News + Styles

This past Monday we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Most of us know of his legacy - peaceful fight for racial equality -  and many strive to continue it. However, it’s no secret that although progress has been made since the ‘60s, we are still in desperate need of change in order to fully achieve the dream that Dr. King spoke of.

In the world of beauty, blogging and advertising, it’s often criticized when the issues (politics, injustice and etc.)  aren’t addressed or acknowledged, but at the same time there’s a fine line to walk when it comes to addressing politics in business. However, it’s refreshing to see some of beauty influencers we follow using their voices to acknowledge important matters such as these.  We thought it would be a great idea to shine light on some of these ladies who are speaking out in hopes of working towards equality.

Whitney White, better known as @Natptural85, has posted on a few different occasions regarding racial and other social/political issues including net neutrality, bettering conditions for underprivileged youth and breaking the cycle of systemic oppression.

image from @naptural85 for @epiphanyschool

In one post regarding she stated, “Respect my right to celebrate who I am, physically and culturally, and I respect YOUR right to do the same… I believe we CAN celebrate our skin colors as well as cultures, it’s what makes us physically unique, and honestly many Black Americans have slavery roots and STILL don’t know what their culture is! So being black BECOMES their culture.”

Whitney continues to use her platform to not only inspire us through her healthy hair routines and formulas, but also by speaking on the tougher issues, in an effort to improve our current societal conditions. We love that!

 Nicole of @Watermeloneggrolls has also posted about racial issues and how they have affected her life on a personal level, especially regarding her marriage.

image from@watermeloneggrolls

“Racism is a real thing, it’s not outdated and over-exaggerated... You cannot be complacent, you cannot be indifferent. You’re either with it or against it, period. Your silence is a deadly weapon that allows it to brew and manifest continuously.”  

Everyone has the right to share what they wish on social media. Those that keep their views private have every right to, and we definitely respect that. However, with that, it is also both important and encouraging to have a mix of influencers who are making efforts to tackle these issues directly on their platforms. Thank you Whitney, Nicole and everyone else out there taking daily strides, publicly or privately, to make Dr. King’s dream come true!

too!

photo by @bbranmarie

Below, I’m giving you a rundown on why I continue to write and why you should incorporate it into your lifestyle too:

I remember someone saying to me once, “When you’re angry towards someone, spill your thoughts in an email but don’t send it.” When you’re feeling overwhelmed with emotion, detail how you’re feeling by writing it out. It’s a method to release those thoughts that are cluttering your mind. Doing this helps me feel better and assess the situations I’m going through so I can deal with them accordingly.

What I love most about writing is that there are so many different mediums of doing it. While I absolutely enjoy doing my deadline oriented writing work, I also enjoy expressing myself through journaling. Whether it’s taking a moment to reflect on your day or quickly jotting down affirmations, pick which aspect of writing you enjoy most and engage in it regularly.

If you’re like me, you’re always looking for ways to improve your daily life and writing can help you with this. Penning your goals and resolutions is a way to track your progress and hold yourself accountable for the things you want to accomplish.

Be sure to let me know how you plan to incorporate writing into your life this year! You can connect with me and keep up with my work on Twitter and Instagram at @oliviahancock_.

Deja Lewis (DejaFitBeauty) is a Beauty and Fitness Vlogger, Entrepreneur and Personal Trainer. She's here to share a few fitness tips to help us all reach our goals in 2018!

photography by James Burk  -@youngestson_ 

Getting in shape and living a healthy lifestyle is everyone’s goal; But let’s face it, it’s not as easy as it sounds. There is so much information about losing weight and how to be healthy. Should I go vegan, low carb? Should I try the military diet, the grapefruit diet, a detox?  What kind of workouts should I be doing? Should I lift weights, or just do cardio?

It’s no wonder so many people are stuck!

I’m DejaFitBeauty. I’m a Beauty and Fitness Vlogger as well as Personal Trainer, but I had the same struggle before I started my fitness journey. I was confused just like most people but eventually after a lot of trial and error (a lot!)  I figure out what works for me to be able to sustain living healthier LONG TERM.  I have condensed it down to 5 main things to know, so here are my 5 Tips to Living Healthier in 2018.

