There’s nothing more embarrassing than having to deal with facial blemishes. Though many have the misconception that blemishes and acne only happen to teenagers, the fact is that more than 20% of all women in their 20s and 30s suffer from some sort of facial imperfection, including acne. Blemishes, break outs, and acne can be caused  by stress, fluctuating hormones, and diet. If you want to improve your skin, here are 15 foods that are known to promote clear skin.

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Kale

Kale is seriously a super vegetable. The leafy green is full of manganese, iron, potassium, protein, folate, phosphorus, and various vitamins including A, B, C, E, and K. With all of these vitamins and minerals together, kale isn’t only good for you, it’s an ideal food for clear skin. Try eating kale chips or boiling it.

President and Creative Director, Shea Radiance

Maryland-based eco-luxury beauty brand, Shea Radiance, recently celebrated the launch of their hair care products in Target stores nationwide. Husband and wife team Shola and Funlayo Alabi couldn’t have been more pleased to see the fruits of their labor of love come to fruition. From home-based business to major beauty brand, Shea Radiance has grown by leaps and bounds since its start in 2005.

We caught up with Funlayo, who acts as the company’s President and Creative Director, to discuss how they built their brand, and to get her insider tips on fall and winter skin care.

Madame Noire: How would you describe Shea Radiance’s products to someone who is hearing about your company for the first time?

Funlayo Alabi: Eco-Chic, Luxurious, Effective Shea Butter based hair and body products

MN: Before founding Shea Radiance, you and your husband were experimenting with raw shea butter as a solution to your own children’s skincare issues. Did you have any prior experience in the beauty industry before then?

FA: Technically no, we both have IT backgrounds, but we had a passion to create unique products that we could not find in the market. Not having prior industry experience really helped us think and formulate outside the box.

Pinterest.com

Sometimes the best products to enhance your natural beauty are those created using items you already have on your shelves at home. While store-bought options are an easy go-to, they can sometimes have harsh or unwanted chemicals in them. More natural substances—often ones that you already keep in your kitchen–are usually very good for you and can help with various issues you may be having. Let these multi-purpose items serve you in ways you hadn’t even thought of!

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Father’s Day is Sunday and if you’re in search for a last minute Father’s Day gift,we have some splendiferous (no, that’s not a real word) options for you, and they’re all in the beauty category. Who says dad doesn’t need to take care of himself and try some pampering? Without much frill, here are four awesome gifts that will show the great man in your life some appreciation.

Shea Moisture Shave Collection for Men

1. Shave Kits

This may seem passé, but shaving for men isn’t as simple as it looks, even if they do it every day. This is especially true for men of color who deal with coarser, curlier hair textures that are prone to ingrown hairs and razor bumps (and those little bumps are not cute). Gifting dad a quality shaving kit will go a long way with keeping his skin smooth and moisturized. You can keep it all natural with Shea Moisture’s Men’s Shave Collection, which is easy to find at any Target or Walmart. Or go luxurious with the Art of Shaving’s Professional Shave Bundle, available at Macy’s and Sephora.

Source: polyvore

2. Skincare

Yes, skincare is different from the shaving kits. In between shaves dad still needs to take care of his face, even the low-maintenance Dial soap man. Carol’s Daughter Acai Hydrating Face Butter is a quality addition to a gift bundle for dad. It’s a great moisturizer (I’m a big fan) that doesn’t leave the face shiny. Dad can simply apply it to any dry patches on his face and keep his face manly and moisturized without the shine.

Source: cumidanciki.com

3. Body Care

Never underestimate the care your father puts into his personal hygiene. We may think our father’s are simple men, but if you place something in their life they may use it and add it to their daily regimen. Men tend to be hard on their feet and every man doesn’t feel comfortable going to get that regular pedicure. So slide dad some foot powder or lotion, such as the soothing Carol’s Daughter Peppermint Foot Lotion. Sending that his way with a fresh pack of socks (and even some nail clippers) is a cute gift that will help the simple man take a step into better foot care. Kiehl’s Cross Terrain collection is another fab option that includes a dry foot cream along with a face cream and body wash, available at Nordstrom.

Source: netikka.net

4. Hair Care

Dad’s hair line and hair health is just as important as our hair. Long before natural hair was the trend, our fathers were the natural trendsetters. So if you are super stuck for a gift just look at your own inventory of hair products, especially if you and your father have a similar simple hair texture. Dad still needs to keep his hair and scalp moisturized so customize a gift bundle including your favorite moisturizing product along with personal sentimental items (a book he use to read to you, music he likes, etc.,). The best gifts are ones that require some thought, and we’re sure he’ll appreciate it.

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shierlyrichard.com

Rapper Khia must’ve started something with the release of her single “My Neck, My Back” because ever since, that’s just about all our favorite celebs like to show off on the red carpet. From see through mesh and nude fabrics to the lack thereof; here’s our gallery of fashionable hotties who have mastered the neck and back reveal.

