You guys can call me Benjamina Buttons because I’m looking younger and younger as I use my Annmarie Skin Care. This year when I was at ShiftCon (looking incredibly tired as I was traveling and conferencing with BC in tow) I met up with the ladies from Annmarie Skin Care and I loved everything they were talking about. I sampled their coconut body oil which is more luxurious than your average coconut oil while chatting away with them.
When I️ was a little girl, my mom really drilled into me the importance of having a great skincare routine. My favorite part of the routine was our weekly masks. We used the old school Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask but I’ve since upgraded to these nifty paper masks.
Paper masks are seriously bae. I’ve loved (and seen a difference) with every one I’ve tried. And it’s not just me. Paper masks are totally a thing that you need to be trying and here’s why:
Have oily skin? There’s one for you. Fighting wrinkles? Here ya go! Adult acne plaguing you? This is for you. It’s like a candy aisle for adults.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved my Queen Helene mask but I always felt wasteful if I wanted to use something else before it was finished. With paper masks, it’s one and done. It’s that perfect one-might stand you can call again if you want to.
Ok, not all of them but I have one that makes me look like a panda!!!
This is how I’ve build such a stash. Ipsy has me hooked hard.
I was at the beauty supply shop today and at the check out there they were feeding my addiction! They’re at Target, Walmart, Amazon.com, EVERYWHERE!!!
I love how most of the directions basically tell you to just sit for the 15-30 minutes that you’re wearing it. This is hard but as a mom with so many roles, more than my face feels refreshed once the mask comes off.
Every single one that I’ve tried has left my skin more improved. My favorite so far is the Gold Mask. I swear I was glowy for weeks after I used this one!
There’s nothing like your toddler screaming “Mommy you look scary!!!” It also teaches them to give you some space ha!
Once you try one you can’t stop. Paper masks are literally the Pringles of skin care!
For so long many of us have been at the mercy of whatever body washes, soaps, lotions, deodorants, etc that are offered in whatever local store that we shop. But with the rise of online shopping and fellow naturalistas mastering their crafts at creating these toiletries with natural ingredients, we’re able to branch out and make wiser decisions for our skin and hair care. Here are twenty-one places you can order your natural body products from.
The founder of Keirenae was tired of having hair and body products with additives like sodium laureth sulfate, alcohol, and other phthalates so she created her own products that contain minimal ingredients.
Nae Natural is a hair care and accessory brand for young girls and boys. Their products are so gentle that the whole family can use them! Leave-in Conditioner and Detangler for Soft and Moist Tresses! Made for little misses and misters but can be used by anyone and on any hair texture!
Many of the skin care products that are on the market contain harsh chemicals and other things that our skin doesn’t need. Their signature body butter is made with 70% water and replaces standard body lotions. They have 2 different lines–one for normal skin and one for dry skin.
Did you know that your body stinks when you sweat due to bacteria in your body? Deodorant Detox works to naturally neutralize body odors while eliminating odor-causing bacteria. I’ve used this before and shared my experience. I love it!
Need a natural body soap? They offer everything from soaps to scrubs and more that are all handmade.
These hand crafted products are created for the bath, body and home. This company started in the home of the owner after she discovered she could make her own natural soap. They have everything from facial steam to super cute stationary!
They not only provide skin care but also tips and tricks to obtaining your best skin ever. They sell both soaps and bath bombs that are naturally made.
Toiletries for both men and women are offered through this site. Everything from beard balm to natural deodorant!
They consider their products “eco-luxe” and I love it! After browsing their website I’m seriously ready to throw all my money at them to get their soaps!
After falling in love with different scents and soap making, the owner Sabrina turned it into a business. She sells everything from soaps and “wash me whip” to dog soaps–yes, even the pups get handled with care!
Making sure that both your tresses and skin are hydrated are what this company’s products are geared towards with their Hair + Body Oils and Butters.
