Breezy Beauties

New Year, New Hair. Curly Hair Tips

January 20, 2021 Bri Fitzpatrick Leave a Comment

It's January, so I know you've already made some goals, but you may have to edit them after reading this epic list of hair goals and life advice.

Hey there beautiful,

If I haven’t officially told you yet, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Is anyone hoping and praying that this year is NOTHING like last year? Yeah, ME TOO! We expected 2020 to be new growth, but got split ends and breakage instead. Curly and kinky-curly haired girls understand what I’m talking about all too well.

I’m not here for it this year. I’m claiming growth, strength, and retention in all areas of my life. It’s funny how hair goals can go hand in hand with life goals. It may sound like a bit of a stretch, but stay with me.

I made a list of 2021 hair goals that are also words to live by in 2021 and beyond. Check it out!

1. Stretch Yourself, But Be Careful Not to Snap

2021 is about knowing when to stretch yourself (you definitely should go beyond your comfort zone) and when you’re about to break. This beauty chat is dropping life gems. Who would have thought?

This life advice translates directly to haircare (particularly textured haircare). There are many benefits of stretching your hair without heat or excessive tension. On textured strands, each kink or curl is a fragile point, that can easily snap and fall victim to breakage.

Many stylists recommend wearing hair in stretched styles, so that it does not break as easily. Know when to stretch yourself and know when you’re using too much heat. Mastering this concept will help you save more than just your tresses.

2. Begin with the End in Mind

I’ve been familiar with this phrase, coined by Stephen Covey, in his book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, since my teen years. Covey speaks about intentionality and making choices that help your end goal a reality each and every day.

I have a haircare related spin on this. Love your ends. Baby your ends. Moisturize your ends. If you’re applying product, saturate your ends first.

You might be wondering why. The ends of your hair happen to be the oldest part of your hair. They are comparatively weak and fragile. They need the extra moisture and TLC or else they are likely to split or break off altogether.

3. Take Your Time

Slow and steady wins the race. If you rush, 1 of 2 things will happen. You’ll burn out or you’ll move recklessly. Neither of those are good options.

Recklessness isn’t good for hair or for life. Take your time, sis. Detangle gently. Don’t rip through your hair. The “time saved” can reverse months of growth. Take your time and retain those inches.

4. Consistency Yields Results

Consistently good habits beat occasionally great habits. You don’t have to follow every rule or deep condition every week. Commit to a few manageable yet impactful habits. You will see results more than if you tried to do something incredibly extravagant or time consuming once in a blue moon.

The life lesson here is to commit to routines that make sense for your life and lifestyle. If you can’t do it consistently, it’s not a viable strategy. Doing something extraordinary once a quarter, followed by doing the bare minimum for the next 3 months, will not help you achieve lasting change.

5. Your Journey is Yours and Yours Alone

Comparison will only drive you crazy. Your goals should not be about being as good as or better than the next person.

Beauty Fact

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the average person can grow 6 inches of hair per year. Be realistic with your goals. You’re not going to go from a fade to waist length hair overnight. Treat your hair like the valuable, fragile crown that it is.

What do you think? Can hair goals teach us life lessons or is this a major reach? I want to hear your 2021 hair goals. Whatever your goal may be, I’m wishing you an abundance of GROWTH this year.

Should You Try Magnetic Lashes?

January 14, 2021 Bri Fitzpatrick Leave a Comment

Should you try magnetic lashes?

A few months back, I shared my experience wearing magnetic false lashes for the first time. I loved the ease of use but wasn’t a huge fan at how dramatic the style I got was. It was too much. At least for every day wear. I decided that it was worth it to buy another style.

OpulenceMD Beauty has a line called “Less is More”. I figured it was a good starting place for a less dramatic lash. I purchase the style “Say Less” The lashes are definitely still on the long side, but it’s not nearly as thick as my Freedom style lashes. These look wispy and delicate.

Magnetic lashes, should you wear magnetic lashes

My Freedom lashes were good for a few hours but I wouldn’t dare wear them for a full 8 hour work day. I’m just not about that life. After experimenting with “Say Less” I decided to put it to the test and wear them to work.

