​Spring is here, now is the time to change up your fragrance routine. Some may be asking, what is a fragrance routine? Do you typically find one scent that you love and wear it continuously? There are so many wonderful perfumes/fragrances out there - and life is too short to only smell one way. Now is the perfect time to switch it up daily, weekly or monthly. Here are a few of my favorite Spring scents I think you should try:
 
Tom Ford
Private Blend Roses 3-Piece Fragrance Set & Atomizer
 
This 3-piece set has a new floral and musky scents from designer Tom Ford. This 3-piece set is great because they are travel size and allows you to mix and match scents to your liking. “Tom Ford invites the senses to experience Private Rose Garden, a provocative scent trilogy evoking three incomparably transportive destinations, each inspired by the exquisite, rare blooms in his own garden.”
 
You can buy this at Saks Fifth Avenue
 
NEST New York
Turkish Rose Perfume Oil Rollerball
 
I’m loving this new scent from NEST New York; you may be familiar with their candle line. This smells just as amazing. Its oil based which I think tends to stay on your skin longer for a full scent all day long. This is also great for traveling or popping in your handbag. “Wander through Turkey's legendary rose fields with this nourishing perfume oil featuring notes of rose, black plum, and hints of saffron warmed by blonde woods. The Turkish rose extract is blended with baobab oil for a formula that melts into your skin while leaving behind a long-lasting fragrance.”
 
You can buy this at Sephora.
 
Gucci
Gucci Flora Emerald Gardenia Eau de Toilette
 
This is a limited-edition spray so move quickly. The scent is very light, floral and clean. “Green, a color emblematic of spring, conveying the freshness and vivacity of the change of season, is the inspiration for this new limited-edition fragrance. The perfume is inspired by a snapshot of an early summer’s morning, where orchards ripe with fruit are covered with dew. Refreshing, bright fruit notes open the scent: pear, lemon, and watermelon mix with the heart notes of beguiling aqueous flowers: gardenia, frangipani, and lotus. The radiant fruit-and-floral blend is set softly on a base of luminous woods notes—including sandalwood and cedarwood—together with velvety musks.”
 
You can buy this at Sephora, online.
 

​It’s the glowing skin for meeee. Let me introduce you to my glow squad from Palmers. Hydrate Replenish Body Oil, Moisturizes Softens Body Oil and my new favorite Hemp Oil Calming Relief Body Oil. Winter months may soon be behind us, but that doesn’t mean we slack on the moisture for our skin. What I love about these products is the convenience of stepping out of a bath/shower and applying the oils, even on damp skin. After applying the body oil my skin immediately soaks it in and I can see an immediate glowing difference without any greasy residue. This dream team is packed with 48-hour moisture that instantly helps dry skin, gives a youthful radiance, improves texture and soothes irritation. What else does a girl need?
 
Which Palmer’s body oil is best for you? Let’s see:
 
Hydrate Replenish Body Oil Benefits:
•           Hydrates & Replenishes skin with natural Coconut Oil and Green Coffee for visibly healthy-looking, radiant skin
•           48 Hour moisture 
•           Vegan Friendly - No animal ingredients or testing
•           Free of Parabens, Phathalates, Mineral Oil, Dyes
•           Ethically & sustainably sourced ingredients
•           America's #1 Coconut Oil Body Care Brand and #1 Body Oil Brand
•           Fair Trade Certified Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
•           Works well layering with Palmer's Coconut Body Lotion and Balm
•           Non-greasy formula can be used in shower, bath or on dry skin
•           Dermatologist Approved
 
 
Moisturizes and Softens Body Oil Benefits:
•           Hydrates & Softens rough, dry skin with natural Cocoa Butter and Vitamin E for healthier-looking, radiant skin
•           48-hour moisture
•           Vegan-friendly - no animal ingredients or testing
•           Free of Parabens, Phthalates, Mineral Oil, Dyes
•           America's #1 Cocoa Butter Brand
•           Works well layering with Palmer's Cocoa Butter Daily Skin Therapy Body Lotion and Original Solid Jar
•           Non-greasy formula can be used in shower, bath or on dry skin
 
