TRANSITIONING IDEAS AND PROTECTIVE STYLES (NATURAL HAIR)

Protective Hair Styles 

I have decided to go back natural with much protest and deliberation. I got tired of not being able to scratch my itching scalp due to the obstruction of weave tracks, go to the beach and just jump in the water head first without worry. Not to mention every perm I got just made my hair thinner, drier and more brittle. So I decided to grow my hair out a few inches before doing the BIG CHOP! 

Weave

(Fashion Peleau does not own this photo)

Weave is a good protective style as long as you remember to take care of your hair underneath it. Most of us forget or are just plain lazy to add moisture and nourishment to our hair. (Like myself lol) It's just too hard to get to the roots! But lets face it, we all love a good weave whether it be full head, track extensions or partial sew ins.

Wigs

I wasn't always fond of wigs until I realized that you could take it off to treat your hair regularly without having the trouble of undoing and redoing tracks. Not to mention you get the same effect as a sew in.

 I started doing hair masks every other week to help promote healthy hair growth. Usually, I would mix foods like banana, honey, eggs and sometimes avocado or aloe into my hair conditioner which help to give it luster, repair breakage and assist in fast growth.

Marley Braids

 Marley braids were a great option for me because I could access my scalp easily and also enjoy the full effect of a Remi Virgin weave without the itch factor or the headache of having to flat iron or curl everyday. *Talk about exhausting*

 It was also close to my hair texture (which is very course) so I didn't have to worry about my edges either. I did micro-braids to make it look more natural and made it long and thick for that fabulosity effect. Lol

 I get bored with hair and hairstyles quickly so I always end up changing or switching it up. Leaving the ends out gave me more options to work with. So I could do different styles without getting bored easily.

 Senegalese or Havanna Twists with Kanekolon and Marley Braids

I am in love with Senegalese twists! Mostly because it makes me look mature and not like I'm twelve. This style can be worn for as long as two to three weeks before getting horribly messy.

With Marley Braids

Twists with yarn (This photo does not belong to Fashion Peleau)

 (This photo does not belong to Fashion Peleau)

Box Braids

I am not a fan of box braids. I like it on other people but for myself it just doesn't work. The trend in box braids for 2013 summer has been doing them extremely long. (Below the waist if you dare)

It looks very appealing but keep in mind because of the length it tends to get uncomfortable and cumbersome, so you might want to use less hair. However, Solange and her sister Beyonce has been putting this trend to werk hunny!!!

Yarn Locks or Yarn Wraps

This is done by using...yup... Yarn or wool. The technique is fairly easy, all you need is a butt load of patience if you plan on doing it yourself.

Nice and Low

After the big chop there's always room to go crazy with colors and designs since there's noting to lose...it's already gone! lol

 Some people have the perfect shaped head to rock a low cut hairstyle. However, I was not blessed to be one of them. LOL I'll stick to my wigs till I get some more length.

Cork Screw Braids and Cork Screw (Bantu Knots)

Who ever knew that this...

Could result in this...

Crochet Braids

This photo does not belong to Fashion Peleau

Of all the protective styles I like crochet braids the best. Your hair is first done in cornrows then each piece of hair is fastened to the braid to give the effect of natural growth. You could itch, tug, wet, shake and go because this is as close as it gets to your natural hair. You don't need glue, you don't have to worry about it coming out or your edges. It just does it for me. Love this technique!

This photo does not belong to Fashion Peleau

Encouragement

So ladies as we go through our natural hair journey at times it can be difficult but we just have to remember the long term results to keep on pushing. =] 

Started from the bottom...now we hair (here) lol

This photo does not belong to Fashion Peleau

This photo does not belong to Fashion Peleau

AJAY

TRENDY SWIMWEAR FOR 2013

Trendy Bikini Styles for 2013

Well summer is almost over here in the U.S but it's always summer in Tobago (where I come from). So here are a few trendy bikini styles to mix it up at that beach party or break necks at the pool.

Caged Bikini

This is the only time I would encourage you to think inside the box. A caged box that is. These simple colored but exclusive patterns against any skin color just gives such an outstanding look. These babies are a bit on the exorbitant side. Nasty Gal had some selling for 100 plus. However, there are some websites that have a few good looking ones for a lot cheaper.

Buy this swim suit here at ASOS.

This one was sold out at Nasty Gal. Good thing I got mine early. I just love the way it will pop on dark skin. 

Allthingsslim blog pic

Here is the same Bikini in black worn by another blogger called "All things slim". 

Nastygal.com

Amiclubwear also has a lot of caged swimwear. It's not as expensive as Nastygal but it's not your regular 14 dollars a pop swim suit.

ASOS

High-Waisted pinup Bikinis 

So lets say you have the sexy legs, smooth skin and boobs like a GODDESS but! your stomach didn't get the memo. A bikini with a high waist can hold everything in for you so you don't have to inhale and suck it in every time that guy passes by. And because of the high cut it gives your waistline that coca cola bottle effect or illusion. LOVES IT!

ASOS has this featured bikini from River Island at a great price and you don't have to buy the full suit, you can mix and match.

 You can never go wrong with this sexy leopard number.

Get it here

Too cute. Found this on ebay

Another good thing about the high waist is that it's not just for skinny bitches lol. It's covers mostly everything and a little extra, but, it shows enough skin to make you feel sexy and confident. Even though I'm skinny I like to keep covered, so these work well for me.

Bandage Swimwear

I like these but I never loved them. For me that is. lol But this will certainly break necks if you're willing to dish out a few more bucks on ebay

Ebay

Love it!

Fringe

This is your regular triangle cut or whole suit with a bit of flair added to it. 

Let's face it, not everyone has six pac and trying to hide your faults with a white vest or t-shirt is so... not attractive. Every woman wants to feel sexy, so here are some alternatives that still makes you look appealing to the eye without revealing too much. This will give you the confidence you need to throw off those shorts and strut your stuff!

You can find them both at ASOS again for a reasonable price. Sizes run all the way up to size US 14.

Monokinis

This category has something for everyone. ;-D

ASOS (Black usually makes you look thinner) But all the cuts add some excitement to the suit and shows just enough skin. 

Amiculbwear

Cute Mono however it's more like a 2 piece if you ask me lol

Nice and Classy. However, on the pricey side.

If you think the prices are ridiculous you could wait for the end of summer sale and snatch them up for half the price. This one was only 23 bucks on Amazon

Ooo La la

Crochet Bikinis

Other than runway bikini's these bikinis are the most expensive to come across. I guess because they claim to be hand made. Regardless, I think every woman should have at least one to pull on with your floppy hat and over-sized shades to feel like a movie star while you relax on the beach.

Regulars

This is where the fun and patterns come in. You can mix and match colors, patterns and try different cuts.

I got this Bikini at Tilly's  to go home last year 2012. I bought it in winter for ... less than 10 bucks I think. So, it's always great to shop for things in a different season.

Ususally Forever21  or H&M usually has great deals on bathing suits starting at 5 bucks. 

Enjoy! 

Ajay