These are items I use daily and religiously. I am dividing them up by morning and night routine. The night routine is, of course, much more important! I hope you enjoy a peek into my medicine cabinet.

Related: Emma’s Skincare Routine

When recently asked to describe my skin type, my reply was “old.” Haha. I was joking, of course! I know that I’m still young(ISH). But being 40 years old means taking great care of my skin morning, noon, and night.

If you’re reading this and you’re 22, trust me when I say—the earlier you start, the better. Just simply removing ALL your makeup every night and keeping your skin toned and hydrated can make a huge difference.

And you don’t need a bunch of expensive products. Toner and coconut oil could get you pretty far if you’re on a small budget and don’t know where to begin.

In my opinion, the most important element of a skincare routine is consistency.

Morning Routine:

Toner

Each morning I wake up, splash some water on my face (and towel dry), brush my teeth, and then immediately reach for my Thayer’s Toner. It’s one item in my routine that I never leave without. I prefer the unscented version.

You can swipe toner on your face using a cotton pad or your hands to press it into your face. During the winter, I tend to have more dry skin—I use toner often to keep my dry skin at bay.

Face Mist

Next, I spritz my face with a mist. I am currently using and loving the Sea Vitamin Boost by Osea. Mists make my skin feel fresh and it’s a part of my morning routine that actually helps me wake up. I wake up very early currently with two kids, so it’s not always pretty.

Moisturizer

When I’m not wearing makeup, I will put on some Summer Fridays Cloud Dew. It’s a great texture and a nice, natural scent. When I’m not wearing makeup (which is often), I still try to keep my skin highly moisturized.

Love a good toner? Check out 3 Easy Hydrating Toners You Can Make At Home!

Night Routine:

Cleanser

I use Leahlani Bless Balm as my oil cleanser pretty often. Oil cleansing is my favorite. All you have to do is rub the product into your skin (you can use pretty much any kind of face oil for this).

Then, run hot water onto a fresh washcloth and press it into your skin for 5-10 seconds. Repeat this a few times if you’re wearing a lot of makeup. It melts right off.

When I’m not oil cleansing, I use Honest Gentle Gel Cleanser. It’s great for all skin types.

Exfoliant

I am LOVING Moon Juice Acid Potion as my exfoliant. A few months back, I was experiencing a lot of breakouts around my mouth area. It was getting worse and worse.

After not having any facials or skin treatments for a year, my skin was generally just not at its best. I read a review for Acid Potion on another blog and ordered it right away. It has done wonders for me.

At first, I used it every day. Then when my skin cleared up, I started using it every other night or a few times a week. I will definitely keep it in my routine as it’s one of the first times a product has created an immediate result for my skin.

Night Cream

I absolutely love Osea’s Atmosphere Protection Cream. I was looking for a night cream with great ingredients, and this one smells and feels amazing.

I’m also obsessed with their Vagus Nerve Pillow Mist. It has so many incredible five-star reviews. I have found that sticking to a night routine has greatly improved my sleep quality!

One last thing that I forgot to include in a photo (but use every single night) is a lip sleeping mask. It’s super thick and the ultimate remedy for dry lips, which I often have. I love it and use it every single night right as I hop into bed.

Links: Thayer’s Toner / Sea Vitamin Boost / Acid Potion / Bless Balm / Cloud Dew / Atmosphere Protection Cream / Vagus Nerve Pillow Mist / Lip Sleeping Mask / Honest Gel Cleanser

I’d love to hear if there are any skincare products that you use and love, especially in the clean skincare category! xx- Elsie

I mentioned this on Instagram, but I got a few broken blood vessels on my face and neck while I was pregnant. A couple of them were basically smack in the middle of my forehead.

While I am so, so grateful I was able to get pregnant, these new little spots were not my favorite side effect that stuck with me even after my son was born. So, I decided to do some research and see what, if anything, I could do about them.

Here is a before and after photo from my experience. See the little red dots on my forehead, between my eyebrows? Those were the spots that annoyed me the most. I also had a few around the bridge of my nose and near my collarbone. These broken blood vessels showed up sometime around the end of my first trimester.

As I was researching solutions, I found that a vascular laser treatment was something I could try. For me, this was available through a dermatologist’s office, and a registered nurse was able to administer the treatment. It does not require any numbing agents and only takes a few minutes.