1. Make Small Changes First

When we first start our healthy journey, we are super excited and motivated so we want to make big drastic changes immediately. But what you will notice is that when we make drastic changes too fast you will burn yourself out really fast.

For instance, if you’re not used to working out 6 days a week, don’t just jump right into it.  A good number to start with is 3 to 4 days a week for at least 30 mins to an hour. Let your body get used to the added stress of exercise before you dive into the deep end. When you feel comfortable with more workouts, add another day or increase the length and intensity of your workouts. However, you always want to have at least 1-2 days as a rest day so your body can recover.

 -This goes for your diet as well.

If you are a beginner at eating clean, making small changes gradually will make it more likely for you to stick to it long term.

2. Set Realistic Goals.

As a personal trainer, I get a lot of weight loss clients who want to lose weight really fast. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it is highly unlikely that the average person will lose 25 lbs. in a month. And it’s not necessarily healthy to lose weight that fast.  I suggest aiming for 5-10 pounds a month. 15 pounds in a month in some cases is attainable (depending on body type).

We want to set realistic goals because if your goal is to lose 20 pounds in a month, if you only lose 7 you might give up thinking all the hard is not working fast enough. When in hindsight, 7 pounds a month is really good!

Now I must warn you that initially, you will lose about 5-10 lbs. really fast. That is mostly water weight. When you start eating healthier your body sheds excess water. After the initial water weight flush, you will typically lose about 1-2 pounds a week depending on your body type.

photography by James Burk @youngestson_

3. Find The THING That What Works for You

When I first started going to the gym I thought to get in shape I had to do a lot of cardio, so I would go to the gym and do tons of cardio on the treadmill or elliptical. The only problem with that is I HATE CARDIO.  So, I would always give up after a few weeks because I hated it and I was bored (sounds familiar).

I say all that to say, find your “thing” that you like about fitness. You may like cardio, or Weight lifting, Zumba, Cross Fit or kick boxing… whatever it is, keep experimenting until you find your “Thing”. It doesn’t feel like work when you’re having fun!

4. No More Fad Diets

For research purposes, I did a quick google search on Fad Diets. There are some weird diets out there! There’s a diet called the 5-bite diet, where you eat whatever you want but only take 5 bites of food per meal.  Granted, you will lose weight by doing this, BUT you’re also starving yourself (who comes up with this stuff?). You should focus on total lifestyle changes instead of a quick fix. If the diet can’t be sustained for a long period of time it’s not a diet you should be trying. Personally, I usually stick to a low carb diet.  It’s what works for me when I’m attempting lose weight or maintain. But everyone’s body is different. The best place to start is to just make healthier choices when eating.

I do have a free meal plan that you can use to get yourself started. It’s just a basic outline of how to set up your meals to lose weight. Check it out at www.DejaFitBeauty.com

5. It’s a Lifestyle

If there’s one thing I can’t stress enough is that IT’S A LIFESTYLE. Being healthier and fit is an ongoing thing, not something you do for a few months to lose 10 pounds. Because guess what? as soon as you start making unhealthy choices again, you will gain the weight right back. Think long term when it comes to your health and fitness.

Every now and then (once a week or every other week) its ok to have a cheat meal. You actually lose more weight with a SMALL cheat every once in a while.  Having a pizza or piece of cake is fine in moderation. After a cheat meal, you are mentally and physically recharged and ready to get right back on track! So don’t be afraid or guilty to have a little cheat.   

photography by James Burk @youngestson_ 

I know this may sound like a lot but trust me, after a while eating healthier and exercising regularly will become natural and you won’t even have to think about it. I read somewhere that it takes at least 21 days for something to become a habit (I have tried this and it actually works). So, if your reading this and you’re ready to kick start your healthy lifestyle I challenge you to try for just 21 days. 3 weeks of consistency that’s all! I’m almost positive that if you can do this for 21 days your life will be changed. Let’s start 2018 off with a bang!

There are just about 12 days left leading up to New Years, and we’ve got a few looks we think you should check out. Who doesn’t love to rock a cute and special ‘do amidst all the holiday parties and family visits? In case you’re in need of some style inspiration, here are12 holiday hairstyles to keep you looking fabulous this season!

