UPDATES! (taken from CoffeeNOfilter blog)

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Hey Coffee Addicts,

Sorry I've neglected this blog for a couple days. I was posting on my other blog because I noticed a lot more people enjoy that versus this one. Don't fret because I will continue to post her for my radio show. I have decided to do live recordings on Monday, Thursday and Friday. If you follow me on my social media platforms, you'll know when I go live in case you want to listen and call in. If you missed any segments head over to www.blogtalkradio.com/coffeenofilter and check out all my segments. If you tuned into my Fall shows segments last year, I just recorded an update of shows that caught my attention, and shows I continue to watch. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/coffeenofilter/2015/02/21/friday-fever-fall-shows-update-what-ive-stuck-to-and-left-behind You can copy and paste into the url to listen to this segment. Also check out my other blog www.cheesesteaklover.blogspot.com for newer blog posts. I will also post some blog posts on here too. 

This weather is getting messier and crazier everyday. If you're stuck in the house, you can definitely catch up on all the CoffeeNOfilter episodes you've missed. Kick back with a cup of coffee, tea, hot chocolate or even some wine and listen to me talk lol. 

I'm so excited about this year, graduating in May and continuing my education. Blogging and Online Radio have been such a great outlet for me to express myself. I appreciate all the love and support you have given me. I hope to continue with good content you love, and grow from here. 

I'm currently working on a Afro Power blog! So I hope to have that out later today or tomorrow. Stay tuned. 

Social Media 

www.facebook.com/coffeenofilterwithdenisha

Twitter: @ninibonitachica

Google+: Denisha Hobbs

Don't forget to follow my blog(s) that way you will be first to see any postings!!!

Send me an email about anything you'd like to see me blog or talk about on my radio show: denishahobbs23@gmail.com

Nisha <3

MY JOURNEY TRANSITIONING BACK TO NATURAL!!

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**Are you transitioning or have always been natural?**

Why I Began Relaxing My Hair

If you've been following my blog(s) for a while now, you'd know I have been transitioning back to natural hair for almost a year now (1 yr in March 2015)! Before I was even considering putting the creamy crack down, I was not #teamnatural. It wasn't because I didn't like my natural hair, but I just didn't know what to do with my hair in it's natural state. Pretty much the majority of my hair styles in my life have been braids. I wanted to wear my hair straight, but using the straightening comb on my thick coarse hair didn't last through the week. My mom decided that I could begin getting relaxers at the age of 12, and that's what I did. I enjoyed the change in my hair because I would rarely see it straight, and playing in my hair was fun. I was definitely adventurous when it came to styling my hair. Eventually, I went back to braids and this was the trend that I would be on for years ahead. During the cold months, I would wear my hair out because I wouldn't sweat out my relaxer. The hot months was when I would rock my braids. 

I've always been into doing hair and having my hair done at a young age. But I noticed that after Summer break was over, I would take my braids out and go straight for the relaxer. After the take down, I would notice two textures (relaxed and natural). Up until I started getting relaxers, my mom or family friends would braid my hair. I was always told that I had BEAUTIFUL, THICK AND COARSE HAIR, so at a young age I was confident about my hair. But having my mom try to comb my hair and break the combs on my hair was NO BUENO!! Thus, I would remember that and continue relaxing my hair. I remember rocking my afro after taking the braids out, and I loved it so much! 

Journey Back to Natural

Fast forward 13 years later, I am on my journey back to natural hair. I was encouraged so much to start my transitioning process from my peers, but I wasn't 100% sold on the idea. As I stated before, I wasn't use to what I recall my natural hair being. I would immediately get visuals of my mom struggling to comb my hair, and the frustration she endured. I didn't want to go through that same process, so I would ignore what they would say. It wasn't until March 2014 that I noticed the relaxers I was getting wasn't doing anything for my hair anymore. My hair began rejecting the relaxer, and it would no longer did anything to my hair like it did in the past. Another reason I decided to start this journey was after my last salon experience. I had a little bit of new growth during the time of my salon experience. The woman that blow dried my hair did an EXCELLENT JOB getting my ROOTS!!! At that moment I was like, "If I want to wear my hair straight, I can just get it blow out and pressed." The new growth remained straightened until I was ready to wash my hair. Thus my journey back to natural began. 

