BLEURGHair: The Invisible Side Part

Hola Bleurgher Boos! I'm SERIOUSLY lagging behind but this was the hairstyle I was rocking three hair-do's ago...but I'm working on a catch-up. The style was intended for my cousin's wedding, which was held in Nigeria (post on my Nigerian Experience coming soon...).

I'd been rocking a bob of several variations, for a while and wanted a longer style that was feminine and accentuated my facial features. I've always LOVED side fringes, but have always struggled to find a good-enough hairdresser to get it JUST right. So who better than me? I'm growing my health-risked natural hair underneath, and wanted to still keep it in a protective style, and after MONTHS of Lolli from LolliHearts selling me the pros of 'invisible parting', I decided to give it a go.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with this technique, you basically braid your entire hair in the pattern of your parting, with no leave-outs. Then you sew in 4/5ths of your weave leaving about an inch in front, where you will either sew/glue in tracks, horizontally towards your face. If that made no sense to you whatsoever? Then you're probably sailing in the same boat as my hairdresser, and I will tell you exactly what I told her (or showed her, after instructing her to take out the mess she had sewn on my head...yeah! I'm a difficult client, get over it)...WATCH YOUTUBE!

I left her with a HUGE smile on my face, and went home to curl the hair into a wavy finish, and trim a side-sweep-fringe for myself. I LOVED this hair...it was full, dark and wispy. The perfect combination. What do you darls think? And are any of you invisible-part addicts? LOL

Onyxsta says...BLEURGH!! Sweep the fringe with a hair slide, you still can't spot the tracks on an invisible side. Xisses

Scripted Reality

Disclaimer: I've already touched on some qualms I have with reality TV shows like Love & HipHop in the past...[click here] for some background.

Currently reading the 2nd installment of Lauren Conrad's LA Candy series, and I'm finding it quite insightful. As a reality TV veteran (having watched all walks of life - genre - from age-old MTV classics like 'NewlyWeds' and 'The Osbournes', to terrestrial TV's saviours like 'XFactor', 'Made in Chelsea', 'TOWIE' & 'Big Brother', to my current faves; the black-stereotype spotlight pieces like 'Braxton Family Values', 'Love & HipHop' and 'Basketball Wives'), I am aware that its not quite as 'real' as they would have us believe.

Scarf : **Grandma's | Blazer : Thrifted (Wales) | Shirt : Primark (Menswear) | Skirt : Primark | Braided Shopper Bag : ZARA | Suede Brogues : NewLook

Reading the LA Candy series is eye-opening. Yes, I was always aware that, quite like wrestling (sorry if I killed anyone's naive belief that WWE wasn't staged), the TV Networks deliberately set-up scenarios for these 'real' individuals to then 'act normal'. Aside from the extent to which producers would go to orchestrate drama for ratings, what I found disturbing, was the level to which these said individuals were willing to stoop for more airtime. Its sick to think they are willing to play obedient lil' puppets for our entertainment.

Head Candy : Primark | Rings : eBay & DorothyPerkins | Necklace : DorothyPerkins

I mean, I can't quite wrap my head around someone as old as my Aunty slurring about loyalty, throwing drinks across the dinner table at her 'friends' or even GOING to a club, talk less of causing a raucous there. Its unreal (pun intended). Needless to say (although her style of writing is a tad lacklustre, and her diction rather basic – buy a thesaurus Lauren Conrad, or right-click on Synonyms in Microsoft Word) Lauren Conrad had me sucked in and blown away from the get-go...ok, I lie, from about 75 pages in LOL.

(Boxing Day Outing with the siblings)

LA Candy touches on the ins & outs of the life of a reality TV star. I mean, it's a great avenue to showcase [non]talents, but at the same time, it opens the floodgates for shame, immaturity and basic life. The protagonist struggles to understand WHY the public are so interested in a regular girl, and perhaps its because of the level to which we can relate to her, or other reality TV stars. The age of pedestalising celebrities has long passed, with all those 'Fabulous Life' MTV shows seeing better days. Now, I think the public are more concerned with how others live their day-to-day lives, except, the big TV dons won't show us that. Instead, they buy out villas, rent tables at the top bars and and splurge thousands on flashing a faux-flambouyant lifestyle, in a bid to woo us to covet. 