 
Hemp Oil Calming Relief Benefits:
•           Soothes irritation
•           Increases hydration
•           Improves texture and radiance
•           Clinically Proven Results*: 96% agreed skin texture improved, 100% agreed skin was more moisturized and felt smoother
•           48 Hour Moisture
•           Dermatologist Approved, Hypoallergenic, For Sensitive Skin
 
Whichever body oil you chose, you really can’t go wrong! Make sure you add this to your startling line up right after a shower/bath. Pick these up at Walgreens, Target and Walmart.

Reader Question:
As I get older, I notice that I have these “fat bags” that sit halfway down my nose positioned under both of my eyes.  I’ve seen these “bags” on other women as well – slender women, not so slender women, women of different sizes.  What do I need to do to get rid of these bubbles on my face?  A younger woman in my office once had the same issue and had surgery to remove them.  Is that my only option?  And if so, where would you recommend, I go?
 
Answer:
Lexi, HerMD Aesthetics Manager and Aesthetician 
 
Based off your description this seems to be due to the aging process.  Our anatomy in the face has these upside-down triangles that lay on our cheek bones which give us the youthful appearance. As we age, these start to droop which in turn causes the jouling and laxity in the skin to occur. When we lose the volume in the cheeks, the fat pads that we have under our eyes start to come forward. Resulting in "under eye bags", dark circles, and texture. 
 
When addressing this concern based on the severity, the patient's expectations, and budgets. It's recommended to start with a great medical grade eye cream. One with caffeine and a whisper of retinol is ideal. The second option may be to add volume back to the areas. This is where its best to have your concerns addressed by a skilled injector. Injecting a dermal filler onto the cheekbones and temples will create a more youthful look and lessen the appearance of the undereye bags. Tear trough filler may be an option as well. The last option that is recommended could be to remove them surgically. I would encourage you to visit HerMD health for a complimentary consultation to discuss the best treatment option for you.
 
HerMD: https://hermdhealth.com/cincinnati

Featured guest: Candace M. Bates
Continuing our series with Candace M. Bates, we’ve been realigning our goals but also making sure you have all the tools at hand to be successful. As an entrepreneur myself, I know the importance of making sure your business foundation is strong, first and foremost. Herald Beauty has been fortunate enough to highlight so many beauty businesses in 2021, we also want to help these businesses succeed. We will be doing a serious of Beauty & Business pieces to do just that. 
I had the great opportunity to sit down with Candace M. Bates who has an insurance agency (Black Woman Owned) The Candace Bates State Farm Agency -that helps with this initiative.  
Please check out these helpful life insurance tips Candace shared. For more information, please visit the Chocolate News podcast on thecincinnatiherald.com and also https://www.candacebatesinsurance.com/
 
March is Women’s History Month, here are some facts you may not know:
 

• Women’s life span is almost 8% on average longer than men’s
• The average expectancy in women at birth is 79 while men is 72
• Disturbing 2021 study in Insurance Barometer, shows that just 47% of women have life insurance, verses 58% of men. We need to change this narrative, and I would like to talk more about it.
•  We have personalized options; call me today to book your appointment to talk about it!

Spring Break is approaching quickly, make sure you are prepared. Here are a few of my travel products/essentials that I take no matter if I’m going into cold or warm weather cities.

Let’s spotlight some green beauty products in this issue. We hope you’ll try some and perhaps they will bring you some good luck. A few products that I wanted to try can all be found at Target. Who doesn’t love beauty shopping at Target right? Let’s get into these green products below:

Vaseline, Soothing Hydration Body Lotion
Formerly known as Aloe Soothe, this Soothing Hydration Body Lotion is clinically proven to deeply moisturize and soothe dry skin with the first application. Heals and refreshes dry skin without feeling greasy. 

