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Beauty

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The holidays are the most exciting time of the year filled with parties, shopping, and endless to-do lists. But let’s face it, with all the fun comes the stress, and your skin can definitely feel the effects. Whether you’re basking in the heat of Nigeria or braving dry, cold weather, maintaining your glow through it all doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are my top skincare tips to keep your skin fresh and radiant throughout the season, no matter where you are.

1. Never Skip Cleansing
Cleansing is a must, no matter where I am. After long days of celebrations, makeup, and, let’s be honest, holiday indulgence, I always cleanse to remove dirt, sweat, and oils that build up. In hot climates like Nigeria, sweat can clog pores, while colder regions can leave your skin covered in dry particles. Make cleansing a priority both morning and night.

Recommendation:

  • CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (great for dry or combination skin)
  • La Roche-Posay Effaclar Gel (ideal for oily skin and humid climates)

2. Stay Hydrated: Inside and Out
Hydration is key, especially when dealing with intense heat or dry air. The weather, combined with the festive foods and drinks, can quickly dry out your skin. I make sure to hydrate both inside and out: I drink plenty of water and layer on a hydrating serum or moisturizer.

Recommendation:

  • The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
  • Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel (perfect for humid or dry conditions)

Pro Tip: Check out our post on building a skincare routine for Nigerian weather.

3. Sunscreen Is a Must
Whether you’re soaking up the Nigerian sun or escaping to cooler climates, sunscreen should be a non-negotiable part of your routine. UV rays can damage your skin in any weather, so I apply sunscreen daily, no matter what.

Recommendation:

  • Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30 (perfect for hot climates)
  • EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 (ideal for all skin types)

4. Eye Care for Those Late Nights
The holiday season means long nights, and the skin around my eyes shows it! Late nights lead to puffiness and dark circles, but the delicate skin around the eyes needs extra care. An eye cream can help brighten tired eyes and reduce puffiness.

Recommendation:

  • Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado
  • The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream

5. Exfoliate to Reveal Smooth Skin
Exfoliating helps get rid of dead skin cells, revealing smoother, brighter skin beneath. Whether in hot, humid weather or cold, dry conditions, I always exfoliate once or twice a week to keep my skin glowing.

Recommendation:

  • Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (great for humid climates)
  • The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA (perfect for sensitive skin in dry weather)

6. Face Masks for a Quick Skin Boost
During the busy holidays, face masks are a lifesaver. I love using hydrating masks when my skin feels dry or a clay mask when it’s oily or congested. A mask can refresh your skin in just a few minutes.

Recommendation:

  • Laneige Water Sleeping Mask (for hydration, works in both humid and dry climates)
  • Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay (perfect for deep cleansing and oily skin)

7. Eat Skin-Friendly Foods
Holiday treats are amazing, but I make sure to balance them out with skin-loving foods. Whether I’m enjoying fresh fruits in a warm climate or nuts in cooler weather, I always reach for nutrient-rich foods like avocados, berries, and nuts to nourish my skin.

8. Prioritize Sleep
Sleep is the best remedy for tired, stressed skin. I make sure to get at least 7-8 hours each night to let my skin regenerate and stay fresh, no matter where I am.

9. Keep Your Hands Off Your Face
Whether it’s hot and humid or dry and cold, keeping my hands off my face is crucial. Our hands carry oils and bacteria that can clog pores and cause breakouts, so I make sure not to touch my face during the holiday rush.

10. Keep Your Skincare Routine Simple
With everything going on during the holidays, I stick to a simple skincare routine: cleanse, hydrate, and apply sunscreen. Keeping it basic helps my skin stay glowing without stressing me out.

Keep Your Skin Glowing All Season Long
No matter where you are, the holidays should be a time to enjoy and celebrate. With these tips, your skin will remain glowing through all the festivities. Whether you’re in sunny Nigeria or a cooler destination, a little extra TLC will go a long way to keep your skin looking radiant.

What’s your go-to skincare tip during the holiday season? Let me know in the comments!

For an ‘IT’ girl, there are beauty essentials that should always be in your purse, ready to be used every day.

