This Content Creator Has The Luxury Skincare Routine Of Our Dreams
In About Face, xoNecole gets the 411 on IGers who give us #skincaregoals on the daily. Here they break down their beauty routines on the inside and out, as well as the highly coveted products that grace their shelves and their skin.
Morgan Brown, better known on Instagram as @itsheymorgan, is a 22-year-old content creator taking the world by storm. "My favorite part about my work is that it didn't exist five years ago," she told xoNecole. "Although this is a challenging space, molding a career path that doesn't included a 1-2-3 step guide, I enjoy most the creative autonomy I have to create almost anything I want in my truest and most authentic voice, and self."
Whether it's through her IG-worthy travel journeys, her transparent af YouTube channel, or enviable excursions into being a skincare enthusiast, Morgan steadily proves she's a multifaceted creative to watch. And with an online following of over 52,000 and counting, she's found an untapped niche in providing beauty tips and tricks from a flawless and ever-glowing canvas. Her earliest memory of beauty was when she was five or six watching her mom's nighttime routine. "This would include removing her makeup, putting on eye cream, and tying her hair up in a silk scarf. This was the moment I learned: Never sleep in makeup, eye cream IS important, and if you want edges -- get you a silk scarf," she revealed.
In this installment of xoNecole's About Face, Morgan talks her daytime and nighttime routines, meditation, and the importance of being kissed by the sun.
My morning routine looks like...
"Mornings are so fun for me (I KNOW, actually weird). I enjoy them because it's the most intimate time and space I have with myself. So, typically a morning for me always start with prayer, a cup of coffee and the newest episode of 'ASK VIV'."
For my skincare routine in the AM...
"My daytime skin routine:
- Cleanse: Tatcha The Deep Cleanse Exfoliating Cleanser (Amazing for sensitive skin!)
- Serum: Joanna Vargas Revitalizing Serum (My go-to serum for months now. It leaves my skin super hydrated and glowy!)
- Moisturize: Seed Phytonutrients Hydrating Facial Lotion
- Face Oil: Lastly, I use Go-to Skincare Face Hero Oil (Super lightweight and soothing!)"
And for my skincare routine in the PM...
"At night? I would definitely say my routine is a bit more intense at night. I still include all the products in my daytime routine, with a few add-ons: Exfoliating with ELEMIS Blackcurrant Jelly Exfoliator (only 1-2x per week) and a good 'ol mask. i'm currently reaching for the Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Mask."
My go-to makeup look consists of...
"I am SUPER invested in my skin, so makeup isn't an everyday thing for me. However, there are days when an eyebrow, highlight and a bomb matte lip won't hurt."
How I approach beauty from the inside-out...
"Meditation, journaling and sitting in the sun."
What self-care looks like to me...
"Always, always, a good face mask, a warm cup of tea and silk PJ's."
How I do skincare when I travel...
"I am THAT girl when it comes to traveling with my entire skincare cabinet (Yes, entire). Traveling cannot stop this glow!"
For more of Morgan, follow her on Instagram.
Shop Morgan's Beauty Staples:
Featured image by Morgan Brown/Instagram
Originally published June 19, 2019
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. Thatās why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who arenāt 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, theyāre ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Donāt 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.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this whatās best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, Iāve often heard parents say, āI asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didnāt stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesnāt work.ā
And the parent isnāt wrong. Talking often doesnāt work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing abilityāor listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their childās misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:Ā Ā
āUnderstanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what theyāve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
āMaintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
āPromoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images