I won’t lie, it does hurt. It feels like a needle going into your skin (it’s not, it’s a laser). But it’s super quick and way less painful than any of my tattoos.

Vascular laser treatments can also work for cherry angiomas (cherry moles). I have a lot of those, and so at the same appointment I had a few of the most prominent ones removed as well.

Here’s another before photo where you can see the largest cherry mole I had treated (on the side of my face between my eyebrow and hairline).

This is probably obvious, but except for the first photo in this post, all these photos are unedited and I have no makeup on. You can see I also have melasma, which had gotten darker during my pregnancy.

Here is what my skin looked like immediately after the laser treatment. All the red splotchy spots are areas where I had a broken blood vessel or cherry moles treated.

And here is what it looked like the next day. The areas that were treated turn darker at first, and the cherry moles turn almost black and then fall off within a week or two.

I wear sunscreen everyday already (I’m very fair skinned and burn easily), but I was cautioned by the nurse to be extra careful for the following few weeks after the treatment to always wear sunscreen and hats because the sensitive skin could scar/discolor more easily from the sun while it was healing.

And here is what my skin looked like two weeks after the treatment. As you can see, the large cherry mole on the side of my face is still somewhat visible. After my first treatment, they already had scheduled a follow up for four weeks later to see if any of the spots would need a second treatment, and it looks like this is one spot that probably will. But pretty much everything else was good after just one treatment—especially the middle-of-my-forehead broken vessels.

I went to Ozarks Dematology Specialists (in Springfield, Missouri) for this vascular laser treatment. It only took about 15 minutes and cost $150. The price will vary based on how many spots/how much time you need.

And it would likely vary based on where you live. But I just wanted to share what it was for me, for reference. This was not something my insurance would cover, as it was cosmetic in nature rather than going to the dermatologist to be checked for skin cancer (which is also a very important thing to do).

Thanks for letting me share this very random experience with you all. I love skin care stuff. I am constantly trying new moisturizers, masks, facials, and other things. I also love trying new makeup. I view it all as super fun and for me, self care. xo. Emma

This toner has the power of rose oil (which reduces the appearance of wrinkles, helps smooth skin, and the smell promotes relaxation), rose hydrosol for hydration, and some alcohol-free witch hazel which helps moisturize and balance out the pH level of the skin. A fresh and floral way to end and start each day!

Rose Toner:
-18 drops rose essential oil
–Solubol (a carrier for your essential oil when used with water … you can also use Polysorbate 20 according to the Tisserand Institute guide on safely adding oils to water)
-2 tablespoons rose hydrosol
-2 tablespoons alcohol-free witch hazel
–2 ounces fine mist spray bottle
–small funnel set (optional)

First, you’ll want to add your Solubol carrier oil to your bottle. You’ll add 4 drops of Solubol for each drop of essential oil you use. For a 2 ounces bottle we’ll keep our rose oil at a 1% dilution rate (you can do more but don’t go higher than 1.5% for use on your face), so that would be 18 drops of essential oil and 72 drops of Solubol. If you use the Polysorbate 20 as your carrier, you can use one drop of carrier oil for each drop of essential oil, so 18 drops of each. Once your carrier oil is added to your bottle, add in your essential oil and gently roll the bottle between your hands to blend the oils together. Use a funnel or carefully pour in your hydrosol and then your witch hazel and shake the bottle to combine.

If rose isn’t your thing, this toner uses lavender oil and hydrosol as its power agents (which helps soothe the skin and the scent is also very calming) and the alcohol-free witch hazel reduces irritation and gently cleanses skin.

Lavender Toner:
-18 drops lavender essential oil
–Solubol (a carrier for your essential oil when used with water … you can also use Polysorbate 20 according to the Tisserand Institute guide on safely adding oils to water)
-2 tablespoons lavender hydrosol
-2 tablespoons alcohol-free witch hazel
–2 ounces fine mist spray bottle
–small funnel set (optional)

First, you’ll want to add your Solubol carrier oil to your bottle. You’ll add 4 drops of Solubol for each drop of essential oil you use. For a 2 ounces bottle we’ll keep our rose oil at a 1% dilution rate (you can do more but don’t go higher than 1.5% for use on your face), so that would be 18 drops of essential oil and 72 drops of Solubol. If you use the Polysorbate 20 as your carrier, you can use one drop of carrier oil for each drop of essential oil, so 18 drops of each. Once your carrier oil is added to your bottle, add in your essential oil and gently roll the bottle between your hands to blend the oils together. Use a funnel or carefully pour in your hydrosol and then your witch hazel and shake the bottle to combine.