Greetings, friends!

If you’re one of those people who is looking for the newest product or for some product recommendations, then you’re in luck. I’ve tried a few new products lately for everything from my dry hair to my ladybits and thought I would share. Let’s get down to business:

Source: http://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com

Shea Moisture’s Honey and Black Seed After Shave Regenerative Lotion

What does Shea Moisture have that isn’t amazing??? And while you might have most of the hair products, you shouldn’t pass up on the things they have in their women’s skin line. While perusing a beauty supply store to stock up on hair goods, I ran across this cream that is supposed to work wonders for irritated skin after you’ve shaved. As someone whose run into this problem while trying to remove hair from my girlfriend down there, I thought I wouldn’t have anything to lose (but about $8 or $9). But man oh man, has this stuff been a Godsend! Not only does it smell delicious, but it helps the hair (wherever you apply it), grow back softer, and grow black slower at that. One of the best products I’ve picked up in a while…You can find their products at Target, Walgreens, or at your nearby ratchet beauty supply *smiles*

Source: mmproducts.com

Sofn’Free’s Milk Protein & Olive Oil Leave-In Treatment and Argan & Olive Oil Spray

Finding the right leave-in conditioner is tricky. Some leave you with a weird residue, some don’t even really condition like they say they will, but Sofn’Free’s leave-in spray used to make my afro feel like butter in the morning. And that’s after it felt like a brillo pad at night. Do a twist out, and if you’re not looking to throw a big cream or pudding in for moisture, this leave-in spray will go a long way. Your hair soaks it up really well (well, mine did at least), and the smell is delightful. The company’s argan and olive oil spray also provides a lot of shine without coming off greasy, and that works great for all kinds of hair, especially relaxed locks that are dull and need some kick.

Source: shopme.com

Arm & Hammer’s Ultra Max Invisible Solid Deodorant (in Powder Fresh!)

I’m sure we’re all out here searching for the right deodorant, and if you do the absolute most on a daily basis like moi, you’re bound to work up a sweat. When that happens, you need a deodorant that will work heavy duty, won’t go on too thick, but won’t be too thin. Arm & Hammer’s Invisible Solid deodorant is another miracle-worker. It has saved my white T-shirts, and keeps me very fresh and clean. A lot of these other deodorants (the Suaves and the Secrets of the world) are too busy trying to make you smell like a bed of roses when your a** just needs to smell clean. You will swear by it soon enough. Find it at your local drugstore/pharmacy (Walgreens, Wal Mart, Target, etc).

Source: en.paperblog.com

DeMert Nail Enamel Dryer Manicurist’s Finishing Spray

As an avid nail painter who likes to avoid spending money on things I can do myself (sorry nearby nail salon), the faster I can get my nails done the better. While cold water can work after a while, and even cooking spray, this finishing spray by DeMert really does work wonders. It not only dries your manicure, but it makes your hands look like professional did them! Which is nice since I know you struggled to paint that right hand, girl. It’s only a few bucks and can be found at your local beauty supply. So if you’re trying to avoid the big smudge or those weird imprints from going to bed too early with your new nails, you might want to pick up a can.

Source: beautycoliseum.com

Jamaican Black Castor Oil

I had heard some people online raving about this product, so when my beautician told me I should use it for my two-strand twists, I was expecting big results. Granted, you’re not going to wake up with a whole new head of long hair, but if you put a small amount on your edges and in places where hair has broken off, the growth you will see in a short amount of time is pretty awesome. Not only that, but it also moisturizes your hair well. However, I must admit that the smell and the consistency (it’s thick) aren’t anything to write home about, but the results are. Check it out, and be sure to mix it with other things so it doesn’t go on so thick…Try for your local beauty supply (not Sally’s) if you’re looking for it, and you can also buy the oil online.

What products are must-haves for you?

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Baby, it’s cold outside; and while this is the title of a popular song, it’s also the cause of some really ashy elbows, cracked lips, heels and parched hair that could been prevented. Everyone knows looking and feeling dry isn’t cute, but the harsher the winds whip, the more likely it seems that you’ll wind up this way this winter. You might wind up ashy by accident, but you sure don’t have to stay that way with products like these on the market that keep you moisturized from head to toe–literally.

You are what you eat. So this could mean that eating satisfying-but-equally-bad-for-you foods may stand in the way of your beauty. Of course, beauty is supposedly skin deep, but if you’re still concerned about the skin that people actually see, you may want to watch the foods you put into your body.

There are plenty of foods that have negative effects on our hair, skin, and nails but there are also other foods that allow these things to flourish.  Some of us subtly become product junkies as we try multiple skin creams, hair vitamins and other beauty products in an effort to get or maintain glowing skin and healthy hair. However, we forget that no amount of expensive lotion or vitamins can replace the lasting effects of eating the right foods.

So before trying an over-the-counter quick fix to combat subpar skin or dull and brittle hair, up your dose of  these ‘beauty foods.’