Fly Funky Diva

Soft Feet and Skin with Goats Milk!

2010-07-13T05:55:00.000-07:00

Hey Divas,

I have a cheap, easy and effective home remedy for you if you want glowing, touchable skin and soft feet.You can purchase canned goats milk at your local grocer. It will likely be in the same aisle as the condensed milk.

First, for the foot soak.
Combine goats milk, sweet almond oil, and hot water in a basin (or sink as I like to do). You could also use coconut, avocado, jojoba, or olive oil. Try a Whole Foods if you're not sure where to find these. Soak feet for at least fifteen minutes. If you calluses or rough skin, you can rub your feet with a pumice stone or callus remover. However, never use a razor on your calluses because they'll come back with a vengeance.

After your feet are beautiful and soft, keep them moisturized. Curel makes a nice deep-penetrating foot cream.

Now, for the skin scrub.

Pour a generous amount of sea salt in a bowl. Saturate the sea salt with goats milk until the mixture is lightly slushy, not soupy. Does this make sense? The exfoliant should be thick. Then add sweet almond oil. And mix. You don't even need gloves for this. You can scoop the mixture into your hands and rub onto your limbs. I like to use it (in the tub) before showering, or on damp skin. It works best that way. The result is skin that is silky and glowing.

Happy scrubbing,

Ike

Fab Affordable Products: Relaxing Bubble Baths

2009-01-16T02:54:00.000-08:00

Hey divas,

My form of meditation is the night time bath. Sometimes it's rough on my edges but at least four nights a week I like to light a candle, play some nice music, and fill my tub up with steamy bubbles. Not only does it help me relax and thus sleep better, but its great for reflection and-- my pores! Steam is the answer to great skin.

Nevertheless, I wanted to share with you some great and affordable bath elixirs that really set the mood.

Johnson and Johnson's "Melt Away Stress" Body Wash- This product contains J&J's exclusive aromasoothe fragrance with hints of chamomile and lavender, a winning combo in aromatherapy for relaxation. It is marketed as a body wash that you can use in the shower, but it makes an incredible rich and moisturizing bubble bath. It sells for a little over 6 bucks, depending on where you get it, and will last even a bath crazy person like myself a good three weeks. I always have a great sleep after bathing in this stuff.

Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy Luxury Bath in "Black Currant Vanilla" makes me feel like the sexiest woman alive-- even if it's just me in the house! It is a fantastic sensual fragrance grounded in notes of black currant and vanilla with an almost hypnotic combination of pumpkin, rosemary, and patchouli. I'm telling you, this is one masterpiece of a scent (totally needs to be an eau de parfum) and it relaxes me and just goes to my head! It's also fabulously moisturizing. Get a bottle for 16.50 and your local BBW and it will last between 5 to 7 uses. (Wonderful if you want to get in the mood before you and your sweety have a date night- or just bathe with him)

And this one doesn't have any bubbles, but "Stress and Tension" Liquids Mineral Bath by Village Naturals (the Village Company) is still fabulous. When you really have had a rough day and you need to just clear your mind and ease your muscles this will do the trick. It is a combination of relaxing menthol, and essences of juniper to releave stress and orange to rejuvenate. It is also mostly composed of naturally derived products, so no crazy chemicals in this bottle. Actually I bathed in it last night to relax and afterwards my body just felt so good and tingly. That menthol increases blood circulation. I fell right asleep afterwards and when I woke up I was amazed at how soft my skin was. Maybe it was the castor oil and aloe vera combo. Nevertheless, you won't regret soaking in this, especially if you're an hard working diva. It will set you back about 5 bucks as well.

WITH FLYNESS AND FOAM,
IKE

Blemishes Be Gone... For women of color

2008-03-04T11:37:00.000-08:00

Hey Divas,

So i'm in the middle of taking an arabic exam that will surely add detriment to my class average when I look up upon recognizing a horrible sound. Is that the pitter-patter of raindrops against the window? I can't believe it! There was no sign of rain in New Haven as of an hour prior. Nevertheless, in a classic case of anapaphobia, I dash out of class, trying to outrun the raindrops as I make my way to my dorm room. I am not sucessful. To my disdain, the rain has ruined my 'do revealing the line of demarcation between my natural "pressed" hair and my bone-straight hair extensions.