If you want maximum benefit of your toner and you don’t mind a more earthy scent, go for a chamomile toner (an excellent soother of congested skin, has antioxidants, and reduces bacteria to prevent breakouts) with a calendula hydrosol (which has a long history of soothing blemishes and irritation)

Chamomile Toner:
-18 drops of chamomile essential oil
–Solubol (a carrier for your essential oil when used with water … you can also use Polysorbate 20 according to the Tisserand Institute guide on safely adding oils to water)
-2 tablespoons calendula hydrosol
-2 tablespoons alcohol-free witch hazel
–2 ounces fine mist spray bottle
–small funnel set (optional)

First, you’ll want to add your Solubol carrier oil to your bottle. You’ll add 4 drops of Solubol for each drop of essential oil you use. For a 2 ounces bottle we’ll keep our rose oil at a 1% dilution rate (you can do more but don’t go higher than 1.5% for use on your face), so that would be 18 drops of essential oil and 72 drops of Solubol. If you use the Polysorbate 20 as your carrier, you can use one drop of carrier oil for each drop of essential oil, so 18 drops of each. Once your carrier oil is added to your bottle, add in your essential oil and gently roll the bottle between your hands to blend the oils together. Use a funnel or carefully pour in your hydrosol and then your witch hazel and shake the bottle to combine.

Shake before each use to blend the essential oil back into the mixture. You’ll want to keep the bottle in the fridge to keep the hydrosols fresh, but I promise that the cooling mist will make those few extra steps to the kitchen worth it (or you can go for one of these mini beauty fridges if you have the space in your bathroom)! You can spray onto your face or you can soak some into a cotton round and rub in circles to exfoliate and clean your face (you can get reusable cotton rounds like these as well). For best results, you’ll use it morning and night after you clean your face before applying moisturizer or serums (this is a great budget-friendly face wash). Pair this with a quartz face roller and you’ll be in self-care heaven! And in case you were wondering, you can mix and match your oils and hydrosols to create custom scents with different focuses—I did a rose essential oil toner with the lavender hydrosol instead and I loved the mixture of the two, so feel free to get creative and customize your own! Hope toner is a game changer for you as well! xo. Laura

Print

Hydrating Toner DIY

3 hydrating toner DIYs (using clean ingredients)

Keyword clean beauty, toner

Author Laura Gummerman

Ingredients

• 18 drops essential oil rose, lavender, or chamomile
• 72 drops solubol or 18 drops of Polysorbate 20
• 1 ounce hydrosol rose, lavender, or calendula
• 1 ounce witch hazel alcohol-free

Instructions

• First, you’ll want to add your Solubol carrier oil to your bottle. You’ll add 4 drops of Solubol for each drop of essential oil you use.

  For a 2 ounces bottle we’ll keep our rose oil at a 1% dilution rate (you can do more but don’t go higher than 1.5% for use on your face), so that would be 18 drops of essential oil and 72 drops of Solubol.

  If you use the Polysorbate 20 as your carrier, you can use one drop of carrier oil for each drop of essential oil, so 18 drops of each.
• Once your carrier oil is added to your bottle, add in your essential oil and gently roll the bottle between your hands to blend the oils together.

  Use a funnel or carefully pour in your hydrosol and then your witch hazel and shake the bottle to combine.

Credits // Author and Photography: Laura Gummerman. Photos edited with A Color Story Desktop.

I’ve been making my skincare routine a bigger priority over the last 6 years or so (since I turned 30) and I think it shows!

Of course, my skin is by no means perfect and everyone’s skin is so different, so I have no idea if what works for me will work for you. But I love learning about products my friends swear by, so here are some of mine.

Related: Elsie’s Skincare Routine

My skincare (and makeup) routines are mostly natural, but I have a few products here and there that I love but are not as clean as I would prefer.