These are handmade soaps that are created with oils, butters, goat’s milk, aloe vera, clays, and essential oils. They also have scrubs, butters, lotions and bath bombs!
They make simple, chemical-free and organic skin care using plant-based ingredients. They offer everything from face products, body soaps and cremes that look amazing!
This is a family owned business that specializes in soaps that offer luxurious lather. There are so many choices in soaps that there’s definitely something for everyone.
SONIA Organics was founded in order to improve the physical health of the owners family. These products are made with natural and organic ingredients. You can get your shea butter and black soap from here!
Abiyah Naturals specializes in handmade hair, body and bath products that are created in small batches. They amount of products offered are insane! From all different soaps to body butters to baby bubble bath you’ll find whatever you need here.
After falling deeper in love with herself, the creator of Sereniti began to be more conscious about what she was putting on her hair and body. They offer hair, skin and hair care!
Living Roots Creations believes in the spiritual aspect of skincare and seeks to create positivity through what you put on your body.
Ninth And Moon is right up my alley! They were created to make green beauty attainable and delivered to your doorstep. They offer kits for hair, pedicures, and beards as well as individual products meant to nourish.
After the creator’s daughter was born, she looked at skincare differently with the onset of eczema. Today she offers a line of face, body and hair care that are natural, vegan and handcrafted.
Every product that they offer is natural and organic that is meant to protect, nourish, balance and most importantly respect both your body and Mother Nature. They offer delicious butters, scrubs and bath bombs.
This company offers handmade scrub bars, soaps, bath bombs, scrubs, and butters.
If you’re crafty and into DIY, you can always make your own but if not, these are some great options!
When you go natural and find a product that loves your curls the way you do, it’s hard to stray. But then something happens–their formula changes or values–and you have to jump ship. If you’re current on events, you’ve heard about the SheaMoisture debacle. For those of you living under a rock, here’s what happened in a nutshell:
SheaMoisture was founded by black women for black women. They rose to be a top natural hair care brand on the backs of black women that swore by the results of their products. Then they got an investor (or two or maybe one super big one) and broke fly. Instead of continuing to cater to the customer base that made them who they are, they are now catering to “all hair types”. The natural hair is in an uproar after SheaMoisture released a commercial that didn’t have the women that helped them get where they are represented. Major ouch.
But fortunately for the follicles of the natural hair community, there are quite a few brands that are on the up and up right now. Many of them I’ve tried myself and others my friends have.
I love the Design Essentials for it’s detangling power on mini and abc’s hair but my girl Ashley from Mommyweek.com swears by EDEN BodyWorks for Babycakes’ hair. Because I bleach and color my hair, I need something that moisturizes these curls and Aunt Jackie’s Flaxseed Deep Conditioner does my follicles rights. I recently started using Tropic Isle Living which offers a delicious conditioner that makes mini’s hair submit to moisture. Looking to make your own? Get THE BEST shea butter from Shea Butter Warehouse and whip your own products up or subscribe to Curl Mix and have DIY boxes sent to you with all the ingredients you need.
In the wake of the SheaMoisture debacle don’t feel like you don’t have choices! You have them! Try some of these out and let me know your thoughts below!
Hi. My name is Aaronica and I’m a makeup junkie. There’s something about fall makeup that really excites me. I think it’s because the colors of the season are always my favorite. The rich browns, earthy burgundies, and beautiful neutrals that send my makeup spirit on a tizzy. Most day’s I can’t even decide on one of these beautiful fall lip colors!
I think it’s the trend pretty much every fall but matte is so big right now. In my opinion, a matte lipstick or lip gloss (yes, they do make matte gloss… so oxymoronic right?) last way longer than any others and as someone who hates to reapply, this is a win-win for me. As far as colors go, think deep browns, wine-colors, and nudes. Don’t judge me but I didn’t have to shop for much this season in order to make sure that my collection was complete.
by Coloured RaineThis is quite literally #1 in my book. It’s a liquid matte that goes on easily and stays put for hours. It’s a beautiful brown that doesn’t have the reddish undertones—it’s just a nice brown.
