"Shoot, my people are from Africa. I don't need sunblock!" | Smell Good Spa™

Growing up I lived under the assumption that I, nor anyone with brown skin would need sunblock for  protection from the sun.  And, why would we? We are descendants of tribes that lived, toiled, and enjoyed life under the brightest star; Then brought to an unfamiliar place, our ancestors toiled under harsh conditions under that same sun.  Sitting around listening to the elders, not once did they mention anyone that they knew getting sunburned or a skin disease.  I remember playing outside for hours under the sun, never seeing my skin, nor my friends' skin (light to dark brown) change in anyway.  Overtime, "My people are from Africa", became something that was just said (always a chuckle afterwards, as if someone told a joke), really not giving any thought to, "Hmm, is it possible that my skin could benefit from using sunblock?"

About 15 years ago my answer came.  I was laying on the beach enjoying the sun and sea air, and King T. was fishing.  I think he turned into a fish.  The brotha got sunburned!  We were both so shocked to see the scaly skin on his shoulders peeling and the damaged area turning red.  Later that day, we could still feel the heat coming from his skin, and the area was a little tender. We just never seen that happen to any brown skin person, regardless of how long they were out in the sun.  Needless to say, he didn't want that experience again.

Sunblock is not something that I use on a daily basis.  However, I do apply product that will give a protective barrier to my skin when I'm outside for a short period of time, or running errands (I'll share more about those products in a post later today).  When my family and I head to the beach, not only do we take our sun-protection products, SPF15 comes with us too.

Lately, this topic about brown skin people needing sunblock is popping up more than ever.  I see it in my Google Alerts just about everyday, and I see black mommies posing the question on social networks, no doubt, for the sake of their children.

Hey lady, do you have beautiful brown skin?  If so, what are your thoughts on applying sunblock?  I know you have your big fancy hat and umbrella for shade, but do you see a place for additional skin protection?

Do you agree, disagree, or really just don't care about Ava's statement (video), "People of color not needing sunblock is a myth"?

If you didn't know, May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month.  Here's an insightful article about brown skin people and skin cancer, "Blacks are Susceptible to Skin Cancer".  The adjective black being used as a proper noun makes me crack my neck from left to right, but the article is informative.


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Be whole,

I Am Itiel and I Set the Table | Smell Good Spa™

Over the weekend, I read a lengthy article in the Sudan Vision Daily.  The subject matter is incense, so, of course I took a necessary moment to read the article.  Incense is a remarkably impressive ingredient of the human heritage, culture and even psychological state and has been known to humanity ancient time. That opening sentence nudged me to continue to read.  The words, human heritage and ancient time brought a smile to my face, and the childhood memory of the first time I smelled sweet smoke.

Growing up in a bustling metropolis like Philadelphia, I always enjoyed my downtown trips.  Secretly, it was the knowing of without a doubt I would have the pleasure of walking pass a vendor burning incense.  It wasn't just any kind of street vendor.  It was the one always decked out in some type of regal garb, with a look of a true knowing of what they were offering, and that only the people who knew that there wasn't any mystery behind it, but just a pure enjoyment of what they wanted it to be, would buy that offering.  I always wondered: If I look like both the giver and the taker of the sweet offering, why didn't we visit the table.

Today, I am the one setting the table with those sweet offerings.  No longer encumbered by the stigma that many placed on the burning of incense.  I am actually proud to contribute to a part of my culture that has been present since ancient times; Having my daughters prepare incense beside me, as the tradition of the Sudanese women.

This is one of my favorite highlights in the article.  This is what the women do for the bride on her wedding day.  A whole day is devoted to this preparation.

On that day, the women sit down on the ground, each holding a small axe with which they break the sandalwood into equal pieces. Others put on fire a big baking iron sheet on which a reasonable quantity of sugar is cooked until it becomes golden in colour. Yet other women mix different kinds of perfume in a big vessel. The pieces of sandalwood are placed on the molten sugar and mixed together until they stick together and the mixture of perfumes is poured on the sheet and a powdered mixture of aromatic bark and musk is sprayed while the iron sheet is still on fire and, with the rising vapor, the scent diffuses throughout the neighbourhood announcing the wedding.

