try. something. new.
switching up the routines we don't think of + my breakdown on skin care, make up and recent beauty favorites, for summer garden parties.
Hello Lush Life friends:
I’ve mentally have been scrambled, some days completely out of sorts and overwhelmed- with the small tasks and the big tasks too (I’m sure you can relate).
It’s thrown off my ability to write anything that feels meaningful. I’m constantly asking myself “is this worthy of posting” or “i hope i’m not wasting anyone’s time”.
Naturally, i have about 100 essays in the drafts folder, waiting to be rediscovered or reimagined. Perhaps one day, but not today.
My biggest fear is boring you all to tears, but we know that my life (while it has it’s interesting moments) is quite boring. And I mean, I worked really really hard to make it boring these days.
If you have suggestions or thoughts on things i’d should cover this summer, send me a message. I know everybody is incredibly busy, but I love when you guys respond- it means a lot and i know you don’t have time every time, to respond but say hiiiii next time you skim through :)
*Affiliate Links: I want to be transparent about how I earn a living. My curated edits feature affiliate links, which allow me to retain a commission for creating and promoting my content, and items I love, sort of like a referral fee. Should you decide to purchase, the brand is responsible with sending me a small commission for plug and promotion. This of course, is at no additional cost to the consumer.
don’t be afraid to try something new.
For 2025 i’ve been challenging myself to start each month trying something different. it’s typically always something small, actionable. but nevertheless, the hope is to shake things up so I don’t fall into my ruts.
this month, it’s been orange lipstick.
and super long hair.
i’m going for a rich hippie vibe this summer. ;)
not going to lie, both make me feel incredibly self conscious.
i’m already a black girl with super blonde hair- and long hair- super long hair, makes me feel like a drag queen (sorry queens!).
it’s my own internalized ish, i know.
but i always avoid it. like
maybe it looks unprofessional? maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t? i have my own sense of “respectability politics”- some I’ve had to subscribe to in order to have opportunity, and others (like my hair color), that I rebel against.
it’s the same with trying orange lipstick.
for years i avoided red and orange lipstick for fear that i would look like ronald mcdonald.
and now for the past few months, i have played with red.
and got used to how to applying it.
and now im trying orange.
i don’t feel super confident yet- but i wanted to challenge myself.
the worst thing that could happen is i could decide its not for me.
and move on.
but at least i know and at least i tried it out.
for me- it’s lipstick and hair (among other life problems of course)- but for you, it could be something different.
perhaps you feel uninspired?
try reading a few pages of that book you bought ages ago instead of defaulting to scrolling on the internet in the morning. since being back on socials, I must confess my morning routine gets easily thrown once i’m plugged into the matrix.
reading 10 pages a day of my book of the month helps me ease into the day much more softly.
maybe you feel stuck at home due to being low on funds?
i can relate. throw on a lipstick, curl your hair and take a walk to the park. or people watch at a lovely coffee shop.
my secret: go to your favorite luxury hotel in your city (coffee and a croissant more or less cost the same as starbucks).
you get two birds with one stone: coffee, which we need to thrive- and a lovely change of scenary and perspective.
i’ll leave the house for ambience, always.
look at your grocery list and maybe change it up?
i realized for months I was just autopiloting my usual grocery buys and i felt bored with my usual meal plan.
i made a roast chicken at home (it was terrible because i can’t boil water to save my own life); but it was lovely to try!
it felt like a waste at first, but it encouraged me to diversify my grocery shopping just a bit for some more variety.
Just Pick A Damn Show To Watch:
i also like to randomly select a show on Netflix- it takes so much pressure off- like when you’re scrolling and scrolling and nothing seems like it’ll be worth your time?
yeah, im that annoying person who can spend 20 minutes trying to find something good to watch.
i randomly clicked a show and i’ve been nerding out on it- its a history channel docuseries on the cold war.
i’m learning so much and its something i ordinarily would never pick.
now im tuning in to the sequel series and im hooked.
try something new.
Beauty & Skin Care Favorites For Summer Season
I’ve shared with you all that rarely, if ever does my skincare regimene change- though the internet alleges I should be changing it frequently as your skin adapts over time, and products become less efficacious? Is this true?! Someone please clue me in!
Until then, let’s breakdown my beauty favorites this season (i say this, since it’s been 90 degrees daily in Houston since late March- I’ve got a head start on ya’ll!)
New Beauty Favorites:
My Go-To For SPA DAYS
Daily Skincare Routine
You’re going to be shell shocked, but *ahem* I only use 3 products on a daily basis (besides spa days!).
Shocking, yes I know. But as someone with extremely dry skin/sensitive skin. This has been the best regimen for me. I love simplifying, and I’m not a target customer of “K Beauty” trends.
More Notes :-)
I love Augustinus Bader…. it’s by far the best skincare I have ever tried, but she’s EXPENSIVE.
Whew, lawd she’s good but my goodness me.
When I can’t swing AB skincare in my “invoice to invoice” lifestyle, I always go back to SHANI DARDEN. Beautiful Black owned brand, she started as a esthetician to stars such as Gabrielle Union, Kelly Rowland, and many more.
If you’re new to SD, I suggest starting with their travel pack which gives you realistic sample sizes of her product offerings.
