au naturale, castor oil, clarisonic, dermablend, dermatology, dr.callender, face wash, grapeseed oil, lupie chick, lupus, moisturizer, neutrogena, oily skin, skin care, tea tree oil, vitamin c

REQUESTED – My Skin Regimen

Hi loves,
Thank you for all the compliments you guys have given me about my skin ( and hair). I appreciate all the love and I’m shocked that so many of you have noticed.  Most of you know that I had scarring left from a Lupus flare up and I was really embarrassed and insecure about my face. I wore full coverage makeup( foundation)  along with Dermablend – EVERYDAY – including hot summer days. I now only wear press powder ( yes!!!). I eventually found a dermatologist who took the time to access all of my skin care issues & needs. My dermatologist is Dr. Callender. She has taught me how to care for my skin at home and has turned my skin around!!!!! I started to see improvement in 4 weeks. Click Here to revisit ” Loving the Skin I’m In” The number one thing she has taught me is SPF!!! Yes, ladies- if you’re African American YOU STILL NEED SUN SCREEN!!!! ( because I have Lupus I have to use SPF 70, but all of my products contain at least SPF 50)

Naked Face ** Summer 2011 **
MAY-May 9, 2012- Naked Face
I tried to get up close so that ya”ll could my skin

Alot of you have asked what am I doing for my skin. I will share my regimen with you all, BUT this is a regimen that works for me and my skin type and was pescribed to me by Dr. Callender. I highly suggest that if you’re experiencing any skin issues, you should consult with a dermatologist before starting any new regimen or before applying new products to your face.

Skin Type: OILY- problematic, sensitive skin with large pores..

Morning

Evening

  • Remove makeup with a makeup wipe ( I use neutrogena makeup remover pads or unscented baby wipes)
  • Do the oil cleansing method ( 50:50 mix of Grapeseed oil & Castor oil, 2 drops of vitamin E) ** I only do this if I’m wearing makeup.. If not I skip this..**
  • Steam face with a warm  (soft) wash cloth, wipe away oil residue
  • (1) pump of neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser ( purple bottle)
  • Apply with hands/rinse with cool water
  • Pat  dry
  • Spritz face with rose water
  • Apply 4% strength hydroquione with a q-tip to any dark marks or blemishes
  • Apply a thin layer of Differin Gel

Weekly

  • Change my pillow cases
  • Wash my makeup brushes ( using EVOO and Johnson and Johnson Baby Shampoo)

 Monthly

  • First Sunday of every month Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque

Bi-Monthly

  •   See Dr. Callender

Quarterly

Today May 9th- Pressed Powder, Blush, Eyeshadow,
 & LipGloss ( Hair Flat-Twist Out)

There you have it!  That’s my regimen- and  I stick to it- no matter how sleepy or tired I maybe.  I take the time to do all the above. Be sure to drink plenty of water and get rest. Suffering from insomnia I’m still struggling with getting enough sleep. ** Baby steps**

Dr. Valerie Callender is an internationally recognized Board Certified Dermatologist, who is known for her expertise in Pigmentation Disorders and the medical and surgical treatment of Hair Loss in Women.Dr. Callender has written twelve (12) textbook chapters and many articles for academic journals. She has recently co-edited a textbook on the Treatment for Skin of Color. Dr. Callender is a frequently invited speaker at national and international meetings.Dr. Callender has been a visiting Professor of Dermatology at Brown University, the University of Maryland, the University of Florida, Boston University/Tufts and the State University of New York. Dr. Callender has conducted and participated in over forty (40) research studies and clinical trials for both therapeutic and cosmetic products and is a consultant to many cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies. Dr. Callender is frequently quoted and featured in both print and electronic media (including a recent segment on the Dr. Oz Show on Hair Loss In Women) and serves on the Boards of the Women’s Dermatologic Society, where she is Secretary; the Skin of Color Society, where she is a founding member and President, and the North American Hair Research Society.


Dr. Valerie Callender
Dermatology & Cosmetic Center
1200 Annapolis Road
Suite 315
Glendale, MD 20769
301-249-0970

aloe vera gel, au naturale, bun, curly hair syles, grapeseed oil, mini twist, miss sixx, natural hair styles, pin-up, pony tail, protective style, styling products, two-strand twist, youtube

All Twisted Up

Style: Two Strand Twist (Protective Style)

Complete: 2 Hours

Products Used: Grape seed Oil, Aloe Vera Gel, Lemon Souffle ( product of Au’Naturale)

Tools Used: Rat tail comb, duck clips, my fingers

Reason for style: Protective Style for the month of July

How To Achieve style:

Wash and condition hair-allow hair to “air dry” 25%-50%(this step is optional, but it aid with reducing shrinkage)

Take rat tail comb to separate & part hair-Use duck clips to hold sections into place

Section hair into 1 inch (or smaller sections) and twist hair ( apply styling product, & aloe vera gel onto each twist)


Continue this process throughout the remainder of the head

Apply natural oil of choice to the twisted strands & scalp as needed

Finger style, pin up, or pull twists into a ponytail or bun

At night- cover hair with a satin bonnet and/or sleep on a satin pillow case

Check out Kristi’s You Tube Video for styling twist- and subscribe to her

you tube channel Enjoying The Journey’s Thank Kristi for twist styling options

african hair braiding, almond oil, au naturale, avocado oil, cornstarch, crisco, dry skin, emu oil, face, grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, miss sixx, moisturizer, natural oils, sealant, vitamin E

Old School Making a Comeback- Crisco

We’re all familiar with the blue can – it was probably a staple in all our childhood kitchens. Lately, there has been a lot of chatter about the benefits of Crisco for your skin and hair. Sounds rather bizarre, doesn’t it? Let’s look at the ingredients of Crisco: Soybean oil, fully hydrogenated cottonseed oil, partially hydrogenated cottonseed and soybean oils. Because the oils are partially hydrogenated, they are solid at room temperature and have a fatty consistency that is lighter than butter (made up of saturated fats). So, basically, natural oils hydrogenated to turn them into solid form. I use natural oils on my skin and hair all the time-Jojoba Oil, Vitamin E Oil, Almond oil, Emu oil, Avocado Oil, and Grapeseed Oil. Because it is made up of oil, Crisco is not a moisturizer, but it’s a great sealant!!!! You dont’ need to use a lot of it to get great results either (a little goes a LOOOOONG way). If you’re heavy-handed with product though, then you can add cornstarch to your Crisco to keep it from feeling too greasy.

I have read that Crisco is used in hospital settings to treat burn victims and those with severe eczema. It has also been used on skin tears caused by edema (severe swelling due to fluid accumulation).

Through some internet research I discovered Julia’s Goat Milk Soap Company http://www.juliasgoatmilksoap.com/ . Julia create and sell Herbal and Vegatable Based Soaps with Crisoc as the base for an Homemade Eczema Treatment.

Outside of the medical community, countless women (and probably a few men) are using Crisco on their faces, bodies and hair – and reporting great results. And it’s cheap. Under $5 for the small can which should last a really long time.

Does anyone use Crisco on their hair presently, in a past life, or all of the above? Inquiring minds want to know.