Now that summer is upon us, it's very easy to find plants all around. I've noted some great ones below that can be used to keep holistically beautiful.

I love crafting body care products in the summer particularly because you find yourself so much closer to nature. You're able to go right out to your yard, the community garden, or into the nearest forest-y area (with a trust field guide of course!) and find the plants that will help you the most.

Here are 5 favorites of mine that are very common in gardens and kitchens alike:):

Calendula A healing herb for rough or problem skin

Ginger An warming herb that gently purifies as it stimulates (Not usually found in the garden or out and about, but I had to include it since it's so easy to find and so great for the body)

Lavender A gentle cleanser and tonic for all skin types

Peppermint An astringent which clears the complexion

Rosemary An invigorating antiseptic which boosts circulation and deep cleansing

There are tons of ways to use these beauties:). Below are 2 of my own personal recipes (from the classes I teach) that are very easy and quick to make. Enjoy!

Cosmetics and perfumes have been popular since the dawn of civilization. Yet in these days and times a certain standard for beauty has been set, a set image and style. If you don’t fit into that category of beauty, then you are considered ugly. This is why so many Nubians put on too much make up and Perm (which is not really permanent so you have to keep getting it done over and over again) or relax your kingly crown (9 ether hair).

You put on fake nails, fake eyelashes and even alter the structure of your faces by cosmetically or surgically thinning your nose and lips to make yourselves over in the image other than self and kind.

"Black is beautiful.."
We sing it, chant it, and wear it on our shirts but have we really accepted it as a universal truth. When we have discussions about self esteem and self image we address the women we see on television, magazines, and the women we stereotypically say are "Ghetto." But what of the women who African centered? Has her identification with African culture elevated her self esteem and image to a place where she has no insecurities? Or, are we using just superficial scales to determine if one holds them self in high esteem (i.e. natural hair, the way one clothes them self, etc).Here is the real question if you hated yourself for the majority of your life can a book, movie, and so forth really heal the scars of insecurity.

Greetings ymib fam!

Summer here, with all those cute strappy tops and dresses, I wanted to ask you ladies how you keep your underarms looking and feeling soft and healthy...

The reason I ask is because it seems to be a topic that comes up a lot in black websites and forums - especially on how to keep this sensitive area even toned (as many womben experience dark areas in their underarms)....

So what do you d to keep your underarms beautiful?

I'm only ever use natural deodrants now, exfoliating and adding moisture to this area wth shea butter every night as a break from deo - it really has made a huge difference to even out my skin tone in this area.

I would also love to hear if hair removal makes a difference to you?

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Omigod! Maths is confusing again!

I know I haven't been blogging much lately because I was on a holiday. During my trip, I got to see a series of racist advertisements. I wanted to blog about this in my feminist blog, but I felt that this is related to fashion and beauty more than it is related to feminism. Just watch these pointless and fake advertisements, before reading more:

No boyfriends for dark girls

I have a question to those full of knowledge about beauty, in other words my beauty-full Sistahs,lol.

I was tom-boyish as a young teen. Maybe being an athlete had something to do with it. It wasn't until I got older and connected with my womaness that I started to care more about beautifying techniques.One thing I could say that I did regularly was shave.

But since I began practicing yoga I no longer shave my legs because it's taught that the leg hairs on us women protect the electro- magnetic field of our ovaries.

Nonetheless, I always try to look at our ancestors ways of doing things.Some things in yoga is Indian and Aryan influenced. So I'm not sure if not shaving is Indian or Aryan teachings.

When I did research, I would read that sugaring was a common thing done by our ancestors to remove hair.However, I am not sure how authentic the sources I read are.

So Sistahs...do you have any authentic material that answers my question on hair removal? You help is much appreciated.

Bless,
Sa Mut Herr

I do have relaxed hair, but I am going to transition eventually. I've always been fascinated with natural hair. The versatility, beauty and funkiness of the style--a style once deemed "taboo" as opposed to innately individual. Candace sent me this email and it inspired me so much because I personally can relate.
I don't know very many people would would support my decision to go natural (I'm not even sure if I know many people who would care), especially since I know my own hair texture (transitioned before and I stretch for about 3-6 months between touch-ups) might not go over too well with some folks. (Keeping it real, I am AM a nappy-headed ho... i guess.)

