Her skin + makeup + jewelry is totally on point! [source]
First order of business; I want to give a big thank you everyone who entered the Peace Images Giveaway! We had some amazing entries, but there can only be one winner! - The winner of the Peace Images Giveaway is; Michelle! Michelle said:
Where many see disaster, a fierce black woman sees a way, where many see despair, a fierce black woman sees hope, where many see no way a fierce black woman MAKES one. A fierce black woman is assertive,she is strong, she is bold, she is you, she is me. :)
Michelle please send an email with your name and mailing address to: nikole@themoptopmaven.com to claim your gift! - A big thank you to Camille of Peace Images for graciously sponsoring this giveaway! If you didn't win this week, check out the new giveaway this week from our gracious sponsor Casa Di Culture!
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Ok now on to the deets! - A lot of people cringe at the thought of using oil on the skin. However the truth is, if you use the right oil for your skin type you could have skin that is glowy, youthful and ultra hydrated. If you're looking to ditch your facial moisturizer, or you want to start experimenting with your Oil Cleansing Formula, here are a few must-haves your skin will definitely thank you for!
Dry/Mature Skin
Evening Primrose: This oil is high in Gamma-Linolenic Acid which beneficial in treating skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, eczema, as well as minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. Evening primrose also hydrates the skin leaving it soft, supple and smooth.
- Can be found online {here}
- Can be found online {here}
Kukui Oil: This highly absorbent ultra hydrating oil has an abundance of fatty acids and is beneficial for treating eczema, psoriasis and acne.
- Can be found online {here}.
- Can be found online {here}.
Avocado Oil: This rich oil contains amino acids, sterols, fatty acids, Vitamin A, B1, B2, D & E. Avocado oil makes for a wonderful dual-purpose moisturizer, as it treats skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and rosacea while keeping the skin soft, hydrated and protected.
- Can be found online {here}.
- Can be found online {here}.
Oily/Blemish Prone
Grapeseed Oil: Hands down one of my favorite oils to use on my skin. Grapeseed oil is incredibly light yet makes the perfect moisturizer for skin. Grapeseed Oil makes for a wonderful after shower moisturizer as well. The astringent and antioxidant properties of Grapeseed Oil means that it will leave your skin toned, clear, bright, and blemish free.
- Found in the cooking isle of most grocery stores. Can also be found online {here}.
- Found in the cooking isle of most grocery stores. Can also be found online {here}.
Hazelnut Oil: This is another favorite of mine [I use this in my Oil Cleansing Mixture]. Hazelnut Oil also has mild astringent properties and is light enough for those with oily skin. This oil will keep your skin toned, even and most importantly, free of blemishes!
- This oil can be found in the beauty isle of most Health Food Stores, or {here}.
- This oil can be found in the beauty isle of most Health Food Stores, or {here}.
Borage Oil: Borage Oil contains a high amount of Gamma-Linolenic Acids which is beneficial for treating various types of skin inflammation from acne to eczema as well as psoriasis. Borage Oil helps calm, sooth and reduce swelling in inflamed areas.
- This oil can be purchased online {here}.
- This oil can be purchased online {here}.
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Really great tips and very helpful thanks a bunch for sharing. currently, I've been using a mixture of oilve oil and castor oil infused w/ sage, My skin looks and feels great. I've heard great things about grapeseed oil for skin as well, may give that a try. Take care.
ReplyDeletezainab1
AuNaturale007.blogspot.com
Can't wait to start experimenting with some of the oils that you've suggested. The biggest challenge is finding the right oil combination that works for my skin.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to try the grapeseed oil. Right now, I use EVOO and castor oil. It works beautifully!!
ReplyDeleteLadies!
ReplyDeleteThe OCM is wonderful!!! I have been faithfully using this method for about a month now and the benefits are ridiculous! (70% castor oil, 10% grapeseed oil, 10% teatree oil, and 10% sweet almond oil) is the combo of oil I use and my skin is bright, soft, and dewey. Definitely a must try!! And the mixture last soooo long. No need for expensive facial products when God has provided all we need!! I love it!
BTW: Nik,
I saw you and Lo's feature on essence.com!!! I said to myself, "That's my girl!!"
I just started using grapeseed oil on my skin and I love it. Like most people, I was skeptical about putting oil on my already oil skin, but it's actually light weight and leaves my skin soft and moisturized.
ReplyDeleteGirl you are on a roll.. Love your blog! I've tried the OCM with Olive oil and castor oil(Jamaican Black Castor Oil) separately to see how it would respond to my skin but I keep getting pimples.. I hear that you may experience breakout first before the skin becomes clear.. Have you experienced this before? I will try the grapeseed oil and / hazelut oil on my skin and see if my skin likes it.. Do you have any tips on how to get rid of dark circles and fine lines around the mouth?