The first couple of months was a breeze because I didn't have a lot of natural hair. At first, I thought about just rocking braids through this process, but I didn't want to fall back to taking my braids out and not know what to do with my natural hair. I decided that the first year I would go through the motions of wearing my hair out, and build a relationship with my hair. In the beginning months (1st to 3rd) transitioning, I would rock rod sets as a protective style. I would watch

(Kit available at oyinhandmade.com)

YouTube videos for encouragement and different ways I could style my hair. I thought it would be a breeze....HOWEVER, BETWEEN MONTHS 4 AND 7, IT WAS HELL AND TORTURE!! The line of demarcation (where you natural and relax hair meets) cause a lot of breakage in my hair. It go so bad with detangling that my the top part of my hair began to break and caused a thinning hair line. I was so frustrated with my hair that I just wanted to cut it all off. But then after talking to a girlfriend about products to use, I discovered Oyin Handmade and Shea Moisture. I did a review on Shea Moisture on this blog (check it out). Oyin Handmade's Honey Hemp (picture above) was like a STRESS RELIEVER!! This product has so much slip, and really helped detangle my hair. This was the time that I did a lot of research on my hair because I didn't want to give up and retreat back to something that 1. wasn't good for my hair from the start and 2. stopped showing results. 

ALMOST 1 YEAR TRANSITIONING: CHOP OR NAH??

PROTECTIVE STYLES

My signature style.  

From time to time I do two-strand twist

A year literally flew by so fast, but now I'm at the point where I am beyond down with my relaxed ends. A couple nights ago, I decided to cut the little bit or relaxed hair at the nape of my neck. It was such a relief seeing my natural hair and being able to twirl it and see that curl on the end of my hair. I would see this on every natural YT video, and I wanted to see that. Now that I do, I want to cut it all off. However, I'm nervous because I have a BIG ASS HEAD! Since I hadn't trimmed my hair for a couple months, I had a lot to take off and began getting scissor happy. The more hair that grows out of my scalp, the more I want to cut my relaxed hair off. I remember talking to an old coworker about relaxed hair versus natural hair, and I disagreed with her until now. Natural hair is so versatile and you can do so much with it. I get asked a lot why I won't get a relaxer anymore, and it's simple. I don't want life-less hair; I want A BIG ASS AFRO!! 

SECTION OF MY NATURAL HAIR

Twirling my ends to a little coil ^_^ YAY!

stretched a bit

shrinkage is REAL!

All natural here (below) shoulder length ALREADY!

Where my thumb and index finger are is the line of demarcation ---->

I'm most likely will cut off all the relaxed ends in April-June! I think it would be a great new chapter to start my 25th birthday with a new hair style. Will keep you updated..

THANKS FOR READING MY BLOG! STAY TUNED FOR MY AFRO POWER POST VERY SOON! 

NISHA <3

LOVING YOU IS EASY CAUSE YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL!

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 I'm broadcasting live on the air! Listen in now at http://tobtr.com/s/7352169. #BlogTalkRadio

IF YOU GUESSED THE HINT FROM YESTERDAY'S SEGMENT, OR YOU READ THE TITLE, THIS IS THE VALENTINE'S DAY EDITION!!! JOIN ME AS I TALK ABOUT THE MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT VALENTINE'S DAY. THE NOT SO EXCITING MOMENTS ABOUT VALENTINE'S DAY AND SOME COOL AND BIZARRE FACTS I FOUND OUT ABOUT VALENTINE'S DAY!! DON'T FRET IF YOU DON'T HAVE A VALENTINE...YOU DO! YOU'RE YOUR OWN VALENTINE! I HAVE SOME TIPS THAT WILL BE SURE TO MAKE YOU'RE SELF-LOVE VALENTINE'S DAY!

I LOVE, LOVE!!! AND I LOVE YOU COFFEE ADDICTS!!!

NISHA <3

New Segment! Definitely Tune In!!

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Listen to my new episode UPDATES: BLOG POSTS, INTERVIEWS HERE, LIFE, SCHEDULED SHOW TIMES, ETC!! at http://tobtr.com/s/7347215. #BlogTalkRadio

GET UBER EXCITED FOR WHAT'S COMING SOON! LOTS AND LOTS OF GREAT THINGS!!

NISHA <3

Be Shameless

LEAVE A COMMENT!!! SHARE!!! FOLLOW TO STAY UPDATED!!! THANK YOU!!!