@naturallytemi (using the @qredew)

@_bubsbee

@africanmelaninnn

@curlfriendari

@jurneebell

@lenalovecurls (Using our Peppermint Tea Tree Hair Oil for scalp)

@ange_liah (Using our Citrus Fusion Mousse)

@fiercelynatural (using our Coconut Shea Edge Glaze)

Now we hope you’re feeling inspired!

Tell us which look is your favorite in the comments below! Also, share your own holiday hairstyles with us by tagging us in your photos on Instagram!

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For more “12 Days” fun, head over to our Instagram at @edenbodyworks to enter in our #EDEN12Days of giveaways! There’s still a few chances left for you to win some goodies that your hair will love!

Hey Beautiful People!

Tacha of TachaJ.com here to tell you all about an event Erin (@theesperanzamaria) and I created with you in mind. Before we jump in, let me introduce myself! By day, I work in International Development supporting government-funded projects around the globe. By night, I’m a Beauty and Lifestyle Blogger, creating community, connecting with women, and sharing my thoughts and experiences. The creative freedom blogging gives me is unmatched; I'm able to express my interests and share my personality in a way my full-time job just doesn't allow. And as a result of my blogging endeavors, Curl Talk DC was born.

What was initially an intimate brunch for 25 guests turned into a full-on event for over 50! We felt an enormous outpouring of support and while our expanded guest list was exciting, it also meant we had twice the expected workload. We were thrust right into the planning process and though we both have prior experience in event planning, nothing could have prepared us for coordinating our very own!

In the end, the rewards heavily outweighed the challenges. Curl Talk DC brought together women and men of all ages, backgrounds, and stages in their natural hair journey. It was a celebration of individuality, a refusal of the status quo, and provided space for community building and support. 

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By now you have probably seen this beauty’s face populating your social feed.

Getty Images

In all her glory, Miss Jamaica was widely embraced over the internet following the pageant. The hashtag #MissJamaicaShouldHaveWon even circulated Instagram and Twitter. The reason behind the uproar? Yes, because she’s intelligent, beautiful and graceful, but also because representation matters. 

Davina recently shared a post that a little girl, Zaria Amiyah (@zariasdream) tagged her in, expressing her gratitude. It read:

@zariasdream

It is monumental to all of the ladies out there with brown skin and afro-textured hair to see someone with features like theirs being presented to the world as beautiful - something that hasn’t been as celebrated in the past. Little black girls at home can look at their TV screens and know that they can too, and we at EDEN feel that that kind of empowerment is both beautiful and essential. It must be celebrated and continued!

Congratulations Davina!

@davina_bennett_

Hey readers! My name is Bonnie and I'm the lucky mama to Faroukjames, whom you may know from Instagram. He's the one with the long and beautiful curls. Farouk is not my only child though, I have two others who are indeed not children any more, in fact they are parents themselves now!  

I became a mother at a very young age, having three unplanned children from my childhood sweetheart by the age of 19. Farouk was my only planned child and there is a fifteen year age gap between Lucas and Farouk ( my two youngest boys). 

People often assume I wanted another girl ( based upon Farouk's long curls) but that's not true, we wished for a boy. It was to be Farouk senior's first son, so excited were we on the day of the scan, hoping for the news of a boy. However, we were then shocked to only be told "Sorry, we cannot see the sex, only that this baby has heaps of hair!" 

photo by @tabzwilson

Luckily, I was prepared. My elder children are mixed (half Jamaican), so I already knew how to braid and care for afro-textured hair. Back in the nineties, having your natural out was not accepted in the U.K, and the internet was not nearly as accessible as it is today. I  had to go to the library to find a book on how to braid afro-textured hair. I painstakingly taught myself how to do it. My daughter would cry as I braided whilst my white father, not understanding the culture, would shout at me to stop. However, i soldiered on against the odds lol!

 Although I had some skills, I was a bit rusty when Farouk arrived. I initially would  do wash and goes only using organic coconut oil in his hair, but as his texture changed from straight to a more curly afro, it needed to be put into a  protective style overnight. This routine was essential to prevent meshing because his hair is perfect for locking - he could literally have dreads if it was left un-detangled for a week!

