African Pride's A Mother's Love Event

It Girl Fam,

I recently attended African Pride’s Ultimate Beauty Social held at Art Revolution in Chicago  – high ceilings, amazing art work, open loft space, dark wood, floor-to-ceiling windows, and exposed brick. Beautiful!  It was a fun, engaging, and intimate gathering of beauty, style, and hair bloggers in the Chicago area.  Camila Crews, African Pride’s Content Manager, moderated a discussion with bloggers Vaughn Monroe and Rachel Odem.  We laughed, shared our hair challenges and victories, and talked about what’s new with African Pride. 

I don’t remember my mother using African Pride on my hair, but I do remember seeing the brand as a child.  African Pride seems to be refreshing the brand and the product line with options for both relaxed and naturals.  Another major selling point is that each product is priced at $3.99 or less.

Immediately following the social, African Pride kicked off “A Mother’s Love” event – a celebration of mothers and daughters as a nod to Mother’s Day.  It was a fully integrated experience for women of all ages and open to the public – including face painting for the little girls, beauty makeovers for the big girls, and product giveaways for everyone.  The light bites provided were delicious.  And I can’t say enough about the candy station…it was a blast from the past. Who remembers Lemon Heads? 

But the real draw of the evening was Mary Mary! Yes yes y’all!  Mrs. Tina and Erica Campbell stopped by to bless us with their wisdom and challenges related to business, marriage, family, and motherhood.  It was an inspirational session nicely moderated by Sonya Blakey.   

Rachel Odem, thank you for the invitation!

Below are pix and a video from the event.

Enjoy!

Tamika
itgirlrules.com

Ultimate Beauty Social Video

Rachel Odem!

Vlogger Vaughn Monroe

Product giveaways from African Pride. Very nice!

The dress made out of Skittles & Skittles wrappers 

took the candy station to another level. 

A 'Mock' Face beat by Big Girl Cosmetics!

 I'm a big kid. I couldn't pass up the face paint. What do you think?

Sista-friend Dr. Renee

Crowd enjoying the atmosphere and anxiously awaiting Mary Mary.

  

 Social media guru Lindsey Adams & natural hair blogger Michelle B.

 DJ Protege kept the music hot all night.

He's haute as well...dressed to the 9's. Love his style.

Mary Mary being interviewed by Sonya Blakey. 

(Picture will be replaced with a better one. I promise!)

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© It Girl Industries 2013

Chicago Natural Beauty Hair Event...A Celebration and An Education

It Girl Fam,

On August 14th, I will be celebrating 6 years of chemical-free hair.  Wow!  Where did the time go?

I cut ALL my hair off after 2 years of serious consideration & introspection, so there was no transition for me.  My reasons were simple - economics and time.  I spent hours in the salon every 2 weeks, I wasn't working out because I didn't want to mess up my hair and I dropped off a duffle bag at every appointment. I just had enough. I took the leap and haven't looked back.

When I started my natural hair journey, there wasn't a nationwide movement or support system like there is today. Many African-American women sincerely want to be free of the creamy crack (aka relaxers), but don't know where to start and have fear about the transition process.  Thank God for Rachel Odem as well as the national network of natural hair stylistas that are leading the movement and helping to educate woman on what to do and how to do it.  Rachel founded the Chicago Natural Beauty Meetup, which hosts natural hair and beauty events throughout the year.

I absolutely loved the event on July 29th. There is something about being in a room of approximately 100 natural women with no airs and no pretense - just warmth, sharing, and sisterhood. We all embraced and celebrated our natural hair. It was great.

Below are some pix from the event.

Enjoy!

Tamika
itgirlrules.com

Ken Burkeen, founder of Huetiful (creator of Huetiful Hair Steamers)

& Rachel O, beauty expert & founder of Chicago Naturals

Sponsors included 

Carol's Daughter, Curls Unleashed, & Koils by Nature

 Meechy and Vaughn Monroe were the featured panelists. 

They are a dynamic duo that blog and vlog about their natural hair 

experiences, products, etc. and are national speakers in the space.  

They were super sweet and gave us valuable info! 

Ms. Vaughn is on my right & Meechy is on my left.

Aren't they beautiful?

 Octavia Hooks is a subject matter expert and salon owner. 

Octavia educated us on natural hair products, hair textures, and styles.

Her models are sisters. 

It was a cool way to demonstrate how the same exact style 

can look different depending on your hair texture.

 Sista TV was the event's MC. Love Love Love your energy!

She made the program come to life.

 In between education sessions & live demonstrations, 

participants could network, chill out, or check out the vendors.

 Some of the vendors... It was a bit quiet, 

because I shot this while a session was in progress.

ⓒ It Girl Industries 2012

Fashion Fair's Truly Treasured Beauty Tour with Sam Fine

It Girl Fam, I have to be honest with you. Fashion Fair Cosmetics is a brand that I had associated with my mother's generation.  However, I heard about the tour and decided to check it out.  I'm so glad I did, because Sam Fine and the Fashion Fair Pro Team has gotten me straight.  The brand is modern and the make up is amazing.  If you want to add some glam to your make up game, I suggest that you give it a try.

I didn't want to scare you with my 'before' look, but my 'after' pix are below.  :-)  Tell me what you think about my make over.

Enjoy!

Tamika
itgirlrules.com

THE Sam Fine 

Sam Fine and Joseph Hampton, Fashion Fair's Creative Director.  

Joseph taught Sam & he also did my make up at the event.

Rachel Odem, the beauty expert and blogger. 

#TeamNaturalHair

Event Poster

ⓒ It Girl Industries 2012