My Top 5 Summer Fragrances ☀️

Y’all know I love a pleasing fragrance, and summer is quickly approaching, so grab a few while you can. I’ll preface this by saying you may see a pattern here. I love gourmand fragrances - ones that smell edible and sweet! 

Sidenote, are you following my fragrance page, if not you should be — @selfcarewnat

Here are my top 5 fragrances that you’ll catch me wearing:

The 7 Virtues -  Coconut Sun

Coconut Sun is one of the newest in my collection, but it’s exactly what I needed. It has a creamy, water-like scent to it. Fresh without coming off too clean but sweet without being overpowering. It’s summer in a bottle!

Fragrance Family: Fresh

Scent Type: Fresh Solar

Key Notes: Coconut, Frangipani, Vanilla

Fragrance Description: This irresistibly delicious perfume is a dreamy holiday in a bottle with enticing notes of coconut water, frangipani, fresh citrus, crisp sea salt, and gourmand vanilla. Infused with sustainably sourced jasmine from Egypt and upcycled rose, it supports the building of a water project in Ethiopia.

Tom Ford - Soleil Blanc 

She’s pricey but worth it; I highly recommend smelling it before you blind buy. When I wear this fragrance, I feel like I’m wearing nothing with a lot of something! It’s powerful but understated. You’ll get a whiff but want more. It’s a head-turner for sure, and it gives “I belong on a yacht somewhere.”

Fragrance Family: Warm & Spicy

Scent Type: Warm & Sweet Gourmands

Key Notes: Coco de Mer, Ylang Ylang Comores Islands, Cardamom

Fragrance Description: The Soleil Blanc Eau de Parfum is an addictive solar, floral amber, and coco-de-mer-infused perfume. It is alive with seductive cardamom and refreshingly rich ylang-ylang and unapologetically exudes the endless pursuit of sun and luxury.

Ellis Brooklyn - Sun Fruit

Sun Fruit is my girl! When I’m headed out for the day, I put this on to feel pretty and flirty. It’s the perfect sundress fragrance or catch me on the beach. You’ll get all the feels wearing this.

Fragrance Family: Floral

Scent Type: Fruity Floral

Key Notes: Fresh Fig, Handpicked Jasmine, Vanilla Planifolia

Fragrance Description: Inspired by tan lines, ripe fruit, and bare skin, this fragrance is a creamy and unapologetic blend of fresh fig, bergamot, handpicked jasmine, cyclamen, coconut, and vanilla. Addictive and aspirational, it's the kind of scent that inspires vacation daydreams.

Kayali - Pistachio Gelato 33
After seeing so many mixed reviews, I waited to purchase this fragrance, but I know what I like and wish I had pulled the plug sooner. Kayali’s Pistachio Gelato is Sherbert ice cream that’s slowly melting. It’s insanely delicious and has a beautiful dry down. It sits on the skin and leaves a gorgeous lingering scent.

Fragrance Family: Warm & Spicy

Scent Type: Warm & Sweet Gourmands

Key Notes: Pistachio Gelato, Cotton Candy, Whipped Cream

Fragrance Description: YUM PISTACHIO GELATO | 33 EDP INTENSE is a delicious combination of rich, nutty pistachio and hazelnut, blended with rum that wraps you in warmth and sweetness—while delectable and fluffy whipped cream, marshmallow, and cotton candy intertwine to sugary indulgence. A truly yummy fragrance that charms with an unforgettable gourmand scent trail that will have you smelling good enough to eat.

Valentino Born in Roma - Coral Fantasy 

Coral Fantasy was a summer staple last year, and I still love it. It’s a bright, fruity floral! My nose is instantly hit with orange and kiwi and settles into a creamy jasmine note. It’s a must-try!

Fragrance Family: Floral

Scent Type: Fruity Floral

Key Notes: Orange, Jasmine, Rose

Fragrance Description: The coral sky of Rome inspires a floral, fruity perfume twisted by a bright and juicy orange accord, heightened by rose fragrance, and infused with jasmine to create Donna Born in Roma Coral Fantasy Eau de Parfum.

And because you guys are my people, I’m throwing in a bonus fragrance! It’s not as sweet as others, but it reminds me of summer, sipping Pina Coladas poolside!

