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How To Have A Luxury Bath: Steps And Products For Healthy Skin

Filed Under: Body //

how to take a relaxing bubble bath

A luxury bath involves more than just hot water, candles, and a glass of wine.

It’s easy to get into the habit of taking a quick shower, throwing on some clothing, and rushing out the door in today’s hectic world.

But occasionally taking a long warm bath and slowing down can be good for both your physical and mental well-being.

Taking a warm bath makes you feel so fantastic and relaxed because baths provide the ideal environment for our bodies and minds to heal and regenerate.

Taking a bath helps reduce inflammation, calms stress and relieves headaches. Bathing can lower blood pressure, improve circulation, and increase blood flow, all of which are beneficial for maintaining the health of your heart and skin.

If that’s not good enough, a 30-minute stroll and an hour-long bath can both burn the same number of calories, sign me up, please.

Benefits Of Taking A Warm Bath

Excuses are simple to make and easy to find, but even if it’s only once a week or once a month, make sure you’re giving yourself the time you need to look after yourself.

My top 5 reasons for making sure I schedule a bath at least once a week are listed below.

Reduces Stress

This is my primary motivation when I take a bath.

A huge advantage of taking a bath is that it helps you relax, and in the society, we live in today, that benefit is more important than ever. Your body feels calm and relaxed when you are submerged in warm water.

Bathing is a terrific way to relieve the stress that we carry in our bodies, especially in our joints and muscles.

For me, adding bath salts and a bath bomb to the bath helps me relax even more while I’m in there. The minerals in the bath salts aid in soothing my skin and further lessen inflammation in my body.

Bath bombs are a fantastic way to include some aromatherapy into the bath, and they are also incredibly entertaining to watch!

So, with that said, having a bath is a terrific approach to de-stress your body and your mind from whatever environmental or personal stressors are affecting you if you want the stress of the day to just drift away.

Improves And Regulates Breathing

The steam from the bath will ensure that any congestion or blockage moves or loosens as you lay in the water, helping to clear your sinuses.

Also, the warmth of the water and a slightly elevated heart rate caused by the heat can aid to improve circulation in your lungs and throughout your body as it is submerged.

If you need further assistance with your respiratory system. I advise you to think about adding essential oils to your bath. A bath bomb designed to support your respiratory system can also be used.

Moisturizes The Skin

My skin is still dry and in desperate need of a good deep moisturizing as we say goodbye to winter.

I find that the oils and minerals from the salts and oils really assist my skin to absorb a lot of moisture when I take my weekly baths!

If you’re anything like me, you probably don’t enjoy moisturizing your entire body on a daily basis. Then taking a bath is a wonderful substitute that usually keeps you moisturized for a few days!

Run a bath, get in, and you’ll feel so much better if your skin is feeling dry. Who doesn’t enjoy having soft, smooth skin that makes them feel like they just left the spa?

Improves Your Sleep

The best time to take a bath is in the evening before getting ready for bed.

You should take a bath and unwind an hour or two before you normally go to bed. Whenever I’m struggling to go to bed, taking a bath immediately before bed helps a lot.

I now use it to relax after tiring days at work or on the weekends.

The bath’s warmth aids in bodily relaxation and tension relief. After taking a bath, you get dressed for bed in a cold bedroom, which encourages the production of melatonin, a hormone that aids with sleep.

A wonderful technique to guarantee you’re having a deep and peaceful sleep is to completely relax your body before bed. If you have a big day ahead of you I suggest thinking about taking a bath in the evening.

How To Take A Luxury Bath

how to take a luxury bath

Once you learn the skill of bathing, you won’t want to change. In this article, I’ll explain how to take the finest, most tranquil luxury baths of your life in this article.

Step 1: Take A Shower

Although it might seem unnecessary, trust me, you don’t want to sit in your own filth.

Although it might seem like an inconvenience, it will significantly improve your bathing. A brief shower before a bath will free your mind from worrying about cleaning every nook and cranny and allow you to concentrate just on rejuvenation and relaxation.

To me, a bath isn’t about getting clean, it is simply a form of self-care and relaxation, so clean up beforehand.

Step 2: Run Your Bath

Run your bath of water and adjust your temperature, be careful not to run a bath that’s too hot, the optimal bath temperature is between 110 and 112 degrees.

A bath that is excessively hot might damage the skin’s top layer and lead to inflammation, redness, and dryness.

Step 3: Have A Tech Detox

One of the few moments you can escape from the outside world is while you’re taking a bath.

So make your bathtime a no-tech zone to really allow your mind to reset and relax. Be alone with your thoughts and just focus on your breathing and relieving stress.

Step 4: Bring Along Your Plants

Have you ever used a spa or resort’s private outdoor bath? It’s perfect.

Bring plants to the bathroom that appreciate dampness, such as orchids, ferns, and succulents.

Step 5: Throw In Some Add Ons

Customizing your bath can make a huge difference and change your entire bath experience.

Flakes of magnesium salt are excellent for physical relaxation. A bath in Epsom salts is also quite beneficial and affordable.

The greatest soaks are made with mixtures of various salts that are rich in minerals and oils.

I don’t advise adding bubble bath, they tend to dry out the skin and cause irritation.

Although you don’t have to go out of your way to include essential oils in your bath routine, they do work, lavender and peppermint are wonderful for clearing sinuses when you’re unwell.

Additionally, take a handful of flowers from the garden or your old ones in the vase and throw them in the tub.

Step 6: Create An Ambiance

Play soothing music or a podcast and light some incense, a candle and dim the lights.

Really set the mood for yourself to ease your mind and make it as comfortable for yourself as possible.

10 Common Skincare Mistakes You Need To Avoid

Filed Under: Skin //

skincare mistakes you need to avoid

Having the right skincare products is just as important as having the right skincare routine and using the proper ingredients for your skin. But all that won’t matter if you make these common skincare mistakes.

Skincare Mistake 1: Not Wearing Sunscreen Daily

not wearing sunscreen is a skincare mistake

One of the main reasons for skin aging is sun damage.

Using sunscreen every day is crucial to protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, which promote photoaging and collagen breakdown at the cellular level.

Most dermatologists advise using sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and reapplying it every couple of hours, especially if you are going outside. Avoid skipping sunscreen even on cloudy days because UV rays can still be harmful to you.

Skincare Mistake 2: Being Rough On Your Skin

The skin becomes stressed when you rub and tug at it while applying your skincare or washing your face.

We do it automatically every day, whether it’s rubbing in eye ointment or holding the skin taut while applying eyeliner.

Over time, rubbing at your skin causes it to become less elastic, especially around the delicate eye area. So be gentle on your skin.

Some everyday skincare regimens may cause more damage than their benefits. Thus, always keep it gentle:

-Minimize your scrubbing since excessive cleansing might strip your skin of the antibacterial oils that keep it moisturized and protected.

-Avoid using harsh soaps. Strong detergents and soaps can remove oil from your skin. Use gentle cleaners instead.

-Avoid over dermaplaning, it may have many advantages, but avoid going overboard. Make sure to moisturize your skin with an oil. Shave against the hair’s growth, not with it.

