HoustonBlogger Archives

This Hair of Mine | Kinky Wednesday | MadameAkay

Hey Gems,

I remember the day I went through with my big chop. My cousin didn’t think I was being serious and she recounted how she cried when she did hers, but I was fearless, she began to snip away till what was left was a teeny tiny afro. I then began to scream on the inside thinking to myself what did I just do to my hair?!? I had to calm myself down and tell myself it’s just hair and it will grow back.

Fast forward, three years in and I’m wondering why my hair isn’t looking long and luscious like the girls on Instagram. I had to remind myself that my hair growth isn’t determined by the other girls on Instagram rather by genetics and maintenance. I wasn’t really showing my hair all the love it needed because in that three years I never even got a trim, rather I would just ‘dust’ my ends. Dusting your ends is a process where you two strand twist your hair and trim off the ends. I should have known dusting my ends would not be enough but it’s what I thought I needed to do at the time. I was so WRONG, like totally wrong! Chai! My hair was almost stagnant at the same length the year after. I decided to do a little more research and I figured I JUST NEEDED TO LOVE MY KINKS! It was such an easy task that I wonder why I was not doing it before.

Fast forward to present day, and I give my natural hair all the tender love and care it needs. I found a beautician that trims her, I found a couple brands that cleanses/moisturizes and I finally found my hair regime. Now, remember I told you all that I never got a trim like ever, well it was very evident in the health of my hair when I sat in my beauticians chair. She told me, “there’s no point in holding on to broken and damaged ends”. (I kind of wish I used that in my past relationship, but that’s another story). She snipped away and the picture below is what my hair looked like before after my silk treatment with a trim.

Before | Silk Press Treatment

After | Silk Press Treatment

It looks so short right, and we all know that natural hair stretches so you can imagine what it looked like when wet. Anywho, watching natural hair Youtubers became my pass time and I started taking notes. I realized that wash day was going to annoy me because it was literally a five step process that could last all day. I told myself it will all be worth it when my hair is at least waist length, right? This journey back isn’t one that will be rushed but rather your hair just wants and needs to be loved and you do that by taking care of her daily. I opt for low maintenance styles such as wearing wigs, braids, crown braid, faux buns anything so I’m not playing in my hair. Ladies, this is key, you don’t want to constantly manipulate your hair it causes damage. I could go on and on but you have to decide on what your journey will be. I decided to change my course and love my crown.
Hope you enjoyed my tell all, and inspires you to take pride in your own crown.

On August 2, 2017

I’m Loving My Skin! | MadameAkay

Hi loves!

I wanted to share a couple products that I use to take care of my skin under my makeup. I heard about this brand in February after attending a Galentine event hosted by my friend. She warned us that the products would be expensive, but that did not stop me. Usually, I would have gone straight to test out the products but I wanted to really do some research and see for myself if the products were worth me getting. Hope you all fall in love with this brand as much as I have.

Caudalíe Face Products

This brand was founded in 1993 by Mathilde Thomas and her husband Bertrand in France. The products started appearing in multiple pharmacies and evolved into the company they are today. They are committed to providing their consumers with natural ingredients, meaning no parabens, mineral oils, and animal derived raw material.

Caudalié

I told you all I had to do some intense research to ensure I was not wasting money on a product that did not work. Luckily for me, Sephora was giving away the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum and Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet as a free birthday gift. I seriously thought I hit the jackpot with this one. I finally got to get my hands on this product for free!! FREE! I instantly loved it. I did not get the heavy sticky feel from the moisturizer and the serum, added a touch of moisture after I applied my toner. So I decided that I was going to buy the full-size products, but they were just too expensive. The serum by itself was $79 USD without tax. I was bummed out but I thought to myself, even organic food is not the cheapest but we still purchase it. Long story short, I went to Sephora and saw that the full-sized serum came in a beauty box along with the Glycolic Peel and an overnight renewal cream all for $79 USD! WIN! I also bought the Beauty Elixir as a toner since I was running low on my with hazel toner.
I can honestly say this brand has changed the way that I take care of my skin. It gets the MadameAkay stamp of approval!

Glycolic Acid Skin Benefits

Glycolic Acid is an exfoliator that removes the outer layer of dead skin cells on your skin, bringing fresh new skin to the surface. It can also help lighten discoloration of the skin, acne-prone, and blackhead prone skin.

Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser

I knew I needed to get some sort of cleanser with glycolic acid, but I wasn’t sure what brand would be the most effective. After searching high and low I came across this brand when I was shopping at Urban Outfitters so I said let me give it a shot. Since I started using this product, I have noticed that my areas of discoloration were becoming less and less. I always had tiny pimples on my forehead and I never understood why it would not go away with the use of my clean and clear acne wash. It was honestly the only area on my face that consistently had pimples. I also had stubborn blackheads around my nose which I have noticed has now become drastically less prominent. TIP: Do not use this product every day since it strips the first layer of your skin. Also, make sure to use a moisturizer with SPF to protect your skin during the day.

I love all these new products and I hope you go out and test them out. Sephora gives out samples!! Win, again!

On June 27, 2017

Happy Blogversary MadameAkay! | MadameAkay

Ahh! I can’t believe it’s been a whole 2 years since I started blogging (technically 2 years yesterday). I’m not going to deceive you all because you know I like to keep it 100%. It’s not been an easy journey at all, but what keeps me going is my passion for writing and sharing knowledge with people. There have been many times I wanted to give up and just close up my blog, but then I am reminded why I even started it in the first place (find out why I started). This drive and the work that goes into a blog post excites me. Learning CSS coding even reminds me of back when MySpace was in style when I was in middle school.
Thank you to my lovely family & friends that continuously support me in everything I set forward to do. Seriously, you all are the ones shooting with me in the gym! Ha!

On June 19, 2017

Fresh Air | MadameAkay

Hello Gems,

I’m back from my fun-filled vacation and I’m better!

“Let go of the ordinary and enjoy a vibrant, fully-alive purpose that God designed for you.”

I was inspired to write this post while I was worshipping in church this past weekend. Pastor Jeremy Foster’s message was directly for me and being that it’s a new month I thought I would share with you all. I hope that while you’re reading this it sparks something new in you.

“John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” -KJV

Joy. I experience joy when I am worshipping my Lord. My heart is happy when I’m in church and the praise and worship songs have me in the spirit. I experience joy when I am surrounded by people that truly love me. Seeing my niece happy and laughing makes me very happy. Oh, the joy in my heart is just overwhelming. I love her too much!

“1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” -KJV

Let us break this verse down to really understand what is being said here.

[Rejoice evermore]

It’s so easy to only think of the negatives that occur in our life and lose sight of all the good that has happened. Rejoice means to feel or show great joy or delight. In situations where you have no control over, rejoice. Think about it, there is no point in stressing over the uncontrollable. It’s like the saying goes, why cry over spilled milk if it has already spilled?

[Pray without ceasing]

In all circumstances one should pray. No matter how bad you think things are, pray. When things are going good, one should pray. Let me be real with you all, I’m guilty of praying consistently when things are bad. I ‘forget’ to pray as consistently when things are going in my favor. It’s something I’m trying to work on and with my new found independence I’m going to test myself.

[In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.]

Do I really need to explain this one? I’ll keep it brief. Be Thankful.
Breathe In, Breathe Out. How do you feel? I bet you feel a little bit better. Sometimes when you’re under pressure, take a pause and breathe in fresh air. I’ve learned to do this to keep myself from going cray cray. It honestly has helped me, it also gives you time to reconsider your next action.

On May 1, 2017

Coming Up | MadameAkay

Hey Gems!

This week I’m super excited because I’m taking a much needed vacation. I’m planning on being out of pocket for some time but I will be back.

Thanks for understanding!

On April 18, 2017

Thinking of getting a new car? Let me help you | MadameAkay

Hey Gems,

I recently just got a new car and it honestly was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make this far. It took me about a year and eight months to make a decision and muster up to sign on the line. I mean this isn’t some decision you can make randomly. A number of factors have to be put into this decision. Hopefully, some of the tips I share with you can assist you in making a decision.

1. Lease or Purchase
I have researched these options up to 10 times and it really boils down to what the driver wants. In my opinion, there really isn’t a better option because you are still going to have a depreciating asset to your name.

Lease
Don’t put down too much upfront! The car will have a set amount that it will be valued at the end of your lease. The car has a set value at the end of your lease term but it depends on how much you put down and the length of your lease term.
Most consumers don’t know that when you lease a car, at the end of your lease term you are given two options. One is to own the car by buying it out or trade it in to get a different car. What I thought was pretty cool is that if you lease your car and a rock hits your car, the value of your car doesn’t down right decline. Remember I said, your car has a set value at the end of the lease term.

