Septmeber/October Double Issue Volume 2 | Page 36

Love Embracing By Buffy Upscale Desires Magazine Natural Hair Guru W hen we refer to the phrase “natural hair’ people automatically envision how the hair looks more so than what makes it “natural”. The word “natural” refers to “free from chemicals” which includes perm and dependent upon whom you’re talking to, can even include color, but generally speaking natural means being free from perm aka “creamy crack”. If you make a choice to become natural, thinking about it or already are, one of the most important things to remember is to find the product that works for your hair and stick with it. I have a few “it” products that you can use dependent upon the look your going for. For a wash-n-go I use Kinky Curly Knot, a little of this goes a long way. Rocking a braid-out or twistout, use Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter Moisturizer. Always keep your hair moisturized because there is nothing cute about a dry looking hair. If my hair is feeling dry, I do rub my scalp with coconut oil or peppermint oil for moisture. And drinking lots of water helps, but I fall off in that area, as well. But I’m becoming more of a fan of all the fruit infused waters that you can make at home. Buffy 36 • Upscale Desires Magazine • www.upscaledesires.com Love at any Age 20’s W hile writing this, I’m only in the third year of my 20’s but I can already say it’s been the bumpiest, most confusing,  indecisive yet undeservingly blessed years of my life thus far. I’ve been known to beat  up on myself....often. Mainly about past mistakes that I’ve made in my life and with my body concerning men. Having come from a single parent home raised by my mother like most of my peers , I never felt neglected or unloved, yet always seemed to find the need to try and find it elsewhere. I believe the in and out presence of my father, as well as the sheltering and over protection of my mother ( to avoid exposing me to hurt, pain and abuse among other things,  some of which I ended up experiencing anyway. ..bless her heart)  may have led me on my rebellious quest to find my womanhood, acceptance from men, and overall love. I would write poems about love. Look online for love. Be mistreated emotionally and physically to hold on to pieces of my first love. I got so caught up in things that looked like love, I was blocking myself from actually being open to receiving and feeling real love. I had some eye opening moments though personal and spiritual development which taught me that I first needed to understand how powerful and real the love of God is and to stop overlooking my blessings, mistreating my temple and myself. Second I had to develop (and still developing)  love for myself. It has been difficult to look the girl in the mirror and tell her “I love you”. Such a simple task, but one that brought tears of sadness instead of joy. While in the process of focusing on more positive things to make a change in my life, it happened.  I wasn’t looking for it, because I vowed to take some time off looking for it. I just kept guys around for my own personal pleas \