Yesterday, while in a store waiting for my watch to get fixed, I ended up talking to one of the customer service people who was in there. The discussion began with light stuff like the weather, and when he said, “Isn’t this heat crazy?” I responded by saying, “I mean, is it? It is the South, and it is summertime.”
Learning how to roll with the seasons (both literally as well as metaphorically) is a life lesson that will spare you so much, trust me. Besides, it’s not like each season (again, literally as well as metaphorically) doesn’t have its perks. As far as the summer one goes, summer dresses, vacations, longer days, more ice cream than ever, and also, some pretty impressive fruit is in season during that time…some of which I’m about to tackle from a strictly beauty tips position.
Yep. Today, I’m going to share some of the beauty-related benefits that come from some of summertime’s most popular fruits, along with a couple of ways (for each) that you can incorporate them into looking your best, whether you’re going on a girls’ outing, you’ve got a hot date or you simply have some beauty goals that you want to achieve before fall rolls around.
The Beauty Benefits of Summer’s Juiciest Fruits
1. Watermelon
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Since “water” is literally in the word, I’m thinking it doesn’t surprise you very much that watermelon is made up of 92 percent agua. This means that, off top, it’s great for hydration. Aside from that, though, watermelon is a fruit that reduces inflammation in bones and joints while decreasing muscle soreness (if working out is your thing). Watermelon also contains vitamins A and C to keep your skin in good condition and, since it has a good amount of fiber in it too, watermelon can also help to detox your system.
If you’re looking for an all-natural toner, this DIY Watermelon Cucumber Face Toner recipe (here) uses the Vitamin A in watermelon to brighten your skin along with the antioxidants in cucumber to rejuvenate it. You can also try a DIY Watermelon Face Mask (here); it also contains plain yogurt that helps to deeply moisturize your skin, protect your skin from damaging skin rays and it can even reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
2. Mangoes
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Stringiness aside, mangoes are definitely one of my favorite fruits, so it’s a real bonus that it’s good for me (and you) on the beauty tip. The vitamin C in it will help your skin to produce collagen, so that your skin looks young and vibrant. The copper that it contains can help to slow down premature graying (check out “This Is How To Naturally Treat Premature Greying”). Its vitamin B6 improves your skin’s elasticity while its vitamin E content can increase blood circulation to your scalp, so that your hair is stronger.
Got an unexpected pimple that you want to speed up the healing process of? Try the Mango-Rose Water Cleanser recipe (here). The vitamins A (that it also has), C and E will soothe the zit while the raw milk in the recipe will deeply moisturize and the rose water will help to reduce the inflammation. On the other hand, if you want to deep condition your hair, you can do so with the Mango Butter Hair Mask recipe (here). The recipe calls for eggs that contain protein to strengthen your hair and mango butter that will soften your locks. Speaking of mango butter, if you want to experiment even more with it, check out Humble Bee and Me’s “10 Recipes to Make with Mango Butter.”
3. Strawberries
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I don’t know about y’all but, to me, few things taste better than strawberries and fresh whipped cream — and the fact that they’re another warm weather fruit that is actually good for you? Lawd. Although they technically are more of a late spring fruit as far as seasons go, you can still find them at your local grocery store and even farmers’ market. Good thing too because strawberries are made up of 91 percent water and are another good source of fiber and vitamin C. The anti-inflammatory properties in strawberries are good at fighting acne and the malic acid in them can help to prevent teeth discoloration.
As far as your oral health goes, while eating fresh strawberries is good for you, if you’ve read that brushing your teeth with a combination of strawberries and baking soda is all the rage (as far as teeth whitening is concerned) — yeah, you might want to be careful with that. Since strawberries are highly acidic and baking soda can be somewhat abrasive, the combo, long-term, can lead to thinning enamel.
Instead, use strawberries for things like making your own DIY Strawberry Smash Moisturizer (here). The cocoa butter in this moisturizer will deeply hydrate your skin as well as soften the appearance of stretch marks and minor scars while the aloe will soothe and reduce skin symptoms that are related to psoriasis and eczema. Another cool strawberry recipe? How about the Strawberry Shortcake Lip Scrub DIY one (here)? Talk about a delicious way to keep your lips super soft and smooth.
4. Apricots
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If you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between apricots and peaches, apricots are smaller and not as sweet as peaches are; in fact, they have a bit of a tart taste to them. Your skin will like them because they contain a fair amount of vitamins A, C and antioxidants to keep your skin radiant and glowing. They are made up of around 85 percent water which will help to keep your hair, skin and nails hydrated; plus, the high amount of fiber in your gut can help to keep you regular, so that your breakouts are decreased.
If you’re looking to rejuvenate your skin, try making your own Apricot Scrub (here). A recipe that contains honey will help to lighten your skin and fade acne scarring while the fresh lemon juice will help to remove acne-causing bacteria and boost collagen levels in your skin. Speaking of scrubs, the Apricot Lip Scrub (here), although it calls for apricot oil rather than the fruit itself, is another way to keep your lips super soft all summer long.
