The scene you describe in Cape town was described beautifully. I’ve encountered the same experience at every turn. From being at the PWIs to restaurants — it’s exhausting. I feel it the most when I’m at Disney World. When a lot of the people cleaning up are Haitian.
Nivea - you know the thick like Vaseline in the blue tub Nivea, I slather it all over my skin, two times a day; yes, I wrap my hair with a scarf when I wear hats and at night, and sometimes i wrap my head like the West Indian ladies just for a change in pace. Thanks for asking!
Nivea is lightweight and bomb for me in the summer months. I’ve started using Vanicream this winter and it’s been absolute love. Thick but not greasy, dries quickly, no smell, and minimal ingredients. I love a good headwrap too. Thanks for sharing!
La RochePosay- triple repair moisturizing cream is my go too. I apply it once daily and no need for re-application. I wear a silk scarf to bed and I braid my natural hair time to time, which is my current hairstyle.
Ooohhhh that means I get to try it out when my Summer Friday’s Jet Lag Mask runs out, I currently use it on my face paired with ELFs Holy Hydration Eye Cream.
Okay, Rachel, I wasn’t ready for this post to end. Can I say that? I wanted more of why you travel in spite of coconut meat experiences. I can soooo relate to your words. I went to a PWI, too. I sleep with a silk scarf on a satin pillowcase. I buffer myself with moisture to keep me soft despite a harsh world.
You’ll like next week’s post 😉🫢. I’m feeling the double layers - silk on satin is next level 💅🏾 because staying soft in harsh world is real work. Thanks for sharing.
loved how you tied this essay together. nourishing and powerful, root to tip. Also, I 100% have felt the way you did in South Africa, it’s so frustrating to have to constantly rid myself of those experiences but I’m grateful for learning how to, and having wider conversations like these to make me feel more seen in that undoing 🤍
Girrrrrrrlllllll I wasn’t ready, the reason I even ventured into the restaurant was because I poked my head in and saw ALL melanin - I was like don’t mind if I do 😌. Hence my reference to the bait and switch. I want to go back but struggle with putting my money towards establishments (governments, institutions, etc.) that continue to oppress. But then it’s like… Rachel, anti-blackness is global, you not finna go ANYWHERE! 😩😮💨 I’m tired.
Oh nooo not the melanin trap ahahaa. girl trust me, I have the same conversation with myself looool. I think this has actually shaped the way that I travel a lot, like I will go to Paris for instance and actively seek out a completely different travel experience, not for any other reason than to avoid the stupidness of establishments and people playing with my peace. It's not always easy but sometimes it aligns well. We'll get it!!
I have stood on the very door spot in your photo in Cape Town and the photo took me back there. Making me wish I was there right now. For the ocean and scenery but had me pondering on similar experiences and realizations about being brown in those spaces. Reading while I lay with my head on my satinpillowcase, wrapped in a leopard print silk scarf. Hope my curls are still popping when I unwrap.
Lezel, thanks for the share. I'm so happy to hear you've visited Cape Town. It's such a beautiful city with an ugly and complicated history. My hair is currently pineapple'd in a silk scarf as well :) I am certain your curls will be popping. Be well, thanks for reading.
The scene you describe in Cape town was described beautifully. I’ve encountered the same experience at every turn. From being at the PWIs to restaurants — it’s exhausting. I feel it the most when I’m at Disney World. When a lot of the people cleaning up are Haitian.
Thank you, Cape Town was indescribably beautiful but reveals its apartheid history left and right.
Ahhhhh I can imagine that with Florida’s proximity to the Caribbean.
You and wifey’s excitement over Disney made me add it to my to-go list.
Nivea - you know the thick like Vaseline in the blue tub Nivea, I slather it all over my skin, two times a day; yes, I wrap my hair with a scarf when I wear hats and at night, and sometimes i wrap my head like the West Indian ladies just for a change in pace. Thanks for asking!
Nivea is lightweight and bomb for me in the summer months. I’ve started using Vanicream this winter and it’s been absolute love. Thick but not greasy, dries quickly, no smell, and minimal ingredients. I love a good headwrap too. Thanks for sharing!
La RochePosay- triple repair moisturizing cream is my go too. I apply it once daily and no need for re-application. I wear a silk scarf to bed and I braid my natural hair time to time, which is my current hairstyle.
I just need to co-sign that LaRoche Posay magic. It’s luxurious.
Ooohhhh that means I get to try it out when my Summer Friday’s Jet Lag Mask runs out, I currently use it on my face paired with ELFs Holy Hydration Eye Cream.
The one I have used is a body cream. I am sure the face version is heavenly, too.
Understood I’ve taken note 📝
I gotta check them out. I feel you on the braids. Small ones are my go to. They last long and when they get fuzzy… boom… Issa braid out.
Yesss. Braid out the best🙌🏽
Okay, Rachel, I wasn’t ready for this post to end. Can I say that? I wanted more of why you travel in spite of coconut meat experiences. I can soooo relate to your words. I went to a PWI, too. I sleep with a silk scarf on a satin pillowcase. I buffer myself with moisture to keep me soft despite a harsh world.
You’ll like next week’s post 😉🫢. I’m feeling the double layers - silk on satin is next level 💅🏾 because staying soft in harsh world is real work. Thanks for sharing.
Weeeeee!!! Can’t wait! ☺️
loved how you tied this essay together. nourishing and powerful, root to tip. Also, I 100% have felt the way you did in South Africa, it’s so frustrating to have to constantly rid myself of those experiences but I’m grateful for learning how to, and having wider conversations like these to make me feel more seen in that undoing 🤍
Girrrrrrrlllllll I wasn’t ready, the reason I even ventured into the restaurant was because I poked my head in and saw ALL melanin - I was like don’t mind if I do 😌. Hence my reference to the bait and switch. I want to go back but struggle with putting my money towards establishments (governments, institutions, etc.) that continue to oppress. But then it’s like… Rachel, anti-blackness is global, you not finna go ANYWHERE! 😩😮💨 I’m tired.
Oh nooo not the melanin trap ahahaa. girl trust me, I have the same conversation with myself looool. I think this has actually shaped the way that I travel a lot, like I will go to Paris for instance and actively seek out a completely different travel experience, not for any other reason than to avoid the stupidness of establishments and people playing with my peace. It's not always easy but sometimes it aligns well. We'll get it!!
I have stood on the very door spot in your photo in Cape Town and the photo took me back there. Making me wish I was there right now. For the ocean and scenery but had me pondering on similar experiences and realizations about being brown in those spaces. Reading while I lay with my head on my satinpillowcase, wrapped in a leopard print silk scarf. Hope my curls are still popping when I unwrap.
Lezel, thanks for the share. I'm so happy to hear you've visited Cape Town. It's such a beautiful city with an ugly and complicated history. My hair is currently pineapple'd in a silk scarf as well :) I am certain your curls will be popping. Be well, thanks for reading.