-Avoid over-exfoliation, exfoliation removes dead skin cells, but doing it too often might trigger breakouts or excessive oil production in your skin.

Skincare Mistake 3: Sleeping With Makeup On

You should always take off your makeup before going to bed, despite how drained you are and how eager you are to curl up in bed.

Your pores may clog if you go to bed without taking off your makeup, which will allow acne-causing germs to accumulate.

Moreover, skincare components will be more difficult for your skin to absorb. Develop a nighttime skincare routine that starts with thoroughly washing the skin to remove all makeup and dirt.

Skincare Mistake 4: Not Properly Applying Skincare

While moisturizing is necessary, using additional skincare products can significantly enhance your regimen’s effectiveness.

After cleansing the skin and patting it dry, you should always add products from lightest to heavy.

Start with a good toner and work your way up from there, and when you’re done, don’t forget the SPF.

Skincare Mistake 5: Exfoliating Daily

over exfoliating skin

Exfoliating is a great approach to getting rid of dead skin cells and smoothing the skin so that it will absorb skincare products better.

However, if done incorrectly, it may potentially harm the skin.

If you exfoliate too much or too frequently, it could irritate your skin, make you red, or even burn you. Over-exfoliation damages the skin’s barrier and results in microscopic skin tears.

Once or twice a day, you can use mild exfoliants like glycolic acid at low concentrations. If you have sensitive skin, you should only use stronger exfoliants two to three times a week, max.

You should reduce your usage or switch to softer products if you experience any irritation. For a low-concentration exfoliator, Dpology’s Gentle Exfoliating Glycolic Acid Facial Cleanser is a wonderful choice.

Although exfoliating has many benefits, daily exfoliation may irritate the skin even more and trigger breakouts or excessive production of oil on your skin, so just be weary of this.

Related Post: Choosing Between Dermaplaning and Chemical Peels to Exfoliate Your Face

Skincare Mistake 6: Using Expired Skincare

There is a reason why skincare products have an expiration date.

As items are used frequently, some substances lose their power and efficiency, and if you’re not careful, heavily used cosmetics can start to grow bacteria.

Pay attention to the expiration dates and replace your products once the limit has been reached.

Skincare Mistake 7: Not Storing Skincare Properly

Skincare needs to be stored properly.

For instance, if left in the sun, SPF and vitamin C can quickly lose their effectiveness.

To prevent deactivation or the growth of bacteria, it’s crucial to store makeup in an area that doesn’t get too warm or moist, some products need to be stored in a skincare fridge.

Skincare Mistake 8: Not Being Consistent

When your skincare routine produces outstanding results, it’s easy to become complacent and stop using it.

Consistency, however, is the secret to having healthy, youthful skin.

Consistently following a skincare regimen not only guarantees results but also positions you for long-term success. Don’t reduce your routine just because you start to see benefits because many skincare components need regular application over time to ensure the results last.

Skincare Mistake 9: Picking At Your Skin

picking at skin

Constantly picking at your skin can irritate it, inflame it, and spread bacteria even if you aren’t aware of it.

Overdoing this can leave scars and possibly cause breakouts because your hands typically have a lot of bacteria on them.

If this is a nervous habit, try and break it by keeping your hands busy with something else.

Skincare Mistake 10: Using The Wrong Skincare Ingredients

Are you having skin issues? Examine your fundamental skincare routine.

Dry skin needs conditioning ingredients, while oily skin needs purifying ingredients. Figure out what your skin type is to pick the best skincare ingredients for your routine.

We sincerely hope that this list of typical skincare mistakes was useful. By avoiding these mistakes, you’ll be on the correct path to having healthy, radiant skin.

10 Hair Growth Oils For A Healthy Scalp And Stronger, Longer Hair

Filed Under: Hair //

oils for hair growth

Healthy hair growth starts with getting into the routine of taking care of your hair.

We all wish for long, luscious hair at some point in her life.

We love the occasional haircut just as much as the next person, but there’s something about long, hair that cascades down our backs that just makes our hearts sing.

The only issue is actually growing out the hair. Everything from heat damage, dry hair, bleach, hair type, and general wear and tear can affect how our hair grows.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t achieve your desired length.

Steps like less heat, more frequent trims, clarifying your hair, shampooing less, and, most importantly, using quality hair growth oils that can transform your tresses in no time.

How To Use Hair Growth Oils

If you’ve never used hair oils before, applying them for the first time can be confusing and you may do it wrong.

It’s important to remember that hair growth begins with a healthy, clean scalp. Hair growth oils are most effective when massaged into your scalp to stimulate the hair at the root.

Once you’ve coated your scalp with it, you can move the oil down the shaft to coat the hair.

My favorite way to really use oils is in a hot oil treatment, the oils penetrate into your scalp much better when they are warmed up and you really let them sit on your hair.

How Often To Use Hair Growth Oils

When considering how often to use your hair oils, read the instruction on the labels, most oils will have specific instructions on how often you can or should use them.

As long as you wash your hair on a regular basis, every one to two weeks, and clarify the hair when there is product buildup. You should be fine.

When you don’t wash the oils off your hair after you’ve used them, moisture will not be able to penetrate your hair causing more harm than good.

The Best Hair Growth Oils

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

Mielle scalp and hair strengthening oil promises to strengthen your hair and promote hair growth and retention.

Several reviewers say it’s a great alternative to castor oil if you find the latter too thick or sticky.

Buy On Amazon

Wild Growth Hair Oil

This oil makes for easy hair growth, no I’m not kidding.

Not only does it make styling easy, but it encourages your hair to grow as long as possible, considering you are taking care of your hair.

Buy On Amazon

The Mane Choice Multi-Vitamin Scalp Nourishing Hair Growth Oil

Made with powerhouse plant oils and extracts like castor, jojoba, and rosemary, this hair growth oil encourages healthy hair growth.

People have noted that this hair not only promotes hair growth but also helps to thicken the hair and increase moisture retention.

Buy On Amazon

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Kate Blanc Cosmetics Certified Organic Castor Oil

Kate Blanc’s oil is another cult favorite product that contains only pure, 100% castor oil and helps promote healthy hair growth.

With thousands of five-star reviews, Amazon buyers love this product. As a bonus, castor oil also helps condition and add strength to your hair, brows, and lashes.

Castor oil is a really heavy oil and can weigh down your hair, so be light-handed with this.

Buy On Amazon

Dabur Amla Hair Oil

Dabur Amla Hair Oil is made from the highly effective alma oil. Alma is a fruit known for its ability to help maintain longer, healthier, beautiful hair.

With this powerful ingredient, this oil allows you to experience a healthy growth rate of your hair and less hair loss.

It will also protect your hair from environmental pollution that destroys the quality of hair.

Buy On Amazon

EssyNaturals Hair Growth Oil

EssyNaturals combined the power of castor oil, rosemary oil, caffeine, and biotin to help stimulate hair growth at the root while improving hair texture and fullness.

It can also be used daily as part of your regular haircare routine.

Buy On Amazon

Cantu Shea Butter Tea Tree & Jojoba Hair & Scalp Oil

Designed with curly and natural hair in mind, this Cantu oil is deeply nourishing and repairing.

