Short Hair On a budget: Part 1

Short hair hasn't been this popular since Salt n Pepa's daring asymmetrical honey dyed cut and Toni Braxton's sassy short coif, but with fabulous divas like Malinda Williams, Kelis, Keyshia Cole, & Rhianna rocking them these days women are running to their hairdresser. While looking great they leaving the shop, many women get home and find out the do not know how to maintain the look themselves. Leading to the misconception that short hair isn't "versatile enough", "hard maintain" or "cost to much", with is totally not the case I've had my hair short (on &off) for almost nine years, and I totally love it!!!!

The first thing to know about short hair is it a commitment!!!! Women come op to me all the time expressing how badly they want to cut they hair. I always tell them to think long and hard about it!!!!! You can't go back, you got to grow it back!!! If you love the easy of your ponytail or your man loves to run his fingers through you hair or you aren't 100% sure don't get your hair cut, get a wig or weave. Understand that if you don't learn how to do your hair yourself you will end up paying a lot of money to keep it up, trust me!!!! Fortunately,it's easier then you thought to keep up with, if you have the right tools.

Once you have made the decision to go short you need to find a hairstylist that cuts hair, WELL! The best way to do this is just ask someone with short hair who does their hair. Or if you go to a salon with multiple stylist find out which ones cut hair the best. Once you find a stylist bring pictures of what you like and discuss what will work with your face and head shape. Do be afraid to ask questions on how to mimic the look at home. Everything after this is up to you.
To maintain your cut at home you will need the following things: a hood dryer (the hard hat kind), flat iron 1/2 to 1 inches( depending on how short it is) wrapping foam, heat protector, shine spray or serum (oil sheen will weight the hair down), wrapping strips ( cloths or paper ones) a silk or satin scarf and a good pomade ( no more gel it's so old fashion, LOL). You will also need any shampoos, conditioners and treatment you find work well with your hair type.

Wash and condition your hair as you normally do, including any treatments. Just because your hair is short you still want to keep it healthy and prevent breakage, that way of at any time you want to grow you hair out you already have i nice healthy head of hair to grow and you will reach you goal quicker. Next, while the hair is til wet apply your wrapping foam, then using a wide tooth comb, wrap the hair in the desired direction. This part is very important, a good wrap i the basis of every short style!!! How you lie the hair down is how it will dry. You can not get the same effect with a blow dryer, the taper parts will be very "puffy" and won't lay flat and smooth, especially as the hair grows out. Once you have your hard wrapped tightly apply the wrapping strips to the nape of your neck, this will ensure the tapered side dry smoothly and the wrap stays in place.

Next sit under a heat dryer for 45-60 minutes or until hair is completely dry, then sit under a cool dryer for about 10 minutes. Let you hair cool completely before unwrapping. Using the wide tooth comb unwrap the hair and finger style and go or take it to the next level now. Add about a dime amount of heat protector to the hair, then go over small section with your flat iron. Be creative, curl and flip the hair in different directions or smooth out the wrap even more. Then add a little pomade to you had and finger style. For the perfect finsh and long lasting style spray on a little light flexible hold hairspray, finsh off with the shine spray. To maintain at night tie your scarf around the edges leaving the top out, then just finger style again in the morning.

Don't worry if it doesn't come out perfect the first few times, you will get the hang of it. Befor long you will be rocking your new style with confidence and style.

My oily skin routine

I think i have talked briefly about skin types in a early blog, I'm going go a little to bit deeper in to how i take care of my oily skin and what has been keeping my oil production way down.

First things first I start my day off by washing, toning, and moisturizing my skin. For a face wash I'm loving Neutrogena oil free ance wash in pink grapefruit, not oly does it cut down on excess oil with out overly drying my skin, but it smells great (price-about 7 bucks). Next for a toner I use Neutrogena Oil Eliminating Astringent, work great although it can be dry, which can be a problem for oily skin (once our skin feel too dry, it make even more oil, yuck) so it is important to use a good oil free moisturizer, I'm currently pHisoderm daily moisturizer with SPF 15. Sometimes i also apply or mix the The Body Shop green tree oil mattifying gel with this, now my skin is ready for make up application.

