#Skincare Say goodbye to stress, and say hello to great skin!

My friend, Gbemi, tweeted something the other day which got me smiling.

Just look at God! Let go of a stressful situation & my skin is glowing ✨✨ . Nothing like peace of mind y'all .

— Gbemi O-O (@GbemiOO) June 9, 2017

It got me smiling because we often times do not realise how much the emotional affects the physical. We have always been told, don't frown or when the wind blows your face will stay like that, or laugh your troubles away and while not everything can be solved by laughing, our skin does benefit from our being happy.

While we cannot control every single change we go through based on environment and getting older, we can practise certain things that will help.

For one, worry less, pray more.
Studies show that people who worry a lot show it... on their faces.
Look, if it is worth worrying about, it is worth praying about and the latter won't age you!

Also, smile and be happy.
Once again, your skin shows signs of anger, hate, bitterness, and unhappiness.

We tend to think (wrongly) that what goes on in our mind stays there but alas, it does show.
So if you can do just one thing for your skin, make it this- be happy!

SkincareSaturday: Get ready with me (My morning routine)

Hello,

Watch this video to see me take you through my morning skincare routine.
Remember, i had spoken earlier about why and how to get your skincare popping and you can check that out here.

In this video, i take you through my morning skincare routine, explaining the difference between when i have time (like weekends) and when i don't have time, and my stages.

It was fun doing this live via facebook, instagram, and snapchat stories... so do follow me to see more of my behind the scenes stuff.

#SkincareSaturday Working on a Routine that works!

It does not matter when you start a skincare regimen, sooner or later you will have to find some kind of routine based on all the products out there and also your skin needs.

As i have mentioned before, i have dry skin (and i'm learning how to deal with it daily. Read this to see how!). What works for me might be counter productive for someone with oily skin and vice versa. Also, what i need in the morning or day time, varies from my night time needs and i of course tend to have more time in the evenings and weekends for my skin, than in the mornings.

What helps me is a skincare routine. Having a routine helps simplify your life, and gets the best out of your products. Your skin will thank you. I kicked off my routine based on my thoughts above and here are some quick tips that might help you in creating your own routine.

DETERMINE your time and schedule.
When do you have more time? What is the number of minutes or hours you can dedicate to skin care daily, weekly, weekends and generally?

SEPARATE products into day time and night time.
Most products have these written on them. Some are twice a day, others morning and a few night only.
Once you have determined which is which, arrange these products on the dresser (and where possible, in the order of use).

DECIDE what is so important it must be daily, and which ones can be done once in a while.


I hope you find these steps helpful, and i will be happy to s.h.a.r.e my own routine with you.

#SkincareSaturday Three things to do for your skin this weekend!

Ideally, we should pamper ourselves every day. 

Unfortunately, with the hustle and bustle that is Lagos, we usually end up with at best, one day a week only.

So if you do have only one or two days a week, what are three essential things to do?

- Cleanse
Start by cleansing your face and body.

Now during the week you probably have a quick shower and even though they say never sleep with make up on, I bet you do once in a while.

This time, spend a little more time. Spend time massaging your face (quick facial) for a bit.

I like to start with baby wipes to cleanse, face soap, then Melvita milky cleansing oil.

-Exfoliate / Scrub
My favourite thing to do!

Remember when I said you could use an old toothbrush to exfoliate your skin? ( Read it here! )

 That still holds true.

But this weekend, use a scrub, leave on for a bit and then rinse off.
I usually use a home made scrub (here is how to make one) or Coco Scrub. 

And don't think scrubbing is just for your face. There are some great body scrubs available too, like the Walnut and Wheat germ body scrub.

- Mosturise

Oils are great, like Johnsons Pure Tissue Oil or good ol' baby oil (like Pears baby oil). You can also layer up with lotion.

Some of my favourite things!

I hope these steps help.

Is there something you like to do for your skin at the weekend?

#SkincareSaturday Oats... for health, nutrition and skincare

When I was growing up, oats were the same thing as dirt to me- to be stayed away from.
I didn't want it for breakfast because I thought oats were tasteless and boring.

In the past year though, I have become an oats ambassador of sorts. They really are, the goods! When it comes to health, nutrition and skin, oats are great for you. And guess what? I've moved oats away from my thoughts as breakfast meal to simply meal.

Yup!

One fine day I was hungry, had some leftover meat but didn't want anything heavy. I saw the oats and thought, why not? Googled some oats recipes and was pleasantly surprised. That day, i poured the oats in stock and ate it. Almost like it was a side for the beef.
Weird?

Try delicious, NUTRITIOUS and healthy alternative weirdness!

Oats help with bowel movement, are not high in sugar and are a fitness dream as well.

And o. Extra tip. Don't pour excess oats away. Turn it into a face scrub. Your skin will thank you for it!

#SkincareSaturday Don't forget your sunscreen!

I remember some years ago, I had an accident that left me unwilling and unable to drive. Those became my taxi months and boy do I have stories to tell about the experience (series anyone?).

But back to hopping cabs everywhere.

By the time I got my mojo back and started driving again, I realised something frightening - the sun isn't your friend.

I began the slow process of trying to heal my skin and we got to a good place eventually.

Black people revel in the fact that we have melanin and boy is melanin sexy. But we take that as an excuse to ignore protecting ourselves from the sun. We may not see it immediately but it will damage our skin. Not only that, but there is also the risk of skin cancer.

So what can you do to prevent skin damage?

* Always use sunscreen!
SPF 30 is great. Some sunscreens leave some stupid streaks on your skin so be sure to use sunscreen made for black skin. Also, while the face shows damage quicker, remember to protect your arms and legs and places usually exposed to the sun.

* Hats are your friend!
Heading to the beach? Rock a hat. Get baseball ('face') caps for your commute even if it does not match your outfit. You can keep it in your bag then wear when you are trying to get a cab or bus.

* Limit your exposure
Plan your day and movement so you are not getting the sun at the worst.

* Shade and Shades
Don't throw shade, get under the shade. And rock some stylish fashionable shades.
Of course I can't take my advice re: the latter since I wear recommended glasses, but you can always get your prescription put in some shades, or go for photocromic lens which will go dark and protect you when the sun is out.

* Repair
If your skin HAS been damaged, it's time to fix this.

Check my next skincare post for how to repair!

#SkincareSaturday Before you throw that toothbrush away...

Dentists tell us to throw our toothbrush away once we have used it for three months. And that is great. For your teeth.
But, do you know when it comes to your hair, skin and face, there is so much you can use your toothbrush for?

Check out my top three favourite things to do with old toothbrushes

1. Hair brush
Keep an old toothbrush in your car or bag to help brush your hair on the move. It helps tackle those little stubborn hair strands and also beats carrying big brushes everywhere.

2. Eyebrow brush
The first trick i was taught by make up artistes? Brush your eyebrows with a toothbrush.
Of course nowadays, most of us have all the professional brushes but if you ever do lose one, keep an old toothbrush handy before you replace it.

3. Lip exfoliator
To get smoother lips that your lipglosses will love,get rid of dead skin cells on your lips by brushing with a toothbrush. First put a natural exfoliator like sugar then brush gently with the toothbrush. Rinse and enjoy the tingle!

4. For the face
You may find that sponges are great for your body but you are scared to use the, on your face because they will be harsh. On the other hand, your face does need scrubbing once or twice? That's where a toothbrush with soft or mild bristles works perfectly. Just brush your face gently and enjoy this natural scrub.

What do you think about these tips and is there anything other than brushing your teeth that you use your toothbrush for?

Answer on my instagram for a chance to win this week's giveaway- a selection of skincare and beauty products!