New Blog Site...

Guys,

I have decided to move from Blogspot to Wordpress to document my walk through cosmetology.
Please visit http://stylesbychaka.wordpress.com/ from now on!

Thanks and God Bless,
Chaka

It's Been A While...

Hello friends!

I am just recovering from my vacation back home to the nature island of Dominica. Right after I got back I resumed cosmetology school in the evenings so let's just say I am tired 24-7.

This election has been an emotional rollercoaster but the better man won! Obama kept politics clean and stuck to the issues at hand. He was able to convince many who never heard of him or initially did not believe in him, that he can lead this nation through the change that we need.

I was especially proud of the number of voters under the age of 30 that took a stand. Together we are changing the way the world once saw race, as something to divide. Now, hopefully and prayerfully, we can look at each other as human beings and understand that we share the same emotions, challenges and victories.

Back to cosmetology...
We are now learning about the nails, how to administer a good manicure, pedicure and design nail art. Nail tech is not something I am highly interested in but it's always good to diversify, I will never know if I will need it in the future.

Until next time...

On my way...

Hello Ladies and Gents,

I had the opportunity to style a friends hair for a wedding as well as apply make-up for the bride and one of the bridesmaids. I realized that this is what I want to do! I enjoyed helping make the joyous day even more memorable. I always had it in my vision to create group packages and cater to weddings, graduation, and much, much more. This weekend gave me the experience and confirmation that I needed. Thanks Melissa for considering me!

Hair: Milky Way Saga Yaki - 18 inches

I was very excited to get this hair for my birthday. It was a great blend to my hair texture and looked very natural. It did not tangle much in the first few weeks. After about the third week it started looking a bit fake. I am not sure if the oil build up over time caused this tangling or the length. I will wash it soon and let you know how it reacts. It did not shed any more than expected.

Comin Soon...

Hey there!



I know it's been a while since my last post! Well I have changed since then...I am one year older!!!



I will be posting pictures in the next few days with my latest style. Stay tuned for hair and product recommendations.



See you soon...

Perms, Cuts and More...

Hey Ladies and Gents,

I am getting more and more excited about following my passion. I encourage you all to identify your passion is, write down a plan to achieve it, AND just go for it!!! I promise it will change happiness that can be easily shifted to TRUE JOY!

Here are some more styles that I have done as recent as last night...LOL!

Model: Abner
Style: Flat Twist with Pin Curl Ponly Tail with Weave Extensions
Recommended Hair: Outre 16" New Yaky
Make-up: Neutral Gold tones

Model: Channelle

Style: Relaxed Virgin Hair, Trim and Style

Products: Phyto Moisturizing Styling Balm

Make-up: MAC Gold Eyeshadow, E.L.F Black Mascara, E.L.F Gold bronzer, Neutral Lip Gloss

Before & After

Model: Leah
Style: Cut, Three Tracks and Style
Products: Phyto Moisturizing Styling Balm
Make-up: MAC Purple Eyeshadow, Dark Brown Eye Liner, E.L.F Black Mascara, E.L.F Gold bronzer, Neutral Lip Gloss

Before & After

Just a little tip after shaving...

Ladies,


I am not sure how many of you experience bumps when shaving your bikini line to wear that awesome swimsuit to the beach but recently I learned a simple yet effective tip. If you applied deodorant...yes I said, deodorant after you shave it will prevent the bumps.


Just think about it, we shave our underarms and apply deodorant everyday (at least I hope we all do) and we are bump-free under there....well the same technique also works for the bikini line...


If you try it, tell me what you think!

How to apply deodorant after shaving the bikini area:

1. Roll the deodorant against the shaved area, distributing evenly.

OR

2. Using your pointer finger, apply deodorant to your finger and apply to the bikini area.

Til next time...

Weave Quality Definitely Makes a Difference...

Hey family and friends,

I have loaded some new pictures of a cornrow style I did a few weeks ago to my friend Claudine! I love doing her hair because it's the perfect texture for braiding and she has a small head...LOL!

One piece of advise: Sometimes spending a little more can get you better quality. Sometimes we venture into the beauty supply stores and see various prices for hair and opt to take the least expensive one thinking we have out smarted other shoppers who tend to buy more expensive hair. Well, unknown to Claudine, the hair that she purchased as wet and wavy did not wave no matter how wet it was. I mean it did not affect the cornrows but now she would need to put rollers in at night to make the ends curl.

Recommendations:

Human Hair Straight: Outre, Sensational

Human Hair Curly: Lugos located in Brooklyn and Manhattan

I will be trying the Saga Remi Yaki Hair in a few weeks and I will post my reviews.

