

Here Are Some All-Natural Ways To Achieve Flawless Skin
I don't care who the woman is, how old she may be or what she looks like, if you ask her what she desires most on the beauty tip, I'm pretty sure that flawless skin will top the list. Not only is a beautiful complexion completely mesmerizing, it's also—how, do I put it? Cost effective. I'm tellin' y'all, ever since I've gotten my skin together, I can relate to actor Meagan Good when she said that she can't remember the last time that she used foundation. Whew! No more spending moments I'll never get back trying to find the perfect shade. No more worrying about hugging someone and my face rubbing off on their clothing. No more getting pimples because my pores are sick of me putting foundation on it all of the time. Freedom! Clear skin is precious freedom.
The cool thing about this article is, many of the things on this list, I can personally vouch for. They are the very items that got my skin back to being tight and right. The really awesome thing about them is they are all-natural. So if you want to use the next few weeks to get your own complexion back together, here are 10 things that can definitely help you out.
1. MSM & Vitamin C
Something that has become my beauty BFF is sulfur. One form of it is MSM (which is short for methylsulfonylmethane) which is an organic sulfur compound. Because sulfur is something that our body naturally produces, taking it in supplement form can produce several benefits. MSM is good for soothing joint pain, treating digestive issues, reducing allergy-related symptoms, supporting hair length retention and producing bright, glowing and even-toned skin.
Since we need collagen and keratin in order to look youthful and have softer-looking skin, MSM is a great way to get our body to create more of both. MSM is especially effective if you take it with around 1000 mg of Vitamin C on an empty stomach, on a daily basis. I've been doing it for a couple of months now and I can definitely tell the difference. It's like a miracle powder. No joke.
2. Sulfur Soap
It was around this time last year when I gave sulfur soap a shout out on the site. Nothing has exfoliated my skin, prevented period pimples and gotten rid of acne scars quite like it has. From what I've read, sulfur soap is so dope because it removes excess sebum, gets rid of the dead skin that clogs up pores, plus it contains resorcinol which is a powerful acne ingredient.
I've been getting some pretty big compliments on my skin for the past several months and I'm quick to sing sulfur soap's praises whenever I do. If you're curious, the kind that I use is Grisi Sulfur Acne Soap Bar. Just make sure to always keep in mind that it is sulfur and sulfur tends to have a bit of a rotten egg smell. Honestly, washing my face with it and rinsing thoroughly (or washing with it the night before) hasn't caused much of an issue. But if you're planning on using it to treat body acne, you might want to "proceed with caution" during the summertime. Sometimes it has a way of seeping out of your pores when it's super hot outside, if you're not careful.
3. Kiwi Fruit Extract
For such a cute little fruit, kiwi (also known as Chinese gooseberries) packs a pretty powerful punch. If you or your little one has asthma, it can improve your (or their) lung function. Kiwi also reduces DNA oxidative damage, helps to keep your heart healthy and strong, improves sleep quality, fights inflammation and, because it is a low-calorie fruit, kiwi aids in weight loss too. Because kiwi has so much Vitamin C in it, it's also a fruit that is great at keeping your skin looking and feeling amazing. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps your body to produce collagen and elastin; the more of these that you have, the less sagging your skin will do and the more radiant your skin will look.
Eating kiwi is one step towards having flawless skin. Another way is to apply some kiwi fruit extract directly to your face and neck. It's a wonderful way to "trigger" your skin into producing new skin cells while fighting free radical damage in the process. However, a popular way to get the extract into your system is to take it in powder form. You can pick up some, if you'd like, by shopping here.
4. Alpha-Arbutin
If you're looking for a way to lighten dark, age or liver spots but you'd prefer something that is safer than say, hydroquinone, an effective natural alternative (that's made up of wheat, bearberry plant, cranberries, pear skins and blueberries) is Alpha-Arbutin. The way that it works is it blocks melanin production which can ultimately lead to a more even skin tone.
