Over the last few months I’ve gotten a lot of questions on what I’ve been using on my skin, particularly my face as well as what products I’m using to maintain my natural hair. I’m going to share all my go-to’s in this blog post so make sure to save, share it and shop it because lots of these products are on sale for the Sephora Sale! When it comes to my skincare routine, I came to the conclusion that less is more. I was using a ton of different products and for many years my skin just didn’t improve. It was a big sore spot for me when people would comment on my “bad” skin, like I didn’t look at myself in the mirror everyday and try everything to rectify it. What I learned throughout the process of refining my skincare routine is that the more natural the products were the better. I’ve spent a great deal of time switching over a lot of my skincare and makeup products to clean and vegan products that are just as effective. I have sensitive skin and can’t tolerate many fragrance irritants. I also noticed that a lot of my acne related issues were hormonal as well as in direct relation to eating certain products. So I had to do a deep analysis of my diet as well to get my skin to a good place. I also honestly think aging and getting older has a lot to do with it as well. In addition to skincare, I’ve been wearing my natural hair out for the past 2 months and I’m enjoying my curls! I’ve taken to some new products to define my twist outs as well as old faithfuls to keep my scalp clean and to fight the humidity, especially in Miami. So without further ado let’s get into the products.
DAY-TIME SKINCARE ROUTINE
I usually start the day by gently cleansing my skin with Youth To The People Superfood Cleanser. What I love about their products is that they are all clean and vegan and use naturally occurring products that don’t irritate the skin. I never use a wash cloth on my face. I only use cotton pads or facial cleansing wipes. I find that the bacteria that collects on face clothes easily cause me to break out after a few uses. I then moisturize with Youth To The People Superfood Air-Whip Moisturizer with Hyaluronic acid. My face seems to LOVE this stuff and hyaluronic acid keeps my face youthful, plump and supple. If I’m not wearing makeup that day, I’ll spray on some Caudalie Grape Water Mist and pop a Peace Out Acne Pimple Patch over any pimples. I also take a Women’s One A Day Multivitamin every morning.
NIGHT-TIME SKINCARE ROUTINE
My nighttime skincare routine starts with makeup removal and I’m currently loving the Bobbi Brown Instant Makeup Removal. It’s super gentle and gets off my eye and lip stain lipstick in one swipe. I then triple cleanse my face if I’ve worn makeup that day starting with an oil based cleanser usually Chanel Anti-Pollution Cleansing Oil, followed by a cream based cleanser, usually Dior Off/On Foaming Cleanser and then ending with a natural cleanser always Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser. If I haven’t worn makeup that day, I will usually forgo the oil cleanser. I will then go in with my serums depending on what my skin is experiencing. For treatment serums I only use The Ordinary Vegan products. They are super affordable, most under $10 and work amazingly! If I’ve having a cluster breakout, I’d put a little Salicylic Acid Serum. If my face feels super dry I will use the Hyaluronic Acid Serum. If I’m trying to control blemishes and pores I use the Niacinamide Acid Serum. For my under eye I either use Fenty Rich Peptide Cream or Clarins Eye Serum. I rub this into the skin until it’s gone and then I moisturize and with Youth To The People Moisturizer. I top off any pimples with a Peace Out Acne Pimple Patch or a dab of Kiehls Rare Earth Clay Masque.
EXTRA SKINCARE TREATMENTS
When I really need to treat my skin, especially if I’m having a breakout, I use my Skin Gym LED Face Mask ($88). The blue light setting for 15 minutes while I type up a blog post or edit photos works wonders. The blue light is specifically for killing bacteria on the skin that can cause acne. I usually do this twice a week. Additionally, I do a retinol treatment once a week to keep my skin youthful and free of wrinkles. My go to product is Ole Henrikson Double Rewind Retinol Treatment which is vegan (after cleansing at night) followed by the Ole Henrikson Moisturizer to prevent any irritation. If my skin needs a boost and I’m having a no makeup day, I love the Caudalie Premier Cream that does everything from moisturizing, to evening skin tone and evening fine lines and wrinkles. Sometimes at night if I’m not using any treatment serums from The Ordinary, I will use the Clarins Firming Serum. For baby smooth skin, I do a Noble Panacea Overnight Peel Mask twice a month.