Here's Claudine...

Just Breathe...

So I don't want to say this but is everyone that work in the administration offices of EVERY school just incompetent? I know it's not EVERYone but my goodness. I am in the process of transferring to school in the City and did not realize that I have to basically micro-manage the process.

I call up my old school to confirm my withdrawal papers were submitted and everything checked out okay. I did find out that the school I am trying to transfer to did not contact the Director of Education which should have happened a week ago. So being the investigator that I am, I decided to call the "TRANSFER Admin" at the new school. She's reassuring me that she requested my transcript but had not gotten a response and filling me with brush offs about how long the process could take. So I proceed to interigate and find out that this woman requested my transcript from a random school in NORTH CAROLINA!!!! OMG! Is she serious? I live in NJ why would I be in school in North Carolina!!!

Just Breathe...
Thankfully I followed up with her and she sent it to the right person! Phewwww! I pray I am back in school by September, this vision has got to come to pass! In JESUS name!!!

My Creations

Okay ladies and gents...

Unfortunately, I rarely captured hair styles that I have done. I was able to find a few saved and wanted to share some of my work. I promise to be more diligent so I can see my progress over the years. Plus I plan on having a photo shoot with Onada of http://www.onadaphotography.com/. If anyone is interested in being on of my models...SEND ME A COMMENT!

And GENTS I will also be learning barbering so you don't have to be scared...LOL

Here are a few samples of my work over the years...let me know what you think!

European Wavy with Side Bangs

Rod Set a.k.a. Straw Curls

Human Hair Jerry Curl Box Braids

Dread Designs for Ladies and Gents!




Curly Weave

Rod Set

Moving On...

Today's post is more on a personal note! This won't be the norm but I felt like sharing this with you all...

I realize that sometimes we have to go back to the realities we once ran away from. Not to torment ourselves but to grow and learn. Running only decapitates our ability to love or feel and hinder our ability to understand ourselves. I realize that I have had to go back these past months; I needed restoration with my family and friends. I realize that they have always accepted me. I just have to learn to accept me, all of me, my emotions, my physical being, and my intellect, all of me. And understand the fact that everyone will not like your choices every time, that’s just life. And realize that all along, threw the mistakes, past and present, God has always accepted and loved me. I long to truly understand His love and I am going to get just that!!!

The World of Cosmetology School

So I finaly decided to increase my debt for a good cause...pursing my dreams!

I enrolled in cosmetology school on June 23rd at Concorde School of Beauty in Bloomfield, NJ. Word of advise, before you pick any school, take some time to visit and speak to a few students if they allow you.

Due to my current project at work (for those who don't know, I am in IT consulting) I decided to transfer to Empire Beauty School in New York on 34th Street. I visited to school last Friday and loved what I saw. Though I did not get a chance to speak to all the students and realize no place is perfect, I liked the presentation. First impressions mean so much, so often and I like what I saw.
Another good thing about transferring is New York require less credit hours to obtain the license. If you need any information on this, leave a comment and I will let you know!

So I am on a short break right now, until Sept 15th when I resume class at my new school. Unfortunately that's my birthday, but I will take the day off and just make sure I enjoy the entire weekend! I AM ACCEPTING ALL GIFTS...SO FEEL FREE TO GIVE GIVE GIVE!!! LOL

I will continue posting new information about cosmetology school, the good, the bad and the ugly! as well as any tips I have learned along the way.

Let Me Introduce Myself...

Here is a picture of me with weave I did myself!

Good evening all,

I am walking on faith and finally decided to pursue my dreams of owning my own hair salon and spa! I began my hair braiding business at the young age of 12 when a childhood friend and I created posters and hung them around the neighborhood. We both had pagers (yes that was back in the days) like young business owners and scheduled multiple clients per day. What was once a hobby turned into a lucrative business that allowed continual income to flow through out my college years and even now as a side business.

Though this gift/passion flowed through me, like many other things, people deterred me from pursuing what came so natural to me and what I truly loved, touching the lived of people on a one on one basis. After starting and stopping countless times, and old clients continually asking me if and when I will start doing hair again, I decided to begin cosmetology school and finally work towards my dream!

My goal is to not only build clientele in order to have a lucrative business but also expand transcontinental and internationally! I am one step closer to my dreams! So keep me in your prayers.

So as I begin this journey of documenting my progress, I would like to welcome you for the ride! Hold on tight, it will be bumpy at times, but well worth the time!

Love you all!

Until next time...