Ahhh well. I pull out some Kay-Vel's, the best pressing creme ever, and turn up the heat on my electric straightening comb. Meanwhile I sit at my lap top and crank out a quick blog. In the midst of trying to figure out the intentions and logic really of my Sig-O (see "Fly Speak" for definition) I have been meaning to drop a little knowledge on blemish removal.

Now blemishes be they from cuts, scrapes, or acne scarring are tramatic for women of color because they significantly hyperpigment our skin and seem to last forever! I grew up with exzema, a skin disease that can go into remission but never truly goes away. In my adult age I have been able to control it beautifully but it is exacerbated by stress which is a daily reality for me. The stressful holiday season in particular caused a severe break out all over my chest and cleavage area. It was horrific as it left dark scars all over my smooth, almond skin. I was mortified. It was also around the time that my Sig-O and I began seeing each other and I remember wearing high knecks and button up shirts with knecklaces strategically placed to disguise the scarring.

Nevertheless, about a month later I was back wearing my v-necks. Scarring doesn't have to be the ruin of skin or of existance. It's not that difficult to treat, at home too. Most women are just misguided. Most lightening creams offered to women of color contain hydroquinone, a chemical that inhibits the enzyme tyrosinase and thereby restricts the production of melanin. That's right, "bleaching creams" don't literally bleach the skin. They reduce the amount of melanin, or pigment, that your skin can produce. Hydroquinone, found in popular products such as Ambi, does work but there are several caveats to be aware of. First of all, out of all the lightening agents, hydroquinone has the most severe effects if used for a prolongued period of time or on skin too sensitive to it. Furthermore, as it is a dangerous agent, over the counter products can only contain up to 2% hydroquinone which, to be honest, is not all that effective.

Hydroquinone is the most popular bleaching agent, but the least safe and the least effective. Other agents such as azelaic acid, kojic acid, and glabridin in adequate concentrations are more effective than 2% hydroquinone alone (thought kojic acid must be used in moderation) and will often be found in lightening agent in combination with hydroquinone. The best lightening agent on the market now is glabridin. It is the safest and the most effective. Glabridin is actually extracted from licorice and can be found in upscale lightening products such as Godiva, which I use and can attest that it is wonderful.

Please be aware, there is large market for skin lightening products directed towards Black women in Europe, America and the Carribean. Many of these products are cheaper, less effective, and very, dangerous. In fact, most lightening products that you may find in your local beauty store are banned in Africa for having negative, irreversible, potentially lethal effects. If you want a product that works, look for more expensive products that are marketed to other ethnicities such as Indian women, Asians, and Phillipinas (essentially any post-colonial society where there is an aversion to darker skin). This is a sad precaution to have to take but it is necessary. Manufacturers of these skin solutions are simply trying to sell a product. They have no concern about the health of their Black consumers.

Back to removing blemishes. The lightening agent is only half of the solution. The second process is chemical and mechanical exfoliation. Because the topical cream inhibits melanin production in the new skin cells, the goal is to remove old, dead, hyper-pigmented skin and encourage the fast production of new, healthy, and brighter skin cells. This is done in two ways. Mechanical exfoliation involves vigorously rubbing the skin with a pumice and loofah in order to slough away surface layer dead cells. This is good, but not nearly important as chemical exfoliation. Chemical exfoliation involves the application of an alpha-hydoxy (lactic or glycolic acid) or a fruit acid (like vitamin C) to the skin. These products essentially kill the top layer of cells and encourages their rapid replacement. High concentrations of like substances are present in chemical peels. These products are also essential in skin resurfacing (such as removing irritation after a rash or acne break out).

If a woman of color wants to get rid of a blemish she must use a product or products that combine a lightening agent with a chemical exfoliant. The best is glycolic acid. Two products that I use and highly recommend are Black Opal's skin retexturizing complex which contains high levels of glycolic acid and other fruit acids for safe and rapid results and Avene 'Diacneal' which contains 6% glycolic acid adn .1% Retinaldehyde. This product is one of the best on the market but quiet expensive.

If you have blemish prone skin and/or you're trying to get rid of a scar you should also remember to wear sunscreen. I actually wear an SPF 15 on my face year round and increase it (45) in the summer. The sun stimulates melanin production so nothing will work if you don't shield yourself from the sun. Also, while many women of color don't believe that sun can damage Black skin, it can. Prolongued exposure to sunlight increases your chances of developing skin cancer and premature wrinkles and it darkens your blemishes and makes them more difficult to treat. The best beauty remedy is prevention. Begin wearing sunblock today! I recommend Aveeno's Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15.