Que Bella Bath & Beauty Energizing Whipped Mint Cream Mask
This mask was EVERYTHING and super affordable that you can’t beat. A few highlights of this mask are:

• -Velvety texture
• -Enriched with grapeseed and sunflower oil
• -Contains cooling peppermint oil
• -Dermatologically tested
• -Suitable for vegans

Yesto Soothing Depuffing Under Eye Masks
YES to this. After a long day or week let's indulge in self-care with these single eye masks that help calm and smooth sensitive under-eye skin. This is 95% natural with key ingredients such as cucumber, caffeine and evodia fruit.

Hollywood Beauty Products Avocado Oil
It’s no surprise that I am a fan of Hollywood Beauty Products. This avocado hair oil, locks in moisture with key ingredients like: Vitamin A, B, D, E. Amonia acid, folic acid, nourishes hair.

Milani Green Goddess Lip Balm
This is an amazing product that is not only great for your lips, but it changes color! This lip balm is infused with ultra-hydrating Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Vitamin E, and Aloe Leaf Extract, the nourishing formula goes on green and shifts to create your perfect pink shade. You can wear this lightweight balm alone or layer with your favorite lip shade to soften, condition and soothe lips.
​
Elf Green Eyeshadow Palette
Who doesn’t like a fun eyeshadow palette!? Just in time for spring, spice up your eye game with a hint of green. I like using on the inside of my tear duct – a little pop of green.
Which green product would you try?

There have been so many instrumental Black women in the beauty industry, many of whom are just now getting their shine. Take for example the first Black Woman Millionaire, Madam C.J. Walker: who first started selling a hair grower at the turn of the 20th century, was the first American woman to become a self-made millionaire. Netflix came out with her story, but previously you never really heard much about her in full detail.

I have been obsessed with all thing’s beauty, fashion and lifestyle. I blame my mother. I grew up being the only girl and watching my mother in awe when she got dressed to attend a function or a meeting. She had a full walk-in closet with amazing shoes, dresses and my personal favorite, handbags. My mother is beautiful without material things, but these just enhanced her style – I envied it.

My mother has the most beautiful full, long and thick hair. I was blessed as a little girl to have even thicker and longer hair than here. I must admit however, wash day was not my favorite. To this day I am very tender headed. My mother taught me my hair was a source of pride and to always take care of it, embrace it and celebrate it. This was a challenge for me when I was younger because I went to schools where girls did not have the same hair texture as me. I felt different. My hair was thick and curly compared to their straight, wavy hair. 

However, over time I learned to love my hair and my “Hairitage”.   I love my hair texture; I love my curls and I love it straight. I often get asked what my heritage is because of my skin tone and hair. My family “heritage” is comprised of a little bit of everything and I think that makes it truly beautiful. I grew up in a household where my mother kept my hair routine and hers simple.

My grandma (my mom’s mother), the only grandmother I’ve known, Pauline, was a beautician – it definitely must run in my blood! I remember my grandmother had vintage jewelry and beautiful fur stoles/coats. As a little girl I would play in her jewelry, hats and anything I could get my hands on. They were the ultimate images of Beauty to me. Something one day, I would inspire to be like. 

My grandmother’s hair was also so chic. Even in her later years I remember going to her retirement community and helping my mother wash it and set it on rollers. It was a part of her self-care beauty routine, even if she wasn’t going anywhere. She always said, “If you look good, you feel even better.”  My mother taught me the necessity of a great beauty routine: cleanse your hair really well, condition it, protect it and give it some love.
​
Black Women and Beauty are truly part of not only Black History but History. According to Essence Magazine, “African Americans spend $1.2 trillion each year, and that number is projected to rise to $1.5 trillion by this year. A 2018 study found that African American women entrepreneurs accounted for 20 percent of all women-owned businesses and had the highest rate of growth in new companies between 2017 and 2018.” Yet, we are often left out of the conversation and representation. That is exactly why Herald Beauty is here and we hope you have enjoyed this far with more to come.