Why you should be loving lemons!

Hey Beauties! Today I wanted to talk to y'all about a lil super fruit that I have been loving lately - Lemons! Yes, lemons! And no I'm not talking about lemon pie or lemon cookies I mean raw lemons. Lemons are most known for there strong antiviral, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. Egyptian's even believed That drinking lemon juice could make you immune to some poisons. Though lemons have 100s of benefits I've decided to list a few that I find most helpful.

1. Lemons can abolish acne.
Lemons, like oranges, are jam packed with vitamin C. Vitamin C is essential for getting you that healthy, glowing skin you're after. Vitamin C also contains alkaline which can naturally kill those nasty bacteria that cause acne.

2. Lemons have a calming affect.
This powerful fruit can aid in removing fatigue, exhaustion, dizziness, anxiety, nervousness, and tension. Lemons are also proven to wake you up as well as your morning cup of joe!

3. Remove scars.
Lemons mixed with cucumbers can help lift those unsightly scars. Be it from acne or a bike accident, scars can be embarrassing. Mix lemon and cucumbers in a food processors and slather the area in the mixture. Wait 15-20 mins. and wash away. Repeat 3-4 times a week.



So whether you are rubbing it on your skin or drinking it, I suggest you find some way to have a lemon a day. What I do is in the morning instead of coffee, make a steaming cup of water and squeeze 1 small lemon into the cup. It will wake you right up and fight that morning breath :)



xoxo, Courtney

What's in my Cosmetology Kit??

Helllooo Beauties and Happy Wednesday! Today was my first day of cosmetology classes and it went lovely. Everything happened as expected which was nice not to have been surprised by anything. We did some routine paper work, played an ice breaker (of sorts), and received our books and kits. So I decided to do a quick video to show y'all everything that I received! (*Note: This is only part of my kit. The first 28 days is a provisional period and following that I will receive everything else)

 

 

 

So, there it is, short & sweet :)

 

I really enjoyed my first day of class. I am super excited to see what the future holds for me in the cosmetology field.

 



If y'all have any questions please comment below.

 

Or shoot me an email at stylingrapunzel@gmail.com

 

 

 

What I learned at Grad Prep!

Hello, Beauties! Last night (Monday) I had Miller-Motte Technical College's version of orientation - Grad Prep. Right off the back I thought it was strange for them to call orientation 'Grad Prep' (especially considering I hadn't even started the program) but I quickly realized that is exactly what it is... preparation for graduation! Coming from and having the experience of a 4 year university, career training is almost a foreign concept. At Coastal classes were my main and only focus. Graduating and having an actual career still seemed to be unknown territory. I couldn't see myself walking across the stage and I never got the sense that one day I will be working in the professional world. Yet, at MMTC they talk about that Day 1. It was a sort of shock to me to be talking about your career when what I was expecting was an overview of the college, rules, and expectations whilst there. I was so wrong.

When I first get there for Grad Prep I am ushered into the main office area where I sign in and receive my student ID and key card. Then I was given my scrubs and another station. From that station I am escorted to a classroom down the hall which I am super thankful for because I was nervous about finding my way around. Once inside the classroom I sit in an open seat amongst other chatting students. At each desk is a bottle of water, a Payday candy bar (cute, right), and a folder of information. Immediately one of the women moderating the class comes and explains that I have a bit of paperwork to fill out. The paperwork consisted of questions such as, "What skills do you have that will help within your program" and "Where do you see yourself within your career". Pretty scary and tough questions, I know. So, I fill that out and await further instructions. Then we were introduced to the program directors of each program and a few other departments, given some school rules (no alcohol, no visitors, etc.) and broken up by programs. But right before we were broken up by programs we were told to write a letter to our future selves on graduation day! Most people, I assume, took this lightly and was done quickly. For me this was super exciting and I honestly teared up a little. To actually think about graduation after finally finding my place in the world was, quite frankly, overwhelming. I can't wait to read that letter that day :)

Next, we are directed to another classroom where we met with our program director. True to her profession, Program Director Heisien sported a very fashionable short hair cut and had me so stoked to start on Wednesday. She gave us an overview of the program and some of her expectations and rules for her Cos students.