To start my make-up off i apply a primer, either my monistat chaffing gel or MAC Matte cream, and let set for at least two minutes, so it can get into my pores. Just but doing this alone my make-up stays longer. I am using MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NW 45, i personally like liquid foundation for my oily skin i find after a awhile powder foundation oxidize on the skin and look greasy. I set my foundation with MAC blot powder, it also great for sucking up and oilies during the day.

At night I use a baby wipe to remove move my make-up, then use the same cleasner and toner, followed by Clean & Clear's Night oil-free moisturizer. I love this!!! My skin free totally different it look so refreshed!!!! In additon to my night routine i use Queen Helene Mint Julep mask several night a week for a deep cleasing. I also use St Ives apricot scrub and Biore pore strip in conjuction with the Mint Julep mask weekly for an at home facial. The Mint mask is good for drying up any pimples that my pop up.

Honestly, my skin is look its best right now( minus the hyperpigamentation) and I own it all to my strict facial routine. If you have extremely oily skin this product are worth a try.

Coastal scents Palette: Updated

I maybe jumping on the bandwagon a little late but i have been hearing nothing but great things about coastal scents palette i have order two for myself for Christmas (the neutral palette and the 26 eye and blush palette) for 22 dollars a pop you can't beat it!!!! When i get them i will post an update as well as any looks i come up with using only the palettes.

www.coastalscents.com for more info


Update: OK i got my palettes on Tuesday, the shipping was quite fast i live in NJ and these were shipped from FL, it took about 3 days!!!! I was very please with the packaging these palettes are very sleek and slender perfect for traveling.I only tried the neutral palette, sorry didn't take any pics!!!! But i love the way it came out, i would highly suggest both of this palette for working women who need a little more of a conservative look for work. I do have one word of advice, please use a good base with these shadows ( L'oreal cream shadows work great as well as and MAC paints you may have) or the could appear a little chalky. Other than that I really like these palette a great budget buy ladies!!!!!!

here are some pics of the palletes:


this is the 26 shadow and blush combo





the neutral

I'm slowly becoming a MAC Addict (a rave of Loverush and Raizin)

OK, last week after months of searching for a drug store brand that will give me the color "payoff" I was looking for I decided to go to MAC. I went to my local stand and picked two WOC faves Loverush & Raizin. I took them home and tried them out, and WOOOOW! This is what i have been searching for, a beautiful natural "flush" to my cheeks. Now these blushes, are 18 dollars a piece and come in a variety of colors and finishes. They are are a little pricey, definately a "splurge" item. but totally worth it. I've made a wish list of about 7 or 8 blushes (including one for hightlighting and one for contour) that i will be sloly adding to my collection. No doubt about I'm slowly becoming a MAC addict!!!!! I will keep you updated

How to do a facial at home

With the holidays coming I know you divas want you skin to look as radiant as possible for all those holiday pics, heres some easy to follow steps for your own facial at home:


Step 1:
Wash your face using your normal daily cleanser

Step 2
Using a scrub gently exfoliate and buff your skin, do this for 1 to 5 minutes

Step 3
Press a warm wash cloth on your face for a few minutes, then gently pat dry

Step 4
Use a store brought mask ( gel or cream mask for dry skin mud or clay mask for oily skin) let set on you skin for 10-20 mintues, rinse clean

Step 5 (optional)

If you have a lot of white or black heads use one of those Biore strips to get rid of them

Step 6
rinse face pat dry and use a nice gentle moisturize (please avoid using anything with acids or retinols in such as anit-aging products right after the facial)


and your done this is a really fun thing to do with your friends!!!! Your could also included these instructions along with every things need for the facial for really nice inexpensive gift for the holidays!!!

Rave: triple threat!!!!!!!!!

My first Rave: My Triple Threat: MAC Studio Fix Fluid, Select Cover, & Blot Powder





Now most of my focus of Diva on a Dime is cheap solutions to beauty & fashion. However sometimes you just have to treat yourself or sometimes there is just no replacing a product. A diva knows how to mix to low & luxe, knowing her limits and living within her means. I said all that this: some products are worth the money some are not. IMO, my triple threat is worth the money.



