Cellflove rituals: from baby oil to lime juice

they always said she had given bearth to herself, but that I had my daddy’s forehead. and like an honor, i always received those observations. come on, look at her. she’s a masterpiece.

oiling her skin was an essential process to her rituals. and mines too as her child. that was ‘bout the only step shared. with never enough blue magic combing miracles together, baby oiled toes, baby powdered armpits, and a few taps of bien être on the neck, i was deemed ready. her routine tho, unlike mines, was always so intimate, and intricate. with tubes and jars of promises spread across her dresser, it surely felt infinite too.

in all the versions of her i’ve experienced growing up, she always look so good. i figured it must be her cellflove rituals. so i followed along.

by my early 20s, i had a product for everything, from my edges, to the kitchen, down to my toes’ cuticles, i had one. theses days tho, i’m living much differently.

nourishment, simplicity, and gentleness are staples to my rituals.

in 2018 I did away with factory-made soap, and took my first shower with fermented rice water. the ingredients: distilled water, and rice. I've not looked back since. from fermented rice water, to organic fruit juices (either lime, lemon, grapefruit, or ginger diluted in water), to teas (rosemary tea, thyme, or sage or combo thereof), as long as the ingredient is rich in anti-bacterial, and anti-oxidants, my skin loves the experience. my current staple tools to shower: a cotton towelette, and a mason jar. my skin also enjoys my nsaa body scrub once and at times twice weekly. as my moisturizer, i’ve over the years mixed and whipped different butters and oils for daily nourishment as per my skin’s needs. as a deodorant, a simple lime juice lovingly rubbed into my pits serves a days worth of freshness.

my crown tho, as an integral piece to my expression, she has always needed an adaptable tlc routine. when she was an afro, and dyed, she was deep conditioned on a weekly basis with a mixture of anything from bananas, avocados, onion juice, potato juice, honey or eggs. and at times she preferred a hot oil treatments using different organic carrier oils. to detangle, I used a conditioner like alaffia, or tresemme. she was washed once monthly with either fermented rice water, apple cider vinegar, bentonite clay, or ginger juice. when she was a bald fade, i did not deep condition her as i used to, neither am I now as she’s freeformin’. as a moisturizer, depending on my crown’s needs, these same butters and oils have held me down. my current staple tool: a glass spray bottle with distilled water. the more I innerstand what my body loves'/needs internally, the simpler my topical love rituals become.

i’m so thankful for the interweb easing our sharing recipes, tips and tricks for intentional and healthier cellfcare. my skin and crown loved some more than others. and as i’m getting to know myself more, i create and attune rituals to my needs.

may more peace and blessings find you always, and in all ways,

nuru, your reflection