Aziza Beauty

Capital City Kwanzaa Festival 2011

2011-12-20T13:44:00.002-05:00

The Williamsburg Road Super Flea Market

2011-10-08T20:59:00.004-04:00

The Williamsburg Road Super Flea Market is an indoor flea market that is open all year. It is located in eastern Henrico on 3302 Williamsburg Rd Richmond, VA 23231. I thought that this flea market had closed, but to my surprise they are still open under new management. I was surprised to see stores like The Ghana House (used to be in VCU area), Afrikongo, 1 Eye Originals, and A Peaceful Place to name a few. You can find a great selection of incense, incense burners, art work, black soap, body oils, unique jewelry, urban apparel, Afrocentric items, computer repair, etc. It is a true unknown gem. Help support local businesses and artisans! If you are looking for a retail space for your small business, they have great low rates to help you get started. Visit their website The Williamsburg Road Super Flea Market Website more information.

Afrikongo

The Ghana House (used to be near VCU)

A Peaceful Place

Down Home Family Reunion 2011

2011-08-17T22:59:00.003-04:00

August 20, 2011

21st Annual Down Home Family Reunion

Down Home Family Reunion, A Celebration of African American Folklife is a downtown weekend festival that celebrates African American folklife with world music and dance, the Heritage Market, special children’s events, interactive site demonstrations and delicious down home food. It is designed to show aspects of West African cultural traditions that are African American and that have been absorbed by the American South. This is one of the Society’s original programs created in1990. (Third weekend in August.)

Juneteenth 2011 - June 18, 2011 Richmond, VA

2011-06-17T12:39:00.002-04:00

Juneteenth National Freedom Day!

Bring the family and join Elegba Folklore Society for Juneteenth 2011, A Freedom Celebration on Saturday, June 18, 3:00 – 11:00p.

Juneteenth 2011, A Freedom Celebration commemorates the oldest African American holiday, Juneteenth National Freedom Day.

Enjoy performances and speakers, The Freedom Market, exhibits and children’s events.

Then, at 8:00p take in the Torch Lit Walk on the Trail of Enslaved Africans to observe the theme, Healing Spirit.

For more information visit http://efsinc.org/.

Green Tip: Essential oils used for cleaning

2011-05-16T23:35:00.000-04:00

Lavendar oil - disinfectant

Lemon, orange, and grapefruit oil - tough degreaser

Eucalyptus oil - disinfects, great choice if you are fighting of a cold

Tea tree oil - effective againts bacteria, fungus, and some viruses

White cedar oil - disinfects

Lime oil - degreaser and general cleanser

Pine oil - degreaser and helps to stimulate alertnessSee More

Business Spotlight: BOABW House

2011-03-29T19:14:00.002-04:00

L-Boogie Earrings

Jean Life Earrings

I love Etsy for artisan products. I came across BOABW (Beauty Of All Black Women) House and found some great pieces. They make beautiful creative ethnic pieces. Great accessory for those with natual hair.
Check out their sites at:

http://www.boabw.ecrater.com/
www.artfire.com/users/Boabw
www.myspace.com/boabwhpe

Baltimore Natural Haircare Expo 2011

2011-03-24T17:06:00.000-04:00

Back to where the Natural Haircare Expo started, the Baltimore Natural Haircare Expo will be sure to please the natural hair enthusiast or those who love unique artisan products. This year the expo is March 26th and 27th. Please check the flyer below for more information or visit their website at http://www.baltimorenaturalhaircareexpo.com/ .

Business Spotlight: Nubian Jewels

2011-03-16T08:20:00.002-04:00

If you are looking for unique, eclectic, or ethnic jewelry then Nubian Jewels is the place for you. You can also find hair adornments that can be worn on locs, braids, Nubian twist, kinky twists, etc.

The owner of Nubian Jewels is Felice Ngunza Akosuia and she is truly an inspirational artisan. Many of her pieces are handmade with love. She also provides insight on "where to shop for health and beauty, holistic products, wardrobe items and the most unique accessories to complete your individual style!"

Visit her website at http://www.nubianjewels.biz/

iShoutforJoy Christmas Event

2010-12-14T23:07:00.000-05:00

Nubian Twist Hair Style

2010-11-10T20:45:00.000-05:00

(Picture courtesy of E-ON Hair http://www.eonhair.com/)

(Photo courtesy of Hair Talk by Duyan James)

A few summers ago, I was looking for long lasting styles for the summer and I discovered the Nubian Twist. This particular style gives the look of locs without the commitment. This style has been around for a while, but it has been hard to find a good inexpensive stylist in my area that does them properly. Some people are blessed with thick enough natural hair that they do not need extensions to achieve this look. I am not one of these people, so I decided to try and do them on my own with the help of this You Tube video! It is similar to doing Kinky Twist but with a different type of hair, and the ends do not have to be curled.

