Self Care with Soultanicals Day 4: Issa Beach Vibe

Candid moments captured by The Flatlay Photog

If you've followed me for any length of time, you know that I'm born, bred, and living in Los Angeles. I never really realize how much of an "LA girl" I am until I go other places.

I complain about city noise, pollution, and overcrowding - then I go somewhere tranquil and miss the commotion 72 hours later. I complain about the traffic and how terribly LA folks drive, and then spend a week in Maryland wondering why everyone drives like they have absolutely nowhere to be.

And don't even get me started on the weather.

Even though I'm an LA girl and I live less than 10 miles from the nearest beach, I don't go too often. Not nearly as often as I should. Which is beyond strange, considering not only the proximity, but also the fact that it's quite literally my favorite place to go and be still. The beach is where I go when I'm really overwhelmed and looking to hear from God. Something about looking out at the seemingly infinite water with my toes in the sand reminds me just how small I am, and how big my God is.

It reminds me of His infinite wisdom, and how fearfully and wonderfully made all of his creations are.

I had only been to the beach recently to work out with Samuel, his brother, and Bailey. The second I opened Soultanicals' Marula-Melon Moisture Guru, ripe with summer melon flavor, I just knew.

Christina, take your behind to the beach. Stop waiting on a beach day with bae, and just go.

My life was basically covered in sand at this point. Photo by The Flatlay Photog

And so I went. Day 4 of 7 was all about me in my happy place.

Although I had Antoinette (aka The Flatlay Photog // Sup x Dine) with me, there was something so invigorating about my bare feet in the sand. It was almost like plugging myself into a charging station. The water was vibrantly blue (totally not common in LA, lol), and when Antoinette asked if I was stepping in, I was like, "umm heck yeah!' - intent on taking full advantage.

I didn't plan to have so much fun in the water - but I did.

I didn't plan to spend as much time there as I did - but I was happy it went down that way.

I also didn't plan to have my life taken away by 1 foot of sea water 😂 - but it almost happened. (more on that later - I promise you'll laugh)

Thanks to the summery goodness of Marula-Melon Moisture Guru, I found myself having the time of my life at the beach. My spirits were lifted in a way they hadn't been in some time - and I'm so glad I didn't wait a moment longer to do it.

So much good stuff. Photo by The Flatlay Photog

Marula Melon Moisture Guru

What it is
Marula-Melon Moisture Guru is a summertime take on the epic Marula-Muru Moisture Guru. It's a super creamy, medium consistency moisturizer and hair revitalizer packed with strand-nourishing botanicals. It smells like a watermelon Jolly Rancher, and leaves hair super moisturized and smooth. It can be used as a leave-in, or to add moisture to the hair in the days following styling.

How I used it
Knowing I was beach-bound, I used Marula-Melon Moisture Guru to protect my strands from the elements. I took a moderate amount, emulsified it in my hands and scrunched it into my curls. I also used it later that night for date night with Mr. Samuel, and you know what?! As we waited for our table, I placed my head on his chest and he said, "yo, your hair smells nice." I replied, "awww, thank you!" but in my mind I was like, "MARULA-MELON ON MINES, CUH!!!"😂 Y'all know I don't got no good sense.

Moral of the story - it's #BaeApproved.

If you could reach through the screen and feel the softness...

Key benefits
Packed with aloe vera, glycerin, olive oil, agave, kalahari melon butter, pracaxi oil, and flaxseed gel, this botanical powerhouse moisturizes, enhances shine, and smooths the cuticle to help retain hydration inside the hair.

Oh, and your hair will literally smell amazing.

I can't tell you how much good the beach did for my soul. Thanks to Marula-Melon Moisture Guru, on day 4 of 7, I was encouraged to:

• Get out and re-connect with my own back yard
• Take time out and marvel at God's creation
• Stop waiting on others to take me where I know I need to go (both literally and metaphorically)

This was literally the perfect beach day. Photo by The Flatlay Photog

Oh, and what I said about almost dying in 1 foot of water? Here's what happened.

Some of you may know, I'm building my skill set as a photographer. And photographers often find themselves in compromising positions to get the perfect angle. Antoinette and I both had the idea to put the entire Soultanicals collection at the shoreline, because the low tide coming up made for a dope background.

True to the game, Antoinette arranged the products right at the water where the tide was lowest. I got face down on my stomach, to capture the products at ground level, instead of from above.

Unexpectedly, a stronger wave came along as my eye was in the viewfinder snapping away. By the time I realized what was happening, the wave crashed up on me and my camera, and started taking some of my products out to sea.😂 Luckily, Antoinette helped me recover them all.

Here's the frame-by-frame of it all unfolding:

The calm. Still a pretty dope shot.

(me snapping away): It's happening! A little stronger than I wanted, but still dope!

MAYDAY! MAYDAY! Send for backup!

SAVE THE PRODUCTS AND SAVE YOURSELF! :::goes down with camera:::

I'm still scraping sand off of my camera til this day.

Do you have a special place you love to go and think or recharge? I wanna know!

Catch up with the entire 7 Days of Self Care with Soultanicals series here!

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Self Care with Soultanicals Day 3: Making Moves in the Gym

Laaaaa, la, la-la wait til' I get these muscles right... Photo by The Flatlay Photog

This may come as a surprise, but I have a love-kinda-dont-like relationship with the gym.

Although I've definitely got a penchant for lifting heavy things, I wasn't always interested in testing the upper limits of my strength, much less setting foot into a gym.  In fact, like many of us - sweating out my hair used to be my #1 workout deterrent.

Going natural definitely helped me find my lane, in more ways than one. Once I mastered the wash & go, I realized I didn't really care for too many other styles. My wash & go allowed me the flexibility to rock my hair the way I liked, without worrying too much about my workout ruining my style.

