When I was eight years old, I helped out behind the counter at a busy perfume and cosmetics store during the Christmas season. That magical experience sparked a lifelong obsession with beauty products and the women who buy them.

I finally made the decision to lay down the chemical crap and let my hair embrace its natural kink in 2002, and ever since then I've been on a quest to find the perfect product with which to style my curly tresses.

You can typically find me merrily filling a basket at Sally Beauty Supply, complaining about the meager size of the ethnicӔ section at the local drug store, or staring wistfully around any Sephora in Miami-Dade County. My hobbies include at-home beauty treatments, finding makeup inspiration on VH1 Soul, Pilates, and writing.

My website, www.afrobella.com, is dedicated to product reviews and thoughtful tips for women all shades of beautiful.