Posh Pearls

My Fall/Winter/Autumn Wishlist

Summer is officially over : (
I made a wishlist of things I want for the colder seasons. My fall/autumn/winter wardrobe is usually made up of sweater dresses, turtlenecks, jeans and boots. This year I intend to incorporate more skirts, dresses etc. and take a few more risks.

All my shopping will be done online and as I cross an item off my list, I will provide the links so you can purchase them if you want to.

I am also considering opening my own webshop where all the items can be purchased from directly! Will keep you updated on that thought :)

1) Faux Fur Vests
I intend to buy at least two faux fur vests. I wanted them last winter but did not find any that were within my budget in stores last winter. They are versatile and can be worn with pants, dresses skirts etc. I want vests that preferably come with a belt so i can wear it with or without the belt. I want the celeb look but for much le$$. So stay tuned for my finds in the coming weeks!!

2) Combat Boots
I never thought i could rock combat boots but I tried a pair on at Aldo and I was in love!! I intend to buy a pair that will last. So I will splurge on this item if I have to :P

3) Coats
I like to splurge on coats because they are a good investment!! I haven't bought a new coat since Winter 2009 so a few new coats are necessary this year.

4) Quilted Bag
I want a quilted bag in black so it goes with everything.

5) Snood Scarf
I searched high and low for snood scarfs last winter with no luck. I hope I have better luck online!

6) Statement Necklaces
I am obsessed with statement necklaces and I need as many statement pieces as I can get. They make any simple outfit look great. There are so many varieties and being that I am indecisive it is hard for me to narrow it down to a few :P
Statement necklaces can be worn with anything and everything. Just remember to keep the neckline simple and let the necklace be the focus.

What items are on your wishlist?

Ombre Hair Envy: Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato looked flawless at last night's VMA's. That hair .. I want NOW!!!

I have mentioned previously in former posts my intention to try out the Ombre look in September. Like I mentioned before, I may dye my Virgin Brazilian Hair Extensions myself (with the help of youtube DIY videos) and install them to get a look similar to this. Can't wait to show you guys how it turns out... if i go through with it!

Wish me luck :P

My Acne Cure

This post is dedicated to all those who have suffered with moderate/severe acne at some point in their life or are currently suffering from moderate-severe acne. After trying everything and anything for years I am glad to say that I finally found something that keeps me Acne Free :)

I had severe acne from about age 14-17 and after that my acne went from severe to moderate. I tried everything and anything both prescription and on the counter. This included creams, tablets,laser treatments etc. You name it , I probably tried it.

What most people don't understand is that Acne is more than a physical ailment. It also affects you emotionally and mentally .If you haven't been through it then it might be hard for you to relate. It had a big impact on my self esteem and made me very withdrawn in high school and i struggled with low self esteem until i was in my 2nd year of University.

Everything changed when I was prescribed Retisol-A about 2 years ago. I have been acne free for two years. It is a topical cream and it stopped me from getting new breakouts, also my old acne scars have faded over time and my skin looks more even now.
I also changed some of my habits to maintain my results:

I eliminated dairy milk from my diet and I only drink soy milk
I drink at least 8 glasses of water everyday

Retisol- A cost me about $45 & you need a prescription to get it. One tube usually lasts me 2-2.5 months. I use 1-2 times a day. It comes in different concentrations. The one i use is pictured below.

Remember what works for me, may not work for you! But it is worth a try. If you don't try, you will never know.

Make Virgin or Remy Hair Extensions Last Longer

Buying hair extensions is the first step, caring for the hair after purchase will determine the longevity. Just like your real hair, the hair needs moisture and tlc. And unlike synthetic hair,Virgin or Remy Hair Extensions requires more maintenance.

A few useful tips:

Co-wash your extensions with a moisturizing conditioner prior to putting them in. You do not know where the hair has been and the hair may appear dry on arrival. Co-washing cleans and moisturizes the hair.
Seal your wefts. Like I have stated before, ALL HAIR EXTENSIONS SHED!! It is unrealistic to expect no shedding at all.Some company's have good quality hair but the weft is weak so you experience a lot of shedding. Regardless of which company you purchase from you can further protect your investment by sealing your weft yourself. I use Dritz Fray Check (pictured below) to seal my wefts. I purchased it from Walmart.

Apply the product to both sides of the weft as well as the top of the weft. Leave to dry.
Video on how to seal your wefts.\

Try not to cut the weft at all. I find that this not only reduces shedding but it also makes it easier to store the hair for future use after you remove the install.
Do not use too many products. Find products that work and stick to them. Avoid excessive heat, excessive dying and coloring which can shorten the life span of your extensions.

FAQs on Hair Extensions

All these questions relate to Virgin or Remy Hair Extensions includes all types e.g. Brazilian, Indian, Peruvian,Chinese, Malaysian, Mongolian etc.

P.S: I am not an expert, i am speaking from my own personal experience and based on research.

Do Hair Extensions Shed?

Yes Yes Yes! ALL HAIR SHEDS. Both Real Hair and Hair Extensions. You have to find extensions that have very minimal shedding. The best way to eliminate shedding is to seal your wefts.

Do Hair Extensions Tangle?