A few random things I learned that day was:

1. Don't talk back to your program director on the first day, you'll look like a total tool.

2. It is illegal for a cosmetologist to use a straight razor on skin. (That's for the barbers)

3. Aim for success every single moment... You're being watched ;)

Guest Blogger : Tamara F.

Perfectly Southern: The Rules of a Southern Belle

Being a southern belle doesn't just happen, it's the way you're raised. Us true southern belles know our Mama's raised us a particular way. We have been blessing hearts, saying yes ma'am and yes sir, loving our Church, and helping people left and right as long as we can remember. Its more than pearls, red nails, and southern tans, it's the way we treat others and the way we expect to be treated in return.

Beyond the obvious manners and mannerisms southern belles have there is also a deeper purpose. We have to act well. Now ladies, if you don't act the correct way, how can you truly call yourself a belle?

Here's a a list of my big NO'S for belles:

1. Don't bring another belle down:

        Belle's do not, I repeat, do not, get jealous of each other. We want each other to succeed. The way ladies spread rumors about each other is horrid these days and it just isn't attractive. Now, if a fellow belle (or fake belle, for that matter) attempts to bring you down, just ignore it...it will come back to bite them in the butt, as Mama always said. Let fate take care of it and go on with your life. You're better than that.

2. Don't give your heart (or anything else) to just any guy:

        We each know that The Lord has made some perfect southern gentleman for each of us and it can take some time to find him, so don't rush it. Don't let every cute guy on campus convince you that he's worth your heart, because I promise he isn't. I know from experience that when you find the right man, you will know so just be cautious until you get that feeling. There's no point in getting your heart broken over and over. It's not worth it.

3. Don't forget The Lord:

        I know we belles have huge goals for life, whether is cosmetology school like Courtney, or law school like me; we all have big dreams. Sometimes we get so caught up it that we forget to read our Bibles or feel like we don't have time for Church, but don't let that happen. God is all we have ladies, so don't leave Him behind as you move forward.

4. Don't go with the crowd:

        If there's one thing I've learned while in college, it's that "the crowd" if often so very wrong. Who cares if so many girls are going to this club on saturday nights, joining this club, and rushing for this sorority? Does that stuff really matter? Of course not!! If you feel like flowing with your normal crowd with sacrifice your morals then please find a new crowd. I promise that it's easier to make new friends then accept the person you become if you flow with a bad crowd.

5. Don't forget where you came from:

        There's so many things that can pull us away from our roots. Many people think we should change our accents, move to a big city, and forget our southern ways. Just don't do it!! It's perfectly okay, and awesome, to become worldly, but please, become a worldly southern belle who always knows her way back home.

So ladies, thank you so very much for reading. Remember, don't forget "the don'ts" all belles should keep in mind. Have a blessed day.

XXOO, Tamara

My Top 5 Hair Tips

Hey, Beauties! Here are some hair rules I follow on a daily basis. (Note: These are all my unprofessional opinions)

1. Do not apply conditioner to your roots. When you apply conditioner to your roots it causes the hair to have the effect of looking greasy and weighed down. When applying conditioner I take a generous amount and work it into my hair as if I was fixing a ponytail. I start at the nap of my neck and apply the product down the shaft of my hair all the way to the ends, never putting it in my roots. I let it sit for a couple of minutes before I rinse it completely. As a general rule of thumb I don't like to put any product on my roots unless specifically made for root management.

2. Get a regular trim. This is one of those rules that I wish I followed more often. With time and life it can be so difficult to get into the salon. Between washing, coloring, curling, straightening, and styling our hair takes some major everyday damage. All of this processing causes the hair to become brittle and more susceptible to damage. Getting regular trims will not only get rid of that dead weight it will give it a much healthier appearance. However, it is a myth that it will help your hair grow faster.