There are some days where I absolutely LOVE working out - my #GymWerk playlist is hitting all the right songs on shuffle, my pre-workout has kicked in, lifting heavy gives me a rush, and I feel like I can take over the world. When my curls are acting right, I get a similar feeling.

Single arm kettlebell swings... WHEW! Photo by The Flatlay Photog

But that doesn't mean I don't have bad hair days, or that I don't lose steam in the gym. It's quite the contrary.

I have tons of bad hair days, and days where I'm envious of someone else's texture or length.

I have plenty of days where I'd I'd rather drink wine, eat Root Beer Glazed Wings from BJ's and watch LHHATL while I lay in bed. And days where I'm in the gym, upset with my lack of progress compared to somebody else's.

And in between those extremes, are weeks and sometimes months where I find myself just meandering through - neither abased or abound. To me, those days are the most dangerous. Those are the times where complacency takes root, and ultimately lead to the undoing of all my hard work.

Before the start of 7 Days of Self Care with Soultanicals, I felt myself sinking into that place. If I'm really honest about it, I was just about to check-in to my room.

My hair wasn't acting right, and I was just going through the motions at the gym.

Then, God pretty much told me to check my attitude and perspective at the door. Conventional wisdom told me not to do the same thing repeatedly and expect different results. If I wanted to see something new with my hair, and in the gym - I was going to have to do something different.

Charlie Mike combines heavy lifting and functional movements...My best friend and biggest foe. Lol.
Photo by The Flatlay Photog

I picked up God's not-so-subtle hints and challenged myself to get uncomfortable with a new workout plan called #CharlieMike. I also reminded myself that coming to love and embrace my textures is a part of self care. Being covetous or envious of what someone else has - whether it be on their head or in the gym - is counterproductive to my own sense of well-being. On top of that, it's wasted energy that gets me no closer to my own goals.

#CharlieMike is no joke - but I'll be so proud of myself 5 weeks from now.

Top two most hated exercises: lunges and burpees. But I'm doin' em. Photo by The Flatlay Photog

Inspired by my new found re-commitment to self care in the gym, I picked up Soultanicals Frizz Whiz Curl Defining Leave-In and Sprung Coil Boosting Gelly. If I was gonna go hard as the hood I'm from in the gym (sorry, it's on my #GymWerk playlist 😂), the wash & go is where I'm gonna be.

I don't know what Ayo did...but these two new products gave me the kick I needed to to work with my fifty-leven curl patterns and make them all pop.

These two... I'll tell ya. Photo by The Flatlay Photog

Frizz Whiz Curl Defining Leave-In

What it is
A moisturizing leave-in conditioner that detangles and helps capture the curl pattern while wet, to enhance definition in styling by smoothing the cuticle and minimizing frizz.

How I used it
In the shower, of course! I applied Frizz Whiz to my hair in 4 sections, finger combing it through for even distribution.

Key benefits
Although the ingredient list is pretty short and sweet, Frizz Whiz packs a botanical punch. Slippery Elm and Irish Moss provide slip for detangling while enhancing shine, soothing the scalp, and strengthening the fibers of the hair. Beet sugar doubles up on the strength, while helping to boost elasticity, smooth the cuticle, and help prevent breakage during styling.

Can you tell it's love?

Sprung Coil Boosting Gelly

What it is
A medium-strong (meaning: not ramen noodle crunchy, but not 'who's hair is this for?!' light, either) botanically-based curl definer designed to define and enhance coily and kinky textures. It helps reduce frizz and promotes clumping of coils and curls for extremely shrinkage-prone hair.

How I used it
Click here to watch the video on how I defined my curls.

Key benefits
Sprung Coil Boosting Gelly contains a follicle-fortifying blend of nettle, saw palmetto, and horsetail, along with wheat germ and jojoba oils for moisture and elasticity. I notice an immediate difference when applying Sprung to my curls, as you saw in the video. Frizz, gone. Curl clumpage, lit. Ayo put her foot in this one, for sure.

3 days and a few workouts later...still poppin'.

Day 3's lesson in self care, brought to me by Frizz Whiz and Sprung, helped me remember that:

• Trying something new is one of the best ways to get myself out of a funk.
• I'll always be better off redirecting jealousy/envy into energy to care for and better myself.

How do you push past complacency and focus on your positives? Let's chat in the comments below and encourage each other!

Catch up with the entire 7 Days of Self Care with Soultanicals series here!

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Lily Ghalichi reveals her favorite Drug Store Beauty Must Haves

I've followed Lily Ghalichi's journey for many years.  Before she became a reality tv star, Lily was a lawyer turned entrepreneur who launched a successful swimwear line.  Back in the day, Lily had a simple blog where she'd post honest articles detailing what she currently loved along with interesting moments in her life.  I'm not ashamed to admit that I stalked Lily's blog on a regular basis.

But as her business grew (along with her celebrity status) Lily could no longer keep up with her blog. I was bummed but I still followed her career from a far.  Then I learned that Lily relaunched her YouTube channel.  She promises that her videos would be reminiscent of her old blog.  Meaning, she would only talk about things she genuinely loves.  Lily even stated that product she features will be 100% bought by her and that her channel would NOT be monetized.  I fee like I have the old Lily back!!!

When she published a video of her favorite drug store products, I rushed over 'cause I knew that Lily was about to reveal her real secrets.  As a financially successful business woman, Lily has access to pretty much any beauty product her heart desires.  So when she promised to reveal her favorite drug store brands, I was all ears.  Let's discuss the notable products from her list of faves.
FACE WASH // Biore Pore Unclogging Charcoal Cleanser 

Lily's facial cleanser of choice is one that she claims outperforms every other facial wash she's ever used.  She informs us that after trying every cleansing product known to man, this one remains her absolute favorite.  It's so good that even her husband has converted to using this drug store brand.  Lily appreciates how it contains tiny beads that exfoliate as you cleanse.  Like me, she's a huge fan of exfoliation to promote constant cell turnover.  Biore's scrub also contains salicylic acid which is a plus for anyone with acne prone skin.  You might recall that using an acne fighting cleanser may be more beneficial than applying a spot treatment.  Lily calls this a product that she "swears by" so it's definitely going on my list of products to try. 

