WANT! Self Care Sunday
Tearsheet by Casey Claros.
With the reality of the pandemic chaos and the ongoing trauma that plagues black and brown lives, we can’t ignore the reminders, either via friends or social media PSA’s, to practice self-care. One of my favorite quotes that I recently spotted on IG and reposted from @highqualityhumanbeings says, “Self-Care is how you get your power back.” Given the state of society as mentioned, taking care of your whole self can look a little different than it has in the past, and it even takes on new meaning based on your perspective on the current world. Sometimes, it’s as simple as just taking time to breathe, indulging in doing nothing, or taking a therapeutic musically charged walk. If you are a person of color or an ally active in the fight for racial equality, it can be the act of emailing, tweeting, and calling government officials to demand justice that brings you rest. You may need a heavy dose of aligning your heart chakras or style chakras with a glam for no reason pick me up. It’s all about filling yourself where you need with what you need as some of our day-to-day reality can be depleting. If you’re a fan of HBO’s Insecure you, like I, are also inspired by Issa and Molly’s BFF routine of Self-Care Sundays. Realistically speaking, it’s not always tangible to prioritize yourself so the idea of dedicating a day to check in with your needs is total progress. Here, I took a deep dive into some self-care motivators and put together my editor picks to inspire you to get started. Mark your Sundays off (or any suitable day) to tap into your ‘glow up’ and get into your version of self-nurturing. Let’s self-care together. Recharge, reset, re-up, resist = superpower!
Tearsheet by Casey Claros.
We currently live a life behind face masks, which is just one more reason to give our face the masks it truly craves. I often forget about prioritizing my skin and, I’m sure, I’m not alone. The best part about applying a mask is that you can still choose to binge your favorite show, water your plants, call a friend, or anything (low-key is suggested) while giving deep penetrating love to your skin. The Pink Clay Exfoliating Floral Mask by Herbivore Botanicals is not only vegan and cruelty-free but is packed with rejuvenating French Pink Cay that promotes elasticity. It has Rosehip, which works to repair damaged tissue and chamomile that generates soothing anti-inflammatory perks for problematic skin.
I’m crazy about nail art. However, with the emergence of shutdowns I have gotten accustomed to doing my own manicures, and at least 1 out of 5 times I do it successfully. Now, I’ve discovered ManiMe custom-fit stick on gels developed with proprietary 3D technology. The company boasts easy self-application and removal with no damaging effects on the nails. What’s that, you say? The way it works is that you scan your hands, select your design, and receive your mani in just a few days. This toxin and cruelty-free mani can be applied in five minutes or less. Let the angels sing… Amen!
Tearsheet by Casey Claros.
One of the quickest ways to settle your nerves is to fill your surroundings with stimulating aromas, or what many call aromatherapy. Perry Boyce is a Black-owned fragrance company that produces candles and gifts for the home. The company’s Amber + Wood fragrance is one of my favorite mood-altering scents; it combines warm amber, a hint of lavender, and jasmine with a base of vanilla, dark musk, and sandalwood to set the tone for good vibes only.
Everyone has their own testimony of what got them through or is getting them through, this season of shelter in place. A friend of mine mentioned to me that she owes her sanity to her cats, and I responded that aside from God it’s my houseplants for me. I would say it is widely agreed upon that healthy air promoting living organisms is a wonderful contributor to self-care. Horticultural heaven consists of lots of talking to new baby leaves, propagation of plants to create more plants, and just the thrilling satisfaction of seeing the growth of greenery around you. Isha Plants, another Black-owned company to have on your radar, provides a Plant Propagation subscription service that ships a box of curated plant cuttings not typically found in your local shops, a booklet with step-by-step instructions about the plant specimen, access to video materials to further help with propagation tips, and more. Bring a little outside inside for a therapeutic environment.
I reminisce about the days when I attended Hip Hop Yoga at Y7 Studios. A candlelit heated room and hip-hop bangers somehow equal a great combination for an elevated yoga experience. ‘We Flow Hard’ was the mantra, and I have since added that to my ongoing yoga practice. These Y7 Studio Namaste Hands socks are such a great reminder that you can Namaste know matter where you are. Let your Yoga socks show and add a little internal light to your ensemble.
Article by Ayoka Lucas, Fashion Editor, PhotoBook Magazine
Instagram: @ayokalu
