Upgrade Your Selfie Game With These Editor-Approved Ring Lights

Whether you’re trying to upgrade your selfie quality or want the best light possible for filming makeup tutorials, ring lights should be on your radar. The perfect addition to every vanity, ring lights cast an even light onto your face, reduce shadows, illuminate your eyes and even minimize the look of blemishes. There are plenty of ring lights out there— each with different functions and lighting options — making it tricky to figure out which one is best for you. To make it easier, we’ve narrowed down our favorite ring lights on Amazon, ahead. 

ring-lights

UBeeSize 12’’ Ring Light with Tripod

Never worry about bad lighting again. With this ring light, you can choose between five color temperatures and 10 brightness levels to find the best possible lighting for video calls, interviews, vlogs and makeup tutorials. 

ring-lights

Riki Skinny Light Vanity Makeup Mirror

Although it’s on the pricier side, this mirror has received the praises of celebs, makeup artists and beauty gurus for a reason: it’s magnifying mirror ensures flawless makeup application every single time. Plus, the lighting can’t be beat.

ring-lights

Neweer Selfie Ring Light 

Filming how-to videos and TikToks has never been so easy. This portable ring light provides top-notch lighting wherever you go and even has a clamp to hold your phone for hands-free recording. 

ring-lights

AIXPI LED Ring Light

With its own height-adjusting tripod that rotates 360 degrees, this ring light offers optimal lighting at every angle.

ring-lights

Yarrashop Ring Light Stand and Phone Holder

Don’t let poor lighting wash out your complexion on screen. Shop this desktop ring light complete with adjustable brightness levels and lighting will never be an issue again.

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HEALTHIER WAYS to Use Fragrance

THIS BLOG POST WAS SPONSORED BY DOSSIER! HOWEVER, ALL OPINIONS ARE MINE! I SAID WHAT I SAID!

By now it’s been made woefully clear that some of our old tried and true favorite beauty products might not be the very best for our bodies. Potentially harmful chemicals and synthetics can build up in our systems, cause imbalances, and are generally toxic. So what’s a girl to do when her signature scent isn’t squeaky clean?

We won’t make you throw out a fragrance that makes you feel special. You know what we mean—that nostalgic, warm and fuzzy smell that makes tears spring to your ex’s eyes because you’ve always smelled like that—it’s your special smell. Or, maybe you’ve fallen head over heels for a new fragrance and you just can’t get it out of your mind. Chances are, you’re not finding an exact replica that does the same magical mingling with your body chemistry in a non-toxic brand.

Dossier

Discover quality fragrances inspired by the iconic rich scents you love.

price depends, the fragrance is either $29 or $39. Use code: LEE10 for money off!

Here is the link: https://dossier.co/?utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=bloggers&utm_medium=BELLA%E2%80%99S%20BOUTIQUE10

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What you can do is try using your favorite (not-so-clean-beauty) scents in smarter, healthier ways. Instead of dousing your delicate endocrine system, aka spraying directly onto your lymph nodes at your throat, wrist, or other sensitive places, try somewhere else.

Give your hair a spritz after it’s styled. The scent will cling to your fibrous strands in a heavenly cloud around your face, and create a little breeze of your favorite aroma when you whip around town. It doesn’t need to land directly on your scalp or seep into your skin, and you don’t need a lot.

Or, try misting your clothes. You can spritz it on a scarf, a sweater, or your top, all before putting the piece on so your scent lingers without clinging to your sensitive areas all day, or requiring reapplication. You can spritz a cotton kerchief and tuck it into a drawer to have a subtle tinge of your scent last all day on all your foldables as well!

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Most people assume that applying fragrance is easy. One spritz on your neck and another on your wrist, and that’s pretty much it, right? Trust us, there’s so much more to it! And considering the average price point of designer perfume, we don’t want to waste a drop. The good news is, once you’ve read this post, you’ll be ready to make the most of every last gorgeous drop of your fragrance. Here are four common fragrance mistakes and what you should be doing instead.

Storing Fragrances Incorrectly

Storing fragrances incorrectly degrades the fragrance. Hot temperatures affect the chemical bonds in fragrance while if the temperature is too low, that can also alter the fragrance more quickly. Ideally, your perfumes need to be stored in a cool, dark place with a room temperature between 16 to 22 degrees. This means storing perfume in your bathroom or anywhere the temperature fluctuates is a big no-no. Similarly, direct sunlight will also break down fragrance so do not store them on a window or even shelves near a window. Look for bottles with dark or opaque glass packaging, which will help protect the perfume from sunlight.