I’ll try to note those in case having all natural products is super important to you (I get it!). I am also one of those people who will try new products pretty regularly, but I also have tried and true things I buy over and over again.

Cleansers – I try to wash my makeup off every night before bed. Other than always wearing sunscreen, I feel like this is the “secret” to great skin. It’s funny how the simple things + routine are what make the biggest difference over time, right?

Anyway, I use Burt’s Bees Acne Solutions often and have bought it for years. I also like Bloomeffects Cleansing Jelly.

Toners – I use a toner every morning and evening before moisturizing. For my skin type, this has been a game changing habit over the last couple of years.

I most often use Thayer’s Witch Hazel Toner (usually lavender or cucumber). Another option I like is Moon Juice Acid Potion. I only use that a couple times a week, as it’s more powerful.

Daytime moisturizers – I love LUSH Skin’s Shangri La Moisturizer. It’s not natural (I wish it didn’t have fragrance added) but I’ve bought it for years and love it.

Another daytime moisturizer I love is One Love Organics Skin Dew. It soaks into my skin rather than feeling like they sit on the surface. I can easily wear it under makeup.

Nighttime moisturizers – After cleansing and toning at night, I use a moisturizer or face oil before bed. I love, love Leahlani Bless Balm. It’s truly worth every penny and lasts a long time.

In truth, Leahlani is one of my all-time favorite natural beauty brands, they have SO many amazing products.

Face oil – If I’m wanting a facial oil, I use a number of different ones and tend to add essential oils to them. My current favorite is Shea Moisture Daily Hydration Overnight Face Oil and I’ll add a drop of Frankincense or Manuka to it.

Lip Mask – I also like to use this sleeping mask at night—I keep it on my bedside table. It’s one of my favorite nighttime rituals.

Masks – I love spending a little extra time one or two nights a week with a face mask for something a little extra added to my skincare routine.

I usually have just one or two masks at a time and I’ll buy something different once I run out. I tend to lean toward things that help to even skin tones or that, like, burn a little when you have them on. Ha.

But, I also love a moisturizing sheet mask sometimes too. Currently, I have the Bloomeffects Dutch Dirt Mask, which is a little burn-y and also exfoliating.

Other masks I love include: Erin’s Faces Pumpkin Enzyme Peel, Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel, and Leahlani Mermaid Mask, and Acure.

Tools – There are a few tools I use often and loveI sometimes use my jade roller, especially if my under eyes are puffy.

I use a Tinkle Razor now and again for an at-home (not professional) dermabrasion, which I mostly use to remove hair (sides of my cheeks, upper lip, etc.) and I notice my makeup and other products go on smoother if I do that once in a while.

That might sound like a lot but I don’t use all these products every day. I have more or less a routine that’s really pretty simple, and I tend to rotate favorite products in and out, plus I like to try new things now and again.

I am also a big fan of DIY skincare and beauty products—I love to make my own bentonite clay mask, and I will also often make a little sugar scrub to exfoliate dry areas (like my lips) in the winter.

I also often make my own body oil, like this one, and I always have homemade dry shampoo in my bathroom cabinet as well. And here’s a link to my towel robe which comes in lots of colors.

Thanks for letting me share! I’d love to hear what your #1 favorite skincare product is—let me know in the comments. xo. Emma

First up is the Matcha Face Moisturizer created by Priscilla Tsai, founder of the brand Cocokind. This moisturizer is made with a combination of antioxidant-rich, organic matcha powder and green tea extract that’s specifically formulated for dry or mature skin. It’s a great pick-me-up when you need an extra dose of hydration. This unique formula blends in nicely and leaves skin feeling soft yet matte. Because of its green color, it also helps to balance the appearance of any redness or blotchiness. You can use this moisturizer on its own, or for an extra boost of hydration, I recommend layering it with a face oil.  

Speaking of oil, my go-to has been Ode to Self De Palma Hydrating + Clarifying Oil made by Nashville’s very own Kimberlee Alexandria. I have been using this nonstop since I first bought it. It’s very nourishing and smells beautiful. It’s made with a blend of oils like jojoba, squalane, black currant, evening primrose, and palmarosa that absorb quickly, leaving skin super hydrated and soft. Ingredients like sea buckthorn and rosehip work together to even out skin tone. All Ode to Self products are made to help simplify your beauty routine while soothing dry skin and combating hyperpigmentation. They’re also intentionally formulated with the needs of Black women in mind. 

