During these undergraduate college years I so struggled with my self esteem. I thought I was too awkward, too fat and just not enough. I look back now and think, you were pretty awesome girl!


I don't know why we are so critical of ourselves as young women?

ThrowBack Thursday

During these undergraduate college years I so struggled with my self esteem. I thought I was too awkward, too fat and just not enough. I look back now and think, you were pretty awesome girl!


I don't know why we are so critical of ourselves as young women?
Some of my favorites from last week.


  • Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Chronic Selfie Disorder: 3rd Week of May

Some of my favorites from last week.


hair food

The best hair routine in the world means nothing if you are putting the wrong things in your body. Nutrient deficiency, not haircare might be the root cause of your hair problems. A hair-healthy diet can yield noticeable results within six months to a year, depending on how fast your hair grows.


7 foods for healthier hair
Though most recommend supplements, the recent scandal noting that many supplements are found to have zero of the promised ingredients and the fact that some supplements actually increase your risk of ailments like heart disease has changed my mind. These days I am more of an advocate for an overall improvement in diet, rather than popping a pill.

Add these foods to your diet for shiny, lustrous locks:

  • Monday, May 25, 2015

7 Foods for Healthier and Longer Hair

hair food

The best hair routine in the world means nothing if you are putting the wrong things in your body. Nutrient deficiency, not haircare might be the root cause of your hair problems. A hair-healthy diet can yield noticeable results within six months to a year, depending on how fast your hair grows.


7 foods for healthier hair
Though most recommend supplements, the recent scandal noting that many supplements are found to have zero of the promised ingredients and the fact that some supplements actually increase your risk of ailments like heart disease has changed my mind. These days I am more of an advocate for an overall improvement in diet, rather than popping a pill.

Add these foods to your diet for shiny, lustrous locks:

Makeup for Black and Brown womenI've been asked time and time again how I attain my everyday makeup look. First, (about 2 years ago) I learned how to apply makeup from some of my favorite beauty vloggers and then I set out to attain their fabulous looks using mostly natural, plant based, and/or organic products.


Finding the right makeup is hard enough, but finding great ones that aren't laced with harmful ingredients was an uphill battle. But in the last few months I built a strong arsenal of natural products that I happily wear to work and special events. I still love my bare face and remove it as soon as I get home, but I trust what I am wearing a great deal more. Plus, I have fewer post makeup breakouts!

Organic skin care and makeup

Here is is what I am currently wearing:

Full Face with Natural Makeup

Makeup for Black and Brown womenI've been asked time and time again how I attain my everyday makeup look. First, (about 2 years ago) I learned how to apply makeup from some of my favorite beauty vloggers and then I set out to attain their fabulous looks using mostly natural, plant based, and/or organic products.


Finding the right makeup is hard enough, but finding great ones that aren't laced with harmful ingredients was an uphill battle. But in the last few months I built a strong arsenal of natural products that I happily wear to work and special events. I still love my bare face and remove it as soon as I get home, but I trust what I am wearing a great deal more. Plus, I have fewer post makeup breakouts!

Organic skin care and makeup

Here is is what I am currently wearing:

Dreaded Dandruff! (Yep, double entendre)

Dandruff is hard enough without the maze of natural hair kinks and/or curls for it to be trapped in. Whether you are battling a chronic problem or dealing with a random dandruff attack, this is the post for you!

What causes dandruff?

The Mayo Clinic lists the following possibilities for your dandruff problem:
  • Dry skin. Simple dry skin is the most common cause of dandruff. 
  • Irritated, oily skin or seborrheic dermatitis is the most frequent cause.
  • Not shampooing often enough thus causing oils and dead skin to build up.
  • Other skin conditions like eczema — a chronic, inflammatory skin condition — or psoriasis — a skin condition marked by a rapid buildup of rough, dry, dead skin cells that form thick scales — may seem  to have dandruff.
  • A yeast-like fungus or malassezia, which can irritate your scalp and cause excess skin cell growth. After which, the extra skin cells die and fall off, making them appear white and flaky in your hair or on your clothes.
  • Sensitivity to hair care products or contact dermatitis can be caused by various hair care products including hair dye.
  • Poor Diet. A diet low in zinc, B vitamins or certain types of fats, you may be more susceptible to dandruff.
  • Certain Illnesses. For reasons that aren't clear, adults with neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, are more likely to develop seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. So are people with HIV infection and those recovering from stressful conditions, particularly heart attack and stroke, and those with compromised immune systems.
dandruff and natural hair

How to win the battle against dandruff?
  • Tuesday, May 19, 2015

8 Natural DIY Dandruff Remedies

Dreaded Dandruff! (Yep, double entendre)

Dandruff is hard enough without the maze of natural hair kinks and/or curls for it to be trapped in. Whether you are battling a chronic problem or dealing with a random dandruff attack, this is the post for you!

What causes dandruff?

