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melaninhuntress · 4 years

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Aphrodite April Days

Since I wasn’t able to write a post for each day of the challenge I decided to put all of my responses in one post. Even though I wasn’t able to do all days I did enjoy this opportunity to bond with Aphrodite and to reflect on our relationship.

Day 2: Plan a special ritual in honor of Aphrodite and your love for her

This is my first time honoring Aphrodite on the Full moon so I wanted to make this ritual as special as possible. I thought possibly doing a bath ritual but since that is something I am used to doing with her I also thought about doing something different like maybe maybe meditate with her. I wrote down a list of all of her symbols and I definitely wanted to incorporate seashells, rose quartz, and pomegranate in the ritual somehow.

Day 3: Share your own personal associations (concepts/symbols/animals/colors..etc)

I personally associate her with rose quartz, Valentine's Day, and the entire month of February.

Day 4:Which of her myths is your favorite?

My favorite myth so far is the one where she is born of sea foam

Day 5:List your favorite epithets and why

My favorites so far are "She Who Turns to Love," "Laughter-Loving," "Of the Sea," "Foam-Born" and "Risen from the Sea." The first two because it reminds me how she represents all types of love which include self-love and how part of loving oneself is to accept your mistakes and not take yourself too seriously. The last three is because they remind me of Aphrodite's sea aspect as it is amongst the aspects that I connect with her the most.

Day 6: Share your favorite hymn

I like the Orphic Hymn#55 that's dedicated to Aphrodite

Day 7: Share your Full moon ritual and how it went with Aphrodite

I usually mediate with Artemis and Hekate on the full moon so I decided to do two separate sessions and do Aphrodites the following day instead. During my session with Artemis and Hekate I had an intense visualization and Aphrodite appeared to me as a representation of Libra which I didn't expect for her to do and she told me that it's time to take my place in the world.For my ritual for Aphrodite the following day I split it in two portion: a cleansing bath portion and a Sea Sinking (meditation) portion. For the cleansing bath I used bath bombs, shea butter and pomegranate wash. During the bath I took time to soak myself with in it to become in tune with its energy. I begin to cleanse myself of miasmic thoughts and situations. I begin say that I am loved and I am worthy of love from myself and others, I am worthy of respect from myself and others, that I am beautiful and strong and smart. During this time I visualized the water’s energy being pink as I was washing myself. I then felt compelled to do some affirmations while also washing myself with rose bar soap and African black soap, by saying that I am powerful, I am magical, I am in tune with the universe and the universe is in tune with me, I am in tune with the forces of nature an the forces of nature are in tune with me, I am in tune with the ancestors and the ancestors are in tune with me, I trust that the ancestors would provide what I need, I am a root worker who harness ancestral power, I am a witch who’s power comes from sea, earth, and cosmos, I am a Child of the universe, a Child of God, I am many things but most in importantly I am me. From that moment I felt a release and I smiled with joy and proceeded to drain the bath water and to rinse myself with the shower.Afterwards I put pomegranate lotion on and I retrieved all of my items for the sea sinking/grounding part of the ritual which included seashells, sea glass, rose quartzes, and frankincense. I than burned the incense on Aphrodite's altar and my cleansing and protection sprays to create a barrier to protect the space around it. I formed a circle with my items and invoked Aphrodite to proceed with the meditation. I originally wanted ocean music to accompany the sessions but I had issues with my phone that prevented me from accessing a video with the music. I felt disappointed and shameful that did all of this for Aphrodite and its not working out well but Aphrodite strongly assured me that we can still do it without the ocean music. I decided to go along what she said and continue the sinking by imaging the ocean sounds in my mind and asked my Ori to guide the visualization. The visualization while blurry and unrefined had me in a beach with the ocean waves in front of me and I was wearing a blue dress again while barefooted. I then asked Aphrodite where we were and she said were in a beach. During the process I felt that it wasn’t working and tried to open my eyes but Aphrodite assured me that it was. I then felt compelled to get into the ocean so I did a dive and was floating underwater. I than saw Aphrodite come up to me and some menfolk by her side (maybe nereids or oceanids?), she than grabbed my arm and dragged me a couple of feet through the ocean and she than faced me and said that I am worthy of love and I am loved while cupping my cheek and kissing my forehead. I asked her what if I won’t remember that I am loved and she said that I always will. Then the visualization blurred and I opened my eyes. I asked her to confirm if it was real and it happened and she said it did. I was happy that it worked out but apologized how isn’t end up as I planned and she told me not worry about that. I then realized that I didn’t bring an apple as an offering or my water scrying water but assured that there was no need for the former and that the latter can be done this Friday. I thanked her for her presence and ended the ritual.

Day 8: Talk about a UPG you have?

I'm not sure if this counts as UPG but I feel like Aphrodite is a huge shipper when it comes to fictional characters just we tend to be.

Day 9: Songs that remind you of Aphrodite and share your playlist

My Aphrodite playlist is very long because I put all of my favorite love and romance songs from movies, musicals, tv shows and from individual singers while putting in songs that center around other types of love like friendship , familial, and self love and some some songs that have sexual themes. So for this I'll just share ten of the songs that are on that list.

"Show Yourself"-Frozen II

"Change Your Mind"-Steven Universe

"True Kind of Love"-Steven Universe: The Movie

"Nobody's Perfect"-Hannah Montana

"Can You Feel the Love Tonight"-Elton John

"You've Got a Friend In Me" -Toy Story

"One Love"-Jordan Pruitt

"Kiss"-Prince

"You Belong with Me"-Taylor Swift

"Seasons of Love"-RENT

Day 11: What are some daily things you do/in honor of Aphrodite?

I haven't been consisted lately but I generally dedicate my self care to her as one of the things she has reminded me is that self care is itself a form of self love.

Day 12: Talk about how you personally see Aphrodite or create/share an image?

I generally see her as a brunette with long wavy hair with peachy skin that that has a slight tan. Sometimes she wears a pink prom like dress with white gloves and other times she wears a pink chiton. Those are the forms she usually appears to me in my visualizations.

Day 13: A person you associate with Aphrodite (someone you know or a celebrity)

I personally find that one of my best friends Hanna gives me strong Aphrodite vibes mostly because I noticed that the role that Aphrodite plays in my life is similar to what Hanna's was.

Day 14: A fictional character you associate with Aphrodite

There are a lot of characters that remind me of her. For this I would like to talk about Miss Piggy and Stella from Winx Club.

Miss Piggy is a lot of things: self-confidant, self-indulgent, self-absorbed, self-centered, self-assured, self-reliant.....a lot of the words that begin with "self" applies to her haha. Miss Piggy has a lot of self worth that is often demonstrated in many ways throughout Muppet media. Two of my favorite moments was that Three Little Pigs segment in Muppets Classic Theater when that wolf commented on her body shape and she snarked at him back and that scene in The Muppets 2011 film when the Muppets almost replaced her with Miss Poogy and she burst right in the studio to reclaim her place. Both of these moments capture a lot of aspects of Miss Piggy and one of these aspects is her huge amount of self worth. She was like "you're trying to take my place? In my original gang? Replace me? I don't think so bitch." She reminds me of Aphrodite because I perceive her as a goddess who knows her worth and isn't ashamed at being herself.

Stella from Winx Club reminds me of Aphrodite for the some of same reasons as Miss Piggy. Stella is a huge fashionista, can be self centered and vain but despite all of this I really admire how Stella is always there for her love ones. I often perceive Aphrodite as a goddess who is dedicate to what she loves so when she loves someone or something, she loves it hard. This applies to Stella such as when she sacrificed herself to save her father and when her boyfriend fell in a hole in the Under Realm with Stella jumping in after him. Stella is powered by the sun so she was already very physically weak when she was underground yet that didn't stop her from attempting to save him.

Day 15: Tell a story about yours and Aphrodite's relationship

There was this Friday where I missed the bus to my meeting with my job couch and I had to rescheduled, I came back home very tired and feeling shame over not being able to make it I ended up sleeping on and off on the living room chair. I ended feeling bad that I was wasting my time sleeping throughout the day instead of honoring Aphrodite, she than came to me by saying that there is nothing wrong with taking a rest and reminded me that taking care of myself is a form of self love on its own. This moment really touched me because not only did it demonstrate that the Theoi appreciate small things and we can honor them by our own actions but also showed how much Aphrodite cared about me.

Day 16: What do you love most about Aphrodite?

I love her compassion and how she really gets intimate with her followers. She takes in all of us who feel unlovable and unworthy and makes feel very loved and cared for. Aphrodite is a goddess who fundamentally wants all of us her followers to love ourselves by seeing ourselves the way she sees us.

Day 17: Where do you most find/feel Aphrodite?

I mostly find her in the hair salons, in local water fowl, my altar for her and when I go out shopping with my mom and try on new clothes. I often felt very insecure trying on new clothes because I don't have the "perfect" body shape but there were times where I look at myself in the mirror and I feel like I am attractive and I hear Aphrodite counter by saying I look beautiful.

Day 18: Share your favorite piece of artwork that depicts Aphrodite or that you personally relate with her.

My pieces of artwork so far are these two that depict her portrayal in Percy Jackson & the Olympians and Percy Jackson

Day 19: What are some resources that you used to help you get closer to Aphrodite?

I used Theoi.com, the aphrodite worship and aphrodite devotion tag on Tumblr, PastelPriestess' Resources for Aphrodite Devotees was pretty helpful as well as the Ways of Worship: Aphrodite article on Vocal. I generally utilize bath rituals with themes of self love, confidence and the sea, putting on perfume, painting my nails, and my biweekly hair wash to feel closer to her. I sometimes try to practice affirmations while washing my face in honor of her in addition to listening to my playlist dedicated to her.

Day 20: Share some movies you associate with Aphrodite

So far I seem to associate Steven Universe: The Movie with her. I am not sure why though, it could be because the movie and the show its based on depicts various relationships (friendship, familial, healthy, unhealthy...) and all the it comes with these relationships such as jealousy, insecurity, idealization, disillusionment, heartache, and many others. Both the show and movie has a strong theme of love and one of the various ways it is embodied is through self love something which many characters such as Pearl and Amethyst struggled with.

Day 22: In honor of the New Moon, what’s something new you would like to bring into your worship/devotion?

I would like start planning feasts to share with Aphrodite, write my own hymn to her, explore my gender identity and to understand what it means for me, and to possibly start writing letters to her.

Day 23: Talk about one of Aphrodite’s lovers

I always felt a connection with Hephaestus due to being a disabled individual myself. I find that Hephaestus empowers me as a disabled person even though his is more physical and mine is mental. I struggle with internalized ableism which often manifests as making me feel like I have no worth in the grand schemes of things and Hephaestus helps me counter it by reminding me that I do have worth. One of the lessons that he has taught me is not instead of focusing on gaining the approval of neurotypicals I should instead focus on developing my personal skills and talents ("Don't tell them that you can do it, show them that you can"). Something came over to me one day where I wondered why Hephaestus never tries to gain the approval from others since he is kind of an outcast amongst his Olympians and possibly in Ancient Greece as well since he had few public shrines and temples but than the answer came to me: Hephaestus knows his own worth. He doesn't need to prove himself to others because he knows how important he is in the grand scheme of things, he knows that there is no way the Olympians would have their weapons without him and knowing this possibly prevents him from being insecure. Hephaestus is the epitome of have self worth as a disabled/differently abled individual. I also admire his passion and dedication to his craft.

Day 26: What’s a misconception about Aphrodite that annoys you the most?

All common misconceptions of her anyone me but the one that annoys me the most is that she is all about sex, lust, and romantic love. I dislike how people reduce her to this traits in order to dismiss a less impressive goddess when she is so much more than that. Aphrodite accept all of us and that includes those of us in the ace and are spectrum. There are times when I sometimes feel insecure over demisexuality and how I don't often feel sexual attraction to the person I am romantically attracted towards which often causes me to question on the authenticity of my feelings. Aphrodite has reassured me that I don't need to experience sexual attraction for my romantic feelings to be valid.

Day 28: If you’re comfortable with it, share a pic of your altar/shrine and talk about it. If you don’t have one or are not comfortable sharing a picture, talk about what you would like your altar/shrine to look like and/or what it represents to you

My Aphrodite altar has a pink cloth with hearts on it as the base. Since I didn't have the money to buy a statue I instead made a jar to represent Aphrodite inspired by this post on deity jars. The jar is filled with seashells, rose quartz, clear quartz, pearl-like beads, dried pink rose petals, and sea glass. Surrounding the jar is a conch seashell that resembles the one I saw in my dream where Aphrodite reached out to me, seashells, sea glass, red rose petals, a red candle, perfume and scented boy lotion and my sachet dedicated to Aphrodite that was inspired by Aphroditiful's Aphrodite Spell Sachet. I often carry it with me either in my purse, pants pocket or jacket/coat pocket in order to keep he by my side and feel close to her. There is also a frog shaker which I added because I knew that is something se would like since frogs were associated with her and a jar with a mixture of Libra Full moon and Taurus New moon water in order to keep the energy of Aphrodite April with me.

Day 30: Talk a bit about the aspects of Aphrodite that tend to go unnoticed, such as her war side and her death side. What do they mean to you and how do you see them in her?

Aphrodite Areia, her war aspect, to me represent how love is a very powerful and strong emotion. Love when you think about it can often cause conflict as much as it can bring peace. What I think about Areia, I think about that scene where Mufasa wrecked Shenzi, Banzai, ad Ed after they tried to eat his son, even if he wasn't the king he still would have done that because he loves Simba that much, I also think about how people participate in war simply because they love their county and their love ones that much. There is also the fact that love can cause jealousy, heartache, tears, pain, and sorrow. We often associate love with positive qualities and emotions but the fact that it can also cause negative emotions shows its duality and how very powerful it can be.

#aphrodite april #30 days of aphrodite #aphrodite devotee #aphrodite worship #aphroditedeity #theoi

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elizas-writing · 4 years

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I’m out of town again which means travel sized hair routine which also means another hair care review! In one of my last posts, I mentioned I stocked up on a few hair masks from Yes To to keep on standby for travel in the near future. And the holidays seemed like the perfect time to use them. Last month, I used the Tea Tree Scalp Relief Soothing Hair Clay Mask as a pre-poo treatment with mixed results. It did well to detangle the worst of my knots and give some moisture, but I didn’t have enough product to get the much needed scalp relief. And because I made the dumb-dumb decision to not do a proper deep condition that weekend when I was in the bitterly cold Midwest, my hair fucking suffered. Lesson learned: never skip deep conditioning.

So for today’s Grapefruit Vitamin C Brightening Hair Clay Mask, I used it as a proper deep conditioner. As the product’s name indicates, its focal point is the grapefruit which is chock full of antioxidants, particularly Vitamin C, to keep your hair shiny and fresh. And for some extra boosts of moisture, the mask also contains aloe leaf juice, soybean oil, avocado oil, and castor oil. I forgot to mention scent in my last review, and thankfully these masks are very light on fragrance. This one has nice citrus-y hints to remind you of the grapefruit.

I applied this mask after shampooing and conditioning, and it’s much easier to work through wet hair and the leftover tangles. I didn’t feel any hardening that I got with the first mask I tried last month. My hair sucked the product right in. As with the previous mask, you can apply to your roots, but honestly, my ends and tips needed the moisture far more since I was pushing 8 days without a full wash. Since I only had so much product to work with, I left it in for 10 minutes.

After rinsing and styling, here are the day one results!

Yes, that is a Star Wars shirt, cause I saw Rise of Skywalker that day (yes, there will be a review in the near future).

I’m usually not too concerned with shine since my hair is naturally dry from the get-go, but the first day delivered well on shiny locks. And DevaCurl does wonders to lock in a good wavy curl pattern. However, I was long overdue for a trim, as you can see from the scraggly ends, so even after wash day, my hair still felt weighed down.