In the winter time, I also like to use an oil on my body, so I’ve incorporated the Pink Moon Midnight Melody Body and Hair Oil by Lin Chen into my routine. This oil is made with sunflower seed, apricot kernel, and meadowfoam and scented with organic essential oils like tuberose and ylang-ylang. It’ll leave you smelling like a bouquet of flowers. I love a versatile multi-use product, and this oil can also be used as a bath oil or subtle perfume. Make sure to check out Pink Moon’s online store because not only does Chen make incredible beauty products, she also carries an entire collection of women-owned brands on a mission to change the beauty and wellness industry. 

Another multi-use product that I’ve been loving lately is the Honest Beauty Magic Balm. It’s unscented and made with a hydrating blend of olive, argan, and coconut oils as well as shea butter, so it’s very nourishing yet never greasy. You can use this stuff pretty much anywhere. I like to use it to soften dry lips and hydrate my cuticles, but you can use it to moisturize rough elbows or even apply it as a glossy highlight on cheeks or brow bones.

When I want to hydrate my lips and add a touch of color, I reach for the Pat McGrath Labs Lip Fetish Sheer Colour Balm in the shade Blow Up, which is a pretty, everyday peachy nude color that would look great on a variety of skin tones. This lip product glides on like a balm yet looks like a gloss. It’s very hydrating without being sticky. Pat McGrath’s line is technically not a clean beauty brand, however, most of the ingredients in this balm rate a three or under according to the EWG, so I’m comfortable using it. Plus, the packaging brings me so much joy. How cute is that gold lip detailing? I have the mini size but I know I’ll be upgrading to the full size once I finish this one. 

Last but not least, another go-to is the Lotus Moon Organic Honey Masque. Honey is a powerful natural humectant, according to the brand, meaning that it attracts and maintains moisture. It’s a great ingredient to nourish sensitive, irritated, or dry skin. This mask is gel-like so it never fully dries down. I leave it on for 20-30 minutes and when I wash it off, my skin feels soft, hydrated, and ready for the day.

Trying to choose low-waste brands? Check out my suggestions for my favorite 7 low-waste beauty brands!

What products have you been loving lately, friends? Feel free to share them in the comments below. I know I’ve added a few to my must-try list thanks to Elsie’s last skincare post. xo, Amanda

Credits // Author and Photography: Amanda Lopez. Photos edited with A Color Story Desktop.

Related: Check out our DIY Body Scrub-Ultimate Guide for more tips and recipes.

Supplies:
-1 cup of superfine caster sugar (I find it’s a little gentler on skin but any granulated sugar works)
–rosehip oil (jojoba oil or sweet almond oil work well too)
-1/4 cup dried rose and calendula flower petals, stems and leaves removed
–a jar or other container with a lid
Clean your container with soap and water then make sure it’s completely dry before adding the sugar (this keeps bacteria out so the scrub lasts longer!). Add a few droppers full of oil and stir it in. Add a little more at a time until the sugar looks like fluffy, wet sand. I used rosehip oil because it’s super moisturizing and is also said to even out skin tone and improve texture, but any facial oil works well.I blitzed a small handful of flower petals in a food processor until they were very fine, but you could also chop them by hand. Stir them into the sugar mixture and you’re done!I find that when I gently rinse the scrub off my face, some of the oil is left behind so my face feels glowy and moisturized in one step. And it smells so good! The scrub will last several weeks when stored in a cool, dark spot. I hope you enjoy treating yourself to this scrub, or a friend who could use a little self-care! xo Kayleigh

1. Guided Flame Co. Candles: When I want to elevate my bath or shower experience, I always light a candle. This season, I picked one up from Guided Flame Co. called Marigold Nights. This line was created by esthetician and skincare expert, Adina Diaz. She’s introduced me to so many amazing brands like Lotus Moon and Plain Jane Beauty, so when I learned that she was launching her very own candle line, I knew it would be good! Her candles are hand-poured, Reiki-attuned, and sound therapy-healed. Each coconut wax-based candle also comes with a mantra card and anointing oil (it smells so good, I actually use it as a perfume oil). Before you light the candle, you can set an intention and let go of anything that no longer serves you. 