The tea tree in this also helps to stimulate your scalp and promote hair growth, especially good when use along with scalp massages.

Buy On Amazon

Hair Growth Oil

Elevate’s hair growth oil has biotin, antioxidants, ginseng extract, and 5% minoxidil which helps stimulate hair growth.It’s gentle on the hair and doesn’t contain parabens, sulfates, or any other potentially toxic ingredients


Buy On Amazon

Ancient Greek Organic Oil Blend

This multipurpose oil is the whole package.

It contains organic oils like cold-pressed olive, sweet almond, grapeseed, and lavender essential oil to moisturize your body, face, and hair.

Best of all, it helps add strength to the hair, promoting more growth.

Buy On Amazon

Briogeo B. Well Organic + Cold-Pressed 100% Castor Oil

Castor oil has been a folk health remedy for ages and has made it on this list twice for good reason-it works wonders for hair, skin, and nails.

When used on hair, it helps strengthen and soften your hair strands.

Buy On Amazon

Armed with these oils, you will have your curls healthy and growing in no time.

3 DIY Natural Face Masks To Get You From Acne-Prone Skin To Glowing Skin In No Time

Filed Under: Skin, DIY Beauty //

diy natural face masks

A DIY natural face scrub is a great way to get glowing skin right at home, at almost no cost.

With skincare products being so expensive, you have to pay an arm and a leg just to curate the perfect skincare routine to help clear up your acne-prone skin.

So I have compiled a great list of face scrubs you can try in the comfort of your home.

These easy DIY recipes are some of the best exfoliating scrubs and face masks that are great natural options that are easy to make and beat many of the facial products out there.

Related Post: 15 Best Spa Facials & Facial Treatments For Acne-Prone Skin

Why You Should Make Homemade Face Masks

1. Cheap and budget-friendly way to get a facial: Making your own face mask is a very affordable way to have an at-home facial.

2. Easy To Make and Use: Making face masks at home is fairly easy. You simply mash and mix your ingredients and plop it onto your face.

3. Super Accessible: Another reason that making our own face masks and scrubs is how accessible it is to everyone. We all want super healthy skin and amazing facials, or expensive masks with high-quality ingredients can get us there, but that’s not always accessible to us. The products used for face masks and scrubs, however, are almost always super accessible to us.

3 Face Masks For Acne-Prone Skin

Homemade face scrubs are the perfect recipes to attempt if you’re new to do-it-yourself skincare.

1. Avocado & Oatmeal Mask For Gentle Exfoliation

avocado and oatmeal

Exfoliating your skin is important for removing dead skin cells from your skin, allowing for a natural skin glow from within, as well as allowing your pores to open up and release any trapped sebum which can cause an acne breakout.

This avocado & oatmeal face scrub is gentle, soothing, and a great addition to your skincare regimen.

Avocado and oatmeal make a gentle exfoliating face mask that is perfect for all skin types. Here’s how to prepare it.

Ingredients For Your Avocado Oatmeal Face Mask

-1 small avocado or 1/2 a larger avocado.

-1 tablespoon of ground oats.

How To Prepare And Apply Your Face Mask

-Mix the avocado and ground oats in a small bowl.

-Use your favorite cleanser to cleanse your skin.

-Apply the avocado and oatmeal face mask and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

-Spray your face with water and start massaging your face in a circular motion for 5 to 10 minutes (Waiting 15 minutes will allow for the nutrients to absorb into your skin before you wash it off).

-Wash your face with lukewarm water, avocado is a fat so cold water won’t truly wash it off.

-Pat your face dry and apply your moisturizer.

Benefits Of The Avocado & Oatmeal Face Scrub

Avocados are healthy fats, and those same healthy fats and oils make them a really great addition to your skincare routine.

The healthy fatty acids in avocados penetrate the skin help soften, hydrate, and nourish the face, as well as reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

The antioxidants found in avocados help to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, reduce acne breakouts and exfoliate the skin.

And oatmeal helps to soak up excess oils released by your skin which helps to treat acne, and its dense antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help to soothe dry skin as well as remove dead skin cells.

Oats also contain natural cleansers, called saponins, that are incredibly effective at removing dirt and oil from your skin.

2. Cocoa Powder and Coffee Face Mask

cocoa powder

Coffee works wonders on the skin, it’s good for reducing swelling around the face, rejuvenating the skin, and for reducing inflammation and redness.

Coffee in skincare is great for brightening, anti-aging, stubborn dark circles under the eyes, and reducing inflammation.

It also includes antibacterial properties great for fighting acne. Cacao is extremely high in antioxidants, has firming agents, and is known to protect against free radical damage, but you should always still wear sunscreen.

Ingredients For Your Cocoa Powder & Coffee Face Mask

-4 tablespoons finely ground coffee beans.

-4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder.

-8 tablespoons whole milk (or any milk of your choice)

-1 tablespoon lemon juice

-1 tablespoon honey (for extra oily or highly acne-prone skin, use additional lemon juice here instead of honey)

How To Prepare And Apply Your Face Mask

-Mix the coffee and cocoa powder in a small bowl.

-Add your milk, lemon juice, and honey if using. (Warm the honey in the microwave for a few seconds to loosen it up a bit)

-Cleanse your face with your favorite cleanser.

-Apply your face mask and rub it in for a few minutes in small, gentle circular motions.

-Let the mask sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

-Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

-Moisturize your skin.

Benefits Of The Cocoa Powder and Coffee Face Mask

Coffee beans reduce inflammation and redness, while also reducing the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. The coffee grounds are also a great exfoliator that removes dead skin for a brighter, more lively skin complexion, giving you that natural glow.

Cocoa powder is filled with antioxidants that protect you against the sun. It is also high in sulfur which can reduce the risk of acne breakouts.

Milk is great for giving your skin a youthful, smooth, and healthy glow, it contains amino acids which help keep your skin hydrated and moisturized.

Lemon juice contains natural vitamin C to lighten, brighten, and tighten, all while controlling the production of sebum and oil which helps with acne prevention.

3. Flaxseed Facial Scrub

flaxseed

Flaxseed is a superstar plant food that has been making its way into all our food, haircare, and skincare, so why not into our DIY masks?

When applied topically, flaxseed can do wonders for your skin.

It is packed full of omega-3 fatty acids which help keep your skin hydrated and smooth and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

The natural oils in flaxseed help balance your skin’s natural oil production and the antioxidants protect the skin from free radicals and sun damage while calming inflammation.

Ingredients For Your Flaxseed Facial Scrub

-1 ½ tbsp flaxseed meal

-1 ½ tbsp brown sugar

-3 tbsp coconut oil

How To Prepare And Apply Your Facial Scrub

-Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.

-Cleanse your face.

-Gently massage the flaxseed facial scrub onto your entire face rubbing in a circular motion for a few minutes.

-Let the scrub sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

-Rinse with cool water and pat face dry.

Benefits Of The Flaxseed Facial Scrub

The natural oils in flaxseed help balance your skin’s natural oil production and the antioxidants protect the skin from free radicals and sun damage while calming inflammation, which helps prevent acne breakouts.

