#BlackHistoryMonth | Zionly Manna Vegan Restaurant | #LAM

Since the Veganism movement, I can honestly say that I'm very conscious of my meals, and how much meat I'm eating and why. I've mananged to go meat-free for 40 days for Lent a couple of years back. I've tried veganism last October but only lasted for 8 days. One of the main reasons why I gave up, was the fact that I my meal options seemed limited, plus trips to vegan restaurants left me hungry, unsatisified or unhappy.



Recently, I happened to take a trip down memory lane and spotted this lil beauty right in the heart of Peckham. Zionly Manna Vegan Restuarant, is a vegan 'rastarant' situated in Rye Lane Market.



All food is freshly cooked and DE-LICIOUS! And no, I am not just saying that. I actually thought I didn't like quinoa until Jason's and that's saying something. I think the thing that sets his food apart from other Vegan restaurants is the flavours. Jason is a seasoned chef, and we can deffo see this reflected in his tasty meal options. I can recommed the rotis filled with chickpeas and spinach + the hot pepper sauce. Jason, the owner is super friendly and very knowledgebale on healthy food options. For him veganism, isn't just a diet, but a lifestyle.

The portions are decent and the price is affordable £6-10. (A tenner will grab you a main & dessert/drink).

If you're down in Peckham, deffo give this gem a visit. You won't regret it, I promise :)

As always until next time, stay blessed and beautiful dolls. LAM xoxo

#BlackHistoryMonth | Why I don't use Dove products anymore | #LAM

Why don't I use Dove products anymore? I used to be a big fan of Dove products, most especially the soap and lotion due to their fragrance. I was legit obsessed. My holy grail item was the Dove lotion, which was apparently "moisturising" and supposedly good for "dry skin." I always found that it never truly moisturised my skin as my skin still felt dry after using it. It was like after my skin absorbed the cream, my skin still somehow managed to be dry, which seemed mind-boggling for me. Yet still, stupidly I refused to divorce myself from this unhealthy and unfulfilling marriage to my beloved Dove cream.

Copyright & Image Credit: @NayTheMua

In the ad (pictured above) we see a Black woman appear to turn White after using Dove soap. What is Dove trying to imply here?

Why don't I use Dove products anymore? I don't use Dove cream anymore, because I have very sensitive and delicate skin. My skin gets offended easily and I am allergic to their bullsh*t. I can't, don't and won't condone nonsense. 

I'm sorry but do you really mean to tell me that all those execs, PR experts, and marketing team specialists sitting in their boardroom actually OK'd this ad and thought it was acceptable? And yes, I am aware that Dove has slogans like "Beauty for all" and has previously done inclusive beauty campaigns and commercials.  

But no, this isn't the first time Dove has missed the mark and I can guarantee for as long as we continue to support (either through purchasing Unilever products or being passively silent in these situations) it won't be the last. And yes, I can see they've apologised but sometimes an apology just isn't good enough. But no, I haven't missed the irony of the coincidental timing of this ad's release and the fact that it's #BlackHistoryMonth. Wake up and smell the coffee people.

Credit: Makon 

However, the fact that they could do something like this shows me they can't come to the cookout. This ad shows me that Dove and its parent brand Unilever don't think highly enough of my skin to consider my thoughts and feelings. I on the other hand, think and care way too highly of my skin to put a product on it that would cause it so much irritation. Therefore, there is no space on my beauty cosmetics table or in my bathroom for them as I have washed my hands off Dove and its parent company Unilever.  

#SayNoToRacism #MySkinMatters #LAM #BHM

In the spirit of #BlackHistoryMonth and the fact that it's #Blogtober I've decided to blog more frequently this month.

*This post has been UPDATED since original posting.

Happy Black History Month | #LAM

Happy Black History Month! Happy 30th Anniversary for UK Black History Month. Happy Nigerian Independence Day to my fellow African sisters and brothers too :D

What is the purpose of Black History Month (BHM)?

BHM was created to celebrate prominent Black heroes, historical achievements and remember the Black struggle. The first UK BHM was held in London and organised by Ghanaian analyst and special projects coordinator: Akyaaba Addai-Sebo.

Akyaaba Addai-Sebo

It's roots can are founded in Negro History Week, which sought to re-address the fact that Black History was not taught in mainstream schools and the contributions of significant Black people (Forgotten Heroes) were not given their due recognition. 

Due to state-sanctioned murders of Black people (read police brutality) *eyeroll* in America and in the UK, the continued need for #BlackLivesMatter and BHM becomes all the more pertinent.

So no we won't be renaming or repurposing Black History Month to 'People of Colour Month,' or 'Black and Multicultural Awareness Month,' or 'Black and Minority Ethnic Group Month' or any such variation. Black people worldwide had to fight long and hard in order to get BHM recognised and institutionalised. 

Do we still need Black History Month (BHM) in the 21st century?

'I understand all that, but that was in the past. Now we are in the 21st century. BHM is so unnecessary. Where's White History Month?'

I can hear some of you asking in genuine confusion or feigned ignorant bliss where White History Month is (in the name of racial equality, right)? White History Month is everywhere always. Open your eyes and ears and you'll see it's never too far. It's in the National Curriculum (read KS2-KS4 History). It's in English too; didn't you realise that the literary canon was purposely non-inclusive despite the fact that we live in a supposedly multicultural society? 

Black history has been strategically removed, ignored and white-washed. It's not yet taught properly in all UK schools, and when we do here about, it's very reductionist and just focuses on the enslavement of Black peoples. So yup, for those of you who didn't hear me in the back, we still need BHM. For as long as Whiteness in all its elusivity continues to remain culturally ingrained in society, the need for BHM won't go anywhere.