A lot of people like to use it as an active ingredient in a DIY face serum. You can get the powder here. You can check out a DIY Vitamin C face serum recipe here (just make sure to swap out the Hyaluronic Acid for Alpha-Arbutin).
5. Strawberry & Yogurt Face Mask
Do you like to give yourself the spa treatment from the convenience of your own home? How about spoiling your skin by making a strawberry and yogurt face mask? Strawberries contain Vitamin C, salicylic acid and alpha hydroxy acid—all of which serve as the ideal exfoliants. And yogurt? Yogurt not only moisturizes your skin, it also contains properties that reduce dark circles, fades blemishes and even aids in healing minor skin infections. Just make sure that the yogurt is plain; yogurt with sugar in it could irritate your skin. You can check out a good strawberry and yogurt mask recipe here.
6. Jasmine Essential Oil
It is my personal opinion that everyone on the planet should have, at least one bottle, of jasmine essential oil in their possession. It works as an aphrodisiac, antidepressant and antiseptic. Jasmine oil also supports in relieving menopause-related symptoms, reducing stress and, it's even been proven to slow down the growth of certain strains of candida (which can lead to yeast infections and oral thrush). Your skin will love you applying some jasmine to it (mixed with some sweet almond oil) because it will moisturize soft skin, balance hormonal imbalances and reduce scars that are related to acne and even eczema.
7. Coriander Essential Oil
An essential oil that doesn't come up as much as a lot of the others do is coriander. Long story short, it derives from the same plant that cilantro essential oil does. As far as its benefits, internally, it aids in the digestive process. Also, when you mix it with lavender oil, it provides an unbelievable calming effect. Coriander essential oil makes the flawless skin list because it has potent cleansing properties to prevent breakouts. If you add it to organic coconut oil and apply it right after you get out of the shower, coriander can also improve the appearance of your skin and give you a relaxed feeling at the same time.
8. Honey & Chamomile Skin Toner
If a part of you has always wondered why skin toner is even necessary, the gist is this—applying a toner, right after you wash your face, can remove any excess residue. Something else that toner does is balance the pH level of your skin and prevent breakouts. Understandably, many people shy away from commercial brand toners because of the drying alcohol that's in them.
A homemade alternative is to make the kind that consists of honey (to moisturize), chamomile (to soothe) and apple cider vinegar (to tighten the skin and balance its pH levels). If you'd like to give this toner a shot, you can check out an easy-to-make recipe here.
9. Green Tea Ice Cubes
If mild inflammation or pimples are what's driving you nuts, something that you can do to significantly reduce any swelling is to rub some green ice cubes onto your skin. Aside from the fact that green tea has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties in it, it also contains the antioxidant EGCG; that is what helps to prevent skin cells from dying. Another benefit that green tea has is it contains Vitamin E; that is a vitamin that hydrates the skin, reduces the appearance of scars and will make your skin soft and smooth. Just boil some green tea, let it get to room temperature, pour the tea into some ice molds and freeze them overnight. Then rub the cubes wherever and whenever a zit or swelling underneath your eyes pops up.
10. “Add-In” Water
How irresponsible would I be to be out here talking about natural ways to get flawless skin without mentioning water? Water detoxifies, hydrates and keeps our skin moisturized throughout the day, so the more that we drink, the better. You can do your skin an extra solid by adding in a few things that will provide it the nutrients that it needs to remain beautiful. Cinnamon sticks will stop acne-causing bacteria. Mint leaves will tone and brighten your complexion. Ginger contains anti-inflammatory properties. Lemon and lime slices are a good way to receive an extra dose of antioxidants. And, basil leaves will help to unclog your pores. So yeah, don't hesitate to put a little "extra" in your water. Not only will it keep it from tasting so "blah", it will be a treat for your skin as well. Drink up, sis. Your skin will absolutely love you for it!
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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. ;)
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
An author by the name of Alexandra Katehakis once said this about orgasms: “Great spiritual teachers throughout the ages have stated that orgasm is the closest some people come to a spiritual experience because of the momentary loss of self. Why is this true? Because with spiritual sex, you move beyond orgasm into a connection with yourself, your partner, and the divine — recognizing them all as one.”