MASCARA// L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black  

Lily owns her own lash company so she's serious about having to die for lashes.  After having tried every mascara brand known to man, Lily's go-to everyday mascara is L'Oreal Voluminous.  Lily informs us that countless celebrity makeup artists use this mascara on their high end clients.  Even Kim K's makeup artist reaches for L'Oreal Voluminous to complete her eye makeup look.  No other mascara that she's tried has exceeded her expectations like this one.  

LINER// L'Oreal Lineur Intense

Next, Lily reveals her favorite liner, also from L'Oreal, called Lineur Intense.  After showing off the liner, she gives props to L'Oreal for their superior quality with their eye products.  I wholeheartedly agree.  After falling in love with their Telescopic mascara and Silkissme pencil liner, I am fully committed to buying Voluminous and Liner Intense.  Can't wait to try. 

These are just  a few of her faves mentioned in her haul.  Check out the video for a full list of her drugstore favorites.

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Finally found The Glam Glow Dupe that I've been looking for.

Years ago, I stumbled on a cult mask that made me fall instantly in love.  This mask was touted as a facial in a bottle by those who had the pleasure of trying it.  I adored this product because the mask seemed to handle multiple skin issues at once.

It exfoliated, absorbed oil, and even had ingredients that faded acne scars.  My only issue with it was the price.  For such a small amount, it required a pretty substantial investment.  Since then, I've kept my eyes and ears open for a suitable dupe.

I've tried a few but no other mask really seemed like a true replacement for GlamGlow until now.

This mask came to me by way of a gift from The Body Shop.  It came in a cute little box with several other items. The moment I noticed the small glass jar, I was elated.  The first thing that caught my eye were the words "Himalayan charcoal."  As you may know, I've been adding a sprinkle of charcoal to my facial cleanser, toothpaste, etc.  A pre-mixed charcoal clay mask was like a dream come true.

A day later, I tried the mask for the first time.  I loved the consistency which reminds me of a homemade mask.  As soon as I applied the gray paste, I did a double take.  Suddenly, I was reminded of another clay mask that I love oh so much.

Just like GlamGlow, this purifying mask has a gritty texture that exfoliates and smooths the surface of the skin.  I also noticed the tiny green tea leaves blended into the mud (just like GlamGlow). And, as the mask dried, I felt the tingling stimulation from the tea tree and eucalyptus oil.

This Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask is an instant favorite. I'm a sucker for beauty products that take on multiple tasks.   This clay mask does just that.  It purifies, exfoliates and deep cleanses your pores while leaving the skin soft and invigorated.  Following my first experience, I immediately went online to research the price because I already made up my mind to purchase if I ever ran out.

I came to find out that it was only $28. That's a fraction of the price of GlamGlow!  And, based on the size of the jar, you get more product as well.  I also prefer this packaging.  This mask is definitely going with me whenever I travel.  It'll save me precious luggage space since it's like having multiple products in one.

 The Body Shop out did themselves with this one.

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Self Care with Soultanicals Day 2: Taking a Mani Moment

Manicures & deep conditioning have a lot in common. 

If you follow me on Snapchat (maneobjective), then you know my latest non-hair and gym hobby is giving myself manicures. Several months ago, I gave up trips to the nail shop because I always found myself shilling out $30-40 for mediocre nail jobs that chipped 3 days later.

I don't know about your local shops, but the ones in LA will nickel and dime you to death. $15 pedicure upsell for a subpar scrub. $5 (gel) polish removal. $5 for a design on one nail. $10 if you want gel. $7 if you sneeze while they're working.

That last one was a bit extreme, but you get my point.

A trip to the nail shop adds up fast - and factor in traffic to get there, looking for parking, and waiting to be seen - and the experience just ends up causing more stress than it's worth.

Some months ago I chanced upon a Sensationail gel polish starter kit (complete with lamp, top/base coat, primer, wipes, and polish color) on clearance at Target. I hadn't painted my own nails since I was a kid, and the only knowledge I had of using gel came from watching nail techs. Even still, my stubborn spirit wouldn't let me back down from the challenge. I did manicure after manicure, practicing and tinkering until my results got decent.

A small sampling of my at-home nail salon.

I added cuticle trimmers, nail files, buffers, more colors, and even the Kiss PowerFile electronic nail file/sander/buffer - and now basically, I've got a portable nail shop in my linen closet.

What started as a movement out of spite, transformed into an act of self care - and here's how.

Manicures require patience, focus, time, and meticulous attention to the tiniest of details. While giving myself a manicure, I literally cannot focus on anything else. Both of my hands are tied up, and I'm forced to slow down. I've got to steady my hand and pay close attention to every step. Soak. Remove polish. Soak again. Trim cuticles. Clean under nails. File. Buff. Prime. Paint.

Bright and summery, inspired by Afrotastic Curl Elastic.

Because manicures force me to stop multitasking and move slow, I've learned to take it all in as a moment to treat and look after myself. There's something therapeutic about taking a deep breath, steadying my hand, and coating my nail in polish. And even though I'm not a certified pro (I definitely make tons of mistakes), the results always look good enough for me to wear proudly. I've gotten lots of compliments on my nails lately, and a few inquiries on how I keep them nice all the time - considering that I work out so much.