Studio Fix Fluid is the only foundation that I have re-purchased. It's the liquid version of MAC's Studi Fix Powder, it works best with oily skin ( such as mines) beacause it's oil-free, has a buildable natural matte finish, and comes in various skin colors and tones. SFF ($26) is anywhere 10 to 18 dollars more than most drugstore brands, that does seem like a lot!!! However if you are buying two foundation from the drugstore or buying online and paying shipping and handling it migth be worth it to take a trip to you local MAC stand/store and have an MUA match you.

Now even though SFF coverage is buildable you might need a concealer. I have hperpigamention and need the extra coverage!!!! Thats where Select Cover (15.50) comes in. This is the best concealer IMO and I've brought 40 concealers as well as drug store concealers. It last all day and can be worn alone or over/under foundation. It is truly worth the money!!!!

Last but not least is the Blot Powder($21). If you have oily skin blot powder will be your best friend. Seriously it soak up very drop of oil slick. I love it!!!! It comes in loose or pressed ( note: Loose is now/ will be a Pro item and only available online).

Now the "Triple Threat" looks good on it own, but apply SFF with a brush (esp a stippling brush, more on that later) and oh my goodness flawless!!!! Also using a primer help control oil and allows a smooth finish. And getting the foundation pump ($4) will save you alot of product which in turn will allow you yo use less and save more money.

These three product will run you about $61.50 before taxes at your local MAC stand/store that is alot but these are great products that do last a while!!!!! However you can even mix and match with these if you have DS products that alreay work for you!!!!

Prouducts I love

I am the first to admit that I am a little high maintaince!!!! I don't walk out of my house unless I'm looking exactly how I want to look. Hair on point clothes right and make up flawless. How ever that doesn't mean I'm speneding tons of money every month to look great most of the things i love can be found at your local Target, Wal-mart, or BSS (beauty supply store).



I love love love Neutrogena Oil-frre Acne wash and Oil eliminating astringent!!! My skin is cray oily and these two products kept it in check and the break outs away. I also love my St Ives Apicot scrub, its a staple. Ambi has an good sunscreen with spf 30. And my all time old school fave is Queen Helene Mint mask its is the ish!!!!! It can be use as an all over mask or a spot treatment. Its cheap and can be found anywhere from Wal-mart to drug stores to the BSS.

As far as make-up go Covergirl queen collecction is good, one of the only drug store brands for us!!! But I ain't gonna lie to you ladies I use MAC studio fix fluid which is 26 dollars, i know that a lot on the pricey side but it works I swear by it!!!! Along with the MAC Select cover (15.50) and the Blot powder (20, I think) my face is flawless. I spend money on my foundation but everything eles is drug store brands ( that how i justify it lol) . L'Oreal HIP and Milani are the bomb!!!! There eyeshadow are comparable to MAC in my opinion. NYX also has great eye shadows as well as lipglosses. Maybelline and Covergirl are it when it comes to mascaras (CG Lash blast the best out there and MB Great Lash is an old-school fav). But my best make up find is Monistat Chaffing gel!!!! I know you guys are like what?????? But it is the bomb primer!!!! If you are using Smash box this is just as good ( has the same major ingredients).

Last but not least are the hair products. I love Sally's beauty supply, the carry generics of Nexxus, Paul Mitchell, and such for less then a thrid of the cost for more then twice the product. They even have a flat iron which is comparable to CHI for 60 bucks. I also love Elast QP, their Anit-breakage serum is comparable to Nexxus Emegrence. You can find Elasta Qp most at the BSS and select products at Sally's. Oh and let's not forget the Patene Relaxed and Natural line, I got 2 conditioner & a shampoo for 12 dollars at Target , they are always on sale!!!

And those are the products I use on a daily basis! Every product i mentioned ( esp the SFF & Saly flat iron) are under 25 bucks! Most are under 15! So find what works for you! And save where ya can!