Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and Lactic Acid
Verdict: This product is a luxurious treat for the lips. Its smooth, buttery texture glides on effortlessly, providing instant hydration without feeling greasy. Infused with nourishing ingredients, it leaves lips feeling soft and plump with a subtle, natural sheen. The delightful, fruity scent adds an extra touch of indulgence, making it a pleasure to apply. The mini size is perfect for on-the-go, fitting easily in your purse for quick touch-ups. Overall, it’s a great addition to any lip care routine, offering both hydration and a refreshing burst of flavor. Highly recommended!
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We all have our tried-and-true beauty routines—moisturize, maybe some mascara, and, if you’re feeling fancy, a little highlighter. But what if I told you there are some hidden gems in the beauty world that most people have never heard of? These beauty secrets are the kind of stuff that will have you saying, “Why didn’t anyone tell me this sooner?!”
Let’s dive in and get your beauty game next level.
1. Using Ice Cubes for Pore Perfection
Here’s a cool trick (pun intended) that might just change your life: ice cubes for glowing skin and smaller pores. Seriously. Rubbing an ice cube over your face for a minute or two before applying your skincare routine can help tighten and minimize the appearance of pores, reduce puffiness, and boost circulation. You know that refreshing feeling you get after an ice-cold splash of water? Imagine that—but for your face.
How it works: The cold helps constrict blood vessels, reducing swelling and giving your skin a fresh, lifted look. Plus, it can even help set your makeup so it lasts longer!
Pro Tip: You can even freeze green tea or rose water into ice cubes for added skin benefits. You’re basically a skincare genius at this point.
2. Lifting Your Brows with Vaseline (Yes, Really)
Okay, before you panic and wonder if I’ve lost my mind—hear me out. Vaseline (or petroleum jelly) isn’t just for chapped lips. It’s an underrated beauty secret that can do wonders for your brows. You can use it to tame unruly brows and give them a natural, fuller, and lifted look. Just dab a tiny bit of Vaseline onto your brow spoolie or finger and brush through. It’ll hold the hairs in place without making them crunchy, plus it gives them that sleek, shiny, just-groomed effect.
Why it works: Vaseline coats the brow hairs, creating definition and holding them in place all day. Think of it as a natural brow gel—minus the $20 price tag.
Pro Tip: Don’t go overboard, though! A tiny dab is all you need. You’re going for “brow goals,” not “greaseball chic.”
3. Sleep on a Silk Pillowcase for Better Skin and Hair
We all know that getting enough sleep is key for glowing skin, but did you know that what you sleep on also makes a difference? Silk pillowcases are a beauty game-changer, and they’re not just for luxury—they’re for you, too. Sleeping on silk can help reduce friction on your skin and hair, which means fewer wrinkles, less hair breakage, and smoother skin overall.
How it works: Silk is much gentler on your skin and hair than cotton, which can tug and cause irritation. Plus, silk helps to lock in moisture, keeping your skin hydrated overnight.
Pro Tip: If you can’t splurge on a whole silk pillowcase, at least try a silk pillowcase for your face. Your skin will thank you the next morning.
There you have it—three beauty secrets that can elevate your routine from “meh” to “wow!” Whether you’re freezing your way to flawless skin, lifting your brows with the power of petroleum jelly, or pampering yourself with a silk pillowcase, these little-known hacks will have you feeling like a beauty guru in no time. Try them out, and you’ll be the one sharing your new secrets with everyone else soon enough!
What’s your favorite beauty secret? Let me know—after all, we could all use a little extra glow. ✨
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Winter can be beautiful with its cozy vibes, snow-covered landscapes, and the chance to sip on warm drinks by the fire. But it also comes with its own set of skin challenges. Cold temperatures, indoor heating, and harsh winds can all lead to dryness, irritation, and dull skin. The good news is, with a few simple changes to your skincare routine, you can keep your skin hydrated, glowing, and healthy throughout the colder months. Here are some tips to help you combat the winter skin blues:
1. Hydrate from the Inside Out
Staying hydrated is essential year-round, but it’s especially important during the winter when the air is drier. Drink plenty of water, herbal teas, and nourishing soups to help keep your skin cells plump and hydrated. Adding hydrating fruits and vegetables, like oranges, cucumbers, and berries, to your diet can also support skin health.