Lotions and creams that contain shea butter and vitamin E are also a good way to keep hyperpigmentation at bay and quicken your skins recovery. I hope this was helpful. If you have any specific questions feel free to leave them in the comments.

Flyness and funk,

Ike

The Wearable Smokey Eye

2007-12-19T08:31:00.000-08:00

Morning Divas,

Yes, I pressed snooze one too many times this morning, but the unpleasant medly of construction workers outside my window did the trick. Too bad. For my last two years at Yale, I have not been able to escape living close to a construction site. Wait... why must they start religously at 8 in the morning again? I think 3 PM is a much more agreeable time. But now I'm up, showered, and on my way to get a cup of jamal (it has been my saviour during finals) and cram the work load I should have been doing over the past three days into about 24 hours.

On to more serious matters. I feel like we, as divas committed to looking fabulous every day, should discuss what I call the wearable smoky eye. The smokey eye is an amazing make-up technique empoyed by the likes of show girls and film stars to create the illusion of a large, deep-set, doe eye. Smokey eyes look best on women with large, almond shaped, or slanted eyes. Sometimes they can have an unflattering affect on women with smaller eyes or eyes that are further apart. Be mindful of that. (Pictured here is the divalicious Sheryl Lee Ralph with a sexy smokey eye in shades of brown)

Deep shades of purple, blue, black, and brown help create the smokey illusion on women of color, but for day wear, stick with browns. The first step in creating a smokey eye is getting the right colors. Look for a duo or trio that combine a lighter color (champagne, bone , subdued gold, apricot), with a deep brown, and possibly a medium tone (burgundy, dark green).

Next, you need the right tools. You'll need a large shader brush that is relatively flat with a rounded tip. You'll use this to apply make up to the lid and possibly a slight high light to the arch.

A full angle brush will be used to apply the shadow to crease and blend.

Now here are the steps:

1. Fill in medium shade all over lid and crease. From outer corner to close to where the eye brow begins.

2. Fill in light shade on lid, from tear duct to three quaters of the way in.

3. With angle brush, fill in dark shade from outer corner, along the crease, to just under where the brow begins. And sweep from outer corner along the bottom of lid, three quaters of the way in. It should look like a side ways V.

4. Blend. (You should be followin the v back and forth as you do this. Not side to side.)

5. Line eyes. I use a liquid liner. It's crisp, dramatic, and easy.

6. Use tip of shader brushes rounded tip to sweep a bit of the dark color under the outer 1/2 of the bottom of the eye.
7. Add mascara. Because a smokey eye looks best with long, dramatic lashes.. I use fake lashes in a bottle. Fiber Wig. It's only available at Sephora . It's $22 and wonderful.

And here are some colors that I love: L'oreal HIP Duos in Playful and Dynamic, Clinique color surge eyeshadow duo in coffee shop, Milani Eye Shadow quartet in Sedona Sunset (pictured here) and Revlon's 12 Hour Eye Shadow quartet in Coffee Bean.

Glamour Make-Up for the Holidays

2007-12-15T23:57:00.001-08:00

Hey Divas,
The crew went to a holiday party last night and it was a great excuse to get holiday glam. This is why I love the holidays. Ostentatious fabulosity is permitted! While the summer calls for bronzy glows and ethereality , 'tis the season of decadence and rich color. The Natural wore a fabulous bubble dress in a retro print of olive green, red, black and white. For her face, I gave her a dramatic kohl lined eye with a deep-berry lip.

The transformation is documented below.
Before and After!!!

We began by evening out the complexion with Revlon's creme to powder foundation. It's light but even coverage. Because it is the holidays and she wanted to have abit of a shine, I applied Revlon's Skinlights with a sponge all over. It has a light consistency and in the summer can be worn alone. This time we used Black Opal loose powder to finish it. I don't really believe in shiny-glossy-dewy skin in winter. I like a polished, powdered look.

Then we contoured her face. We used Milani's light loose powder to high light her t-zone, the bridge of her nose, cheeks, and chin. I used Milani's press powder in earth glow with a contour brush to contour under her cheek bones, her hair line, the side of her nose, and just under her lip. Note her enhanced bone structure. Contouring also brings dimension back to your face after you've just powdered down. Powder tends to leave your flace flat, lessening it's natural shadows.

