Being single can be fun at times. I can come and go as I please and can enjoy whatever I’m in the mood for. However, there are times of the year that it would be nice to have a special someone. But until that day happens I present to you the single hottie v-day self-care guide! You deserve all the fun and pleasure in the world.
In a previous post, I shared the importance of being gentle with yourself. This is very important during the holidays when you may not have all the love you desire. If you focus on what you do have more of that will come. Don’t close yourself off to the possibilities as you never know what can happen.
The Single Hottie Vday Self-Care Guide
During this festive time of the year, in the past, I would place an order for my fav meal or if I was feeling extra I would create a quick Instacart order so I could make my favorite things. Cooking for me has always felt like magic because your taking an idea and making it into reality. You can add a fav bottle of wine or other spirits to make this time even more enjoyable.
Next, I always make sure a few days ahead of V-day to either have my house cleaned and all my favorite nighties are clean and ready. As a single lady, some of us will forgo enjoying nice sleepwear because no one is seeing us. Well let me ask you, are you blind? Don’t you count as someone? I don’t like seeing myself in tattered items that may have been an ex’s tee shirt! Ditch those and invest in some nice silk or lace bedtime wear.
On the day
On the big day if I can I start my day off slowly and just relish in love. We get so busy trying to be superwoman we often don’t enjoy just being. I may take some time to meditate or write in my gratitude journal with a focus on love. I may even make some tea and get back into bed while doing my meditation time. It’s something magical about slow intentional time.
Next, I go ahead and ensure all is prepped for my meal, or depending on what I’m in the mood for it may be already prepared the night before so I can just savory it later. I will then make a nice breakfast or some mimosa’s lol. My theme throughout the day is an intentional pleasure.
As the day goes on I will spend time doing things I want to do be it shopping, working out, or taking a festive nap. In the past, I have gotten dressed up for my fun time if I was going out as you enjoy to be festive!
You need to take time enjoying yourself and if the world was open I would also go to a museum or symphony but earlier in the day in order to not be packed in with the couples.
Now that the day is coming tonight I pull out all the stops for my spa night in. In the past, I have hired a masseuse to come and do an in-home massage which ladies is top tier. There is nothing like taking a hot bath at home, enjoying a 90-min deep tissue massage, and then sauntering off to your bed. The best sleep ever!
My at-home spa night typically consists of full-body exfoliation, one of my fav products is the SkinFix Body Scrub. It’s a delightful body peel and polish in one. After my scrub, I indulge in a nice bath be it a milk bath or flower-infused bath. I take my time and savory the moment with soft music and candles and also enjoying some chocolate covered strawberries. I wrap it all up with nice body oil and give myself a nice mani/pedi. A facial and possibly a deep conditioning treatment also is enjoyed.
After spending time tending to my beauty I end the night with my delicious meal, a movie, or even talking to my friends. Self-care as a single lady is not optional but required and Valentine’s Day just gives me an excuse to go extra with my time.
Don’t wait until the stars align and you meet Mr. or Mrs. Perfect as they could not come for a while or ever. I also know that some can become salty because they see others being loved out loud on social media. If this is you, I urge you to log-off and just enjoy yourself. When we focus on our own love more love will come.
Now I hope The Single Hottie V-day Self-Care Guide was helpful as I want all my loves to bask in their glory right now vs tomorrow. How are you going to spend Valentine’s Day? Let’s chat in the comments!
Bedtime should be a sacraed place for you. Sleep is such an important part of growth. You are able to heal, restore and be refueld. As someone who suffers from bouts of insomnia pretty regularly and have much of my life, I can tell you how boosting your beauty bedtime routine will boost your life!
When I haven’t slept well for a few days my ability to think positively, be productive and even my eating habits are affected. Being tired can make things that really don’t matter become a huge mountain. On the flip side when I am well rested for days I awake and have the drive to make my dreams a reality.
I use to be #teamnosleep or #nooffdays when it came to going after my goals. But after noticing how I would crash and burn because I wasn’t well rested, I began to take notice of my life. When you don’t value yourself you will not do things that are for your future self. For example, you know you have a big interview coming up, you would ensure to eat a great meal, take a nice relaxing bath and go to bed. But when you unconciously don’t value you, you will do things that will sabtage your goals.
Beauty rest also helps you to heal physically so you can workout more powerfully. The worst workout is one when I didn’t get much sleep as my endurance and determination are shot. The best thing I could do is some nice hot yoga, take a cool shower after and get real intimate with my pillow. Sleep is a requirement ladies! It’s not up for discussion as you deserve to pour from a full cup.