I get the same questions about my hair - how do I keep it together when I work out as often as I do? While preserving my hair during workouts definitely plays a part, what I do to my hair before I even set foot into a gym matters more.

Weekly deep conditioning sessions has been my natural hair's saving grace.

Such a treat for my curls. Pardon my left eye, I got shampoo in it while rinsing. 

Afrotastic Curl Elastic

What it is
You guys know that I'm no stranger to Afrotastic Curl Elastic. It's been a Christina's Choice winner two years in a row, and one of my absolute deep conditioning staples. It's a super fruity botanically-based deep conditioner infused with some of the best ingredients for hair and scalp care - like rosemary, burdock root, amla, aloe vera, and avocado oil. The consistency is super creamy and smooth, with great slip for easy detangling and penetration into the hair.

How I used it
With the same meticulous concentration as a manicure, I treated my tresses to a deep conditioning session with Afrotastic Curl Elastic. Smoothing and applying in small sections. Admiring each unique coil, curl and wave as I removed tangles. Sitting under my hooded dryer for 30 minutes. Rinsing gently. After rinsing, my hair was tangle-free, soft, shiny, and smooth.

Key benefits
Afrotastic Curl Elastic is one of my favorite deep conditioners, because it works exceptionally well across the multiple textures of my hair. Gentle heat helps Afrotastic penetrate my lower porosity sections, imparting them with moisture-rich oils and botanicals like olive, avocado. At the same time, aloe and jojoba protein helps to smooth and strengthen my hair from root to end while restoring elasticity, balancing the pH, and calming frizz.

Day 2's lesson in self care, courtesy of Afrotastic Curl Elastic was a colorful reminder:

• To ease up off the gas pedal and take my time. Not everything has to be done quick, fast, and in a hurry.
• That whether it be for a manicure, deep conditioning, or even cooking a meal - when you take the time and do it right, the end results always show it.

What's your favorite way to slow down and savor the moment? Let's chat in the comments below!

Catch up with the entire 7 Days of Self Care with Soultanicals series here!

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Self Care with Soultanicals Day 1: De-Cluttering My Home Office Space

I never knew a bottle of clay could teach me so much.

Hi, my name is Christina - and I'm a hot mess.

Because my brain is literally Chrome with 82 tabs open, I've developed some really bad habits in the name of multitasking and, "oh s#!* let me do this" - and it kinda sorta drives me crazy.

It definitely drives Samuel crazy. But that's another story for another time.

The end result of my Chrome-browser-ready-to-crash brain is that I've always got 52 things "in process" around the house - mini photo studio in the living room, meal prep halfway done in the kitchen, bathroom that's a clusterfudge of products because I'm doing my hair, and of course - my desk is basecamp.

On any given day, you could look at my desk and wonder - how do you think straight here? How do you get anything done? How Sway? In addition to blogging and photography, I work my real life full-time job from home - so my desk is pretty important.

At least, it's supposed to be.

I reached a literal breaking point with the corner of my office that's dedicated to my bread and butter - and something needed to change. I'm not a neat freak by any means - but I have a threshold for clutter that I always seem to come within an inch of reaching. Then it get stressful - and stress is no bueno.

Inspired by Soultanicals Master Hair Cleanse Curl Detox, I decided that it was time to "detoxify" my workspace from clutter, distractions, stressors, and pretty much anything that prevented my flow of clarity and creativity.

I also decided that I needed to at least "enhance" my workspace with a few pops of color to make it feel less sterile and generic. It's not quite time for a full-on remodel, but I definitely used the spirit of Master Hair Cleanse Curl Detox to help me make the most of what I already had around the house.

Here's the "before" picture of my desk:

Missing: sparkling water cans, a Hydroflask, empy coffee mug, 3 vitamin bottles and Bailey's toy.

Now mind you, this is on a good day. On countless other days, there's empty water bottles, vitamin jars, more hair products, and sometimes even a pair of shoes. Yes, I'm incredibly guilty of treating my workspace like just another surface to drop stuff on - while somehow still managing to get work done.

On the left, that brown bin is full of old Bed Bath & Beyond coupons, unopened bills (because everything has an app these days), dry erase markers, and at least 2 books. The metal organizer on the top shelf suffered the same fate. Both pieces became a place to just stick stuff.

Don't even get me started on the landline phone that I don't use unless my iPhone is about to die, or I can't find it. And the cords everywhere. I can say with absolute honesty that only a handful of items in my workspace actually served a purpose, or contributed positively to my work.

Seeking more open space and a bit of color, here's the "after" picture of my desk:

Open space helps me think clearly and minimizes distractions.

I CAN BREATHE! It's crazy what you can do with a little ingenuity and a few things lying around the house. The first thing I did was find batteries for my wireless keyboard and mouse, to cut down on the cord clutter.

To punch up the color and accentuate the area with "my" style, I removed the black computer mat and replaced it with a turquoise and bamboo runner that I had originally purchased for my dining room table. Long story short, the runner doesn't match the chairs, and the poor thing ended up in a cabinet somewhere. I pulled it out, folded it in half, and now it fits perfectly.

Because I clearly have a thing for turquoise, I brought another unused item out from hiding - my three-wick candle from Bath & Body Works in the fragrance Iced Vanilla Woods (it's one of my favorites). I also pulled the pink metal basket from my storage closet, and decided to put it to use as my "electronics bin" - holding my iPad, keyboard case, and charging cords for all my electronic doodads.

Next to the pink basket is the diffuser I bought several months ago from Home Goods after I got Bailey (we are definitely #TeamHouseCantSmellLikeDog). Typically the diffuser sits in a corner somewhere, but I was inspired by the earthiness and essential oil goodness of Master Hair Cleanse Curl Detox to bring it onto my desk.

High capacity, multi-color LED, auto shutoff + more. Grab yours here.

