ADU Client Corner: Kendra R. Sylvester, M.D.

Our first featured Doll for 2015 is University of Florida alumna Kendra R. Sylvester, M.D.. Dr. Sylvester delivers babies and promotes women's health as a successful OB/GYN at UF Health Hospital in Gainesville. She graduated from medical school this past year, and is a proud soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. 
Dr. Sylvester is a much-appreciated, loyal customer of All Dolled Up Salons, and as you can see, her look is always on point! Her favorite salon services are the "Relaxing Relaxer" and the "Signature Wash and Style". She is most frequently serviced by master stylist Sylvester Bailey, in case you're wondering who maintains that flawless pixie cut. Thank you for your patronage, Dr. Sylvester!

How to Make a New Year’s Resolution You Can Stick To

What type of hair and beauty blog would we be if we didn’t discuss New Year’s resolutions? This must be the all time #1 topic that resolutions focus on every year. Everyone says, "This is the year I’m finally going to try that new haircut or lose those 10 pounds." And 2 weeks into the year, most of us have fallen way off the wagon and given up. So how on earth do you set a resolution that you can keep?

• Be SPECIFIC- “I will grow healthier hair” means nothing. Put a mission behind it! Give yourself something clear to aspire to. Say “I’m going to deep condition every other week,” or “I’m going to moisturize daily.”
• Set Checkpoints- Sure, technically December 31, 2015 is your deadline, but that’s an entire year away. Wouldn’t it be nice to hit your goal early and perhaps even surpass it? Divide your goal into monthly or weekly checkpoints so that you can track your progress. Seeing it as it happens is great motivation to make more progress!
• Remind yourself, OFTEN- Set a weekly reminder on your phone or leave yourself little notes around the house that restate your goals. Particularly in places that you tend to go in that moment of weakness. If you're always forgetting your satin bonnet at night, leave a note on your pillow that says “Tie your hair up before bed.” Whatever it takes to remind you that you have goals to reach. Make a meme and set it as your screensaver or lock screen!
• Reward yourself- As you keep your resolution going, treat yourself every time you hit a MAJOR milestone. Say, every 30 days or every time you successfully achieve a new style. Splurge on a new product or hair accessory. And plan a larger reward for when you reach that final goal. A new outfit or spa day will be very deserved after you’ve met your goals.
• Keep the list short- Part of this depends on just how epic your goals are, but don’t stretch yourself so thin that you can’t possibly achieve them. I think an ideal number is no more than 5 resolutions. If you complete one before the year has ended, by all means replace it with another, but no more than 5 at a time.

So what’s your resolution for the year? Let’s do it big for 2015!

*article revised and adapted from another, previously written article, viewable here.

Most Popular Posts of 2014

2014 has been a great year for our blog. We at All Dolled Up are proud to bring you useful hair information and other news that benefits the community each and every week. As the year draws to a a close, we thought it would be a great idea to recap all of your favorite blog posts from this year. In no particular order, these were the top 5 posts of the year 2014!:

• Why Not Try a 3 strand Twist Out? Here's How...- Everybody can do 2-strand twists, but 3-strand twists give you a gorgeous spiral curl!
• Ever Thought about Locs? Here's a Temporary Alternative!- Faux locs let you experiment with the look of locs BEFORE committing to locking your actual hair. You can also do them in ANY color! 

• Have You Been Thinking about Crochet Braids?- Crochet braids are one of the most versatile styles trending right now, but home care and maintenance is important. Learn the basics in this post!
• Here are 5 FAST Updos You can do on Natural Hair- Nothing is more aggravating than spending 30 minutes on your natural hair in the morning only to end up wearing your usual puff. Check out these quick styles that you can do at home.
• For Tight, Defined Curls, try this Straw Set Tutorial- Who knew you could do such a gorgeous style with tools available in your local dollar store? A few straws and bobby pins are the secret to this fabulous bouncy style.

So these were the most popular posts of 2014. We've heard you loud and clear. You like tutorials! We will strive to bring you more quick and easy styles in 2015. Feel free to comment below telling us exactly what you'd like to see from the blog in 2015!