The New Branch of the Courtney Alexandria Empire

I launched www.shopcourtalex.com, on April 6, 2018 at exactly 5:11 pm. I now sell handcrafted soaps, hair/skin butters, and jewelry. The Courtney Alexandria Empire now includes Courtney Alexandria Blog (this blog) and Beauty By Courtney Alexandria. Continue reading to learn more about the birth of the new edition to the Courtney Alexandria Empire.

Growing up one of the many calming activities in my life always involved working with my hands. At the age of 12, I remember viewing other's creations in stores and saying, "that'll be me one day." At this time, I am selling my handcrafted jewelry, and in the future, I plan to add clothing and accessories. Creating anything whether it is baking, cooking, drawing, painting, sculpting, styling, or crafting always bring me joy and now I get to share that with my customers.

Cruising down the aisle, examining the labels of various skin and hair products, sitting on the many of shelves, I wonder which to take home and try. I read the ingredients of the twentieth product, phone in hand, typing the ingredients into the web page to see what it does and would it help my skin and hair receive the much-needed moisture. After settling for the products purchased, I use it, and to my horror less than halfway through my day, my skin is ashy, dry, and cracked. It is the middle of summer I am showing my ashen greyed elbows and legs to the world. My hair is covered with a hat or head scarf because the product did not moisturize my hair enough and it is near impossible to comb through. For the umpteenth time my products had failed me, and now money has gone down the drain. My eczema is crying, begging me to scratch it raw, my skin is looking like a freshly erased chalkboard, and my skin is red from something in the product the has irritated my skin. I end up beyond annoyed and working an extra shift to make up for the lost funds.

I take a shower expecting to come out feeling wonderful and smelling divine. For a while, I do feel relaxed and fresh. As soon as I get ready to moisturize my skin, I start burning and scratching. Something in the soap made my skin irritated and my skin is not moisturized. I began researching for natural remedies, and at the age of 19, I started making my own soaps and hair/skin butters. Over the years, I created and used the products offered at Courtney Alexandria. I worked tirelessly to build my brand and offer my future customers the top of the line products handmade by me.

I can finally say that at the age of 24, 12 years after my claim, I am a business owner. I am not only making products for myself but for the people whos, skin and hair struggles resembled mine. I get to share my crafting abilities with my customers and allow them to smile as they finally find the products of their dreams.

Keeping Black Clothes (Mostly) Lint Free

Most of my closet is filled with black clothes and the problem I always face is the lint! I thought that many others might face this problem, so why not make a post on it. The advice that I’m giving is not from a professional, but from my own personal experiences. Take as much of the advice as you wish. There is no need to take in everything from this post, use what you'll need!

Always wash black clothes with other black clothes. 

This is essential! Mixing colors with your black clothes can cause the other colors to transfer lint onto your black clothes. Resulting in having what I call "sprinkles" (as in dessert topping).

Separate your black clothes by fabric. 

Knits with the knits. Cottons with the cottons. Jeans with the jeans. Some fabrics can transfer lint to other fabrics. It’s tedious to separate black clothes from each other, but knits are a pain in the booty cakes. Knits easily transfers lint to other fabrics and black lint is just as noticeable as white lint on a black shirt.

Don't wash your clothes inside out. 

Washing your black clothes inside out can result in trapping lint in the creases of the folds. For example, have you ever washed clothes and noticed that big globs of lint are in the creases of where your clothes were laying flat. Well, imagine having that on the outside of your clothes.

If you have your own washing machine and/or dryer frequently clean out the lint.

 The less lint in the machine(s), the less lint on your clothes. This piece of advice also prevents fires in dryers. (Your welcome.) With Laundromats, it’s a little difficult because it’s the public's machine. I use Laundromats so I skip this step, but those with private machines this piece of advice is for you.

After your clothes are dry, hang/fold your black clothes inside out. 

Again very tedious, but I rather have lint on the inside of my black clothes than the outside. When your clothes are hanging in the closet or folded in your drawer it is possible that lint, hair, or dust can transfer onto your black clothes.

Be careful where you lay/sit/or whatever else. 

You know those jackets/coats with the fur or faux fur on the inside. BAD. IDEA. The fur or faux fur can be unintentionally transferred onto your black clothes. Sitting on fabric-cushioned seats also can transfer lint.

Not saying to sell your pet on eBay, but… 

When I lived with family they had a pet cat and I had more than enough fur on me. It was annoying. Just watch out for those furry friends make sure they don’t jump in your lap when wearing black. It’s a task and a half trying to get the fur off.

Wait to put on clothes right before you go outside. 

Saving the “get dress” part last helps keep lint and fur from our furry friends at bay. (Not completely).


Lint rollers will become your best friend. 

When all else fails use a lint roller, lint machine, or an ol' fashion lint brush. A small on the go brush works well while you are outside!

No matter what you do there is going to be lint somewhere. 

Don’t worry if you get a few lint here and there. Nobody’s perfect and nothing is 100%. You can’t get every particle off.

I hope this was a big help. It works for me and I hope it works to your benefit. Remember this is not a step-by-step guide. Feel free to use whatever you deem as useful. These are just opinions that has helped me and not everything is for everyone.

Until Next Time, 

Courtney