I also introduced Ghanaian shea butter to Farouk's hair along with our personal EDEN favorite, the JojOba Monoi Deep Conditioner. I'm currently so busy, as I started back at university two years ago, but these products really help to keep Farouk's detangling time down to a minimum, leaving me more time to focus on my studies. 

Unfortunately, Farouk's school rules state that all long hair must be tied back, so his hair stays braided on the weekdays and is let free on the weekends when he does photo shoots and etcetera. However, this routine actually works out really well for him as it keeps his hair in great condition.

 I'm so glad that nowadays natural hair is being embraced. I know it's NOT just a fashion trend. The natural is here to stay, as it should be! People often approach me and rudely ask if Farouk likes his hair. I struggle to keep a polite response to that question... why should anyone have to change anything about

themselves to fit into other people's expectations? I love his hair, as does he. He is an inspiration to so many other boys who have or who are thinking about growing their hair out. We plan to continue showing love to his hair and inspiring others with it as well.

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To keep up with Bonnie and Farouk, follow them on Instagram at @faroukjames

Hi EDEN family! It’s Ijeoma here - creator of the blog and YouTube channel, Klassy Kinks. After several years of sharing content designed to change perceptions of kinky textured hair around the world, I recently changed my motto to “thriving at the intersection of beauty and brains”.

Photo credit: Jeff Brooks

You see, in addition to being a full time beauty and lifestyle blogger - based on the number of hours I spend building my brand each week - I’m also a full time PhD student. I’m in my sixth year (hopefully of seven!) of a public health program at Columbia University, writing on the history of asthma in black urban America. I often get questions about how I balance my school and my blog. Being in a PhD program actually created the perfect environment for me to become a blogger. Many doctoral programs are individually paced - you create your own course schedule, decide when you’re ready to take exams, and do your research on your own. So I had the flexibility to start and grow a blog in a way that I might not have been able to do if I had a traditional career. The self-starter traits that are necessary for navigating higher education are the same ones needed to be a successful blogger, so the two roles mesh well together.

In addition to being a PhD student and a blogger, I’ve also recently added on the job title of wife. Planning a large, intercultural wedding gave me tons of new and beautiful content to share with my readers, and by taking them along my process, I was able to connect with people on a more personal level. Even though I’d been sharing a bit of non-hair related content before the wedding, people really now understand that I’m not just a hair blogger.

Photo credit: Alakija Studios

I hope my story can encourage you to pursue ALL the dreams that have been laid on your heart. I firmly believe that God does not give you ideas unless he wants you to act on them, so go forth and thrive in whatever you are meant to do!

Photo credit: Taylor Carment

Halloween is just around the corner so we thought we’d share a few natural hair-inspired DIY costumes to help you brainstorm what to put together for that last-minute costume party. 

Traditionally, in all of the Marvel comics and films, the superhero Storm is portrayed with straight white hair.  Jewellianna Palencia, better known as @jewejewebee, decided to make this costume her own last year by sporting her curly locks, instead of straight ones. All it took was a couple cans of white-colored hair spray, a black jumpsuit (or a black top and pants) and boots. This idea is super cute, and easy to execute!

Next, Susie Carmichael from Nickelodeon’s old show, Rugrats.

@brianamae27

This costume is simple, convenient, and also cute! Put your hair into three braided pigtails adorned with those little barrettes most of us remember from childhood.  Throw on a yellow sweater or dress and some purple leggings and you’re practically Susie herself. If you’re willing to put in a little extra effort, grab some purple felt from a local craft store and cut out a few abstract shapes to stick on to your dress/sweater as well.

Staying on the Nicktoons theme, there’s also Reggie Rocket from Rocket Power, and even Gerald Johanssen, from Hey! Arnold, for the guys out there.

@leximarcellaa

Lexi Jackson (@leximarcellaa) and her boo effortlessly brought these cartoons to life. For Reggie, just let your curls flow. If you’re feeling fancy, add some purple-colored hair spray. As for the outfit, grab a pink t-shirt, some camo pants and a pair of sunglasses. To create the rocket logo, trace it onto some yellow felt, cut it out, and glue it to your tee. For Gerald, only a red sweatshirt and jeans is needed. Trace and cut out the number 33 on white felt, then attach it to the sweatshirt, and there you have it!