2. Casa Luna Bath Shots: If I’ve had a particularly long day or my feet are really achy, I like to soak them in an Epsom salt bath. My go-to is the Casa Luna Bath Soaks. They come in eight different varieties like “Release,” “Dream,” “Chill,” or  “Focus,” each with ingredients to help the body detox and relax. I have a few Bath Shots in my bathroom, and they are a perfect one-time use salt soak infused with a variety of herbs and flowers that truly help me decompress. 

3. Maude Bubble Bath: There is something so fun and nostalgic about bubble baths. I don’t care how old I get, I will always love them. As a little kid, I used my mom’s shampoo to make bubbles, but now I use Maude Wash No 0. Created by Éva Goicochea, Maude is a modern-day sexual wellness company that makes everything from vibrators to bath soaks. Wash No. 0 is a body wash and bubble bath all in one. It’s unscented and PH-balanced, making it a great option for those with even the most sensitive skin. 

4. Nopalera Cactus Soap: Full disclosure: I learned about Nopalera earlier this year because I was hired to create the images for their website. Truth be told, though, I fell in love with the brand as soon as I set my eyes on it. I mean how cute is this cactus paddle soap? Created by artist and entrepreneur Sandra Velasquez, Nopalera harnesses the sustainable power of the cactus plant and infuses the nourishing ingredient into each product. The Flor de Mayo soap is my favorite. I love the intoxicating jasmine scent. It’s subtle yet lingers in the air after a shower, creating a spa-like feeling. This is a must-have for all my cactus lovers!     

5. House of Intuition Bath Bombs: If you’re a fan of bath bombs, check out House of Intuition. This metaphysical shop, founded by Marlene Vargas and Alex Naranjo, carries an assortment of crystals, candles, and books—as well as a collection of bath products. Their bath bombs come in seven 100% organic varieties that can be used in a tub or placed on a shower floor. They can help with everything from decompressing to calling more abundance into your life.                                               

6. Becalia Botanicals Bath Soak: Founded by Jazmin Guerrero, this Mexican-inspired line carries dreamy bath and beauty products for all your self-care needs. For a truly luxe bath time experience, I like to use Becalia Botanicals Coco Leche Milk Bath Soak. This soak is made with hydrating coconut milk powder and colloidal oats to help soothe dry and itchy skin. It’s also scented with vanilla, chamomile, and lavender. It smells absolutely divine—like fresh baked cookies! If you don’t have a tub, no worries. You can also use this to soak your feet or hands.

Any of these products would make a lovely gift for that special someone in your life (including yourself!). Please consider supporting one of these Latina-owned brands or any other small businesses in your community when you start your holiday shopping this year. Like my friend Raggedy Tiff says: “Shop small, support big dreams.” I’d love to hear what small businesses are on your list. Feel free to show your favorites some love in the comments section. Happy holidays, friends! -Amanda

Credits // Author and Photography: Amanda Lopez. Photos edited with A Color Story Desktop.

Pumpkin Spice Candle: I love the way a pumpkin spice candle can instantly make the house feel more festive, so it’s something I always buy this time of year. The candle I am burning now is by Mecca Candle Co., a 100% natural soy-based candle company located in Los Angeles. Created by Tomeka Hayes, the brand features more than 51 products. So if pumpkin spice isn’t your thing, she makes a ton of other great options like apple cinnamon vanilla, orange dream, and star jasmine. Her candles are produced in small batches using a mix of essential oils and natural, paraben-free fragrances. 

Herbal Supplement: When the leaves begin to change color, I love a warm and cozy drink. My go-to has been a matcha (green tea) latte made with Peak and Valley Nourish My Brain Blend. The company was co-founded by wellness entrepreneur Nadine Joseph to help folks stress less. The company carries three different blends made with healing adaptogen herbs like maca, ashwagandha, and cocoa that support overall skin, mind, and body health. With the holidays around the corner, we could all use a little time to decompress. 

Body Oil: This time of year calls for a luxe moisturizer, and Willow & Oak’s In the Raw Body Oil is just that. This blend of jojoba, avocado, rosehip, and tamanu oils is infused with vanilla (my favorite scent on the planet) frankincense, and myrrh to help refresh dehydrated skin. The brand’s founder, Nikki Mitchell, also makes out-of-this-world body butters with beautiful scents like cardamom and rose, and palo santo and vanilla that I will be stocking up on soon!

