Temple of Glam

Going natural is everywhere. From organic instant pudding to the hair transitioning movement, natural is the new black. I carry around an earth-friendly tote every day and when I forget it, I have been known to walk out of stores with my purchase in hand. Awkward! Plus, I'm really into natural hair and skin products. Segue time...

I received a canvas (of course) tote bag filled with Neutrogena Naturals (made from post-consumer recycled plastic) and other green goodies, it was a sign that I needed to give it a go. So, I went.

Here are my thoughts:

Purifying Facial Cleanser

Normally, I save clear cleansers for the summer because they don't tend to deliver the moisture my normal-to-dry skin requires. This sulfate-free cleanser successfully removed my makeup and left my skin feeling clean, but not stripped of its oil. It not only includes Vitamins B, C & E, but it also has naturally derived, detoxifying salicylic acid and beta hydroxy acid.

Two words: Balanced cleanser

Purifying Pore Scrub

I have whiteheads. Go ahead and judge me. As a result, I'm constantly looking for the "miracle product" that will make them go away and keep self-extraction at bay. See what I did there? Anywhoo, this 94% naturally derived scrub detoxifies pores and it has a really great consistency. It's not grainy like other scrubs.

Two words: Smooth operator

Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Moisturizer

A lightweight-but-effective moisturizer, this is a go-to product for me. I like that my skin feels hydrated, but not like an oil slick. AND my skin absorbs it super fast! It's chock full of bionutrients, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory goodness.

Two words: Moisture booster

Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Night Cream

We've all heard it. At night, our skin does its thing: heals, repairs, regenerates (is that starfish specific?).

Enriched with Inca Inchi Oil (it has the highest concentration of omega fatty acids) and Yerba Mate (Brazilian green tea), also known as "tea of life", this cream enhances skin's defense against dullness, leaving it glow-y.

Two words: Night Nurturer

In short, I am in love with this collection. I'm not a fan of perfume-laden products; probably because I'm allergic.

All of the products I used had a barely there scent My arrogant whiteheads were less A LOT less oppressive and my skin felt amazing. Score for team natural!

NEUTROGENA® Naturals Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Moisturizer is a daily lotion that replenishes essential skin nutrients while providing continuous moisture throughout the day for healthier, younger-looking skin. It contains no harsh chemical sulfates, parabens, petrochemicals, dyes or phthalates.

NEUTROGENA® Naturals Multi-Vitamin Nourishing Night Cream replenishes essential skin nutrients and is fortified with vitamins B, C, E and anti-oxidant omega bionutrients. This nourishing cream is clinically proven to boost skin’s defense against dullness and roughness, leaving it naturally radiant, healthier and younger looking today and in the future. It contains no harsh chemical sulfates, parabens, petrochemicals, dyes or phthalates.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Neutrogena via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Neutrogena.

My dad's canary-yellow Lincoln Mark V is synonymous with R& B classics for me. Mostly because before I even entered it, I'd hear the music blaring and my dad belting out tunes. One of his favorites was "Break Up to Make Up" by The Stylistics. As I found myself nostalgically downloading the best of The Stylistics a little while ago, I remembered those days...visibly embarrassed, but singing along with him (in my head). Since then, after loving and losing, I can honestly say I understand the song. I get it now, Papa Brathwaite.

The concept of "break up to make up" doesn't relate only to romantic relationships.  I've oft-confronted my split ends with scissors, but recently I was introduced to keratin treatments. As I'm sure you know, over time our hair loses protein (chemical treatments and heat exacerbate this natural process). Protein-depleted hair is dull, rough, dry, frizzy, and lifeless. Sound familiar? I'd heard quite a bit about Brazilian Keratin Treatments and relaxed hair. I gotta' tell ya, from formaldehyde formulations to just god-awful results, I had no interest in joining that club.

Well, KeratinPerfect is different. It's called a "smoothing system" because it uses naturally derived protein (from sheep's wool to be exact) to infuse hair with much-needed strength and shine. So yeah, I was invited to an event where attendees were shown how to complete a successful DIY blowout using KeratinPerfect.

For the record, my DIY hair projects end up with me begging my gracious hair stylists (i.e. hair angels) to fit me into their busy schedules. I figured I'd cut out the trauma of trying to fit a hat over my stay-puft hair and just watch the professionals teach more able-bodied bloggers and editors.

I happily took my products with me to my one of my favorite hair angels, Shedelle Holmes. She used the sulfate-free Perfect Cleanse ($24), Perfect Silk Conditioner ($24), and Keratin Blowout Booster Cream ($34). As she shampooed she said, "you can feel the difference even when shampooing". As she blew out my hair, she marveled at its shine and said it actually looked stronger and more healthful...score!

I haven't tried the full, 30-day smoothing process, but it seems so simple...even I could do it (maybe):

Apply Clarifying Shampoo

Apply The Perfector & leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing out

Blow Dry using a dryer like the soon-to-launch in the US *ghd air. Here's a sneak peek!

Flat Iron hair using a tool that goes up to 430 degrees

Et Voile...this version doesn't hold a candle to my dad's, but I guess it'll do...

I made myself a little promise this year. Every Sunday, I'll give myself a facial. Sounds like something that I'd love to do, but facials, like laundry, require me to get off my sofa and do like, things. The most I tend to do on a Sunday is: roll over during afternoon naps (yup, plural), pick up and put down the remote, and walk to the kitchen for some eats.

So, exfoliating, cleansing, steaming, "masking", and moisturizing are five actions too many. Cue the chocolate incentive.