If it’s counterintuitive to what you’ve ever thought about orgasms, believe it or not, there are even pastors who have said that climaxing is the closest comprehension of heaven on this side of it: it is an extreme kind of bliss that is indescribable and is best experienced between two people who share a sacrificial kind of love for one another.
Although this might seem like a heavy way to intro this particular topic, because the O Method is an orgasm-achieving technique that centers around housing energy, embracing the mental practice of manifestation, and the attempt to achieve the best climaxes ever — it all works together pretty well if you ask me. If you want to take your orgasms to the next level, it’s important that you get out of yourself (to a certain extent), that you see the spiritual role that manifestation plays, and that you are open to trying new things. No doubt about it.
So, let’s learn more about what the O Method is all about and how it very well could be just what you’ve been looking for…even if you didn’t know it.
What Is the “O Method” All About?
Question: When’s the last time you’ve had an orgasm? Not just any orgasm — I mean a really mind-blowing one (I’ll give you a second to think about it). Now, what if you could manifest that experience to the point where it wasn’t a rare occurrence but something that happened almost every time that you and your partner had sex with each other? How absolutely awesome would that be?
That is pretty much what the O Method is all about — helping you achieve the kind of orgasms (and sexual pleasure, in general) that you desire through the practice of manifestation. And since your biggest sex organ is your brain, it would make perfect sense that even with all of the tips and techniques that you might learn to do as far as your body is concerned, honing in on what you think about is super imperative to sexual fulfillment, too. And that’s just where manifestation comes in.
What If You’ve Never “Manifested” Anything Before?
Before we get into a quick lesson on manifestation, I think it’s important to mention two things. One, for the cynics, there is a lot of truth in the fact that it’s got some solid spiritual basis to it because even the Good Book says that as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). At the same time, that same Good Book tells us that faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26). So, while it is always a good idea to focus on good, positive, and productive thoughts, just thinking about them isn’t enough — at some point, you’ve also gotta get out here and DO something (bookmark that).
Okay, with that mini-sermon out of the way, whether it’s in the bedroom or not, manifestation is basically about focusing on something tangible that you desire, harnessing your energy in such a way that your words and actions are directed towards that longing until what you want, well, manifests. For the record, aside from this having a spiritual backing to it, in many ways, science cosigns on manifesting, too. There is actually a scientific process known as neuroplasticity that consists of reframing your mind so that your actions ultimately end up aligning with your goals — and that is another way to look at manifestation.
So, what if you’re someone who has never set out to do a manifestation practice before? No worries. Something that’s awesome about it is there are several different approaches that you can take.
Some people manifest what they want in their lives via:
- Journaling
- Visualization/Creating vision boards
- Writing down their desires before going to bed (so that they can “download” them into their dream state)
- Creating mantras and affirmations
- Applying the 369 Manifestation Method (you can learn more about that here)
- Meditating
- Learning more about what you want to manifest (which brings forth clarity)
This is important to keep in mind because, when it comes to manifesting the types of orgasms that you want to have, as you can see, you can try different manifestation methods until you find one (or ones) that you are truly comfortable with. One that can ease you into the entire process rather smoothly is something known as sex journaling.
How Sex Journaling Can Actually Help You to Have an Orgasm
As a writer, I’m a big fan of journaling. Mostly because it’s a way to get out some of your deepest thoughts and feelings so that you’re able to really process what is happening inside of you in a private setting. And when it comes to sex journaling, specifically, it’s all about centering yourself on the things sexually that you want to “unpack,” get clarity on or come to some revelations about. For instance, if there’s only been one partner from your past who’s been able to help you achieve the type of orgasms that you wish to manifest, journaling about what makes him different from the other guys can provide you with some solid ah-ha moments.
Or if you need help getting as specific as possible about the sexual experiences that you’re after, journaling can help to make that happen for you — because one thing that manifesting reminds us all to do is be as specific as possible.
