Lips, hips and fingertips: Natural skincare talk 101- Read and shop.

Clear skin via mother nature

photo credit: Kymmiisha 

I'm two years into a foundation ban and all the pictures above were taken with varying amounts of makeup on including top right and left where I have nothing but eyebrows on. The top middle is a fully delivered facebeat with no mercy and again foundation free. I must say my pictures (the bottom three being shameless selfies) thrive on good lighting, I took notes from Tyra Banks about finding you light honey yasss! Even in my professional shoots I make sure I'm flatteringly positioned with the light. This may enhance the appearance of these photos and my skin however the fact remains, good natural skin care gives you something to work with. 

photo credit: Kymmiisha 

Over the last year and half to two years I've been on so many medications, I've had so many drugs intravenously administered from anesthetics to blood dyes and in pill and liquid form. It has his definitely left a mark on my body internally and externally ranging from horrific hair loss to dry skin. I remember my days of having oxygen masks to aid breathing and Entonox mouthpieces for pain relief having the driest most sore lips. It didn't help that I was mostly unwell during the winter months when anyone is fair game for dry and chapped lips. I would always have vitamin e oil and it worked miracles on my sore lips.

photo credit: Kymmiisha 

I whipped this cream up for myself a few months ago during spring time when winter had left an indelible dryness in my skin and I've been since been inching closer  and closer to baby butt smoothness ever since. Since its made from oils it can make your skin/makeup get oily quickly so I've reserved it to only be used at night time when it can permeate through and moisturize my skin as I sleep! This is after I either wash my face with natural black soap or do a natural facial. Its simply made from coconut oil, shea butter, witch hazel water, vitamin e oil and the only non oil component to cut through the oils- tea tree toner! I literally just measured it by eye based on what I needed, most probably a tablespoon of each product and then a bit more toner to make it less stodgy. I whisked everything with the tail end of a comb till it was white and whipped and then transferred the mixture into my old shea butter container. I'm still using it in August since May because I only have to use the smallest amount at a time and it does the trick! 

My 7 Natural Tips For Good Skin: 

photo credit: Kymmiisha 

Water is known to be one of the most important components of a healthy lifestyle, a water filter jug is one of the least expensive ways to make it even safer and beneficial. The recommended amount is widely known and its 2l but my cardiologist advised me to drink up to 3 litres when its very hot and I'm doing anything physically demanding so I don't get dehydrated. I'm also an avid water infuser I even did a blog post about it! Check it out  on my food blog.

photo credit: Kymmiisha 

The idea of dead skin is not the most pleasant nor is the way it feels and how it clogs up your pores causing blackheads and such. I've found most exfoliators for women to be too fine for the kind of deep cleanse I need for my skin. My mother and I started collecting beach sand when ever we go to the beach, bringing it back home and mixing with a facial wash for a good cleanse. The top jar has sand from the isle of white and the lighter coloured sand is from a beach in Cape Town South Africa.

WARNING *Wash your face in a bucket when using sand and then throw the sandy water outside because  IT CAN CLOG UP your sink/bath. 

My skin strives on these two astringents very much. First of all, I'm prone to blemishes and dark spots and I'm also naturally freckly with my two signature freckles on my bottom lip, it just gets too akin to polka dot for me! I rely on dabbing blemishes and with lemon juice over night and it even worked in fading an adult chickenpox mark on my forehead now I'm just left with a dent for my sorrows. 

Anyone who knows me knows my love affair with Dudu Osun black soap! I use it for my skin and hair and its been a faithful friend since I started using it. I guess my obsession with it lies in my quest for only using natural products on my skin. The ingredients for black soap are: Pure honey, Shea butter, Osun (Camwood), Palm kernel Oil, Cocoa pod ash, palm bunch ash, Aloe Vera, Lime Juice, Lemon Juice and Water. These are all natural and mostly organically grown in Africa. 

photo credit: Kymmiisha 

These two topical waters are amazing and effective if used individually but mixed together they make and amazing skin toner. Individually they boast many qualities including reducing inflammation, soothing sunburn and maintaining overall good skin health. 

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photo credit: Kymmiisha

Our skin has naturally occurring oils some good and some bad for our overall skin health and appearance. However in the process of washing and cleansing, using soaps and astringents we lose some of these oils and then there becomes a need to put oils back into our skin. If you select your oils well, you could cut out lotions and products that include parabens, fragrances and other potentially harmful ingredients. Here are some of the products I swear by and the links to them so you can try them out yourself: castor oil, raw shea butter, coconut oil, and vitamin e oil. I've linked all the products to the retailers I get them from through amazon.com. 

photo credit: Kymmiisha 

You can really make some effective changes to your skin care regimen by implementing things that are already in your fridge and in your cupboards. I've used things like yogurt, honey and aloe vera as well as avocado for facials. 