Thankfully, my momma was there to give me a quick haircut on day 2, and you can see the results below.

The trim gave my hair much needed relief to make it light and fluffy. It’s already much easier to manage and detangle in between wash days without overdoing leave-in conditioner. Although the shine didn’t last too long for me, what matters most is that my hair isn’t dried out by the middle of the week. And it’s reassuring to know Yes To’s clay masks work as well as a deep condition like a pre-poo treatment. It may not be as moisturizing as say my Shea Moisture hair masks at home, but thankfully styling picks up the slack without making me too greasy.

I got one more mask on standby from Yes To to test, and I can’t wait to share my thoughts soon!

If you liked this review and what I do here, consider buying me a ko-fi! Your support is much appreciated!

Hair Care Reviews: #YesTo Grapefruit Vitamin C Brightening Hair Clay Mask @yesto I'm out of town again which means travel sized hair routine which also means another hair care review!

#Beauty #beauty products #brightening #curly #curly girl #curly hair #grapefruit #hair #Hair Care #hair care review #hair care reviews #hair clay mask #hair mask #review #Reviews #vitamin c #yes to

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artificialqueens · 7 years

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On love, lust, and other feelings (Sashea) - wordsmithmaybe

A/N: Hey:) This is my first time submitting anything on this blog, but I have my own blog where I have been posting rpdr fanfictions for a while now (wordsmithmaybe). I’m obsessed with lesbian sashea so I couldn’t help but write this 7k au fanfic!! I hope you enjoy it, and please let me know if you want a sequel x

(sorry for any spelling or grammar mistakes. I’m slightly dyslexic, but i tried my best to proof read)

P,S This story is inspired by my own experiences. I’m not trying to offend anyone or their religion.

Sasha opens her eyes.

She takes a deep breath.

She doesn’t want to get out of bed, but she lost the option of sleeping in the moment she had agreed to marry the man next to her.

Arnold isn’t so bad.

He is a nice guy.

He loves her.

He buys flowers every Sunday, and takes her to the mall where they would eat ice cream and talk about how Mr and Mrs Simons, their neighbours, should stop arguing in the front yard.

Sasha would smile, and Arnold would tell her that she has the most beautiful smile in the world.

Arnold never left the state. He didn’t see many women smile, but Sasha would always believe every word he said, because if she didn’t believe him, she would start questioning things, and questioning things was dangerous.

She has a good life.

So she would wake up every morning despite not wanting to.

She would kiss Arnold good morning, and make him breakfast.

When he goes to work, she would take a shower, do her hair, and makeup, put on one of her nice dresses, and cook, clean, and occasionally go to afternoon tea meet ups with the neighbourhood wives.

When Arnold comes back, she cooks him dinner like the perfect wife she is.

They would kiss, and make love.

When he kisses her, Sasha closes her eyes, and drifts apart.

When they have sex, she doesn’t move.

She learned not to question anything ever since she was 13, and believed her best friend in a summer dress was the most beautiful thing in the world. She wanted to caress her cheeks, and touch her neck.

She learned to stop questioning things, because next time she went to church, the priest talked about men, women, and marriage.

Her mom told her that one day she would make an amazing wife.

She told her she would make a man very happy in the future.

Sasha has lived the same day every day for too long.

Until one summer evening.

She looks out the window, just casually.

Waiting for Arnold to come home from work.

That’s when she notices the woman in the balcony, in the house next to them.

That’s the empty house.

No one lived there since Mr and Mrs. Simons got divorced.

The woman is sitting on a chair, typing away on a laptop, surrounded by many books.

Sasha wonders what she is working on.

She is fascinated for a second, but before she gets to think about the woman’s beautiful long black hair, and dark skin, Arnold comes in.

He hugs her from behind, placing a kiss on her shoulder.

Of course.

Sasha suddenly remembers where and who she is.

That night she fights the urge to look out the widow again.

Just one glimpse.

Couldn’t hurt, could it?

But when she looks, the woman is no longer there.

The balcony is empty.

Sasha sighs and wonders why she feels a weird sad lump in her chest.

That night she doesn’t fall asleep early, and for the first time since they got married a year ago, she doesn’t make Arnold his usual breakfast.

And she sleeps in.

Something she has never done before.

It’s not that she doesn’t wake up. She actually hears her husband get up, but that sad lump keeps her in bed, eyes closed, pretending to be asleep.

She stays in bed even after she hears the front door close behind him when he leaves for work.

Maybe it’s been five minutes, or five hours, Sasha can’t really tell.

She hears the door bell ring, and she wants to ignore it.

She wants to pretend she isn’t home.

It’s probably some sales person.

She isn’t in the mood to purchase any stainless cooking pans or vacuum cleaners.

She just wants to sleep.

But the ringing doesn’t stop.

As pissed off as she is, she quickly puts on a robe, and goes downstairs.

She opens the door.

No makeup, blond hair in a bun, and she’s yawning.

But it’s not a sales person.

It’s not Arnold either.

Or a friend.

It’s the balcony woman.

She’s standing there in her high waisted blue jeans and strapless purple crop top. She has her long her pulled into a ponytail.

All these details are forever engraved in Sasha’s memory as she gawks, speechless.

She goes into a trance, and when the darker woman smiles, Sasha is sure that she has the most beautiful smile she’s ever seen.

Arnold wasn’t right.

Maybe he should see this smile, she thinks in her head.

But she’s not jealous.

She’s not mad that he lied.

She’s just so stunned.

She feels a sense of pleasure take over her body, because she’s able to see and appreciate beauty, something she hasn’t been allowed to do since the girl in the pink summer dress.

“Did you hear me?” The darker woman’s voice interrupts her trance.

She is back to reality.

It seems that the woman has been trying to talk to her for a few seconds.

“I’m sorry, did you say something?” Sasha doesn’t even know how she manages to speak.

The stranger smirks, and suddenly, Sasha feels self conscious. She remembers she must look really bad given that she’s just woken up. She hasn’t even washed her face. She probably has bad morning breath.

“I said, hey I’m your new neighbour.” The woman repeats, still smirking. She seems very confident.

Sasha is fascinated and intimidated.

“Oh, hi. Welcome to the neighbourhood. I hope you and your husband enjoy it.”

She doesn’t realise what she’s said until the woman starts laughing.

“I’m not married. I’m just here for a few months, doing a research on suburban living here in Vermont for my PhD.” She explains, “I’m actually from Chicago,”

“Oh wow, that sounds…cool.”

Sasha wants to throw herself off of a cliff, she knows how stupid and naive she sounds, and she can’t even stop herself.

“I’m Shea by the way. What’s your name?”

Shea is staring right into Sasha’s eyes. She’s not smiling or laughing anymore.

She has the most intense eyes, and Sasha, once again, finds herself in a trance.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to tell me.”

“It’s Sasha.” She says like she’s under hypnosis.

“That’s a very sexy name.” Shea says casually.

Sasha is shocked, “what?!” She exclaims in confusion.

“I said, do you have the maintenance guy’s phone number. My plumbing is bad, and my fridge isn’t working. That’s why I came here. To ask for help.” Shea says, and Sasha can still feel her cheeks burn.

She swallows the lump in her throat that keeps getting bigger and bigger, “Hm,, Yeah yeah, just a second let me get it for you.”

She grabs her phone, and finds the number. She hands the phone to Shea.

“I’m going text myself the number,” she does that, and Sasha jut watches, “and now you have my number on your phone.” She smiles and gives her the phone back.

Sasha just stands there.

“Aren’t you going to take your phone back?”

She finally snaps out of it, and grabs her phone quickly.

“Alright, I’ll see you around I guess.” Shea says before she walks away.

“I think Shea is a sexy name,” Sasha whispers, mostly to herself as she closes the front door.

She doesn’t know what just happened, but she wants it to happen every morning.

When Sasha finally goes back to the living room, she realises something inside her has awakened. She looks at her phone.

She is one text away from Shea.

One phone call away.

One glance away.

A glance towards that balcony.

For the next few days, all Sasha does is wait for Arnold to go to work, so she can go up to her bedroom, and stare out the window, shamelessly waiting for Shea to come out, and smile at her.

But she never does.

The balcony is empty every day.

The weather has been nice, so Sasha doesn’t understand why Shea refuses to go out to the balcony.

The more time passes by without seeing Shea’s face, the more irritated and moody Sasha becomes.

She’s never tough with Arnold, but during this week, she’s had two pointless fights with him.

She doesn’t understand what’s going on with her.

She doesn’t know Shea.

She’s only met her once.

Why is she obsessed?

Then it happens.

It’s a simple text.

“Do you want to come over? I know that you’re always staring at my balcony ;)”

Sasha’s heart has never beaten faster.

She feels a weird sense of happiness that she’s not very familiar with.

She stops what she’s doing in the kitchen, and she goes upstairs.

She needs to change.

Looking in her closet, she doesn’t know what to wear.

She wants to look as good as possible.

She wants to look beautiful for Shea, and despite how silly that sounds, she wants to impress her.

She finally settles on a short black dress that’s covered in red flowers, she puts on mascara, and perfect red lipstick. She pushes her long curly blond hair all in a messy bun, revealing her neck and collar bones. She sprays her favourite rose perfume all over herself, and wears her vintage red high heels that she’s only ever worn twice.

As she walks to the house, she feels weirdly calm, numb almost.

When she gets to the door, that’s when the nerves hit. Hard.

She feels sick.

She wants to walk back and forget this ever happened.

What am I doing? She thinks. This is wrong.

She remembers Arnold, and the church, and her mother.

But her body is telling her a different story.

Every cell craves the touch of Shea. A touch Sasha has yet to experience, but she’s already missing.

She stands there, frozen.

Lost between what her body wants all the internal voices.

Even though she and Shea never discussed what would happen, Sasha knows once she steps inside there is no going back.

She knows exactly what she’s feeling. And she is pretty sure Shea feels the same.

Before she can make a decision, the door opens.

Shea is standing there in a black satin slip and a white silk kimono, her black hair falling in waves over her shoulders.

And coincidentally, she also has red lipstick on.

Sasha can’t help but admire everything about Shea.

She is rendered speechless.

“I thought I would get comfortable for you.” Shea winks, and Sasha suddenly feels that her legs are about to turn into mush. She can barely stand anymore.

“Come on in.”

Shea leads the way to the couch in the middle of a very empty living room.

They sit next to each other, surrounded by dislocated furniture pieces, and random boxes.

“Sorry, I haven’t really brought any major furniture since I’m not staying here for too long,”

“That makes sense.” Sasha blurts out rigidly. She realises that she’s very nervous.

Shea chuckles, “do you drink?”

“Sometimes.” Sasha replies, not daring to keep eye contact with Shea.

She secretly curses herself for not being confident.

She realises she’s not even sitting comfortably, her palms placed weirdly on her knees.

Shea smiles warmly at her before getting up and grabbing a bottle of red wine and two wine glasses.

She pours some wine for both of them, and hands one glass to Sasha.

Sasha takes a big gulp, which causes Shea to chuckle even more.

“Wow you really need to relax.” She says teasingly.

As the wine makes its way down her throat, Sasha starts to feel a bit relaxed, and she looks around, spotting something that steals her attention.

“You have a vinyl player?” She says, excitement sparkles in her eyes.

“Yeah, I’m a sucker for vintage shit.” Shea giggles, “do you like vinyls?”

Sasha looks at her, and, for the first time, she’s not nervous anymore, “Yeah, my dad used to play vinyl records at home all the time. It reminds me of him.”

Shea smiles, “Does he still have vinyls?”

Sasha’s face changes a bit, and the smiles fades, “he passed away 2 years ago. My mom gave all his stuff to charity shops.”

“Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-”

Shea is interrupted by Sasha, “It’s okay, i made peace with his passing.”

Shea smiles at her, and Sasha’s heart flutters. She realises that no one has ever smiled at her with so much admiration and warmth the way Shea is smiling.

“Can you play something?” She asks.

“Of course,” Shea says.

She plays “I put a spell on you” by Nina Simone.

Sasha closes her eyes and sits back against the couch, enjoying the tones.

She doesn’t open her eyes until Shea speaks up next to her.

“Do you know that you’re so beautiful?” Shea says softly, almost a whisper.

Sasha opens her eyes, she can feel the blush burning on her cheeks.

“And do you know that you’re beautiful as well?” She replies, her breathing already fastening.

They just look at each other, admiring every feature, but choosing not to touch anything. Just staring, inches apart. Savouring the glances as the music plays around them.

“Have you ever been with a woman?” Shea asks.

“No, and I’ve only been with one man. My husband.” She answers, feeling a bit insecure over her lack of experience.

Shea just stares at her.

“What about you?” She asks, hoping to break the silence.

“I dated both, but I’m more into women to be frank.” She spills, “especially women who look like you.” She smirks, slowly reaching over and caressing Sasha’s cheek.

Sasha’s shyness and insecurity suddenly turns into lust and desire. She can’t help but melt under Shea’s touch.

This is the first time their skins meet each other, but she feels like this is the most familiar and natural feeling. She feels at home.

“Kiss me.” Sasha doesn’t even know how she musters the course to utter these two words, words she has never even said to her husband.

Shea slowly leans in, and when their lips meet Sasha realises she’s been dead.

She’s finally revived.

It’s barely a peck on the lips at first, but Sasha feels like her entire body has been electrified. When Shea pulls away for half a second, Sasha pulls her back in right away and kisses her with all the passion that she has.

Kissing turns into sucking and biting, and running hands all over each other’s bodies. Their heavy breaths are now moans and begs.

“This dress needs to come off.” Shea demands, breaking off the kiss, her kimono already hanging at her arms. She throws it away, leaving only the satin short nightgown.

Sasha has never been more turned on in her life, and she’s never been more comfortable being submissive. She takes off her dress quickly as Shea watches, revealing her lace red bralette and matching panties.

Shea stares at her, she doesn’t say anything.

Sasha begins to feel a bit insecure all over again, and the first thing that crosses her mind is that maybe Shea doesn’t think her body is attractive. After all, she doesn’t have a perfect figure.

“What are you thinking about?” She asks, she can’t help but sound a bit scared of the response. She’s too eager to know. She has to know.

“You are the most beautiful woman I have ever been with.” Shea whispers, her eyes darkening with lust.

“My boobs are small and-”

“Shhh.”

Shea stops her from continuing.

“Can you please stand up and spin around slowly for me?” Shea asks.

Sasha does just that. She wants nothing but to be hers.

Shea stops her mid spin, and runs her fingers across her inner thighs, her stomach, her butt.

“Can you strip for me, baby?” Shea begs.

Sasha bites her bottom lip. She’s never stripped for anyone before. She slowly takes off her bralette first, looking straight into Shea’s eyes. Then, she proceeds to take off her panties, one leg at a time. She releases her curls and let them stream on her shoulders and back.

She’s suddenly there fully naked, sucking on her thumb nervously, and looking at Shea.

Shea finally stands up, and steps closer towards Sasha.

“Take your clothes off. I want to see you.” Sasha says. She’s not even in control of herself anymore.

Shea takes off her nightgown, and to Sasha’s surprise, she’s not wearing anything underneath. No bra. No panties.

Sasha smiles in satisfaction, falling in love with the perfect shape of Shea’s toned body and flawless skin. She has bigger boobs and butt than Sasha, and she’s way more curvier, but Sasha doesn’t compare herself to Shea. She just feels like the luckiest woman in the world to be able to see her naked.

They start kissing again, then Shea pushes Sasha gently down on the couch, taking control.

“I’m going to make you feel so good, baby.” She says.

Sasha closes her eyes, enjoying the sensations of Shea’s mouth around her nipples.

“You have the cutest boobs,” she whispers as she pinches her nipples and sucks on them.