Yeah, simply saying, “I want to have better sex” isn’t detailed enough when you want to get your energy to match with your desires — instead, describe how all of your senses should feel in the experience, along with why, that can get you so much closer to achieving your goal. Once those things are documented, you can segue into creating mantras and/or meditation that are based on them. Yeah, sex journaling really is an underrated superpower on a lot of levels (check out “The Art Of Sex Journaling (And Why You Should Do It)”).
5 Tips for Making the O Method Work for You
Now that you know more about what the O Method is and how manifestation plays a direct role in its process, let’s talk about five ways to make the O Method truly effective in your own (sex) life.
1. Focus, FULLY, on your feminine energy. What do rose quartz, amethyst, moonstone (which is a Gemini birthstone as well; yes, I’m a Gemini), selenite, and rhodonite all have in common? They’re crystals that help you to go deeper into your divine feminine energy. Traits that are associated with this include compassion, creativity, kindness, gentleness, and sensuality (feminine energy is also accepting and forgiving). If you were to study energy from a biological standpoint, it’s about producing change, responding to stimuli, and having the ability to do what needs to be done (work). So, when it comes to manifesting the kind of orgasms or sexual experiences that you want, using things like your creativity and gentleness in your thoughts and actions can play a role in bringing balance to your partner’s masculinity, which can create a profound sense of pleasure — after all, opposites do attract.
2. Don’t hold back on what it is that you desire. Whenever I interview sex therapists, something that they all say is, a huge mistake that people make as far as sexual satisfaction is concerned is, they have walls up — not just with their partners but even within themselves. Sometimes, there is intimidation, fear, or even shame around what they really want to happen during sex to the point where they aren’t able to channel their energy fully in those directions in order to manifest what they want. For the O Method to work, you can’t let those types of negative emotions hinder you; the more you are able to articulate what you want and how you want it, the better chance you have of making it happen. So yes, get graphic. As graphic as possible.
3. Make manifestation a daily practice. Repetition is important when it comes to manifestation. That’s because the more you declare what you desire (a mantra), get still and think on it (meditation), or look at the “art” that you’ve created surrounding it (visualization), the quicker it becomes a part of you. So yes, make manifestation a daily practice. For instance, if one of your mantras is, “I am going to have intensely passionate orgasms, one right after the other,” don’t just state that 15 minutes before sex is going to happen. Wake up and declare it. Then say it on your lunch break. And again before turning in. The more your thoughts are “streamlined” in this way, the easier it will be for your body to follow suit.
4. Share this practice with your partner. If you were to do even more research on the O Method, one thing that most of the articles will mention is it’s a practice that you can do alone or with your partner. Indeed. However, I just want to make sure that you get into your psyche that great sex is, in part, about good communication. And so, the more comfortable you are sharing with your partner what you are doing as far as the O Method is concerned and what you ultimately want to happen as a result of the practice, the easier it will be for him to “match your energy” — both in and out of the bedroom. And when your partner is on the same page as you? That definitely increases the chances of attaining your sexual desires — exponentially so.
5. Stay in the moment. While I was reading one article on manifestation, I really appreciated something that the author said: manifestation isn’t some supernatural power. In other words, while it can be beneficial, it’s not like you can just think of something, and it instantly appears out of nowhere. Manifesting is a discipline, and it must be accompanied by action, consistency, and patience — this means that you must also practice mindfulness. Meaning, now that you know better what you’re looking to achieve as far as sex is concerned, every time that it transpires, maintain a level of positive energy, remember what your end goal is, and then determine in your mind to enjoy the moments as they come. Remember, manifestation isn’t to add stress…it’s to cultivate clarity.
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At the end of the day, the O Method is simply a way of reminding you that your mind plays a huge role in your sexual pleasure, and when you channel it and your energy exactly where you want them both to go, you’ll be amazed what your body is capable of doing…and accomplishing.
So, what kind of orgasm are you wanting to achieve? You’ve got a tool to get you there. USE IT.
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