Breast Reduction Surgery: 10 Things You Need During Recovery

Sound the alarms... I just passed my first week in healing from breast reduction surgery! Prior to surgery I did a lot of research on items I'd need during my initial healing, but as with all things, it's a little different once you're in the thick of it. In this video, I share the top 10 items that have been crucial during my first week of recovery. If you're preparing for surgery, I'd highly reccommend getting these items.

Breast Reduction Surgery: First 24 Hours Post-Op Recovery

After thinking about it for years, I finally made the decision to get a breast reduction! In this video, I share my experience during the first 24 hours of post-op recovery. 

    

Derek Jaxn: A Cheating Man's Heart

72 hours ago I had no clue how Derek Jaxn was... but I love relationship shenanigans and Derek Jaxn's latest cheating scandal was a hot mess. I hopped on IG Live with a few friends to discuss. 

 

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Why You Need Melanin Haircare's Multi-Use Softening Leave In Conditioner

One thing that thrived in 2020 was my hair.  I perfected my wash 'n go (nowhere), experimented with more blonde color, and tested new products. One product that blew me away and instantly became a holy grail was Melanin Haircare's Multi-Use Softening Leave In Conditioner. 

It retails for $18.99 on their site (and Ulta) and currently has a purchase limit of 3 bottles... which may seem like a lot, but I swear once you try this product you'll be obsessed and wanna stockpile more. Also note that there are times they're sold out, so it's not the worst idea to stock up. 

Recently Melanin Haircare featured me on their IG and while I would LOVE for this post to be sponsored lol, it's definitely not. I bought all products with my own money and genuinely love the way it works.

Have you tried Melanin Haircare yet? 

#MelaninBae @sixtwentyseven serving us DIMENSIONAL Coils this Monday morning! 😲😍🙌🏾 She writes 💬 "This style is a fluffed out, old wash 'n go (nowhere) that I did using @melaninhaircare's leave-in and almond oil." 🥳💃🏾🙌🏾 #MelaninHaircare⁠ pic.twitter.com/XYjqPtcnoN

— melaninhaircare (@melaninhaircare) January 4, 2021

Where to go for Knotless Box Braids in Seattle

Y'all... I'm so happy to have real knotless box braids that are professional and NOT DIY #QuarantineBraids 😭😭😭 I'd been looking for someone in Seattle who could do #KnotlessBoxBraids similar to the ones I got in Chicago last year by @mibelle_beauty. When @impekablenails referred me to Ange (@purity_k_beauty), I was thrilled! @purity_k_beauty braids in a private salon space in Lynnwood, wears a mask throughout the appt (it's still a pandemic), has beautiful and consistent work, clients who have edges (that matters lol), and is a sweetheart. These are the "Nelly Braids" and we used a custom blend of 1b/27, 1b/30, 27, 30, and 613. Her bookings open on the 25th of each month and she books for the next month. I love referring people to quality stylists, so if you've been on the hunt for a #SeattleBraider to give you 🔥 knotless box braids (or other braided, loc or twist styles) head to her page on 10/25 and send her a DM to book. A $25 deposit is required when you book. Tell her I sent you! We'll probably be in quarantine through 2021, but there's no need to look dusty lol... treat yourself to some real braids 😂 I'm recovering from emergency dental surgery and feel like a 💰 every time I look in the mirror. Tee by Gracie J (IG: @theeditorialnail)

 

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Sephora Cream Lip Stain | Swatches on Dark Skin

I love a bold matte lip and I’m lowkey embarrassed to admit I was late to the party with these 🔥 Sephora cream lip stains. I first learned about them from Holly (IG: @itsholly) and started off with shades 01 and 94, before diving off the deep end and adding a bunch more. These retail for $15 and have a wonderful formula (I always exfoliate before wearing matte shades and my lips never feel dry), pigmentation (colors are ☀️af), and don’t transfer. 

Due to the pandemic I couldn’t see these irl at a store before buying, and had to look for online reviews, swatches, and pray they looked good in person. The shades are all amazing. Y’all know I love red... but I especially LOVED “Dark Forest” -- it’s like a vampy Mother Earth type of vibe.

Watch below to see swatches of my Sephora cream lip stains 💋 in colors: 

01 Always Red 

94 Cherry Moon 

95 Electric Ruby 

96 Red Velvet 

12 African Violet 

52 Dark Purple 

27 Black Cherry 

29 Dark Forest 

 

Tips for doing DIY Box Braids #QuarantineBraids (Beginner)

Back in May 2020 I, like many other Black girls going through the pandemic and quarantine, realized I finally needed to learn how to do my own box braids. This was my first time doing DIY box braids and after rocking them for 2 weeks, I wanted to share my beginner tips to help (and encourage) other newbies who were curious about doing their own #QuarantineBraids.

I'm still lowkey shook that I actually did my own jumbo box braids and that they didn't look like trash! Have you tried doing your own #QuarantineBraids? What tips have you learned?

Tower 28 Beauty | ShineOn Lip Jelly + Milky Lip Jelly Swatches on Dark Skin

When I originally searched for reviews and swatches of vegan beauty brand Tower 28 Beauty's products on darker skin, it was damn near non-existent. It was actually quite shocking because the brand's online presence seems to be rather inclusive (I particularly like the aesthetic of their IG), but it was *crickets* trying to find videos of melanated folks reviewing the products. 

Pre-pandemic Sephora was my therapy. I could wander around the store for hours... getting lost in the aisles of products, ample samples, and testers. Due to COVID-19 and the pandemic changing everything about life we knew it, I've been been quarantined at home for over 300 days (and counting), and doing a TON of online shopping. I was rarely one to buy beauty products online without sampling them first in-store, so I've found myself relying on reviews more than ever. 

Below is a quick video showing swatches of the Tower 28 Beauty ShineOn Lip Jelly and ShineOn Milky Lip Jelly. This video was originally made for Tik Tok, but I feel our shortened attention spans can appreciate gems dropped in under 60 seconds.