2. Switch to a Richer Moisturizer
Your skin’s moisture needs change with the seasons. During the winter, opt for thicker, more emollient creams or oils to lock in moisture. Look for products with ingredients like shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides that provide a barrier against the harsh elements. Apply your moisturizer right after showering or washing your face to help seal in hydration.
3. Use a Humidifier
Indoor heating systems can suck the moisture out of the air, leaving your skin feeling dry and tight. Using a humidifier in your home adds moisture back into the air, helping to keep your skin hydrated. Place one in your bedroom while you sleep for maximum benefits.
4. Exfoliate Gently
Winter skin can often look dull due to dead skin cells accumulating on the surface. Gently exfoliating once or twice a week can help slough off dead skin, allowing your moisturizer to penetrate better. However, avoid harsh scrubs that can irritate and dry out your skin further. Instead, go for mild exfoliants like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or enzyme-based products.
5. Don’t Skip Sunscreen
Even in the winter, UV rays can damage your skin. Snow can reflect sunlight, increasing your exposure to harmful rays, especially at higher altitudes. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, and apply it daily—even on overcast days or when you’re staying indoors.
6. Limit Hot Showers
While it’s tempting to take long, hot showers to warm up in the winter, hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it even drier. Opt for lukewarm water instead, and try to limit your showers to around 10 minutes. Afterward, be sure to moisturize your skin while it’s still slightly damp to lock in moisture.
7. Protect Your Skin from the Elements
Cold, windy weather can wreak havoc on your skin, causing irritation and dryness. When heading outside, make sure to bundle up with scarves, hats, and gloves to protect your face and hands. Consider using a thick, protective balm on your lips and any exposed skin to act as a barrier against the wind.
8. Choose a Gentle Cleanser
In the winter, your skin needs extra care, and using a harsh cleanser can strip away natural oils, making dryness worse. Opt for a creamy, hydrating cleanser that will cleanse without compromising your skin’s moisture balance. Look for ingredients like glycerin, aloe vera, or coconut oil to help nourish your skin as you wash.
9. Add Antioxidants to Your Routine
Winter’s colder months can also lead to environmental stress on your skin. To help combat this, introduce antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, or green tea extract into your skincare routine. These ingredients help fight free radical damage and can give your skin a brighter, more youthful appearance.
10. Listen to Your Skin
Lastly, always pay attention to how your skin feels. If it starts to feel dry, tight, or irritated, adjust your routine accordingly. Adding a soothing face mask or switching to a richer moisturizer might be just what your skin needs to stay comfortable and healthy.
Taking care of your skin during the wintertime may take a little extra effort, but the results are worth it. By staying hydrated, protecting your skin from the elements, and incorporating nourishing products, you can maintain healthy, glowing skin all season long. Keep your skin happy, and you’ll be able to embrace the beauty of winter without feeling dry or uncomfortable!
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The Ultimate Relaxation: Discover the Magic of a Soothing Mia Venus Bath Bomb
There’s nothing quite like sinking into a warm, bubbling bath after a long, stressful day. But what if you could elevate that experience to a whole new level of relaxation? Enter the magical world of Mia Venus bath bombs. These little spheres of scented joy can turn an ordinary bath into an immersive, calming ritual that soothes both body and mind.
What is a Mia Venus Bath Bomb?
A Mia Venus bath bomb is a compact mixture of ingredients—typically sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), citric acid, essential oils, and natural colors—that fizzes when it hits the water. This fizzy explosion transforms your bath into a delightful sensory experience, releasing fragrances and therapeutic properties into the air and the water.
But the magic doesn’t stop at the fizz. Mia Venus bath bombs are infused with ingredients like dried flowers, salts, and skin-nourishing oils that add to the experience, leaving your skin soft, hydrated, and delicately scented.