Next to my "I just want to drink wine & pet my dog" sign (from the Pets Boutique in Annapolis, Maryland), it's my favorite part of the desk mini remodel. Before I start my work day, I turn the diffuser on to get my signature blend going. I use a few drops each of these essential oils:

• Lemongrass
• Eucalyptus
• Rosemary
• Himalayan Cedarwood
• Lavender

This particular combo gives me energy, clarity, and inspiration with a hint of tranquility and balance.I run it for an hour or so, then shut it off and allow the fragrance to spread throughout the house. 

I'm so happy I took the time out to care more about the space I work in. I didn't think de-cluttering my desk was an important step in self care, but it is. Since the de-clutter and mini remodel, I've been on a roll - my day is more organized, I think and act with more clarity, and I'm able to sit down and focus on each task. Organizing my desk has even inspired me to get better with organizing my time.

Master Hair Cleanse Curl Detox is gonna be clutch for summer.

Master Hair Cleanse Curl Detox

What it is
The Master Hair Cleanse Curl Detox by Soultanicals is an aloe-based bentonite clay blend that's sophisticated, earthy, and packs a curl detoxifying punch. It contains burdock root, sea kelp, nettle,  blackstrap molasses, hemp seed, essential oils, and more. The blend is super smooth and almost feels like a conditioner, consistency-wise.

How I used it
I used Master Hair Cleanse Curl Detox in place of shampoo and co-wash. I rinsed my hair to begin the process of removing product build-up, then went right into generously applying the Curl Detox throughout my hair and directly onto my scalp. After my hair was thoroughly coated, I began to lightly finger detangle and massage the clay into my scalp.

Per the instructions, I covered my hair with a plastic cap and used my Hot Head Thermal Cap for better penetration of ingredients. The bottle says to leave it on for 30-60 minutes, but I definitely left that jawn on for almost 3 hours (I was busy, lol). No harm no foul - after I rinsed, my hair looked and felt AMAZING. My scalp, even better. I went right in to deep conditioning after and that was it - a two-step wash day.

Key benefits
You guys know I have scalp psoriasis, and anything that can help alleviate the itching and flaking while not zapping moisture from my strands gets a gold star from me. Master Hair Cleanse Curl Detox worked like a charm for lifting and removing debris from my scalp and hair , and it also gave me a serious frizz-fighting, curl enhancing boost, thanks to the bentonite. It had enough slip to detangle, and left my hair super soft. I'd swap this bad boy for my mud rinse any day.

Zero frizz. All the curl clumpage. YASSSSSS.

All in all, through Soultanicals Master Hair Cleanse Curl Detox, I learned two valuable lessons:

• As an act of self care, it's important to take the time to cleanse and detoxify personal space
• Sometimes, it's not about getting new stuff. Just take what you already have, and work with it to make things better.

I hope you all enjoyed my reflections on self care day 1 of 7 with Soultanicals. Stay tuned for day 2 tomorrow!

How do you reinvent your personal space at home? Let's chat in the comments below!

Catch up with the entire 7 Days of Self Care with Soultanicals series here!

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This is The Most Powerful Technique for Beating Procrastination.

On Father's Day, I paid my dad a visit.  During my visit, I shared some ideas on how he could make improvements to his store.  As we discussed possible scenarios, I noticed a blank expression on his face.  Eventually, he informed me that he'd been having difficulty executing the things that he needed to do because of a lack of focus.

I knew exactly where he was coming from because I constantly battle with procrastination.  Having been on a personal development journey for years, I've learned countless strategies for overcoming procrastination and getting things done.

But only one method has truly worked.  This technique not only helps you overcome procrastination, it transforms you into a superhuman capable of accomplishing almost anything.
Days after I gave my dad advice, we spoke once again.  He thanked me profusely for my advice and told me how much of a difference it made in such a short period of time.  I bet you're wondering what I told him that completely improved his quality of life.

It's simple. I just explained the process of meditation and convinced him of the benefits he'd experience if he did it for just a few minutes a day.

No other technique to overcome procrastination is as powerful as meditation.  Trust me.

Picture an image of a person standing in front of a huge boulder.  The boulder represents the obstacle that gets in the way of us getting things done.  Traditional advice on overcoming procrastination helps us to climb that boulder to get to the other side.

But with meditation, the boulder is completely removed. Therefore there is nothing stopping us from doing what we need to do.  Let's be real, 99% of procrastination is caused by our own thoughts.  We're anxious & scared about completing a task so we avoid it. We avoid doing what we should because we've created a negative perception of the activity.  Our mind is hard at work trying to convince us of why we shouldn't do it.  That's why meditation is so crucial because it silences the negative thoughts.  Or, at the very least, we become much less reactive.

Another (lesser known) cause of procrastination is that we don't have enough focus to fully complete the task.  Half completed work is procrastination at its finest.

Meditation removes all of the things that get in the way between you and your goal.  When your mind is trained, it doesn't constantly create useless distractions.  Whatever you decide to do, you just do it.  There's nothing really stopping you.  When I meditated consistently, I was pretty unstoppable.  The benefits are too many to list, but let's just say that I felt like I had super powers.

Basically, spending 10-20 minutes each morning focusing on my breathing allowed me to operate in a heightened state of focus throughout the day.  It took a week or two of consistent practice to see the results. But once, they came, it was completely worth it.  After the convo with my dad, I jumped back into my meditation routine.  Within a couple of days, I was back to my old self again.  I've gotten so much done that I've been putting off forever.  All I had to do was spend a little time working on my level of attention.

One thing I notice about myself when I meditate regularly is that I suddenly become the best version of myself. Suddenly, I focus on clearing and decluttering my environment, I start working out again, and I focus on my high priority activities. The difference is like night and day.