Sasha has never felt any of these feelings. Arnold was never this good. She has never felt this sexy.

Shea begins to place small kisses on Sasha’s neck then slowly trails more kisses down her belly, then on her inner thighs.

Sasha can’t take it anymore. The throbbing between her legs keeps getting stronger, and stronger.

She moans, Feeling Shea’s breath so close to her clit.

“Beg me,” Shea teases.

“Please, please, please. I need you.” Sasha pleads. She’s about to reach down with her own hand when Shea stops her and buries her head between her legs.

It doesn’t take long for Sasha to start thrusting herself into Shea’s face. At the back of her mind, she’s still in shock, she can’t believe what’s happening. But her bodily desire has taken over, and she has no option but to submit to its command.

When she finally orgasms into Shea’s face, all she can whisper between one heavy breath and another is, “where were you all my life?”

Shea lifts her head, and smirks, licking her lips, and tasting the remains of Sasha on them.

“What now? Your husband never ate your pussy?” Shea jokes as she lays next to her on the couch, staring at her from the side.

Sasha’s heart suddenly drops, as she remembers her life. She gets back to her senses from that post bliss heaven, and she realises that she has cheated on Arnold.

She is a cheater.

She gets up quickly, and starts gathering her clothes and putting them on quickly. Tears begin to form in her eyes.

“What did I say? Why are you leaving?” Shea gets up, and tries to stop her by grabbing her shoulders, but Sasha pushes away.

“What the fuck? It’s not that big of a deal!” Shea exclaims, angrily this time.

Sasha looks at her, and she suddenly feels stupid for trusting her, for being inside her house, for letting her doing whatever that she did to her.

“Of course it’s not a big deal to you!” She yells as she fetches her high heels from under the coffee table, “You don’t give a fuck about morals or family values. You’re a slut! And you want me to be just like you! Dirty and alone!”

The moment that she’s done talking, Sasha knows she fucked up. She knows that she wasn’t supposed to say any of those hurtful things, and she is well aware that she’s just reflecting her own insecurities, and the terrible beliefs she was raised on.

She gets up, and looks at Shea.

Shea doesn’t say anything. She just smiles and shakes her head, but Sasha can see her eyes reddening. She’s about to cry.

“Get the fuck out of my house. Just fucking leave.” Shea orders calmly. She seems so cold that Sasha feels terrified for a second.

Sasha contemplates apologising, but she realises how pointless it is.

Shea hates her now.

Her heart breaks as she walks out that door, thinking it’s probably the last time she’ll get to spend time with Shea.

She wants to slap herself for being utterly heartless, for dumping all her issues and troubles on an innocent person who didn’t force her into anything.

The next few days are a blur.

Sasha doesn’t leave her bed, lost between her guilt for what she’s willingly done behind her husband’s back, and her yearning for Shea’s body, the body she never got to properly please before her breakdown.

She pretends to be sick, and Arnold spends the whole week taking care of, bringing her food and movies to watch.

Every time she sees his face, she remembers Shea, and breaks even more.

She’s torn between two worlds.

One where she has a perfect home, a perfect husband, and a good life.

And one where she has nothing except the passion and desire she’s never experienced before.

Spending so much time in bed gives her the chance to contemplate on her marriage.

She discovers that she’s never been in love with Arnold.

In fact, she’s never been in love with any man before.

She’s never felt attraction towards men.

And after what happened with Shea, she is now more aware than ever that she prefers women.

But what is she meant to do?

Drop everything and become a completely different person?

She’s more than certain that by just admitting her gayness to herself, she’s at risk of losing everything.

Her marriage.

Her home.

Her family.

Her friends.

How can they accept her when she knows for a fact that they all collectively think homosexuality is a terrible disease?

But how can she be sick when she’s never felt better than she did when she had Shea between her legs?

How can God “curse” her but make her curse the most beautiful thing she’s ever experienced?

She turns to sleep when she can’t answer any of these questions.

One week turns into three turns into a month.

At this point, her family and friends have come to visit.

They all want to know why she’s not herself when in reality she’s never been more true to herself.

At some point something clicks, and as an attempt to eliminate everyone’s constant attention, she gets up, and starts her normal life again.

She cooks, and cleans, and has sex with her husband.

She wanders around, pretending that everything is normal when in reality she’s dying on the inside.

She’s crumbling.

She’s drained.

One night, she sneaks out of bed, leaving her sleeping husband behind.

She goes to the bathroom, and stares at herself in the mirror.

Long messy blond hair.

Tired face sleepy face.

Baggy eyes.

The pain is too much, and the constant confusion is even worse.

She wants to see someone else in the mirror staring right back at her.

Someone stronger, and less dazed.

That’s when it happens.

She’s too numb to even feel herself pick up Arnold’s shaver.

She doesn’t realise what’s going on until her hair starts falling into the sink.

It finally hits her, and tears begin to stream down her pale cheeks. But she doesn’t turn off the shaver.

She doesn’t move her hand.

She keeps going until there is no sight of any hair left on her head.

She’s shaking.

She’s terrified to look up.

When she finally looks at her reflection, she feels something different.

She’s not scared anymore.

She’s not weak.

She smiles, and wipes her tears away.

Sasha has never felt more free in her life, so as part of her freedom, she decides to listen to her heart, her mind, her body.

She quickly puts on a jackets and the closest shoes to her eyesight before going downstairs, and going out the front door.

It’s raining, but she doesn’t care.

She walks to the house next door, and quickly rings the bell.

It’s past 3AM, but Sasha knows if she doesn’t do this now, she might not have the same courage the next day.

And she is not willing to risk this amazing new sense of liberation.

When Shea opens the door, Sasha’s first instinct was to jump into her arms and kiss her. She follows that instinct.

Only to be pushed away.

Shea looks shocked.

She’s not saying anything.

Sasha stands still under the rain, also shocked.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Shea finally asks.

Realising that this is her last chance at redemption, Sasha takes a deep breath.

“I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry. I didn’t mean what I said. I’m just so stupid and dumb, and it’s okay if you hate me, but I just want you to know that I’m done with this fake life. From now on, I’m going to be myself.” She rambles, “and if you’re wondering, I don’t know why I shaved my head, but fuck, I never felt better.”

Sasha stands there after her mini speech, soaking in the rain.

“Just come in, you’re going to get sick.” Shea states indifferently before stepping aside, letting Sasha walks in slowly. She is insure.

Has Shea forgiven her? Was it really that easy?

Shea is still silent. She leads Sasha upstairs, and into a bedroom, her bedroom.

She opens the closet, and grabs some clothes and a towel.

“Put these on.” Shea orders, “The bathroom is there,” She points towards a door next to the closet.

Sasha, once again, finds herself following Shea’s orders. She goes into the bathroom, and strips naked. She dries herself with the pink vanilla scented towel, staring at herself in the mirror. For a moment, she has forgotten that her long luscious hair is gone. She vividly remembers her mother telling her that long hair defined a woman’s femininity, and that she was never to cut it. Let alone fully shave it.

But somehow, those words that were once extremely powerful mean nothing.

She doesn’t care.

She doesn’t feel anything.

It’s numbness towards everything.

When she leaves the bathroom wearing Shea’s black shirt and red sweatpants, she is faced by the dark skinned woman sitting on the bed.

“Are you feeling better?” Shea asks.

Sasha can see compassion in her eyes, but she can’t pinpoint the forgiveness she’s hoping for.

She feels even worse.

“I’m fine.” She says.

But her body tells another story. A chill runs down her spine, and that’s when she knows she’s catching a cold.

Fuck, she says under her breath.

It only takes a few seconds for her to start coughing.

“You’re getting sick.” Shea states as a matter of fact.

“No, I’m fine.” She lies.

Damn that rain.

“I’ll make you some lemon and ginger tea.” Shea gets up, “Take this bed, I’ll sleep in the living room.”

“No,” Sasha begins to protest before another fit of coughing takes over, “It’s fine, I’ll just go home.”

Shea rolls her eyes, “You came to me in the middle of the night. Let’s stop pretending that you want to go home.” Shea’s tone is something Sasha can’t really analyse. She is not sure whether Shea wants her there or not, whether she’s still mad or has already forgiven her.

So she just stays silent.

When Shea comes back with the tea, that’s when Sasha is overwhelmed with a weird sense.

“No one has ever made me tea when I was sick. Except my mother,” she blurts out, “And now you.”

Shea doesn’t say anything. She just looks at her, and for a fracture of a second Sasha swears she sees sympathy in her dark brown eyes, and she hates herself for it. She hates that Shea probably feels sorry for her. She hates that she’s become so vulnerable.

“Right, well enjoy your tea. I’m going to bed.” Shea says, in that same indifferent tone.

When Shea exits the room, she lays down in bed. She stares at the ceiling, thinking about everything that’s happened.

Thinking about Shea.

Thinking about her husband.

Has he woken up by now?

Has he seen the hair remains in the bathroom?

Has he noticed her absence yet?

So many questions that no amount of rolling and turning in bed can answer.

Eventually, she gives up on the idea of falling asleep.

She continues her staring contest with the unbothered ceiling.

She realises that she hasn’t even touched the tea, and that it has gone cold now, but she doesn’t care.

She feels a tiny bit nauseous, and unable to consider the idea of drinking anything.

And she knows these are cold symptoms.

Maybe that’s why she’s sweating like a pig despite the cold air in the room coming from the window.

And maybe that’s why she finds it so hard to gather her thoughts and make a decision

Morning light is only a couple hours away, and by sunrise she has to figure everything out.

She doesn’t know how it happens, but suddenly she drifts off.

When Sasha opens her eyes again, the sun has not only come out, but it has shifted its position. It looks like it’s already past noon.

She jumps out of bed suddenly aware of her surroundings, only to see Shea sitting next to the bed on a chair reading some random fashion magazine.

“You’re awake,” She says, placing the magazine on the nightstand.

Sasha’s heart is beating so fast, and it’s not because of how beautiful Shea looks in her yellow short summer dress.

She tries to get out bed, but is stopped by Shea.

“You had a fever all morning, just rest.” Shea says softly.

Everything makes sense to Sasha now, her sweaty body, her fast heartbeat, and the awful headache she’s experiencing.

She lays back in bed, wincing.

“I made sure you took some cold medicine but you probably don’t remember due to the fever,” Shea reassures.

“So you’ve been watching me sleep?” Sasha questions with as much amusement as she can muster given her current state.

“Well, you kind of begged me to stay in the room so…” Shea trails off, raising one eyebrow at Sasha.

Sasha doesn’t remember. Of course she doesn’t.

That damn fever.

She can feel her cheeks turning more red by the second, but she’s aware there is nothing she can do to stop them so she just sighs quietly.

“Thank you for taking care of me, I really appreciate it.” Sasha tries to hide her embarrassment, but she still can’t look Shea in the eye.

This whole night has been one embarrassing train wreck after another, and at this point, she just wants to disappear.

There is an intimidating silence before Shea speaks up, “it’s fine, I like taking care of you,”

Sasha can’t believe her eyes so she looks at Shea who stares back.

When Shea smiles warmly, Sasha’s heart flutters so much that she becomes convinced it’s going to break out of her rib cage.

She wouldn’t mind giving up her heart if it’s meant Shea would keep smiling at her.

Before Sasha manages to smile back or say anything, Shea moves to the bed and sits next to her, placing Sasha’s head in her lap.

At this point, Sasha is certain she’s in a dream, a damn good one.

When Shea begins caressing her face gently, Sasha closes her eyes involuntarily as the most amazing sensation of peace and relaxation takes over her whole body.

If it’s a dream, she has no interest in waking up.

“I accept your apology,” Shea admits as she continues running her fingers softly on Sasha’s face, “And I’m sorry I’ve been a bitch to you.”

Hearing Shea’s words, Sasha feels the same sense of joy and freedom she felt when they kissed for the first time.

Suddenly, nothing seems to matter more than the woman whose lap she’s made home.

How did it happen so fast? She doesn’t care anymore.

At this moment, Sasha can no longer deny her feelings.

She doesn’t know how it happens, but she gets up, and quickly pulls Shea in for a kiss on the lips.

She is so overwhelmed, and she can barely breathe.

But then, she remembers she’s got a cold, and pulls away quickly.

“Shit, I shouldn’t have kissed you!” She exclaims, “I don’t want you to get sick,”

Shea just laughs at the scared pale face of Sasha.

“Let’s be sick and miserable together then,” Shea grins before leaning in and kissing Sasha.

But Shea doesn’t get sick, and Sasha magically feels better that same night.

The concept of time seems to disappear for a while.

Sasha and Shea spend the next two days in a heavenly haze.

All they do is cook together, watch vintage films, and parade around in Shea’s silky robes. They also talk, a lot.

Sasha finds herself telling Shea things she’s never told anyone before. They both share their secrets, fantasies, dreams, and fears.

Sasha discovers that she enjoys learning new things about Shea.

She enjoys finding out about Shea’s life in Chicago.

How she has a love for social studies as well as fashion.

How she worked in social care.

She can’t even remember the last time she stepped out of the front door, but somehow she doesn’t miss the outside world.

She’s happy being in this human made paradise that she created with Shea.

Deep down, she knows it she will have to face life soon enough, but for now, she doesn’t mind ignoring the world and sinking deeper in her dream like new reality.

She doesn’t know what will happen, but she is more sure than anything that she no longer wants the same life she’s had for the last 29 years.

She doesn’t want a husband or a house. She doesn’t want flowery dresses or long blonde hair.

She wants to explore, she wants to love.

Love Shea.

Looking at the younger woman sitting next to her on the bed, she can’t help but wonder if she feels the same.

Sasha knows Shea likes her, but what she doesn’t know is whether she likes her enough to want to be with her in an actual relationship, not just a crazy affair.

Shea is eating popcorn, eyes fixated on the black and white Audrey Hepburn film playing on the laptop screen.

Sasha’s gaze doesn’t leave Shea as she drowns in her thoughts.

It doesn’t take long for Shea to notice the stare, she looks at Sasha and smiles.

“What are you thinking about?” Shea asks innocently, pausing the film.

“You,” Sasha doesn’t hesitate with her response.

She likes her new found boldness.

Shea slowly brings her hand up to Sasha’s face, and touches her cheek delicately.

Sasha leans against Shea’s warm palm nuzzling it like a cat.

“I’ve been thinking about you too,” Shea says, she moves closer and brings Sasha in for a side embrace, “I’m leaving this place in two weeks,”

Of course she is, Sasha’s heart begins to physically hurt. She moves herself away from Shea’s embrace, and wraps her arms around her knees, hugging them instead.

“You must be very excited to go back to your life in Chicago.” Sasha knows she sounds petty, but she can’t help it.

“What are you going to do?” Shea asks,

Sasha’s heart hurts even more that she starts to question whether she’s having a heart attack, “I don’t know what I’m going to do,”

Shea moves closer, and holds Sasha’s hand, “Why don’t you come with me?”

Sasha’s head turns so quickly towards Shea, eyes wide open, as she stares at her lover.

“I’m assuming you don’t want to spend the rest of your life married to him, and living in this town, do you?” Shea’s words are softly spoken, but they cut straight to the chaste. Sasha is surprised by her audacity, but at the same time she appreciates it.

“Of course not,” Sasha agrees.

“Then come with me to Chicago. I’ll help you find who you are.” Shea offers with the warmest smile.

‘Who you are’.

Somehow these three simple words bring Sasha to a soft sob.

She’s almost 30 years old, and she has no career of her own, no source of income, no stable identity.

She feels embarrassed.

Ashamed.

She buries her face in her palms, and allows her tears to stream down her naked cheeks.

Shea doesn’t say anything, and Sasha is grateful that she’s allowed to express her tragedy.

When it seems like there are no tears left in her eyes, Sasha looks up at Shea.

