Brown Girl Friendly Sunscreen | No White Cast: Get Sun Protection Without the Chalky Residue

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Hey, sis, you need to wear sunscreen! I know, I know, we think that we have melanin and we don’t need to wear sunscreen, but that’s not true. Sunscreen is an essential part of any skincare routine, but it can be frustrating to deal with a white cast—that chalky residue that some sunscreens leave behind on your skin.

This is especially true for people like us with darker skin tones, as the white cast can leave us looking very ashy.

 
 

Fortunately, there are now a number of sunscreens on the market that are formulated to be non-comedogenic and leave no white cast. These sunscreens typically use physical blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are less likely to leave a white cast than chemical blockers like oxybenzone and avobenzone. I’ve spent some time over the last few years exploring which ones actually do what they claim and I want to share them with you.

When choosing a sunscreen with no white cast, it's important to look for a product that is:

  • Non-comedogenic: This means that the sunscreen won't clog your pores.

  • Broad-spectrum: This means that the sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

  • SPF 30 or higher: This is the minimum SPF that dermatologists recommend for everyday use.

Here are a few of my top picks for sunscreens they will leave no white cast:

*Bonus Body Sunscreen 

If you're looking for a sunscreen that provides effective sun protection without leaving a white cast, one of these products is sure to fit the bill. When I’m wearing makeup I tend to go for an SPF only, and the days that I want to go makeup free; I opt for a moisturizer + SPF combo.

If you try any of these or have others, let me know. I’d love to know what your favorite sunscreen is.


T3Micro Hair Tools: A Review of the Best Products for Natural Hair

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T3Micro is a professional hair tool brand that offers a wide range of high-quality products. Their tools are best known for their innovative design, advanced technology, and exceptional performance. As a black woman with natural 4C hair, it’s essential that I know if these products are worth our coins and if they’ll actually work on our thick, coarse hair. Below are a few of my favorite products.

1. T3 Micro FEATHERWEIGHT STYLEMAX

The T3 Micro Featherweight Stylemax Dryer is a lightweight and powerful hair dryer that is perfect for all hair types. It features a powerful motor that dries hair quickly and evenly, and it has multiple heat and speed settings so you can customize your drying experience. The dryer also comes with a concentrator attachment for precision styling.

2. T3 Micro Lucea 1.5 Flat Iron

The T3 Micro Lucea 1.5 Flat Iron was made for me! It was specially made for those with thick and coarse hair to give a sleek, flat result in one pass. It heats quickly and has 9 heat settings to provide you with the ultimate results. See this flat iron in action here.

3. T3 Micro Switch Kit Curl Trio

The T3 Micro Switch Kit Curl Trio is perfect for creating a variety of curls, and it is great no matter the length of your hair. From tight ringlets to loose waves you can achieve it by switching out the barrel. It features interchangeable barrels in three sizes, and it has five heat settings so you can customize your curls. The curling iron also comes with a heat-resistant glove for added safety. 

4. T3 Micro Airebrush 

The T3 Micro AireBrush is a beast and designed to give you a salon worthy blowout every time. However, you must read the instructions. Your hair should not be soaking wet when using this tool. I like to apply my heat protectant and section my hair while letting it air dry and stretch before going in with the tool. I was so amazed at how well it stretched my natural 4c hair. It does take a little practice, but once you get the hang of it - AMAZING! 


Overall, these tools have been a game changer in helping me achieve the styles I desire. With natural hair, it can be extremely tricky to know what products and tools will be worth the investment. So when I know, I’m happy to share! 

My Natural Hair Journey: Still Going Strong in 2024

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I've been on my natural hair journey for over three years now, and I'm loving it more and more every day. My hair is healthier, stronger, and more beautiful than it's ever been. I’ve learned so much about myself and hair through this process. I’ve also learned a thing or two, and per request, (via my Instagram poll) here we are.

In the beginning, I struggled with transitioning from relaxed to natural hair. I didn't know how to care for my hair properly, and I was constantly frustrated with the results. So, I said forget it, let’s cut it all off. My hair was breaking off, I was under an enormous amount of stress and depression was wreaking havoc in my life.


For the first year, I still didn’t take care of my hair. I really didn’t know what to do. I washed it and detangled it, and constantly kept it wrapped up. Then I moved to protective styles - my go to box braids and wigs.



What have I learned?


One of the most important things I've learned is that you have to learn what your hair likes. I noticed that my hair showed characteristics of being low porosity and I started trying travel sized products before purchasing full sized versions not knowing if I would like them or not. 


I’ve also learned that natural 4c hair can curl, I never thought my hair would turn into beautiful wet looking curls. I love rocking a wash and go when I have time to “do the wash and go” process. 



My Favorite Curly Products:

The doux honey line

Pattern Beauty - Hydration Shampoo, Heavy Conditioner, Jojoba Oil Blend, and Edge Control 

Camille Rose - Almond Jai Twisting Butter; perfect for juicy twists.   

The Doux - Mousse Def Texture Foam, Big Poppa Define Gel, Crazy Sexy Curl Foam, Bee Girl Curl Enhancer 


My Favorite Straight Hair Products:


Olaplex: Hair Perfector, Maintenance Bonder Shampoo, Bond Maintenance Conditioner, Bonding Oil

T3 Micro Hair Tools: T3 FEATHERWEIGHT STYLEMAX, Airbrush One Step, Curl Trio Kit, Lucea Flat Iron




Overall, I'm so grateful for my natural hair journey. It's been a journey of self-discovery and self-love. I've learned so much about myself and my hair, and I'm more confident than ever.


If you're thinking about going natural, I encourage you to try it, especially if you don't wear your hair out anyway, what’s the point in relaxing it. I’m always going to be team, ‘Do what you like’ and what makes you feel like the best version of yourself. 




Fresh Floral Fragrances for Women

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If you’re looking for a new fragrance and enjoy fresh florals, you’re in the right place! If you’re not sure, I can still help, but I recommend that you check out my beginner’s guide first!  

Fresh floral fragrances are perfect for women who want to smell clean, natural, and feminine. They are often light and airy, with a touch of sweetness. Some of the most popular fresh floral fragrances for women include:

These fragrances are all perfect for everyday wear, and they can also be dressed up for special occasions. They are all long-lasting, so you can enjoy their fresh scent all day long.

If you are looking for a fresh floral fragrance that is unique and special, there are many options to choose from. You can find fragrances that feature different types of flowers, such as roses, lilies, jasmine, and peonies. You can also find fragrances that combine floral notes with other scents, such as citrus, woods, or spices.

No matter what your taste, there is sure to be a fresh floral fragrance that you will love. So go ahead and experiment until you find the perfect one for you. One of my favorite things to do is go fragrance shopping. Take advantage of samples and enjoy smelling fragrances at the store. You’ll be surprised what you like. If you’re not a big fan of shopping in stores and feel the pressure to purchase, stores often offer sample packs with a discount to purchase the full size of the chosen bottle.

You may enjoy the Skylar Clean Beauty Dreamy Discovery Kit.

Here are a few tips for choosing a fresh floral fragrance:

  • Consider your skin type. If you have oily skin, you may want to choose a fragrance that is not too heavy or sweet.

  • Think about the occasion. If you are looking for a fragrance to wear to work, you may want to choose something more subtle.

  • Experiment with different fragrances. Don't be afraid to try different fragrances until you find one that you love. Write down notes that you enjoy. Start paying attention to similar fragrances you enjoy and see if they have any similarities. 

With so many great fresh floral fragrances to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect one for you. So go ahead and start your search today! Stay updated on my fragrance find by following me on my fragrance Instagram.