Bonus:

Mugler Alien Goddess 

Alien Goddess is bold at the first spray, you’re hit with coconut and vanilla, but it quickly settles into a beautiful tropical scent that lingers for hours. 

Fragrance Family: Florals

Scent Type: Warm Florals

Key Notes: Bergamot Essence, Jasmine Grandiflorum, Bourbon Vanilla

Fragrance Description: This warm floral women's scent pairs a divine base of vanilla perfume with jasmine from India overlaid by a burst of fresh Italian bergamot, creating a radiant floral bouquet of notes fit for a goddess.

Hair Update | I've Gone Natural Again...

It’s been a long time since I’ve done a hair update, and rightfully so. I haven’t done much to it, BUT some things have changed. I decided to go natural - again. It’s been almost 2 years since I cut my hair. It was a total impulse decision, but I tend to do this often. If I don’t take care of my hair, it breaks off and starts to fall out. I can’t take the shedding and decide to chop it off.

While I enjoyed my relaxed hair, I just didn’t have the ability to maintain it. I’ve slowly realized that when my mental health is in the dumps, my hair suffers. During my last cut, I decided that if I don’t take care of my hair while it’s relaxed, what’s the point in continuing to relax it? So chop chop!

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My Big Chop August 2021

The first few months were easy, but as my hair grew out, it felt difficult to maintain, and all of the negative feelings came flooding back to me. When the natural hair movement occurred nearly 10 years ago, many people were reluctant to accept it. They felt that natural black hair wasn’t acceptable. It wasn’t seen as kept or beautiful. Could I really go to work with my hair in an Afro? What would they say? I already get the side eye when I change my hair. That created a new type of anxiety I didn’t want to deal with. Now, we have things like The Crown Act to help change the conversation surrounding black women's hair in the workplace.

On top of that, I didn’t feel like my texture was as nice as others. I didn’t have the cute curls. My hair is kinky and coily - often seen as “bad.” It seems as though only a certain type of natural hair is accepted - even within my family. 

Fast forward to now, I feel ready to embrace my natural hair. I want to rock my natural twist, braid outs, and more without feeling like my hair isn’t good enough. I’m constantly teaching my daughters to embrace their natural hair, but I struggle. I want us to love our kinks and coils. We are always taught how difficult our hair is to manage but never how beautiful it is.

It is my belief that if we learn how to care for our hair, we can watch it thrive. My goal is to start checking out a variety of hair care products to see which ones work best for me. I want to learn to style my hair in different ways, and maybe just maybe, I will finally learn how to cornrow. Wish me luck!

If you have any suggestions for products for my 4c hair, please let me know. I’m open to trying things!

Have You Loved On Yourself Lately? Try a Boudoir Photoshoot!

Have you ever asked yourself if you really love you? I haven’t, but in the last year, I’ve taken a deep dive into self-discovery and healing. I’ve experienced so many things in my short life that have led me to this point. As I was casually scrolling on TikTok a few months ago, I saw a lady sharing her story about coming to terms with the fact that she didn’t love herself because if she did, she wouldn’t treat herself the way that she does. That post hit home on so many levels. I started questioning myself, asking myself, “If I really loved myself like I loved everyone else, wouldn’t I treat myself better?”

I am determined to make my mental and physical health a priority.

2023 is all about loving myself correctly! I am learning to step out of my comfort zone and go for it. From a very young age, I struggled with my weight. I was always known as the “big girl.” I was told to cover up and that I couldn’t wear the same clothes as other girls my age. It always made me feel like something was wrong with me and my body.

In 2011, I underwent a major spinal surgery that left me with a scar along my back, and for an extra touch of razzle-dazzle, I got my first set of stretch marks. Talk about a blow to the self-esteem department! I used to search for ways that I could cover up my scar and dreamed of the day that I would be able to hide mine. It wasn’t until I was introduced to this amazing young woman that taught me that there is life after surgery and it’s okay to embrace my scar.

After three babies and going through ups and down with my weight, my body has changed so much. I had to get honest with myself - if I never lose or gain another pound, I need to be happy with what I see in the mirror: stretch marks, rolls, cellulite, the whole package. 

