Testing..1..2..3: Natural Hair

Testing, Testing. *Pats Mic* ... So for the past week and a half I have been wearing my natural hair out. I decided that it was time to give my 18", 20", 22" u part wig a break. Haha. I must admit that I am an avid lover of personality pieces but my hair underneath was in dying need of fresh air. Every year I usually cut my hair or try a different style. Since coming from my Cassie inspired shave cut it was time to embrace my natural hair that was growing underneath. 

When I first unleashed the natural last week I can say I wasn't a fan of it at all but it felt good letting my real hair out. I headed over to Sally's and brought some products including Eden's Tea Tree and Peppermint Oil, Eco Styler Gel, Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque, and Curls Jelly to began with. I decided to try Bantu knots and immediately loved the style. 

It is amazing to see our natural coils and curls. I must say that I will be a transitioner because there is still permed hair that will need to change over. Growing up with natural hair wasn't anything we looked at as the beauty in a woman of color but now individuals inspire many with their big fros, curly hair, and protective styles such as braids and Havana twists. 

What makes you feel beautiful as a natural, and why did you decide to stop using all those harsh chemicals? I would love to hear your comments below. 

Lipstick & Love, XOXO 

Photo Credit: All photos are owned by me! :) 

Lipstick presents MY BROWN CANVAS

MY BROWN CANVAS is a segment dedicated to WOMEN OF COLOR. MBC embraces and educates our beauty, through our skin and hair. It is our inspiration to ourselves! Whether it's our love for makeup or none, our natural tresses or flowing extensions. MBC educates on products and routines that is for all types and tones. Women that Empower Others would be contributors to My Brown Canvas. 

Thee Lipstick Canvas is a lifestyle blog, or in my mind a site that is dedicated to the powerful, empowering woman. As women we like to take pride in ourselves, the way we dress, how our hair is styled, and the education and ambitious goals that we stand behind. 

As a lover of makeup, and extension installs I want to embrace our skin and hair. I am now wearing my natural hair and it is still a learning process. There are so many makeup artists and hair vendors on social networking nowadays, and it is amazing to see their work but let's find out what routines and products, what tips and advice that we all can use when it's time to remove all of that and show our healthy skin and healthy hair. 

I hope that this section of my site can grow beyond what I can ever imagine because it will be very beneficial. It will be great to see makeup for women of color, products that are directed to brown girls, and individuals who set out to inspire others through their talents and careers. 

Please email me, and I will be contacting others to contribute to this segment on the site. Have any ideas? Do not hesitate to leave them in the comment area.

Lipstick & Love, XOXO 

Beauty & Brains : Good Reads

 

Growing Up I can remember my oldest brother always telling his friends that came over to the house that I was super smart. I remember him making me spell words for them, and I always thought I would be a spelling bee champion. Yeah! Good Luck to those childhood dreamy days huh? But one other thing was that my mom use to keep a cabinet filled with Terry McMillan Books, and like her I fell in love with reading and being a bookworm... 

Then I began to get into other things..... 

But I still always keep a bookshelf in my room with urban books that I've read, my Bible, and such books that are Inspiring. Reading has become one of my loves again, and late 2013 I picked back up like I never left starting with Nineteen Minutes; this book had me wanting to know more with each page, I could not put it down. I got it from the break room at work in a book box *don't judge me*. Next, was Make Your Life Worthwhile. It is a book that I brought in 2012 and it is inspiring and spiritual. Another book I brought in 2012 was Russell Simmons, Super Rich. Now when I read the title I too was thinking this book is from an entrepreneur and he is going to teach me how to have it all while building a business. Umm, Yeah and No. This book is about meditation, serving, and doing what you believe in. It is excellent.

I must say that beauty only goes so far, but brains can take you beyond heights that you could ever imagine. Read and increase your mental state, don't fill your heads with a bunch of jive but more things that can help you reach your greatest potential. 

Are you a bookworm? Let me know what good reads you have stored on your bookshelf.

Lipstick & Love, XOXO

Photo Credit: Google Images 

Money : Saving Instead of Splurging

"Price and Value don't always go hand in hand. You don't always need to spend to get more" -CNN 

A while ago I was the one who needed some advice and tips on my money habits, and I still do but I am getting better.I would splurge on what caught my attention, anything that I thought I needed stating that I should buy the pieces because they may not be at the store when I come back. I would splurge instead of saving first, in terms, "shop until I drop". 

Now by all means if you have it, go for it! Everyone knows what they need to do with their money and accounts. Plus I am not your financial adviser, and honestly I hate numbers and Math but when writing these posts it is like a lesson and advice to myself as well to become better and to help you out with my thoughts. 

Now how can you benefit from saving for what you want instead of Splurging? 

1. You can buy what you want instead of settling for a cheaper dupe or version of the item whether it is clothes, accessories, house decor, or whatever. 

2. You will not spend all of your money going broke trying to splurge, and still have money for other things.

3. You can save enough money for what it is that you want and then splurge on that item, and maybe some.

4. Saving helps ensure money management instead of creating unnecessary debt. 

5. When you splurge you have to make up for your loss of money. The key is to bring in more than you spend. 

Remember priorities first, then everything else thereafter!! You don't have to "keep up with the jones"....

