HALF BACK CORNROWS INTO BRAIDED PIGTAILS

A few weeks ago we took a trip to the zoo, it was especially hot that day so I wanted her hair up off of her neck and back to help keep her cool. I decided to use the style she already had in (Alicia Keys Inspired) add a few more cornrows, attempt to do a spiral cornrow, and finish it off with some braided pigtails. 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

Time: 1 hr. 

Products used: BeeMine Luscious Moisturizer, BeeMine Bee Hold Curly Butter 

1. I started by parting her hair ear to ear, then making a diagonal part to do the first cornrow. 


2. I rotated doing a straight back cornrow and a crisscross cornrow. Using the leftover hair at the top of her head, I did a triangle shaped spiral cornrow. 


3. I then parted her loose hair in the back straight down the middle and gathered it into 2 pigtails, I did about 15-20 hanging braids on each pigtail, added beads and barrettes, and I was done!

ALICIA KEYS INSPIRED

I came across a picture of Alicia Keys a while back and really wanted to try her braided style on Keyanna, I thought it was gorgeous! (Her hairstyles always are). I tried to do everything as close to the original as I could from looking at the picture, but I did end up reversing 1 of the crisscross cornrows to give her some “bangs”. 

Not perfect, but Keyanna and I both liked how it came out.

Sleek Ponytail and Flower

This is a gorgeous style for the bride who wants to sweep her hair into an elegant, casual hairdo.

MOHAWK WEEK!! Zig-Zag Mohawk

IT'S MOHAWK WEEK HERE AT KEYATIVE STYLES!

For those of you who didn't know.. Keyanna is a ROCKSTAR! (or at least she thinks she is) and mohawks are her all time favorite style. Since summer is the perfect time for a hawk, I thought it would be fun to share some of the styles we've done. So lets kick off the week with.... 

Zig-Zag Mohawk 

This is our most recent mohawk, Key and I loved how it came out and it definately fit her personality. I was partially inspired by a style I saw on a friends page, she is an amazing braider so if you get a chance check her out here. 

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Time: 25 Min
• Products used: Coconut Oil, SheaMoisture Curl and Hold Smoothie

1. I started by parting her hair straight back into 3 sections
2. I then began working on the right section making a zig-zag part front to back (the right section should now be 2 sections with a zig-zag part separating them)
3. Cornrow each of those sections 
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the left section.
5. For the top I did 1 large cornrow and let her go to sleep, in the morning I took the top cornrow out and she had a gorgeous braid out, I just added a rubber band to create a “pouf” in the front and she was ready to go!

VEIL STYLE WITH TWISTS

This is a style I did on Keyanna for Labor Day 2010, a lot of my FB fans have already seen this style but I thought I would share it with those of you who haven't. I don't do twists on Keyanna's hair very often because they don't last as long as braids, but we got a good 10 days or so out of this style.

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Time: 1.5 hrs


• Products Used: Cantu Shea Butter

1. I started out by parting the front of her hair ear to ear. I had planned on doing cornrows, but was short on time so I opted for a quicker “veil” style. I did this 


2. by parting her hair into rows of squares, after banding the first square I added that hair into the square behind it and banded that. I did this for each row of squares on the top of her head.


3. I then began working at the nape of her neck, parting a square, banding it off, twisting and then adding beads and a barrette. I continued this process until the back was finished. 


4. We switched up the style a few times while she had the twists.. ponytail, pigtails, etc...

Make-up for Beginners

Beginners Make-up

Step 1.
How to Prep the Skin -
The most thing I get asked it "Why doesn't my make-up turn out right?" It's all in the prep!
Its important to apply your make-up on fresh, clean skin. There is nothing worse then "adding" make-up the morning after the night before!





Start by cleansing the skin - Using a cleanser to remove any dirt or old make-up on the skin.

Use eye make-up remover - Its important to remove those "panda eyes" with a water base eye make-up
remover, Water bases is used as oil bases removes can leave a residue on the skin which will prevent the make-up being applied correctly.

Use toner on cotton wool - Toners remove any left over cleansers leaving the skin smooth and ready for make-up!

Apply Moisturizer - If you do nothing else, apply moisturizer to your skin. It's a must, so spend a little time on finding the right one for you.

Optional step - Primer - Applying primer is the final step in our prep. It's always the final step before foundation. A little tip on saving money with primers is to use a face primer on lid and lips. Primer really helps the make-up last so is it some thing worth investing in. For tips on different primers check out my reviews.