Here are some ways to boost your beauty bedtime routine
1. Create a soothing essential oil diffuser mix and tea
A simple mix of Neroli,Clove, Sandalwood and Sweet Orange
2. Make sure you set the mood
I have to sleep when it’s cool, the room is dark and free of distractions like my laptop. I have my phone on night time mode so no calls or text are coming in and the blue light is turned into a warmer light to help me to be relaxed.
3. Light stretches
I’m not sure how I stumbled on yoga squats but they are a game-changer. I will do some light stretches and yoga moves like a forward fold in order to go down into a yoga squat. Yoga squats help to open up the hip which as ladies we hold a lot of tension, emotion, and energy there especially as we are working from home. I will hold for about 3-5 minutes and as I come out the move I feel a huge release.
4. Gratitude
Once I’m in the bed I will jot down a few things I’m grateful for or if I’m dozing off I will think about them. I like to think of the good things in my life when I wake up and as I go to sleep. It helps to center me and keep me in a state of constant gratitude.
I hope these tips help you boost your beauty bedtime routine as your beauty goes beyond being cute but your whole being. Let me know in the comments some things you do at night to make your sleep a win!
In 2021 we all want to be where the money resides. So I got to thinking about how can I incorporate this in my day to day and makeup does it. Wearing a mask and makeup can be a interesting dance. Heat, makeup, and friction are not things we want to play with in 2021. So I created what I like to call the money look with Becca Cosmetics which you can adapt to your liking. I like to focus on my eyes as I love them lol. This look also can be a great face for the many Zoom calls we have.
The main event in this look is the new Becca Light Gleam Primer and Topper Liquid Eyeshadow. I got the color Luna which is a gorgeous green primer and topper combo. As we are all meditating on the notion I am where the money resides, green was a befitting color.
This duo is perfect for anyone who wants a bit of razzle-dazzle but isn’t confident in their glitter application. I found the primer very pigmented and easy to apply and then top with the glitter topper. It took me maybe 5 mins total to add this to my look and I was out the door. You can do a little more by adding a crease and transition shadow if you want to make them look even more dramatic as I did in the pics.
They have a bunch of other colors if green is too bold or not your fav color. I am eyeing a few more as I think this will be one of my go-to’s for makeup while I am interviewing and new job!
I hope this The Money Look with Becca Cosmetics inspires you to add a little sparkle to your day and life. Have you heard about this product? Let me know in the comment!
Happy New Year! Cues the confetti and balloons. If your reading this we made it to 2021. To kick this year off, I want to share about the Living Proof for Coily Hairline. This was sent this last year and wanted to get a few wash days with this before sharing.
Normally I don’t share about hair products as I’m kinda shy about showing my hair. My love for hair products runs deep especially things that say they benefit curly/coily hair types. I have seen the Living Proof brand for a long time but never felt called to it because every brand isn’t for everybody.
I was sent this by PinchMe.com and was excited about giving these a whirl. As a reformed product junkie but at the top of the stay at home orders, I got really focused on only keeping products that my hair liked since I was wearing it out. Being a hardcore wig person, the time to just rock my own hair out aside from Zoom calls has been a blessing.
Products that I tend to be drawn to are those that focus on moisture as my hair can be a bit parched especially as the temps drop here in the Midwest. Now with the Living Proof for Coily Hair line, their products are it’s powered by Living Proof’s Healthy Curl Complex, which prevents damage, makes curls stronger, enhances frizz protection, significantly reduces cuticle lift for shinier curls, encourages curl groupings for enhanced definition, and creates visibly healthier curls instantly and overtime per the Sephora.com site.
Living Proof for Coily Hair Review
First product out of the collection I tried was their Curl Shampoo which has the most delightful scent and texture. The focus of this item is to help to strengthen your curls, boost curl formation, and cut down on frizz.
All the products have the same floral scent and thick creamy texture. I felt my hair was cleansed without being stripped which is a major concern for my 4a hair type. I did my normal 2 rounds of shampoo and my hair felt so soft and balanced. I felt my hair felt tamed after use and mildly stronger.
The next product was their accompanying Curl Conditioner which is a instant conditioner with a lush texture and does a wonderful job of conditioning the hair without weighing it down. The claims are the same as the shampoo which is to boost the strength of your hair while helping your curls pop and cut down on damage.