If you buy good quality hair extensions, you will experience no tangling with proper maintenance. If you get longer lengths there may be some tangling at the nape. And even if you do experience minor tangling, brush it out (from root to tip) with a wide toothed comb.

How often should I wash my Hair Extensions?

There is no right answer for this question. I personally condition my weave once a week. You can wash your extensions more or less often as you wish. Do remember that the hair can get weighed down with the use of excess products and when you shampoo and condition it, it returns to its former state. Most of the time, I wash the hair with only conditioner and no shampoo... this is called a co-wash (conditioner wash).. it leaves the hair clean and soft. Virgin hair tends to get dry and sometimes shampoo dries it out so I prefer using only conditioner.

Will I find Grey hairs in my Hair Extensions?

You may find a few grey hairs in the hair bundles.Well actually most of the time you will find some grey hair.

What does Virgin Hair Smell Like?
To be totally honest, Virgin Hair does not have the most pleasant smell. But you can rid of the smell by co-washing it before you use it.

How many bundles is enough for a full head weave?

One bundle weighs 4oz (100g). Most hair extension retailers say 8oz or 200g is enough for a full head weave.I think it depends on your personal preference. I like 3 bundles for my own weaves which gives me the fullness i like. You can use more than 3 depending on how full you like your hair.

How can I ensure that my hair extensions last long?
When you shampoo and condition your hair, let it air dry. Air drying prolongs the longevity of your extensions.
Also never sleep with wet hair and always comb the hair from root to tip with a wide tooth comb.

How can I curl my hair extensions without heat?
Bendy rollers!! Bendy rollers!!! Bendy rollers!!!
They are very inexpensive, easy to use and you can find them everywhere.
They give you defined bouncy curls. I put mine in before I go to sleep and take them out in the morning. The less heat you use on your extensions, the longer they last.

If you have any additional questions, ask away in the comment section :)

My Honest Thoughts : Virgin Brazilian Hair Extensions

(Brazilian, Malaysian, Mongolian, Indian, Peruvian etc.) whatever you call it, you can't deny that Virgin Hair Extensions are more popular than ever. They are everywhere and everyone is wearing them. I must confess that since I tried "Brazilian Hair", I can never go back to synthetic hair/regular beauty supply hair. The difference in quality is very very clear.

The pros of this kind of hair extensions are that it lasts long and blends well with relaxed African (American) hair. It's also very lightweight and versatile in terms of styling. The cons are that it is can be very pricey (often overpriced), Remember price and quality are not necessarily proportional. The more expensive the hair, doesn't necessarily mean it's better quality!!

Everything is best in moderation. But I know some friends in the UK who install 6 bundles of hair that is 600g (24oz) of hair...(how do they manage to fit all that hair on their head?!?!). Don't feel pressured to purchase that much hair; 3 bundles is sufficient and creates a natural fullness. If you want to use more, feel free to. I personally wouldn't use more than 3-4 bundles. Another thing is seeing women with extra long lengths e.g. past their belly button... it looks unnatural in my opinion, but to each its own.

Care is important. If you don't take care of your hair extensions they'll end up looking ratty and dry. Mine got better with every wash & deep condition!!

Specs of my Virgin Brazilian Wavy Hair

I used 3 bundles : 14, 16 and 20 inches
Each bundle is 100g so I used 300g of hair total.
The hair came in a Natural Brown Color
Very minimal tangling or shedding ( I would get 1-3 strands per week so the shedding is pretty much non-existent) I sealed my wefts so the shedding is minimal.
The waves came back after every wash
The less product you use on the hair the more manageable it is, I use Argan Oil for daily maintenance.

A few pictures of my Virgin Brazilian Weave install:

My Virgin Brazilian Wavy Invisible Part Install
(Picture was taken immediately after the hair was installed)

Same Day, After I Shampooed, Conditioned and Air dried my Hair
(When washed the does hair returns to its original wavy state)

P.S: I still have this hair and intend to use it again. After I took out my weave, I shampooed, conditioned, let the hair air dry and It returned to its original state. When my boyfriend saw the hair air drying, he thought I'd bought a new batch of hair.. that is how good this hair quality is :)

Virgin hair extensions are definitely an investment but worth it because you get so many uses out of it.

What's your opinion on Brazilian Hair?? How much hair do you think is too much hair?

Also, if you have any questions about the hair, feel free to ask :)

UPDATE: I have this hair on a 3/4 wig right now. This is my 3rd install of this hair and I still love it. The best hair extensions I have purchased till date!! Click Here to see pictures of my 3/4 wig and what the hair looks like currently.

Hair Trend: Ombre Hair

I wasn't so sure about this hair trend. I liked it on others but never thought I would want to try it myself. But after seeing Keke Palmer rock hers at the BET 2011 awards, I was convinced I had to try it out for myself. It's a trend that suits all skintones so it's definitely worth a try!!
I intend to DIY because I've been watching numerous YouTube DIY videos. Here are some of my fave celebrity ombre hairstyles below.

The exact look i wish to achieve is Camilla Alves' look in the last picture (J'adore!!!). I will be trying this on my Virgin Brazilian Hair extensions.

So what do you think of this hair trend ? Love it or Leave it?