Birthdays are a big deal for me, and this year I struggled with finding my “big” thing or gift after stumbling upon a post from Nikki Morgan Photography announcing her mini boudoir sessions; I instantly knew that it was for me. I have been a fan of her boudoir work for a few years now, but I was so afraid that it wasn’t for me. I worried that I wouldn’t look as good as her other clients. I finally said YOLO, gifted myself a boudoir photo shoot for my birthday, and figured it would also make an excellent gift for our wedding anniversary!

I needed to see myself in a new light. I needed to see the beauty in myself again because I am worth it! My body deserves to be loved in every season.  I decided to step out and go for it to honor me and celebrate my body at this size. To my plus-size girlies that think boudoir photography isn’t for us - it is. Our bodies deserve to take up space!

Nikki was fantastic and truly helped to ease my fears. I can’t imagine doing this with a better person. She allowed me to feel comfortable and confident! This experience changed how I saw myself, and my husband loved how the images turned out. For once, I was able to see myself through his eyes.

Check out more of Nikki’s work below!

What is boudoir photography?

To me, boudoir photography is what you make it. Whether you’re more of a pinup-style girl or want to pull out the lingerie, there is a place for you. The word boudoir derives from a French word that means a woman’s private salon. Boudoir photos are usually taken in a private setting and designed just for women, but depending on the photographer, they may be open to working with couples.

Boudoir photography can get a bad rap for being explicit or too spicy, but I think it’s all about how YOU view yourself and the intention behind the photos. Every woman is beautiful and deserves to feel that way. It’s an empowering experience.

If you’re ready to step out of your comfort zone and see how beautiful you truly are, I highly suggest booking a session today!  Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, getting married, or want something just for you – a boudoir session needs to be on the list! 

Friendly reminder - your body is already perfect! 

The Best Zara Perfume Dupes

I purchased all of these fragrances online via the Zara website. Occasionally they update their fragrances so I did not link them.

I have become obsessed with perfumes lately -  but I’m okay with it. I’ve heard all of the Tiktok girlies talking about Zara perfumes, and at that price point of under $30 for 3.4 oz, I knew I had to see what all the fuss was about. So far, I’ve bought eight perfumes - yikes and have another pending stock!

So what’s a dupe perfume? A dupe perfume is a fragrance for half the price of the designer or name brand fragrance. Sometimes, you’ll hear them called inspired fragrances, and the brand will list which perfume they took inspiration from. It’s honestly a hit or miss sometimes, but you have to decide what’s important to you, i.e., price, longevity, or brand name.

Apple Juice - Chanel Chance Eau Tendre

Apple Juice is a light and refreshing scent, perfect for the springtime! The fragrance quickly turns into a skin scent after 1-2 hours but with layering and reapplying, you can enjoy this fragrance all day. 

*I have never smelled Chanel Chance Eau Tendre to know if it’s 100% dupe, but it gets a lot of love in the fragrance community.

Gardenia - YSL Black Opium 

At first, I did not think this was a dupe at all. I was upset when I bought it because I wanted to smell the coffee and vanilla notes in this fragrance, and I just didn’t smell them. I had to revisit this fragrance after a few weeks, and my nose changed completely, it doesn’t smell like Black Opium at first spray, but the dry down is the same. I would recommend purchasing a travel size of YSL Black Opium to have the best of both worlds and use them together. 

Femme - Dior Hypnotic Poison 

Femme is very soft, feminine, and sweet with hints of vanilla; while it lacks longevity, you can easily decant this fragrance and carry a travel atomizer for touch-ups! 

Orchid - Victoria's Secret Bombshell 

Light and floral, this fragrance is beautiful but lacks longevity and, on my skin, quickly faded.

Red Vanilla - Lancome La Vie Est Belle

Red Vanilla is a great dupe - at initial spray, you wouldn’t think these fragrances smell anything alike, but the dry down is spot on but a tad lighter. On the skin, it lasts about 4 hours, one of the best I’ve tried so far. 

Tropical Boost - Marc Jacobs Perfect 

Save your money and buy the dupe - Tropical Boost is spot on for Perfect. They smell exactly alike and even last for similarly. I couldn’t tell the difference in longevity for either, I highly recommend saving your money unless you want the pretty bottle. 

Which perfume would you purchase? If you enjoy this type of content join me over on Instagram.