailers are dutifully taking heed of the emergent trend, even enlisting the help of celebrities like Katy Perry and The Beib, to bring the looks straight to you via their very own nail polish lines.

Is your head swirling yet with dizzying nail designs, but you think you don’t have the time, cash, or creativity to partake in all the nail mayhem? Sure you do. Try Sally Hansen’s pre-designed nail polish strips, a surprisingly successful attempt to mimic the Minx manicure from last year. I am actually wearing their Hoodstooth design as I type.

And when all else fails, Stallensworth advises shrewdly, “Go to Hobby Lobby, buy some glitter and make your own glitter topcoat and apply it to your tip, (it’s) a cool way to spice it up…at home.”

My own nail creation:

I used:

OPI Fit For A Queensland

Finger Paints Hue Left A Message?

Nail Art gem stones from Sally's

Send me pics of your nail art!

Orginal content on URChicago.com

D.O.L-Death to the Lace Front Wig

Sigh. You know, I reeaaaally didn't want to do this, but it is time to officially put yet another unfortunate beauty trend to bed. With the power invested in me by Blogger, I am declaring 2011 as the year lace front wigs are put down. I just can no longer take it.

From an extremely warm place in my heart with nothing but the utmost concern, I say this with all the love I have in me, ladies:

TAKE THE LACE FRONTS OFF!!! They’re done. Over with. Finished. A don datta. No more. Please, move on already.

I, rather hastily and optimistically, thought we had moved on from the lace wig movement, but lately, to my mounting fright, I am noticing a slight resurgence and I MUST bind thee in the name of all that is holy.

No matter what celeb or who you see on the daily wearing them, they have had their time and quite frankly, at this point they look ridiculous-even Beyonce and Tyra have seemingly moved on to other hair extension means, so that in itself should be your cue.

I too admittedly partook in the lace front mayhem extra hard; the thought of a seamless, natural-looking hair weave changed just about every hair enthusiast's world, myself included. I have witnessed chicks get in frenzied altercations and clear out entire hair inventories during lace wigs sales at the beauty supply, like no joke. Therefore, I realize the severity of the hair weave. But now as a result of my lace wig days, I am left with nothing but recovering, thinned edges and old pictures of myself wearing what I now call the hair helmet.

Lace wigs are no longer the revered novelty they once were, they just look ridiclously fake.

To be clear, I am proud, card-toting member of W.W.W.W. (Women Who Wear Weave) and I make absolutely no qualms about enjoying a good weave every now and again. Like most women of W.W.W.W. my hair journey has included slight detours with tracks, half wigs, sew-ins, anything with horse hair attached. Lately I'm proudly rocking a crown of my natural hair, but know I plan on enjoying more weave in my bright future with no apologies.

Therefore, do not confuse my sentiments as yet another radical diatribe about why women should not indulge in extensions to enhance their look-it's fake, it's unhealthy, blah, blah, blah. That's not what this is about. I am merely saying as far as the blatant lace fronts are concerned, please do not wear them if you can help it because it’s just simply wack, outdated and unnatural, no matter how much baby hair you use to cover the net (which is another post entirely). Trust, I am just trying to look out for you and yours, and you know who you are too-your scalp is probably tingling now suffocating underneath that horrible, itchy net. I’ve felt your pain.

So I say to you, sis… snatch it off and free yourself. Swing it in the air and declare that this year you will no longer be slave to the dreaded lace wigs.

With all that said, I realize this may offended some of my political connects, but I was told to keep it real, keep it 100 and I had to do my due diligence, for the greater good of women looking their best everywhere.


Besos,
Lenora