Body Scrub: I use a body scrub all year round because, TBH, my skin could always use some extra TLC. During this time of year though, I like to switch things up and use a fall-inspired scent, so The London Grant Co. Chai Spiced Latte Body Polish is perfect. Made in Atlanta by Tiffany Staten, this body scrub contains a blend of organic skin-loving ingredients like cinnamon, clove, black pepper, and ginger, as well as moisturizing coconut oil and organic sugar to exfoliate. My skin feels super smooth and hydrated after every use. Plus, it leaves my bathroom smelling like a bakery. YUM! 

Soap: I am always on the hunt for products with turmeric in them because it’s such a beneficial skincare ingredient. It’s packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe dry, irritated, or acne-prone skin. So naturally, I was really excited when I learned that my favorite market, Larayia’s Bodega, makes a handmade turmeric soap. For all of the readers outside of L.A., Larayia’s Bodega is a grocery store that is all about accessibility to organic food, so most things, from homemade meals to organic snacks, costs $5 or less. I love that when you buy something from the bodega, whether it’s the turmeric soap or one of its many delicious vegan elixirs, you are helping to support the market’s Lunch on Me Initiative, which provides free organic meals to the underserved, veteran, and homeless communities in L.A., Hawaii, and N.Y. Doing a little self-care this season just feels that much better when you’re also supporting Black-owned businesses—and the community.  

These are just a few of my autumn staples. I’d love to know what brings you joy this season! -Amanda

Credits // Author and Photography: Amanda Lopez. Photos edited with A Color Story Desktop.

Purpl & Prosper – Purpl & Prosper is a Pasadena-based company and one of the first brands I discovered when I moved to Southern California. The brand was created by esthetician Taianne Eiland after years of struggling with cystic acne. During this process, she discovered the power of keeping skincare ingredients simple and natural, which completely transformed her skin.

Purpl & Prosper offers a complete line of skin and bath products ranging from deodorant sprays to face serums and cleaners. My personal favorite is her Goat Milk Soap. She makes two varieties: one that is super hydrating and a second version that is more clarifying. The Goat Milk and Activated Charcoal soap is a multi-use product that can be used on both the face and body. The charcoal helps gently detox skin while the goat’s milk and coconut oil help to retain the skin’s moisture. Pro tip: This soap also makes a great weekly underarm cleansing wash.

Lotus Moon – Lotus Moon was created by scholar and skin care expert Lake Louise 18 years ago, before green beauty was even a genre in the industry. So, she was truly one of the early pioneers of this movement. She makes the best plant-based skin care for consumers as well as a complete line of professional-grade skincare for estheticians and spas (which is where I was initially introduced to the line).

I’ve really enjoyed everything I’ve tried from Lotus Moon, but my absolute favorite product has to be the Lemon Poppy Seed Foaming Powder Cleanser. This super gentle exfoliating powder is made with 100% natural and organic ingredients like stoneground corn, lemon powder, jojoba, and poppy seeds. To use it, you simply mix with water and scrub.

Personally, I like to sprinkle a little in my gel cleansers a few times a week to super charge the formula. I have oily textured skin, so I use this every other day and my skin feels so smooth and perfectly prepped after every use. I also love that a little goes a long way! My last bottle lasted me almost a full year, so it’s a great value. If you’re looking for a new physical exfoliator to add to your skincare regime, I can’t recommend this one enough.

Half Hippy– This eco-conscious lifestyle and beauty brand was created by besties Upahar Rana and Marian Miranda in New York City. This unisex brand is all about celebrating inclusion and sustainable plant-powered beauty. Their products are made with all natural and organic ingredients. They also give back by donating products to health care workers and proceeds to BLM and the LGBTQI community.

Another thing I love about Half Hippy is that they have the best names for their products, like Pit Police (their deodorant), The Terminator (a muscle rub) and my personal favorite, Gem N’Juice. This hydrating mist is made with Bulgarian rose hydrosol, aloe and prickly pear. Each bottle also contains a rose quartz to promote heart chakra energy. I use this mist on my face after cleansing and whenever I need a little refreshing midday pick me up.