On the road to womanhood, baggage collected during the teenage years can make the transition challenging. Once forgiveness of self is obtained and there is growth from the experiences, it is imperative to help the next generation of young females. During the teenage years, young females from all walks of life need the support of the village. With the demands of fitting in, and the lack of support from home and the community, the majority of young females start to go down the path that will diminish their self-worth.

Everyone has been after me for this Tshirt and I wanted to give you a heads up on it. The Beautiful is online at http://www.sakile.com/whatsnew1.htm.

Love,
Karen
www.sakile.com

Bariki lips is made with love from the earth. Bariki lips is Vegan Friendly without pesticides, parabens, names you can not pronounce or any other harmful chemicals but with natural & organic ingredients.

Our waxes, butters & essential oils blended together create a rhythmic & flavorable lip balm suitable for all weather conditions & all kissable conditions too :0)

Ingredients: shea butter, organic sweet almond oil natural raw honey, organic calendula extract, Vitamin C, essential peppermint oil, cinnamon leaf extract.

Bariki Lips is sure to heal your lips & keep them moisturized.

Bariki Lips says NO to animal cruelty.

If you would like to purchase Bariki Lips Lip Balm, please visit us at on April 4, 2008 when our website is fully constructed.

www.barikibodycare.etsy.com

Greetings all!

Well I am very excited to be starting to post here. I'd been looking for a place to share my writings on holistic beauty that would really appreciate it - a community that was already in the know and glad for more:). And then I remembered ymib!

So after weeks of having it on my todo list, the day has finally come:). And it's a fitting day as well. There's a beautiful rain outside my window and the breeze is light and rejuvenating - a perfect day for starting something new as the old is washed away and what's left is cleansed and made fresh again.

So a little about me, I am a holistic esthetician, herbalist, makeup artist, dancer, and writer. And this is just in this version of my life:). I'm looking forward to sharing what I've learned in my journey of life.

I own a mineral makeup company, Etniq, which caters to women of color as well as dancers and other performers. It was important for me to create a line that 1. would bring ethnic women the same variety of choices for healthy makeup that others have and 2. would be long-wearing, bold and vibrant if need - be to withstand the rigors of the stage as well as everyday life, lol.

We prize cool, we prize beauty, we prize peace. We adorn, annoint, and beautify every day in our rituals of body care be they peace, beauty, or in a mad dash for the sake of time. Just remember, as we do what we do to beauty and peacify our bodes in our quests, lets be safe. Our body care, even the so called "natural" products can be dangerous. Check your packages, read your labels.

Some of the ingredients to steer clear of are: parabens of all kinds, DEA/TEA/EDTA/BHA/PEG, dimethicone, talc, mineral oil, propylene glycol, and FRAGRANCE oil. Fragrance oil is the most common skin irritant and in some studies it is linked to cancer. Fragrance oils are cheap, easily accessible, offer thousands of options; as for me and "my house", we're sticking with the script and offering only what the Creator has offered us.

My store was overflowing with beautiful energy today!!!! It was truly phenomenal and here's why. A typical day at the store is quiet. Only on Friday evening when we have what I call a SunSet do we have guests and passerby traffic at the store, but today we had sisters from ages 18 on up to early 60s and it was simply divine what the women had to say. Some of them came to the store at 10am and stayed until 5pm talking and vibing. It was unbelievable.

We talked about everything from getting rid of that ugly underwear, adorning ourselves with natural, beautiful things, and whispering to our children instead of hollering at them. I wish I could put today into words, but it was just a vibe that just happened. One sister stopped in and told us all how she was burned over 65% of her body and left for dead, but she was standing there in my store, radiant, glowing, and awesome. Today was just one of those spectacular days.

Amy Winehouse captured American audiences with her hit song “Rehab,” crazy tabloids stories, and most notably, her infamous black, winged eyeliner. Ever since Amy's debut, the re-emergence of this particular style of liner, made famous in the 50s, has become a dominate make-up trend, visible in basic black and also bold colors. This timeless trend will make its way to survive through spring, being seen on top powerhouse celebrities such as Beyonce, Rihanna, and Lindsay Lohan. Also being seen backstage at fashion week, Karl Lagerfield brought the trend to the runway at Chanel's latest show. The trend has been categorized by MAC in three different techniques: winged, connected, and disconnected, allowing the trend to appeal to women of all ages and backgrounds. Are you ready to fall in line? Try MAC’s Liquid Last Liner available in array of colors, providing intense color and an eight to ten hour wear without smudging; also try Urban Decay’s Liquid Liner available at Sephora Locations.