“I’m so scared.” She confesses.

Shea just pulls her in for a hug that turns into a passionate kiss when Sasha feels the need for more.

Her urge intensifies as she pushes Shea down on bed.

“Stay like this,” she says, breathless from the makeout session.

All she wants is to focus on Shea.

Shea’s lusty gawk is her approval.

She quickly removes Shea’s shirt and sweat pants, leaving her in that bright pink bra and lace panties.

“Being this beautiful,” Sasha takes in the fabulous sight, “How is that possible?”

“Can I-” She trails off.

Shea just nods so quickly, unable to talk.

It turns Sasha even more.

She slowly runs her fingers across Shea’s chest all the way down to her inner thighs. She, then, undoes the bra with Shea’s help.

She smiles, biting her lips as the sight of Shea’s perky breasts pleases her.

This is not the first time she’s seen them, but it feels special.

Sasha feels more like herself.

Sasha is no longer afraid or ashamed.

“You can touch them if you want,” Shea suggests, she’s grinning seductively.

Sasha’s smile gradually disappears and is replaced by an awe look.

She reaches over and places her palm awkwardly on one breast.

Shea chuckles, and Sasha suddenly feels nervous. It hits her that she hasn’t really done this properly before.

“I haven’t really tried this before you know,” Sasha explains, her hand still on Shea’s breast.

“You don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with, baby.” Shea reassures.

“No!” Sasha quickly exclaims,“ I just…I don’t want you to laugh at me, because-”

Shea doesn’t let her finish before grabbing her hand from her breast and leading it into her panties.

Sasha is frozen as her fingers meet the soft skin of Shea’s.

“Touch me,” Shea orders, so softly it’s barely audible.

Sasha nervously does what she’s asked

She is shocked by how wet Shea is.

“This is what you do to me,” Shea confesses, “I want you, and I’m so fucking attracted to you. So don’t you dare think I wouldn’t take you seriously.”

Something changes inside Sasha hearing Shea’s words. It’s like, every single insecurity she’s had fades away. She looks into Shea’s eyes before leaning in for a passionate kiss.

It doesn’t take long for Sasha to begin placing kisses all over Shea’s body, claiming it as hers. She sucks on her nipples, then proudly leaves red and purple love bites on her neck.

Shea moans and begs, leading Sasha to realise she’s never experienced this feeling before.

She’s both in and out of control.

She’s dominating Shea, but also submitting to her perfectly sculpted body.

As she makes her way down Shea’s body, she is hit by one thing.

She wants to do this every day for the rest of her life.

Sasha has never seen another woman’s vagina so up close, and she has barely anything to compare, but somehow she can swear Shea is the most beautiful down there as she is everywhere else on her body.

“I love this,” Sasha whispers, not shying away from the view as Shea spreads her legs even further.

“It’s all yours,” Shea offers, lust and desperation for release written all over her face.

It only takes only look at Shea to make Sasha bury her face between her lover’s legs.

She has never done anything remotely similar, but it all feels natural.

Whether it’s the licking or the fingering, she masters it all in a matter of minutes, leaving Shea a hot shaking mess in the best way possible.

When Shea finally cums, Sasha feels a strange type of satisfaction.

She feels confident, desirable.

She feels loved.

“I have no words,” Shea manages to let out between breaths as she recovers to a normal state.

The glowing smile on her face gives Sasha all the approval she needs.

She lays next to Shea, and wraps her leg around her naked torso, bringing her closer.

They stare at each other for a few seconds before Shea begins to shuffle, trying to get up.

“Let me love you back,” She requests, trying to reach inside Sasha’s sweatpants.

Sasha stops her, “Tonight, I just want to look at you.”

—–

Two weeks later, Sasha is back to her place.

She finds herself greeted by her mother, in laws, and husband.

She doesn’t say anything as everyone stares at her in crystal clear shock.

“We had to file a missing person’s report.” Her mother finally speaks, her voice breaking between the sobs she’s allowing to escape her mouth.

“Are you okay? Did someone harm you?” Her husband follows. The man she’s never seen cry has so much tears in his eyes that they’ve turned red.

He looks so miserable that for a second Sasha thinks about dropping her plan, and just going back to her past life.

But then, Shea’s face reappears in her mind, and she realises that she’s done playing a role.

She has made a decision for herself this time.

She has chosen to prioritise her feelings and happiness over anyone who tries to box her inside a cave and force her to be someone she will never be able to embrace.

She is no longer Sasha the housewife.

She’s Sasha, the person who is tired of living an illusion.

She made a plan to go to Chicago with Shea.

She doesn’t know what’s waiting for her there, but she’s willing to take the risk, because the other available option includes dying without having lived.

“I’m sorry,” She says before rushing upstairs.

Angry and fast footsteps follow her to the bedroom.

4 pair of eyes watch as she quickly grabs a small suitcase and packs some stuff.

She is not taking everything, because she doesn’t want any reminders of this, of any of it.

She closes the suitcase, and then looks up.

Seeing the tears stream down her mother cheeks sends a stabbing sensation in her heart.

No matter how fucked up things are, she still loves her mom.

She will always love her.

She hugs the weeping mother, and quickly whispers, “I will visit and I will call, I promise. I just have to get away now.”

When she pulls away from the hug, she is faced by a desperate Arnold, seeking answers.

“I’m filing for divorce,” She announces, “I’m sorry, but I can’t do it anymore.”

Arnold doesn’t utter a single word.

She leaves the room carrying her suitcase, and once again, they all follow her outside.

Shea is waiting by the car.

Sasha rushes into hey arms, and sobs.

“It’ll be okay,” Shea comforts.

“I know,” Sasha nods, wiping her tears, and giving her a kiss on the lips, well aware that her husband, mother, and everyone else standing outside is watching.

She looks back at them one final time.

No word can describe the trauma written on their faces.

Sasha gets into the car, and Shea drives away.

As they listen to the radio, Sasha looks out the car window, and she realises that for the first time in her life, she’s the one controlling the pieces of her existence.

She’s free.

#sasha velour #shea coulee #sashea #lesbian au #fluff #smut #angst #tw homophobia #rpdr fanfiction #submission #wordsmithmaybe #s9

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daisychaindaydreamsblog · 5 years

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Hey lovelies! I’m very excited to share one of my 2019 makeup trends blog post with you today! It’s no secret that I spend a *lot* of time scrolling through Instagram and Pinterest looking at beautiful makeup products and reading about the latest trends in the industry. So this week’s beauty blog post features eight of my favourite make trends that have caught my attention so far this year. I’ve also included links to useful ‘how-to’ tutorials so you can easily recreate these makeup looks yourself, as well as both designer and more affordable alternative products to help you achieve these trends! I hope you enjoy reading this post and I look forward to hearing your favourite makeup trends in the comments!

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Glossy EyeLids

Probably one of the 2019 makeup trends that I’m most intrigued about is ‘the glossy lid’. Although I’m yet to try recreating this look myself, I would be interested to see what it looks like in real life (I’m scared of getting caught in the wind with my hair though)! I love all these pastel tones they’ve used in the pictures below…

I’ve read some articles online and some beauty bloggers suggest using lip gloss as a ‘top coat’ applied after your normal powder eyeshadow, whilst others simply apply lipgloss to the eyelid. I’ve seen quite a few designer beauty brands creating liquid eyeshadow designed to create this glossy finish, but I’d personally suggest opting for more affordable option (because let’s be honest, it’s a passing makeup trend and who wants to be left with a barely used expensive product)…

I recently discovered this Mecca Max ‘wet look all over gloss’ which claims to be a non-sticky high shine jelly gloss made with jojoba oil for all day comfortability and the perfect finishing touch to your makeup look and can also be worn alone for a sheer gloss look. I’m going to have a closer look and swatch it when I’m next in-store!

If you’re interested in learning more, I found this Byrdie “how-to” article useful.

Image Sources: 1 | 2 | 3 |

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Full Brows

You only have to refresh your Instagram feed to see 178924 posts about “brow goals”… there are sooo much products people suggest too (including brow primer, brow pencil, brow powder, brow setting serum, brow ‘under-brow’ concealer, and the list goes on and on!). Whilst this great to learn about, it’s not so good for my bank account. I’ve commented on lots of beauty bloggers posts asking for their recommendations and if the more expensive ‘cult’ status brow products are worth their weight in gold (I mean, I’m not going to spend $52 on an Hourglass eyebrow pencil if it isn’t worth my while)…

Some high-street ‘dupes’ for good quality eyebrow pencils that won’t break the bank include MCO Beauty, Maybelline, the Mecca Max range, and MAC in comparison to Hourglass, Anastasia Beverly Hills and Benefit Cosmetics. If you save any other affordable brand suggestions, please let me know in the comments section below!

Image Source

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Glowy & Dewy Skin

I feel like glowy and dewy skin is always on trend, but I feel like it’s more popular than ever this year. During Spring and Summer I’m hoping to recreate a subtle and ‘healthy-looking glow’ without looking with a sweaty shiny disco ball…

If you’re interested in reading more about cream & liquid beauty formulas, the lovely Jasmine Dowling has recently written a blog post all about it.

Any application tips welcome! 🙂

Image Sources: Emma Hoareau & Jasmine Dowling

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Lip Glosses

Ahhh I fondly remember when I used to wear lip-glosses all. the. time. as a tween, but I also remember the sticky feeling of catching my hair (when it was quite long) in the wind *face palm*… well it’s 2019, I’m a little older, and the lip gloss is back baby! Personally I think the hype officially began when the lush Hourglass Cosmetics launched their ‘Unreal High Shine Voluminzing lipgloss range’ earlier this year, which includes lots of pink and peachy tones, as well as some brighter and deeper tones for a pop of colour and some shimmery ones too… so basically my dream in one collection, hehehe! Likewise, some other ‘cult’ status beauty brands released similar collections including MAC Cosmetics ‘tinted lipglass’ formula, Marc Jacobs Beauty, and the limited edition NARS ‘multi-use gloss’…

Whilst I love the look and sound of these gorgeous new collections and can appreciate the quality (the Hourglass ingredient list includes hyaluronic acid, shea butter and avocado oil for instant hydration and long-wearing coverage) , I can’t quite justify spending $44 on a lipgloss. I am definitely a little envious of the beauty bloggers who were sent the entire collection and may have sighed a little when I watched their unboxing of this range on Insta Stories. Can you blame me?

However, don’t panic if, like me, this luxe lipgloss isn’t my your budget! I’ve found lots of pretty alternatives to try!

I was lucky enough to receive a mini sample of the Too Faced ‘Sweet Peach Creamy Peach Oil lip gloss’ in one of my Mecca Beauty Loop boxes earlier this year. The packaging is adorable (it has a cute little peach emoji on the lid) and they’re enriched with nourishing peach and coconut oils and vitamin E to soften and hydrate your lips. Not to mention the lovely gloss finish. They are priced $29 at Mecca in Aus.

Oh and Mecca Max is another slightly more budget friendly brand now available at Mecca, and they have a few lipgloss products including their ‘shimmer shot lip glitter’ which has caught my eye on their website, hehehe!

Priceline also have some amazing lip glosses including MCO Beauty which I’ve heard lots of amazing reviews about, Revlon (on of my faves!), NYX Professional, L’Oréal (another favourite of mine!) and Maybelline…

Image Source: GlossCo

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Liquid & Cream Blushes

At the moment I typically own powder versions of most everyday makeup essentials like blush, highlighter, etc… however I adore all these lovely packaging and cream products being featured all over my Instagram feed over the past few months…

If you’re interested in reading more about cream & liquid beauty formulas, the lovely Jasmine Dowling has recently written a blog post all about it.

Image Sources: All About Your Glow | Sharm Toaster| Elizabeth Makeup Artist |

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Warm Toned Eyeshadow

Whether it’s bright yellow, rust orange, fushia pink or bronze – bright and colourful warm hues are taking over the neutral lids this season… are you a fan of this trend and/or would you try it?

Image Sources: GlossCo & Colour Pop Cosmetics & The Anna Edit

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“Blurred” Lip Stain

If you’d like to try a lip trend but aren’t keen on the gloss finish, you might prefer experimenting with the ‘blurred’ lip stain look instead.

Wondering how to recreate this look? I’ve heard great things about the Yves Saint Laurent ‘Rouge Pur Couture The Slim Matte Lipstick’ ($59 – I’m dreaming) and more affordable options including 3CE (3 Concept Eyes) lip products which is available in Australia through InnisFree (I think they’re around the $25 mark) and some mixed reviews about Revlon’s new lip tint called ‘Kiss Cloud’ Blotted Lip Colour which is available at Priceline for $15. Oh and the Mecca Max ‘Lip Whip’ ($25 at Mecca) is supposed to be great too!

If you’re interested in reading some step by step tutorials on how to recreate this beauty trend, I’d recommend this how-to article by Allure.

Image Source: The Chriselle Factor

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Bold & Colourful Eyeliner

I’m yet to master the iconic black winged eyeliner, so I can’t say I’m in any hurry to try these colourful versions (mainly because I don’t trust my shaky hands, haha!). But I do love how it looks in this picture with minimal makeup and a sheer glossy lip. Oh and did you see those hairclips *heart eyes*…

Image Source

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I hope you enjoyed this week’s beauty blog post! If you’d like to see more makeup related content on Daisy Chain Daydreams, let me know… 🙂

Share your favourite 2019 makeup trends in the comments!

Daisy Chain Daydreams xox

BEAUTY: 2019 Makeup Trends I’m Loving & How to Recreate Them… Hey lovelies! I'm very excited to share one of my 2019 makeup trends blog post with you today!

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jessicakehoe · 4 years

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13 Great Grooming Essentials You Can Still Get Dad for Father’s Day

With Father’s Day only a few shopping days away, crunch time to find the dudes in your life the perfect “ I appreciate you” gift is now. Most men have a grooming routine in some shape or form, so we’ve rounded up some awesome bathroom essentials that are sure to make him smile. From beard must-haves to haircare heroes, click through our gallery below to discover 13 grooming gifts to spoil Dad with this Father’s Day.

1/13

Sensitive Skin Gift Set

($36, CW Beggs and Sons)

If dad has sensitive skin, consider this set. Recognized by the Canadian Dermatology Association, this skincare set from CW Beggs and Sons includes a full-size moisturizer, face wash and shaving foam, and the gentle formulas act as a protective veil against external aggressors, meaning prevention from redness, irritation and dryness.

Buy Now

2/13

Gents Energising Skincare Kit

($24, The Body Shop)

Made with invigorating guarana plant and coffee bean extracts, this moisturizer and face cleanser duo will help jump-start his day each morning.

Buy Now

3/13

Hemp Hair & Scalp 5-in-1

($6.99, dippity-do MEN)

Spiked with a nourishing blend of oils (think: hemp seed, argan and olive oils), plus shea butter, this multi-tasker doubles as a hair and body wash to help simplify his routine.

Buy Now

4/13

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CK Everyone

($65 for 50ml, Calvin Klein )

This gender-bending fragrance, with a blend of orange, essential oil, tea, neroli and patchouli, is one that dad can easily share.

Buy Now

5/13

Shaving & Cleansing Foam with Black Yeast

($15, Forest for Men at Innisfree )

If dad is all about multipurpose products that save him time and money, this skin-protecting black yeast formula doubles as shaving cream and cleansing foam.

Buy Now

6/13

2_Apothecanna

Apothecanna Extra Strength Body Cream

($40, 48North)

Back tight? Knees sore? If dad has been dealing with muscle soreness under stay-at-home orders, this pain-relieving, cannabis-infused body moisturizer will help to soothe those areas.