ReplyDeleteIm currently using EVOO and castor oil and it is working but i notice it is also giving me a couple of pimples..nothing too crazy but im thinkin the evoo maybe to thick for my skin..im very anxious to try the grapeseed oil as soon as i go to shoprite
ReplyDeleteSince your post on yout face regimen where you mentioned that you used grapeseed oil as a moisturizer, I started using it too. My skin absolutely loves it!!!! My face is extremely soft and it gives my face a glow. I have oily skin, but the grapeseed oil does not make it oiler, in fact, I think the it has controlled it! Also, a little goes a looong way. I want to experiment with the OCM, but I am too attached to my black soap right now....maybe one day though!
ReplyDeleteBTW, I LOVE your blog!!!!! I always make sure I read it before i got to bed every night lol!
I've been using grapeseed oil since your first post about the oil cleansing method and my skin looks AMAZING!! Thanks for suggesting more oils to try.
ReplyDeleteJust purchased grapeseed not soo long ago. Still thiking what I should do with it this def has me onto something!
ReplyDeleteEvery day, I use my EVOO/EVCO mix to moisturize my face and body after cleansing with African Black Soap. Once a week, I exfoliate my face with my EVOO/EVCO sugar scrub and then follow it up with a bentonite clay mask. Switching to all natural skincare products has done wonders for my skin. :)
ReplyDeleteI think I may try the Grapeseed oil. I am using the OCM with Olive oil and castor oil right now and seeing minimal change in my problem areas.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! What do you do if you have combination skin?
ReplyDeletei love using avocado oil for my OCM! it is perfect for my dry skin. i still want to try a few more oils, though! i have heard good things about the evening primrose. thanks!
ReplyDeletelove the blog!
I've been using a Grapeseed oil and Castor oil mix for one month now and outside of the occasional pimple I've had great results. I have very oily skin and this method has done wonders for controlling it. Thanks so much for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteI have been using the oil cleansing method (OCM) since I read about it on Nik's blog a few weeks ago. It's worked well. I've been using it on my face and neck with great results. If you breakout initially, don't be discouraged. I hear it's the skin's way of purging itself. The second week of the OCM was scary, with some breakouts and irritation, but now I understand that it's part of the process for some of us. Thanks Nick for your blog. Who needs fashion magazines with tips from you on fashion, skincare, and good living!
ReplyDeleteAfter years of being a happy Proactiv Solution user, my skin just stopped responding a few months ago. As soon as I saw this article yesterday, I went out and purchased the oils you recommended for oily acne prone skin. Can't wait for them to arrive!
ReplyDeleteKendra
http://closetconfections.com
I think I'll try the grapeseed oil too. What about tea tree oil? Heard that is good with lemon juice to get rid of dark spots right?
ReplyDeleteI tried the OCM some years back but I think I just had castor oil and I think I used more than I should, so it didn't work out as well as I hoped. But I'm definitely considerign it again. I use a natural shea butter soap from the Rastas and it seems to be working nicely for my skin but if I can even eliminate that, it'd be kinda neat! =)
ReplyDeleteI must be bloody ignorant, but putting oil on your skin especially if you're breakout prone will only logically worsen your problem. Wtf!? This is common sense.
ReplyDeletePeople, please do your own damn research before you blindly follow just any advice given to you by someone who is clearly not a professional or a chemist by any stretch of the imagination. It will save you a lot of time and headache.
Is there even any conclusive, empirical, scientific, quantifiable, peer-reviewed EVIDENCE of the effectiveness of this so called method? Furthermore what are the mechanisms that render it effective? HOW DOES WASHING ONE'S ALREADY SEBUM FILLED FACE WITH OIL IMPROVE ONE'S FACIAL CONDITION!?
*face palm*
Ehh Niaja girl(Chidi)be easy..
ReplyDeleteGood to read all of those who have had positive results with the OCM. As for me, I'm sticking with my commercially-available skin care products. :)
ReplyDelete"Is there even any conclusive, empirical, scientific, quantifiable, peer-reviewed EVIDENCE of the effectiveness of this so called method? Furthermore what are the mechanisms that render it effective? "
ReplyDeleteI understand the spirit with which Chidi asked the question. So, MTM: Is there evidence, other than anecdotal, regarding the effectiveness of oils to cleanse skin, esp. those of us with problem skin? I attempted to do a Google search, but turned up empty.
To the commenters with questionable comments: I personally have oily skin and I have been using the OCM method for 3 weeks with wonderful results. I still have a little shine but my skin is clear and moisturized and I even feel better w/o makeup! IF you think it doesn't work...THEN DON'T TRY IT!. That's ALL
ReplyDeleteTawanda
I use Jojoba oil which works great!! :)
ReplyDelete