Next I did her eyes. I used an angle brush dipped in L'oreal's mocha to darken the brows. Then I applied a fantastic duo, Loreal's HIP high intensity eye shadow in "Dynamic". It is a subdued gold with a deep brownish forest green. I used an angle brush dipped in black shadow to line her top lid and I extended the line out and up. Then to make her smaller eyes pop, she rimmed them, bottom and top lid, with a black eye-liner. I used wig-lash (liquid false lashes) as mascara.

Finally I applied a deep plum blush, Milani's Plum Parfait, and I gave her a deep berry lip. First I lined her lip with a chocolate brown, filled it in with Milani's lipstick in Royal Ruby, and covered that with Revlon's Amethyst Dazzle lip gloss. By the way, Revlon lip gloss is amazing and on par with Chanel.

And here is the final product. She looked fab. Remember, if you are going to be decadent with your glamourous make up, you must go all the way. Pair with chandelier or big cluster earrings. Wear a voluminous hair style or an elegant up-do and when you enter the room... own it.

And here is the Chocolate Diva and I at the same event.

-With flyness, glamour, and funk,

Ike

Off to the Sauna

2007-12-15T04:56:00.000-08:00

Morning Divas,

It's a beautful life isn't it?

Sometimes we just have to remind ourselves of that.

Anyways, writing papers that should have already been written. Swizzling down some IZZE Sparkling Pomegranate natural drink, and I'm still buzzed off of my cup of jamal/red bull combo last night.

This evening I'm attending a kwanzaa ball with The Chocolate Diva and The Natural. But first we're all going to sauna. I think the stress of finals is getting to our pores and making them large and unsightly.

If you are unfamiliar with the benefits of hitting the sauna (at your local spa), let me inform. 15-20 minutes in a dry or steam sauna helps with the excretion of toxins from the skin and blood. You cleanse from within. Not only will you be in a fresher, more revived mood, but your skin will glow. I was so good about last year. I did twenty-minutes in the dry sauna after every work out while I was preparing for the Miss Black USA Pageant. If you are an athlete, it's wonderful therapy for after your workout as it relieves muscles. Just remember to drink water first.

If you are at home and you need to cleanse the face with steam, it's quite easy. Boil water, remove from the stove. Lean over the pot of hot water with a towel over your head, sort of creating an insulated space between you and the steam. Throw in some lavender essential oil or eucalyptus and mint for fantastic aromatherapy.

To your pores!

With flyness and funk,

Ike

The Perfect Five- Minute Face

2007-12-10T13:43:00.000-08:00

Hey Diva's,

It is very possible to look polished with five-minutes or less of make up application every morning. My friends often ask how long I spend on hair and make up in the morning and are shocked to find out that it is always less than ten minutes.

So this morning, just for you, I decided to document the process.

It's really all made possible by creme-to-powder foundation. This morning I used the product by Black Radiance but I have also used Revlon's version, and it also nice. Above is my blank face wearing nothing but the coconut oil that I use every day. You will see darkness above my eyes and just above my lip. (Wait, I actually just look a hot mess, but that's what the make up is for, and I sort of chose a really bad before pic on purpose.)

I apply the foundation, gently, with my fingers under my eye, over my lips, and on any other blemishes I have. It blends right in. Afterwards I dust MAC studio fix pressed powder over my face with either a kabuki brush or a powder puff for fuller coverage.

Then I work on my eyes. I fill in my brows with a dark brown shadow and an angle brush. The brush is by MAC and the shadow that I used is L'oreal Deep Mocha. Side note, my eye brows are naturally very full so I don't allow anyone to make them thin. I keep the fullness and I keep a clean, high arch. Each morning I use the angle brush to create a dramatic, lush brow. When it comes to brows, please do get rid of excess hair, but try to work with your natural shape.

After that I apply liquid eye liner, as close as possile to the lash line and I extend just a little bit out. I start the line at about three quaters into my eye lid. Then a coat of mascara. I love Fiber Wig Mascara. The products calls itself "paint on false eyelashes" and it does produce dramatic results. Purhase at Sephora.

The penultimate step is a sweep of blush across my cheeks. In winter I like the deeper blushes. This morning I used Revlon's Hint of Ruby. I also like Fever by MAC. Finally I line my lips with MAC's chestnut pencil, I added a coat of Matte lipstick in Manhattan by Milani and to accentuate the pout I added a gloss to the center of my lips. It is MAC's Sinnamon.

Do you have an extra minute or two? Try light contouring to bring dimension to your face and to enhance the appearance of your bone structure.