MY NATURAL HAIR JOURNEY & WASH ROUTINE
Now that we’ve gotten through every single product I use on my face, let’s get into my hair. I have natural hair and transitioned while using braids and cutting off the permed hair in between braid outs. I never did a big chop. For me, it was just easier to transition slowly over the course of about 2 years wearing braids off and on and cutting off the permed ends until I was fully natural with about 5 inches of natural hair all around. For me, it’s about maintaining length and not manipulating my hair too much. So I usually get my hair braided 3 times a year and leave the braids in for 2.5 months at a time. Thus my natural hair is in a protective style about 7 months out of every year. This leaves about 5 months out of the year for manipulation which I think isn’t too bad. When my natural hair is out, I wash my hair once a week and style it for that entire week. My go to wash products are plant based from Aveda. I love their Botanical Repair and Nutriplenish Moisture lines (the shampoo, conditioners and treatment masques). They also have an incredible new Botanical Repair bond-building flash treatment that I do twice a month. If I happen to have dandruff which I do, especially after a braid takedown I usually start my wash routine with Nizoral Anti Dandruff Shampoo and that gets the flakes under control in one wash. After washing and conditioning and perhaps doing a treatment masque from Aveda, I go in with the Aveda Nutriplenish Leave In Spray Conditioner which detangles, protects from the sun, moisturizes for 72 hours and protects from heat up to 450 degrees.
TWIST OUT & BLOW OUT ROUTINES
For a twist out, I like to work on my hair straight out of the shower after spraying on the Aveda Nutriplenish Leave In Conditioner. I section off my hair and detangle with a Kareco Detangling Brush, which I’ve found to be the BEST detangling Brush for course, coily 4B/C hair. For my 2 strand twist I have 3 go-to products: for juicy bouncing lightweight curls I go for Camille Rose Almond Jai Twisting Butter. For a medium hold for places with more humidity and more defined curl I use Pattern Curl Gel. For extreme definition and a longer twist out I use Pattern Strong Hold Gel. For my blow outs, I apply the Briogeo Farewell Frizz heat protectant cream and spray in some Moroccan Oil Frizz Control before blow drying in small sections with the Infinity Pro Conair The Knot Doctor dryer brush. I then two strand flat twist my hair down with just a little Pattern Curl Gel. I leave in overnight and take out in the morning for a looser bigger wavy look. I finish off both looks with L’Oreal Elnett Humidity Resistant Hairspray.
BRAIDS, SCALP & SLICK LOW BUN ROUTINES
My natural hair is in braids most of the year and I use a few products to maintain my hair while it’s in a protective style. For my scalp I love the Rucker Roots Anti Frizz Silkening Growth Serum. It promotes hair growth and seals the hair follicles. It’s 100% Vegan made with Ginger Root Oil, Turnip Root Oil and Carrot Root Oil. Every other day, I apply this to my scalp when in a protective style, or to my parts with I do a twist down on blown straight hair. I also use the Rucker Roots Leave In Heat Protective which I spray onto my braids and scalp daily. This helps to protect my scalp from the sun which can be very intense while I’m in Miami. It also protects from heat damage and can be used before blow drying or curling the hair as well. My favorite product for build up when I have braids is the Proclaim Blends Black Seed Oil with Aloe Rinse Free Cleansing Foam. This is basically like washing your hair without needing water. It’s so nourishing and the foam gently soaks right into your scalp and base of your braids. If you’re having a lot of itching, Camille Rose Mint Condition Braid and Scalp Spray with Sea Moss & Aloe vera is a must! Lastly, for my slick low buns, I usually do them after an old twist out or blow out. I partially wet my hair before adding more Aveda leave-in conditioner. When it’s soft and slightly damp I will add Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture & Hold Jelly and slick down with a hard bristle brush. This is my new go to for a 72 hour slick low bun! It works really well and smells amazing. I usually tie it down with a scarf overnight and in the morning it’s ready! If I want to perfect my edges I love the Gummy Styling Wax Ultra Hold to create beautiful edges that don’t move with my braids or Kiss Braiding Gel Maximum Hold for a lighter more natural baby hair lay down with my natural hair twist out or blow out.