Me wearing Tootsie!
This one isn’t as matte but still a fave of mine. It’s similar in color to Tootsie above but this has a little sheen to it and gives your lips great moisture.
by NYXNYX is one of my favorites with it comes to lipsticks and glosses. This is a cream lipstick that is kind of like a stone color—not quite beige or gray but somewhere in between. I love this because it functions as a nude for me.
by MaybellineThis was one of my fall faves from last year that is still alive and kicking. This lipstick is part of their 14 hour wear collection and although it doesn’t stay on for 14 hours, it’s pretty close!
by Revlon ColorburstThis is part of their matte balm lip crayon collection. When these came out, I pretty much bought all of them. They are all bae. I have to be careful with matte nudes though because I may end up looking like Tyrone Biggums—not a good look for me!
by Wet n WildI love this one. This is one that stays in my purse because it goes on perfectly and matches flawlessly with a smoky eye.
by NYXThis is part of their High Voltage Lipstick collection and is just that—high voltage color. This is a beautiful brown that isn’t quite as rich as the Tootsie but is still beautiful.
There’s something about the Autumn air that changes my moisturized, summer locks into a little less lush curl. Fall is my favorite season. Part of it has to do with the fashion. The other part is the fun activities that you get to do from apple picking to corn mazes to festivals in the cooler weather. But whatever I’m doing, I don’t want my curls or the curls of my girls looking anything less than fabulous.
The air starts to become drier as the fall weather hits leaving less moisture in the air for your hair to absorb so you have the treat the follicles with some extra love. If you don’t, you run the risk of breakage, dryness, and just lack luster curls. Here are some tips to prevent this from happening:
I swear by pretty much all things Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
How To Use: Create a mixture of cider vinegar and distilled water (a 1:1 ratio) and put it in a spray bottle. Completely saturate your hair and let stand for 5 min before rinsing. Shampoo isn’t necessary but if you don’t like the smell then shampoo.
What It Does: Cider vinegar is like a reset button for your hair. It balances the pH of the hair, prevents/stops breakage, and leaves your hair softer and shinier.
I remember my first time seeing “Hair Mayonnaise” on a deep conditioning treatment. I thought it would be gross and it was but things have change a lot since then. My current fave is the You Be Natural Hair Mayonnaise. Mini’s hair is dryer than mine and abc’s and this works miracles on her locks!
How To Use: After vinegar rinse, massage into hair for 15 min (20 min under a dryer if your hair is really parched). Rinse with warm water followed by a shot of cold water to seal the follicle.
What It Does: Again, miracle worker. But it restores the moisture balance in your hair leaving your curls dripping with moisture.
We struggle with moisture on mini’s hair all year-round so oils are our best friend. But the fall and winter seasons I must make sure that I’m using the right oil combination. Right now we’re growing mini’s hair out after she begged for it to be cut in April so I was excited when I found The Loc Doc’s hair oil serum. It has castor oil in which has been known to stimulate the growth of hair.
How To Use: For longer, tangled hair, use prior to washing to help detangle. For all hair, use after shower. If you use the LOC Method, apply after the leave in conditioner step.
What It Does: This oil will leave your hair INCREDIBLY soft and luxurious. Like seriously. Mini’s hair drank this up and burped because of how satisfying it is.
Natural hair care doesn’t take that much if you do your due diligence with it and don’t end up having to make major repairs to your hair.
Anyone who knows me knows that my daily 3 pieces of make up that I MUST-HAVE are:
There’s something about these three that make you look so put together. But I wear contacts and know that not everyone can rock mascara because it can irritate their eyes. It doesn’t irritate mine BUT I’m so lazy when it comes to taking my mascara off at night I wake up looking like a raccoon! Not sexy guys, not sexy at all.