I found the hair from different sites, including:

E On Hair

Braids Inc

Nafy Collection

I will update this blog with my photos (good or bad!) A great book that is great in explaining how to do this style is Hairtalk: Stylish Braids from African Roots by Duyan James.

My Photo Updates:

So I tried to do the nubian twist style myself and this is what I came out with:

Not bad for my first try. So I decided to try and use the Afro Bulk hair from the local beauty supply (around $5 a pack) to perform this style (pictured below):

Eyebrow Threading

2010-11-08T08:40:00.002-05:00

I found this video on YouTube about eyebrow threading some time ago. If you want to give it a try watch this video for instructions on how to. I will say that it takes some practice before you can truly master it.

Product Spotlight: Waist beads by Sewra

2010-11-05T08:00:00.001-04:00

Waist beads by Sewra is a collection of waist beads made of semiprecious stones and precious metals.

Waistbeads are usually worn under clothes, and were traditonally used in Africa to help shape and hold a woman's figure along with many other theraputic benefits. Also they were used by African women to allure their husbands. Today many woman wear it as an adornment just like one would wear a ring or earrings. These waistbeads can be worn by women of all shapes and sizes!

More information on waist beads can be found at her sitehttp://www.waistbeads.com/

Product Spotlight: Peace Images

2010-11-01T20:42:00.001-04:00

If your are looking for some unique pieces of jewelry then try Peace Images. Theses pieces are funky, eclectic and ethnic pieces that are often one of a kind. Many of the profits are donated to various charities of the artist choice. Here are some samples of her work :

To purchase these items visit her site at http://peaceimages.bigcartel.com/

Happily Natural Day 2010 Richmond, VA

2010-08-27T18:26:00.001-04:00

Saturday August 28, 2010 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
104 Cowardin Ave, Richmond, VA 23219

Come out and visit our booth at Happily Natural Day 2010!

Read about the event below:
Happily Natural Day is an African Heritage festival committed to cultural awareness, holisitic health and social change. Happily Natural promotes the natural beauty of African people. The festival features workshops, lectures, music and merchants with one of a kind products from around the globe. The mission is to raise consciousness in the African community.

Down Home Family Reunion 2010

2010-08-16T14:09:00.001-04:00

It’s the 20th Annual Down Home Family Reunion, Saturday and Sunday, August 21-22.
Come to Saturday’s Family Festival, 4 – 11pm, downtown in Abner Clay Park, featuring blues guitar legend, Bobby Parker and the Blues Night Band, world music and dance, the Heritage Market, children’s events and food.

And don’t miss the Sunday Brunch, 3pm at the downtown Hilton Garden Inn with the iconic R&B hit man, Norman Connors (You Are My Starship, Valentine Love). Enjoy browsing in the gallery, complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. The Elegba Folklore Society’s African dancers and drummers perform both days.

Details: Call the Society at 644.3900 or visit them on the web at http://www.efsinc.org/

Upcoming Event: Tropical Divas Sex and The City Summer Fashion Show

2010-07-29T16:13:00.000-04:00

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Holiday Inn Crossroads

2000 Staples Mill Road

Richmond, Virginia 23230

Doors open promptly at 4PM

Showtime 5PM

Tickets Price:

In advance $20.00

Door $25.00

VIP $ 30.00 includes :

VIP Seating

VIP Gift bag

VIP Drink

Visit their site at http://www.tropicaldivasrichmond.com/index.html for more details.

Product Spotlight: Honey, Milk, & Banana Soap

2010-06-28T15:55:00.001-04:00

Your skin will love this soap! This soap is made with real bananas, coconut milk, honey, cocoa powder, & brown sugar. This soap seems almost good enough to eat! It is a great moisturizing soap that helps inprove skin texture and clarity. It is also a great shampoo bar. You can find this product along with other handmade soaps at http://www.brownsugarnaturals.com/

Company Spotlight: Afrodelik

2010-06-25T19:11:00.000-04:00

Afrodelik is a company that was started by Desiree Marshall. She is an artist that creates hand drawn afrocentric wearable art. Check out her website at http://www.afrodelik.com/