I JUST WANTED TO REMIND YOU ALL TO BE WHO YOU ARE AND NEVER STOP BEING YOU. NEVER STOP GROWING AND PURSUING YOUR DREAMS AND GOALS IN LIFE. HAVE A PLAN FOR THESE DREAMS AND GOALS TOO BECAUSE DREAMS ARE JUST DREAMS UNLESS YOU TURN THEM INTO A REALITY. THE SAME WITH MY BLOGS AND RADIO SHOW. THEY WERE BOTH DREAMS AND I TURNED THEM INTO REALITY. I THINK IT'S REALLY COOL TO HAVE MY VOICE HEARD AND PUT MY OPINIONS OUT FOR THE WORLD TO SEE. I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT THE INTERNET IS THAT WE CAN EXPRESS OURSELVES! ALSO, I GOT OVER THE NERVES AND EMBARRASSMENT A LONG TIME AGO, AND DON'T MIND TALKING ABOUT MY LIFE. MY BLOGS AND RADIO SHOW ARE LIKE A PUBLIC JOURNAL WHERE I CAN EXPRESS MYSELF ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN MY LIFE AND THE WORLD AROUND ME. SHAMELESS MAYA ON YOUTUBE ALWAYS SAYS "BE SHAMELESS" AND I LOVE THAT BECAUSE I USE TO ALWAYS WANT PEOPLE TO LIKE ME. GLAD THAT STAGE OF MY LIFE IS COMPLETELY OVER, AND I LIVE FOR ME NOW. THE PEOPLE IN MY LIFE THAT I KEEP CLOSE LOVE ME FOR WHO I AM, NOT FOR WHAT THEY WANT ME TO BE. IN CLOSING, I LOVE YOU FOR WHO YOU ARE AND CONTINUE TO BE TRUE TO WHO YOU ARE, AND NEVER LET PEOPLE TELL YOU DIFFERENTLY. LIVE YOUR LIFE BY YOUR RULES, NO ONE ELSE. AFTER ALL ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE YOU HONEY! 

LOVE YOU,

NISHA <3

EMBARRASSING STORIES: That One Time I Peed My Pants In PUBLIC!!

I'm a huge horror fan and I love being scared; however, I didn't think it would cause me to pee my pants. It was a couple years back in October, and that's when all the haunted attractions come out and it's lots of fun. Well some girlfriends and I decided to go to the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philly in the spirit of Halloween. I've been there a couple times and usually I will use the bathroom prior to going so I don't pee myself. However, I did not use the bathroom which is why this story exist!! Anyway, I look to my left before going into the place and I was like I can wait until I leave. During the "show" of course I'm screaming and getting scared and all that fun stuff. But then I felt like I needed to pee. Instead of going to the outdoor restroom (it was disgusting btw), I went straight for the bus stop after we said our good-byes. 

So now I'm at the bus stop cold and my bladder is starting to kick and punch with the quickness. I begin looking for a bathroom to use, and I see a restaurant close by. However, the closer I get to it, the more I can't walk because my legs begin to shake. Oh Lord!, I ended up at the Emergency Exit door, and by that time it was TOOOOOOOOOO LATTTTTTTEEEEE!!

I PEED MY PANTS O_O

Of course at this moment, I am embarrassed because a. I'm out by myself with no one with me, b. I have no other way of getting home other than the bus, and c. the pee is starting to make me cold because it's was freezing outside. Think you know what happens next?.....The bus comes! 

*THANK GOD FOR HOODIES AND IT BEING AT NIGHT WHEN THIS ALL WENT DOWN*

I get on the bus and head straight for the back where no one is sitting. I have my hoodie COMPLETELY covering my face from the shame and embarrassment I was currently feeling. But then, a grandmother and her grandchild come on the bus and sit right in front of me. I just pretended like the pee smell wasn't me, and kept my head down. I could feel her move and glanced up to see her face with disgust. At that moment I just swallowed my shame and pride and just rode the bus home. I mean what else was I suppose to do in that moment? 

FINALLY IT'S MY STOP!! >_<

I flew off that bus and ran home like I was a track star. Though it was at night, I didn't want anyone from around the way to stare too close to my butt and notice a big ass wet spot. I got home and told my mom and sister what happened. They were like you took the bus too, OH YOU'RE BOLD!! I couldn't believe that I peed my pants in public, took the bus soaked in pee, and telling you my embarrassing story. But at the end of the day, I learned my lesson. MAKE DAMN SURE THAT YOU PEE BEFORE DOING SOMETHING THAT MAY SCARE THE SHIT OUT OF YOU! It's a great ice breaker in conversations now because I don't feel bad about it. There's been so many fucked up things that have happened to me, but I'm still alive. I'm glad that I can laugh at moments like that where I wasn't comfortable in my skin because I am NOW! 