3. Leave it to the professionals. Unless you are licensed and experience do not, i repeat, DO NOT try to highlight, dye, or cut your hair yourself. You may think you are saving money when you do this but when you permanently damage your hair you'll think otherwise.  Also, when you could ultimately end up spending more to fix the damage you caused that what it would have been to go to the salon in the first place.

4. Change it up. Instead of wearing the same style everyday, mix it up! There are way to many cute ways to fix your hair for you to wear your hair in a ponytail everyday. Whether you mix it up with up-dos, braids, or curls, try to mix it up and change it up so you don't get stuck in a hair-rut. 

5. Take a break from the heat. Every once in a while take a break from blow drying, straightening, curling, etc. Heat is the main cause of the breakage and damage to hair. Try going a day or two going natural.  If you are daring enough go a whole week!


I hope you lovely ladies found this bit of information helpful! Happy Monday!


xoxo, Courtney

Pre-Cos Jitters

Hello Blog World! I decided to take my cosmetology journey on the road (well, on the world wide web) and share all the tips, tricks, and trade secrets with everyone. So, beauties, buckle your seat belts and take this ride with me through the world of hair, nails, and makeup!

 I wanted to start this blog explaining how I got to this point in my life.
After graduating high school in 2010, I did what everyone had expected me to do, I went to a 4 year university. Entering into college with my major being Psychology I was stoked. I couldn't wait to start this new chapter in my life. I had all these dreams and visions of me owning my own practice and diving deeply into the minds of very disturbed individuals. I have always enjoyed working with people and psychology was such a fascinating subject to me. So, first semester I took Psych 101 and that quickly let me know that this was definitely not the field of study that I belonged too. I stayed in that class and finished up the semester but as soon as it was over I found myself in my advisers office switching majors. 

After much thought and consideration I declared Early Childhood Education as my major. I had my introduction to Education the 2nd semester of freshman year and loved it. I got to spend a day in the classroom with a class of kindergartners and I was very pleased with the direction my schooling was going. I loved seeing their bright, eager faces sitting at their tiny desks. I helped tied shoes, read stories, and played games with them. I very much enjoyed being with the children. But as time went by and class continued, I grew very bored of the curriculum. I decided to stick it out thinking it was just the first class and I just wasn't stimulated enough. (Plus, my professor was a complete nut - in the best way possible) So i finished up that semester pretty well, still trudging along all of my core classes.

The third semester is where my whole outlook of my future changed. I had 2 more education courses mixed in with core classes. My education classes where my most hated classes. I enjoyed going to creative writing and exercise-sports science so much more than I did my education classes. I knew something was off. I had great, well educated professors but all of the curriculum left me bored, frustrated, annoyed, and perturbed. I knew I didn't belong in this major and that what it all boiled down to was that I really just liked children. I knew my intentions coming into this major was all wrong. I didn't really want to grade papers all evening, spend countless hours in the halls of elementary schools, deal with crazy parents, or anything that would actually qualify me as a teacher. What I really wanted to do was play with 5 year olds - the total wrong intentions. 

Knowing education wasn't where I belong I had to make the biggest decision of my life. So I took the last month or so of my final (3rd) semester of college prioritizing my passions. I made lists, took quizzes, and talked to many people to help me decide where I wanted to be in 5, 10, or 20 years. That's when I decided my main passions fit everything that cosmetology was. I finished up the third semester of school and made a huge decision to drop out and follow my true passions at a technical college. Of course, my mom was furious to begin with but slowly came around and accepted and supported my decision. I searched for schools and did some research. I worked for a year at an insurance agency, a job provided by such good, Godly people. Obtaining a job was my biggest priority right after school because I knew I had some time before I would be back in the classroom. I was so thankful and blessed to be provided with the job that I was.

After a year of no classes and living in the working world, I found a school that fit my needs. My very first class is Wednesday, January 16th, 2013! I couldn't be more excited to start classes Wednesday. I'm both nervous and ecstatic about learning all there is to know to help me succeed in this industry. There is so much I do not know about having a successful, self-sufficient career and I can't wait to start!