Upcoming Event: Juneteenth Celebration

2010-06-16T10:29:00.002-04:00

Juneteenth, A Freedom Celebration

Manchester Dock

Richmond VA

June 19th, 2010

3pm-8pm

Take the Torch Lit Night Walk on the Trail of Enslaved Africans. Begins @ 8pm

Upcoming Event: The North Carolina Natural Hair Expo

2010-06-16T10:13:00.000-04:00

Status of Aziza Beauty Supply

2010-05-14T11:01:00.001-04:00

Soooo.....I have been getting a lot of emails from loyal customers of Aziza Beauty Supply. The main question is are we still in business! To answer that question, I decided to try to pursue my own line of natural products called Brown Sugar Naturals. I put Aziza on hold so that I could really focus in developing a good line of natural products. Needless to say it has been a long process of formulating and reformulating. We have a few products that I am introducing and still working on others. We are looking for those who are willing to be our testers and give feedback on the products. Take a look at the site http://www.brownsugarnaturals.com/ Please email me at brownsugarnaturals@gmail.com with any products that you are willing to try.

Thank you all for your loyal support and if you really want Aziza Beauty Supply back..I can make that happen :)

Darshall

Upcoming Event Baltimore Natural Hair Expo - March 20 & 21

2010-03-03T14:06:00.003-05:00

Watch the YouTube video for the Baltimore Natural Hair Care Expo:

2009 Capital City Kwanzaa Festival - DEC 27th at The Showplace

2009-12-17T12:36:00.000-05:00

Business Spotlight: Bohemian Soul

2009-11-24T16:50:00.001-05:00

Bohemian Soul

I ran across this sister's site and thought I would share! Bohemian Soul specializes in one of a kind clothing and accessories, with a funky retro edge. Bohemian Soul caters to the fashionista who embraces uniqueness, individuality, and loves all things fabulous! Be sure to check out her Black Friday Sales at http://www.bohemiansoul.com/

Shea Butter Benefits

2009-11-24T15:52:00.003-05:00

(Unrefined Shea Butter)

I always knew that unrefined shea butter, or scientific name Butyrospermum Parkii, was great for overall skin health, but I thought I would research it for more in depth information and share

Shea Butter Origin

Shea butter is slightly yellowish or ivory colored natural fat that is extracted from the seed of the shea or Karite tree. The shea tree grows naturally in the wild in the dry savannah belt of West Africa from Senegal in the west to Sudan in the east, and onto the foothills of the Ethiopian highlands. It occurs in 19 countries across the African continent, namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Guinea. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)

The shea tree does not produce it first fruits until it is about 20 years old. When it reaches an age of about 45 years it reaches full maturity and production potential. Now that is a true testament that things do get better with age! The shea tree can be productive for up to 200 years from its maturity date.

Types of Shea Butter

Ultra-refined Shea Butter

• Resembles cooking oil. It is the same butter that is used in the food industry for chocolate. During the refining process many of the skin loving benefits are removed

Refined Shea Butter

• Resembles Crisco shortening. Usually odorless and white in color. Shea butter has been refined using heat and chemicals. Refined shea butter is still a great moisturizer, but other known benefits may be removed during the refining process.

Unrefined Shea Butter ( pictured at the top of page)

• It has a nutty aroma and its color can range from a tan to grayish yellow. This type of shea butter is extracted without the use of chemicals. This is the best type to use if you want to get all the benefits of using shea butter.

If you see shea butter that is bright yellow or gold in color, it usually has other unknown additives that help to "stretch" shea butter or to get more from a little. These are usually cheaper in cost.

Shea Butter Benefits

• Shea butter can help even skin tone with regular use.
• Shea butter can be used to help the prevention of stretch marks during pregnancy.
• Shea butter has been used in the relief of sinusitis and nasal congestion.
• Shea butter can be used as natural hair conditioner. It helps to maintain moisture in dry brittle hair.
• Shea butter helps the healing process of small wounds, burns, cuts and scrapes.
• Shea butter can be used as a natural makeup remover.
• Shea butter can be used on everyone! It is safe for babies, children and adults.
• Shea butter helps with the prevention and treatment of sunburn. Ranges in SPF from 0 to 6.
• Shea butter has a naturally high content of vitamins A and E.
• Shea butter moisturizes dry, cracked skin. It is great with those with eczema and other similar skin conditions.
• Shea Butter rehydrates skin and promotes cell growth.
• Shea butter can be used to help muscle fatigue, aches and tension.
• Shea butter is recommended for conditioning animal’s coats.
• Shea butter is a great natural lip balm.

Fair Trade Shea

Please look for shea butter that has been obtained upholding fair trade principles. These principles help implement social, economic, and environmental development in the areas of Africa that the shea butter is produced.

Overall shea butter is a great ingredient to have in your household. Shea butter can be stored for up to 2 to 3 years. After this time, it will start to lose some of its beneficial properties. It is recommended that those with nut or latex allergies should not use shea butter.