I have a love for a deep conditioner but this has been really great when I’m not in the mood to pull my stand dryer out. I felt this was incredibly moisturizing which was a big thing as I was scared I would need to do a deep conditioning treatment after. My hair felt surprisingly supple days after my wash day which is often not the norm.
To round out the set, as a styler I used their Curl Elongator, which I will say out the gate I didn’t have high hopes for as a 4a girl. The product claims to help with curl enhancement, frizz control and help with damage aka split ends and shredding.
I found this product sparked me to do individual twists on my hair and see how my twist would come out. As a style challenged girl, I was quite surprised at how my hair stayed supple, and when I did undo my twist, the pattern was very unified and supple. I’m not a pro styler but it provides a gentle hold and helped my hair which likes to hide aka shrink not go so tight.
All in all, I’m quite impressed by this line from Living Proof. You can find the entire line exclusively at Sephora and Sephora.com! Have you tried anything from the Living Proof line? Drop that in the comments!
Being a black woman in this world isn’t the easiest. Beauty is something that matters to me as it energizes and is a gift. Over the past decade, the status of luxe beauty was always modeled by brands that don’t look like me. In the last few months, I stumbled upon 2 luxe black woman-owned skincare brands, Epi Logic and Klur that are divine.
Since I moved to Minneapolis, I decided it was a great time to make my skincare match that flow. When I use a product I want to be taken away from the gruff reality and be enchanted in my self-care.
As I found these black women-owned skincare brands I immediately added them to my wishlist for my birthday back in November. Once I got each item I just was overcome with so much pride and relished in the beauty of each item. Growing up beauty was something for others but not me and it never sat well.
2 Luxe Black Woman-Owned Skincare: Epi Logic and Klur
Epi Logic
Epi Logic was developed by a board-certified oculofacial plastic surgeon dedicated to holistic facial refinement. They are focused on the data to produce impactful results.
They are definitely in the luxe category prize wise but well worth it. I picked up their True Calm Rosehip Gel Cleanser and their cult fav Even Balance CoQ10 Toner. From opening the package I loved the attention to detail and the bottle. They are nice heavyweight bottles and feel amazing to apply to the skin.
The True Calm cleanser feels so nourishing on the skin. A little goes a long way and it leaves my skin clean and supple. This cleanser was very intentional with key ingredients of rosehip seed oil, Vitamin A, C, and E, and fatty acids that together leave your skin clean but delicious. I have used many cleansers in my day and nothing has made my skin feel this lush. It like using this both morning and night especially if I’m feeling like my skin is a bit dry due to being indoors and the disrespectful cold here in Minnesota.
The Even Balance toner does it for me. I feel my skin nicely prepped for all serums I use and doesn’t strip my skin. This toner does what a toner should do purify, soothe, and calms the skin so it’s ready to receive all the nutrients from your serums and treatments. Even Balance key ingredients of CoQ10, Aloe Vera, and Hylauronic Acid make this a need in everyone’s skincare arsenal!
I have since ordered the Clean Reveal cleanser which is a 10% glycolic acid which will help with exfoliation which is vital to your skin’s ability to absorb nutrients and stay supple. This cleanser is gentle yet is hyper-effective at ensuring the skin is exfoliated. When I feel my skin is a bit dull or it’s time for some exfoliation I have been picking this up. It also is nourishing as it has rosehip seed oil as well to soothe and calm the skin. You can’t ask for me in an exfoliating cleanser.
Klur
There is something about this line that I can’t shake. Their creator a miracle worker esthitican, really put thought and intention while crafting each item. I love that they don’t have 50-11 products making the consumer play mad scientist with their face.
My 1st order I accidentally picked the wrong item which was the Symmetry Fluid which is a skin nutrient. It helps to free the skin of pollutants. The key ingredients are Vitamin C and E, Astaxanthin, and Squaline all combined to help to keep the skin stress-free and hydrated. I didn’t think I would love it as the smell is a bit herbal but the benefits are wonderful.
After using it and loving it I went ahead and picked up their cult fav Immersion and Gentle Matter, which together provide me a level of deep penetrating hydration.
The star for me is Klur’s Immersion serum as it’s a delightful hydrating concentrate. This baby rocks my world as the texture is divine and the hydration does something to my soul. My skin has the tendency to get dry and when I use this in the morning or night my skin stays plump and supple. One of the key ingredients beta-glucan helps to soothe and calm irritated skin and plumps. If you get nothing else get this!
Gentle Matter is a dream of a cleanser. I love this as my morning cleanser as it’s super gentle yet makes all my other products work harder. Powered by a variety of antioxidants and botanicals, Dandelion and Olive help soothe and boost even the most sensitive of skin types. I will be buying this again in the bigger bottle as this will be a staple. No scent just perfection.