My day job at the moment is in retail sales. I wear business casual attire and am constantly on my feet walking around and talking to people. With the whole COVID situation, it’s very important that I refrain from touching my eyes throughout the day. I didn’t want lashes to exacerbate any desire to touch my face.

I felt confident, feminine and pretty while wearing Say Less. I even think they helped me look a little more “awake” than usual. The lashes stayed on very well. I checked throughout the day (paranoid, as it was my first all day trial run) and never had to adjust its placement.

Because the lashes are long, you will feel them touch your upper lid when you open your eyes very big, but that’s about it.

I should mention that I was rushing when I applied my lashes. I was running late and quickly put on the magnetic liner. It got a little messy, so I tried to wipe away excess with my fingertips and then put a little bronzer on my eyelids. It probably took me 2 to 3 minutes from start to finish.

I ended up getting several compliments from coworkers. I’m looking forward to making this a regular, or semi-regular thing.

So, Should you try magnetic lashes?

It’s definitely worth trying. If the novelty isn’t enough of a draw they actually are much easier for beginner beauty enthusiast to apply. The lashes I’ve been using are made by an eye doctor who claims that they’re safer than using traditional eyelash glue.

Price point wise, I’m very pleased. The lashes cost $45. I got 3 pairs of faux mink lashes, magnetic liner and an applicator. Each pair is supposed to be good for up to 25 wears. In theory, I should get 75 uses out of the purchase. So about $0.60 per wear. Not bad at all for magnetic lashes.

My set did not come with a case, but I’m fine with keeping it in tray in was packaged in.

I’m so happy with these so far. I want to try more styles. I may need to join their premium membership club. If I do, I’ll report back with my thoughts.

Have you tried magnetic lashes yet? Do you think they’re easier than traditional lashes? If you decide to try them out, comment below to let me know what you thought.

Make Your At-Home Spa Day Luxurious

January 6, 2021 Bri Fitzpatrick Leave a Comment

It’s the perfect time to step up your at-home spa day game. With COVID numbers rising, many may feel uncomfortable getting up close and personal with someone in the name of beauty.

Does anyone else love a day of pampering? It feels so good to have someone else tending to your needs. Whether it’s professional hairstyling, nails or facials I love it.

DIYing it can be just as fabulous if you put in a little prep work. If you’re staying at home in the name of safety, or simply trying to be frugal these at-home spa day tips are sure to elevate your next night in!

Transform Your Space

First things first, start by creating ambience. Just because you’re not going to the spa, doesn’t mean you’re not at the spa. Transform your space. Grab a comfy chair, your favorite scented candles, bomb playlist, a fluffy robe and slippers. Create a relaxing atmosphere. Get all your stuff ready in advance so you can stay relaxed (Set your phone on do not disturb). Enjoy “me time”.

Okay, so you’ve created a relaxing oasis. How do you elevate your at-home spa day from average to amazing?

Boujie Bubble Bath

Upgrade your bubble bath by adding Epsom salt and lavender oil.

Lavender oil smells amazing, but that’s minor in comparison to some of its other properties. According to VeryWellMind.com, lavender oil has anti-depressant, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory qualities. It promotes relaxation and is rather affordable. Some people even grow lavender at home. Keep in mind, lavender oil, ingested in large quantities can be toxic. Keep out of reach of small children and pets.

Epsom salts, commonly referred to as bath salts, are used to soothe sore, aching muscles. The research on its effectiveness is inconclusive, but people have been using it as a remedy for centuries. It’s affordable, available at nearly every drug and grocery store, and easy to use. Simply add a small amount of Epsom salt to your bath water.

Despite its name, Epsom or bath salt is actually magnesium sulfate. It is not truly sodium or a “salt”. So, you really will want to grab Epsom salt and not the salt on your kitchen counter, so that the magnesium sulfate can do its thing. Such easy at-home spa day hacks!

High End Press Ons

I don’t know about you, but my nail painting is definitely not salon quality. I also prefer long coffin style nails. My go to solution is custom press-on nails. A lot of small businesses sell them. Check out a few that I’ve been dying to try!

Flaunting Presses

The Nailest

Crochet Braids

Crochet braids are a game changer for anyone who wants to switch up their style but doesn’t want to spend a ton of time or hire a professional. You basically cornrow your hair and attach pre-looped extensions to your braids via a crochet hook. It’s not very hard and turns a 7-hour style into a 2-hour style. A huge win!