Perks: Mia Venus Bath Bombs can be personalized, come in Pop Star faves (like Taylor Swift) and in fun animal shapes (like the cute unicorn I was sent!). The price points for these bath bombs are reasonable for the size of the bath bomb – they range between $8-$14. Check out this extensive catalog here: https://miavenus.com/
Why a Mia Venus Bath Bomb is Perfect for Relaxation
Aromatherapy The sense of smell is closely linked to our emotions and overall well-being. A Mia Venus bath bomb’s essential oils can help reduce stress, calm anxiety, and promote a peaceful atmosphere. Lavender, chamomile, and eucalyptus are popular choices for their soothing and therapeutic qualities. As the bath bomb dissolves, the calming scent fills the air, inviting you to let go of tension and unwind fully.
Skin Benefits Many bath bombs are packed with natural ingredients like Epsom salts, coconut oil, and shea butter, all of which help to hydrate and nourish the skin. The warm water combined with these moisturizers softens dry skin, leaving it feeling silky smooth and rejuvenated.
The Visual Delight Mia Venus Bath bombs come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, turning your bath into a magical spectacle. As the bomb fizzes, vibrant colors swirl through the water, creating a beautiful, ever-changing display. Whether it’s pastel pinks and purples or deep blues and greens, the visual aspect of a bath bomb adds a calming aesthetic that can help ease you into a peaceful state of mind.
Stress Relief There’s something inherently relaxing about the simple act of taking a bath. Add a Mia Venus bath bomb, and the experience is taken to the next level. The warm water helps to relax tense muscles, while the fizzy, aromatic bomb works to elevate your mood. The process of sitting back, closing your eyes, and allowing the bath bomb to work its magic on your body and mind is the perfect way to unwind.
The Benefits of a Regular Mia Venus Bath Bomb Ritual
While a bath bomb is a great way to unwind every once in a while, making it part of a regular self-care routine can offer long-term benefits. By creating a ritual around your bath bomb baths—perhaps incorporating some mindfulness or meditation—you can create a space where stress, anxiety, and distractions are left behind. This time for yourself can promote mental clarity, improve your mood, and help you sleep better at night.
Final Thoughts
In a world that often feels like it’s moving at a million miles per hour, taking a moment to pause and indulge in self-care is more important than ever. A relaxing bath bomb can help you slow down, breathe deeply, and restore balance to your body and mind. So, the next time you need a break, drop a bath bomb into your tub, sit back, and let the soothing magic wash over you.
Relax, Rejuvenate, and Repeat.
*Thank you so much to Mia Venus for free samples of the bath bombs in exchange for an honest review.
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All throughout this holiday season I’m going to be sharing female Black owned shops you can check out for your holiday shopping. This particular shop has a one stop shop for Hair Care, Lip Care, Candles, Skin Care, and Digital Downloads. If you love whimsical witchy items, then this is the perfect site for you or someone you love that is into these things!
The price points are rather reasonable for handmade and quality made products, from lip balms retailing $4 to luxurious candles retailing at $32. Not to mention there are so many hair care options and body butters. The collection for each item is so vast that there’s scents galore for everyone.
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The holiday season is coming up and it’s never too early to think about what gifts you’re going to give your loved ones (or if you simply want to indulge in some retail therapy for yourself!). Throughout the month of November & December I will exclusively share Black Women Owned shops – here are three that are bound to become a favorite in no time.
This web shop offers jewelry for all price ranges and tastes. Not to mention that it has very cute home décor such as prints, candles, and soap. The candles come with inspiring quotes on the packaging that is bound to put one in better spirits, while the soaps look incredibly pretty for a very affordable price of $10 and made with natural ingredients such as olive oil, shea butter, and coconut oil.
This Etsy shop is filled with delicious fragrances and body oils for a very affordable price. You can choose from yummy scents like Strawberry Milk, Vanilla Fluff, and Salted Butterscotch. A definite alternative to Bath & Body Works scents that smell just as yummy and made with natural ingredients.