After continued use I can say I will be phasing other brands out of my skincare mix for good as I prefer not to confuse my skin with too much change. Each brand has a different vibe yet both bring a level of excellence that is deeply profound. I love seeing black women owned beauty take their rightful spot in the limlight.
Have you tried either of the brands mentioned? Le me know in the comments!
2020 was a wild year to say the very least. My fitness goals at the top of the year we’re looking promising as I had built up the ability to walk 5 miles 3-4 times a week and was hitting all my workouts at the end of 2019. I just knew 2020 was going to be the year that I was going to hit my goal and start wearing less and going out more. With this in mind, I want to do a fitness check-up and give 3 ways to prepare for 2021.
Fast-forward to December 2020, I have made some progress. I have dropped a few dress sizes and have been able to push myself into being more consistent with my workouts and eating habits. Food and I have always had a strange relationship. Growing up it was the only consistent thing in my life that brought some sense of joy. Granted I didn’t always have food to eat but when I did I knew it was pleasurable.
Stress eating and drinking for many has been a way to get through the rollercoaster ride we have had. As one who doesn’t give up easily on her goals, I wanted to share some ideas that I have already started implementing in order to have measurable success in the new year. So here’s how to give yourself a fitness check-up 3 ways to prepare for 2021!
Fitness Check-up: 3 ways to prepare for 2021
1.Assess your current status
Until you call a thing a thing you can’t address it properly. This is one time when I advocate hitting the scale or tape measure to find out where you are currently. Having a honest moment with yourself may be sobering but it will help you know where you are.
Now if you are someone who has had issues in the past with constantly weighing yourself or any food/diet pain points it’s ok to skip this as we don’t need to trigger any emotional responses. The purpose of this step is to know what potential damage has been done.
2. Reflect on your vices
Now that you know where you are on the scale or measurements it’s time to reflect on what things we don’t have a lot of willpower or self-discipline to not over indulge. I don’t believe any food is inheriently evil, I do believe some food items have no nutrirtional value and due to our unique digestive tracts may not be in the best interest to consume often or at all.
For me my vice is sweets. Sweets for me always makes me happy when I’m sad or just feel good. This may be deep but I have really reflected that when you are restricted in ways of pleasure and safety you will find other means. For example if you grew up not feeling secure or not having someone to comfort you, you may find other means be it food, drinking or other behavior.
Knowing your vices will allow you to be vigilant and not buy those items. If the item is not easily accessible it can be a deterrent. When I don’t buy baked goods that temptation to snack while scrolling on IG at night goes away. Another way to keep a watchful eye on your diet is to meal prep and plan out your meals using MyFitnesspal.com. I have used this site for years to plan out my meals so I can get a general understanding of my calories, carbs,proteins and fats. It’s free and will give you a good benchmark of your intake.
It may feel extreme at first, but I can vouch when you are intentional about your goals and setting yourself up for success it will benefit you long term.
3. Create SMART goals for 2021
The final step in doing a fitness check-up 3 ways to prepare for 2021 is to create SMART goals. Now it would be amazing if you could workout once and drop 20-50 pounds instantly. Since that isn’t the case we have to work smart. SMART means specific, measurable, attainable/achievable, realistic and time bound.
Often times new year resolutions fail because they are just wishes. Oh I would like to drop some weight, find a man and be successful. None of that means anything unless it’s specific such as I want to drop 10lbs over the next 3 months by working out 3 times a week. This hits all the SMART goal factors. We have an exact desired outcome and the method of how it will be obtained.
At times we don’t hit goals because we make them too lofty or too unattainable as a way to stay in our current lot. By making things realistic and focused you have created the plan and you then can work the plan to achieve.
Another thing with making SMART goals it provides you a pulse check on yourself. Why is this a goal for me? Is it because I want to be more visible, to satisfy insecurity or this will allow me to be at my best. Knowing your why or the intention as I have mentioned in this post, will always help you clear any emotional or mental roadblocks. When your path is clear you can take off!
I know 2020 didn’t bring all I desired but it brought me so many great gems that will help me evolve into the woman I need to be. As a last thought, sometimes the dreams we have today will not come forth tomorrow but they occurred as the path we go down to pursue has all the gems we need. It does a great disservice to you and the world to not all dead things to fall away and allow the greater purpose to shine.
I would love to chat with you about your goals. Drop some comments!