Purchase
The more money you put down upfront the cheaper your payments.

2. Price
Price for my vehicle was a very huge and defining factor for me. I didn’t want a car that sucked me dry of all my income. Something a good colleague of mine told me was to NEVER purchase a car that is worth more than your annual income. I mean that makes perfect sense. You want to be able to afford the car you’re going to own and you don’t want to become that person living paycheck to paycheck.
The sales associate is going to try and get you to buy the listed price. NEVER BUY THE LISTED PRICE! Do your research on the car before you go to sign. Kelley Blue Book is a deal breaker. Dealerships won’t sell over the price found on the website. Have the specs on the car listed out. See what other dealerships are charging for the same car. Also, don’t be afraid to bargain. I went in knowing how much the car was listed as and how low I wanted to bring that price down. You want to also know how much you will spend a month if you lease your car. Don’t settle on a price. Bargain till you can’t go any further.

3. Features
If this is not your first time driving a car then you know what you look for in a car. It’s like buying a cake on your 20th birthday. You have had multiple opportunities to taste different types of cakes. So when it come to your own birthday cake you know exactly what you want yours to look and taste like.
For me, I made a list of features I absolutely had to have in my car. This was mainly based on what I didn’t have in my current car. Then I created a ‘Nice to Have’ list, meaning I wouldn’t be bothered if the car didn’t come with the ‘Nice to Have’ features.
Have to Have

Reverse Camera
AUX Input
Bluetooth Enabled
Sunroof
Seat Warmer
Graphite exterior Color
Black Interior
Dark/Black Rims
GPS

Nice To Have

Apple CarPlay
Push to Start
Dual Sunroof
Steering Wheel Warmer

4. Test Drive
Since my list of potential cars was really long, I had to make sure I test drove each and every car. Now, when you go in to test drive a car, you absolutely have to inform the sales associate that you only intend to test drive the car and you have no intentions of buying. They may tell you something along the lines of they aren’t going to pressure you to sign anything. Which is great, but don’t be swayed by the numbers or even the drive of the car. Trust me, it was hard for me to not go and sign papers after test driving a vehicle.

5. Insurance
Things to consider is how high your car insurance will go after the purchase. This price will vary from one insurance carrier to the other, but I would say a price of ~$140 is average for where I live. Can you still afford the vehicle you want now factoring in insurance?
You think you have all the above figured out. Now it’s time to head to the dealership to purchase your new car.

6. Time & Patience
Some people spend 2 hours in a dealership others spend 4. You have to be patient, so you don’t feel rushed into getting something you aren’t fully satisfied with. In 30 days you want to feel the same way you felt when you drove your car off the lot. It’s going to take some time to really land on the perfect car or should I say your dream car. You’re probably wondering when is the best time to purchase a new vehicle.
You’re probably wondering when is the best month to purchase a new vehicle? DECEMBER. Point. Blank. Period. Why December? Car Dealerships are looking to clear out most of the inventory to bring in the next new model for vehicles. Also, buying towards the end of the month, which is what I did is a good time to purchase a vehicle. Sales Associates have a quota they have to meet at the end of each month so they are more wiling to negotiate a price if it’s the end of the month.
I hope this helped you figure out what the perfect car is for you!

On February 11, 2017

Weekend Festivites | MadameAkay

Hey Gems!

This past weekend was an interesting one because the prior week, I was in Las Vegas (Don’t worry I’m going to fill you all in on the details of that trip). You would think that I would stay home and not go out but one of the best things was to take photos to help my brother build his portfolio. Here are some of the shots from the shoot. Tell me what you all think!

Jean Shirt: Target

Jeans: UNIQLO

Shoes: Charlotte Russe

Watch: Fossil

I love this one in particular because it shows my nice and friendly side. No, I’m not saying that I’m friendly but it has a warm and inviting feel to it. This pose wasn’t one of those fake laughs to get me to pose. I actually was cracking up because of my bubbly niece.

I absolutely had to include my niece, especially since she was my WCW yesterday. I literally love this girl to pieces. I honestly don’t want her to grow up anymore, I want her to stay this size forever.

Thank you for taking the time out to read this post! Look out for the next post!

On January 26, 2017