Just remember that the source of procrastination is internal.  Unless we work on quieting the inner fears, we'll remain in the same place. I know this isn't your typical procrastination advice but, believe me, it works way better than any other advice because it addresses the root of the problem. If you'd like to read more on the wonders of quiet mind meditation, check out this article.

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New Series: 7 Days of Self Care with Soultanicals

Curls by me. Photo by The Flatlay Photog

As one month draws to a close and we sit on the cusp of another, I feel the need to publicly acknowledge a feeling that I'd harbored for the better part of June - I'm running low.

But not just the kind of low that a good night's sleep and a strong coffee the next morning can cure. It's the kind of low that craves a vacation, but is met with the reality that I've got ish to do and real-world responsibilities.

What's a girl to do?

In a radical move of self appreciation and restoration, I committed 7 days to performing at least one act of self care daily.

When's the last time you took a moment for yourself, and committed that moment unapologetically to your well-being?

I partnered with Soultanicals to help tell my story and take you along the journey, and I hope y'all don't mind. I couldn't think of a better brand to share in this mission with me - Ayo Ogun-McCants created Soultanicals to be an immersive adventure in self-love. If you don't know by now, Soultanicals is one of my favorite and most cherished brands to support (aka spend my money on) and collaborate with. Check my receipts here. Ayo's products are thoughtfully crafted by hand, and contain a selection of nature's best ingredients designed specifically for natural hair.

Throughout the next 7 days, I'll be sharing a specially curated selection of Soultanicals goodies, how I used them, and how they inspired an act of self care.

Self care is not selfish. You can't pour from an empty vessel.

If you're in the same boat as me - desperately seeking a recharge without the ability to just uproot and throw up the deuces thanks to responsibilities like job, family, and finances, etc. - I invite you to come along with me.

Feel free to replicate these acts of self care, or even explore what self care means for you specifically. That's the beauty of self care - there's no right or wrong way to do it. Whatever you choose, I hope that you're inspired to take some time out today (and every day) to recharge your batteries - because you're worth it.

And you deserve it.

7 Days of Self Care with Soultanicals officially launches tomorrow (June 26th). Make sure we're connected via Instagram and Facebook so you don't miss a thing. And don't forget to check back daily - this is a series you won't want to miss.

Follow Soultanicals on Instagram here!

How do you practice self care in the wake of mounting responsibilities? Let's chat in the comments below!

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How To Get Perfectly Defined Curls WITHOUT Shingling or a Denman Brush

Are you ready for definition that's out of this world?!

Have you ever looked at someone's hair pics on Instagram and thought, "man, they have a similar curl pattern to mine!" - but something was just a wee bit different? Almost like - somehow they hacked better curl definition, or they know some lil' secret you don't?  Or maybe you're like me and just wondered how in the heck some of these folks got their hair to clump so perfectly, and spiral at the ends.

Especially if you have multi-textured hair like I do.

After watching fifty-leven YouTube tutorials and countless insta-vids, I realized that most of these folks out here are either shingling, using a Denman Brush, or are finger coiling to achieve curl uniformity, definition, and that perfect little spiral at the ends.

It was...disappointing, to say the least. I don't have time (or the patience) for shingling and finger coils, and I tried to make the Denman work on several different occasions and got the same two results - too much hair pulled out, and bushy roots because the brush moved all the product to my ends. 

I never had super spiraled ends all over until this method.

I'm happy to report that with my updated curl defining method, I'm leaving all of that behind. I've been working this method since March - yes, March! Check the receipt here. I've had plenty of time to experiment with different product combinations, and let me tell you - the results are absolutely amazing every single time. 

 If you've been looking to improve definition, minimize frizz, and create a more uniform curl (as much as you can) - I've got something for ya. Put away the Denman Brush, and crack your knuckles in relief - because there will be none of that shingling and finger coiling around here.

And it's all thanks to the Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush!

This 9 row brush with widely spaced flexi-bristles was designed by none other than fellow LA girl and celebrity stylist Felicia Leatherwood. I've been wanting one forever, and finally got my hands on one earlier this year. Now that I've got it, I'll never let it go. And the video below reveals why.

What You'll Need

• Wet hair with leave-in already applied (I used Soultanicals Frizz Whiz Curl Defining Leave-In. Click here for more great leave-ins!)
• Curl definer of choice (I used Soultanicals Sprung Coil Boosting Gelly. Here are some of my other favorite curl definers!)
• Clips for separating the hair
• Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush

How to Define Your Curls

Step 1

Split hair into workable sections, clipping away hair that's not in the section you're currently working on. 

Step 2

Working in small sections, apply curl definer of choice from root to ends. Be sure there is adequate product coverage throughout the entire section, especially at the roots. This is how you prevent puffy roots, folks! 

Alternate between raking and smoothing the curl definer through the section for even distribution.

Step 3

Detangle the section gently with the Felicia Leatherwood Detangler Brush (if necessary), starting from the ends. Hair should be coated in curl definer and fully detangled before moving to step 4.

Step 4

Starting from the mid-shaft of the hair, pull the section of hair taut and place the brush through the section, bristles facing away from your face. Make sure that the hair is as close as possible to the base of the brush bristles. 

Starting from the mid-shaft alleviates a common issue with brush styling - puffy roots. It leaves the product at the root of the hair untouched. 

A closeup on the definition! Curls on curls on curls.

Step 5

In a motion similar to 'bumping' hair with a flat iron, begin moving the brush down the bottom half of the hair, turning it completely inward as you go down. The hair should pass along the flat backside of the brush in the process - almost curling around the brush itself. Complete this motion all the way through the end of the hair.

Scrunch the ends gently if necessary.