5. Cherries
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Although they seem to be costing an arm and a leg out here this summer (SMDH), hands down, another one of my favorite summer fruits are Bing cherries. Since they’re filled with fiber and they’re a pretty good source of vitamin C, copper, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, I’m sure that you get that these sweet treats are great for your system overall. What they can do for you, as far as your beauty goals go, is fight any cellular damage that is in your skin, they can help to speed up the healing process of breakouts and they also contain sleep compounds, so that you’re able to get the beauty rest that you need.
Is your skin super dry? You might want to try this Nourishing Cherry & Peach Mask for Dry Skin recipe (here). I’ll explain what the peaches can do for your skin in just a moment. For now, though, another ingredient in this mask is extra virgin olive oil; that is bomb because it deeply moisturizes, helps to reduce signs of aging and it gently yet effectively removes make-up (if you’re worried about some of it clogging up your pores).
Another cherry-related beauty hack? You can get your skin ready for your swimsuit with this Cherry Vanilla Body Scrub recipe (here). The granules of the sugar will help to remove dead skin, the coconut oil will moisturize, soften and even your skin tone and the sweet almond oil will reverse sun damage and even soften the appearance of stretch marks.
6. Limes
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Maybe it’s just me, but I personally think that when it comes to cocktails and mocktails, limes make them so much better. You should consider adding them to your beauty regimen because limes are a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants which are both really good for keeping your skin youthful. Since they also help your system to absorb iron, if your goal is to grow longer locks, lime can help in that department too (since iron deficiency and hair loss are connected).
Oh, and if you’re looking to shed a few pounds this summer season, lime water can help with that too. That’s because the citric acid that’s in limes can help to increase your metabolism and prevent as much fat from storing up in your body.
Looking to clarify your hair on wash day? This Revitalizing Lime Hair Rinse recipe (here) is just what you need. The combination of the lime juice and apple cider vinegar that’s in it will remove the build-up that’s on your scalp and in your hair without over-drying it. Something else that could be fun is this Vanilla, Coconut, Cocoa and Lime Lip Balm recipe (here). All of its ingredients can help to keep your lips really smooth and very kissable from sunrise to sunset.
7. Peaches
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There is nothing like digging into a sweet and juicy peach! Fiber aside, two things that this fruit has an impressive amount of are vitamin A and potassium. Aside from the skin brightening that I mentioned earlier, some other cool things about vitamin A is it helps to prevent (or reduce) skin sagging, it’s pretty effective at treating psoriasis and it also decreases damage that UV rays tend to cause. Potassium? Potassium is cool because it helps to keep your cells well-hydrated, your bones (including your teeth) nice and strong and it also builds muscle (as you’re working out).
If you’ve got a date coming up, pamper your skin with a Peaches & Cream Facial Scrub (here). The oatmeal in the recipe is a powerful exfoliant and skin moisturizer. When it comes to your hair, apply this really simple Peach Hair Mask recipe (here). Peaches are a wonderful moisturizer overall and besides, just imagine how delicious your locks will smell after using it!
8. Melons
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Whether it’s cantaloupe (which is made up of a little over 90 percent water) or honeydew (which has the same amount of water in it as cantaloupe does), you’re in for a refreshing treat if you like either one. And the cool thing, beauty-wise, is both of these melons are full of vitamin C and antioxidants to keep your skin thriving. Something else that both cantaloupe as well as honeydew have in them are electrolytes; electrolytes are good for your skin because they both moisturize it as well as help to strengthen your skin’s barrier.
If you’ve got 4C-type hair, your strands will be all about the DIY Melon Hair Mask for 4C Hair recipe (here) where the combination of the melon puree, coconut oil and essential oils will deeply condition and strengthen your hair. Skin-wise, a Melon Lime Toning Mask (recipe is here) can tone your skin with the help of two basic ingredients: your choice of honeydew or cantaloupe and lime. As a bonus, another all-natural beauty treat is the Cucumber Melon Lotion Bar recipe that consists of cucumber melon fragrance essential oil (here).
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Excuse the pun but…pretty cool, right? If you’ve been wondering what to do with the little bit of summer fruit that you have left, now it has another purpose: bringing out the best in you, beauty-wise.
Just one more than to love about summer, right? I totally agree.
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Kayla Nicole is among xoNecole’s It Girl 100 Class of 2025, powered by SheaMoisture, recognized in the Viral Voices category for her work in media and the trends she sets on our timelines, all while prioritizing her own mental and physical health. As she puts it: “Yes, I’m curating conversations on my podcast The Pre-Game, and cultivating community with my wellness brand Tribe Therepē.”
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On The Pre-Game, which launched earlier this year, she has positioned herself as listeners “homegirl.” “There’s definitely a delicate dance between being genuine and oversharing, and I’ve had to learn that the hard way. Now I share from a place of reflection, not reaction,” she says. “If it can help someone feel seen or less alone, I’ll talk about it within reason. But I’ve certainly learned to protect parts of my life that I cherish most. I share what serves connection but doesn’t cost me peace.
"I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out."
