How to Retain Moisture

Hey guys I am fresh off a freak out about my natural hair. Although I have been natural for one year and seven months I am completely new to wearing my natural hair out. With permed hair I would moisturize my hair usually once a week and for me that was enough or else it would start to be loaded down and I would have product buildup. However what I am finding with Natural Hair is that I can not simply follow that once a week routine. For one reason products for permed hair like hair lotions contain mineral oil and petrolatum. Mineral oil and petrolatum are by products of crude oil. Yes the stuff that is pumped into cars. These by products sit on top of the hair, they do not penetrate the hair shaft and therefore deliver no benefit to the overall health of the hair shaft.

All natural products like the ones that I have been using however penetrate the hair shaft and deliver health benefits to the hair shaft. My hair eats up these natural products and so that means constant application without the major product build up. So this morning I freaked out because I had just moisturized, co-washed and deep conditioned my hair. So why wasn't it soft?

Well I turned to my online natural hair community at Nappturality.com. (Turn to them, this has got to be one of the biggest online communities. They have a wealth of knowledge-yes that's my plug for them.)To seal moisture into each strand of natural hair this is what I learned to do:

1.I took my spray bottle of plain water sprayed my hair making sure that each strand was sprayed.
2.Then I take some EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) and apply it to my hair.

Follow these two simple steps and soft, moisturized hair will be yours. As a natural water is your friend, where as a permie it was your biggest enemy. The oil (and it doesn't have to be EVOO)acts as a natural sealant. Do these two steps any time your hair feels dry. Or to prevent dryness before it occurs. Use the amount that is right for you. I have a small spray bottle and plan to make a travel spray to bring with me for protection from the heat of the summer sun. Freak out officailly caput!!!!Muah!!!

My Newest Natural Hair Inspiration

Actress T'Keyah Crystal Keymah has become my newest natural hair inspiration. I have long admired her hair when she was on That's So Raven. Then it was always in thick, luscious braids, so this picture caught my attention because she was wearing her hair loose and I had never seen it like so. This picture is from an interview on Clutch Magazine's website. The link is provided below the pic. Ms. Keymah is proof that with the right care natural hair can grow strong and healthy.

Check out the interview:

http://clutchmagonline.com/newsgossipinfo/spotlight-natural-hair-celebrity-tkeyah-crystal-keymah/

Welcome to the Official Re-Launch of 220 W/S

I started this blog in Apirl 2010 as a way for me to blog about fashion and beauty. But I haven't posted anything since May. I have a passion for blogging but not neccesarily for the things and celebs that I was writing about. I won't go into names but most of the celebrity fashion that I covered was already being covered by the mainstream. I wanted to blog about those things and celebs that did not recieve a lot of coverage, attention and celebration. Fast forward to this month. Literally a week ago today I decided to start wearing my natural hair. Before going natural a year and seven months ago I did research and fell in love with natural hairstyles. For me a natural hairstyle is that extra pop, that extra flair to any outfit. Natural hair is truly beautiful, unigue and extra, extra fly. Sadly not everyone feels this way. So I dedcided that since I was so passionate about natural hair that I would re-launch the blog to focus on the beauty of natural locks.

This is not to say that 220 W/S won't talk about or feature celebs with striaght hair, but natural hair and the men and women who wear it will take center stage here. I hope that this blogs helps to encourage, uplift and celebrate those who have decided to wear their natural hair with pride. I also hopes that it educates, inspires and challenges those who want to go natural and those who hold on to the negative stereotypes about natural hair.


With love, Fredina LeSha.

I have decided to share with my blog readers the newest assest to my make-up bag: Foundation Primer. This stuff is the greatest. Not only does foundation primer create a smooth canvas for your foundation but it holds it in place for hours and cuts down on the shine that sometimes occurs when wearing foundation. Which is great as we approach summer. No woman wants to walk around with melted faces. I have included numerous brands of foundation primers all at different prices. Most of these can be found at Sephora. One is a drug store brand and the other can be purchased at Walmart. Each primer provides you with a specific benefit. Some hydrate, some block shine. Others have SPF protection. So choose one that's right for your skin type, but get it in your make-up bag. Enjoy!!!

Foundation Primer by Fredina LeSha featuring Versace sunglasses

Items in this set:
Versace Diamante Frame Detail Sunglasses, $330
Smashbox Jumbo Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($72 Value) 2 oz..., $49
Mineral SPF Primer, $42
mac face primer + brightening serum, $40
NARS Makeup Primer 1.7 oz, $33

Nautical Prep with Edge by Fredina LeSha featuring Prada bags

Items in this set:
OTHER CLOTHING - Tunics & Tops - Nirvana - Stripe - Forever Unique, 80 GBP
A-line inverted pleat skirt, $175
BB Patent Ballet Flat, $245
Heels|Shoes:Stiletto Heel,Heel Pump,Women's High Heel Shoes,Spool..., $19
Vitello Shine Tote - Red, $1,190

This week's outfit was inspired by the nautical look. To me the nautical look is part prep, but I also wanted to add a piece that had edgy embellishments. That's where this Forever Unique tank came into play. This outfit looks great paired with red pumps or red flats, whatever your taste dictates. Enjoy!!!

Outfit of the Week

I was inspired putting this outfit together by the shades of blue that I have seen in recent Spring 2010 runway shows. Specifically that of the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen. This shade of blue immediately evokes images of ocean waters. Enjoy!!!

I've Got the Blues by Fredina LeSha featuring Vivienne Westwood bags

Items in this set:
Top, $885
Saffra Shrug, 70 GBP
Bamboo cropped skinny jeans, $235
Heels - desireclothing.co.uk, 28 GBP
Vivienne Westwood New Berkeley Leather Bag at Zappos.com, $1,300

Outfit of the Week

Every week I will feature an outfit that embodies the look and trends of the current season. I call this week's look A Spring Night's Dream. If the items are too pricey for your budget remember this outfit and any outfit I feature can be recreated with items that do fit your budget. Simply let what I post be your guide. Enjoy!!!

A Spring Night's Dream by Dina1010 featuring Burberry Prorsum

Items in this set:
Burberry prorsum dresses BEIGE, 1,495 GBP
Sequin Blazer at A|wear, 60 EUR
Burberry Prorsum Peep Toe Satin Boot - £480.00, 480 GBP
Paraty medium leather bag, $1,895
Amrita Singh - Pearls of Wisdom - East Hampton Pearl Earring, $100

Keke P's Orange Carpet Style

When I saw Ms. Keke Palmer on the red-oops Orange carpet for the 2010 Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards I immediately fell in love with her in this ADAM dress, Neil Lane earrings and Christian Louboutin peep toes. Now Keke P. to me always manages to get her looks right while still looking her age (she'll be 17 in August). I love this dress because it's colorful, event appropriate and the fit is golden. Plus I like that she paired this dress with the purple shoes bringing out the purple in the dress. It was the right color to focus on instead of the red or yellow. I love that the hair is up to give focus to the pattern and texture of the dress. And her face? Well Ms. Palmer always gives good face.

J-Hud's Weight Loss

So recently J-Hud was here in Chicago to partner with the Boys and Girls Club but all everyone could talk about was her weight loss. Yeah, I really don't have a comment about her outfit which is cute but pretty basic (guess I did have a comment). I just wanted to put her pic up here because the new mom and soon to be wife looks beautiful, but then again I thought she always looked good. Seriously, you may not have liked all of her outfits but you can never say you saw J-Hud looking busted while out and about.