Buy Now

7/13

FX Skeleton Metal Trimmer

($340, BaBylissPRO )

A shapely, well-groomed beard requires a well made, at-home trimmer. “If you really want to get boujie, this one is probably the best on the market,” shared Matty Conrad, award-winning barber and founder of B.C. -based Victory Barber & Brand, in a recent interview with FASHION. “Plus, it sits nice on your counter and makes you look like you’re serious about your beard.”

Buy Now

8/13

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Maracuja Oil & Shea Butter Beard Wash

($12, Shea Moisture Men)

Attention: A good beard wash — and not a bar of regular soap, which can be super drying — is an essential for men with beards. This one contains a moisturizing mix of maracuja oil and shea butter to keep dad’s face follicles nourished while also keeping his skin underneath smooth and hydrated. Bonus: It also deep cleans beards of dirt, flakes and odors.

Buy Now

9/13

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Universal Conditioner Bar

($13.95, UpFront Cosmetics)

If dad is very mindful of reducing his environmental footprint, this innovative and locally made conditioner bar (Upfront Cosmetics also makes shampoo bars) replaces up to three bottles of packaged alternatives.

Buy Now

10/13

13_Lush-Dirty-Beard-Oil

Dirty Beard Oil

($8.95, Lush)

Another greener alternative to the norm? This packaging-free beard oil is made with moisturizing butters and calming lavender and cedarwood oils.

Buy Now

11/13

The Gent After-Shave Balm

($19, Sebastian SEB MAN )

If a close shave is his game, this after-shave balm with help cool and calm skin, all while leaving behind a fresh scented trail of bergamot and pink pepper.

Buy Now

12/13

5_Crème-for-Style

Crème for Style

($47, Oribe)

From relaxed pompadours with a side part to hair that’s completely swept back, this hair styling cream has dad’s ever-evolving hairstyle game covered thanks to its moisturizing, flexible hold.

Buy Now

13/13

8_GUILTY-PH-EDP

Gucci Guilty Eau de Parfum Pour Homme (90 ml)

($144, GUCCI at Sephora)

Excite the cologne wearer with a unique fragrance bouquet of rose, hot chili pepper, and cedarwood.

Buy Now

The post 13 Great Grooming Essentials You Can Still Get Dad for Father’s Day appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

13 Great Grooming Essentials You Can Still Get Dad for Father’s Day published first on https://borboletabags.tumblr.com/

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angeforemanbobier · 4 years

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How are you doing? I’ve been working from home since March 13 when Ontario shut down except for essential services. I thought I would have time to do a whole list of things, but I found that it’s all I can do to keep up with work, household chores and try to stay in a positive frame of mind. I couldn’t find the motivation to write about beauty products when so many people were sick, afraid, out of work and hungry.

For my own state of mind I just needed to get my empties tote cleaned out and this blog post off the to do list. Also in the last week I’ve watched some beauty videos and read a couple blog posts that made me feel it was alright to spend a bit of time on skin care and makeup. Below is everything I’ve used up or the product expired between January 1 and May 31, 2020. Leave me a comment and tell me how you have been doing the past three months.

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These products get a BEE Shopping recommendation from me. BEE Shopping Rated Products – ColourStay Makeup Combination/Oily SPF 15, Volumazing Mascara, Bronze Beauty Blush, Kiss Cushion Lip Tint, Ultra HD Lip, and Kiss Plumping Creme

John insists we always have a Head and Shoulders 2 in 1 in our shower so it’s obviously one of our faves. Classic Clean seems to be the one we gravitate to.

Because of my scalp psoriasis, I always have a Neutrogena T-Gel Therapeutic Shampoo Extra Strength on the go. Along with my medication, this helps with use once a week.

Biore Pore Unclogging Scrub was great. I’d repurchase if I was in the market for an every other day face scrub to keep in the shower.

I highly recommend Flexitol Heel Magic in this stick form for dry, cracked heels. I got this in PR but need to repurchase.

The TimeWise Age-Fighting Moisturizer from Mary Kay has been replaced by a new formula so I was using this out of my inventory. This and the new one are fantastic products and a go to skin care item for me.

I’m so sad my Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation went bad. Totally my fault for having too many foundations on the go. I’d repurchase this if I was in the market for a foundation.

In the market for a scented body lotion? Try Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream.

One of my first purchases from Young Living was Jade Lemon essential oil. I love this one for diffusing.

My Lush Christmas order came with these Dirty Toothy Tabs as a free sample. I would for sure purchase more. My teeth felt totally clean after use.

A returning favourite is Laneige Water Sleeping Mask. If you haven’t tried this go get a sample size today. Your skin will thank you.

I did a blog post on the Franz Jet Empowering Mask I received in PR. These are great. I love new skin care technology.

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These get a Positive BUZZ rating.

I bought the e.l.f. JellyPop Watermelon Jelly Cleanser for the Watermelon scent and it didn’t disappoint. It was an OK cleanser.

We used the Aveeno Positively Radiant Super Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 as a hand cream. With all the hand washing we ran out of hand creams and I have lots of moisturizers from the Elle Canada Beauty Grand Prix judging panel. This was just OK as a face moisturizer. If you need something light for summer this would be alright. I liked having a pump.

I got this in PR a couple years ago and finally got around to using The Boreal Body Lotion from the Green Beaver Company. This was the Labrador Tea and Shea Butter, Purely Canadian version. I enjoyed this for the body and as a hand cream after hand washing.

I’m guilty of having too many foundations on the go and Too Faced Born This Way Absolute Perfection Foundation went bad before I could use it up. My colour was Ivory and a tad too dark for me which is why I probably used others.

Giovanni Eco Chic Hair Care Shampoo and Conditioner are Invorigating! There is a mint smell with a cooling feel on the scalp. Both contain Tea Tree Oil as well. I’d use these again if I got them in PR.

North American Hemp Co. Soak It Up Moisturizing Shampoo was good. There was enough in the sample tube for two uses.

I appreciate receiving this Hair and Scalp Serum from AntoniaNatural.ca but it’s just not for me. I can’t plan out pre-applying something on my hair that has to sit overnight or for at least 30 minutes before washing my hair. If you can, then this is a great product. Gluten and paraben free.

No idea what brand this shampoo is. I received it during the Elle Canada Beauty Grand Prix. Under the tape the bottle has no text. It cleaned my hair.

Kiehl’s Glow Formula Skin Hydrator can be used as a moisturizer or a radiant primer. I just put it on a few times as a moisturizer to use it up during the pandemic. No idea how it works with foundation.

Same as the shampoo, no idea what brand this is. John thought it was good.

Weleda Calendula Intensive Skin Recovery came in handy (pun intended) for all the hand washing during the early stages of the pandemic. I kept this on my night stand and used it up fairly quickly. This is a thick cream.

John and I finished up the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream Gel. We’ve used 2 or 3 of these and are ready for something else, but I would buy this again.

This Lolita colour is great, but as will all cosmetics, this Everlasting Liquid Lipstick from Kay Van D went bad before I could use it all up.

Boo Bamboo Hair Strengthening Seal & Shine Serum worked well this winter on my dry ends. You apply it to your damp hair and leave in.

Thanks to my friend Judy for sending me this Metallic Color Peel Off Mask from WithFika all the way from South Korea. This was so much fun to be sparkling gold and then peel off. My skin felt soft afterwards too.

I keep a mini L’occitane Hand Cream in my purse from the Christmas mini set I buy every year. This one was Cherry Blossum. Love it!

Beauty Empties January to May 2020 #beeshopping #positivebuzz #beauty #blogger #empties How are you doing? I've been working from home since March 13 when Ontario shut down except for essential services.

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getthebutters · 3 years

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Cocoa Cozy As Fuck - Aloe X Shea Butters

The Butters Original All-Natural All-Purpose Moisturizer fragranced with cozy as fuck notes of hot cocoa, steamed milk, vanilla cream and maple sugar.

4oz jar

Shelf life: 1 year

Compare to: The Body Shop body butters $21 for 6.7oz :(

About The Fragrance:

Expression: Winter, sweet

About The Butter:

If you're tired of body lotions and butters that're sticky, never soak in, leave you ashy, or irritate you skin with unnecessary chemicals, The Butters Original Aloe X Shea All-Natural All-Purpose Lubricating Moisturizer is what you need!

No more lotions or body butters packed with more emulsifiers than moisture. This is blend of 6 butters, aloe, and vitamins. It truly supports skin health rather than manufacturing the look of it.

From your toes to your scalp, this blend of shea, aloe, grapeseed, & olive oils will hydrate, nourish, and protect. Use for any external hygiene need: Body lotion, scalp & hair conditioner, cuticle care, post dialysis skin repair, protecting baby’s skin, etc.

Compared to Udder Butter, Jergens, Aveno, Eucerine, etc. The texture is definitely different than you expect. It's not like any lotion, oil, or butter you've tried. It's soft, silky, and melts quickly. Absorbs in about 60 sec leaving nothing but healthy feeling skin - no extra slip or unnatural shine.

A little goes a long way. Many of my patrons at Farmer's markets get one 8oz container per summer. The longer you use it, the less often it will need to be applied.

Details

Ingredients: shea butter, grapeseed oil, olive oil, coconut oil, soy oil, palm oil, aloe, guar gum, apple cider vinegar, fragrance and/or essential oils, vitamin e, vitamin c

100% Free of: wheat dyes, preservatives, sugar, glycerin, sweeteners, parabens, silicone, alcohol, added water, fillers, stabilizers, thickeners, gluten, phthalates

How The Butters OG Moisturizer Works:

Each of The Butters' ingredients was chosen for their unique properties. For pure, easy to absorb moisture, we have aloe. For extended release moisture, conditioning and protection from ashiness, I add shea. To give your skin essential vitamins and lipids we have coconut and grapeseed oil. To protect from the elements and give your skin time to fully absorb the thinner oils, we add soy and palm oil. To hold that moisture to your skin, balance shine and absorb sweat, we have guar gum. Finally, to make sure your pH balanced, deodorized, clean and shining healthily, I add apple cider vinegar.

Nothing else you've tried will match the results or harmony that The Butters creates with the body. Inside and out, it works without worry. No one should be forced to choose between being ashy or greasy. Nor should we have to buy a menagerie of products at a hefty markup to help our body do its thing. The Butters works so well because it doesn't try to manufacture quick results; it supports and balances what you've already got.

What is a Lubricating Moisturizer:

It’s a cream that moisturizes and helps the skin move without damaging itself. Literally, it lubricates the tissues to help prevent stretch marks, scars, sagging, crepe paper skin, alligator skin, rough calluses and more. You skin is the largest organ on your body. Care for it properly.

Suggested Uses:

Hair, Skin & Nail Conditioner

Ashiness Eraser

Massage Lotion

Face Cleanser

Makeup Remover

Leather & Wood Care

Hot Oil Treatment

Shaving Lubricant

Beard Conditioner

Skin Protector

Tattoo Aftercare

Reviews of The Butters

"I mixed The Butters with some Eco Styler gel and looooooved it. I have to get more from you. Let you know when."

- Sheryl J.

Ypsilanti, MI

"The Butters it's great for my curls! I've been using it instead of coconut oil and it's perfect."

- Katelyn P.

Ypsilanti, MI

“I love the whipped texture and the light delicate scent. It’s really easy for your skin and hair to absorb.”

- Hanaa B.Z.

Ann Arbor, MI

“The Butters leaves your skin feeling smooth and silky. It's like using an oil, but with the feel of a whipped cream and without the oily residue and buildup.”

- Juanita T.

Ypsilanti, MI

“The Butters after the first time use left my skin feeling hydrated. Appreciated the odor free nature of it. The natural oils make your skin soft after a couple of days and also reduced persistent muscle pains that had before. In other words... love it!”

- Xiomara L.G.

Ypsilanti, MI

#Winter

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funnythingshere0-blog · 6 years

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The Funniest Movie of the Year Takes Place at the 'Science Fair'

New Post has been published on http://funnythingshere.xyz/the-funniest-movie-of-the-year-takes-place-at-the-science-fair/

The Funniest Movie of the Year Takes Place at the 'Science Fair'

The top prize is announced at the 2012 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and then-15-year-old Jack Andraka learns that he won for his work on the early detection of pancreatic cancer. It is beautiful, shocking, hilarious pandemonium.

His Bieberesque mop of brown hair billows as he explodes out of his seat like a Jack-in-the-box, his limbs extending into a perfect star shape, each extremity perhaps stretched even longer by his euphoria.

What follows is a full-body emotional meltdown. His face contorts as if altered by Edvard Munch. He runs down the aisle to claim his prize. No, not runs. Skips. Flits? Floats? His hands curl in fists as he unconsciously pumps his arms with each step, flapping as if trying to take flight—the only possible physical reaction befitting the sheer amount of joy the teenage genius feels.

He is screaming—shrieking—like a One Direction fan in the front row of a concert. He is screaming like it’s August 1965 and he’s at Shea Stadium watching The Beatles. He is screaming for himself.

Rightfully so.

Jack Andraka is a superstar in his own right, one of many we meet in the documentary Science Fair, which is in theaters now. As Jack’s win in the opening scene proves—you can watch it in the trailer below—it is perhaps one of the most surprisingly funny films released this year. (To wit, it took home the audience prize at both the Sundance and SXSW Film Festivals.)

Directed by Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster, the National Geographic Films documentary shadows a handful of the most intelligent young scientists, inventors, inquisitors, and experimenters in the world as they train for their Olympics: a trip to the International Science and Engineering Fair. The result is like being a fly on the wall for the making of a Christopher Guest movie.

These are some of the most brilliant young minds in the world—the filmmakers follow students from American magnet schools, a village in rural Brazil, and an enterprising inventor from Germany. Their personalities, which you might not guess if you only remember the reserved science geeks tucked away in quiet corners of your own high school cafeteria, turn out to be as big as their minds.

“Teenagers have this amazing quality of figuring out who they are in real-time, but then science fair kids have a whole different quality, which is they’re brilliant,” Costantini says. “They’re going to be the scientific leaders of tomorrow, but they’re also just teenagers.”

There’s Harsha, a senior at Kentucky’s duPont Manual High School, a magnet school known for its STEM program. He’s the drill-and-kill taskmaster for his group project with friends Ryan and Abraham. In one scene, he’s berating them to be more prepared for their presentation. In the next, he’s in the car blasting trap music. “Harsha only listens to trap music, which I didn’t see coming,” Ryan laughs. When we see the trio on the plane to Los Angeles for ISEF, Ryan and Abraham are passed out and miserable; their prom was the night before.

Their classmate Anjali is a prodigy in her own right, who speaks with the plucky, unapologetic confidence of a member of the YouTube generation. Whether she’s throwing shade at the size of one of her trophies, speaking truth to the gender bias that comes with her success and aptitude, or navigating the politics of science fair competitions with blazer-wearing certitude, she’s a trip.

Robbie, who goes to a small high school in West Virginia, is a math genius who scavenges junkyard to build the computers from which he writes revolutionary algorithms. But nothing about his personality reflects the typical science fair student, or even a student who fits into the traditional academic framework. There’s his bright-color, bold-pattern wardrobe of flashy button-up shirts, or the fact that he’s nearly failed out of high school despite his irrefutable smarts. His hope is that a win at ISEF could help his poor college prospects, due to his grades.

“They’re going to be the scientific leaders of tomorrow, but they’re also just teenagers.”

— ‘Science Fair’ co-director Cristina Constantini

And halfway around the world there’s Myllena and Gabriel, who live in one of the poorest states in Brazil and whose research is inspired by their desire to do something to stave off the health crisis ravaging their community, by identifying a protein that could inhibit the spread of Zika. Attending ISEF means the trip of a lifetime from Brazil to Los Angeles, but also a platform to perhaps escape the poverty of their hometown, as well as save lives.

“I think there’s a temptation sometimes when you’re making a film about science to make these kids seem superhuman,” says Foster. “Obviously they have some brilliance to them, but at the end of the day, they’re just teenagers.”