If you’re ready to jump in, I swear by the Face Wash, the Nourishing Essence/Sake, and the Hydration Peptide Moisturizing Cream.
If you like gadgets and gizmo (I’m too intimidated and too analog to try LOL), you’ll love this infared skin mask and this deep exfoliation brush.
Drug Store Pricing, but Incredibly Effective:
I’ve tried a lot of skin care options from the drugstore, and I can openly say the only one I have absolutely loved so far is The Honest Company’s offerings.
I was historically purchasing from Target, and I’ve noticed the brand has since launched their direct to consumer platform instead of relying on Target and Amazon and WalMart. (Yay! I haven’t shopped at a Target or Amazon or Walmart in 6 months).
THESE are the offerings I have loved and repeat buy (and buy for Mom!):
GEL CLEANSER | HYAURLONIC ACID | DEEP HYDRATION MOISTURIZER (My Fave) | Mom’s Favorite Moisturizer | A Moisturizer for Extremely Sensitive Skin
MAKE UP
I need to take heed to my own affirmations and switch up my make up, but it’s been my routine for years. I’m not as much of a make up girlie as I once was, where I used to buy every eye shadow quad/palette and lipsticks galore.
These days, as I’ve said. SIMPLE. Glam (always), but simple. Has worked best for me :)
Additional Notes:
SPF SERUM: Sadly, ILIA Beauty discontinued the SPF Tinted serum. I have 2 bottles remaining. I have been using since the product launched. It’s dark skin friendly. I’m sure there are others, but I loved this one because it doesn’t make me look purple or gray.
HOLY GRAIL FOUNDATION: I’ve tried so many foundations from Maybelline to Armani, or Huda Beauty and even FENTY (i looked like a pumpkin with the oxidizing, I’ve learned they have changed the formula).
But I keep coming back to NARS, specifically because it’s the rare case that I don’t have to buy two colors to get a perfect skin match.
It’s been nice to just “one and done”. My perfect shade is MARQUISES (MD5). It’s the first foundation I’ve had where I didn’t have to buy 2 or 3 shades to get the best match.
I highly recommend purchasing a summer shade (1-2 shades darker than you normally would for when you bronze in the summer months).
If you can’t already tell, I opt for cream based products. I’m anti-powder.
When it’s incredibly humid, I just use tissues or blotting paper to touch up my nose (the tip of my nose gets oily).
MASCARA: I’ve shared with you all the numerous conditions my eyes have, forcing me to wearing seeing eye glasses full-time, and last year I made the switch to mascara for sensitive eyes.
I have to say wearing glasses full-time means I rarely wear it now- but if I want a night out with contacts, I’ll reach for this one. Since I don’t wear mascara daily, I only purchase the travel size versions.
Be sure to toss out mascara every 90 days. (Bacteria grows in there!)
SETTING SPRAYS: In lieu of powders, I use setting sprays- in stages.
After I apply foundation and concealer and bronzer (before blending, it’s going to look like tribal make up), I’ll spray down and wait for it to dry down before blending. Blend, Blend, Blend. Final spritz of setting spray. Let it dry, add blush and lipstick et voila!
I have 2 different setting sprays.
My daily setting spray (daily as in when I do wear make up most of the year) is Airbrush Setting Spray.
My evening out OR photoshoot OR high summer in Houston when it’s 110 degrees is the One/Size On Til Dawn Setting Spray.
It reminds me of the old days when I would spray Aquanet on my face before going to work at Diva’s. You’ll feel like a showgirl when you’re done spraying but your make up will last for 48 hours.
I’ve linked more beauty finds to explore here, including these lovely lipsticks from Fashion Fair (this one and this one) and my favorite nail polish now that I do my own nails.
BODY CARE
I was going to dedicate a whole post to my love for finely milled bath soap, and how I learned that I was reducing my harm on the planet by reducing my consumption of single use plastic: but alas, I did not want to bore you all.
But seriously, think about how much of this stuff we dump out when it’s empty. Over and over again. I digress. To each their own (I also like body wash refills *hint, hint*).
BAR SOAPS: My favorite Bar Soaps are usually L’Occitane’s Shea Butter Bar Soap but I also love Fresh’s scent profile.
Now that I have the Chanel bar soap I mentioned earlier, I am adding the Mademoiselle bar soap to my wish list. You also can’t go wrong with offerings from Jo Malone (universally adored), and it’s a lovely scent.
BODY LOTION:
My Go To’s: Body Milk Concentrate (Fall/Winter/Spring) + Almond Body Milk (Summer) | Rich Lotion is also lovely too | Foot Cream | Hand Cream | SPF Body Moisturizer + Bronzer (I use when I go on vacation and expect to be in the sun all day).
Speaking of Trying Something New, Don’t Forget To Cherish The Old
Just call me a “sustainable” queen :-)
Until next time,
ARIA
ICYMI/READ MORE
Aria's Shopping Picks: Luxurious Scented Perfumes for Valentine's Day
*A version of this has been originally published on The Curvy Fashionista. Curvy Fashionista is a beautiful platform dedicated to plus size fashion, self-esteem and self acceptance, and body positivi…
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