Sugar is amazing for its glycolic acid compounds. When used as an exfoliant, glycolic acid removes the dead skin cells to leave fresher, brighter skin, while improving blood flow to your skin’s surface. Sugar also works as a moisturizer for the skin.

Coconut oil is another moisturizing agent in this facial scrub and is great for hydrating dry or irritated skin.

It can reduce inflammation and aid in skin infections.

So these face masks will leave your skin soft, hydrated, and moisturized while aiding in reducing your acne breakouts.

The 7 Best Sunscreens For Black Women

Filed Under: Body, Healthy Living, Skin //

sunscreens for black women

Thanks to the abundant presence of melanin in black skin, people with darker skin have some protection against sun rays, which can be harmful to the skin.

However, even darker skin needs protection from the sun.

Despite having a form of protection due to melanin, dark skin tones still require defense against the UVA and UVB rays of our sun. Sunscreen does a great job at this, but not just any sunscreen will do, for darker skin, you need a much stronger formula.

To adequately cater to your darker skin, sunscreen must be applied daily and liberally.

I’ve rounded up some of the best sunscreens that could work best for you and that you can incorporate into your daily skincare routine.

Best Sunscreens For Dark Skin Tones

1. Black Girl Sunscreen

$18 ON AMAZON

This product is specially designed for black skin. If you’re Black and have struggled with finding sunscreen to properly protect and care for your skin, this Black women-owned sunscreen could be the right choice for you.

This product is especially great if you’re looking for a moisturizing SPF.

It has a lightweight application, cruelty-free ingredients, a pleasant smell, and leaves no white cast after application.

2. Elta MD UV Pure Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

$39 ON AMAZON

The gentle formula has a broad-spectrum SPF 46, as well as niacinamide and lactic acid, to clear pores and reduce shine, which makes it a great choice for acne-prone skin, it contains ingredients like niacinamide and lactic acid to control oil.

This sheer facial sunscreen offers broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection without leaving a white cast.

It also contains niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, ingredients that help calm and protect sensitive skin.

It’s also lightweight and oil-free.

3. CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 

$14 ON AMAZON

This sunscreen is formulated with three essential ceramides to help maintain the skin’s natural barrier while also protecting it.

It also contains hyaluronic acid to help hydrate skin.

4. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen, SPF 55

$8 ON AMAZON

This sunscreen goes on clear and non-greasy, so it won’t leave any white cast.

It’s a lightweight lotion that’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so it’s great if you’re going swimming and is specifically formulated to keep skin hydrated and soft.

It’s also fragrance-free and oil-free, so it’s perfect for black women with sensitive skin.

5. Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer, SPF 15

$16 ON AMAZON

This daily moisturizer not only provides UVA and UVB protection, but it also contains soy complex to even out skin tone and texture and is also highly hydrating.

It’s hypoallergenic and oil-free, making it a great choice for anyone with sensitive skin.

6. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Sunscreen, SPF 60

$20 ON AMAZON

This sunscreen is non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog pores.

It also contains silica, which helps absorb oils and gives skin a matte finish. It offers powerful UVA and UVB protection and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so is great to take on vacation.

7. SUN & SHINE MINERAL SUNSCREEN LOTION: SPF50

$18 ON AMAZON

This is a fantastic product that provides SPF50 broad spectrum UVA UVB protection for the face and neck.

This sunscreen lotion is enriched with zinc oxide and is suitable for sensitive skin.

It is a great product to have in your skincare collection to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun and prevent sunburn.

Sunscreen is an essential part of any skincare routine, no matter the time of year or your skin color.

With the right knowledge of ingredients and an understanding of your skin type and needs, you can choose the best sunscreens for your needs and ensure your skin is properly cared for.

Remember to apply sunscreen regularly, even on cloudy days, and to reapply often when engaging in outdoor activities or swimming. Sunscreen is your best defense against sun damage and skin cancer, so make sure you use one that works for you!

How To Get Rid Of Product Buildup On Your Scalp

Filed Under: Hair //

scalp health

If you’re anything like me, you probably keep protective styles in for longer than you have to.

This also means that you probably go a month or two without washing your hair. Ever feel like you need to remove months of product build-up from your scalp but just feel like your regular shampoo isn’t quite cutting it? 

That’s why I created a complete guide on how to get rid of product buildup on your scalp!

While our hair may be tucked away in a protective style, or stowed under a wig, we still need to make sure we are keeping our scalp happy and healthy!

I hate when I have an itchy scalp and I go to scratch it and it begins to snow old product.

Let’s deep dive into the world of scalp care together, making sure your scalp is healthy and clean is the only way to have healthy hair growth.

What Is Product Buildup?

Product buildup happens when the products you love to use accumulates on the hair near the scalp. 

Even some of the shampoos and conditioners we love so much can leave product behind on our scalp! Especially when not rinsed out properly during your showers.

You can also tell if you have product buildup when you have a white cast on your hair closest to the scalp. The buildup is especially bad near the hairline. This is caused by wig glue and edge control mostly.

Your regular washday routine isn’t enough to fix or get rid of product buildup. While it may look like it gets rid of all the buildup, your scalp wont be thoroughly clean unless you truly clarify it.

Getting Rid Of Product Buildup With Clarifying Shampoo

A clarifying shampoo is an absolute necessity for every natural to have!

A clarifying shampoo is like your regular shampoo, times ten. They can cut through oils and products leaving your scalp squeaky clean!

Don’t plan on using a clarifying shampoo every day, this will cause your hair to be dry. Typically, only use it when you feel like you need it or after you haven’t washed your hair in a while!

Here are some of my favorite clarifying shampoos:

Kristin Ess Hair Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo

The Kristin Ess Hair Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo is an ideal choice for removing build-up due to its powerful yet gentle formula.

It effectively cleanses the hair, removing excess oils, product residues, and impurities, leaving your hair refreshed, revitalized, and ready for styling.

OUAI Detox Shampoo

The OUAI Detox Shampoo is a worthwhile investment for scalp cleansing as its high-quality formulation delivers exceptional results every time.

It effectively removes buildup and leaves your scalp refreshed and rejuvenated, making it well worth the price.

Neutrogena Exfoliating Healthy Scalp Clarify & Shine Shampoo

The Neutrogena Exfoliating Healthy Scalp Clarify & Shine Shampoo is an excellent budget-friendly choice for clarifying hair.

Offering a gentle yet effective formula that removes buildup and impurities while promoting scalp health and enhancing shine, making it an affordable option for those who cannot splurge on pricier alternatives.

Getting Rid Of Product Buildup With Home Remedies

If you want to go the more natural route, there are several home remedies that can be used to remove product buildup from hair. Some that I have tried and love are:

Apple Cider Vinegar For Product Buildup

Apple Cider Vinegar is a great way to get rid of product buildup on your scalp.

To use apple cider vinegar for product buildup, you can mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto your hair and scalp, focusing on the roots and areas with the most buildup. Massage it into your scalp and leave it on for 5-10 minutes, then rinse it out thoroughly.

Now continue with your regular washday routine.