I’ve been wearing Boho Locs, a black owned luxury crochet hair company, for years (since 2018) and am obsessed! Their product line up features various “loc and twist” looks that make for great protective styling.

Use my referral link,(above), for $10 off.

Virtual Spa Date

See if a friend is down to do their spa day at the same time. You can Facetime and gab just like you were next to each other IRL! Grab a hot cup of tea or a glass of red wine (for the anti-oxidants, of course) to make it feel more like a true bestie date.

Venture Out Cautiously

Some salons are still offering services. If you’re not high risk, and want the full experience- visit a local beauty specialist who is committed to keeping clients safe. Wear a mask during all services. If your service prevents you from “masking up” (think things like facials), make sure your beauty professional is wearing their mask properly and wearing a shield. If you’re feeling at all unwell- stay home. Beauty is NOT a life or death matter. Your pampering can wait.

What’s your perfect home spa day look like? Do you feel safe venturing out, or is it DIY season?

My Top 10 Beauty Secrets

November 18, 2020 Bri Fitzpatrick Leave a Comment

I love sharing my simple approach to beauty, so I thought I’d spill my top beauty secrets with you. You don’t have to be a makeup artist or a model to slay. Spoiler alert, it’s all about health, balance and attitude.

1. Get A Good Night’s Sleep

You’re at your best when you’re well rested. Typically, it’s recommended that adults get around 8 hours of sleep per night. Getting a proper night’s rest can improve one’s health, skin, and energy. As it turns out, the term beauty sleep is pretty accurate.

If getting a quality night’s sleep is a challenge, I have a few suggestions for improving your sleep.

Make sure your mattress isn’t worsening your sleep. Believe it or not, we spend approximately 1/3 of our lives sleeping. That makes it super important to sleep on a mattress that’s both comfortable and supportive.

Some of us have issues getting or staying asleep. If you’re one of those people, a supplement like melatonin may be helpful. Of course, you’ll want to talk to a medical professional before changing any vitamin or supplement regimen.

2. Practice New Beauty Techniques at Home

Some makeup and beauty techniques are more difficult than others. Whenever I want to try something new, I practice it on a day that I don’t have anywhere to be. That gives me a chance to take my time. If I mess up, I simply wash my face and start again. Sometimes that means practicing 3 or 4 times before I feel like I know what I’m doing. That’s OKAY! When I finally feel ready to wear it out and about, I’m not self-concious and insecure. Be confident about your look.

3. Challenge Yourself to Smile More.

It shouldn’t be a surprise, but a happier you is a more beautiful you. Not only are smiles lovely to look at, the act of smiling can uplift your mood and literally help you feel better.

4. Stay Hydrated

Drinking water is vital for many of our body’s systems. Proper hydration can improve the tone of our skin and reduce inflammation. Drinking enough water can also reduce acne issues.

5. Pick a Focal Point

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with your beauty routine. For everyday looks, I believe in really highlighting 1 feature. For example, if you’re doing something dramatic to your eyes, balance it out by keeping the rest of your features subtle.

6. Find ways to De-Stress

Stress can do a lot of annoying things to our bodies. It can cause us to hold on to excess weight, trigger acne breakouts, increase wrinkles, in addition to more serious health challenges that are connected to stress. I recommend being purposeful in finding ways to reduce stress. Try incorporating self-care activities like exercise, prayer, meditation or journaling into your daily routine.

7. Focus On the Little Things That Bring You Joy

As I said earlier, a happy you is a beautiful you. I encourage you to focus on cultivating joy. Try making a list of things you’re grateful for or take 15 minutes during your day to do something that uplifts your mood. Joy is more of an outlook on life than an absence of difficult circumstances.

8. Build Your Confidence

Confident girls are the prettiest. Being confident is easier said than done. I can speak from personal experience. Confidence doesn’t change you, how you look, or your abilities. What it does change is how you feel about yourself. You can look stunning but still have a complex because you lack confidence.

Be comfortable with who you are. Do things that stretch you. Don’t shy aware from the spotlight. You are enough.