Applying Fragrance to Dry Skin

Perfume doesn’t wear well on dry skin, which is just another reason to moisturizer daily. Ideally, you should use the accompanying body lotion that comes with your fragrance or an unscented moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. This will also ensure that there’s no olfactory interference.

Our fave perfume hack: Perfume lasts longer when applied to oily, damp skin, so to lock in the scent, rub vaseline onto your pulse points before application.

Carrying Fragrance in Your Purse

If you carry your fragrance in your purse, you’re not only exposing it to different temperatures, but you’ll also cause the bottle to move around constantly. By shaking the bottle, you’ll expose the perfume to excess air, which will breakdown and disrupt the fragrance over time.

If you do want to carry a scent with you while you’re on the go, we’d recommend the travel scent Dossier gives you when you purchase a 50mL fragrance, $29. You can also buy these Portable Mini Refillable Perfume Spray Bottles, $10, that you can fill with your fave fragrances, which are perfect for when you travel or to keep in your handbag while your perfume is safely stored at home.

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Savoring your Fragrance

As much as we love to savor our beauty products, holding onto your favorite fragrance means that more often than not, by the time you reach the end of the bottle, the fragrance will have altered slightly. The more oxygen into the bottle (like when you’ve used 70% of your perfume), the more the fragrance molecules will break down and modify the fragrance.

This means investing in a large bottle is not always a good idea, in fact, it often better to purchase a smaller bottle to keep the fragrance fresh. If your go-to fragrance is only available in a large bottle, decant the liquid into small vials and store your half-empty bottles in the fridge.

For more fragrance inspo, check out FRAGRANCES TO GIFT YOUR LOVED ONES WITH, PURELY BASED ON PERSONALITY.

THIS BLOG POST WAS SPONSORED BY DOSSIER! HOWEVER, ALL OPINIONS ARE MINE! I SAID WHAT I SAID!

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The Natural Hair Products That Will Turn Your Curl Game Up A Notch

As Black women, we take our crowns seriously, no matter the style of the crown. Our natural hair is a means of showcasing the beauty of our roots. Whether you’re a 3A, 2B or 4C, your curls matter.

Being a naturalista is no easy feat. You have to be up to the minute on all of the latest natural hair products to ensure you’re giving your curls the love they deserve. Our curls comes in all different shapes, sizes and textures so we have to meet them where they are but not leave them there. With humidity coming for all the hard work we put into maintaining the perfect curl and avoiding frizz, we gotta stay ready so we don’t have to get ready.

Keep reading for some natural hair products that will have your curls screaming, “Yasssss!”

*This list is specially curated by the BeautyLeeBar team and some links are affiliate links. If you purchase an item from an affiliate link, BeautyLeeBar might earn a small commission.

Aveeno Oat Milk Blend Shampoo

Did you know that oat milk is great for soothing your scalp? Because it is rich in protein and lipids, it adds a smoothness and shine that your curls will thank you for. Depending on your scent preference, you may love or hate the fragrance but we guarantee you’ll love how your hair feels after a good shampoo. $7 Buy Now

Oyin Handmade Hair Natural Moisture Dew

Celebrated as the leave-in to believe in, this Oyin product will kick dryness in the ass. The castor oil and squalane provide hydration and moisture for your coils and kinks. $20 Buy Now

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Treatment Masque

SheaMoisture is an illustrious collection of products perfect for repairing damaged hair. If you’ve been using heat and/or coloring your hair more than you should, this Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Treatment Masque will reduce shedding and allow your hair to grow free of harsh chemicals. $12 Buy Now

DevaCurl Deep Sea Repair Seaweed Strengthening Mask

DevaCurl created a treatment ideal for defining your curls while also improving elasticity. Try using this product once a week to power-pack your curls with the strength it needs for any style. Word on the street is that this DevaCurl option is a great option for transitioning curls. $51.20 Buy Now

KareCo Tangle Buster Brush

Your coils need a brush that is gentle and efficient. The Tangle Buster has your back from its flexible paddle to the easy glide bristles. Whether using it on wet or dry hair, you can flawlessly detangle your hair in one hour, giving you more time to style your hair. $10.96 Buy Now

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SOULTANICALS Fluffalicious Nutricious

With a name like Fluff-a-licious, how can you go wrong? A little goes a long way as you style your bantu knots or twist out. You can depend on this product to keep your hair supple for days on end. Not to mention, the wheat germ oil and blue malva herb gives thick curly strands maximum nourishment. $16 Buy Now

Afro Sheen Crown Defining Curl Cream

Sometimes our curls need a little help – think of this curl defining cream as the curl support system. It lacks grease, is full of fatty acids and reduces split ends. When lathering the cream, you are sure to notice an instant softness. $21 Buy Now

R+Co Cassette Curl Shampoo 

Everyone hates frizz so, when we find a product that tames frizz, we are sold. Between the flaxseed and rice oil, you’ll want to treat this product like your favorite album that you can play and walk away. It will strengthen your hair from the follicle to the ends. $29 Buy Now

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WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE OR GO-TO NATURAL HAIR PRODUCT(S) THAT TREAT THE CURLS, GIRLS?