First I start with Milani's soft sand loose powder and a the back side of a make-up wedge (the square part). When highlighting, choose a slightly golden toned shade of brown and always go for a loose powder. It blends well and gives more natural results. I dip the sponge into the pot and tap of the excess. Then I press color onto my cheeks, the bride of my nose, the center of my forhead, my chin, and the bottom of my jaw line.

Next, with a contour brush, I use Milani's pressed powder in Ginger and I sweep over the hollows of my cheeks, the side of my nose, under my lip, and the side of my hair line.

Finally I take a large powder brush and I blend well! And I'm done.

More make up tips to come. If you have a specific question feel free to leave them in the comments area.

With flyness and funk,

IKE

Wearing Matte Down!

2007-12-07T08:02:00.000-08:00

Hey Divas,

Taking matte lips very seriously this season. (Matte lipstick is a Black woman's best friend. It looks great on us. )

Milani's moiste matte lipstick in Manhattan is a steal and it's the perfect every day, no fuss, matte. It doesn' even require liner. Purchase at Walgreens or http://www.milanicosmetics.com/ for $3.49. (More on Milani to come, this is one hell of a make up line. And yes, it's secretly made for women of color.)

It is the anti-gloss. It is unshear, unshiny, and un-everything we've been doing for the past ten years. The strong matte lip (think 80's supermodel) is slowly making it's comeback. Get ahead of the pack. I think MAC's Rougette available for 14.50 at http://www.mac.com/ or at any other MAC retailer is fabolah.

Perfect with a modest eye with bold eye liner (applied with liquid or brush and extended past the lash) and a liberal amount of mascara. A soft cheek, a polished brow and your fab. This color is high drama all alone. Love it . And it loves our luscious lips.

-with flyness and funk (-y lips),

Ike

oh wait.... the cheap way to get antioxidants

2007-12-07T07:51:00.000-08:00

Just in case you don't want to spend $80 on your bath water....

This product is a serious bang for the buck. Good old Queen Helene. Available at http://www.queenhelene.com/ or at your nearest beauty supply store for $4.60.

Oooohhh, Wine Me All Over!

2007-12-07T07:21:00.000-08:00

Feeling a bit tired this morning as that large glass of pinot grigio did me in. Going to purchase a cup of jamal in about 20 minutes. Wanted to share with you that wine need not only be enjoyed on the pallette.

Grapes have antioxidant properties that are second to none. Antioxidants protect the skin from free radicals and assist in repairing cellular damage. They are essential to aging gracefully. Common antioxidants are vitamins A, C, E and beta carotene.

Some products that contain wine and grape seed oil are replete with these skin saving properties.
Here' what I like:
Shea Cuvee Body Butter
A moisturizing body butter containing a unique combination of brown sugar, grapeseed oil and white wine, along with shea butter, and vitaminsby the Napa Soap Company. Purchase at Nimly for $20.

Sake Bath
Inspired by traditional Japanese bathing techniques, this product incorporates the detoxifying powers of rice, the relaxing effects of ginger and pine, and it contains an infusion of peaches, a beauty tradition taken from the geisha. This product is out of this world, as is the price. $80 at Fresh.

Crushed Cabernet Scrub
Luxuriating blend of grape seed oil, crushed grape seed, brown sugar, acacia honey and essential oils. Purchase at Caudalie for $35.

mate, lox and eucalyptus in the morning

2007-12-06T06:04:00.000-08:00

Good morning my loves! Woke up late after having a night mare. Life's a haute mess. Going to K2 for my Yerba Mate (I'm gonna call this Cup of Jamal for now on) and bagel with smoked salmon. Also spritzing some of this pick me up on my face: Restorative Facial Mist with invigorating Eucalyptus and calming lavender essential oils. Available for $19 at Garden Botanika.

Bobbi Brown's Best of Chocolate Lip and Eye Kit

2007-12-05T19:11:00.000-08:00

An author friend had this at a breakfast a few weeks ago and raved about how convenient it was. This cute compact contains four eye shadow and four lip gloss shades from Bobbi's Chocolate collection, which contains wonderful hughes of brown and mauve. They look great on women of color. Also wonderful to have for touch ups on an evening out or even during the work day. Love it.

Retails for $55 and it's a limited edition. Purchase at the Bobbi Brown website.

