#imc462

[damixakinola]

Braids, are you taking care of them?

if there was one hairstyle I would rock for eternity, they will be braids. This not because I’ve gotten so. much compliments on them when I have them on but the confidence that comes along with having that hairstyle on just amazes me.

this is probably a phase for me but as of now, answering that question, it’s braids. Before the long adoration of this hairstyle, I have had trouble understanding how my braids of me being 18 years of age in comparison with braids on a 25 year old is so neat and can be worn for months (2 is the maximum, anything more than that is a no).

As I have grown, I realized it was okay to wash my braids, heck I didn’t know that was a thing. Which narrows this blogpost to my favorite, go to hair product I use for my braids. 

The “TGIN Quench 3-in-1 Co-wash Conditioner and Detangler” is my go to brand to have my braids clean without the harsh dry feel of a shampoo and they spending of hours just to get my hair clean. 

As the picture is shown above, I apply a good amount of the product and massage it into my scalp. After it sits on for a few minutes, preferably under a shower cap for the heat, you rinse the product and your hair is soft and clean.

Previous methods to keep braids clean is the regular shampoo and conditioner done every two weeks. However, with TGIN I get to feel like have a dirt-free scalp every week from the time I realize my hair is accumulating dirt and it maybe time for a re-do. In order words dont was your braids a week after you make them. its advisable to wait a month.

Drop a comment on what you think about this product or if you will try this product. I will love to hear from you.

[damixakinola]

CYBER MONDAY: My 5 wishlist items #AmazonFind

Thanksgiving.... I can still taste the food my date brought to me from his family dinner. Thats was my first thanksgiving meal ever and my favorite part of it was the vegetable, cheesy potato, turkey and pie. I realized the best way to eat pie is with a lot of crust, in my opinion (argue with your keypads).

However, for the reason we are here today. CYBER MONDAY. first of all this is just my wishlist. I did not purchase any of these item but I would have if my budget could cover them.

Not to make this blogpost long but here are three list of things on my Cyber Monday wishlist. I have decided to share them since I couldn’t get them *sad song playing in the background*

Apple pad

Ember Mug 

Sweatshirt

NIKON Camera

[damixakinola]

The top 5 fashion accounts and inspiration on IG

Do you ever get the feeling that you’ve done a through research? But deep down you know there’s more information out there to be discovered? Well its impossible to know your answer but I assume you’ve been there and thats okay cause i’ve been there too.

I’ve loved fashion for the longest but I feel so out of touch with it because of my lack of information and research. that is the reason I writing this post to help people who were in my position of wanting to go into fashion but feel so out of touch and cant get the right keywords on Google to deliver the desired result you really want.

I will be mentioning two fashion accounts that are mainly focused on what going on in the industry and two fashion influencers that could start up that fire burning really low inside you. And the last one is a mixture of both and influencer but also dishes out information concerning the industry.

The first fashion account for information on Instagram is @diet_prada. This is like a holy grail for sophisticated fashion influencer. They have over a million followers with spot on contents that would keep you hooked. 

This next account is a favourite because of the memes. There are many fashion accounts that “specialize” in researching and have decided to spread information through funny posts.Check out @hey_rilley to laugh your a** of but get informed

I think it’s wise I just do the hybrid and move on to the fashion influencers. The hybrid are popular in the fashion industry on instagram. However, no one does it better like @excellentcoatonirritatedwomen. Sara Benincasa is not only an influencer and an informed individual she is also “fighting for human rights”

Now moving to my favorite part of this article. (Yess, I said it). Being and influencer I will like to recommend my name as one of the .... scratch that. I will blow my own horn in 2021, hahaha. 

However, being Nigerian. the first on my list is @fisayolonge. She is amazing and I bet she’s tired of hearing this already but she fights for sustainability in fashion. Her styles are amazing. She works on her lane. She has a voice and her mission is clear. she knows what’s right or wrong in fashion even when we know it’s wrong. It’s impossible to find her page and not follow. I highly recommend following her. 

