Castor Oil Challenge

Okay ladies and gentlemen, I (Markesha) will be doing the 90 day Castor Oil Challenge starting March 1st 2013. After of months of doing my own research, I found that tons of people who add 100% Castor Oil to their hair and ends for 90 days see a drastic change in their hair......for the better! People have stated that not only does their hair get thicker and stronger, they see a change in length too. After FINALLY finding a beauty store that sells Castor Oil that's NOT compressed, I decided to do the challenge and post pictures bi weekly of the progress. If you would like to know more about the Castor Oil Challenge, please feel free to leave a comment or email me at lastsliceradio@gmail.com for details. Here's a picture of the Castor oil that I purchased.

SCANDAL

So, I know this show is already in the second season, and if you have been watching then you will be able to concur that this show is the best scripted drama on a broadcast network right now. The plot line is about a lawyer (Olivia Pope) who "fixes" things when people have found themselves in sticky situations. She was a white house representative who, also lead the election campaign for the president all while engaging in an affair...with the president! She left the white house to run her own crisis management firm, but finds herself in a few sticky situations as well. Her staff are her right hands and will do anything for the people in need. Including lie, cheat and steal. She struggles to contain her personal affairs while juggling her clients' crisis. Olivia tries to end her "fling" with the president (Fitzgerald Grant) but he is reluctant to let her go. After all, they do share a secret that could end both of their careers! When the president's life is in danger, Olivia finds herself torn between her feelings and her loyalty to her firm. I don't want to be a spoiler so I won't get too in depth, but this series is a must see. You will find yourself intrigued by the plot and desperate for the thrill of the twists and turns you will encounter while tuning in. It comes on ABC at 10pm EST on Thursdays. This show is awesome, It has everything you want in a show, mystery, intrigue, conspiracy, and murder. I don't know anyone who doesn't enjoy it.

Josie Maran Argan Oil

I have a new obsession with moisturizers since I'm getting older. I heard about this Argan Oil while watching QVC on a late night. They were talking about all the attributes to using this as a skin moisturizer. The first thing being that it is 100% organic. According to their website it is formulated without:

- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petrochemicals
- Phthalates
- GMOs- Triclosan

Argan Oil is derived from the Moroccan tree grown in Morocco. It contains vitamin E and essential fatty acids. Argan oil itself is said to have anti-aging properties. Now, I know you might hear the words oil and face and think oh no, this will NOT be going on my face! Well during the programming on QVC they discussed how if you add essential oils to your skin, your body will not work as hard to produce oil. Instead, it will just give you moisture. I completely agree. Since I started using this my face is not as oily as usual, just soft and moisturized. My skin is bright and smooth. This has not caused any breakouts. It is lightweight, fast absorbing and can also be used as a cuticle or hair conditioner. I ordered mine at sephora.com for around $48 for the 1.7 oz. That's ok because a little goes a long way. They also have it available with SPF in it, which I also own, but I don't enjoy the fragrance of that one. Give it a try! This can be used by men and women alike. I will be purchasing from the Josie Maran product line in the future. This makes me curious about her other products in her makeup line which all contain argon oil.

L'oreal True Match Concealer Crayon

L'oreal True Match Concealer Crayon Is an awesome concealer! This comes in 6 different shades to compliment different skin tones. I do wish they had more of a selection when it comes to the variety of shades. However the performance of this concealer is outstanding!! Its "super blendable" as stated on the product itself, it stays all day, and because it's so blendable you never have to worry about being a cake face. You select your shade by choosing you skin's undertone. I have a neutral undertone but neutral undertones don't have much to choose from in the collection, so I ended up getting a warm tone to cover the darkness that is under my eyes that is being caused by the lack of sleep I'm getting. It works out great. The consistency is similar to MAC's studio fix concealer in the pot. The best part is that it comes in a plastic package with the ability to twist up and down to access the product. No having to take the time to sharpen this "crayon"! And, no mess! Sometime MAC's concealer in the pot can be a little messy. Then you have to clean the brush or your finger you used with the product. This crayon makes my life so much easier. Try it for a reasonable $7.49 at drugstores.

Mystic Divine Nourishing Masque

I've been doing the natural hair thing for about 4  1/2 months now and I came across this hair masque called "Mystic Divine". I LOVE the way it makes my hair feel!!! You use this 1-2 times per week as your substitute conditioner. It leaves your ends not only feeling soft, but moisturized. As we all should know........keeping your ends moisturized is VERY important as it's the oldest part of your hair. Show your ends some love by purchasing this product. I bought this stuff at Sally's Beauty Supply for $8.00. That may be a little pricey to some of you but trust me, it's worth every penny. Might I also add......smells GREAT! This is what I do:

Step 1: Wash your hair with shampoo (I use Nutri-Ox which has biotin in it)
Step 2: Add Mystic Diving conditioner to your ends
Step 3: Let sit for 3-5 minutes (or longer if you wish)
Step 4: Rinse
Step 5: Style, braid or wrap your hair

I usually wear a conditioning cap (which you can also buy at Sally's) when I have this conditioner on. The conditioning cap warms up the conditioner which is good. After I wash the stuff out, I braid my hair, add a clip to the ends (I do not use rubber bands as they break your ends) then place a satin cap or scarf on my head. A few hours later or the next day, I unbraid my hair, put a small amount of Castor Oil to my hair (I'll submit a blog about that later) then go on with my day. My hair is wavey, soft and moisturized. I hope this was a blessing to someone out there ;-). Let me know what you think if you have purchased Mystic Divine.

-Markesha xoxo

Where all my hot girls at??? (Did you raise your hand?) So, it's no secret that I'm a fragrance whore. I have so many fragrances and this lands a spot in my top three. Ricci Ricci by Nina Ricci. This is the sexist fragrance I have tried. I know a lot of parfums claim to be sexy, but then you get a whiff of them and you're reminded of some old lady that just took a bath in irish fresh and dried with linens! That's ok, if you're into the whole smelling like soap all the time thing, but I am not a fan. This parfum is described as a fresh, floral, sensual fragrance. Ricci Ricci features notes of rhubarb zest, bergamot, moonflower, tuberose, centifolia rose, patchouli and sandalwood. It does start as a fresh, woody, floral, but then as it sits on the skin the fruitiness of the rhubarb chimes in. And WOW is it amazing. I thought rhubarb would be a little too much of a tang but, it is just the right amount of sweetness! It lasts a long time. I can still smell Ricci Ricci on my skin and bed spread the next day! A secret weapon for sure! The men will love you. I get compliments daily on how good I smell. Now, shhhh! Don't tell nobody else!

So, I know natural hair girls are going to be cringing everywhere, but for all my ladies who still enjoy a good blow out or flat iron, here is the heat tamer of your dreams. It is water based, and also works to detangle.

I love this spray especially for detangling my hair after I wash it, rather I am going to blow dry or not(I usually air dry). My hair is about as tangled as it gets, so if it works for me, you are sure to love it. This leaves your hair soft, smooth, and sleek, and it is not sticky at all. And, check this out ladies, it's only going to run you around 3.99 at drugstores! Yes! a drugstore treasure and a definite fave of mine!