SHOP THE LOOKS
I hope this post was a helpful breakdown of exactly how I use my skincare and haircare products. If you have any other skincare and haircare related questions please drop them below in the comments section and I’ll be sure to respond. The most important thing when it comes to my skincare is that I gave up dairy, I drink lots of water and that I switched a majority of my skincare products as well as makeup products over to natural and vegan products. The less harmful chemicals the better! Most of my haircare products are also plant based or vegan. Make sure to head on over to the Sephora sale before it ends on Friday to stock up on some of my skincare and haircare favorites. I will definitely do a post soon outlining all of the beauty & makeup products as well as body care products so stay tuned. What are you go to skincare and natural hair care products? Drop them below in the comments.
xx
Monroe
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Thank Youuuu for such a detailed description of your routines. Thank you for all you do Monroe!
Excellently written, Thank you for the information.
I love reading n I’m so happy that your newsletter give me that I was a former educator turn interior designer so I appreciate print n all the things it’s amazing to me to see the influencer world because back then I did all of what I see my young favorites doing it’s just we didn’t have internet keep shining queen n I don’t know if you still are selecting winners for giveaways but u would love to get a chance I support n sometimes RUN to buy whatever you’re selling … love love my queen BB (instagram bstylish16
Hi Monroe,
Thank you for providing your detailed cleansing routine! I’m changing out my skincare products and hoping (praying) for great results! I use Neutrogena Hydro Boost Face Cleansing Makeup wipes with hyaluronuc Acid along with disposal cleansing cloth. I also use the Bobbi Brown facial cleaning oil. It’s really good! I’m trying to clear my hyperpigmentation. Everything else is up for change! The braid info was good too! I’ve been a slacker when it comes to my braid care so what you listed will be a good start for me. Thank you once again and I’ll be hitting Sephora on Friday!
Thank you for sharing.
❤️❤️❤️
Hi Monroe,
This article is really a keeper!! Such great information that I see returning to and reading multiple times. You are really flexing all of your skills and talents! Very proud of the way you represent Black woman joy!
I’m really enjoying reading your blogs . Great and informative content. I also use Aveda shampoo and conditioner it’s changed my hair when I go natural.love it . I now must try the Ruckers
Love all you share. Please continue and thank you for all your hard work. Much love and respect for you
Hi Monroe
I have terrible dandruff and discovered Nizoral some time ago. you are absolutely right, one washing changed my life. I love wearing black and would have to go through an a song and dance to ensure flakes were not on my clothes, not any more. Ole Herikson products are wonderful for my skin. My skin is now soft, supple and glowing.
Thank you for always sharing!
Beautiful Queen, I thank you for always blessing us with such captivating read, candid, and detailed, that inform, enlighten, support, encourage and inspire, which no matter the subject, reinforces authenticity, confidence, discipline, integrity, honesty, self love/acceptance, faith and hope, appreciate you love. ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks for sharing. I’ve put several products in my Sephora basket after reading this. I’m really enjoying your blog….well written and of course links for everything! Simply the best❤️
Thank you for dropping your skincare routine Monroe! Wondering if you have a take on the use Castor Oil since in your YT videos you have been mentioning trying to use more natural/vegan products .
Hello Monroe
Big thanks for the detailed information
I appreciate your descriptive explanations and relating your personal experiences and the outcome of your choices
You are CONSISTENTLY authentic and relatable. Inspired by your commitment to self while living your best life with gratitude and humility yet unapologetically.
I love all Kiehl’s products I use the foam cleanser, toner, serum, lotion, body oil, and midnight recovery oil and cold cream. I recently purchased the ordinary hyaluronic serum. I will explore the youth to people because I enjoy clean products. This was great I will check out some you shared especially the hair scalp products. Pictures are stunning!
Hi Monroe
Thank you for the details on your hair and makeup routines . We appreciate you being so thorough!!!!!
Thank for sharing all of your steps and products. I really appreciate it:)
Thanks for allowing MD to submit for your newsletter.
Thanks Monroe
Can’t wait to try Black seed oil cleansing foam. Just got twist in my hair and I was concerned with the possible build up! Thanks for all your suggestions
Wow, this is such a detailed and informative post! I especially loved how you broke down your routine by day and night for both skincare and haircare. I also appreciate you mentioning that you prioritize natural and vegan products – that’s something I’m definitely trying to do more of myself.
Do you think you could share a little more about your experience transitioning your hair to natural? Specifically, how did you deal with breakage during that time? Thanks!