Every year I refresh my essentials and these products earned a spot this year. As a Black woman, a fine hair girly, someone with dry skin, and someone managing an autoimmune condition, this list is tailored to what actually works for me and makes the...
Sections
5
Face
Body
Oral
Supplements
Hair
Face
My gateway into K-beauty. This double-cleanse combo (oil first, foam second) is a affordable way to actually get your face clean without stripping it.
ANUA Double Cleansing Duo for Facial Cleansing
An all-in-one moisturizer built around snail mucin, so it hydrates and soothes without needing five extra steps behind it.
COSRX Snail Mucin 92% Moisturizer
I didn't take this seriously until postpartum puffiness showed up. Now it's a regular part of my routine for lymphatic drainage and facial contouring.
BAIMEI IcyMe Gua Sha & Jade Roller Set
A lifesaver for thin brows. The fork tip mimics individual hairs so I get a natural look because I am not a pro at all!
iMethod 2-in-1 Eyebrow Pencil Fork & Brush
This helped train my stubborn brows to lay flat throughout the day. No white cast, unlike a lot of other brow gels I've tried.
e.l.f. Brow Lift - Clear Eyebrow Gel
I like this because it's a multitasking serum that combines Vitamin C with other actives, so it cuts down the number of separate products I need.
Naturium Vitamin C Super Serum Plus
My go-to toner that I use it on my face, neck, and even my armpits for gentle exfoliation and brightening.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toner
The only sunscreen that's ever blended into my skin without leaving a white cast. Works for both face and body.
Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30
The product that finally fixed my chronically chapped lips with consistent use.
EADEM Le Chouchou Viral 3-in-1 Lip Treatment
My purse staple is this lip oil with a great shade range for easy color on the go.
NYX Professional Makeup Fat Oil Lip Drip Lip Oil
An easy way to add definition to lips; peel-off formula makes it low-maintenance.
Lip Liner STAY-N® - Peel-Off Lip Liner Stain
Body
After trying a long list of natural deodorants, this is the one worked the best. Noting there are other things I do to my pits to help keep them tamed.
An affordable scented layering option. I apply after shower and lotion for lasting fragrance.
Bellavita Luxury Honey Oud Eau de Parfum
Mixed with apple cider vinegar for a monthly armpit detox mask; also doubles as a hair or face mask.
Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay
A recent addition that helps manage sweat and keeps skin smelling good. I apply as the final step of the body routine.
Camille Beckman French Vanilla Talc-Free Dusting
Restocked monthly for applying dusting powder to creases — armpits, back of the knees, and neck.
Teenitor Velour Powder Puffs (4-Pack)
This year I switched to this instead of a african net sponge. This feels gentler while still exfoliating well.
GOSHI Exfoliating Shower Towel - Body Scrubber
A hydrating body wash with a scent that makes the shower routine feel a little more luxe.
Saltair Oil-Infused Body Wash
The first cleanse in the shower routine to remove dirt and help control odor, leaving skin feeling fresh most of the day.
Naturium The Energizer Mandelic Acid Body Wash
A weekly scrub that keeps skin smooth and helps with smooth texture.
Naturium KP Body Scrub & Mask
Consistent use has brought noticeable improvement to my dry skin (and it's HSA-eligible).
CeraVe Healing Ointment
My feminine wash of choice, formulated with tea tree oil and prebiotics.
vH Essentials pH-Balanced Daily Feminine Wash
My favorite brand of organic feminine pads.
The Honey Pot Co. Cotton Comfort Pads
A scented, broad-spectrum SPF body oil for me to makes sure sunscreen actually gets applied to my whole body, not just the face.
Supergoop! Glow Oil SPF 50
Layered on top of regular deodorant purely for the scent, a nice finishing touch.
Saltair Golden Hour 5% AHA Serum Deodorant
I use this on my stomach, thighs, and neck to help with discoloration.
Even Skin Turmeric Beauty Bar
I use this for my underarms to help for a deeper cleanse for the bacteria.
Blemish Be Gone Beauty Bar
I use this when I have breakouts on my face or body. I also use this on my underarms to help with the smell.
PanOxyl Acne Wash 4% Benzoyl Peroxide 6oz
Who remembers Avon? Still use this because of my mom.
Avon Skin So Soft Original Bath Oil Spray
Oral
I use this every quarter as a refresher.
GuruNanda Teeth Whitening Strips (7-Day Kit)
In addition to brushing, I use this for the tongue to avoid bad breath.
GuruNanda Stainless Steel Tongue Scraper (4-Pack)
Can't forget to floss. I like this one because it's not too thin.
GuruNanda Expandable Waxed Dental Floss 2pk
My everyday, go-to whitening toothpaste.
Arm & Hammer Advance White Baking Soda Toothpaste
Last long and doesn't sting because it's alcohol free.
TheraBreath Icy Mint Alcohol-Free Mouthwash
Used for oil pulling. I swish it in the shower at least once a week (sometimes more) to support oral health and ease any mouth irritation.
Nutiva Organic Cold-Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil
Supplements
I'm not a fan of taking pills so I appreciate how this includes the magnesium as well which helps with body aches or joint pains that comes with adulting.
VEV Corefeel Vitamin D3 + K2 with Magnesium
A daily game-changer for managing an autoimmune condition. Skipping it means noticeably stiffer joints the next morning.
MegaFood Whole Body Turmeric Curcumin
I deal with fatigue, being cold, and headaches. So this supplement is needed and doesn't cause the nausea some other iron supplements do.
MegaFood Blood Builder Iron Supplement
I heard in the social media streets that collagen peptides help you look young longer so of course I added it to my daily routine. I like this one because it also has the Prebiotic & Probiotics component. Any opportunity to double up on supplemen...
Orgain Collagen Peptides with Prebiotics
A fish-free omega-3 alternative because I have a seafood allergy. Also seems to help cut through autoimmune-related brain fog and keep focus steady during the workday.
Vegan Omega-3 Algae Oil (DHA/EPA)
This is my multivitamin that includes the basics.
THORNE Basic Nutrients 2/Day Multivitamin
Hair
Strong hold for edges with no white residue, just wrap for a few minutes after applying for best results.
Creme of Nature Argan Oil Perfect Edges
This has combo helped rebuild strength in my fine, breakage-prone hair. And visibly improved edge growth and hair texture over time.
Lengthening Serum + Thickening Foam Bundle
A hair growth serum I use about three times a week to keep length retention on track.
Camille Rose Cocoa Nibs & Honey Ultimate Growth Serum
A deep moisture treatment I use every couple of months to help hair hold hydration longer.
Camille Rose Algae Renew Deep Conditioning Mask
I like this bundle because my curls always come out really defined. These products have a long-lasting hold with minimal flaking when used as a full system.
Not Your Mother's Curl Talk To Go Mini Styling Kit
Applied to the edges to support regrowth. A more affordable dupe for pricier edge-growth drops.
The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density
New to the routine this year — a switch away from natural-hair-specific products toward something built for fine, breakage-prone strands. So far it's helping reduce shedding while keeping hair manageable.
OUAI Shampoo for Fine Hair
Pairs with the shampoo for added moisture without weighing fine hair down.
OUAI Conditioner for Fine Hair
One of the more effective clarifying shampoos I've tried that actually clears out product buildup, and more affordable than a lot of other clarifying options on the market.
OUAI Clarifying Detox Shampoo
This is another option for your curls. I like this one because if doesn't flake up.
The Doux BIG POPPA Curl Defining Gel
I use this with the mouse with the gel to help define my curls.
