In the name of Black girl approved beauty, I’m constantly trying new products. I try to give my skin a couple of weeks between products, not only to allow it to rest, but also to test the efficacy of products before introducing something new. The skin on my face, under my arms, and in my bikini area can be really sensitive so when I find products that my skin enjoys and wants more of, I talk them up to anyone who will listen.
In the past couple of months I’ve come across some serious beauty gems that have been imperative in the health of my skin. I can’t get enough of these, and might even say I’m a tad obsessed with them. With prices ranging from $8 and going up to some moderate coins, there’s a little something for every beauty lover to indulge in.
01
Prai Glycolic Creme Fast Renewal
Though our expert dermatologist warned that it’s not perfect for everyone, glycolic acid has always worked well for me when it comes to acne and keeping my skin clear. This wonderful face cream is one of my new best friends. I apply it in the morning with a serum, and even through traveling, stressful days, and sweaty summer nights, my face has stayed clear.
02
Merci Handy Deodorant – Flower Power
In the search for deodorant that will keep my sweaty pits in check but also not give me cancer over the next few years, I’m constantly trying different brands. This anti-perspirant helps regulate odor, sweat, and bad impressions. It smells really sweet (like flowers and fruit), and doesn’t irritate my sensitive pits. And since it’s free of aluminum and parabens I feel good about wearing it every day.
03
Sephora Spirulina Mask Stick
There are a handful of ingredients that will always get me to try a product; turmeric, vitamin C, glycolic acid, and spirulina are among them. So when I got this stick mask from Sephora I was beyond excited to give it a try. Then I felt a pimple developing on my face and I was forced to use it immediately. I let it do its thing for five minutes, and I was able to avoid an unwanted blemish right before Essence Festival. I couldn’t have been happier.
04
Curology
I’m about to start a new regimen with this brand that specializes in offering bespoke skincare online, eliminating the need to visit a pricey dermatologist. I’ve never been one for those infomercial skincare routines, but this seems different. Your regimen is based on information that you provide about your skin ailments and needs, and you’re assigned a provider who does check-ins to see how your skin is progressing. There are more emails than I’d prefer, but I suppose that’s to make up for the fact that it’s all done digitally, but needs to be effective. I’m excited to see how Curology can enhance my current skincare routine.
05
beautyblender Instaclean
I’m guilty of being one of those people who either didn’t properly wash her sponges, or just threw them away once they were overused. I did not know that there was cleaner for sponges, just like there’s cleaner for brushes. This magical waterless cleansing spray cleans both with no fuss. This is perfect for lazy beauties like me and just plain ol’ makes sense. Who wants to spend $20 on a blender just to throw it away because of makeup build-up? This has changed the game for me.
06
AVYA Eye Bright Cream
Eye creams can be tricky. Sometimes you’re using them but you really can’t tell if they’re making a difference. And with the skin under the eye being so sensitive, you have to be careful about what you’re putting on it. AYVA specializes in skincare for women with melanated skin, and has a slew of products that work wonders for the face. This eye cream with caffeine helps me keep the puffies away just as well as rosewater gels. It’s calming and soothing, and soon I’ll see if it helps with brightening these super-dark circles I’ve got. They’ve just released a travel set that includes the eye bright, so I can keep these eyes looking great on the go.
07
AMPERSAND Refresh Serum
Anybody who knows me knows that I love a good serum, and will try any in a quest for clear skin. When I came across this new brand I was initially curious because of its sleek and classy bottle. When I first started using the Refresh serum I was a little worried because I’d apply it before bed, and I could feel it doing its thing. It wasn’t a tingly or burning feeling, but something was going on, and I didn’t like it. But when I woke up and my face felt incredible. So I continued to use it and over time my skin got used to the new product. My face feels so smooth and remains blemish free.
08
Jurlique Sweet Violet & Grapefruit Hydrating Mist
I’m typically a rosewater spray kind of gal, but I deviated when I came across this sweet mist because I love this brand. And I’m so happy I did. This sweet smelling spray is like the perfect little mist of cool on a hot summer day. It got me through the rough New Orleans heat for Essence Festival, keeping my face and neck hydrated. It also added a touch of dewiness to my face after I applied much needed finishing powder for the oppressive heat.
09
Good Beauté Good Face Vita C Cleanser
This cleanser is like a little miracle worker for the skin. It smells like a batch of orange peels, which already makes me want to put it on my face (and maybe eat it, but I’ll deny that I said that). Not only does it remove makeup and dirt from the face, it has really light exfoliating beads that gently scrub the skin too. When my face feels like it needs a refresher I wash with this cleanser. The brand also has an SPF moisturizer and Vita C serum that you can get in a kit with this amazing cleanser.
10
Jordan Samuel Skin Granita Di Caffè Body Scrub
Even though this body scrub isn’t made with coffee grounds (to save your skin from mess and micro-tears), it smells exactly like the morning drink and gives your skin a nice little pick me up. The scrub isn’t rough on the skin, and is gentle enough to use daily. I use it weekly just to give my body a much needed exfoliation after it’s been moving through the germ-ridden subways and polluted streets of New York City. And it’s so moisturizing, I don’t really need to follow up with lotion after this scrub.