Yummy, right?  Talk about sweet savor. I would love to visit Sudan just for a wedding day. 

...the incense in the Sudan is of diverse types, purposes, rites and instruments...

The incense I create serve me well in my home, and for different purposes; Honey-me time, family game night, doing-absolutely-nothing moments, "me, myself, and I", and during times of thanksgiving.  

How do our incense serve you?

You can read the article, "Incense - Charm, Ritual, Brisk Trade", in its entirety here.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 

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Aromatically,

Say "F YOU!" To Mainstream Body Images | Smell Good Spa™

Okay women, some of you have your moral panties in a wad just from seeing "F YOU!".  But let's be real, many of you allow mainstream media's myths and opinions to cripple the love you should have for your body.  When you embark on your journey to embrace what you see in the mirror, clearing your mind and spirit of all false body images that held you hostage, you are actually giving a big, "F**K You!", to that nonsense, with a smile on your face. And. Good. For. You!

Smell Good Spa™ is honored to be a part of See Body. Love Self.™ campaign.  I purposely celebrate the whole woman. I would love for you to proudly show yourself off, and be selected for that $25 e-gift certificate! Embrace. xoxo ~I.

Be Whole,

The Why I Hate Perfume Article | Smell Good Spa™

When I learned that my children's 4H leader has seizures that trigger easily, I told her that I would not wear fragrance around her. She insisted that I did not stop: "For some reason your perfume does not bother me, in fact, it's very soothing." When she learned it was fragrance/scented oil: "I wish more women would wear that instead." Many women (and men) ditto those words.

I don't know about you, but I've noticed that over the past three decades something reeks with perfume. The feminine-form-like bottles are stunning as ever, but after being lured to the bottle and taking a sniff, I think wait, didn't I just smell this one. I am disappointed by the change, because perfume was something that really said, "Woman", to me when I was a little girl. The packaging then wasn't even as sleek - it was simple, and scent notes were distinguishable. Even a drugstore brand like Jean Nate (Revlon) gave me olfactory joy as a kid. That was the fragrance that made me fall in love with sandalwood. Sadly, even that formula is no longer the same. Then there was Bijan! Loved how that fragrance caressed my aunt's skin. No thank you to scented alcohol masquerading as perfume, give me aromatic, liquid gems that gift my olfactory senses with warmth, fun, joy & peace....give me fragrance oil.  

Michelle Persad, a writer over at Huffington Post, gives us her thoughts on perfume in her recent article Why I Hate Perfume. Check it out. 


Be Whole,

My Pink Fluffy Yumminess Finally Came - in Liquid Form | Smell Good Spa™

Have you ever eyed an edible delight, thinking, wow when I get that into my mouth it's going to be a party, yet, when you finally wrapped your mouth around it your taste buds were saddened, because they believed the hype?  Tell me about it. 

When I was a little girl, my young palate experienced such a betrayal.  Cotton Candy was the one confection that I desired when I was ten years old.  The object of my taste buds' desire was the pink one, not the blue.  There was no way the blue could taste as good as the pink.  Right?  The pink just  had to taste like strawberries and cherries with a hint of citrus.  I daydreamed about eating Cotton Candy.  I conveted any kid's pink cloud on a stick.  One day my mother did something glorious, she finally gave me the go-ahead to eat Cotton Candy.  You see, growing up my sweet treats were yummy fruits and Brach's® (those were yummy too).  So when my mother gave the nod I did not hesitate.  The moment I was waiting for... Mouth filled with saliva.  Purchased.  Still salivating. Here we go.... Pull off pink, fluffy yumminess.  Insert into mouth.  Wait, let me try it again. Pull off a larger piece of pink, fluffy yumminess. Insert into mouth. WHAT is going on?!  "Mommy, this taste like a bunch of sugar!" "Mmhmm."  Obviously, I was a heart broken ten-year old girl, and never wanted pink Cotton Candy again.

Thankfully, time moves on. While preparing for the 2013 spring/summer fragrances one day, I opened a bottle of liquid bliss that redeemed my Cotton Candy fail (dramatic... LOL). My nose sniffed, and all the flavors that should've been in that candy were giving my olfactory senses a party - my tongue was so jealous (it still is).  Hellooo Pink Friday......