The acidity in the vinegar helps to break down and dissolve buildup, leaving your hair looking and feeling clean and refreshed.

It’s important to note that apple cider vinegar can be drying for some hair types, so you may want to use a moisturizing conditioner afterward as well as a good deep conditioner.

Baking Soda For Product Buildup

Baking soda is another popular home remedy for removing product buildup from hair.

It is a gentle abrasive that can effectively break down and remove buildup, leaving your hair looking and feeling clean and refreshed.

To use baking soda for product buildup, you can mix a small amount of baking soda with water to create a paste. Massage the paste into your hair, focusing on the roots and scalp. Leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing it out thoroughly.

Alternatively, you can add a tablespoon of baking soda to your shampoo and wash your hair as usual.

It’s important to note that baking soda can be drying for some hair types, so you may want to use a moisturizing conditioner after using it. Also, it’s best to use baking soda in moderation, as using it too often can strip your hair of its natural oils.

It’s also important to do a patch test before applying it to your hair as it can cause irritation or dryness for some people.

Lemon Juice For Product Buildup

The acidity in the lemon juice helps to break down and dissolve buildup, leaving your hair looking and feeling clean and refreshed.

To use lemon juice for product buildup, you can mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto your hair and scalp, focusing on the roots and areas with the most buildup. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes, then rinse it out thoroughly. You can also use it as a final rinse after shampooing.

Alternatively, you can mix a tablespoon of lemon juice with a cup of water and use it as a final rinse after shampooing.

In conclusion, there are several ways to remove product buildup from hair, such as apple cider vinegar, clarifying shampoo, baking soda, and lemon juice. These are all effective in breaking down and dissolving buildup, leaving your hair looking and feeling clean and refreshed.

21 Of The Best Skincare Products Beauty Editors Recommend For 2024

Filed Under: Skin //

skincare products

I love skincare, it’s one of my favorite past times, to be honest. But skincare can be a big investment.

You invest not only quite a pretty penny, but you also invest time and patience when it comes to your curated skincare routine that works for you.

Having the perfect routine doesn’t necessarily mean you need a complicated 15-step routine it’s about having the perfect basics for your skin, like your cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF, which is really all you need.

Then adding in serums for your specific skin concerns, and extras like masks and treatments for regular skin maintenance can be the key to healthy skin and the perfect routine.

Best Skincare Products To Try In Your Routine

It can be hard to choose which products to incorporate into your skincare routine, the best thing to consider is the ingredients in your skincare products.

But if you don’t want to be, looking up the best skincare brands, looking at labels, and trying to figure it all out, these are the holy-grail skincare products that beauty experts recommend time and time again.

Best Cleansers

1. KORRES Pomegranate Pore Refining Cleansing Gel

$28 ON AMAZON

A powerful, refreshing cleansing gel that unclogs pores and targets oily skin needs.

It contains ingredients like Pomegranate, green tea, and salicylic acid, it effectively removes impurities, excess oil, surface impurities, dirt, and debris, unclogging pores for a smooth and balanced complexion without dehydrating the skin.

2. Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser for Sensitive to Oily Skin

$12 ON AMAZON

Cetaphil’s dermatologist-recommended face wash reinforces the skin barrier, balances skin and minimizes the appearance of pores.

Cleanses the skin thoroughly while not drying it out and leaving it soft and plump. It is now in their unscented formula, making it gentle enough for sensitive skin, but it’s great for all skin types, including oily.

3. The Inkey List Oat Cleansing Balm

$12 ON AMAZON

This 3-in-1 cleanser is not only a cleanser, it is also a shaving balm in the shower and a 10-minute nourishing facial mask.

This delicate cleanser gently melts away makeup and SPF while leaving your skin uplifted with hydration. Perfect as a first cleanser in your double cleanse routine.

Formulated with Oat Kernel Oil, a rich, natural Oat Oil that hydrates and moisturizes the skin and effectively removes SPF. Colloidal Oatmeal works to visibly reduce redness and soothe irritated skin.

Best Toners

1. Pixi Beauty Glow Tonic

$23 ON AMAZON

The internet’s favorite exfoliating toner, and I can’t argue with it.

This toner exfoliates and purifies with glycolic acid. It also contains Ginseng which improves circulation and energizes the skin and Aloe Vera which soothes and hydrates.

2. Green Tea Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Toner

$20 ON AMAZON

This toner is loved for its anti-inflammatory properties, green tea can help reduce skin irritation, redness, and swelling—making it a great option for those looking to calm down angry red skin.

The toner feels extremely light and gentle on the skin.

It is extremely effective for oily and acne-prone skin, as it reduces redness and the appearance of pimples and bumps on the skin. Over time it also helps to heal your acne breakout.

3. Farmacy Deep Sweep 2% BHA Toner for Face

$32 ON AMAZON

This toner is perfect for reducing excess shine for oily skin.

It combines oil-dissolving salicylic acid, exfoliating papaya enzyme, and purifying moringa seed extract to unclog pores and refresh greasy skin.

Additionally, chlorella, a natural ingredient rich in antioxidants, helps nourish and soothe the skin to prevent irritation and overdrying.

The toner does contain active exfoliants, which we don’t recommend you mix with retinoids to avoid burning and dehydrating your skin.

Best Serums

1. Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex II

$72 ON AMAZON

Fights key signs of aging, dryness, dehydration, lines and wrinkles, dullness, and loss of radiance. A powerful nighttime renewal for radiant, youthful-looking skin. Instantly adds radiance. Intensely hydrates.

It all comes down to patented ChronoluxCB technology, which harnesses the skin’s ability to naturally renew itself, ensuring skin always looks luminous and youthful.

2. True Botanicals – Natural Chebula Active Serum

$90 ON AMAZON

This serum is a hydrating anti-aging serum that strengthens the skin’s immunity to prevent and minimize the appearance of aging. It minimizes the appearance of fine lines, and wrinkles, evens the skin tone, and firms the skin.

For best results, I suggest you store this in your skincare fridge, the soothing feeling will help with depuffing the face.

3. La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum

$36 ON AMAZON

Hyaluronic acid sits in two different molecular sizes; the bigger of the two replumps the surface and the smaller ones penetrate the skin barrier to work from within. This Serum leaves you looking dewy and makes it look like you’re glowing from the inside.

Best Eye Creams

1. BIOSSANCE Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream

$56 ON AMAZON

This hydrating formulation plumps up and decreases the appearance of fine lines within a week.

It is a rich, anti-aging eye cream that revitalizes and brings a lifted look to the eyes. It delivers deep hydration leaving skin looking smooth, youthful, and radiant.

2. The INKEY List Brighten-I Eye Cream

$13 ON AMAZON

Caffeine is an ingredient that helps constrict blood vessels, which can improve the appearance of both dark circles and puffiness. This Inkey eye cream is inexpensive and really gets the job done.

It also has a lightweight texture that layers nicely under makeup.

3. RoC Retinol Correxion Under Eye Cream

$22 ON AMAZON

This drugstore eye cream is great for improving the look of wrinkles. It contains retinol which is great for boosting collagen production and reducing fine lines as well as prevent the formation of new wrinkles.