Bag of honey-wheat pretzels? Check. PHILADELPHIA INDULGENCE*? Check. Immediately, I am ready to give myself a fantastic facial and maybe even do *gulp* laundry. Oh yes, this creamy milk chocolate spread is a miracle maker.

In fact, I even have a little plan: Dip the pretzel. Crunch. Apply face product. Repeat. Seriously, if I was the lick-the-bowl, eat-it-out-the-container-kinda' chick, I'd certainly do so. But I'm not; so I don't.

So true. I haven't actually given myself a PHILADELPHIA INDULGENCE chocolate facial, but it is quite possibly the most delicious motivator to get off my butt and do something...or not. For the record, it also happens to be a perfect pre-nap snack. Don't judge me.

*Real chocolate blended with rich, creamy PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese Spread

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Kraft via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Kraft.

As soon as I was sonically introduced to Theophilus London, I knew it was a very special moment. "Flying Overseas" was unquestionably my gateway track; since then I've explored a bunch of his other songs and am rather caught up in "Soles of Fire" (technically the song was made by Chauffeur, a group consisting of Theophilus and Mark Ronson). So yeah, yeah, yeah how does this relate to boat shoes?

"Soles of Fire" opens with Theophilus London's line, "What a coincidence we both wore boat shoes". As soon as I heard it, I scoured my closet in my mind. Is he singing to me? Do we both have boat shoes?

I also remember attending Kimmie Smith's Sebago preview at Robert Verdi's lounge last season. After seeing all of the fantastic colors and styles in her collection, I was officially in a top-sider state of mind. Plus, the classic footwear is an ironic wink to my "fly girl in bohemia" sartorial style.

So does Theophilus London actually wear men's boat shoes? I dunno. Can I imagine him finding a clever way to rock them? Sure. Am I still bitter that I didn't go to the Rebecca Minkoff fashion show (with a surprise  performance by Theophilus London)? Call me Lemonhead. And to my friend who sent me her video of said performance: I thank you, but I kinda' hate you.

As a weird person, I really appreciate and am drawn to the strangeness in others. One of my favorite seemingly-normal-but-obviously-strange encounters involved my 4th grade teacher. I find it important to mention that I had a HUGE crush on Mr. Nieves.

Just when I thought my most memorable experience would be my Catholic school uniform skirt attaching itself to my sweater baring my white slip in front of him (thanks for the static cling, mom), something  even more ridiculous happened.

One day, Mr. Nieves wore a terrycloth bathrobe over his suit in class. To top it off, he danced around the room to the freestyle song, "Diamond Girl". No lie. Yes, it was strange and he left at the end of the year to become a cop, but it was cool; he let his freak flag wave in the wind.

And though I've never considered myself a "diamond girl", I was really psyched when I heard about Anjolee Jewelry. You can customize pieces using white or yellow gold.

Choose the style as well as the weight of your diamonds to create a stunning piece you'll love forever. I'm so into the 360-degree and zoom views so you can really see your relatively economical diamond earrings, ring, or bracelet created before your very eyes.

Anjolee was kind enough to make me a pair of amythest hoop earrings (similar to the diamond hoop earrings pictured above). And they are so dainty and pretty, I can't even tell you. I'll take a pic of them at some point, for sure!

Mr. Nieves, this one's for you:

Skinny, Flare, and Bootcut jeans. No matter your favorite fit, there's a chance you'd love a flatter-looking tummy and  um, a more ample-looking butt.

Even if you've been hitting the Amstel too hard, Not Your Daughter's Jeans ($88- $130) can make you look a full size smaller, flatten your stomach, and boost your booty. How? So glad you asked. The criss-cross paneling flattens the stomach, the high-rise design prevents muffin top, and the higher back pockets visually lift the bum. For the record, I'm in love with my red Alisha skinnies.

Wanna win your own pair? Just leave a comment here or tweet me the NYDJ style you want. I'll select a winner. Oh! If you're not a Facebook fan, like us. You gotta' be a FB fan to win!

Someone recently asked me how I choose the products and events I review. I frankly replied, "I write about stuff that appeal to me and my friends." Considering the "birds of a feather" adage, I realize that I should branch out a tad to make sure I feature other things, too. So I took a look at http://hairstyles.ghdhair.com for some hair tips & flicks.

Since most of the hair styles and products I talk about relate to either relaxed or short hair (what?!), if you have long locks, this one's for you.

Get Glam Beach Waves:

Step 1 Divide your hair into two sections.

Step 2 Take your lower section and split that in two. Position the ghd IV styler horizontally, beginning at the root. Rotate it up 180° and gently pull through hair.

Step 3 Rotate the styler in the opposite direction and pull down again, duplicating a rocking movement.

Step 4 Follow the steps above for the top section of hair.

Step 5 Finally, run your fingers through hair to complete the look.

I have yet to overhear a woman compliment a guy's jeans--when said jeans are hanging off the dude's butt. From the loosie-tight hip hopper to the tightie-tight hipster, undies exposed beyond a waistband do not work. Let me say that again: do not work. I've seen girls' Facebook statuses devoted to the subject and participated in conversations about sad, sad saggers.

If you're a low-rider, here are denim styles for hip(sters) and hip(hoppers). But first, for the love of all that's good, pull up your damned pants!

Girls, if you're into boyfriend jeans and his look terrible on you (no worries we've all tried it), maybe you'll find something cute (and in your size):

Levi's 511 Men's Slim Fit

Diesel Thavar 880G Men's Skinny

Ben Sherman Men's Baggy

Superdry Foundry Men's Straight

Find these styles and more men's jeans at www.very.co.uk/