When you save for the items that you would like to purchase you can always get the best. I like to think that Quality is better than Quantity any day. When you invest in quality it will last longer, and you will not have to keep buying the same product again. 

Another tip is to create separate bank accounts, such as two checking accounts plus your savings. Deposit money into one account for bills, and the other as your spending habits money. 

Leave your comments below with any tips or ideas that have helped you with your money management.

LIPSTICK & LOVE, XOXO 

Photo Credit: Google Images 

Chasing Dreams: Paying the Cost for it.

Chasing our Dreams is a distinction of living and not living, our fantasy and our reality. Your dreams only become your reality when you take a step towards making it happen. But dreams can be confused with our true purpose. I believe that your true purpose is something you go to sleep thinking about, wake up too, and can't stop thinking about it. It is what you know so badly you were put on earth to do. It is not your get rich hustle or get known quick scheme. It is merely breathing life into what you love!

You have to pay the cost for your dreams. At times you will not make any money from it, when you first began you may be putting all of your money into your dreams. But showing your passion and perseverance while still working hard without any currency will eventually bring great rewards and benefits. You have to learn to start from something and build from there. It is like being an intern for yourself or for a company that brands what you want to do, and working your way from the bottom to the top.

Sometimes your dreams may require you to leave behind a current job that is stable which brings in your source of income to take care of yourself. Some people are not scared to leave their job and pursue their dreams full time. It may take moving to a state where your dream is known on the forefront and taking a low paying job for now; stable income vs minimum income. This will disrupt your financial stability but it will only disrupt it for a temporary time, just think there are bigger things ahead. Moving away can also mean getting a roommate, but just wait on it.... That penthouse that you have been eyeing is still in position to be yours.

I don't think that Chasing your Dreams only bring about negative effects and situations because in the end when you finally reach that level that you have been working so hard to get too it will leave you fulfilled and happy. Now I can't claim that once you get there it will be all gold and glitter because that would be like saying we never have any bad days. More Work, less Rest. But realizing the reward is far greater than the struggle. And always remember do not let others kill your vision because they don't have one of their own.

~Happy are those who dream and are ready to pay the price to make them come true ~ Leon J. Suenes

Photo Credit: Google Images

This the Ish that I live for: There's some things I need to work on but I know you see me working (Checking In)

It has been awhile since I have posted but trust me when I say that I have not put the site to the side. I've been taking the time to plan for what's to come for Thee Lipstick Canvas and just know that I am excited. I have so many great ideas and posts in store but it all takes time for great things! 

I've also been working on ME. I'm back to being the bookworm I once was.  Finding that space that we all need to become the person we know we can be. Having a clear mind creates room for excellence to approach. 

I hope that all has been well. What have you been working on since the new year began? Feel free to leave your comments below and don't forget to follow the blog :) 

Lipstick & Love, XOXO 

Photo Credit: Mwah! 

Under Construction

It does not feel like a Thursday today, being that New Years landed dead smack in the middle of the week. As I spoke on in my last post, my visions and goals are being set to become a better me. Planning is very necessary to achieve my personal and career goals. I am taking some days off to plan so that I can become very effective in the criteria I post on my website. I want to bring you everything that is dear to me, well thought out information, and things that you and I both would love to read and engage in.

Although my blog has not created a platform for a bulk load of followers (and that is okay with me as I am building the foundation) I want to thank you all who are reading and will support me throughout my journey. This is my relaunch of Thee Lipstick Canvas from 2010, it is not a hustle or a get known quick scheme but merely one of my passions and purpose. I promise that I will not just bring you the everyday norm that you are seeing with bloggers nowadays. The mess and drama of others and just the daily posting of outfits but things that will Inspire, Empower, and help us all to be better whether it is mentally, physically, with our style, our beauty and aesthetics and so much more.

Stay Tuned, there is So much in Store!

Lipstick & Love, XOXO

Photo Credit: Google Images

HAPPY NEW YEARS 1.1.14

HAPPY NEW YEARS!! The official first day of 2014. I wish you all Good health, happiness, prosperity and abundance. I am excited to see what this year has in store for me and my loved ones. Let's claim betterment and positive progression in all of our endeavors. 

I began creating a vision board. A vision board to me is creating what you want to come into your life, the law of attraction, it is putting the pieces together to complete a puzzle. Your finances, budgets, dreams cars and jobs, vacations, education, life with family and friends and it shows the lifestyle and success you want to have. It is the moments that bring about the pounding of your heart, and swear of your palms knowing that you can have and do what it is that you want. 

I also wrote down some goals in my journal. I don't make resolutions for the new year, because in reality it's another day with a new date. I believe that working on yourself each day is what needs to be done instead of thinking that a new year will change you. "No new person, just better choices that creates a better me". 

I am planning to take Thee Lipstick Canvas to the level I know that it can be on. I am so ready for greatness! 

Last year .2013. was an amazing year. There were challenges, obstacles, let downs, and hardships but there were also unlimited happiness, new endeavors, goals accomplished, and so many lessons taught. 

I've always stated that mediocrity is not for me. God did not ordain me to be average. I can't limit myself because of how others may feel about me, and if it makes them insecure or not. 

Are you ready to be amazing? Well do what needs to be done! 

Lipstick & Love, XoXo