Pink Friday fragrance oil reflects the fun side of a whole woman.  Its candied, aromatic notes embody flirt, sensuality, lady-like laughter, and the inner girl.  Pink Friday fits in perfectly with the spring/summer fragrances of 2013!  If you're like me (and I believe we aren't that different), you're a woman with an edge, lady qualities and girlie silliness, and I'm positive that these fragrances will be a part of your live good, feel good, smell good experience.

• VanCoco - Your lunch-date scent.  Your guy will keep planning lunch dates, just to get a chance to hug you and sniff behind your ear.  
• Violet - Your girls' night-out scent. "Sis, you smell so good!"
• Honeysuckle - Your walks-in-the-park & fun-summer-nights scent. 
• Lilies- Your quiet-moment scent.  Being busy all the time is overrated. 
• Virgin Island Water - Your I am-woman-hear-me-roar scent.  Yeah, he's not going to want to let you go. Sorry. *Wink*

This Sunday, I'm sending out our newsletter, Mmmm News, with a coupon.  Our subscribers are so lucky, they'll save all spring and summer on all full-size products that are customized with the new fragrances. If that sounds like your kind of treatment subscribe to our newsletter today.  If you do not sign up before then - no worries, we'll forward the news to you!  Subscribe below.

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{American Idol} Remember the Lyrics, ladies. | Smell Good Spa™

Flashback: I was sitting in my fifth grade, social studies class, when I turned to see my classmate scratching her leg with a pen.  As I stared at her leg, she looked towards me with annoyance in her eyes.  Finally, she looked down at her leg.... The ball point wasn't retracted!  This time... a  look of embarrassment in her eyes. She "drew" this massive ink spot on her thigh. My mind went to all the times I heard, "You'll get poisoned." I think her thoughts went there too, because she put spit on her hand and started rubbing her thigh like crazy.  Everytime she needed spit, she'd put that same ink-stained hand on her tongue.   Yuck!  The things we did.

Fast-Foward: On last night's episode of American Idol, the female contestants made lyric notes on their hands and arms, to prevent from bombing in front of the judges. "I don't think that's safe - to put ink on your skin", said Warrior Princess Z. Hmmm, I went to the "wizard" (Google)....

In general, occasionally writing on skin with water-based inks is considered non-hazardous. Concern arises when people write on their skin frequently with permanent ink, or with inks that have certain coloring agents. If one is writing on skin on purpose, then using skin paint or skin ink is a far better choice, although even water-based inks may cause some skin irritation for some people. Wisegeek.com

OK, but I like this comment on that post:

ACTUALLY, 164679, you are correct that we ingest through our mouths; however, our skin does have the capability to absorb. No, you do not absorb water from washing your hands because the exposure is too short. However, if you have ever sat in a bathtub and experienced "wrinkly skin" you know that our "barrier" skin can easily be bypassed. 

To use similar syntax: How do you think lotions work? They are absorbed through your skin through pores (tiny holes in your skin).  Or, why do you think one should not touch infected blood or other body fluids? Same answer. 

Writing on your hand occasionally is not a problem, but as a high school teacher, I can tell you the problem is much worse. I have students entering my class after lunch with "sleeves" in permanent marker because it lasts longer. And again, the longer it stays on the skin, the more likely it will be absorbed.

What! I've never heard of amateur tattooing (not like this):

People can cause damage to their skin however, by cutting the skin and then writing on skin with a permanent marker. This is a type of amateur tattooing that can be very difficult to get rid of and may cause skin irritation and infection. Usually, if this occurs, one must see a doctor in order to get rid of the marking and treat infections. Wisegeek.com



Are you an inker?  Do you find yourself using your skin like a Post-It®?

{Audio} Itiel's Radio Interview_Tallahassee, Fl | Smell Good Spa™

If you weren't able to listen in today, here is the recording.


Listen in as I speak on:
* Professional background
* Passion in life
* Thoughts on women and "me time"
* Exfoliation and more
Plus, I answer the question:
Should men exfoliate?


Hype Media Global
Community Central
Host: Shaquilla Nicole Smith
Aired: 1/29/2013
Station: WTAL 1450 AM
Topic: Exfoliation