🛍I’ve been getting tons of questions about my skincare and hair lately. So, I’m sharing all my favorite products in this post! Be sure to save and share it because many are on sale at Sephora right now.
I learned that less is more for my skin. I used to use so many products, but my skin never improved. People commenting on my skin was a sore spot. It’s not like I wasn’t trying everything! I found that natural products work best. I switched to clean, vegan skincare and makeup that still works great.
🧼My skin is sensitive and doesn’t like fragrances. Acne issues were often hormonal or related to my diet. So, I looked closely at what I was eating. I also think aging plays a role.
I’ve been rocking my natural hair for two months now! I love my curls. I’m using new products to define my twist outs. I still use old favorites to keep my scalp clean. They also help fight Miami humidity. Now, let’s get into the products I use!
Night-time skincare routine
🛀My night skincare starts by taking off makeup. I love Bobbi Brown Instant Makeup Remover. It’s gentle and removes eye and lip stains fast. If I wore makeup, I cleanse three times. First, Chanel Anti-Pollution Cleansing Oil. Next, Dior Off/On Foaming Cleanser. Lastly, Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser. No makeup means skipping the oil cleanser. Then I use serums based on my skin. I like The Ordinary Vegan products. They are cheap, usually under $10, and work great! Breakouts get Salicylic Acid Serum. Dry skin gets Hyaluronic Acid Serum. For pores, I use Niacinamide Acid Serum. For my under eyes, it’s Fenty Rich Peptide Cream or Clarins Eye Serum. I rub it in. Then, Youth To The People Moisturizer. Pimples get a Peace Out Acne Pimple Patch or Kiehls Rare Earth Clay Masque.
Extra skincare treatments
🪞My skin needs extra care when I have breakouts. I use my Skin Gym LED Face Mask ($88). The blue light setting is great. I use it for 15 minutes while working. It kills acne bacteria. I do this twice a week. I also use a retinol treatment once a week. It keeps my skin young. I like Ole Henrikson Double Rewind Retinol Treatment. It’s vegan! I use it after cleansing at night. Then, I use Ole Henrikson Moisturizer. It prevents irritation. For a no-makeup day boost, I love Caudalie Premier Cream. It moisturizes and evens skin tone. It even reduces fine lines. At night, I sometimes use Clarins Firming Serum. I skip The Ordinary serums then. For smooth skin, I use Noble Panacea Overnight Peel Mask. I do this twice a month.
Natural hair journey & wash routine
👩🏾🦰Now, let’s talk about my hair! I have natural hair. I transitioned by wearing braids and cut off the permed ends little by little. It took about two years. I never did a big chop.
Wearing braids helped me transition slowly. I wore them on and off. Then, I trimmed the permed ends. Now, my natural hair is about five inches long. I like to keep my length and also don’t want to mess with my hair too much.
I braid my hair three times a year and keep the braids in for two and a half months. So, my hair is in a protective style for about seven months each year. That leaves about five months to style it. I think that’s a good balance.
When my hair is out, I wash it once a week. Then, I style it for the whole week. I love Aveda’s plant-based products. I use their Botanical Repair and Nutriplenish lines. The shampoos, conditioners, and masques work great. They also have a Botanical Repair bond-building treatment. I use it twice a month.
Sometimes I get dandruff, especially after taking out braids. I start with Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. It gets rid of flakes after just one wash. After washing, I use Aveda Nutriplenish Leave-In Conditioner. It detangles, protects from the sun, and moisturizes. It also protects from heat up to 450 degrees.
Braids, scalp & slick low bun routines
Braids are my go-to hairstyle most of the year. I rely on a few key products to keep my hair healthy. Rucker Roots Anti Frizz Silkening Growth Serum is great for my scalp. It boosts growth and seals hair follicles with vegan oils. I apply it every other day when my hair is in braids. I also use it on my parts after a twist or blowout.
To protect my braids, I use Rucker Roots Leave In Heat Protective daily. Living in Miami means intense sun, so this shields my scalp. It also guards against heat damage from styling tools.
🧴Proclaim Blends Black Seed Oil Cleansing Foam is my favorite for buildup. It cleanses without water, nourishing my scalp and braids. For an itchy scalp, Camille Rose Mint Condition Braid Spray is a lifesaver. Sea moss and aloe vera soothe irritation.
For sleek buns, I start with old twists or blowouts. I dampen my hair and add Aveda leave-in conditioner. Then, I use Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Jelly to slick it back. A hard bristle brush helps create a smooth style that lasts for days! I tie it down overnight with a scarf for best results.
To perfect my edges with braids, I like Gummy Styling Wax Ultra Hold. For a softer look with twists or blowouts, Kiss Braiding Gel Maximum Hold works well.
📍I hope you found my skincare and haircare routine helpful! Got questions? Ask away in the comments below. I’ll gladly answer them. My clear skin is thanks to a few things. I quit dairy and drink lots of water. Plus, I use mostly natural and vegan skincare and makeup. Fewer chemicals are better! My haircare is also mostly plant-based or vegan. Don’t miss the Sephora sale! It ends Friday, so grab my favorite products now. I’ll soon share my beauty, makeup, and body care favorites in a new post. What are your go-to skincare and haircare items? Share them in the comments!