Best Moisturizers

1. TATCHA The Dewy Skin Cream

$67 ON AMAZON

This rich cream feeds the skin with plumping hydration and antioxidant-packed Japanese purple rice for a dewy, healthy glow. It is ideal for dry skin but can be used on combo skin for those who prefer a richer texture.

The moisturizer hydrates and seals in moisture, helping to replenish ceramides for a healthy bounce and instant luminosity. A fermentation of Japanese anti-aging superfoods-green tea, rice, and algae-helps skin to look its best at any age.

2. Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Facial Gel Moisturizer

$40 ON AMAZON

A simple formulation of mineralizing thermal water and hyaluronic acid delivers hydration, but also gently strengthens the skin barrier.

This is great for oily skin, I don’t recommend it fro dry skin as it doesn’t deposit all that much moisture.

3. The INKEY List Omega Water Cream Moisturizer

$11 ON AMAZON

This Inkey moisturizer is a lightweight, water-based gel moisturizer that immediately hydrates skin without oiliness. It supports a healthy skin barrier without oil or silicone.

It reduces the quantity of sebum in greasy skin to reduce acne breakouts.

Best Retinoids

1. Farmacy Retinol Serum for Face 

$57 ON AMAZON

The perfect gentle retinol for someone just starting out with retinoids.

It’s a mild formulation it works to refuse sunspots and redness while softening fine lines, but without the dryness, one might get from other Vitamin A products.

2. CeraVe Retinol Serum

$19 ON AMAZON

This serum is easy to incorporate into your routine, and bonus, it’s super affordable.

Developed with dermatologists, the CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol is a gentle, yet effective way to reduce the appearance of acne marks and visible pores. Refined skin without compromising its protective barrier. Win-win.

3. Glossier – Universal Pro-Retinol Nightly Renewing Serum

$68 ON AMAZON

It’s from Glossier, need I say more?

The popular beauty brand’s retinol serum contains 0.5% retinyl sunflowerate (a hybrid of pure retinol and sunflower seed fatty acids).

It works by smoothening out fine lines, evening out skin tone, and also contains plant-based humectants for hydration. Needless to say, it’s very worth the hype.

Best Sunscreens

1. Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40

$38 ON AMAZON

Supergoop’s formulation doesn’t just protect your face, it also treats it with hyaluronic acid and B5 adding hydration, as well as containing sea lavender (anti-oxidant protection) and cocoa peptides (to protect against blue light damage).

2. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra-Light Face Sunscreen SPF 50

$35 ON AMAZON

This sunscreen blocks UVA and UVB with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide while also battling free-radical damage with a potent antioxidant complex.

And, it feels utterly weightless on the skin, absorbing easily and undetectable.

3. CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30

$16 ON AMAZON

This affordable Spf moisturizer is light, oil-free, and sheer, and even has ceramides and hyaluronic acid to moisturize and protect your skin barrier.

There you have it, 21 of the best skincare products of 2024 for all your skin’s needs. Armed with these products and skincare secrets, you can have healthy glowing skin.

How To Nail Your French Manicure At Home Every Time

Filed Under: Nail Ideas //

DIY French manicure at home

Now a new mani trend is on the rise, the micro French mani.

We all know and love a good French manicure, our moms use to rock them when we were younger, they were the telltale signs of a classy woman.

But they soon died down and were taken over by more extravagant designs and trends.

Long gone are the long acrylic nails that the baddest b*tches were rocking.

But it’s not the French manicure we grew up watching our moms rocking, this is its grown-up more mature, and aesthetic sister.

Difference Between Micro French and The Classic French Manicure

The micro French manicure is a minimalist modern version of the classic, where the nail tip is decorated with the thinnest of lines.

Designs are up to you, and you have many options, you could try a pretty nude, or a really bold color for summer and even add nail art if that’s more your speed. Just because it’s a French mani, doesn’t mean it has to be boring.

This trend has it all, it’s classy, sleek, and sophisticated while giving you the freedom to choose between subtle or bold looks and works on short nails too!

This trend is versatile and all the girlies are just eating it up. It’s a stylish and modern manicure that every girl can participate in.

Easy Micro French Mani How-To

This might just become your go-to style, so why not learn how to do it at home?

With a few essential tools, you can have a professional-looking manicure in no time.

Step 1: Prep Your Nails

No mani will last without proper nail prep.

To ensure a chic and professional finish shaping and filing your nails is important, buff your top layer off, and moisturize your cuticles.

4-Step Buffing Block Shine Nail Buffer

Electric Nail Drill Machine 11 in 1 Kit

 Step 2: Add A Base Coat

Whenever you’re doing your nails, be it a manicure or a pedicure, always start with a base coat.

Make sure to wipe off any access cuticle oil before you do so to ensure smooth application. Apply one to two layers of the base coat in thin neat strokes to ensure faster drying time and a more professional finish.

Beetles 2 Pcs Top Coat and Base Coat Set

Makartt Top Coat and Base Coat Set

Step 3: Choose Your Colors

You could go the classic French mani route with a sheer shade of white or pale pink for your base color.

You could go with a bold color for your tip to complement your nude base for a more bright look. Or, you could opt for a more subtle lighter color like white if you want to stay closer to the classic look.

Your options to choose from are endless for both your tip and base colors.

Beetles Blue Green Gel Nail Polish Set

Abitzon NEW Nail Polish Set

Step 4: Draw Your Line

Apply a thin strip of color at the tip of your nails.

You can use either a striping brush or the actual nail polish brush to create your thin line. It might be helpful to paint a slightly curved line at the end of the nail tips first before filling in the rest.

You might need to layer on the coats so that your color really stands out and contrasts your base layer.

You’re not gonna get it on the first try but you’ll get better as you practice. 

Winstonia Pro Nail Art Long Striping Brush

Artdone 31pcs Nail Art Brushes

Step 5: Top Coat

Finally, use a top coat to seal in the French tip and get that seamless professional finish.

Beetles 2 Pcs Top Coat and Base Coat Set

Makartt Top Coat and Base Coat Set

And there you have it, now you can have a micro french manicure on a budget.

8 Skincare Secrets For Healthy, Glowing Skin

Filed Under: Skin //

woman doing skincare

We all want glossy clear skin.

But, realistically we all have our own skincare concerns, dry flaky skin, oily acne-prone skin, fine lines, or acne scars, and no matter what skincare routine we try, we just can’t seem to shake.

These general skin care tips from dermatologists can benefit just about everyone.

1. Protect Your Skin From The Sun

If you do one thing for your skin, it should be sun protection.

Overexposure to the sun can cause wrinkles, age spots, and other skin problems-not to mention the increased risk of skin cancer.

So protect your skin from UV damage:

–Use sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 20. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two or so hours, or more often if you’re out swimming or sweating a lot.

–Seek shade. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Or at the very least, wear a hat.

2. Be Gentle To Your Skin

Some daily skincare routines can do more harm than they do good. So always remember to keep it gentle:

–Limit The Cleansing: Our skin produces antibacterial oils that moisturize and protect our skin, over cleansing our face can strip our face from these oils. So be mindful of this.