Much has been said about the state of the image of black women in today's media. There have been boycotts and congressional hearings and sit-ins, all in an effort to change the image of the black woman as welfare mom (see your local news), oversexed groupie (see Karrine Stefans aka Superhead at a Borders near you), or scantily clad video ho (see 106 & Park on BET anytime of the day or night). Gone are the Whitley Gilbert's of A Different World, the Gina Water's of Martin or Khadijah's of Living Single. They've been replaced with I Love New York and the uberoutrageous Flavor of Love Cast.

The new beginning of a new year is always the best time for you to update your current look. Have you been dying to try faux lashes to accentuate your look? Now is the best time to try, not too sure about faux lashes but still want to achieve the look, try applying MAC Prep & Prime lash primer to the lash and follow with their Plushlash mascara in Plushblack. Another great trend for the season is bold brows, very visible at fashion week, to achieve the look, follow your natural brow with MAC eye shadows in Brun or Espresso and finish with their clear brow set. Also, try using liner to spice up any everyday look.

For silky skin exfoliate you body with this handmade body scrub. Try keeping a small jar near your kitchen sink to keep you hands moisturized after washing dishes, or you can keep a small container in your bathroom for your guests to enjoy when visiting!

1/2 C. Sea Salt

1/4 C. Olive Oil

3-4 drops of Rosemary Oil

2 drops of Lemon-grass Oil

1 Tsp. Dried Rosemary

1 Tsp. Dried Lemon-grass

Be sure to sterilize your container before pouring your ingredients in.

Pour your sea salt into your jar.

Prep Time - 10 minsTransform an ordinary bath into a luxurious haven.Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of Baking Soda into your warm bath water.Toss a handful of your favourite Organic Dried Herbs

Ease yourself ever so slowly into your bath.Allow the stimulating natural fragrance to relax your mind with blissful thoughts of peace.Organic Rose Petals & Buds

Increases
circulation and softens dry skin.Not suitable for oily
skin.Prep Time: 15 mins.10 grams of 100% Pure Cocoa
Powder1 dollop of Honey5 grams of Demerara Sugar3 grams
of Grapeseed oil or Sweet Almond OilDirections:Combine
all the ingredients until it forms a paste.Gently apply to
freshly washed skin & lightly massage with your finger tips for
30 seconds.Rinse with warm water and you're left with soft

My first ever lipstick was 72% pure Dark Chocolate. At the tender age of 8, I used my pocket money to buy chocolate - not just any old chocolate it had to be plain dark chocolate - the best that my meager allowance could buy.I would break off a small bit, use the pointy corners as a lip liner, and then smother my lips with the rest to make it look as if I were actually wearing

Why purchase all those expensive, high priced, high street AHA creams when you can get wholesome benefits & nutrients at a fraction of the cost by using fresh yoghurt mixed with FRESH fruit and/or Honey?What's in it for you?

If you can't bear to even look at one more over-engineered, over-marketed, over-paid celebrity telling you "you're worth it" when you know that you're blooming-well worth MORE!If you're fed up of department store ladies trying to sell you those “all natural” lotions & potions that contain a myriad of BOZWELLOX – then breathe a sigh of relief & think of fresh Strawberries, yummy Papaya and juicy Watermelons.

Way-WAY back in the bad ol' daysDuring the potato famine, of the mid 19th century, this humble seaweed saved hundreds of thousands of Irish from starvation. It's believed that Irish Moss/Carrageen or Carrageenan Moss/Chondrus crispus originated from the Gaelic word Carraigín.

This is a great way to replenish lost nutrients like calcium, magnesium, potassium, iodine, protein, vitamins, amino acids, and more. Seaweed is a great detoxifier - try and use fresh seaweed but powdered and dried are just as good.

Ingredients:

1 Slice of pineapple cut into chunks & with the skin on

28 grams of Organic Papaya oil

1 drop of Honey (optional)

Prep Time: 15 mins

Vinegar has been dubbed a "Beauty Bargain in a Bottle".

Here's a simple recipe that you can make at home called: "Lip Service"

Prep time required = 5 minutes at the most Ingredients: 1. One teaspoon of Organic honey (an all natural humectant) OR 100% Natural Agave Nectar (Vegan alternative to honey)