

Body care is skincare, and the experts agree that we should all take our products on our faces down to the nips. Additionally, skipping moisturizing your body after a shower is a no-no, as the skin is our body's largest organ, and it deserves just as much love. Before you remix the products you plan to slather from your neck down, there's another piece of the body care puzzle to carve out: exfoliation.
On average, we should exfoliate and slough dead skin away two to three times weekly. However, with a busy life, it's only occasionally possible to take time for a dedicated exfoliating session. We get it. But what if you could exfoliate and cleanse your body at the same time? Well, with an African exfoliating net, that's possible. The nets crafted with intricately tied knots are rooted in African tradition and have been a longtime part of beauty regimens.
You may be thinking, "I already have a loofah." Hate to tell you, but experts say those aren't always hygienic.
Anywho, let's get into why an African exfoliating net—also known as a sapo—needs to be on your shower accessory must-buy list.
1. African exfoliating nets promote smoother skin.
2. African nets can last for up to two years.
Alternatively, African nets last up to two years and can be easily washed and dried. Do you need to wash your net daily? Because the nylon dries faster than a traditional sponge. No. However, a weekly wash can be beneficial though most makers say a weekly wash isn't needed.
3. You can reach your back
Now that we've made our case for swapping your loofah. Here are a few of our favorites:
Luv Scrub Mesh Body Exfoliator in "Luvender"
Luv Scrub
ThisAllure"Best of Beauty" award-winner is a customer favorite. The textured nylon bath cloth—which stretches up to 50"—comes in five colors and will last up to 18 months.
Cee Cee's Closet NYC African Exfoliating Net in "Coral"
Cee Cee's Closet NY
With a robust color range and a jumbo length option, Cee Cee's Closet NY gives you many choices, each lasting for up to two years damage-free.
DwareSapo African Exfoliating Sponge in "Bronze"
DwareSapo
Sourced from makers in Ghana, this Etsy shop provides a wealth of options while supporting local Ghanaian vendors and their national postal service.
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Bianca Lambert is a proud Atlanta native soaking up the Los Angeles sun. She is the founder of Mae B: a stationery company for women of color and a digital content creator on a mission to elevate the voices of women of color everywhere.
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Black girl joy is a powerful force, lighting up the world in unforgettable moments of triumph, love, and celebration. Throughout the decades, we have witnessed countless moments from Black women in entertainment, sports, and more. These moments, filled with grace, resilience, and unfiltered happiness, continue to uplift and inspire generations. Below are 10 remarkable Black girl joy moments from the last couple of decades.
Whitney Houston singing "Star Spangled Banner (National Anthem)" (1991)
Whitney Houston's rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner" has gone down in history as one of the best performances of the National Anthem.
Lauryn Hill winning 5 Grammys for ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ (1999)
Lauryn Hill became the first Black woman to win five Grammys in one night.
Brandy becoming the FIRST Black Cinderella (1997)
This was the moment little Black girls everywhere saw themselves in a fairy tale for the first time. Not to mention,Brandy’s iconic Cinderella performance with Whitney Houston as her Fairy Godmother? PURE MAGIC.
Halle Berry becoming the FIRST Black woman to win an Oscar for Best Actress (2002)
Halle Berry’s emotional, joyful acceptance speech was herstoric: “This moment is for every nameless, faceless woman of color,” she said.
Serena Williams winning her first Grand Slam (1999)
A young, beaded-braid-wearing Serena Williams winning her first U.S. Open in 1999 was only the beginning of her GOAT status!
Oprah giving everyone a car (2004)
“You get a car! You get a car! Everybody gets a car!” Did Oprah know her joy and excitement would still be so memeworthy decades later?
Michelle Obama’s carpool karaoke with Missy Elliott (2016)
Michelle Obama rapping “Get Ur Freak On” with Missy Elliott on James Corden’s show? Just one of the reasons she will always be our FLOTUS!
Issa Rae’s ‘I’m rooting for everybody Black’ moment (2017)
Issa Rae’s unapologetic joy at the Emmys went VIRAL. The energy? The truth? The confidence? Chef’s kiss. Her viral became an anthem.
Mary J. Blige performing at the Super Bowl (2022)
Mary J. Blige SERVEDDD at the Super Bowl halftime show. With her iconic thigh high boots, fur coat, and legendary vocals, she showed us why she's the queen.
Beyoncé & Blue Ivy performing together at the Renaissance World Tour (2023)
Beyoncé bringing Blue Ivy out to perform with her during the Renaissance tour was such a sweet moment. Watching Blue Ivy carry on her mother’s legacy while living her best life was the definition of pure Black girl joy.
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Feature image by Michael Zagaris/Getty Images