Onyxsta says...BLEURGH!! Just like a script, in reality tv, what goes up shall surely come down. Xisses

All That Glitters

I fought the urge to write this post, as i felt it was only feeding the ignorance of some idiots, but it just HAD to be done. This is an open letter to all the ign'ant goons that had something to say about 'true beauty' and the 'deception caused by women who wear makeup' after the Beauty By JJ saga. As a twitter/youtube pal of hers, it hurt me to see just how mean people were being over the entire situation. I refuse to dwell on the situation itself, but focus more on reflecting on the nonsensical comments spun by narrow minded misogynists.

 Birthday Dress : TFNC

1) Beauty is skin-deep; makeup only enhances it. I got so sick of guys spinning the same fraff about them not caring whats on your face & how we don't need to pile on makeup. In Jennie's 'ramble' video, she made a valid point: "aren't the girls with weaves and makeup the same girls you move to in a club?". TRUTH! All this natural beauty malarkey is dog's bullocks. Girls get dolled up to go on a night-out & guys, respectively, pay attention to the girls that make the most effort and look the best. Its simple after-hours algebra. I am a guy's girl, so I'm speaking from experience, not just going off the smoke thats made me high in my lil bubble; guys sniff out which girl is fine, weed out the 'butter's friend' (usually with the aid of a wing man who distracts her) in the aim of 'pulling' (an English term translating to taking a girl home, hooking up or for the pre-pubescent, getting her number) by the end of the night. FACT! So don't come all Pastor Ashimolowo, acting like makeup is of the devil *kmt*

 Birthday Weekend (rather belated update) dinner at Cha Cha Moon, dessert at Candy Cakes and a night out in Market Place club

2) Shadowed Application. I guess the only thing that can really be said is, guys like girls getting all dolled up, they just don't want to witness it all taking place. The truth of the matter is, when a girl like Jennie Jenkins walks the streets, she probably can't walk to the end of the road without turning a few heads. But the uproar is much akin to the reaction your boyfriend will give when sitting on the bed before dinner, watching you apply everything from your MAC foundation to your Sleek contouring and finishing with your Maybelline false lash effect mascara. He will ALWAYS interject with, "babe, you don't need all of that"....BULL! If he saw you without it, he probably wouldn't even BE your boyfriend to begin with. "Sweatpants, hair tied back, chillin' with not makeup on. That's when you' the prettiest, I hope that you don't take it wrong" - Drake. BULL! This is the same Drake thats dated girls from Rihanna to the swivel-chic thats swung down so many metal poles you might as well call her an alloy.

Other Options (clockwise from top left): FCUK; New Look; House of Fraser; TFNC

3) Flip the Script. Now, before some 'real ladies' come on her giving me all that lip, I want to make one thing perfectly clear...I am NOT saying girls who don't wear makeup are ugly. Neither am I saying all guys are shallow (strike that, thats EXACTLY what I'm saying...LOL), but the point I'm trying to make is that makeup is a matter of personal preference. If a girl wants to cake up, rock weave and totter down the street in heels everyday, thats HER prerogative. What I want to turn my attention to, are the guys that felt it their earthly purpose to spread the word on this female 'deception', warning guys to be careful. Like, REALLY?!? Those same guys have probably been rejected one too many times by girls as gorgeous as Jennie, and this is their avenue for revenge. Its sad cos they failed to realise the embarrassment they may have felt from the rejection they may have experienced was on a far smaller scale to that which they caused to the poor girl. At least her flaws can be airbrushed with a kabuki brush, how ugly do YOU look to your peers after subjecting her to vain scrutiny under the illusion that you were enlightening others?

