Wash and Go: Cantu Products

I did a wash and go on Saturday and I am highly satisfied with the level of definition and hold that i had :)  I used Cantu products to achieve the look. I washed my hair with Tresseme's Conditioner (For all Hair Types apparently) and washed it out of my hair. Then I took some Cantu Leave in Conditioner and moisturized my hair and coat my curls. Then i put Cantu's define and shine custard onto my sectioned hair. I had to use a small amount as it is a very sticky substance and leaves a lot of residue. After coating my hair with the custard my curls started to become heavily defined (as shown in the photographs). I was satisfied with the hold that i achieved with the product and rocked defined hair for 3 days in a row. I do commend Cantu for creating products that work well with my hair, but i'm still peeved about the level of residue that the product creates. Yes the hold is great, yes my curls are defined, but having giant chunks of dried product in my hair is not pretty. After 3 days of wearing my hair like that, i had to wash my hair to remove the custard residue. Even after intense washing and rinsing, my hair was still covered in residue, so i resorted to brushing the clumps out of my hair. :( I really do love the definition as shown in the photographs, but the residue that is left is just not cutting it for me. All in all the product gets top mark for definition and hold, but scores poorly in the residue department.

[polldaddy poll=8801494]

Out and About: Pillars of Hercules

With the Weekend being blissfully lengthy, I had a lot of time to explore the hangouts on my island. The Pillars of Hercules are a notable attraction that is awe inspiring to both locals and visitors alike. Every time i take the trek to see the pillars, the breathtaking dominance of the stone never ceases to amaze. This structure, like most of the world's wonders, is a sign that the earth is an amazingly beautiful place, and that God has to be an artist. As i am a photographer, i took it upon myself to share with you all the wonders of my little island paradise.

I did have my canon, but climbing around with a DSLR around water isn't much of a good idea. So i entrusted most of the photography to my iPhone 5c. The camera could not capture the splendor as much as seeing it face to face would, but i can say that the photos still portray the beauty good enough for you to enjoy. I was suited up in all blue so i could blend in with the sea :)

  I also took the time out  to test out my new selfie stick and my under water pouch to get even more dynamic views. I had an excellent Easter Monday getting sun burnt and salty haired... which bite me in the butt later as my hair was hell to detangle and de-sand. Getting to the pillars isn't really all that hard. If you're familiar with the English Harbour area, you drive on down to Galleon Beach and keep walking around toward the rocks.... hop across some loose rocks.... then the mountain side starts to take on an interesting ridge shape... and BLAM the pillars begin to unfold before your eyes and it all appears.  In the photo below you can faintly see a fisherman on the rocks behind me.

A little ways past the pillars, and a lot more climbing, you'd come across some really beautiful rock pools. The pool is shown below :). It's basically two chambers with the first always filled and pool like, and the second is only full at high tide as it is a sort of over flow chamber. It's a really calm place to just relax, chill and reflect. If ever i'm stressed, it's kind of soothing to just think about that place. I'm not really sure how the weather was able to shape the pillars, but i'm really glad that they exist.

Curvy Idol: Renee Edwards-Ambrose

Renee Edwards Ambrose is one of the most inspiring persons that I've ever come across. She's a go getter and she lets nothing get between her and her goals. She's a professional Drag Racer and has competed and broke records at meets across the Caribbean, She's runs her own Drag Racing Team; Lady Horsepower Farm, and she's even an aircraft mechanic for LIAT (the Caribbean's Main Regional Airline). But, despite all these things that might colour her a tomboy, She's an established Plus-Sized Model. She won the Caribbean Plus Competition in 2013, and become Antigua's first Miss. Carnival Plus International Winner in 2014, and recently she took home the title of Miss. Curvy Idol, an international modelling competition.

I've had the pleasure of working with her so many times as I've photographed her for her portfolio as well as personal pursuits. She's a beautiful person, both inside and out. So when She won Miss Curvy Idol, and my photographs of her were plastered all over the internet, I felt a sense of pride. I'm forever grateful to her for believing in my talent and using my photographs to promote her brand. Congratulations Renee :)

Here are some of the Photos featured on the Curve Appeal Website

Featuring Photographs by Annetta Jackson

Happy International Women's Day

Today is International Women's Day, and I am proud to be a woman. I am proud to be feminine, proud to be flawed, proud to be educated, proud to be able to express myself freely. However, while the benefits of the Women's suffrage movement have been garnered by many, they are not enjoyed by all. Some Women are still not privy to an education. Some Women are still regarded as second-class citizens. Some Women are still victims of abuse and rape. Some Women are being trafficked and their bodies desecrated. Some Women are still forced to marry. And because some Women suffer, all Women suffer. Because some Women are degraded, all Women are victims of the same degradation. When one is over-sexualized, we all are. As women, we need to stop degrading each other, because it may make others think it is okay to degrade us. Instead, try your beat to uplift each other, correct each other, love each other. And when we all band together as one movement, together we can change the way society perceives us and mold our own destinies without the cap imposed on us by Male superiority. Together we can achieve true equality. Today being a day that supports the movement that recognizes women as human beings is an important day for all of us. Men should support this movement  as they have mothers, daughters, sisters, wives. Even though they may think it doesn't affect them, it does. The world hurts when there is no equality. Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche voices my views perfectly, she says "Gender as it functions today is a grave injustice. I am angry. We should all be angry. Anger has a long history of bringing about positive change. But I am also hopeful, because I believe deeply in the ability of human beings to remake themselves for the better." 

- Annetta Deborah Jackson

Protective Styling: Crochet Wig

I'm so excited about my new Crochet Wig! I love that i'm able to rock a curly hairstyle while still affording my natural hair protection, allowing it time to rest and grow. Making a crochet wig seemed pretty simple after watching some videos on youtube, so I sent them to my friend who made one for me! It frames my face pretty well and the net cap allows it to have a natural look.

Here's Some of What You'll Need:

When you have all the tools you need, You then start the process of completing the wig. The fullness will vary depending on the amount of braids you use. I bought 2 packs, but we expertly cut the braids in half to accommodate my small face. If you want curls you'll have to put the hair on perm-rods and soaked them in hot water for the synthetic hair to hold the shape.

I've included the tutorial video for the wig so that you can try it on your own :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paccBahpm48

Now Listening: Purple Ferdinand

While scrolling through my Instagram feed, I saw a post where Briana Mccarthy raved about her 'Vetiver Night Women' being featured on an up and coming British artist's EP. Being the inquisitive person that I am, I instantly went to the artist's feed and checked out the songs. I fell in love! I now have all 4 songs on my iPhone and I've been blasting it all day. I really hope you enjoy the soulful stylings of Purple Ferdinand.