Uncategorized

Getting Heart Disease?

A commonly asked question from many of our BlackGirlHealth.com readers has been how to prevent heart disease. BlackGirlHealth.com Publisher Porcha Johnson sought advice from Dr. Jose.Taveras MD. He is a non-invasive cardiologist practicing at Montefiore Einsten Center for Heart a Vascular Care in the Bronx, New York. What are the 3 top things minority women don't know about how to prevent heart disease? Dr. Taveras: Most people are not aware of the risk they expose themselves to with a poor diet. Heart attacks in the United States are at epidemic proportions, yet, when you ask the average joe they tell you they had eggs and bacon for breakfast. How beneficial, easy and incredibly delicious a healthy diet  can be is, I would say, the most important thing most...

Health Coach Rox

Health Coach Rox, another one of our BlackGirlHealth.com health ambassadors, is dedicated to living a healthy lifestyle and helping others do the same. She uses psychology and exercise to ensure maximum results for her clients. Coach Rox’s journey began when she gained 80 pounds during pregnancy. She knew that she needed to make changes in her life, and quick. She lost all of her gained weight by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Now she helps her clients live the healthiest lives possible by consulting and training them....

Keep Makeup Brushes Clean

Makeup brushes can be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus, so it’s best to wash your makeup brushes at least once a week. I prefer to clean my brush after each use. Every time you use one on your face, it picks up dirt, bacteria, oils, and dead skin cells (not to mention spit and tears). After a while, dirty brushes get stiff, the bristles separate, and your makeup streaks when you apply it. This is not ideal versus using a clean brush, which is softer on the skin and can distribute makeup more evenly. Clean brushes will give your make up a smoother application. To clean my brushes I use Pink Soap (you can purchase at Michaels craft store for $7.99) along with olive oil...

Gel Nails

Before you go running to the salon for a quick fix, ladies we need to have a little chat… about gel nails. Yes that are a quick solution to nails that won’t grow, paint chipping, they last a long time, and are a refreshing break from DIYN (Do It Yourself Nails). Like all good things, gel nails are good in moderation. Let me stress again… moderation! With back-to-back and frequent use of gels nails, your natural nails are suffering! They are becoming more brittle and weak to the point where you won’t have very much of a nail to apply gel too. Not to mention the increased risks for skin cancer with frequent use of the UV curers. (UV related cancer, basal cell carcinoma) The chemical used...

Bad Edges

Sometimes genetics aren’t always so giving, so your "mane" attraction may need a little extra help. Ladies if your edges are balding, receding, or thinning this vitamin could be your miracle grow and your best kept secret. I’ve gotten great reviews from my clients.   The vitamin works, Hair, Skin, and Nails by enhancing your own natural collagen and keratin production. It moisturizes while enhancing skin’s elasticity and flexibility. It also promotes healthy cell growth, strength, and shine, allowing you to enhance your beauty from the inside out! If you want to see what this vitamin can do for you, contact me at my shop, “Hair at the Square,” located at 3 North 3rd Street in Harrisburg.  ...

Porcha Johnson

Malia Tate-Defrietas

Malia Tate-DeFreitas works hard on and off the basketball court to maintain a healthy lifestyle. She believes that it’s important to stay healthy because it will “lead to a longer more fulfilling life.” She begins and ends her day with an intensive workout along with watching what she eats. Malia’s basketball career began at the age of nine, and she hasn’t slowed down since. She left Steelton-Highspire High School as the school’s all-time leading scorer. Malia became the 9th person in Pennsylvania history to Amass 3000 career points in high school basketball, and ended her high school career #2 in Pennsylvania history with 3366 points. She won a scholarship to Hampton University and in her freshman year earned the Division I Rookie of the Year award. Malia is...

Dark Under Eye Circles

Black women of all shades can experience dark circles under their eyes. This is caused by a loss of volume that accentuates the melanin and pigment in the eye area. Because we lose subcutaneous fat as we age, dark circles (otherwise known as raccoon eyes) are more noticeable.   Every woman over the age of 18 should invest in under eye cream!!! My favorite eye cream is the one pictured above by Philosophy; I’m 31 and no wrinkles yet! No amount of sleep or cold compresses will make discolorations go away, but there’s still something you can do. You can use a good concealer. My favorite is Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics. Concealer will take care of the discoloration, but to take care of the puffiness you’ll need a...

To Drunk Manicures…

Painting your nails with your non- dominant hand is no easy feat. Even for me and I’m ambidextrous! It seems the polish goes everywhere except on my nails. Before I know it, my palms, table, pants, and surrounding areas are getting manicures. I had the hardest time getting the paint off of the skin around my nail (where the nail meets the cuticle and skin). I tried everything from pointy-tipped-cotton swabs to mimicking what they do in the nail salon, wrapping a paper towel around a metal nail file. No go. Never fear beautiful! I have found the perfect solution. The two keys: a metal nail file with a pointed tip (as shown in the photo) and a cap full of nail polish remover. Step 1:  Paint...

Natural Hair

#FabulousHairFridays Treat your natural hair like you would your one true love: spoil it, dress it up, and most importantly love it. Spending a little extra on that deep condition or biotin treatment will help protect your hair from the harsh elements outside. I assure you doing this treatment will allow the two of you to weather any storm. Spring has sprung, and just like a beautiful flower, a pop of peek-a-boo color, will be the perfect accessory for any type of hair....