8 Current All-Natural Beauty Trends You Can Give The DIY Treatment To
A few days ago, while hanging out with one of my favorite people, she said to me, "Ooo, I love your eyeshadow." Here's what's cool about what she said—I didn't have any on. I can't even remember the last time I've worn eyeshadow. When I told her that and she said, "Your eyelids have a natural golden glow to them", I know I was grinning from ear to ear because that means all of the water, witch hazel (which I'll get into in just a sec), and sweet almond oil is truly paying off. How cool. How very cool.
That got me to thinking about a few all-natural beauty trends that I will be incorporating throughout 2019 and beyond. Whether you like a bare face like I do, you prefer to switch up between a naked face and a full face of make-up, or you want to know some ways to care for your skin underneath your glam face, there are gonna be at least 3-4 things on here that you will totally fall in love with. I'm willing to bet my annual lipstick and lip gloss budget on it (and that's really saying something)!
1.Bakuchiol
I already know that some of you read that word and was like, "What the heck is that?!" It's kind of a long story, but the short of it is bakuchiol is a meroterpene (chemical compound) that mimics retinol (a Vitamin A based drug that treats fine lines and slows down the appearance of aging). Thanks to it being plant-based, it's a whole lot gentler with fewer side effects than retinol has.
Although it's not guaranteed that bakuchiol will work super-effectively for everyone, if you have super-sensitive skin (especially), it's worth giving a shot. As far as where to buy it, Sephora carries products with bakuchiol in them. However, it's not the cheapest stuff on the planet, so you might want to opt to cop some Whish cosmetics with bakuchiol in it on eBay.
2.Grey Hair
A few years back, teenagers were dyeing their hair grey and silver on purpose. This year, natural grey is totally what's in. So, if you've been noticing a couple of grey hairs popping up and you're tempted to color them, consider letting them shine through instead. You can do this by purchasing shampoos and conditioners that are specifically-designed for grey tresses, wearing neutral-colored clothing more often and rockin' a really dope haircut. Something that is modern and super striking.
By the way, there's an actual scripture that celebrates grey hair—"The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness." (Proverbs 16:31—NKJV) See, you've even got the good book's stamp of approval to let your natural glory shine through. Let it.
3.Oil as Mascara
Although I personally don't wear a ton of make-up, something that I don't go without is mascara. I try and stay on top of the fact that if I don't get a fresh tube every 2-3 months, not only does it become a breeding ground for bacteria, it also can inhibit the growth of my eyelashes over time.
An alternative? Using oil on my lashes instead. Castor and olive oil work really well. So does petroleum jelly, Vitamin E and Shea Butter. They all have less chemicals in them and can help all of our lashes to grow as they also help to make them appear longer and fuller every time we use them. (FYI—with all of these options, less is more. Otherwise, you could get oil in your eyes.)
4.Witch Hazel
Jaiz Anuar / Shutterstock.com
Something else that is a current beauty trend liquid exfoliants. Something that's a natural form of one is witch hazel. When it comes to achieving beautiful skin, there aren't too many things that are more effective and affordable than witch hazel.
It's an awesome toner, helps to speed the healing process of breakouts, contains tannins that slow down the aging process, and even aids in treating the inflammation and flare-ups associate with psoriasis and eczema. It's also great for getting rid of any cold sores that you might have along your lip line too.
5.DIY Stain
There's nothing like a bit of color to make your skin look youthful and glowing. Something that can give your cheeks, lips, and even eyelids (if you want) a pop of pink or bronze is DIY stain. It's not as hard to make as you might think either.
If you want a pink color, mix two teaspoons of rose mica powder with kaolin clay and a half-teaspoon of shea butter. If you'd prefer a sun-kissed look, go with some 2 ½ teaspoons of cocoa powder, three-fourths of a teaspoon of rose mica powder and 2 ½ teaspoons of shea butter. Mix everything together and apply. You'll achieve beautiful results sans any of the chemicals that are in commercialized stains.
(Plus, if you store your DIY stains in ounce tins, their shelf-life will be 12-14 months!)
6.Thick Eyebrows
I'm totally digging the fact that the kind of eyebrows that look like they are on their last leg are a thing of the past (at least for now). These days, the thicker and more natural your brows appear to be, the better! If you need to grow your eyebrows out, one way to do that is to apply some Jamaican Black Castor Oil on them at night. And, if you want to keep them tame during the day, some clear eyebrow gel will do that for you.
There are some eyebrow gels that you can purchase at cosmetic counters, but how about you save yourself some money and gas by putting a pea-size amount of Aloe Vera gel on an eyebrow brush and gently brushing your brows in the direction that they naturally grow? The gel will keep them in place while nourishing them all day long.
7.CBD Oil
I'm pretty sure you don't feel like a science class right now, so I'll be brief in the breakdown of what CBD oil is. It stands for Cannabidiol and its one of the 104 chemical compounds that's found in cannabis. While Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is responsible for marijuana making us feel high, CBD is not. It still has some great benefits thought and is usually added to a carrier oil like coconut, avocado, grapeseed or hemp seed oil.
Why is CBD oil currently all the rage? Aside from reducing pain, relieving anxiety, and even combating certain symptoms that are cancer-related, it's also the kind of oil that slows down the over-production of sebum in skin while healing a lot of the inflammation that's associated with pimples.
Now here's the bad news. You can only use this oil in the states where medical marijuana is legal. But since that's currently 32 states (with more on the way, I'm sure), chances are, you're living someplace where you can get your fill.