Science Fair is a personal project for Costantini. A self-proclaimed “dweeby kid growing up in a sports-obsessed high school in Wisconsin,” it wasn’t until she competed herself at the ISEF in 2004 that she felt like she had found her tribe. “I was finally validated for my ideas,” she says. “At a young age, that was really important. It really changed who I was.”

The sense of ISEF as a haven is one of Science Fair’s most endearing threads, illustrating the transformative power of gathering misfits in a shared space of understanding and appreciation. In the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer film, the misfits saved Christmas. In Science Fair, they may just save the world.

You see this most poignantly through the story of Kashfia. She is the only Muslim girl at her sports-obsessed high school in Brookings, South Dakota. There is no science program to speak of; she has to ask the school’s football coach to serve as her science fair mentor. His blank, silent stare as she explains her project to him speaks volumes. She’s placed at international science fairs before, and didn’t get so much as an announcement about her success at her school. (Light spoiler here…) When she scores a major prize at the end of the film, her victory goes unmentioned again.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Costantini says. “It’s not just South Dakota, and I’m sure it’s not out of malice. They just don’t know what a big deal this is. I think our priorities as a nation, especially right now, need some help.” Those priorities provide the crucial, though largely unspoken backdrop to the movie, italicizing, for all of its fun and the adorableness of these kids, its resonance and, hopefully, its impact—the “why we need this movie now” of it all.

“Teenagers have this amazing quality of figuring out who they are in real-time, but then science fair kids have a whole different quality, which is they’re brilliant.”

— ‘Science Fair’ co-director Cristina Constantini

These are kids picking up the mantle of science at a time when there’s a palpable feeling that our country, or at least under this administration, is turning its back on science. More, state budgets for science fairs are being slashed in certain parts of the country and at risk in others, meaning the necessary platform for fostering these kids’ interest in and enthusiasm for science might disappear, and with it the innovation and intelligence capital the future of our country needs.

Costantini and Foster struggled with how to address all that in a film like this. “We decided, let’s not saddle these kids with all these political arguments,” Foster says. “Let’s just let these kids be who they are and stand in relief to what’s going on in the country.”

And those kids do stand in stark relief, along with the many superhero STEM women profiled, or the charges of magnetic Long Island teacher Dr. Serena McCalla, who sent nine of her young immigrant students to ISEF, most of whom speak English as a second language.

“It’s hard to do a movie about science and the science fair in America without addressing the contributions of immigrants,” Foster says. “It’s impossible to do it without talking about the contributions of women. It’s also impossible to look at this moment in time and not see how science has slipped as a national priority, especially compared to the time when the science fair first started in this country, which was in World War II, and then in the ’50s and ’60s when we were facing these huge global challenges and we turned to science for answers. Now we live in a political environment where science is undermined and questioned for political gain. All these things came out during the making of the film.”

But the film’s beautiful, beating heart is these kids. What was it like, then, to follow them for so long, from their hometowns all across the world to the awards ceremony at ISEF, where a handful of them took home prizes for their hard work?

“I was weeping,” Costantini laughs. “During the awards ceremony I was roaming around trying to get shots with the camera,” Foster says. “My eyepiece was fogging up a bit…”

Emotion is one thing. But what about the science? Since it might be a question of concern to prospective viewers, we asked the filmmakers themselves: Did you actually understand the kids’ science experiments? They answer in unison, and with a humble chuckle: “No!”

Source: https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-funniest-movie-of-the-year-takes-place-at-the-science-fair

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thepennydarling · 6 years

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Hello Penny Darlings!

Welcome to 2018 with me! Thank you for letting me live my dream life & helping me see my dreams in totally different way! We brought in the New Year quietly, but surrounded by good friends, warm energy, and a few drinks that landed me with a hangover that I haven’t had in years.

However, I have a few things cooking for early 2018 – but I alwaysalwaysalways appreciate feedback! I love hearing what you want to see!

And, as I mentioned in my last post – we set a date! Ah! I have a post coming up next week to fill everyone in with the wedding planning stage of my life! Now that the date is set, everything seems a lot less daunting!

So let’s see, what else? Hmm, blah, blah, blah, – check me out on Instagram here! I also started a Twitter account! Find that here! Follow Preston’s brand new fashion Instagram here! I also have a selling Instagram page where I sell some of my old clothes/styles so that I don’t drown in my own wardrobe. I just listed a few new things – so check that out!

Let’s move on to the content of the day, shall we?

In 2017, I signed up for Ipsy after becoming obsessed with doing my own unboxing, being gifted a Benefit mascara from someone else’s Ipsy bag, and realizing that I don’t know anything about make-up or brands and that I was always nervous to spend $17 on a liquid lipstick that I would hate, or that wouldn’t last all day, or whatever.

I heard that you could sign up for Ipsy for only $10 a month and you’d get FIVE sample size beauty products + a cute pouch every single month. And GIRL, let me tell you, I found some of my new fave beauty products this way and have even gone on to buy other products and find some of my favorite brands this way!

So today, I wanted to share some of my fave Ipsy GlamBag finds!

First of all, let’s talk about my fave glam bags so far.

So every month, your five products come in these adorable pouches (perfect for make-up!) I usually have three or four in my purse at a time. I use one for on the go make-up, one for tampons, one for the cords to my camera, one for hair bands and chapstick. They are the perfect purse sized accessory.

My two faves so far are this Admit One ticket (perfect for a theatre nerd like me) and this sunny side up egg Gudetama pouch. This melting sunny side up egg is my spirit animals most mornings.

So there’s a bunch of different categories you can select from, but I have mine set as face (make-up/foundation/lips/eyes/etc.), skin care (masks, toners, scrubs, etc.) and hair care (oils, leave in conditioner, dry shampoo). There’s bunch of categories where you can select what type of products you’re interested in trying.

So I rounded up some of my fave beauty products that I’ve gotten in 2017 in each category to show you what type of products you’d be getting!

Check out my referral link to sign up here!

Face

Caked Lip Fondant in Color: Low Key

I am obsessed with this color/liquid lip. It dries matte, smells like cupcakes, and has REALLY low transfer of color but with super high pigment. I even went on to buy this lip magic in two additional colors, and even have a few others in my cart. 10/10 I’ve been wearing this non-stop since May. I’m literally wearing this as I type right now.

Benefit – They’re Real Mascara

This was what actually introduced me to Ipsy in the first place. I usually have a tough time with mascara to the point where I usually NEVER wore it. I thought it added such a minimal difference to my face for SO much extra hassle, ugh. But during a show I was doing, my darling friend, Cassidy, gave me her Benefit They’re Real mascara from her Ipsy bag and I became OBSESSED! And then, miracle of miracles, one came in my December bag so I’m set for at least a little while longer! 10/10 my fave mascara. I also bought the full sized of this!

Glamour Dolls X Lisa Frank

Glamour Dolls x Lisa Frank Eyeshadow in Stargazing or Heartthrob is AMAZING. First of all, the packaging was ALL of the things my nostalgic, 90’s girl heart needed from Lisa Frank. But second of all, I am obsessed with the color. It’s this deep copper/bronze-y color with some definite color. It’s not TOO intense but it definitely adds another layer. I literally haven’t worn eyeshadow in my day to day life since….never? I used to wear glitter on my lids in college but that was about it.

TARTE Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer

This bronzer is a total game changer. I love it. I sort of get why people pay an arm and a leg for the brand. It’s matte, it lays so clean, and it doesn’t make me look orange in the least. It’s the perfect bronzer. I always find that grabbing bronzers makes me look streaky or weird – but this one helps matte out my foundation, is waterproof (and smear proof!), and has a slight shimmer in it.

Hair

BRIOGEO HAIR Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray

The product is smells SO good and left my hair feeling super soft and silky. This is another one that I’ve bought the whole product of. It’s very mild, but it does help with some serious tangling, gets rid of flyaways and split ends and is perfect to throw in before bed on damp hair for a treatment!

MARC ANTHONY – Hydrating Coconut Oil & Shea Butter Oil Treatment

This is a great oil treatment. It seriously is reparative, not too greasy or slimy, helps me get rid of frizz (which my curly hair always needs) and I use it when I put my hair up or into braids to prevent breakage and to keep it smooth!

SKINFOOD Egg White Perfect Pore Cleansing Foam

This product was a total throwback to slumber parties when we used to mix egg whites with a bunch of other goop in the kitchen to get really tight pores and this lives up to the hype! It’s a cleansing foam, as opposed to the slumber party masks, but it gives that same tight pore feeling.

PROMISE ORGANIC – Nourishing Coconut Milk Daily Facial Scrub with Walnuts and Sugar

This is an amazing facial scrub. I have super sensitive skin and it’s perfect. When I use the scrub, it really makes my face soft and clean feeling. I tend to get bothered by facial scrubs – but this one is very moisturizing and not harsh at all! And bonus: not a heavy smell.

FEEL – Brilliant Bamboo Charcoal Facial Sheet Mask

This mask makes my face feel so clean and refreshed and lovely. I love a good mask because they make me feel so fancy in only one item. I always like to listen to some good music, put a mask on, and turn the heat up. This one is not goopy or weird in anyway!

Eyebrows

BENEFIT COSMETICS – gimme brow volumizing fiber gel

CHELLA – Eyebrow Pencil in Beautiful Blonde and Elegant Ebony

As a girl who absolutely had never done her eyebrows before May of this year, these two products are blonde eyebrow game changers. Makes them look more defined and exciting! That fiber gel helps give me volume (which my blonde eyebrows desperately needed) and the taupe Chella pencil is the perfect tool for someone who is figuring out eyebrows or someone who wants precision eyebrows.

Honorable Mentions

TOUCH IN SOL – Advanced Real Moisture Liquid Foundation SPF 30 PA ++ in Shade #23 Natural Beige or Shade #21 Nude Beige

SKYN ICELAND Berry Lip Fix with Wintered Red Algae

Firma Beauty 103 Angled Contour Brush

LUXIE BEAUTY Precision Shader Onyx Brush 239

IT COSMETICS – Bye Bye Pores Pressed Powder

SMASHBOX COSMETICS PHOTO FINISH RADIANCE PRIMER

And fun fact, I did my WHOLE face in JUST ipsy products and it came out AMAZING, don’t you think?

I love ipsy! For a non-make-up-guru, I desperately love getting to sample things for a low cost to see how I like it, how it mixes with my skin or my other must have make-up products, and without feeling like I wasted $25 for a primer I end up hating.

It’s totally perfect and makes make-up shopping a lot less daunting. Truthfully, then I know what brands/types I like. I used to think I would NEVER wear liquid matte lipstick until I started wearing one every single day. And I used to think I’d never find a blonde eyebrow and I totally did!

If you want to check out Ipsy – you can use my referral link to sign up!

For everyone from the make-up obsessed who want never ending new products or the cosmetic illiterate, like myself, this service is AMAZING.

*This post may contain affiliate links, however, all thoughts & opinions are my own*

SO HERE’S THE “END OF BLOG” SPIEL!

Follow me on Instagram: @thepennydarling

If you want to follow my darling, Preston – you can click here!

Like my Facebook page here!

Follow me on Twitter here!

Subscribe for updates!

Check out my Gwynnie Bee affiliate page here! (Free month trial if you use my code!)

Check out my Society+ affiliate page here!

If you’d like to donate to help me keep Penny Darling going – click here!

Comment for topics you would like to see me cover! Like to help my self esteem! What do you think so far? More fashion? More lifestyle? Do you like the mix?

Thank you for all that you do. You are truly extraordinary.

Love all you wonderful ladies (and gents!) out there!

How Very,

Abby

I share my best of 2017 @ipsy products I received and review! Hello Penny Darlings! Welcome to 2018 with me! Thank you for letting me live my dream life & helping me see my dreams in totally different way!

#beauty #beauty guru #beauty page #cosmetic #cosmetics #ipsy #subscription service

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elizas-writing · 5 years

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So the last mask I reviewed really didn’t do me any favors in the long run for the week. My curl pattern didn’t last and no mater how many times I touched up and refreshed my hair, it was still a frizzy mess and dryer than a California hillside before a wildfire starts. Another one of those Cousin It-Kuriboh crossover weeks…

Again, too lazy for Photoshop. Just use your imagination.

So I ended up slapping all my hair into a braid before giving into the impulsive thoughts to chop it all off. I definitely needed a miracle to set everything right, and there’s never a wrong time to experiment and switch up your routine!

So for this wash day, I finally, finally tried out Shea Moisture’s Jamaican Black Castor Strengthen & Restore Treatment Masque! Lord, that is a mouthful…

I kept putting this Shea Moisture line off for so long cause when I first smelled a couple of the products, it reminded me too much of medicine. I kept specifically thinking back to when I was bedridden after my tonsillectomy and had to keep drinking this disgusting liquid antibiotic while recovering. And I, at the ripe age of 11-years-old mind you, was being a whiny brat about taking my medicine to the point where my mom swapped out the liquids for pills she could crush and put in my chocolate pudding (Mom, if you’re reading this, I apologize of all things your daughter had to be picky on, it was medicine).

Anyway!

While the smell threw me off at first, it turns out that the Jamaican Black Castor Oil line is one of Shea Moisture’s most popular among curly heads, especially for type 4 hair. And some folks actually like the scent, so maybe it was something I’d eventually come around to love. I gotta say I at least tried it once.

As with all Shea Moisture masques, this one starts with coconut oil and shea butter. It also contains avocado oil, mango seed butter, olive oil, peppermint extract, hydrolyzed keratin, vinegar, aloe leaf juice, caramel, and, of course, castor oil. And that’s just a brief overview of the main highlighted ingredients; there’s a ton of oils in this one. This masque is designed for those who regularly dye and/or heat style their hair, so it’s packed of nutrient-rich ingredients to moisturize and strengthen. And it was the perfect fit for wash day given how much my hair felt like hay.

I heard a couple other YouTubers compare the scent to chocolate or Play-Doh, and upon revisiting the scent after a while, that combination is right on the nose. The caramel gives the masque its sweet quality, and after a few whiffs, I picked up on the chocolate-like scent. As for the Play-Doh scent, I’m not sure where the heck that’s coming from, but it’s a pleasant smell once I got past the initial thoughts of medicine. As per usual of Shea Moisture, the consistency is super thick; just perfect for a deep condition. It evenly coats throughout the hair with just enough excess for some extra moisture.

Then, it’s 30 minutes in a heated cap, rinsed out, styled and air-dried, and below are the results!

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The look and the feel of my curls were significantly better than the dry hay feeling from the previous week. It still got frizzy after a couple days, which is to be expected given the heat and fall weather can’t come fast enough, but it didn’t dry out. The curl pattern and moisture stuck through most of the week, and just detangling spray was enough to refresh through the week; I didn’t even need to throw it into a protective style in the last couple days.

It’s another win for Shea Moisture! I’m glad I got past the first impressions of the scent to see the amazing benefits and results, and now I definitely see why this particular line is a favorite for curly heads. If you’re struggling to retain moisture, especially if you regularly use chemicals and heat on your hair, put this on your shopping list, stat!

If you liked this post and what I do here, consider buying me a ko-fi! Your support is much appreciated!

Hair Care Reviews: #SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Treatment Masque So the last mask I reviewed really didn't do me any favors in the long run for the week.

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artificialqueens · 7 years

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Withstanding The Test Of Time Ch2 - Shalaska - pureCAMP

A/N - thank you so much to everyone who voted for me or nominated me in aqficawards!! i’m stupidly flattered and i love you all, this long one goes out to you and also to my lovely “clique” <3

Two excruciating weeks was the exact length of time Sharon was forced to stay in the Belli residence. Though she felt bad for it, she’d felt as though she was counting every hour until she was allowed to leave. Willam and Courtney were fun for nights out, and Farrah was cute in the occasional visit, but two weeks of domestic life in a suburban home had cemented a few new facts in Sharon’s mind.