Full video here: Howto prep the Skin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vqOA8KVcME

Step 2.

Choosing the right foundation for you! 

Few thing to consider when picking the right foundation.

Shade - Which is the hardest to find, but what my video here to see my tips on getting the right shade.

Coverage - Whether you want full, medium or sheer coverage. Click here to see my foundation suggestions.

Finish - Matte finish (suited to oil skin) Dewy (suited to dryer skin) Satin (Suited to most skin types)

Top Tips:

Pick three shades - starting with a lightest shade then you think you are and work up from there. This will prevent you buying a shade that is too dark. (Which most people do)

Try the shades out on your jawline/neck where possible, otherwise your wrist or hand can help give a general guide.

Remember to stand in a doorway or outside to see if the colour matches, it’s also important to blend the foundation and let it set to see the TRUE shade.

A foundation with sunscreen is a safe bet, but you will still need to wear sunscreen under your foundation.

Foundation is totally optional, if you have blemishes or pimples, try strategically placed concealer instead. Or just wear the foundation on the parts that need it, around your nose, under the eyes and on the chin. Always make sure to blend properly.

Watch video here: Picking the Right Foundation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkV_xnQOu0M




Step 3


Applying Foundation


So many different ways to apply foundation. Each foundation has a technique that works best with it. Also the technique you choice will give you a different effects. I have list of my foundation suggestions and the best way to apply them, Click here to view.

So lets go through the different tools you can use -

Finger Tips are the easiest and cheapest to use (because they are always there) They can give you the best finish as the heat can bring the foundation to skin temperature and help it to blend evenly. No matter what tool I use, I always finish off using my finger tips.


Sponges are my favorite to use for many reasons, they blend really well. They can give you full to sheer(light) coverage. Cheap and disposable or you can be super cheap and wash them. Click here to see how I do it.

There are a few foundation brushes, Stippling brushes can be used to apply liquid and mineral powder foundation. It can give you a great flawless look.
When applying liquid foundation using a dabbing and swirling motion works best and using a swirling motion works best with mineral foundation too.
This has been my chosen tool as of late, click here to see why. 



Flat foundation brushes were the most popular choice when I started making videos, They are still popular but being replaced with other tools nowadays. It can give you full coverage. I like using it to apply my primers.
Newer round top foundation can also give you a beautiful application.




Watch video here: Applying Foundation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGKbwWlgJo4

Step 4.


Concealer

For so many of us concealer is over use or forgotten. (I have to admit I used to totally over use it) Concealer is a concentrated form of pigment used to hide some thing (hence the name conceal)
A lot of us focus too much on full coverage foundation and instead need to use concealer to hide our imperfections.

Even though concealer comes in so many forms - Liquid, cream, stick...However there basically two types of concealer that you need for your make-up bag.
One for under the eyes and One to be used on imperfections.


Under eyes

Under the eyes is slightly drier so the concealer that you use need to be slightly moisturising.
It can also be pink/salmon tone to neutralising the blue/dark hues under the skin.
Some concealer can also have highlighters, theses are used for under the eye area to brighten and lift the eyes. Some used these on blemishes but they are not designed for any real covering anything, they are designed to brighten the area.

The most famous out of all the highlighter is a Touche Eclat which is a highlighter, not a concealer despite what everyone believes.



Blemishes/Imperfection


When it comes to spots/pimples you need to use a concealer that is matte and full coverage. Its important that a concealer for blemish has no shine as shine can draw attention to the area you want to hide.


No matter that you concealer only use a small amount, apply it to the blemishes or discolouration only and blend blend blend!!

Watch video here: Picking the Right Concealers - Under Eyes/Blemishes Step 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-2hmAZ70PQ


Step 5.


How to Make Foundation/Concealer Last All Day


So here is a step that I think really might help a lot of you, its some thing I never did as a teen, mostly because I didn't know about it but its is to set your foundation with a powder or a setting spray.

Setting sprays can be used after a full face of make-up as been applied, its great if you use liquid or cream make-up and don't want to set it with a powder. Hold the spray back from your face and lightly mist the face, then allow is to dry. After that you should be all set!

Setting powders can be used after all cream and liquids have been applied. Loose or pressed powders can be used.

Watch full video here: Setting Foundation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UnPBOI6ABs

Mainly Braids Giveaway!

Mainly Braids has an awesome giveaway going on right now for some curlformers of your choice! Go check out their page for a chance to win!