These must-haves are crucial for enhancing your look and adding a little razzle-dazzle to your day.

MUST-HAVE BEAUTY ESSENTIALS FOR DAILY USE

Moisturiser is the first and most important item. It hydrates and smoothes your skin, keeping it fresh throughout the day.

Product recommendations:

  • Primer: Prepares your face for makeup, helping it last longer and creating a smooth base.
  • Mascara: Always carry waterproof mascara to enhance your lashes with volume and length.
  • Lipstick/Lip Oil/Lip Gloss: Instantly adds colour to your face. Choose a shade that complements your skin tone.
  • Foundation: Sets the base of your makeup, giving you a flawless and smooth look.
  • Blush: Adds a natural rosy glow to your cheeks for a fresh, healthy appearance.
  • Makeup Remover :Having a makeup remover handy makes it easy to clean up after a long day.
  • Mirror: For quick touch-ups on the go.
  • Hand Cream: Keep your hands moisturised and soft throughout the day.
  • Sanitizer: A daily essential to keep your hands clean and fresh.
  • Perfume :A little spritz keeps you smelling fresh all day.

These beauty essentials help maintain your skin’s radiance and keep you looking your best anytime, anywhere.

Consistency is key for achieving great results!What beauty products do you keep in your purse, and how do you use them? Let us know!

Analyzing the Nigerian weather, there’s a lot of sunshine, so sun protection is a must everyday and all year round. No excuses. SPF 30 or higher is recommended, always apply generously to the body parts exposed to the sun.

Skin care issues such as hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone is common in Nigeria, mostly because of the hot humid climate. Adopting and sticking to a skin care routine is most appreciable for healthy skin. Skin care products like hydrating toner, moisturizers, face wash, serum should be highly invested in to avoid unwanted and disfiguring face cards.

You may ask what skin care routine I should adopt? I’ll be talking about the easiest and effective skin care routine and what to do to maintain that glow!

SKIN CARE ROUTINE

  • Step 1: Cleanse
  • Step 2: Exfoliate. Use gentle exfoliating scrub to remove dead skin. This should be done 2-3 times a week
  • Step 3: Use a face mask specific to your skin type
  • Step 4: A light toner should be applied
  • Step 5: For hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone use vitamin C serum or niacinamide
  • Step 6: Eye contour, this reduces eye bags and dark circles, helps tighten the skin around the eyes.
  • Step 7: Moisturizing cream should be applied, this keeps the face hydrated and moisturized.
  • Step 8: Don’t skip the SPF! This is most essential.
  • Step 9: Eat healthy! Eat foods rich in vitamins C & E and avoid excess sugar as this can help increase skin glow and prevent skin issues.
  • Step 10: The sleeping beauty factor! Don’t play with your beauty sleep. 8 hours of sleep is highly recommended for healthy skin!.
  • Step 11: HYDRATE! Always be hydrated. Water is an essential element of an effective skin care routine. From removing impurities from the body to maintaining shiny and glowing skin!.

In addition, embracing natural ingredients Nigeria is blessed with, such as aloe vera, turmeric, cinnamon, essential oils and Shea butter (although Shea butter is not exactly suitable for sensitive skin, it could cause burns when exposed to the sun, ensure to carefully use it).
This enhances your routine, they can be used alone or mixed with other skin care products.

BODY CARE!

  • Use gentle gentle cleanser to remove dirts and impurities
  • Apply a moisturizer after bathing
  • Don’t skip the SPF! Reapply every 2 hours when exposed to sun
  • Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily
  • Don’t forget to eat balanced diet

HERE ARE SOME DO’S AND DON’TS TO MAINTAINING A GOOD SKIN CARE ROUTINE!

Do:

  • Cleanse at least for 1 minute
  • Wash your pillow
  • Wash face with cold water at night and warm water in the morning.

DON’T:

  • Touch your face constantly.
  • Put toothpaste on those spots.
  • Pop those pimples.

With consistency comes good results. With this skin care routine you’re well on your way to permanently removing skin problems and getting healthy and glowing skin!

What routine works for you? I’d love to hear it.