Credit: Malcolm Roberson
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Meanwhile, frankincense and myrrh originate from the Middle East and Africa (you know, like the Bible does — some folks need to be reminded of that—eh hem — Trumpers) and ginger? It too helps with indigestion (which can definitely creep up at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner tables); plus, it’s a key ingredient for ginger snaps and gingerbread houses. So, as you can see, holiday-themed scents have a rhyme and reason to them.
Tying this all in together — several years ago, I penned an article for the platform entitled, “Are You Ready To Have Some Very Merry ‘Christmas Sex’?” Well, in the spirit of revisiting some of that content, with a bit of a twist, I decided to broach some traditional holiday scents from the perspective of which ones will do your libido a ton of good from now through New Year’s Eve (check out “Make This Your Best NYE. For Sex. EVER.”).
Are you ready to check some of them out, so that, whether it’s via a candle, a diffuser, some essential oil, or some DIY body cream (check out “How To Incorporate All Five Senses To Have The Best Sex Ever”), you can bring some extra festive ambiance into your own boudoir? Excellent.
1. Vanilla
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When it comes to holiday desserts, you’re going to be hard-pressed to find recipes that don’t include vanilla — and that alone explains why it is considered to be a traditional holiday scent. As far as your libido goes, vanilla is absolutely considered to be an aphrodisiac — partly because its sweet scent is considered to be very sensual. Some studies even reveal that vanillin (the active ingredient in vanilla) is able to increase sexual arousal and improve erectile dysfunction in men. So, if you adore the smell, here is more incentive to use it.
2. Frankincense
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Although, typically, when people think about frankincense (and myrrh), it’s in the context of the gifts that the wise men brought Christ after he was born; it’s a part of the biblical Christmas story. However, frankincense goes much deeper than that. Sexually, since it has an earthy and spicy scent, some people like to use it to meditate (check out “What Exactly Is 'Orgasmic Meditation'?”). Also, since it has the ability to put you in a better mood, soothe and soften your skin and maintain your oral health — with the help of frankincense, every touch and kiss can be that much…sexier.
3. Cinnamon
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I already gave cinnamon a shout-out in the intro. Personally, I’ve been a fan of it, in the sex department, for a long time now (check out “12 ‘Sex Condiments’ That Can Make Coitus Even More...Delicious”). When it’s in oil form, it can be very sweet to the taste while sending a warm sensation throughout the body — which is why the giver and receiver of oral sex can benefit from its usage. Beyond that, cinnamon helps to increase blood flow to your genital region, elevate sexual desire and, some studies say that it can even help improve fertility. Beautiful.
4. Peppermint
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If there’s a signature candy for the holiday season, it’s probably a candy cane — which automatically puts peppermint in the running for being an official holiday scent. Pretty much, in any form, it’s got your sex life’s back because it’s hailed as being a sexual stimulant; in part, because its smell is so invigorating. Plus, it helps to (eh hem) ease headaches, it gives you more energy and it can definitely help to freshen your breath. Also, that minty sensation? The same thing that I said about cinnamon can apply to peppermint too (if you catch my drift).
5. Ginger
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Whether it’s in a meal or in your bedroom, ginger is going to produce results that are hella spicy. On the sex tip, science has praised ginger for being able to increase sexual arousal, improve blood circulation (which intensifies orgasms) and strengthen fertility for many years. Scent-wise, I find it to be one that both men and women enjoy because it is both woodsy and sweet. So, if you’ve got some massage oil in mind, adding some ginger is a way to please you both.
6. Pomegranate
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September through December is the time of year when pomegranates are considered to be in season. And, as someone who is a Rosh Hashanah observer, I have a personal adoration for them because I am aware of the various things that they symbolize in Hebrew culture including the fact that they are a fruit that represents love and fertility. So yeah, they would absolutely be an aphrodisiac — one that is perfect for this time of the year. While consuming it helps to boost testosterone levels in both men and women, the floral bittersweet smell that it produces can help to reduce stress while promoting relaxation (like most floral scents do) — and the more relaxed you are, the easier it is to climax.
7. Nutmeg
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Another signature seasoning during the holiday season is nutmeg. It’s perfect in Thanksgiving sweet potato (or pumpkin) pie and Christmas morning French toast. And yes, it can also make your sex life better. If you consume it, it can intensify your libido and, overall, its warm-meets-spicy-meets-sweet smell is so inviting that it is considered to be a pretty seductive scent.
8. Cloves
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I ain’t got not one lie to tell you — if you’ve got a toothache, put some clove oil on that bad boy and send me a Christmas present for putting you on game. Aside from that, as I round all of this out, cloves are another holiday scent that can do wonders for your sex life. For men, it has the ability to significantly increase sexual arousal and improve stamina and endurance. For men and women alike, it also has a reputation for strengthening sexual desire. And for women solely? Well, if you want an all-natural way to increase natural lubrication down below — the scent and and feel (in DILUTED oil form) can make that happen. It can make the holidays especially special…if you know what I mean.
Ah yes — the atmosphere of the holidays and what it can do.
Take it all in! Scent ‘n whatever stimulating that comes with it! #wink
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