My natural hair journey has been long but satisfying. I love trying new things but I stay away from any and everything lye-based. It has been 5+ years that started in Afghanistan. I spent a year working in Kabul, Afghanistan and the work was very meaningful but my hair suffered greatly. The water was hard and my lightened strands to a serious beating. So, I did what I always do and turned to the Internet and researched a solution. I came across and advert for The Damn Salon and instantly knew that I found my solution. I booked an appointment with the salon’s touring team that comes to Washington D.C every three months for a marathon hair session and found my happy place. The styles that I wore were wild and free and represented my personality perfectly. The styles that I wore were wild and free and represented my personality perfectly.
I met the salon’s creator, Mushiya Tshikuka and we bonded instantly over the natural hair movement. I gave my hair health to Mushiya and The Damn Salon for two years and was rewarded with hair that was free of chemicals and growing like a weed. …..And that was 5 years ago and our friendship is as strong as ever! I have never met a woman that cares as much about women’s emotional health and how it is tied to our confidence. She wants every woman to look and feel good. Mushiya went on to become a featured cast member of ‘Cutting it in the ATL’, a reality show that followed the business practices and lives of a few elite Black hair salon owners in Atlanta, Ga.
Mushiya has given me looks that give me life! Here are a few of my favorites!
So that is the ‘Damn’ back story! LOL! Mushiya has unleashed my inner hair diva and I haven’t looked back. When I have been Damn’d my confidence is through the roof. I am a bit shy normally but I do not have confidence issues. But, I get an extra boost when I leave the loving, creative atmosphere that The Damn Salon brings to every city they visit. We talk, laugh and boost each other up. Mushiya is an accomplished chef and we eat well….I am guilty of bringing the wine on a few occasions. We share success stories, wishes and fears. I even learned a few Congolese dance moves that I am going to bust out one day when I want to dance like no one is watching….I was with these ladies when I received news that I was accepted to grad school with a scholarship so it was with joy that I returned with the news that I’d graduated with my Master’s degree in Emerging Media Studies from Loyola University Maryland. We laugh, we cry and we love!
Along with the love and sisterhood come the products….YASSSSSSSSS! I left with a shiny pink bag chock full of products that Mushiya has developed for natural hair and the people that love STUFF! 
When I came home from Afghanistan with damaged, bleached hair with balding spots that were down to the scalp in places I couldn’t see. It was these products that brought my hair back to its natural state. I massaged the shea butter-based hair butter into my thirsty scalp once a week and in a few short months my hair grew back in the balding spots. A few months after that I had a headful of healthy hair to deal with.
It has been a week since I got my hair done and I am still enamored with the Urban Twists that Mushiya chose for me along with the honey and platinum color that she knew would compliment my skin.
Damn! I am summer ready and off to my next adventure…stay tuned!
quickly became my go-to. Milk Makeup allows my natural skin to shine through and takes minutes to apply with your fingers. Tap tap tap and off you go in all of your natural glory! Next…the hair! I wear my natural kinky, curls in the summer and it takes as much work as my winter hair. After a much needed haircut I knew I was in for a hair adventure. I had to find summer hair products that would allow me to co-wash, define my thirsty curls, springy coils and stubbornly unidentifiable nape all before I run out the door for work.
Light gels and the leave-in conditioner gave my hair slip and made the detangling process easy. Nice product but I needed a product that would elongate and the curls in the crown and front of my hair….(different textures…who knew!) I also wanted a fresh, clean scent……then the lightbulb went off in my product addled brain.! 
using the shingling method
It is that time of year when I put away my heavy, dark, over-defined statement makeup and fill my handbag with light, pretty basic products that let my skin shine through. I prefer makeup that take 2-3 minutes to apply often without a mirror. I don’t want to be a slave to the mirror, the heat or anyone’s expectations. I also keep a beautiful notebook sure to inspire and feed my creative flowI wanted to share a few of these products with you and would love to see what’s in your bag!
I love 
I love to talk about natural beauty and health but I truly believe that beauty starts from the inside out. You can buy the best make up and beauty products but nothing can replace WATER! I can’t stress hydration enough! Flipping through an old copy of 
Water helps your body flush out toxins more efficiently, leaving your skin looking fresh and more radiant as a result. Drink an 8oz glass in the morning before brushing to get kickstart your liver and kidneys from a long night of sleep. I also keep a bottle on my nightstand to give my body a chance to rejuvenate during the night.
I am ready to shed heavy winter make up. My last post was all about prepping the skin and finding your perfect lash look. The next step is to find new fresh products to add to my beauty routine. I love indie brands so I look to them for Spring ideas that will compliment my natural style and take 5 minutes or less to apply in the morning. My go-to beauty products have to fit my lifestyle and let my skin breathe. If they fit into a cute clutch and are multi-functional I am a happy girl! I think I have found my new beauty savior in @Milk
My next step was to check out the website and peruse the other products. The Milk website is FUN! Lots of videos that show you exactly how to use the products. The 
Milk Make Up’s creators believe that it’s not just about how you create your look; it’s what you do in it that matters. Live Your Look takes self-expression to the next level, showing how our physical choices reflect who we are underneath and unify us all on our paths to self-discovery. 
The combined products made my skin look great all day. I tried the bronzer and it gave me just enough color to counteract the matte look of the Blur stick. The 
Spring make up looks should be Fresh and Flirty! Keep your look natural and low maintenance but don’t skimp on the glamour. Weddings, Girl’s Nights and Happy Hours are all occasions that call for extra glamour. 
sions can be a must-have accessory for vacations, since they require minimal maintenance, and allow you to go virtually “make-up free. Along with the Gigi Lash I am a big fan of the Keija Lash. Soft and sweet, the Keja Lash enhances your natural lashes with silky gathered lash clusters that add length and volume.
A woman with a signature style exudes confidence. She knows exactly who she is and has embraced her inner goddess with efficiency and style. Do you know what that thing is about you? Women today are driven by style influences. We change our hair, make up and wardrobes that reflect the trends of the day. A woman with a signature scent oozes confidence. Your signature scent becomes a part of your identity and for most of us it doesn’t change. How do you choose that scent? The first step is to know what image you want to convey. How do you do that? Know your tastes. Are you drawn to natural scents? Vanilla, jasmine or musk based scents? When you know your favorite top note it is easier to experiment with scent. A few tips to help you in your sensory journey…… Find a scent that gives you confidence and makes you feel good.
Your signature scent is your way of expressing yourself in a non-visual manner. Make finding a scent a part of your personal life journey. Experiment with different scents…ask your friends what they are wearing if you find it appealing. Preferences change over time and through the seasons and your scent should change as you move through life. A scent that you love in your twenties can become nauseating in your thirties or forties. Don’t worry….it was a moment in time. A time you can leave in your past. Summer scents that are perfect with your favorite tank tops, shorts and maxi dresses may not be enough to compete with autumn changes. And if you can Subscription boxes take all the hard work out of finding a signature scent. A Google search led me to a list of that will guide you and allow you to experiment for a monthly fee.
What it is: 
What it is: 
Adventures of an Awkward Artist 