To finish this article, my final IG account to follow is @frassyaudrey by Audrey Leighton Rogers. I may be a little bias on this last one but Fashion had a very high standard in the past and the popularity of fast fashion has really, in my opinion, reduced that standard. However, with Audrey’s page you simply get the sense of inspiration of what right to wear and what isn’t and as I concluded this article I hope you feel the same way too

Write in the comment section which you followed. Till next time, stay elegant.

[damixakinola]

4 ways to be expensive in Fashion

“If you are reading this”... drake’s album pops into my head 🤦🏾‍♀️. However, we are about to change our fashion class.

As I was saying about reading this post, you are probably having a tough time with your wardrobe. I get it. Been there, but but but, *breath_in* its a very easy thing. The following words you will read are tips to help you look expensive.

Heels

As a lady, wearing heels makes everything more classier, hotter, cooler, etc. Now there are different types of heels, the stilletos, mules, and others. Picture this, who would you pu more attention to? The lady with slippers or heels? I’m going to pick the heels lady. What about you?

Pedicure.

Still on the feet, the next way to look expensive is a clean manicure. Theres nothing wrong with your natural nails they are perfect the way they are. However, a nice feet with a white gel polish? Wearing a nice pip toe heel? Picture that for a minute as we move to our next tip.

Accessories

I’m not a big fan of accessories, I could go a month without wearing one but then I would look like an 18 year old. I need people to take me serious, so... When I mean accessories its not limited wristwatch, rings, bracelet, earrings and necklace. I mean a scarf on your handbag, a hat, and a nice belt (I wear my jeans without belts, shocker).

Perfume

Invest in a perfume you dont have to spray 10 times just to get the smell on you. Buy a perfume that will not only smell good but last you the whole day, so door you enter you literally turn heads.

What are the ways you adopt to be expensive in Fashion? Drop a comment below!

[damixakinola]

3 favorite makeup products - October

I’ve decided to start a blogging series of my favorite things in a month. This months topic is on make up. Before I begin, I want to encourage and remind everyone out there to love their skin in whatever state it. You are beautiful with the million black spots in your face! Lets get into it.

The first on my list is Fenty Beauty. And no its not because she is popular and everyone loves her but that foundation! Honeyyy!!!!! Babbyyyyy!! Please!!!!! Take a sit! There are great foundations out there but Rihanna! She did her research, I could tell.

Why do I like this foundation you ask? I have no clue on what foundation really does and how it works as I’m no make up artisit, but using Fenty beauty I get a very nice finish, its sits on my face and being that I have red undertones and it just works like magic for me.

Next Product is Becca Cosmetics primer, I dont know what to tell you sis, but if you are ouly like me GET IT! I saved my coins to get it cause of the hype and girl was it worth it.

Final product is my Benefit brow pencil. I watched a YouTube video by Jackie Aina and thats what sold me. I had these little brow pencils you had to sharpen and I do not have a sharpener, first of all pain in my ass. Second I had to use my brow blade to sharpen it, hard work when you trying to get done in 20 minutes. However with benefit, i dont have to look for my spolie and my brow pencil is just two twists away. Also the pencil matches my brow so weel, its not too brown not too dark its just right.

Well there you have it guys, my 3 favorite makeup products for this month of October. Here is a picture of a full face with these products 😉

Drop below the makeup products you’ve been loving so far!

[damixakinola]

5 questions to ask before you loose it (mind)

We all get sucked into one thing or the other. I recently experienced that emotion. However I’m grateful that I realized it in that moment while it was happening.

Here are five questions you need to ask yourself before making a drastic decision:

Is this me?

Is it worth it?

Whats this going to solve?

How is this going to impact me in the future?

What will me not moving forward with this look like?

All these are questions to make you press on the break. There are situations where you dont need to act and it may seem like you do or you have nothing to loose but im here to share that sometimes silence is okay, sometimes moving on to the next phase or project is okay.