Need help with this? Check out my list of affirmations to help women own their beauty.

9.Don’t Get Caught Up With Trends

Trends are fun. It’s so tempting to want to hop on every trend. While there’s nothing wrong with trying out fads, believe me, not every trend is for everyone. In my humble opinion, some trends should be for no one. (Does anyone remember the wavy eyebrow trend? I cringe just thinking about it). There’s absolutely no reason to try something just because everyone else is doing it.

INSTEAD

The bulk of your beauty routine should focus on timeless looks and techniques.

10. Stop Comparing Yourself With Others

Embrace your own brand of beautiful. Comparison is the thief of joy. It’s not about being better or worse or prettier than the next person. We are all different and no one can compare or compete. Learn to love your uniqueness as well as what makes others special.

Have you tried any of these tips? Let me know how they worked for you!

Have a beautiful and breezy day!

CURLS’ Wash and Go Gel on 4A Natural Hair

September 22, 2020 Bri Fitzpatrick Leave a Comment

Curly girls, where you at? Let’s talk about CURLS’ new wash and go gel.

If you have textured hair, like myself, you probably know how challenging it can be to achieve the perfect wash and go (a style that highlights your natural curl pattern by using curl defining stylers and gels). My go to gel for years has been Eco-Styler Gel. It does an amazing job of defining my curls and coils, but it leaves a hard, crunchy gel cast that can’t be scrunched away.

A friend of mine shared a discount/affiliate code for the CURLS brand. I’ve used a few of their products in the past and was curious about its recently launched series of styling gels. I grabbed all four.

The green bottle was formulated specifically for “wash and go’s”. The company calls it the B n Control Sculpting gel. It’s supposed to have a firm hold without flaking or having drying alcohols.

Is it worth it?

Read more to see an in-depth assessment of this gel. We’re getting into the nitty gritty. Everyone knows us curly girls are PARTICULAR when it comes to our products.

Smell

Neutral to bad. This is not one of those products that makes passersby admire the scent of your hair. While I didn’t think it stunk, the mixture of ingredients was slightly unpleasant.

Price

This gel retails for $5.99. I used a discount code so I paid a little less. Even without a discount, the price isn’t bad for 10 oz of product. If you’re ingredient conscious, this is a good affordable option.

Ingredients

I mentioned that this is a decent choice for ingredient snobs on a budget. TRUE… but I still had to side eye an ingredient or two. It has silicones in the formula, something I generally try to avoid.

That being said, redeeming ingredients include aloe vera juice, shea butter and jojoba oil and does manage to omit drying alcohols.

How Much Product I Used

A LOT. I didn’t measure or anything like that, but I can comfortably say I used at least an ounce of product, and it’s not that my hair is that long. I probably should have used less but I felt like I was using enough for it to define my curls. So I used more. (More on that to come).

My Results

Unfortunately I lost my day one results, as I switched phones that day. I do have a picture of “day two hair”. This is after spritzing (liberally) with water and fluffing.

One great thing I can say about this gel is that it didn’t make my hair take forever to dry. Even with my liberal usage. My hair dried in under 3 hours which for me is almost miraculous. Unfortunately, I think it failed to define my curls. I can achieve a fluffy wash and go’s without gel… so I going to rate this product as fairly ineffective on my hair type.

I’m almost sure that this product was meant designed for curl patterns 2c-3c, despite the company advertising it for all curl types. One size fits all is not typically a real thing in the natural hair world.

If you’re a type 4a-4c natural and have given this a try, let me know how you liked it. If anyone with looser curls has tried it, let me know how you liked it.

Are Magnetic Lashes Worth the Hype?

August 20, 2020 Bri Fitzpatrick Leave a Comment

First Impression and Product Review

Let’s talk about magnetic lashes. I’ve been enamored with the world of beauty for years. I love the creativity and the glamour. Despite loving fairly bold, adventurous looks, I would seldom top it off with the “piece de resistance” aka a pair of perfectly curated lashes. The reason has little to nothing to do with my aesthetic preference.

I love the look, but putting them on right has always been a major pain in the rear end. I would get messy lash glue on my eyelids and still struggle to get them to securely adhere to my lash line. Constantly riding the struggle bus, I was never comfortable and confident wearing them. I gave up years ago.