Onyxsta says...BLEURGH!! All that glitters may not be gold, but spare us 'cos your views fit into an archaic, ignorant mould. Xisses.

Justice for Dessert

I'd usually steer well-clear from commenting on viral/controversial issues, but I was moved to air my views after spotting this article by the Barrister I was mini-pupil for 2 years ago. He has written an engaging account of the judicial reasoning behind the verdict for The Guardian. The title of this BLEURGH was aptly chosen for the sole fact that this decision was more than delayed; nearly 19 years too late to be precise.

Blazer & Shirt : Thrifted (Wales) | Jumper & Cardigan : Primark

Cropped Peglegs : Topshop | Tote : DKNY

I was intrigued by the circumstances and decisions made post-trial from my AS Level law days, and when news erupted of two of the 9 suspected men being convicted yesterday, I was more than happy to say I was alive to see this day. As a passionate soul aspiring for a promising future in Human Rights Bar, its moments like this I live for. My joy at the decision is not so much prompted by my racial background or my left-wing political allegiances, but rather, an elementary expression of glee that justice and fairness has finally prevailed.

Rings : Dorothy Perkins | Watch : Guess

Slipper Loafers & Belt : New Look | Necklace : **Belt

This was a hallmark case for many reasons. Not only did it drastically transform the MET Police after the MacPherson Report termed it “institutionally racist”, but it also eradicted the archaic 'double jeopardy' rule which in lay man's terms, means that cases can now be retried under the same court. So even after a defendant has be acquitted of a certain crime, charges can later be brought against the same individual for the same crime on discovery of new, compelling evidence. Stephen Lawrence may have been murdered for no reason, but he surely died for a cause. Amidst the pain his family have endured from years wasted not grieving for their son, but rather, chasing after the killers after several miscarriages of justice; a reassuring wave of satisfaction has been restored to all UK citizens that the law will do all within its power to ensure justice and fairness is delivered in all cases.

I'm not so hung up on the term time they are serving when sentenced, or how long it took for justice to be served, but rather I'm looking at the underlying message here. Stephen's mother persevered and fought for what she believed in, and finally received a just verdict. My mother, through all my trying times would always say "don't relent oh!" and that voice of reason is what I carry with me everywhere. Mrs Lawrence fought for justice for the untimely passing of her dear son, and ended up causing a great impact on more institutions than she was aware were even involved. The potential that exists in each of us is limitless, and barriers on our progress are self-imposed. Its a new year, place no limitation on your dreams and you can be more than conquerors. Impossible is Nothing.

Onyxsta says...BLEURGH!! Justice, best served hot. Xisses

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

Happy New Year Bleurgher Boos! I've been so caught up with all the merriments of the festivities that I missed wishing you all a Merry Christmas. Even though the day is only a few hours to the end of its tether, I thought it only right that I haul my arse on here and be a good blogger today....so HAPPY NEW YEAR!! xx

Soundtrack of the Minute - No Regrets : Dappy

I'm a list-connosieur, so I drafted up my New Years' resolution list like a good fortnight ago lol. I split up what I wanted to achieve into segments to form a sort of mind-map. I feel that this will be more effective than setting out general goals like "get fit" or "get closer to God". So my subheadings are: Mind, Body, Spirit, Heart & Social. Now, under each of these, I've been specific on what I want to achieve and how I'm going to go about doing it. I know myself, and I'm a procrastinator by nature, so the best way for me to achieve my goals is to set a realistic target and plan how to go about it. I was asked from a reader in my last BLEURGH (Cobalt, Black & Gold) how I achieved the grades that I did, and as much as it was determination & drive, I also have to credit a great social support system, God & my re-evaluation of my revision plan (setting realistic targets daily). 2011 was great, but I pray 2012 will be even greater. There is so much ahead of each of us that is yet to be achieved, but there's no doubt in my mind, it is attainable.

Onyxsta says...BLEURGH!! Let's set realistic goals & map out the route we'll take to attain it & much more in 2012. Xisses