The turning of the brush combined with passing the hair along the back side of the brush creates enhanced definition and a smoother curl. The spacing of the bristles prevents the brush from too heavily redistributing product through the hair, minimizing frizz.

Step 6

If needed, gently finger rake within the section to further separate curls with minimal frizz.

Step 7

Repeat steps 2-6 until done.

At this point, you can air dry, diffuse, hooded dryer it up - it's your choice. I'm an air dry type of gal, so that's what I do 99.98% of the time. 

Fair warning - this method does produce legit more shrinkage than the Rake & Shake. I'll gladly take my shrinkage, because the curl definition is off the chain.

3rd day curls still poppin'!

Will you be giving this method a try? Let me know in the comments below!

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Summer Lookbook // The Flirty Dress.

I'm way overdue for a wardrobe update.  Summer's here and it's getting unbearably hot.  The hotter it gets, the less I focus on looking cute.  Comfort seems to trump style whenever temperatures rise.   I've been in search of a happy middle ground between style & comfort and I've finally found it.

The flirty summer dress is the answer that I've been looking for.  They're are so easy and laid back.  You can dress down the look with a pair of white sneakers and a crossbody bag.  What I love most about this type of dress is the flirty length combined with the cute sleeves that balance the look.

Want a more polished look that can transition from day to night?  Opt for a dress with full-length sleeves.  

I'm on a mission to acquire several of these dresses that I can live in for the duration of summer. They're feminine, care-free, and save a ton time when getting ready in morning.  In my opinion, you can't go wrong with acquiring a few flirty dresses as your perfect summer essential.

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7 Ways To Embrace The Length Of Your Natural Hair At Any Stage!

I was at an event one day when I saw another natural whose hair was absolutely gorgeous. She was rocking a TWA with a white headband. “I love your hair,” I said. “Girl, I like yours too, but your hair is longer than mine!” At that moment, I didn’t know what to say. I thought […]

The post 7 Ways To Embrace The Length Of Your Natural Hair At Any Stage! appeared first on Black Hair Information.

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Bedtime Beauty | Try this before bed to wake up to glowy skin.

I'm in the process of overhauling my entire night time routine.  If I were perfectly honest, I really don't have much of a routine in place.  That's a huge mistake because evenings are the perfect opportunity to really focus on our self-care rituals.

So much goes on while we sleep that anything we do prior to bed seems to amplify our results.  We already know to remove our makeup and that sort of stuff.  But I recently learned of another beauty ritual that we should all consider doing at night.

Typically, I reserve my sheet masks for lazy Sunday afternoons.  Or maybe as par of the occasional pre-night out ritual.  I've always wanted to be one of those people who wore sheet masks more often.  But I couldn't seem to fit masking into my normal routine.

But then I learned a secret that most sheet mask enthusiasts had kept hidden from us novices.

It turns out quite a few skin care addicts choose to mask at night prior to bed.  If you've ever used a high quality mask before, you know that many are oversaturated with product.  Much of that product is transferred onto the skin.   Although we try our best to rub as much of it in as possible, sometimes there's too much product left behind.  We might even be tempted to cleanse/tone again to remove the excess so our faces aren't as shiny.

But, if we masked at the right time of day, all of that extra nourishment will be put to good use.  Aside from the skin benefits, the act of wearing a sheet mask always feels a bit therapeutic.  This makes masking the perfect "me time" activity after a long, stressful day.  While the mask is on, take a moment to write in a journal or jot down some high priority tasks to complete the following day.  I like to use one of these nifty sheet mask covers so I can stay mobile while pampering my skin.

 Ideally, we want our skin to drink it up and not just it on the surface. If you take it one step further and exfoliate prior to applying the mask, you're priming the skin to fully absorb the active ingredients and moisture.   Applying product on the skin at night has a magical quality. Somehow you seem to wake up with the most amazing glow.  Imagine how much healthier your skin could look if this became a regular part of your routine?  I've read several accounts of those who mask regularly at night and most boast about the cumulative effect of masking at night at least once a week.




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Kicking the Sugar Habit - 30 Days with Bhu Foods

All packed for my east coast trip, thanks to Bhu Foods!

I love sugar.

The chocolatier, the better. I've made no qualms and secrets about it over the years. When they go salty, I go sweet. I'm not gonna sit up here and act like it's not a problem, though.

In the totality of my fitness journey, taming my sweet tooth has been the most difficult part of the ride. Meal prep? No problem. Lift heavy weights? My pleasure. Cardio? Ehhhh....(I'll still do it though).

But give up the sweet stuff? Nah, sprinkle me mayne.

Up until this point, I've straight played myself with the "everything in moderation" mantra - which basically means walk the straight and narrow Monday thru Thursday, and go off the rails all weekend long.

Problematic, for sure.

That cycle has run it's course, and I've gotten on my own nerves enough to the point where I'm ready to do something about it. I've decided that if I'm really serious about reaching my 2018 goals, I best get my butt into gear. I mean shoot, it's almost July already. (Where did the time go?) Not to mention, the negative impact on my skin and psoriasis.

That's why I'm teaming up with Bhu (pronounced "boo") Foods to give myself 30 days to get this sugar habit in check. Bhu Foods is a fit food company based out of San Diego, California and prides themselves on creating alternatives to sugar-laden snacks that are lower carb, high fiber, keto friendly, paleo, vegan, etc.

A wise rapper once said, "If you stay ready, you ain't got to get ready."

With all their goodies having 0-1g of sugar per serving, they're already winning in my book. Even more impressive is the amount of fiber in these bars, the amped up protein, and lower carbs. I'm not much into keto, vegan, or paleo eating, but if you are - then you definitely need to get up on Bhu Foods. 