One, Willam and Courtney were a disgusting couple. Since Courtney had worked from home for a while, she would see Willam out of the door each morning, baby Farrah balanced on her hip, both of them waving as he left. When he came home, she greeted him at the door with a lingering kiss and a smile, excitedly telling him about her day and listening to him talk about his. Their eyes seemed to sparkle whenever they looked at one another, and even when they argued – a domestic argument about washing up duties, no less – it still ended with kisses and hugs. All of this was within view of Sharon, stranded pathetically on the couch, unable to escape the suffocating atmosphere of love and family life.

Second, if she thought daytime TV was bad, children’s TV was infinitely worse. In fact, she needed to backtrack. Daytime TV could be quite enjoyable, and Sharon was partial to some Nancy Grace or Jeremy Kyle if the occasion arose. But children’s TV was quite honestly the most over-produced, artificial garbage her eyes had ever looked upon. If one more skinny, pig-tail wearing brunette grinned whilst inches away from the screen, or terrifying alien-like creatures pretended they couldn’t find their friends, she was going to explode. How could there be so many identical programmes on TV? Little Farrah giggled and clapped at all of them, thoroughly enjoying herself, and even whilst working Courtney would chuckle a little here and there.

Third, and possibly the most significant thing Sharon had learned, was that she was positive now that the soulmate life wasn’t for her.

Willam and Courtney were just so perfect. They were a hive mind – what one wanted, the other wanted too – and had this amazing team dynamic where things just seemed to get done equally, and fast. They were affectionate and beyond in control of their lives and twenty four years old living the American dream of sorts.

Sharon knew she wasn’t ready for anything like that. Nor would she ever be.

It was a relief to be back at work – and that was something Sharon thought she’d never feel. Despite hating her co-workers, being able to stand up on her own and be in an environment of entirely adults was completely refreshing. She probably shouldn’t have been in heels so soon after recovering, but it was really all or nothing. Surviving in the office with the Real Housewives of Office 7B was a fucking challenge, and the last thing Sharon needed was to deal with their obnoxiousness and be shorter than them. At the very least, she needed to match their stiletto-boosted height.

“Hey, Sharon Needles!” A lazy voice called. “You look so pretty today! I heard grey is a really in colour for fall this season. Seems like your corpse-spinster complexion will finally be cool.”

Kimora seemed impressed with her own read, subtly high-fiving Pearl as the other girls around them started to laugh. Honestly, it was like Sharon had suddenly regressed back into fucking high school, only these girls were richer, prettier, and smarter.

“Oh, fuck you.” Sharon dismissed her, ducking her head down on her way to her desk as the girls jeered at her lack of a response. She really didn’t have the energy to fight back against their cattiness, and the days usually went by quicker when she managed to grin and bear it.

Thankfully, no one pursued her, and Sharon made it to her desk in one piece. The surface was definitely tidier than she’d left it – the scattered pens had been replaced into their stands, the assorted paperwork was neatly ordered in a pile, and the endless amount of post-it notes that were stuck all around her monitor had been neatly stuck in a row along the bottom of the computer screen. By the looks of things, Sasha had taken the liberty of tidying her things whilst she’d been away.

That wasn’t the only thing Sasha had done. Carefully placed in the middle of the desk was a small card, most likely handmade, with Sasha’s swirly handwriting on the front. Sharon smiled briefly as she sat down, opening the card to read the sweet ‘get well soon’ message that had been written inside, along with a few scribbled hearts and a short message from Shea too. She made a mental note to thank her as she switched on the monitor, shuffling her chair closer and relaxing a little. At least Sasha wouldn’t make the day hell for her.

Sharon’s desk was right next to Sasha’s, which was a total polar opposite to how Sharon’s usually appeared. Her desktop was messy, disorderly, and stained with coffee. Her computer screen still had the generic company background, overshadowed by the plethora of tabs and documents that she had open, which she’d rapidly switch between during the rare times she was actually at her desk. The only personal items she had was a small bottle of sun lotion in her drawer and a former Halloween decoration that was supposed to dance once activated, but hadn’t worked in years.

Sasha on the other hand was the epitome of organisation. Everything had its place and was just so, prettily organised in colours and everything stacked neatly where it needed to be. She’d personalized her computer screen to show a photograph of her and Shea on a vacation to LA the previous year, and her desk may as well have been a second home. Sharon envied Sasha’s ability to make anywhere feel homely, but she imagined it was a skill the woman had been born with.

It wasn’t long after Sharon had switched on her monitor that Sasha arrived, professionally dressed with her own quirky flare and warm smile to match. She greeted Sharon with a lingering hug and one of her famous smiles, before sitting at her own desk to begin her latest article.

“I’m so glad you’re back, Sharon, it’s been so boring without you. The office feels wrong without you being here.”

Sharon suspected Sasha was just being kind – as was in the woman’s nature – but nevertheless she appreciated the compliment. With a wry smile, she ran a hand through her hair and nodded.

“I bet the bitches have missed me so much. Having to make their own coffee? Oh, the horror!”

Sasha laughed. “To think I had to deal with them alone, I can never come up with mean comebacks the way you do. I’m glad you’re doing better now, though. I nearly had a heart attack when I heard you’d been hit.”

Sharon hummed. “It was awful. Not so much the accident, but spending two weeks with Willam, Courtney, and Nugget. I miss my crappy apartment and being alone. I’m pretty sure being surrounded by happy families is only making me more and more certain that it’s not the life for me. I swear Willam and Courtney wake up happy. I’m a monster morning and night.”

“Oh, Sharon,” Sasha chastised jokingly. “I’m a monster too, you and me both. Monsters can be happy too, you know. It takes time and hard work but it can happen. And if you’re worried about…” She trailed off, her eyes drifting down to Sharon’s arm, still wrapped in a bandage but thankfully out of the sling. “…you know… you still have time. Things can change.”

Time. Sasha was well-meaning, but she couldn’t have picked a worse word to say. Fucking time. As if it wasn’t bad enough to hate timers, now the very word made Sharon dizzy and nauseous. Even when she’d had to change bandages or shower, she’d kept the accusing timer firmly covered, not even peeking at it once. She couldn’t bring herself to look at it.

“I-I… I don’t –”

Before Sharon could elaborate any further, a voice from across the room started yelling.

“Sharon! Hey! Sharon! Decaf, no sugar or milk! And be quick about it!” Sharon stood up to see Violet, a couple of rows of desks away, her sculpted eyebrows raised expectantly. Sasha rolled her eyes in sympathy.

Although she’d been half tempted to deliver Violet a fully caffeinated, sugary mug of coffee, Sharon had less of a death wish than her wilful running in front of cars may have suggested. For the sake of a quiet life, she kept her grumbling to a minimum as she played barista, watching out for stray heeled feet in case someone tried to trip her once again. Violet, as usual, accepted without any thanks and simply flicked her wrist to dismiss her. Normally, Sharon would have argued, but she didn’t have the energy.

“Ugh.” Sharon groaned, sinking back into her seat and continuing her pointless article about celebrity relationships – because of course, everywhere she went, the topic of love had to haunt her. “Fucking Violet. She treats me like I’m some eighteen-year-old intern with zero qualifications other than coffee-making. I fucking can’t with her.”

“She’s so rude, I have to agree. It doesn’t take any more energy to be kind than it does to be mean.” Sasha added thoughtfully. “What were you saying before she interrupted?”

Sharon blanched. “I – uh – not here. I don’t wanna… not right now. M-Maybe we can talk later?”

“How about lunch? We can talk then.”

For the most part, the morning had passed smoothly. Nobody else made Sharon chase drinks and documents – except for Gia, who asked for a drink and decided after one sip she didn’t want it after all – and she actually managed to get a little bit of work done. Soon enough, Top Ten Celebrity Soulmates That’ll Melt Your Heart would be published to the company website. Sharon was embarrassed to even have her name on the tagline; it was a poorly devised Buzzfeed parody-wank. Even the language used in the article was painful, the words having a gloriously artificial, joyful tone to them that was utterly foreign to Sharon’s dialect. Still, she reasoned, it had to be something.

Even so, her eyes had been constantly drawn to the small digital clock at the bottom right of her computer screen. The ticking of the wall clock in the centre of the room had seemed louder somehow, slicing through time with each tick. Sharon was suddenly hyper-aware of time passing, and everything seemed to be happening too quickly.

Sasha had left a few minutes earlier to collect her lunch from the communal fridge, and the office was empty with the exception of Sharon at her desk. She’d been mindlessly refreshing her emails, zoning out at the depressingly barren inbox, hoping someone wanted her to write something. Anything.

“Hey, girl. You wanna join us for lunch?” Sasha called, pulling Sharon out of her thoughts. She turned, spotting Sasha stood nearby with Mrs Taylor, one of the assistant managers.

After a moment of thought, Sharon shook her head. “I’m okay. I think I’ll just eat at my desk.”

Sharon ate at her desk nearly every day. It was lonely, and a little awkward, but she’d rather deal with the silence than the grating vocals of Gia, Kimora, Violet and anyone else who found amusement in Sharon’s discomfort.

Sasha seemed to murmur something to Mrs Taylor, and with an encouraging nod, abandoned the assistant manager to sit next to Sharon at her desk. She offered another of her warm smiles as she approached and fixed Sharon with her usual concerned gaze.

“Are you okay to talk now? If I’m pushing you then please let me know because that’s not my intention at all, I just want to find out if you’re okay. You seem quiet today.”

Avoiding Sasha’s gaze was impossible. The woman was so genuinely, sincerely caring that trying to hide anything from her just felt wrong. Sasha wanted to help. She was the only person Sharon saw on the regular who had time for her and her life.

Sharon pursed her lips as she tried to think of where to begin. “I… can you keep a secret?”

Sasha nodded. “Of course.”

“It’s…” She trailed off. “I’m sorry. I don’t talk about this, but I guess… You’re really the only person who takes the time to understand my stance on things… you don’t judge me, you listen. Sorry, I’m rambling.”

Sasha placed a hand reassuringly on Sharon’s shoulder. “Don’t apologise, I’ll always be here to listen if you need me. I’m guessing this is about timers?”

Unsuccessfully, Sharon tried to control her involuntary wince. It was blatantly obvious that she’d reacted to the word, but thankfully Sasha was kind enough to ignore it and pretend she hadn’t noticed. Sharon knew there was no way she hadn’t – Sasha was easily one of the most perceptive and intelligent people she’d met, perhaps ever – but she appreciated her efforts in covering for her.

“Yeah. Yeah. Did yours… ever change?” Sharon bit her lip. “Other than just counting down?”

“Never.” Sasha shook her head. “It just went steadily down to zero, and then a month later I married Shea. Wh-”

Before Sasha could finish her sentence, Sharon swore loudly, cutting her off. Within seconds her palms had grown sweaty, her skin flushed red as her heart beat rapidly.

A month.

How could she have forgotten? It was one of the things Sharon despised the most, one of the laws she protested the most fiercely. So long as you were over eighteen, you had to marry your soulmate within a month of your timer reaching zero! The law had never been changed, regardless of how much Sharon and Bianca had poured their time into arguing against. How, how, how it had slipped her mind?

“Shit. Shit shit shit fuck fuck. Sasha! A month. A fucking month. Holy shit.”

She was trembling, hardly able to breathe. Sasha noticed her beginning to panic, her chest rising and falling too quickly, her breaths becoming short and shallow. She was becoming more and more frantic by the second.

“Here,” Sasha said quickly, grabbing Sharon by the hand and supporting her practically limp body as she dragged her towards the toilets. Once they were inside, Sasha furtively checking that the stalls were empty, she forced Sharon to drink from the small fountain in the corner and gently splashed her face with a little bit of water from the tap.

“Breathe, breathe,” She murmured calmly, rubbing soothing circles on Sharon’s back. “You’re okay, don’t panic. Everything’s gonna be alright.”

Sharon wasn’t sure when she’d started crying. She hadn’t even noticed, what with the water being splashed on her face, but the unmistakably hot, salty tears had started to flow beyond her control. She hiccupped slightly and rubbed her eyes, doubly certain that for once, Sasha was actually incorrect.

“No it’s not.” She sniffed. “I completely forgot. A month, I-I don’t even have that. Sasha, what –”

Sasha interjected as politely as she could. “Sharon, Sharon, girl. Take a second to breathe and think, you can do this. I want to help you.”

Sharon remembered one of her old high school teachers giving a famous lecture to the school. They happened frequently, they were boring, but one of them had stuck with her ever since it had happened. The woman had stood in front of everyone, leaning closely against the podium before her, and told them all about courage. She probably had rambled on for longer than Sharon cared to listen to, but at the very least she’d remembered the key message. All you need is five seconds of courage to get you into a situation. Then you have to push through it because you’ve made it happen.

“My timer ran out two weeks ago.”

You have to push through it.

Sasha listened intently, shock evident in her wide eyes, as Sharon talked. It was the first time Sharon had actually recounted the full story out loud, rather than mulling it over in her head like some sadistic form of self torture. It felt more than ever like the number two was haunting her. Two years had decreased to two minutes. She had a marriage approaching in two weeks. Soulmates were everywhere, the fundamental idea of two hearts joining to make one. When was one decided to be not enough?

It was happening. In a mere two weeks, Sharon would have to get married. She couldn’t refuse, she couldn’t not turn up, she couldn’t fight against the law she’d protested so often. No amount of signs or slogan t-shirts could get her out of this one. Whether she liked it or not – in this case, not – in two weeks time she would be a married woman.

At the end of it all, Sasha pulled Sharon into a tight hug and squeezed her, one hand rubbing her back as she let her friend bury her face into her blazer. Sharon had long stopped crying but that didn’t mean that she was calm by any means – her breaths were still shorter and quicker than ever before. Sasha herself bore no ill-will towards soulmates at all, but she took care to understand everyone’s view and knew just how deeply Sharon hated them. She knew her co-worker had been secretly hoping that those two years would never come, and now she had to get married in a fortnight. She couldn’t even begin to imagine how she was feeling.

“Do…” Sasha approached the subject cautiously. “Do you know who it is?”

Sharon shook her head. “I haven’t looked. I-I can’t. There still t-tape over it.”

“Right.” Sasha fell silent. “Can I?”

“A-As long as I don’t see it, I guess… But you can’t tell anybody. This – this has to stay quiet.”

It only took a moment for Sharon to close her eyes, roll back her sleeve and allow Sasha to peel back the tape and have a look. Once she had the name memorised, she covered the timer up again and pulled Sharon into yet another hug. They lingered for a little while longer that time, Sasha waiting until Sharon’s breathing had started to return to normal before releasing her.

“You wanna head back to the office? Lunch break is nearly over, you haven’t even eaten.”

Sharon shrugged. “I’m not hungry anyway. Let’s just go back.”

People were beginning to filter back into the office in dribs and drabs when the pair emerged from the bathroom. Sasha had done her best to help clean Sharon up, wiping away smudged makeup and tidying up her appearance, but it was still glaringly obvious from her red eyes that she had been crying. Regardless, Sharon sat down at her desk and waited for someone to give her an order, knowing she wouldn’t have time to get started on any work before the demands came flooding in. Meanwhile, Sasha was scrolling through a variety of social media pages and Google results, muttering under her breath as she worked.

“Sharon? Will you come here please?”

Just as she’d predicted. Although the voice sounded sweet, the owner of it was anything but. Behind her artificial smile lay a venomous tongue and her immaculately painted eyes masked a cold, unfeeling stare. Sharon rose from her seat and made her way over to the Latina beauty, mentally preparing herself for the faux niceness.