Despite the fact that we are living in the 21st century we unfortunately still have a long way to go before we banish racial inequalities. Can searching our roots offer give us the much needed insight we need to move forward?

Copyright: www.cobainc.com/sankofa_definition.php

I believe it can. The Ghanaian adinkra symbol 'Sankofa' of the bird with its head twisted backwards to receive an egg is often associated with BHM. Sankofa means 'to go back and get/fetch/take it.'  This visual representation reminds us to go back and get it. The word is taken from the Akan proverb which reminds us that it's not wrong to back and take something we've forgotten. Sankofa therefore reminds us that in order to move forward, we should look back (not to live in the past) but to see how our history, roots and heritage have contributed to our present and what this could mean for the future.

Sankofa badges are being sold this month. Help support slavery remembrance. By remembering our past, we can move forward. 

Together

Everyone

Achieves

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Stay beautiful, blessed and woke folks!

#LAM 

Natural Hair Series: How to grow natural hair | #LAM

October 6th marked my 1.5 year natural hair anniversary. As it's Black History Month I couldn't think of a more befitting time to share my hair journey with you guys. I don't measure my hair, but my hair is between chin-neck length (when stretched/blow dried). However, my hair is mostly worn in its curly state so it's true length is rarely shown. Hello shrinkage!

During my last update I gave you tips and tricks for new naturalistas and in this post I'd like to share my hair regime with you. So in no particular order here goes:

1. Wash (once a week-ish)
   I make my own African Black Herbal Shampoo from African Black Soap. I've been doing this for almost 5 months now. There are many recipes for this shampoo mix so have a play around with ingredients and adapt to your hair's needs. I adapted mine from Naptural85's video.
2. Moisturise with water and seal using LCO method every 1-2 days as needed.
   Water/ Water & Aloe Vera Mix
   Giovanni Leave In Conditioner
   My shea butter mix
3. Treat (monthly-ish)
   I make my own treatment concoctions depending on what I feel my hair needs. I'm always on the lookout for new organic DIY recipes, so if y'all have any to recommend me please holla :)
4. Trimming. I don't follow a set regimen for trimming my hair. I trim my hair as necessary. I haven't trimmed my hair in about 6 months so at my next visit I'll be getting a trim.
   
   
5. Combing. I don't comb my hair. I tried finger detangling and it doesn't work for me. I probably comb my hair monthly or when it feels very knotty. Due to my curl pattern my hair is always knotting and I realised that combing every day doesn't prevent it from knotting up so I just leave it be. I actually think excessive combing leads to hair retention issues and attribute this particular element to my hair growth.
6. Styling. I'm not big on styling. I don't do much with my hair. My scalp is super sensitive and my hair doesn't like too much manipulation. Most of the time my hair is worn in a curly 'fro with my black bandana and I put a minuscule amount of gel on my edges to keep them laid. In terms of heat, I've only blow dried my hair 3-4 times in 1.5 years. I will blowdry my hair every 3-6 months to chart growth progress or if I'm getting a weave but other than that I'm not too into it.
7. I do use a hair towel and don't wrap my hair at night. I also do use elastic bands sometimes. I know. These are big no-nos in the natural hair community. Shoot me? I'm kidding. In all honesty, though do you hunny. If there's anything I've learned in this natural hair journey, it's this: Everyone and their mother will have something to tell you about how you should do your hair and what would work best for it. Ultimately it's your hair and your journey. With trial and error you'll find what works for you. Also don't jump on the bandwagon of product hype. When I became a natural, coconut oil was made out to be the Holy Grail essential hair saviour. I have since found coconut oil to be drying for my hair. On my skin, EVCO is great, but on my hair it's a no-no. My best advice is to take what people say with a pinch of salt and find out what works best for you via research and experimenting :)
   
   DISCLAIMER: Previously I've said I was 3C-4A. I now think I'm 4A-B (I have random bits of 3C at the perimeter and back of my hair, but it's not much).

I say ish because although I try to follow this hair regime regularly, sometimes I get lazy or life gets in the way and I might skip certain things.

As always until next time, stay blessed and beautiful dolls. LAM xoxo

#BOMB: IMAN Cosmetics

Hello my lovelies,

A few months ago I was contacted by IMAN Cosmetics to review some items from their (then new) alter ego range. Unless you've been living under a rock over the last few months you would have noticed there has been a hike in police brutalities murders towards people of colour in America, and at present the #BlackLivesMatter movement couldn't be more necessary. I'm happy to support #BOMBs (Black Owned Make Up Brand) on LAM.

Back to the review: I was sent a goodie bag which included their foundation stick, bronzer, lipsticks and lip glosses. I've been using the products for a while now so feel that I can give an accurate review as to how well the products fare with time.

Foundation: Iman Second to None Stick (Clay 2)*

Bronzer: Afterglow *

Lips: Hipster Lipstick & Debutante Lip Shimmer*

Nude Affair

Here are some nude lip combos I made playing around with the lipsticks and lip shimmers.

Left to Right clockwise: Nude and Muse, Socialite, Muse, Socialite

Night Affair

If you're after something a bit more dramatic, Diva or Drama Queen are great shades for going out or if you're #alterego is feeling a bit adventurous or daring.

I would definitely recommend you guys check out the range. The lipsticks are velvet-smooth and literally glide on your lips. The lip shimmers and lipsticks smell and taste delicious, and I really love the sleek chicness of their packaging. The foundation stick is very rich and creamy, so a little bit really does go along way so I can tell I won't need to be repurchasing it anytime as you deffo get good value for money.

IMAN is now available online in the UK. You can thank me later ;)

 In the comments section below make sure you let me know which lipstick you preferred on me? Also have any of you tried any of IMAN's products, if so, how did you find them?

As always until next time, stay blessed and beautiful dolls. LAM xoxo