One of the things that has become SO big is getting eyelash extensions! Yes, extend your eyelashes and skip over one of the steps in your daily makeup routine. Sounds like a winner and slightly expensive, right? It is. I’ve had people tell me that they’ve spent some some big bucks on this!
But Groupon has you covered for this!! And most things to be completely honest.
Here’s what I love most about long lashes: they make me look awake and semi-glam as I fight off the zombie-mom spells that come when one of the kids aren’t sleeping, I’m stressed, or I’d just rather hang out late with my husband. The best part about the eyelash extensions that they last way longer than mascara does!
Now, don’t get me wrong: I will probably never depart from using mascara for long. It’s like a slight addiction for me based upon how many tubes I have. But I’ve gotten my Groupon for my lashes and just like I told you guys about the LaCroix being on sale at Publix, I’m telling you about this awesome deal with Groupon!
I’m so excited to be kicking off one of the new categories that will be included on The Crunchy Mommy with CurlMix! In 2001, I did the “big chop” the day I graduated high school and shaved my long, relaxed hair off. It was so liberating to no longer be a slave to the creamy crack. I have loved experimenting and getting to know the curls that have become part of my trademark look.
I was so excited that my fellow Spelman sister started her own business that is geared towards the naturalista’s in the curly bunch when she and her husband developed the CurlMix Kit. Now, in case you didn’t know, I’m a bit of a subscription box addict–especially the hair care and makeup ones. I love being surprised every month with little goodies that I otherwise wouldn’t have found.
CurlMix is the DIY box for naturally curly hair that was started by Kim & Tim Lewis–the founders of The Natural Hair Academy. As the founders of the NHA, it’s only natural that they take the next step in a subscription box sharing their knowledge with the masses. In the natural hair community, it’s pretty rare to see our male counterparts take such an avid interest in helping us with our hair but that’s just what Tim did with his wife Kim after doing her big chop himself. They would work together concocting new recipes to nourish her growing locks. After searching for another company that did this, they came up empty handed and used this as the opportunity to develop what the CurlMix Box. Included in each box is everything that you’ll need to make the treatment of the month–literally everything.
When my box came I was super excited. The winter time is pretty rough on the Crunchy household in a lot of ways–especially hair care. With a household of three heads full of curls, we go through A LOT of hair products–particularly moisturizing products. The cold air of winter coupled with the dry heat from the indoors can leave our hair less than desirable. And I workout at lease 4-5 times a week which is also pretty tough on my hair so I was excited that the first box was geared towards restoring this moisture that is lost.
The box came with 2oz bottles of the following oils:
Peppermint is a natural antiseptic and antimicrobial and the oil offers these properties for your hair as well as working to prevent frizz. Castor oil is a thick oil that coats the hair preventing breakage as well as boosting the growth of new hair.
Avocado oil, like castor oil, has been known to restore growth in hair. It seems like jojoba oil is in most hair care products with good reason. It’s non-comedogenic, non-allergic, and prevents damages from free radicals.
These were pretty new to me. Grape seed oil is a great sealant for your hair making is so the moisture stays put. Apricot oil is similar to that of grape seed in that it seals the moisture in and provides great shine.
Let me say that this smelled so delicious. It was like a cupcake in liquid form that promises to leave my waistline alone. Sweet almond oil is used to prevent breakage and hair loss.
This was easy peazy. I dumped the four 2 oz bottles into the 1 big 8 oz bottle that was provided and put into my sink of hot water for a couple of minutes. Following the instructions, I massaged it into my hair for 3 minutes from root to ends. It felt good to finally take some time out and nurture my hair. I put on the thermal conditioning cap for 30 minutes and shampooed.
I loved it. My hair was way easier to comb in the shower. It was an easy process that took a total of less than 7 minutes from start to shoving my hair under the bonnet–yes, shoving… this is a lot of hair! There is enough left of the product for me to do mini’s hair as well as mine a couple more times. The oils provided are perfect for what my curls are facing this time of year too! I would certainly recommend this product for both seasoned and newer naturalista’s!