Recently I started seeing lots of ads for magnetic eyelashes. It seemed kinda tech-y and I was intrigued. This spring, I saw a cheap set of magnetic lashes on Amazon. For 10 or 12 dollars, I was game. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, I was still waiting for my package a month and a half later. ANNOYING. I canceled my order and almost gave up until a stumbled across a company called OpulenceMD Beauty. They are a magnetic lash company, owned by a black woman eye doctor. The company believes that using magnetic lashes are healthier for eye health than traditional eyelash extensions.

My Magnetic Lashes

Freedom Lashes and Liquid Magnetic Liner in Case- from OpulenceMD Beauty

The lash style I received was called the “Freedom Lash”. It’s not available as a regular item on the website. Here’s my quick review of the “Freedom Lash”, OpulenceMD Beauty and magnetic lashes in general.

The “Freedom Lash” is a very dramatic style. It’s so long! When I open my eyes wide, my lashes touch my eyebrows. I WAS NOT READY! It definitely took me a while to adjust. This length is not for the faint of heart. If you don’t love super long lashes or don’t want to use it to accentuate a specific editorial makeup look, this one may not be for you.

Bri modeling Freedom Lashes
Lashes by OpulenceMD Beauty
Magnetic Lashes from OpulenceMD Beauty
Magnetic Lashes From OpulenceMD Beauty

Thankfully, that’s not the only style the company has to offer. I have yet to buy my 2^nd pair but I plan to. I have seen beautiful ladies rock many of their other styles. If you’re looking for something demure, there are other options.

Length aside, I enjoyed and am enjoying my lashes. Included in my set was liquid magnetic liner (OpulenceMD Beauty also sell a magnetic gel liner) as well as the lashes and a plastic case. To apply I took the liquid liner and smudged it into my upper lash line. You can also apply the liner the same way you would traditional eyeliner. I didn’t want dramatic black eyeliner on, so I smudged. It’s important to pay special attention to the placement of the magnets, and make sure you have sufficient liner on those areas.

It was easier than I anticipated. The lashes are super lightweight. Once the liner was on, I popped on the lashes. Don’t place the lashes on the inner corner of your eyes. You’ll want to start approximately a ¼ of the way in from the corner of your eyelash. The end of the lash should line up with the outer corner of your eyes. I blink a few times after I put them on to make sure they are secure.

The lashes range in price, premium synthetic lashes being much less expensive than the standard cruelty free mink option. According to the website, their premium synthetic lashes can be worn up to 25 times, while the mink lashes can be worn up to 45 times. They also offer a Platinum Membership program. It’s a lash club that sends members a lash of the month, and grants them a 20% site wide discount for $30/ month. This brand had already secured a spot on my wishlist when an ad popped up for a limited time promo (I’m unsure if they’re still running it). I got a trial pair of lashes for free, but was responsible for shipping costs.

They have a lot of staying power. In fact, when I first demo’d them for my VIP beauty group, I tested the liner on the back of my hand, and stuck on an eyelash. It stayed put while I put on my makeup. I honestly forgot it was there.

Overall, this was a great first experience with magnetic lashes. I’ve worn my set 3 or 4 times at this point. I can confidently say it was lightweight and that the application process was far easier than what I’ve experienced with traditional lashes. I like the staying power that magnetic lashes offer.

To date, I have nothing but good things to say about the company I bought these from, OpulenceMD Beauty. The product worked. I didn’t have issues with processing. Shipping took quite a while, but I can’t hold that against them. Most companies are facing the same challenges as they navigate logistical impacts caused by accommodation that allow social distancing in workplaces. I’m not gonna pressure someone to be unsafe so I can have eyelashes faster, so they have my complete grace on that one. I love that the company was founded by a black woman doctor. Being able to support a small black business and a female entrepreneur is a bonus that makes me smile.

Would I buy this again?

I would not purchase the “Freedom Lash” style again, BUT I fully plan on purchasing more lashes from this company. More pros than cons for me at this point in time. I’ll make sure to update, when I get around to getting another style.

If you want to give OpulenceMD Beauty a try, you can shop here! The pretty teal liner in one of my “lash selfies” was from Farmasi.