Quetzalli Skincare– Esthetician Adriana Ugalde wanted to create a line of non-toxic skincare and cosmetics that merged her passion for self-care while celebrating her indigenous Mexican roots. The word Quetzalli is a Nahuatl word meaning something beautiful or precious. Ingredients like chia, cactus, amaranth, agave, and arnica are just some of the ancient ingredients found in her products that were once used by the Aztec and Mayan empires.

My go-to product in the line is the Jamaica Rose Night Serum. It smells so yummy and reminds me of my favorite summer beverage—hibiscus iced tea! Jamaica (or hibiscus) is packed with antioxidants which help fight skin damaging free radicals. It’s also a natural source of AHA which helps gently exfoliate the skin. Because of this, some people call Jamaica the ultimate anti-aging plant, or even consider it a natural alternative to Botox. I love how moisturized my skin feels when I use it and would recommend it to anyone looking to add a hydrating serum to their skin care routine.

EleVen– My go to sunscreen this summer has been Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35 by Venus Williams. Yes, as in the legendary tennis player, Venus Williams. Venus created this inclusive and environmentally-friendly mineral sunscreen for all skin types and tones.

I really like the serum’s unique liquid to satin finish formula because it’s completely weightless and fully absorbs into the skin, leaving no white cast. It’s also hydrating so I skip the moisturizer and apply it right after my toner. I often wear it alone, but it also layers really nicely under foundation. This SPF serum is, dare I say, a grand slam! I would expect nothing less from Miss Venus.

These are just a few of my favorite brands that I love that are made by women of color. And there are so many more out there. In the coming months, I hope to share even more incredible brands with you. In the meantime, if you feel called to diversify your own skincare regimens and makeup bags, I encourage you to do your own research and actively seek out BIPOC-owned brands that align with your values.

In the past few years, there’s definitely a growing awareness and demand for clean beauty, so it’s easier to find at major retailers. I’m also encouraged that these same retailers are now committing to diversifying their shelves through initiatives like the 15% Pledge. But, remember, we don’t have to wait for these markets to catch up. We can take matters into our own hands as consumers and actively support diversity in beauty by supporting BIPOC-owned brands directly. I encourage you to check out these brands, discover more on your own, and then tell your friends! In fact, start right here. Feel free to leave a comment with your favorite beauty brands made by women of color to share with the ABM community. -Amanda

Credits // Author and Photography: Amanda Lopez.

This little chore is usually seen as kind of a pain, but once you commit to it, it can be a very soothing, satisfying, and intentional part of your beauty routine.

How often should you clean your makeup brushes?

Dermatologists recommend cleaning your brushes out at least once every 7-10 days, especially for your most-used brushes like foundation and concealer.

Why should you clean your makeup brushes?

Over time, brushes accumulate product, dead skin cells, and oils which can lead to bacteria in your brushes. This bacteria and debris can clog your pores and result in breakouts.

Once bristles are clean, they can more smoothly apply product—and who doesn’t love a flawless application?! Of course, one great benefit of keeping those bristles clean is it will prolong the life of your brushes.

How do I clean my brushes?

Step 1: Gather all your brushes together.

Step 2: Grab your favorite brush cleaner. This DIY for a solid cleaner is one of my favorites, but any gentle soap or shampoo will work. I especially love this Puracy soap.

Step 3: Dip your brush in water, being careful not to submerge the “ferule,” or the metal part that connects the bristles to the brush. Getting this wet can dilute the glue that holds the bristles to the brush and it can also breed bacteria.

Step 4: If using a solid cleaner, swirl your brush around the solid several times. If using a liquid cleaner, pump a very small drop into your hand and swirl in your hand. You’ll probably see product start to appear in your suds.

Step 5: Rinse in water, and maybe repeat if you see that there’s still some dirty water.

Step 6: Reshape your brush by squeezing it gently and shaping with your fingers, and lay it flat to dry.

That’s it! These steps literally take MINUTES and make such a big difference.

Bonus tips:

I learned this tip at Sephora for when you need to disinfect brushes quickly. Spray a little bit of alcohol onto a towel and brush back and forth until you don’t see product coming off anymore.

You can find these clever little brush mats to swirl your soapy brushes on. The texture helps draw out product!

Hope this has been helpful. Happy cleaning! xo Keely