Lemon is great for brightening up dark spots and eggs do much more than completing a fry up! Separated, eggs have unique qualities that are good for your skin. The egg white if whipped up a little bit (pictured above) applied to your skin and left to dry for up to twenty-thirty  minutes can rid your skin of all dirt and clear your pores. After washing the egg white off, apply the yolk which is rich in fats and proteins that moisturize your skin and leave it feeling soft after washing it off.

photo credit: Kymmiisha 

Last but not least, sleep! Sleep often, sleep long and sleep well! During the time I was unwell, in recovery and hospitalized I slept a LOT and I believe it contributed to my quick recovery. When we sleep our bodies produce new tissue, protein and rebuild cells that help our skin look good. I guess that's where the term beauty sleep comes from!! Happy sleeping beautiful people!

I hope you find this post helpful! Follow me on twitter and instagram- @kymmiisha and hashtag  #kymmiishadaily with any of your natural skin care tips and if you try and of the tips and like them!!

Lots of love and forehead kisses
Kymmiisha
XO

P.S.....you can start your natural skin care journey right here. Take your first step and substitute one of your usual product for something natural. Let me know how it goes!

Procrastination smack down part deux- Christmas edition

Joyeux Noël, Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad to you and yours! Now, I must express that the original setup was to post on the blog on a fortnightly basis [which still is the plan] but because of my start date last week the next post fell on the 23rd of December. I not only had to hit the iron whilst it's hot for the sake of keeping momentum; I also didn't want to release a Christmas tip laden blog two days before the big day. Not only would that exclude the more organised people who planned in advance and by then would be marvelling at the gifts they'd wrapped in advance and the turkey defrosting in the shed, over a cup of tea looking at their perfectly and proportionately designed tree (envious snarl;) I also didn't want to add to the list for those who will be frantically elbowing others in hot pursuit of brusselsprouts that no one [but grandma] will eat and putting on the last of their decorations to their lopsided tree...my people!!! 

I'm currently stuffing my face with this wonderful and healthy selection of snacks including yoghurt, apples, satsumas and a flap jack as I write to you all. Happy to report that all my gifts are wrapped (in the most askew and barely aesthetically pleasuring way possible with a lot of exposed tape might I add) I'm listening to music and winding down from a busy day of Christmas planning. There is still so much to be done but I had to take some time out and put something out into the blogosphere before Christmas so I hope you enjoy this post!! 

Speaking of food, I have dug deep into my recipe files and got two of my easiest and funnest recipes for you to wow your party guests with and enjoy healthily and organically leading up to Christmas. 

I happen to have bad Gastro-oesophageal reflux and frequent Gastritis attacks and have been on daily dose of Omeprazole for years. This makes stuff like commercial, shop bought mulled wine an enemy to my stomach. As it's very sugary (borderline saccharine) and concentrated it's not even enjoyable enough for me to deal with the consequences afterwards! 

I've been looking in my little book of recipes and I've found a mulled wine recipe which can be made organic, fuss free and you can whatever you want to it. It's been a good substitute for me and friends have loved it over the years.  Last year I got the chance to hold a mini workshop at a ladies' luncheon at my church at taught the ladies how to make the mulled wine and a canapé. [pictured below] this year I thought of share it on the big old interweb for a mild and organic alternative to the usual mulled wine! 

 2 studded [with cloves] oranges halved
 2 cinnamon sticks

 3 star anise
 A glug of honey (more to taste later)
 2 apples star cut and wedges kept on the side
 2 litres of water 
Squeeze of lemon and extra honey to taste afterwards
 
Put all ingredients together and boil for 15 minutes, simmer for 5 and strain. Put all fruits and spices in separate bowl for decorating later. Add fresh lemon juice and honey to your taste and ladle mixture into glasses. Add garnishes upon serving i.e. Cinammon sticks (fresh) or fruit wedges from earlier. 
Or
 Cool down for a few minutes Pour everything into a punch bowl for more theatrical presentation where u can see all the ingredients.

For a bigger crowd add a whole carton of grape or pomegranate juice to serve for the colour and sweetness. Suitable for everyone; kids, pregnant women, drivers and people wanting an organic alternative! 

Canapés: 

Above pictured is an example of how you can wow your party guests with a range of canapés. Instead of a plate I opted for a slate which can now be widely sourced. In the picture we have mushroom galettes (puff party topped with a duxelle of mushrooms. Satay chicken, avocado and prawn sushi and a red pepper and goat's cheese crostini. 

Not to overwhelm  you with a list  of recipes for things in a language foreign to us both I've included a a fun and simple recipe which requires minimal prep and can be served hot or cold.  This recipe has served me well and works well to get the kids involved in the cooking and hosting process and it's something they will enjoy eating. 

Mini posh pizzas! On a toasted baguette  with a simple Italian tomato sauce and can be served with a mild cheddar cheese for kids or goat's cheese for the adults.  Here goes the process! 

Baguette cut on a bias into little disks- drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle salt n coarse black pepper and put in a preheated oven (gas mark 6- 200C) for 10 minutes

Tomato sauce
1 medium onion
I can of chopped tomatoes 
Bunch of fresh basil + more to garnish
3 cloves of garlic 
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt+ pepper


Fine dice+ sweat onions in olive oil with the garlic crushed until translucent. Add tomatoes and half the basil and simmer on a low heat till it reduces to half and season with salt n pepper. And stir in the rest of the basil.