The Mayo Clinic lists the following possibilities for your dandruff problem:
  • Dry skin. Simple dry skin is the most common cause of dandruff. 
  • Irritated, oily skin or seborrheic dermatitis is the most frequent cause.
  • Not shampooing often enough thus causing oils and dead skin to build up.
  • Other skin conditions like eczema — a chronic, inflammatory skin condition — or psoriasis — a skin condition marked by a rapid buildup of rough, dry, dead skin cells that form thick scales — may seem  to have dandruff.
  • A yeast-like fungus or malassezia, which can irritate your scalp and cause excess skin cell growth. After which, the extra skin cells die and fall off, making them appear white and flaky in your hair or on your clothes.
  • Sensitivity to hair care products or contact dermatitis can be caused by various hair care products including hair dye.
  • Poor Diet. A diet low in zinc, B vitamins or certain types of fats, you may be more susceptible to dandruff.
  • Certain Illnesses. For reasons that aren't clear, adults with neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, are more likely to develop seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. So are people with HIV infection and those recovering from stressful conditions, particularly heart attack and stroke, and those with compromised immune systems.
dandruff and natural hair

How to win the battle against dandruff?
Some of my favorite selfies from the prior two weeks.


Chronic Selfie Disorder: First Two Weeks of May

Some of my favorite selfies from the prior two weeks.


This was a relaxed work outfit with all black everything and gold accents:

PSBlogger Fashion

Dress: Target
Shoes: TJMaxx
Vest: Banana Republic
Purse: Coach
Nails: Lollipop

Work Clothes: Black Maxi Dress & Vest

This was a relaxed work outfit with all black everything and gold accents:

PSBlogger Fashion

Dress: Target
Shoes: TJMaxx
Vest: Banana Republic
Purse: Coach
Nails: Lollipop

Hello there! Sorry I've been missing in action, alas life happens and I am in a real busy season with work, my fellowship program, my bustling personal life. My plate is full to say the least!


But I wanted to say hello, how are you? Are there any pressing questions for me, are there any posts I must do soon? Should I make another video, if so, about what? I WANT YOUR INPUT!

  • Thursday, May 14, 2015

I WANT Your Input

Hello there! Sorry I've been missing in action, alas life happens and I am in a real busy season with work, my fellowship program, my bustling personal life. My plate is full to say the least!


But I wanted to say hello, how are you? Are there any pressing questions for me, are there any posts I must do soon? Should I make another video, if so, about what? I WANT YOUR INPUT!

This week's natural hair selfies.


Wednesday was this week's favorite:

Chronic Selfie Disorder: Last Week of April 2015

This week's natural hair selfies.


Wednesday was this week's favorite:
A reader recently send me an email asking about postpartum sisterlocks:

Hi Sam,
You inspired me to get sisterlocks! Your locs are just gorgeous and I follow your blog faithfully. Also follow you on Instagram.  I wanted your assistance with postpartum shedding. I have had my locs for a little over a year and they are growing nicely. However, I had a baby 5 months ago and I have been shedding like crazy! Any advice? 

Are you still retightening your own hair? If yes, what tool are you using? Thanks in advance!
Here is my response:

Firstly, thanks for following! How serendipitous, I have an unfinished post about preventing loc loss with a little blurb related to this. I’ll eventually finish and post, but I am happy to speak to your situation right now.

Postpartum shedding, for me, was so terrible, especially since I went thorough it twice. I had my sisterlocks installed during maternity leave with my first and then had my second 18 months later. Hormonal hair loss is a little different because it isn't caused by environmental or behavioral factors. I hate to say it but, there is little that you can do to prevent it from happening, but you can make sure your behavior does not make it worse!
Thinning Locs after pregnancy


One of the mistakes I made was loc neglect, which added insult to excessive shedding injury. I know it is hard with a newborn, but don’t neglect your hair. More specifically try to:

Reader Questions: How to care for Postpartum Sisterlocks

A reader recently send me an email asking about postpartum sisterlocks:

Hi Sam,
You inspired me to get sisterlocks! Your locs are just gorgeous and I follow your blog faithfully. Also follow you on Instagram.  I wanted your assistance with postpartum shedding. I have had my locs for a little over a year and they are growing nicely. However, I had a baby 5 months ago and I have been shedding like crazy! Any advice? 

Are you still retightening your own hair? If yes, what tool are you using? Thanks in advance!
Here is my response:

Firstly, thanks for following! How serendipitous, I have an unfinished post about preventing loc loss with a little blurb related to this. I’ll eventually finish and post, but I am happy to speak to your situation right now.

Postpartum shedding, for me, was so terrible, especially since I went thorough it twice. I had my sisterlocks installed during maternity leave with my first and then had my second 18 months later. Hormonal hair loss is a little different because it isn't caused by environmental or behavioral factors. I hate to say it but, there is little that you can do to prevent it from happening, but you can make sure your behavior does not make it worse!
Thinning Locs after pregnancy


One of the mistakes I made was loc neglect, which added insult to excessive shedding injury. I know it is hard with a newborn, but don’t neglect your hair. More specifically try to:

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