–Avoid Strong Soaps. Strong soaps and detergents can strip oil from your skin. Instead, choose mild cleansers.

-Don’t Over Dermaplane: Dermaplanning can be very beneficial, but don’t overdo it. Make sure to use an oil to lubricate your skin. Shave in the direction the hair grows, not against it.

–Moisturize: If your skin is dry, use a moisturizer that fits your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that contains SPF.

-Don’t Overexfoliate: Exfoliation helps clear off dead skin cells, but over-exfoliation can cause your skin to react with excess oil production or breakouts.

3. Eat A Healthy Diet

A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best.

Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

There is no confirmed relation between acne and a bad diet – but some research suggests that a diet rich in fish oil or fish oil supplements and low in unhealthy fats and processed or refined carbohydrates might promote younger-looking skin.

4. Drink Plenty Of Water

Hydration is a must for healthy, glowing skin. Dehydrated skin can feel dry, itchy, and dull.

Drink a lot of liquids throughout the day, to keep your hydration levels high.

5. Invest In Supplements

I love supplements, especially for my hair and skin.

Studies show that supplements like collagen, vitamin C, and multivitamins may help improve certain aspects of skin appearance like hydration and wrinkles, while probiotics and omega-3s could be helpful for people with skin conditions such as acne.

6. Keep Your Pillowcase Clean

Your pillowcase has a build-up of oils, dirt, and sweat from daily use.

This means they can harbor bacteria and cause acne breakouts. In some cases, pillowcases can even damage your hair or skin. I suggest having a silk pillowcase that is more gentle on your skin and keep that clean.

7. Choose Skincare Products Formulated For Your Skin

Understanding your skin type will help you learn how to take care of your skin and select skin care products that have the right ingredients for you.

Some skincare products might do more harm than good for you so be careful when picking your products.

8. Keep Your Hands Off Your Face

Whenever you touch your face, you transfer dirt, germs, and oil from your hands to your face.

Do your best to leave your skin alone throughout the day. Avoid picking, popping, or squeezing pimples, as this can just make them worse over time.

And if you find it hard to keep your hands off your face, keep your hands clean to at least minimize the germs and dirt that transfer to your hands.

Keep these 8 tips and tricks in your back pocket to allow you to have healthy glowing skin.

The Essential Products You Need To Build Your Curly Hair Routine For Luscious Hair

Filed Under: Hair //

woman with curly hair

If you’re currently on the hunt for your very own holy grail curly hair products you’ve come to the right place.

As a natural curly girl, I know there are a lot of options out there, so finding your ideal routine can be tricky whether you want to defrizz, define your curls, put some moisture into your hair, or give yourself a blowout.

Hair is different and confusing for everyone, especially for curly girls, and it can be a long gruesome task. To be clear, I don’t hate my hair, but I do hate the endless searches I’ve had to endure to find the perfect products for all occasions.

Hair Products Every Curly Routine Needs

So, take in my knowledge and allow my sufferings to bring you blessings, here are my holy grail hair products every curly girl needs for the perfect hair routine.

1. Pre-poo For Wash Days

A pre-poo is a necessity to have.

A pre-poo is a hydrating product applied to your dry hair at the beginning of your washdays. Hot oil treatments can also be a good pre-poo, or you could buy a pre-poo hair mask that tackles any haircare needs you may have.

I like to use African Pride Moisture Miracle Aloe & Coconut Water Pre-Shampoo after I take down a protective style as it is meant to detangle and tackle dry hair as well as add moisture back into your locks. Which is definitely what my hair needs after being tucked away in a protective style.

For regular wash-n-go’s, I typically like to use Mielle Organics Mongongo Oil Pre-Shampoo Treatment, this adds moisture into my hair without weighing it down.

Whether you choose a hot oil treatment or regular pre-poo masks, you can pre-poo any time from 15 minutes before you wash your hair to overnight.

African Pride Moisture Miracle Aloe & Coconut Water Pre-Shampoo

Mielle Organics Mongongo Oil Pre-Shampoo Treatment

2. Shampoo To Cleanse Your Hair

Your Shampoo is super important, a good shampoo works to clean your scalp from product build-up and dirt while providing your hair with much-needed nourishment.

A good shampoo is an essential part of your hair care routine, they are the foundation for your wash days and can help to revive your dry hair, and cleanse it from all the products that accumulate on your scalp.

Clean hair is best for hair growth. I recommend a sulfate-free shampoo, that contains essential oils for hair growth.

And after you remove a protective style. I recommend a clarifying shampoo.

Finding a shampoo that cleanses and clarifies your hair without leaving your hair super stripped and feeling dry is super important for the health of your hair.

Pantene Sulfate Free Shampoo

Pantene Sulfate Free Argan Oil Shampoo for Dry Damaged hair

3. Scalp Treatments For Scalp Health

If you want to keep your hair healthy and allow hair growth, you have to take care of your scalp.

Having a healthy scalp can lead to thicker and healthier curls because you are giving focus to your hair follicles.

Using a scalp treatment can help with the health of your hair.

This may be a hot oil treatment or one of my favorites Pharm to Table Scalp Relief Tea Tree Leave-In Conditioner for Dry Itchy Scalp to really tend to your scalp and add moisture back into your hair.

Using a scalp treatment can help to remove any product buildup on your scalp after you’ve had it in a protective style for a while.

PHARM TO TABLE Scalp Relief Tea Tree Leave-In Conditioner

OGX Extra Strength Refreshing + Invigorating Teatree Mint Dry Scalp Treatment

4. Conditioner To Moisturize and Soften

When I wear my hair in wash-n-go’s I try not to wash my hair with shampoos more than once or twice a month.

So instead of grabbing my shampoo, every week or two I co-wash my hair.

Co-washing is when you only use a conditioner when washing your hair. You can use just about any conditioner, however, I like to use Pantene Conditioner Pure Clean & Clarify, it contains no silicones that could easily dry out your hair It is also part of the pentene clarify and clean line to really get the dirt out your hair, while still being moisturizing.

Conditioners play a dual role in your hair care regimen by giving dry and frizzy curls the moisture it needs, so it’s very important to choose one that’s right for you.

A great conditioner contains oils and vitamins that blend together to make your curls strong and healthy.

I also like to use Kristin Ess Hair Ultra Hydrating Curl Co-Wash during my co-washes. This product’s formula has hydrating glycerin and hydrolyzed linseed, which is rich in omega fatty acids, to keep curls from drying out as it gets rid of grime on your hair and scalp.

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Conditioner with Biotin

MONDAY HAIRCARE Smooth Conditioner for Frizzy, Coarse, and Curly Hair

5. A Deep Conditioner

If you want bouncy, healthy curls, you’ll need to invest in a deep conditioner.

Every wash day, I coat my hair in a deep conditioner or a mask to add even more moisture.

Most masks suggest you let the mask or deep conditioner sit for 10-15 minutes, but I really like to let that stuff sit.

I like to throw on a plastic cap, a bonnet, and then even a beanie to really insulate the hair and let the heat from my scalp get the stuff working. I usually let it sit for at least an hour then rinse it out.

