Beauty – Page 2 – Unlikely Martha

Beauty• Feature

Self-Care: How to Pamper Yourself at Home

This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Philips.”

I love a good cliche, they are always so simplistic, yet tell a whole lot of truth. The one we’ll be discussing today is, “It’s the small things.”

As women, as beings who too often take it on ourselves to see that perfection is in place for everyone else, we owe it to ourselves to make the everything day things we use just a tad bit fancy. I mean, it’s just a small way of acknowledging that we too deserve nice things.

I won’t include y’all, I’ll speak for myself. I’m really good for just grabbing the things that will get the job done instead of splurging on them. It will always be, one day I’m going to get me an XYZ.

Spoiler alert: Very often, someday never comes.

Let’s take razors for example. I grab what I see, not taking into account how life changing shaving my underarms and legs with a fancy razor could be… until I got a Philips SatinShave Advanced. The product is in fact fancy AND convenient, you can pick one up at Amazon. If you do, use the promocode SATINSHAVE for 10% off.

Unlike the bootleg razors I was using before, this one didn’t give me any cuts or nicks, the hair was gone with one swipe, and the best part is it just made me feel a little grown-up! I’m telling you, it’s the small things, those small indulgences that we can do from the comfort of our homes that can make all the difference.

Pampering ourselves doesn’t have to be a big deal, it could be taking a weekend day to lay around and do nothing, hang out with a friend, or in my case treating yourself to an at-home day of pampering complete with a little fancy grooming with a Philips SatinShave Advanced razor.

Here are a few other ways you can pamper yourself at home:

Read a book
Paint your fingernails
Take a nap
Take a walk
Take time to indulge in a craft or hobby that you enjoy

How do you practice self-care at home?

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Beauty• Feature

My Fave Skincare Products + Skincare Routine Video

Everything hits different when you turn 40. Overnight, I found myself concerned with under-eye circles, elasticity, free radicals, serums, masks, moisturizers, glycolic peels, and all things skincare.

I started to notice a shift in my skin type some time last year and toward the end of the year really started getting serious about getting it in it’s best shape.

Can’t be out here 40 and looking haggard, especially when my forehead started feeling like an alligator’s skin for lack of a better reference.

It’s taken some time but I have finally nailed down a system that works for me. I know there are a lot of high dollar skin products on the market, and I own a few but I find that my more affordable ones, while not as luxurious also get the job done. Those are the ones I’m sharing today.

Luckily I don’t have sensitive skin because I will try anything once, that’s exactly how I found out that the cure-all, known as coconut oil was horrible for my skin. HORRIBLE.

You know your skin better than I do, mine leans more to the dryer side, but reading the reviews on these products lends me to believe that they can actually work with various types of skin. Do your own research.

Some of these are affiliate links… if you purchase, I make a little change. Carry on.

Cetaphil https://amzn.to/2NwrCwZ
Erno Laszlo Detoxifying Cleansing Oil https://amzn.to/2KY7xyh
L’oreal Sunscreen oil https://amzn.to/2ZslYhZ
Jade roller https://amzn.to/324hcsM
Mario Badescu https://amzn.to/2L88OS1
Hada Labo Moisturizer https://amzn.to/2ZdnJEm
Dermalogica Antioxidant Hydramist https://www.dermalogica.com/antioxidant-hydramist/55,default,pd.html?start=0&q=hydramist
Overnight Recovery Serum https://amzn.to/2KVmNvH
Merle Norman Revitalizing Bubbly Mask http://merlenorman.com/product-detail/face-skin/mask/revitalizing-bubbly-mask
Facial Buff Sponges https://www.target.com/p/facial-buff-sponges-12ct-up-38-up-8482/-/A-11008845
Vitamin C Serum (similar) https://amzn.to/31YbqJ4
Smartly Unscented Facial Cleanser https://www.target.com/p/unscented-facial-cleansing-wipes-30ct-smartly-153/-/A-75557145

I know, these are a lot of products, and no I don’t use them all at once. In my latest YouTube video, I go in-depth on how I use these products, how often I use them, and which one is under $15 and hands down the best skincare product I think I’ve ever used.

Head over and watch, and I’d love it if you hit the subscribe button!

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Beauty• Feature• Living

The Natural Deodorant Learning Curve

My friends at Nubian Heritage sent me their new aluminum free deodorant line. I’m happy to share it with you!

I’m going to keep it all the real, the first time I tried natural deodorant, I was like nope, this isn’t going to work. Sis was funky, not to mention I was sweating under my arms… like could feel the water dripping sweating, and it was driving me absolutely crazy.

After reading up on the dangers of aluminum found in traditional deodorants I decided to give it another try, ~~but I still drink soda~~. I’m still not completely comfortable with the “sweatiness” under my arms but I’m getting used to it. To be honest, I keep an extra deodorant in my car and purse along with some wipes for the days when the sweatiness needs a little readjustment. However, I will say I’ve had to dip in the secret stash less and less as my body adjusts.

I’ve heard similar sentiments from other people who have made the switch, and “can’t do it”. Nubian Heritage sent me a few samples from their aluminum-free 24 hour deodorant line and they enclosed a few tips on making the transition from an antiperspirant to a natural deodorant. Had I known a few of these tips when I was starting my transition, I may not have started over, and over, and over again.

Nubian Heritage has quite an assortment of scents in their aluminum free line, my faves are African Black Soap and Coconut & Papaya. You can find them at Walmart or online at NubianHeritage.com

Listen, I’m not saying these tips will make the transition easier, but at least you’ll know to push through and things will get better.

Be okay with sweating! Yes, you read that right, especially under the arms. It is your body’s way of releasing toxins and helps cool your body.
Wear natural fibers like cotton and silk. When the temps are high, these fabrics will keep you cool.
Drink a lot of water when transitioning. It will flush your system, and keep you hydrated.
You know your body best, however, it is recommended you not wear deodorant for a few days to give your body time to rid itself of the aluminum before moving to a natural deodorant.
Use a clay mask on your underarm area once a week to remove dead skin that can trap odor.
Be patient, give your body time to adjust. You may experience more sweating during the transition but after 2-3 weeks you should return to feeling normal.

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Beauty

Video Tutorial |How to Do Box Braids

I don’t even know when or how I learned to braid. I know for a fact my mother didn’t teach me, because she couldn’t braid that well. I suppose I taught myself at a young age. My doll’s hair use to be LAID.

Being an only child can get lonely.

When I got to college one of my old roommates knew how to braid hair as well. She taught me how to braid with extensions and it was on an popping from there. We would tag team on doing micro braids. She’d take one side and I’d take the other. Let’s just say we made quite a bit of pizza and shopping money.

I actually enjoy braiding hair. It’s calming, unfortunately, I don’t always have the time to do intricate styles on Addison so when I get a free moment I like to put a protective style on her. Recently I gave her some box braids to give my mornings a rest. I’ve had people ask how I braid so I thought I’d do a quick tutorial video.

Let me say, this tutorial is not for beginners. You will need to know how to braid hair a little. The key to braiding with extensions is to keep the hair right at your fingertips, that will keep the braid nice and tight. I know it sounds easier said than done, but with a little practice you can do it!

In the video, I highlight how to hold the hair and the simple process that connects the extensions with the real hair. I hope something in this video helps. If you become a braiding guru after watching this, holler at me and let me know!

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel! ( hover over my profile pic below and the subscribe box will appear.) I post content over there that doesn’t always make it to the blog like speed cleans of my sometimes messy house.

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