Thank you for letting me share my story! I have lots more crazy, adventurous and embarrassing stories to tell. 

Love you,

Nisha <3 

UPDATE: CURRENT MAKEUP FAVORITES!!!!

I haven't made a blog post about makeup since 2012!!! I can't believe it because I love makeup and wear it almost everyday. I'm more of an eyes look than the whole foundation, contour, highlight and all that stuff. From time to time, I will do a full face minus the contour and highlight (haven't tried that out yet). I wanted to do an update from the last blog post and talk about what I'm loving right now. If you've read 'Eye Shadow Love' (one of my most popular posts), then you already know some of the basic rules when it comes to eye shadow.

Now I want to talk about some of my favorite makeup products in the past two years:

First off my favorite foundation is Urban Decay's Naked Skin Foundation!! I am in the process of trying out new foundations, but I love this foundation. It's a medium to full coverage foundation, which is great if you want to cover any imperfections. I love the range of colors this comes in as well (picture below). As an African American (dark skin) woman, it's usually hard to find foundations that will match me well. Usually they will either have me looking like a ghost, too orange or they just don't have the color. Especially drug store foundations. Most stores don't carry a huge range. I'm very excited to get my hands on Shea Moisture's Cosmetic Line (available at Target). I love their hair products (Review on 'CoffeeNofilter with Denisha' blog)!

PRIMERS

If there's anything you take from this post is that PRIMERS ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND AND MAKEUP SAVIOR! I can't stress that enough! There's nothing better than having a great foundation, eye, or lip primer! Not only will your makeup last ALL DAY, you're makeup will look 10x better from the beginning of the day until you take it off. When I first started wearing makeup, I had no idea what primer was. When I was first introduced to Too Faced Shadow Insurance Primer (left). I love the formulation of this primer and it doesn't leave a white residue on my eyes like other primers I have tried. This retails for about $18-$20 so if you want something that is a dupe for this product I would go with Wet n' Wild's Take On The Day Shadow Primer (right). I was actually told about this product through a customer when I worked at Walgreens. When I have the money to splurge on Too Faced I will, but in the meantime this $6 product does the job. 

BRUSHES

When I first began using makeup, I would either use my hands (priceless tool) or the little applicators that came with the packaging (not the best but..useful). Since then, I have been experimenting with different brands, and I'm still expanding my brush collection because I don't clean my brushes like I should! NOTE: CLEAN THEM EVERYDAY!! I'm not going to go into detail much about Every brush, just the ones I'm loving at the moment. 

 To the left: The Beauty Blender which is one of the most talked about applicators for foundation, highlight, cream blush, and just an all over great product. I love that with this product I get a flawless foundation look. After all it's important to BLEND BLEND BLEND that makeup!

To the left: As a YouTube beauty addict, I couldn't pass up this brush. And now I know why everyone on there raves about it so much. Real Techniques Expert Face Brush is the bees knees! Another great brush that does a fantastic job of buffing that foundation into the skin. Can be found at Ulta! 

 QOSMEDIX (below) is a great site if you want to get more bang for your buck when it comes to all things makeup tools. This is great for any makeup artist (beginner or expert), who wants to add to their kit. I found out about this site on YT and I haven't looked back since. Their brushes are high quality which I love and you can get a ton of product for little cost. Though there is a standard minimum order amount (not EXPENSIVE!), you can get things from cotton swabs to storage containers for traveling to your clients. They have pretty much everything you need. I just received my catalog in the mail and I'm in love with everything.

Bh Cosmetics has always been a great find since I've gotten more into makeup. Not only is this an affordable site to get makeup, but they always have great deals to get more band for your buck!!! 

Bh Cosmetics brushes (to the left) is just a few of the selection that they have on their site. They have sets and singles if you want to create your own set! 

EYE SHADOW

NYX Cosmetics is a great company that sells inexpensive makeup and their products are sold at various locations. The pictures below is just some of the products that have. 

O_O whenever I see huge selections of NYX in a store.

These jumbo eye shadow sticks from NYX Cosmetics are great alone, or as a base for your eye shadow to stick to. This creates an even more vibrant color pay off for the look. Aren't these beautiful colors?!?