Back to Basics for Winter Skin

2007-12-04T17:42:00.001-08:00

The temperature is plunging, I'm spending more time inside and paying more attention to my skin. Really, the only way to fight dry, parched, dull winter skin is to MOISTURIZE like crazy. I'm not a big fan of lotions either. I think lotion is a wonderful way for companies to save money at the expense of your skin. The main ingredients are alcohol and water. Alcohol is an emulsifier but it dries your skin out and water provides temporary hydration, but no moisture. Historically women of color have maintained soft, ageless skin (think about your grandmother's skin) because they have understood the power of a sturdy moisturizer, even when they didn't have access to retail beauty products. So this winter, overlook all the empty promises in your nearest beauty isle and go straight to the natural source.

1. Raw Virgin Coconut oil: A beauty staple of Philipine women for years, the secret to its incredible moisturizing properties is in its molecular structure. Where as most skin oils consist of a large chain fatty acid, coconut oil consists of a medium chain fatty acid, making it lower in molecular weight and capable of greater absorption into the skin. I use it every morning fresh out of the shower and after two minutes I am left with nothing but shine. No film, no grease. Your skin drinks it and it hydrates from within. You should be able to find some at your local grocer in the food isle. Its a solid at room temperature so its relatively easy to handle. Coconut oil is attributed to deep moisturization, preventing wrinkles, age spots, promoting a healthy glow, and shielding skin from infection. I even use it on my face. Don't by if mixed with mineral oil. It ruins it's molecular properties.

2. Coco Butter: A staple in the Black community that has recently experienced growing popularty in the main stream beauty market. Cocobutter prevents wrinkles, blemishes, and provides wonderful moisture. It can be found in its pure form at many beauty, holistic, and health stores or online.

3. Shea Butter: I use this every night before bed. Shea butter has infinite uses (food, skin, hair, you name it) but it is spectacular for your skin. Shea butter is rich in Vitamins A, E, and F which promote healthy, clear, blemish free skin. It is higher in unsaponifiables ( a type of fat) than most other oils, which is what gives it its extraordinary moisturizing, wrinkle fighting properties. It contains cinnamonic acid which is a natural sun screen. It is also low in molecular weight, thus it is readily absorbed by the skin and it wont clog pores. You can use this on your face especially if you are 25+ and looking to begin an anti-aging regimen. Some say it helps prevent acne. It is also great for treating skin conditons like exzema, which I have so I know! I can't stress enough the importance of having fresh, pure, shea butter that has not been out too long or mixed with chemical additives. Shea butter has comprehensive chemical properties but they are also very delicate properties that will be void if the shea butter is tainted with. Like cocobutter, purchase on-line or at a beauty, health, or holistic store.

4. Vaseline: Good old vaseline! I mean need I say more. Moisture-phobic people knock it now a days but that's okay, let them have dry parched skin. This is still an amazing (and cheap) way of moisturizing the skin, especially problem areas like the feet, hands, and elbows. It's thick consistency protects skin against moisture-loss during the winter months. Yes, vaseline is greasy, as hell. But I like to use it every night before bed all over my body (excluding my face) and then I cover my feet in sweat socks. My skin is incredibly soft each morning. You just can't beat it. Contrary to popular belief, vaseline is not great for your lips. It can even make them more chapped. Coconut oil however is amazing for kissable lips.

With that said, here are some products out there that stick to the basic ingredients. I think it's best to purchase the pure versions of these ingredients, but if you use a product that contains them make sure that the moisturizing agents are main ingredients and not water, alcohol, and other emulsifying agents. Also look out for other excellent oils for your skin in the ingredients list like jojoba oil, avocado oil, olive oil, sweet almond oil, and safflower oil.

Fly Products

1. Chic Afrique Herbals makes amazing soaps with nothing but moisturizing agents such as shea and coco butters, palm and olive oils. The moisturizers are also top quality. The smell... good enough to eat. The company is owned by two black women, one a former doctor.

2. Nubian Heritage's Honey and Black Seed Lotion. Despite the fact that its a "lotion" it's really rich in all the good stuff (shea butter , jojoba, etc.) This company's shea butter cremes are fabulous as well. They are usually mixed with other oils such as lemon grass to soften the consistency. They smell great too.

3. Carols Daughter Sexy Belly is fabolah! It's loaded with shea butter, cocoa butter and jojoba oil and improves the skin's elasticity (i.e. STRETCH MARKS) and also the Almond Cookie Shea Souffle. It's light but oil rich and the Almond cookie line smells incredible!! (Men will notice)