Drop an experience below if you can relate to this!

[damixakinola]

Money Money Money

This is a very related topic. I’m so embarrassed to speak on this topic because I don’t understand it.

Its so embarrassing as a woman and I’m still confised on how to save, what an impulse buy does to my account, How to invest and all. Its not the middle of October and I only have $39 to my name.

I understand I’m not alone in this so I’m here to share how money leaves my account without me even realizing. I believe this is a very common activity and some do not realize it. I have this urge of sharing this and aiming for you to understand that you arent alone in this and if you realize these actions it will change your perspective on how you spend.

To begin, lets look at getting paid or receiving money from any ‘good’ source. I always have the mentality of yes “I’m about to save this month, no bill is coming my way *dancing emoji* *dollarsign*”. I’m sure everybody does.

Then you move from that to calculating how much you will get and save in 2-3 months, sometimes I go up to a year. Well this act allows your brain to create a door that says “spend more, theres more money in coming months”. My advice will be to stop calculating. Focus your mind on what you have at hand right now and act like you are not receiving next months salary.

To follow that is spending wisely. I saved $300 in one month and it felt like the hardest thing to do but that money vanished in one week of the second month. How you ask? The brain door and buying what I thought I needed but I didnt. Be a minimalist, think very hard before you buy that product, go to a cheaper store, wait till that item is a necessity and you or your house can’t function without it, and take your mind off that item you feel you need to have now that you have the money.

In connection to my previous point, have a plan. It is impossible for you to not spend money, but have a plan. When I say plan I mean, what are you eating this week, how much is your T-fare this week, what do you think will eat up your money? Have a plan to wait till this period before you can buy that item. How much am I getting this month, allocate the budgets to the ‘very important’ things and put that money aside. Then watch how your mind is at peace knowing you have X amount in your account, watch how you will feel when a friend asks you for an amount and you can help, watch how relaxing it will be to buy that treat for yourself knowing you earned it.

I’ve experienced that and I must say its a good feeling but I keep tripping. I’m trying to say it wont be a smooth ride, you will fall and get back up but dont stop.

Drop a comment on your experience with money, I would love to read them!

[damixakinola]

4 helpful fashion tips for the autumn/winter season

I can feel the chills already when I walk down the streets of Chicago, beautiful night. That didn’t stop the idea of how the coming season would be like and how I need to get ready for it. 

Making an assessment of the previous year and how I was just experiencing Autumn/winter for the first time, being an international student from Nigeria. I have 4 fashions tips to help you pull through the season.

Black Clothing - This has been big on my list even before I moved to Chicago, because black is my favorite color. Aside from that, black is a popular generator for heat. As much as we want to curl up in our bed and not be productive because of the weather. I advise purchasing a black clothing; Jean, top, sweater, underwear and others. 

Next up, Gloves - I thought this was just uncomfortable for my hands when I wore them at the store in Forever 21 but I can’t stress how much you need to get one. I don’t just mean the 5 dollar type of gloves, I advice you invest in one. You could look at sites like Patagonia, their gloves would make you want to sleep in it.

This next fashion tip is funny to me because I have fallen due to not wearing the right, you guessed it, shoes. Due to budget, a place where everyone in life find themselves, I decided to stick with my summer shoes; vans, converse, comfy low heel boots, flats and the likes. Only if I had known that fall boots actually existed, my right thumb would have been saved. Now that I have learnt my lesson, I would like to inform you to GET FALL BOOTS. Thank you! 

Last but not the least, Earmuffs or Ear flaps, as Patagonia would sell it. I hated walking last year, I spent more of my money on Uber just to avoid the cold on my ear. There are cheap earmuffs so don’t worry about spending too much money on this item.

I hope these tips are very helpful! Drop your experiences below of your worst winter experience or the first time experiencing autumn/winter weather as an international student.