Starting today (yes, in the middle of the week while I'm outta town 'cause I ain't got time to wait for another Monday to roll around), I'm committing to taming my sweet tooth within 30 days, with the help of Bhu. My goal is simple - any time I crave a cookie, chocolate bar, cupcake, etc, I'm reaching for a Bhu Foods snack. For the next month, I'll be munching on:

• Bhu Fit Primal Protein Salted Caramel + Pecan Bars (220 cal / 17g fat / 10g carbs / 13g protein /1g sugar / 9g fiber)
• Bhu Fit Primal Protein Vanilla Almond Cashew Bars (210 cal / 15g fat / 9g carbs / 15g protein /1g sugar / 9g fiber)
• Bhu Fit Protein Chocolate Chip Cookies (200 cal / 16g fat / 16g carbs / 10g protein /0g sugar / 8g fiber)
• Bhu Fit Protein Double Dark Chocolate Cookies(200 cal / 16g fat / 17g carbs / 10g protein /0g sugar / 9g fiber)

(Oh, and you can totally find Bhu goodies at Vitamin Shoppe!)

I'm expecting great things to come of this experience - and hopefully some progress that helps me move the needle toward my goals. At the end of 30 days, I'll be checking back in here on the blog. But in the meantime, you can follow me on Instagram @maneobjective and @30daysofdope to keep up with my posts and Instastories along this sugar-busting challenge and my journey overall!

What's your vice/bad habit that you'd like to get under control before 2018 rolls around? Let's chat in the comments below!

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Tired of the Same Results? It's Time to Up-Level

Lately been playing around with the idea of how to "up-level" my current results.  The urban dictionary defines up-leveling as to "transform or grow in an area that was previously stagnant."  Stagnancy is something I try to avoid because, in reality, nothing really remains stagnant.  As far as I'm concerned, standing still is the equivalent of declining.

For this reason, we must always be moving forward.  Yes, we should always be appreciative of our current blessings but, at the same time, we should move our eyes to the horizon towards our next goal.  Working towards our next goal sounds easy to do.  But no one talks about what to do once you hit your invisible ceiling.

What is the invisible ceiling?  It's what happens when we find ourselves continuing to produce the same results over and over again.  Maybe those results are decent, but for some reason, we can't seem to get to the next level.

I believe that, sometimes, a certain level can not be attained unless a shift occurs in our mindset.  Our pattern of thinking has a direct impact on our current actions (and current results).  Prior to launching my business, I invested a ton of time and energy convincing myself to fully believe that it was possible to earn a living without a consistent paycheck.

Once I launched my business part time, I set pretty lofty financial goals.  In order to achieve those goals, I needed to, once again, do a lot of mental conditioning to prepare myself to manifest those results.  If I simply set a high financial goal without doing the internal groundwork, I probably would not have even gotten close to the results that I enjoy today.

 I've noticed that, for the most part, my results have been pretty consistent.  Consistent is good. But I also classify long-term consistent results as a form of stagnancy.  It's time to create a breakthrough that will lead me to the next level.

The reason why I'm stuck in the same place is because I'm still thinking and operating as the same person that creates my current outcome.

It's time to evolve.

The transformation won't work unless I focus on my subconscious.  Deep down, my mind isn't connected to the new results I want.  It doesn't see my desired goal as a possible reality.  I need to change that.  The first step is to build my belief.  One way I plan to do that is to reinstitute image streaming (a.ka. Albert Einstein's powerful visualization technique) as a habit.

I'm going to partake in a 7-day image streaming challenge and record the sessions on my cell phone.  Once completed, I'll listen to the sessions prior to going to bed.  Listening to your own voice as you describe your vision in detail is a powerful thing.  Your subconscious is more likely to accept what you're saying while you're in a state of total relaxation (right before falling asleep).

Along with image streaming, I plan on searching out real examples of others who currently experience the outcome(s) that I desire.  Unfortunately, I don't know anyone in real life who meets those requirements so I have to find what I'm looking for online.  I like to watch "How I manifested my (fill in the blank) law of attraction videos on Youtube.  Those always add a bit of motivation because I get really excited when I see others doing well.  But I want to dig a little deeper to find people who truly up-leveled (scaled) their business and/or lifestyle in a relatively short amount of time.

Then I'll get to work on inching outwards, away from my comfort zone bubble.  I made the most progress when I took on the mantra described in the book "The One Thing." When I focus on a few high-impact actions,  I don't have to work as hard and the results are magnified.  I need more of that in my life.  I already know what to do to create my current results, it's time to take things to the next level.

One thing I need to remember is how much effort is required to raise our financial thermostat.  It can't just be a wish, I have to be obsessed with my new reality way more than my current situation.  The more it consumes me, the faster it happens.  Napoleon Hill called it our chief definite aim in his book Think & Grow Rich.  It has to be the most important thing to you otherwise your focus will be distracted and little progress will be made.  Anything that works to dilute your progress should be avoided.  It's all about being hyper-focused and maintaining it as long as possible.

There also has to be some type of accountability.  Since I'm not working 1 on 1 with a coach, I try to create accountability in other ways.  In the past, I would have coaching sessions with myself where I provide clear updates on my progress.  I also determined what I need to do to elevate my results.  The more frequent these discussions, the more progress is made.  Another accountability tool I use to is a simple method of tracking my activity.  Instead of putting a lot of time & effort in a to-do list, I focused on a "what I've done list."   I also track my results on a spreadsheet that I update daily or weekly.  When I see my results in black & white, I'm more likely to keep pushing.

The other thing that has worked well in the past is making sure that I expose myself to the reality I want to experience as often as possible.  This energizes me.  It's the fuel I need to power my actions day after day.  Immersion needs to happen otherwise the worries life will get in the way.  Up-leveling isn't an easy process. But it's very doable.  We just need to pursue it wholeheartedly.  And do it long enough to make the vision a reality.

                              

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