Once again Bh Cosmetics has to be mentioned due to the fact that you can get a range of eye shadow colors for a low price. The only down fall I have to say is that some of the shadows you have to pack on to get a color pay off more than others. But overall these palettes (below) help you create a ton of looks. Who doesn't love play in makeup when you're bored? *Raises hands*

Neutral Palettes are always great to way to take your look from day to night. Also great for beginners who are afraid of a ton of color. It helps to guide you into applying colors and getting a feel for different looks! 

To the left: I have a few of these palettes and there's still colors I have yet to try. There's so many looks you can create with these colors. If you are like me and love some bright looks, definitely check these out!

Tarte Cosmetics has become a new favorite of mine after purchasing their 2014 holiday set (below). I currently use this palette for my everyday makeup looks. The shadows are like butter and glide on so effortlessly. I just can't get enough of this collection. From the lips to the mascara (mentioned below), they are doing great things at this company! I have to explore more with them!!!

MASCARA

ALL 3 OF THE PRODUCTS I'M ABOUT TO TALK ABOUT ARE GREAT MASCARAS! Starting where I just left off is Tarte Cosmetics 'Lights, Camera, Lashes' Mascara. This product does a wonderful job at lengthening your lashes making yo look like you have false lashes on. I gave my little sister one of these that came in the 2014 holiday collection (above), but she lost it. She cried over this product because it's that great! So that tells you something right there that this product is worth the hype!! 

Next up is Maybelline Colossal Cat Eye Mascara (below)!!!!! VOLUME VOLUME VOLUME!!! This is went back to product. My little sister told me about this and she loved this so much, I had to give it a shot. I completely forgot I had this until I was doing my makeup yesterday. I really like how small the brush is because I can really work the product on my lashes. Also, I gave my lashes a few coats of this product and the happy dance was in full effect!

Lastly is my "use it til the last drop" mascara. Maybelline Rocket Mascara (waterproof formula) is that mascara that just hits the right spot. I've used this mascara for years. I just ran out so you already know I'm going to repurchase this again! It gives a great length to my lashes and the waterproof formula gets my lashes a better hold than the regular formula. Whenever I wear this I just feel complete; since I've been using it for so long!

LIPS

I wasn't always a fan of wearing much lip products until a few years back. I wasn't a lip gloss person because I always found them too shiny (like you just ate something greasy), and sticky! Now that I'm older, I'm experimenting more with different lip colors and formulations. 

Carmex is always my go to lip product regardless if I'm wearing makeup or not. The formulation of this product is great for those winter months to keep your lips from cracking and looking a hot ass mess! It leaves a nice tingling sensation on my lips that lets me know it's working. It's inexpensive and usually has a deal at Walgreens, so you can stock up whenever you run out! Lastly, it gives a nice shine to your lips if you are wearing makeup and want a little shine! 

 To the left: Wet n' Wild's lipstick in 'Cherry Bomb' is a beautiful shade that compliments my beautiful completion. I like pairing this lip color with a simple wing look to give some edge to it.

To the left and right: Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in 'Shameless' is a beautiful purple shade. I always get asked when I'm wearing when I have this color on. The perfect pop of color that I wear all year round. It will never go out of style for me!!

NYX Cosmetics Butter Gloss in the shade 'Eclair'  is the first nude color I have worn. As I mentioned before, I was never a fan of lip gloss. However, this is a perfect shade that compliments many complexions. I like the fact that I can use a little or a lot. Sometimes I will put this on top of my Carmex lip balm to add some color. Oh and the SMELL OF THIS IS AMAZING! It's a mixture between sugar cookies and butter scotch! And unlike the typical gloss, it's not sticky but feels like butter; hence butter gloss!

Below are just a couple looks I've took from my Facebook page. I love to take pictures of my looks up close so you can see the colors better. Also, my favorite feature are my eyes (thanks mommy)! My mom has beautiful eyes, and she was the first person I learned about makeup from. I would watch her get ready for work in the morning as she would apply her makeup! She is an eyeliner person, and I always think she looks like an Egyptian Queen when she wears it! Shout out to Umi for being my inspiration!

I REALLY HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED READING TODAY'S BLOG! I HAD SUCH A GREAT TIME CREATING THIS FOR YOU! WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR CURRENT FAVORITE PRODUCTS? 

TALK TO YOU LATER!!! 

NISHA <3