Assembling - spoon a teaspoon on to bread disks and spinkle grated cheese (cheddar cheese for kids and richer goats cheese for adults) place under grill for a minute to melt cheese and serve! 

So to the newly empowered hosting novice or the enlightened hostess with the mostess looking to cut corners enjoy Christmas! I hope these recipes will be of use to your modern day Gatsby-esque festivities!!! 

So I went ahead and did my hair for Christmas!! Well I needed to do it anyway! It's been a rough year on my body and I've been on every drug from painkillers to anaesthetic and have been under a lot of stress with my health playing up and so many changes. This left my hair in distress! I would run my fingers through my hair and leave with a chunk of hair my braids were falling out from the root and my scalp was tender and painful. I felt, for lack of a better word, UNPRETTY and lost a lot of hair especially in the middle and edges of my hair. However and amazing cousin who is cosmetology school and already an extraordinary hair dresser came to the rescue and fixed my hair!! It was a very long process but the feeling I had after was priceless and I'm so grateful for my confidence being restored evey day through the internal work I'm doing on a daily basis and the external makeover we did! 

I already had some good hair lying about the house, any weave wearing sister knows the difference between good and not so good hair!! 

Before my cousin came on board to sew the weave in for me I went about treating the hair (Remy virgin hair) which has been used before. 

I mixed 1tbsp conditioner, 1tbsp castor oil, 1tsp coconut oil with some warm

Water and put in the microwave (in a disposable Tupperware tub) for 1min 30secs. 

Dried it in the airing cupboard overnight, reversed the bundles and dried for another couple of hours. 

I then straightened it per track and rebundled it (left straight). The process wasn't over! 

We (she did all the work really) then bleached it using Clairol naturally blond hair lightener. I wanted a new and different look. I thought I'd never gone blonde or red before so either way the hair processes it'll be a welcomed change to the status quo of my hair! 

 After a full sew in with a middle part this was the result!!! 

It would have been nice to go all the way blonde because blondes do have more fun but at the hour mark, this is as much processing as my minuscule peroxide level box lightener could offer. Not to worry my edges are grateful!!! I feel like a new woman and along with all the love and prayers, this has been my strongest week and the amount of medication I'm taking is dwindling by the day! It's a great feeling feeling your miracle slowly but surely come into fruition. This trace is proving no to be for the swift and every day I get to appreciate the progress I'm making in my mind, body, soul and spirit. It's all the more rewarding!! I want to encourage anyone else going through health issues and feeling frustrated that you aren't recovering as quickly as you would want to recover. There will be a day when you will be completely healthy, healed and whole but that day you will wish you had all this time on your hands again. Bittersweet but true, I say this to encourage you to use these times to do something your future self will thank you for. Be it keeping your spirits up and not letting yourself hit yaw pits of depression. Or writing down goals and dreams, doing any possible planning so that you stay ready and when your time comes to do what you are longing to do now, you will be ready this is what this blog is to me, a way to have some control of my life and to be able to express myself with my words when my body had and has been failing me. I hope and pray you also find an outlet to make you feel useful, purposeful and alive which will allow you to dream again. As you should feel anyway because you may hold the answer to someone's issue one day with the very thing that lies within you as inspiration. Don't count yourself out because of a temporary set back. I don't know who I'm encouraging but I just felt this strongly on my heart as I encouraged myself and a friend going through something similar, we will be just fine and so will you!!  

Christmas can drive you to drinking at the best of times with the over commercialisation of the whole holiday. All the colours screaming for your attention, the nostgic music from original iconic centuries old versions to pop music misinterpretations hauntingly blasting out of every speaker. Not to mention the weather which is enough to make an Eskimo feel at home with the added bonus of unpredictable bursts of rain, an enemy to every woman's hair, it can be tough. This is not at all including the vast array of errands and to do lists long enough to clothe Santa Clause himself! I know I've had the least active Christmas prep buying all my gifts online and being a shadowing member of the cooking crew as I physically cannot take over the kitchen and make a feast as I've done in years past. 

It's been all about the music this year. Away from the Christmas carols I'm made to listen to by mother blasting out old Bing Crosby and Sinatra CDs I've been up to some music listening myself. 

Here's my top 5 tracks I've listened to most this Christmas period: 

Jhene Aiko- Bed Peace

Anita Wilson- More of you

Pharell Williams- Happy 

Tye Tribett- He turned it 

Thank you- Busta Rhymes ft Qtip

I haven't heard much from the readers, please feel free to leave a comment with your top 5 music this Christmas I would love to hear from you!!!

Right! That's all I had on my heart to share with you before Christmas. I will be going back to the original format of posting every other week and posting any random and riveting tidbits in between blogs if anything happens or I do anything interesting that's worth noting! 

Have yourself a Merry little Christmas :)

Lots of love

Kymmiisha

Xo