“What do you want, Val?” Sharon deadpanned, too drained to bother injecting a note of happiness into her voice.

“It’s Valentina.” She corrected, baring her teeth in her trademark perfect smile. “I need you to take these papers for me and deliver them to the managers on the top floor. Quick quick.”

Sharon rolled her eyes. “Which managers?”

Valentina’s eye twitched. “Mrs Moore and Mrs Hides.”

Sharon probably could’ve prolonged the strange, forced conversation between her and Valentina – for example, asking why she referred to them as Mrs Moore and Mrs Hides when everyone knew them as Peppermint and Charlie – but the few short minutes of it were painful enough. Valentina directed Sharon towards a tall stack of papers to the left of her desk and then tapped away on her keyboard with her long nails, leaving Sharon to lift the gigantic stack and attempt to balance it against her chest.

After staggering towards the elevator at the far end of the office, Sharon readjusted her stance so she could try and press the buttons on the wall, her chin steadying the mountain of files clutched precariously in her other arm. Once she’d finally reached outwards, she heard a snigger and a voice.

“The elevator is broken, by the way.”

Sharon didn’t even bother looking at Violet before making her way over to the stairs, cursing under her breath. She was in heels, for Christ’s sake, and trying to carry a ten-ton stack of filed paperwork on a recently-healed broken arm. Was there no sympathy? Then again, nearly everyone in the office was absolutely ruthless. Considering all they did was produce articles by typing at computers all day, Sharon had no idea where all the anger came from. Nevertheless, what she did know was that it was all directed at the fucking intern.

At the end of the long journey up the flights and flights of stairs that the office possessed, a red-faced, exhausted Sharon reached the top floor, managed to palm off the stack of papers to Peppermint’s assistant, and made her way down all of the stairs and into her seat before anyone else could heckle her to do something for them. She’d been given permission to leave work early due to her so-called precarious state, and if she could get through her last hour with minimal movement, her weakened legs would thank her.

“Hey… Sharon?” Sasha greeted her as she sat back down. “I hope you don’t mind that I did this, I looked up the name that’s on your timer.”

Sharon stiffened. “And?”

“Do… do you wanna know anything about her? I won’t mention any names if you don’t want me to.”

Sasha chewed her lip, looking so uncertain that Sharon relented. They were friends, after all, and Sasha only wanted to be kind.

“Okay, why not.”

“Hm…” Sasha pondered as she stared at her screen, choosing select pieces of information. “I think she works as some sort of counsellor, by the looks of things. She’s tall. Blonde, very very pretty…”

She trailed off, gently touching Sharon’s arm. “The two of you might get along really well. You never know until you try, Sharon.”

Sharon sighed. “What does it matter? I have to marry her in two weeks whether I like her or not.”

At that, Sasha fell silent. Part of Sharon wanted to be satisfied that her pessimistic argument had won, but she often relied on Sasha to help lift her mood when she felt down. Silence meant that there wasn’t a way Sasha could use her big brain to twist the words into something a little more positive.

She worked her final hour in a glum silence, fetching and carrying a little, but mostly chipping away at another small and pointless article. At least it was work, she reasoned. It was mind-numbingly boring, and more than once her mind wandered down to the accusing piece of glass implanted into her arm.

Tall. Blonde. Pretty. Admittedly, she did sound like a catch. If Sharon was allowed to date freely and love whoever she wanted, rather than be forced into marrying the name on her timer, she’d probably be head over heels for this mystery woman. But on principle, she found herself disliking the image in her head. It didn’t matter how striking her looks may be, it was wrong that they had so little time to know one another before the nuptial agreement took away their freedom.

As it struck one, Sharon gathered her things and hastily made her way out. Willam’s car was in the car park – which was confusing, since he hadn’t said anything about picking her up. He stuck his head out of the window as she approached, waving wildly and only ducking inside once Sharon had climbed into the passenger seat.

“Good afternoon my wonderful, wonderful best friend.” Willam said sweetly. “Thought I’d be a good Samaritan and drop you home, save you the effort.”

Sharon was instantly suspicious. “Alright, cut the sh-” She looked behind her, spotting baby Farrah in the baby-seat and hurriedly backtracking. “Nevermind. Why are you being fake nice, what do you want from me? What have you done?”

“Sharon!” Willam sounded affronted. “Don’t accuse me of wanting something from you! I would never do something like that.”

“Spill.”

“…Courtney is having a party tonight with some friends from her work and I need someone to be there that I can hang out with without wanting to die. Please show up or else I’ll die.”

Sharon started to laugh. Willam always cracked so easily, the pair knew each other too well to keep up any charade for longer than a minute. Even though he was laughing too, there was a hint of begging in his eyes as he started the car and begin driving towards Sharon’s apartment.

“Please? I won’t make you look after Nugget, I won’t bully you, you have to do this for me. Come on, common ground. I may have changed but I hate those women as much as you do.” He pleaded.

Sharon had to give him that one. Courtney worked as a marriage therapist, a unique and fairly well-paying job in their society. They dealt with ‘problem’ soulmate cases – anything from felons and victims to anti-timer people who found themselves trapped in a wedding band. In rare cases they allowed divorces to happen, for example if abuse or any other factors were causing harm, but most of the time the therapists worked through couple’s issues so they could be the perfect little soulmates they were intended to be.

In fairness, Courtney was one of the nicer ones. She wasn’t obnoxious about her own marriage, or her job, but some of the people she worked with were downright revolting. Even though Willam had changed his tone on timers since his had ran out, he still bore an old hatred for those therapists.

Sharon nodded. “Fine, deal. But –” She held up her index finger, ready to make her terms. “Next time the two of us go out and get fully smashed, you’re paying. Uber and all. And you’re not allowed to cop out at 11pm claiming that you’re needed at home. Deal?”

Willam grunted. “Deal. I hate you.”

“How do I need to dress for your fu – for your party then?”

Willam shrugged. “Just look smart, that’s all you need to do. I’ll pick you up at 7?”

“Shi – wow, you really are desperate for my company. It’s nice to be wanted. I’ll be ready by then.” Sharon snorted, a touch of sympathy entering her words.

“Great.” Willam finalized. “Now get out of my car.”

Seven o’clock rolled around depressingly slow. Sharon supposed that was the result of being bored and alone in a shitty flat, so she’d spent the last few hours taking her sweet time getting ready. It wasn’t like she was going to put much effort in anyway; Courtney would always upstage her and besides, the women she worked with were bound to make sly comments anyway. Willam owed her one.

Naturally, he turned up ten minutes late with a well-fitted suit and his hair neatly combed back, making Sharon’s short dress and black purse look ridiculously cheap – which they were. Before he pushed open the front door, he warned her of Courtney’s tipsy state, wincing as his wife pulled Sharon into a tight hug and thrust her into the room. Wine glasses were scattered around the place and predominantly women seemed to fill every space. Despite Willam’s attempts to tug Sharon into the kitchen away from the hubbub, Courtney insisted on forcing her to meet everyone before letting her go.

“-who else have I missed, hm…” Courtney stared around the room, trying to find a face she hadn’t forced Sharon to speak to yet.

“Oh! I know!”

And then Sharon saw her.

Tall. Blonde. Pretty. Worked in counselling.

Alaska.

All of the pieces suddenly came together.

“What a horrible first impression for a s-”

“Shh!” Willam hissed, cutting the girl off. “Whatever you do, don’t say the s word around Sharon. Look, she’s alive. Don’t stress, Alaska.”

It was so obvious now.

“Sorry, sorry,” Alaska murmured profusely. “I’m trying to stop getting upset. That’s such a bad first impression and they always say first impressions matter and I always wanted my s-”

How hadn’t she seen the signs?

“No, no, listen to me. I’m saying this because I care about you, Alaska, but I also care about Sharon. I hate having to burst your bubble because I know how you feel about all this, but Sharon does not feel the same way. Look, I agree with you, I personally think it’s dumb, but she’s extremely set in her ways. If you even wanna be her friend, you gotta tone it down.”

Of course.

Her vision tunnelled, her gazed fixed on the eyes of the woman who couldn’t help but stare back, transfixed. Her mind ran at a mile a minute.

Alaska knew. Courtney knew. Willam knew and had purposely kept it from her. In two weeks time, she was the one Sharon would have to marry.

“Excuse me.” Sharon muttered tersely, and dashed out of the room.

#purecamp #withstanding the test of time #shalaska #sharon needles #alaska thunderfuck #sasha velour #willam belli #courtney act #witney #valentina #rpdr fanfiction #submission #soulmate au #lesbian au

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stylishleeds · 6 years

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Hey NaturalLeeders! Happy Last Day of the YEAR! & YES I’m leaving you with a REVIEW because I can’t wait until the New Year hits to share these babies with you.

Honey Baby Naturals…

I actually had never heard of them until I attended the Quintessential Natural Hair Tour in Miami last month [see HERE]. I was checking out the vendors at the event and as usual I saw the ‘regulars’…Shea Moisture, Cantu, Mielle, you name it. But what caught my attention was a large group of ladies surrounding one particular table labelled, Honey Baby Naturals.

Immediately I thought they must be brand new because it was the first time I had ever heard that name. But based on the swarm of ladies picking up products at the booth, I figured they couldn’t be that new to the game. Clearly everybody in line knew exactly who they were, and they wanted in on that sweet discount happening that day.

By the time I made it to the front of the line, the CEO, Aisha Crump, was just about to tell her story about how and why she created the line. To sum it up, she worked as a chemical engineer for 15 years, where she worked in the hair & skincare industry, developing products and formulas for several major brand. In 2015, she finally decided to launch her own honey-derived line of skin and hair products, that were safe and effective for the entire family to use.

The thing is, I’ve heard stories like this before. Don’t get me wrong, I love hearing about everyones come up and her story was still very unique, especially with her being the first Latin woman to hit the shelves of major retailers. But somehow she didn’t win me over and so I walked away and headed to the Mielle booth to check out their deals for the day. To my dismay Mielle only had 10% OFF! I was hunting bang for your buck type of deals so I circled back to Honey Baby Naturals to feel out the consistency of the products.

So I’m back at the booth and I’m feeling out the products and they all felt too lightweight for my hair. I think the owner picked up that I still wasn’t sure how I felt about her products so she came over to try and sway me and I am so happy she did! She shared a photo of her 3 beautiful children with me, all of which had 3 completely different hair textures. Then she shared that all 3 kids only use her products despite them all having such different hair types. I was SOLD! Though she also had her skincare line on display, I was only interested in her hair care line at the time [man, do I regret that now!]. I purchased, her softening conditioner, a detangler, a hair smoothie and a gel.

[I took these two photos from @aishacrump‘s Instagram page just so you too can get an idea of her beautiful family and the different hair types using these products ]

I’m still not entirely sure how this line managed to fly under the radar for the past 2 years without me hearing about it, but it’s about time they got their shine! After one use of these products, it was all LOVE! Not only did I complete my wash day in record time but my hair felt unbelievably soft, hydrated and not weighed down with product! Plus I absolutely love the design of their packaging. I don’t know if it has anything to do with my childhood love for Winnie The Pooh but I love that the container literally looks like a honey pot!

The scent of the product is sweet but not overpowering and it’s consistent throughout all the products in the line. This is something I appreciate because I don’t have to worry about the scents clashing after using a few of their products in my hair. Don’ you just hate when that happens?

They also get bonus points for creating a line that everyone can use. I mean, who else loves it when everyone in their family can share the same product? Haha, okay I take that back. Who am I kidding? Most of us don’t like sharing since we would hate for our holy grail products to finish too fast. But I must admit, saving storage space in the bathroom becomes much easier when you and your significant other loves the same thing! Okay, enough rambling? Keep scrolling for a quick break down of each product…

Honey Sweet Softening Conditioner

One word…PHENOMENAL! Slip is a must have on any curly girls product checklist, and this conditioner checks that box. The honey sweet softening conditioner definitely lives up to its name because my hair immediately felt soft and my entire bathroom smelled sweet! I was on day 7/8 hair when I first used this conditioner, so I already had an idea that I was going to spend some time trying to detangle my mane. But the moment I put this conditioner on the first of four sections of my hair, it immediately felt softer. I did as the instructions suggested and waited a few minutes before attempting to detangle and I was left in awe!

It was as if the conditioner was breaking down the tangles in my hair. The knots were literally melting away as I ran my fingers, followed by a comb through each section. The slip was intense and within no time my hair was detangled and feeling smoother than ever. When I rinsed out the product my shed hair slipped out with ease and my hair felt super soft. So soft that I wasn’t sure whether or not I still wanted to bother with a Deep Conditioner [I did btw].

All in all, this product is perhaps my new favorite conditioner because this one single product somehow made my entire hair routine super easy and fast. I highly recommend this baby!

Knot My Honey Instant Detangler

Just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, it did! When I tell you this product does it for me, it truly does! I personally like to layer my hair products and I always start with a water based leave-in before applying my heavier creams or butters. When I purchased the products from Honey Baby Naturals she didn’t have a Leave-In Conditioner in her line, so I opted to use their Knot My Honey Instant Detangler as a substitute leave-in and my hair loved it.

My hair already felt soft after completing my wash, but my hair felt like silk after applying this detangler to it. The detangler melted into my hair and glided effortlessly over my curls. I definitely see this detangler remedying a few things. I plan to use this as a leave-in, as a curl fresher and definitely as a detangler when my hair needs extra TLC.

Worth every penny and I will definitely be buying again!

Honey Shea Butter Hair Smoothie

Typically we want our smoothies, puddings and butters to give our hair long-lasting definition and moisture without the strong hold of a gel, and this Honey Shea Butter Hair Smoothie does exactly that. The cake batter looking smoothie has the perfect consistency of not being too thick and not too thin. For reference no product fell out when I held the jar upside down but it still wiggled when I shook the jar.

My hair absorbed the product well and it felt soft and manageable after applying. Nonetheless the smoothie also had a soft hold so I knew I definitely had to follow up with the styling gel from the line for added hold to my coils.

For Manny’s 3B/3C hair, all he needed was this smoothie to get the job done. His hair was baby soft after applying and the product gave his hair enough hold to define his ringlets.

Hold It Honey Styling Gel

Another star of the show was the Hold It Honey Styling Gel. Now we all know that a styling gel can either break or make your wash and go. So I personally take this one seriously because we want hold and definition without any crunch, and this Honey Baby Naturals Gel nailed it!!!

Thank to this gel I got a full 7 day wear of my wash and go! This gel locked in my curl defintion without leaving behind a hard cast. I must admit, there was a slight crunch once my hair had fully dried but after shaking my hair and applying a ‘dab’ of oil, my coils were PERFECT!

All in all, I LOVE HONEY BABY NATURALS! A new holy grail product line for sure. It’s been a while since an entire product line blew me away, and this one definitely does it all. It softens, detangles, hydrates, moisturizes, defines, smells great and has ‘Ahh-Mazing’ ingredients. Woah, that was a mouth full!

Now you guys know just how much I believe in Deep Conditioner and Leave-In’s, but at the time I purchased these products, Honey Baby Naturals was yet to launch a leave-in conditioner and a hair masque. Sometime over the holidays both products hit the market and best believe I’m going to be placing a full order for everything once I’ve used up this current stash.

Though I’m sure I won’t be disappointed with the new additions to their line. When I do get around to trying out their leave-in and hair masque, rest assured I plan to either update this blog post with my thoughts or create an entirely new post for those two products only. Which do you prefer? Let me know in the comments below. Talk Soon. Nuff Love, Natasha ♥

♦ Conditioner ♦ Detangler ♦ Smoothie ♦ Gel ♦

Honey Baby Naturals Now Have the Holy Grail Status Hey NaturalLeeders! Happy Last Day of the YEAR! & YES I'm leaving you with a REVIEW because I can't wait until the New Year hits to share these babies with you.

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