Deep conditioners are very nutrient rich with a blend of essential vitamins to work against breakage, dry hair, and frizz. You can deep condition up to once a week for as long as your hair needs.

Kristin Ess Hair Strand Strengthening Reconstructive Moisture Mask

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Hair Masque

6. Leave-In Conditioner

If I could use only one hair care product, it would be a leave-in conditioner, a quality leave-in conditioner keeps your curls beautiful from day to day.

Leave-in conditioners have the essential nutrients and vitamins that make your hair strong and soft. Leave-in conditioners can blend ingredients like coconut, flaxseed, and essential oils, to enrich and moisten your hair every day.

No matter what your hair type is, your hair will love the Ouai Leave-In Conditioner’s moisturizing formula. This detangling frizz-fighter contains hydrolyzed proteins to protect hair against environmental damage while tamarind seed extract, panthenol, and vitamin E condition hair so you can easily detangle knots and curls. It is also paraben, sulfate, and phthalates free.

OUAI Leave-In Conditioner. Multitasking Mist

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Leave-In Conditioner

7. Moisturizing Curl Creams

Smoothing moisturizer over dripping-wet hair in the shower reduces frizz and can really help curls stay bouncy and intact.

No matter the brand, the cream is always dispersed throughout my hair using my Denman brush.

Wavy, curly, and coily hair is like a sponge to Argan Magic Nourishing Hair Cream, my hair just soaks this stuff in. This styling cream’s texture right out of the tube is pretty thick and sticky, which I was iffy about at first. Once it’s been raked through your wet curly hair and diffused or air-dried, you’re left with volume, curl definition, and no white cast.

Pattern’s Styling Cream for Curly & Coily Hair is great for braid outs and twist outs. I love to use it right after my condition to get out any stubborn tangles and then put my hair into a braid out. It’s packed with hydrating shea butter and almond oil to really seal in the moisture.

When my hair needs a little refresher, I use OUAI Curl Crème, it’s lightweight enough not to weigh down my curls but really adds that moisture back into it while giving me some definition and shine.

Argan Magic Nourishing Hair Cream

Pattern Beauty Styling Cream

OUAI Curl Crème

8. A Good Oil To Seal It All In

Curly hair soaks up oil like crazy, our hair is really dry and needs moisture.

Oil is what helps seal in moisture for our curls while giving them a healthy shine. Hair oils work just like a deep conditioner, except you can use them as a treatment or for everyday use.

There are so many oils to choose from whether you want argan oil, morrocan oil, or coconut oil, the word is truly your oyster.

You can bring your curls back to life with a good oil treatment and help to prevent damaged and dry ends and keep your hair moisturized and healthy.

Majestic Pure Fractionated Coconut Oil

Moroccanoil Treatment

Argan Magic Intensive Hair Oil

9. Hair Gels For Definition

Pantene Pro-V Curl Sculpting Gel is a savior for curly and coily hair. This flexible hold gel smoothes strands while enhancing your natural texture. The aloe vera-fortified formula strengthens hair while maintaining the style, plus it never looks frozen in place or stuck down.

I love CURLS Poppin Pineapple So So Def Vitamin C Curl Defining Jelly because ist so nutrient-rich, laced with vitamins A, B, and C, this jelly really adds moisture back into dry hair and keeps it there so that your coils and curls spring to life and don’t dry out.

CURLS Poppin Pineapple So So Def Vitamin C Curl Defining Jelly

Pantene Pro-V Curl Sculpting Gel

10. Refresher Sprays For After Wash Days

After wash days, your hair soon gets dry. It gets to a point where it needs some moisture added back into it but isn’t quite ready to be washed yet.

I like to use refresher sprays on days like this. They are weightless yet add a good amount of moisture back into your curls.

Curls need as much moisture as they can get, Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Curl Refreshing Spray, gives my curls just that. Moisturizing coconut oil and shea butter as well as being nutrient rich to nourish dry hair days after your wash-n-go’s.

Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Curl Refreshing Spray

Maui Moisture Lightweight Curls + Flaxseed Curl Refresher Mist

11. A Silk Pillowcase or Bonnet

The smooth, flat fibers of the silk reduce friction while you sleep, preventing breakage and frizz, and allowing your hairstyles to stay fresh for longer. You’ll notice a difference after just one night.

I like to put my hair in a pineapple to prolong my wash-n-go’s or braid-outs. It’s simple: You take a loose hair tie(preferably silk) and gather your hair as close to your forehead as possible to minimize compressing your curls.

Then I pop on my bonnet our use my silk pillowcase.

12. A Microfiber Towel

Listen, bath towels are not made for your hair! A microfiber towel is for your hair.

A bath towel is constructed with thousands of threads that rough up your hair and can tug and snag at your locs. A microfiber towel is gentler and exerts less friction- and less friction means less frizz.

13. A Humidifier

On the second or third day after co-washing, you’re going to want to revive your curls. The best way to revive your curls is with moisture, and the best way to put moisture back into your hair is water.

A humidifier is a great way to add moisture back into your hair a few days after your wash.

When winter hits, turn your humidifier to the highest level and watch your curls just soak up that moisture.

14. YouTube

When I first started my natural hair journey, the first place I turned to was Youtube. And it still is.

I watch Kaila Kake, Always Ameera, Mini Marley, and Natural Chica whenever I’m trying to do my hair.

Other Things To Consider Before You Get Your Products

All hair is different, so don’t just try and copy and paste someone else’s natural hair routine. Consider these factors first:

curly hair products

Know Your Hair Type

The first step to building your hair care routine is understanding your hair type.

Curly girls all over the world have different texture combinations that make up their head of hair.

Terms like type 4 or 4b or 3a are thrown around at you and you might not fully comprehend what they mean.

Those numbers reflect your curl pattern, and porosity, and can help to guide you in choosing the right products for your hair.

If you are unsure of your hair type, take this customized hair type quiz that will help guide you to understand your hair type.

Find Out Your Hair Porosity

One of the important aspects of taking care of your curls is understanding how your hair absorbs and retains moisture or your hair’s porosity.

Porosity can be divided into three categories: low, normal, and high. Understanding your hair’s “Porosity” doesn’t have to be difficult, you can start by performing the strand test. 

Start by taking a strand of hair and placing it in a clean glass of water. If it falls to the bottom your hair has high porosity, if it’s midway then your normal, and to the bottom means that your strands have low porosity.

Low porosity means that your hair can’t easily absorb moisture and you want to avoid products with a lot of oils or butter.

Normal porosity means your hair can hold and absorb moisture which is a great sign of healthy hair.

If you have high porosity hair your curls may absorb a product quickly but then lose moisture. In this case, you want to avoid using products with too many oils and butter to help your hair lock in moisture and incorporate using protein treatments into your hair regimen.

Whether you have loose curls or kinks or even coils, low porosity or high porosity, you know the best curly hair products are essential for making sure your strands are well taken care of.

And as you get to know your hair better it will get easier to find products that work best for you.

Always remember that building your hair care regimen takes time and patience. As long as you start with the essentials, you can only grow up from there.