8.Fades with Designs
Getty Images
When I read about this particular all-natural trend, I couldn't help but reminisce back to the days when I rocked a fade. There really is nothing like getting a fresh cut, going to bed, waking up and needing to do nothing to your hair but run a brush through it. It cuts down the morning routine by at least 15 minutes!
So, if you've been thinking about undergoing the Big Chop in a very major way, there's no time like 2019 to do it. Take it to the next level by getting some bold artistic designs into it too. You won't just by fly as all get out—you'll be super on-trend too!
Featured image by Getty Images.
Related Articles:
Black-Owned Beauty Brands That Were So Good We're Taking Them Into 2019 - Read More
11 Of Our Favorite Black-Owned Holy Grail Beauty Finds - Read More
The 10 Best Over-The-Counter & Natural Makeup Removers - Read More
- How The Cut Life's Tahira Wright Turned Her Online Presence Into A ... ›
- Check Out These Natural Ways To Get Thicker Eyelashes & Eyebrows - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- Natural Beauty Trends That Will Be Big In 2020 - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- 7 beauty trends that have us excited for 2018 | TreeHugger ›
- Spring Summer 2018 hair and makeup trends ›
- “Natural” beauty products are huge now because of a fear of ... ›
- J-Beauty: All the Japanese Beauty Trends I Saw in Tokyo - Allure ›
- What's Driving The Billion-Dollar Natural Beauty Movement? ›
- Biggest Beauty Trends 2018 | British Vogue ›
- 13 Trends Shaping the Face of Beauty in 2018 ›
- 10 big beauty trends for 2018 - New beauty industry trends ›
- News Flash: These Are The Natural Beauty Trends You Need To ... ›
- The Biggest Trends In The Beauty Industry ›
Different puzzle pieces are creating bigger pictures these days. 2024 will mark a milestone on a few different levels, including the release of my third book next June (yay!).
I am also a Professional Certified Coach. My main mission for attaining that particular goal is to use my formal credentials to help people navigate through the sometimes tumultuous waters, both on and offline, when it comes to information about marriage, sex and relationships that is oftentimes misinformation (because "coach" is a word that gets thrown around a lot, oftentimes quite poorly).
I am also still super devoted to helping to bring life into this world as a doula, marriage life coaching will always be my first love (next to writing, of course), a platform that advocates for good Black men is currently in the works and my keystrokes continue to be devoted to HEALTHY over HAPPY in the areas of holistic intimacy, spiritual evolution, purpose manifestation and self-love...because maturity teaches that it's impossible to be happy all of the time when it comes to reaching goals yet healthy is a choice that can be made on a daily basis (amen?).
If you have any PERSONAL QUESTIONS (please do not contact me with any story pitches; that is an *editorial* need), feel free to reach out at missnosipho@gmail.com. A sistah will certainly do what she can. ;)
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
You've Never Seen Luke James In A Role Quite Like This
Over the years, we've watched Luke James play countless characters we'd deem sex symbols, movie stars, and even his complicated character in Lena Waithe's The Chi. For the first time in his career, the New Orleans-born actor has taken on a role where his signature good looks take a backseat as he transforms into Edmund in Them: The Scare—a mentally deranged character in the second installment of the horror anthology series that you won't be able to take your eyes off.
Trust us, Edmund will literally make you do a double take.
xoNecole sat down with Luke James to talk about his latest series and all the complexity surrounding it—from the challenges taking on this out-of-the-box role to the show's depiction of the perplexing history of the relationship between Black Americans and police. When describing the opportunity to bring Edmund's character to life, Luke was overjoyed to show the audience yet another level of his masterful acting talents.
"It was like bathing in the sun," he said. "I was like, thank you! Another opportunity for me to be great—for me to expand my territory. I'm just elated to be a part of it and to see myself in a different light, something I didn't think I could do." He continued, "There are parts of you that says, 'Go for it because this is what you do.' But then also that's why it's a challenge because you're like, 'um, I don't know if I'm as free as I need to be to be able to do this.' Little Marvin just created such a safe space for me to be able to do this, and I'm grateful for everything I've been able to do to lead to this."
Courtesy
Them: The Scare, like the first season, shines a light on the plight of Black Americans in the United States. This time, the story is taking place in the 1990s, at the height of the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles. While the series presents many underlying themes, one that stands out is Black people and the complicated relationship with the police. "For the audience, I think it sets the tone for the era that we're in and the amount of chaos that's in the air in Los Angeles and around the country from this heinous incident. And I say it just sets the tone of the anxiety and anxiousness that everybody is feeling in their own households."
James has been a longtime advocate against police brutality himself. He has even featured Elijah McClain, the 23-year-old Colorado man who died after being forcibly detained by officers, as his Instagram avatar for the past five years. So, as you can imagine, this script was close to his heart. "Elijah was a soft-loving oddball. Different than anyone but loving and a musical genius. He was just open and wanted to be loved and seen."
Getty Images
Luke continued, "His life was taken from him. I resonate with his spirit and his words...through all the struggle and the pain he still found it in him to say, 'I love you and I forgive you.' And that's who we are as people—to our own detriment sometimes. He's someone I don't want people to forget. I have yet to remove his face from my world because I have yet to let go of his voice, let go of that being [because] there's so many people we have lost in our history that so often get forgotten."
He concluded, "I think that's the importance of such artwork that moves us to think and talk about it. Yes, it's entertaining. We get to come together and be spooked together. But then we come together and we think, 'Damn, Edmund needed someone to talk to. Edmund needed help... a lot [of] things could have been different. Edmund could have been saved.'
Check out the full interview below.
Luke James Talks Ditching Sex Symbol Status For "Them: The Scare", Elijah McClain, & Morewww.youtube.com
Featured image by Getty Images