Satisfiction is a bi-monthly book box that includes science fiction and fantasy books written by BIPOC authors paired with pampering items to go along with the reading experience. If you love books or you have a book lover in your life, this is the perfect gift for them!
Instagram: @satisfictionbox
Photos taken from Instagram.
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What It Does: Conceals dark under eyes and blemishes. Evens skintone out.
Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and peptides.
Verdict: This concealer is for those who love their makeup to also be skincare. The concealer isn’t drying and doesn’t crack, not even after hours of wearing it. It looks and feels like your own skin, and is very lightweight. 81% of the concealer is made up of serum, so the coverage is between light to medium. If you need extreme coverage, I don’t think that this concealer would work for that, but if you want a concealer that feels like skin and is crease free for up to twelve hours, then this will work perfectly. I love the doe-foot applicator because it has a slight curve that fits perfectly along your undereyes. I have genetic dark undereyes and this concealer does conceal it somewhat (not entirely but the fact that it still looks like your skin is a plus because a lot of concealers that do conceal the darkness feel chalky). This concealer is very dewy, so my suggestion is to apply it and keep it on for a few minutes prior to blurring it into your skin with a sponge, as it will maximize the coverage. If you start to blend it out while it’s too watery, it made not give you the same coverage. I don’t think this is the best concealer to use for blemishes or zits though, as I can’t see it being able to conceal severe redness. This concealer is excellent if you need medium coverage and love your concealer to also have skincare benefits.
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What It Does: Provides all-day hydration and instant glow.
Active Ingredients: Olive oil and fermented olives.
Verdict: If you’re looking for a serum that delivers an instant glow, then this is the one, it does exactly that. It truly helps plump up the skin, tightens, and brightens all in one. This serum is best for dry or combination skin. I have oily skin, and the olive oil really adds more oil than I really want, however, it does give the skin a truly radiant glow. I know I had this same issue with J.Lo’s moisturizer (it was too oily for my oily skin). But if you truly lack hydration, this serum will LOCK IT IN and give you all the hydration you need. The texture is very light, so can be worn under makeup very easily, if that’s what you’re looking for.
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What It Is: Vegetable face mask that hydrates, repairs, and boosts radiance while sleep.
What It Does: Hydrates, Repairs and boosts skin’s radiance.
Active Ingredients: Vegan collagen, Reparative Onion, Ginger, and Beta-carotene
Verdict: The moment this cream touched my face, it felt incredibly nourishing. I love the texture, and how it left my skin feeling soft and plump. It’s a vibrant, fast-absorbing cream that truly packs mega hydration. The only downside is the hefty price (if you’re in the market for something a bit more economical this isn’t for you). But it does help smooth fine lines and makes your skin look well-rested, so the cream delivers what it promises. I’ve tried previous products from Byroe before, and was very pleased, so this is no exception.
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Summer months tend to be the worst for my skin (it’s oily) and is when I have more issues than any other month of the year. It also doesn’t help that there tends to be more humidity during the summer months and even skincare can clog pores. Here are five tips to keep your skin healthy and glowing during the summer!
AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE
Humidity, oiliness, and dirty hands can wreak havoc on your skin and clog pores faster than you might imagine.
DRINK LOTS OF WATER
Keep yourself and your skin hydrated during the summer months, even if you live in an area that doesn’t get too warm. Also, opt to eat more fruits and veggies for extra hydration.
CHOOSE A MILD CLEANSER
Avoid using cleansers that strip your skin of oils, and opt for a gentle cleanser that helps lift unwanted oils but leaves the skin feeling hydrated. One of my favorites is from Saturday Skin.
USE SUNSCREEN
This is important all year round but more so in the summer when one is staying outside more often and burns can really mess up your skin and lead to blisters or scarring.
EXFOLIATE
This is super important because it helps remove dead skin cells and any dirt that the cleanser might not have picked up. Do this at least once a week. Some of my favorite exfoliators are from Glam Glow and Dr. Brandt.
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The Inkblotters 