Foxy Cleopatra, Hilary Banks, Libby Folfax from Jimmy Neutron, almost any of the characters of the Proud Family, or Nebula Wade from Disney’s Zenon. There’s also basically anything with rounded ears, just style your curls into two high buns or puffs and voila! 

Thrift stores and your very own closet (and possibly your parents’ closets too) are some of the best and most cost-efficient places to create. We hope we’ve helped you find some inspiration. If you’re planning to go out this Halloween, BE SAFE, and be sure to share your costumes with us on Instagram by tagging us in your pics!

Being a girl in this world can be difficult. There is so much influence telling you that you don’t look right the way you are. While confidence-building begins at home, the world around us has influence on the way we think about ourselves. I can attest to feeling like a fish out of water. I wanted to stand out but the risk of being made fun of by my peers led me to opt for blending in with the crowd instead.

I had a low self-esteem not because of what was going on at home, but because of my peers. With a 4c hair type, wearing it out was not the “in-thing”. I wore a perm which helped stripped me of my identity. It actually wasn’t until I stopped getting perms that my confidence started to come back.

When I look at my daughter I see a girl full of confidence and potential and I want her to keep that confidence as she grows up. I believe it starts with how she feels about herself. I felt I had to mask my hair when I was younger, but I want my daughter to know she doesn’t have to.

There were few companies when I was growing up that were for young naturals, but companies like EDEN BodyWorks has been helping to make kids feel confident about their hair. They help them discover that their hair can be soft, manageable and tangle-free when given the right tools and nutrients. What I love about #EDENKids is that the products are free of petroleum, sodium sulfate and mineral oils. I also love that my daughter now looks at her hair and says, "I AM BEAUTIFUL."

Last month I was blessed to celebrate another birthday.  Turning 31 wasn’t exactly a milestone birthday in the traditional sense but considering some recent life changes, it was a milestone for me. Thoughts about what the past 31 years of my life have been raced through my mind, and while contemplating, one word surfaced; authenticity. 

Authenticity can be defined as “being true to one’s own personality , spirit or character”.  As I grappled with this word and the definition, several questions swarmed in my head. Have I lived an authentic life the past 31 years? Have I been true to my own personality, spirit and character?

While soul searching I was hit with a couple major epiphanies. The first was that I had spent a large portion of my existence living bits and pieces of authenticity, but not fully. The second was the realization that I was constantly seeking experiences to fulfill this “authentic” self I so desperately needed to be. Whether it was through friendships, traveling, motherhood, or finding the the perfect job. I was seeking authenticity or authentic experiences everywhere BUT inside myself.  As a society, we are all searching for something deeper; some sort of connection or way to be true to ourselves. We are stuck in an ideal of authenticity rather than it’s reality.  We jump on social media to find ourselves or relate to others but lose who we TRULY are in the process. So, what’s the solution? I don’t have the perfect answer or fix; but rather a few focus points I’ve found helpful in my own journey to living authentically.

1. Embrace who God made you be:  Just be yourself! A concept so easily expressed by children but lost in adulthood. The older we get, the more we allow the opinions of other’s to shape who we are; finding ourselves drifting away from the person we were meant to be. Flaunt those quirks and be proud of all the pieces that encompass “you”. The gap between your teeth, or the loud, obnoxious laugh (yep, that’s totally me). 
2. Spend time doing things that make YOU happy: Taking time for ourselves seems to be a lost art. Working or involving ourselves in a million activities has slowly become more important than experiencing life itself. Slow down and take a few hours or minutes (if that’s all you have) doing the things you love.
3. Be vulnerable! Vulnerability is NOT weakness. Allowing ourselves a space to be completely open and honest is the gateway to living authentically. When we allow ourselves to make mistakes, take risks and be okay with it, we go from surviving to thriving! 

Check out Bubs Bee. She’s a fabulous beauty enthusiast with a head full of lovely hair. She has an array of helpful videos demonstrating how she cares for and styles her type 4 hair. 

Representation matters, which is why we wanted to shine light on these ladies who share quality tips, tricks and reviews for the other 4-something hair types out there looking for a little inspiration. It’s important to celebrate the beauty of all hair types and textures. As we see it, we are a family… with really dope and diverse hair, so let’s not forget to share the love.