Pros Agree That Jade Roller Benefits Go Far Beyond De-Puffing Your Face

These days, it’s near impossible to scroll through your social media feed without coming across a beautifully-styled photo of a jade roller. But according to skin-care pros, jade roller benefits extend far beyond solely making for a pretty picture.

Jade face rollers for beauty facial massage therapy. Flat lay on marble background

Jade rolling has long been a practice in traditional Chinese medicine. The stone is believed to have healing properties and be a sign of power and immortality. Over the last few years, the tool has made its way into beauty stores (and onto Instagram feeds) in the Western world, thanks in large part to its de-puffing abilities. ” In the simplest terms, a jade roller is a facial massage tool,” says Jessica Briggs, the VP of marketing for Ecotools. “What makes it special is that it’s made from natural jade stone which has both spiritual and physical benefits, and is known for its purifying and detoxifying qualities.” And pros say that jade roller benefits include things like lymphatic drainage and improved circulation. Here’s what you need to know.

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Jade roller benefits

1. Detoxifies and reduces puffiness

“Lymphatic drainage” is one of the buzziest wellness terms of 2020 (we called it in our Trends!), and jade rolling is one of the easiest ways to do it at home. Using the tool to massage your face can help reduce some of the fluid buildup, doing away with puffiness. Roll the massager toward your lymph nodes—which are located in your neck, slightly behind your ears—to help stimulate lymph movement.

2. Brightens and firms skin

Jade rollers massage the superficial layer of the skin, and if you pop them in the freezer to cool them down they can “calm irritation, tighten pores, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” says Miami-based board-certified dermatologist Stacy Chimento, MD. There are some claims that jade rollers can help your skin absorb topical ingredients more effectively, but there isn’t enough research to fully support this theory.

3. Relaxes facial tension

If you’re a big-time jaw clencher, treating yourself to a DIY jade roller massage can help do away with some of the tension the habit leaves behind. “By putting gentle pressure on your face and neck it helps reduce tension,” says Briggs. Use the smaller end of the roller to gently massage along your jaw line, and you’ll feel an immediate release of whatever stress you’re holding in the area.

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4. De-puffs your under eyes

After a long night of crying, drinking, or eating salt, if you ever wind up with your eyes puffy, a simple jade-rolling routine can help. Massaging the area with the smaller end of the tool can help even out some of the fluid, and it will work double-duty if it’s fresh out of the freezer, since cold temperatures help to constrict blood vessels, which helps to prevent the flow of fluid into the tissues.

How to use a jade roller

In order to reap the most of your jade roller benefits, you’ll want to be sure you’re using it the right way. “In terms of technique, make sure you aren’t applying undue pressure and pulling the skin, this goes double for downward strokes,” says Dr. Chimento. “You can start with the nose and eyes and gently and thoroughly cover the face with the massage tool emphasizing the forehead and cheekbones.” Briggs adds that you can use the tool with or without skin care, focusing on an outward, rolling motion on your face and neck, which helps push tension and swelling away from the center of your face and encourage circulation.

Most jade rollers come with a larger end and a smaller one, each of which serve different purposes. The larger one is great for use on your cheeks, forehead, and jawline, and the smaller one can be used under your eyes and around your nose. Some also have a textured side as well as a smooth side, which Dr. Chimento is a fan of using for light physical exfoliation (just be sure to limit yourself to a few times a week with it so you don’t over exfoliate).

A few other pro tips, depending on what you’re looking for? “If you want to really gain the maximum benefit out of the jade roller, I suggest placing your tool in the freezer or fridge overnight and massaging your face in the morning,” says Dr. Chimento. “The combination of massage and cool application will help not only break up fluids from overnight, but also tighten your pores, and calm the skin from minor irritations or puffiness.” Briggs also suggests warming the tool with water, which will help open your pores for improved skin-care absorption.

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And one more thing? “Always make sure to clean your tools before the next use,” says Briggs. The best way to do it is by washing with a gentle soap and patting dry.

Our favorite jade rollers

1. Herbivore Jade De-Puffing Facial Roller, $30

Photo: Herbivore

2. EcoTools Jade Roller Duo, $19

Photo: EcoTools

3. Bullex 100% Natural Jade Face Roller, $7

Photo: Amazon

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