Not an introvert - but a homebody. Meaning, I'm perfectly content curled up under a blanket with an order of BJ's Root Beer Glaze Wings watching reruns of Teen Titans Go or American Dad. And while I could possibly do this every single weekend, there's a part of me that knows I can't work, build a business, and thrive solely under the roof of my home.
For my own sanity's sake, I have to get away from time to time.
While today's social media culture of stuntin' dictates that getting away = passport stamps and staged pool selfies, it really doesn't take all of that to experience a change in scenery. Sometimes, you can't afford to. Other times, your calendar is just too packed to take a week off and jet somewhere tropical. Either way, I'm here to let you know there's absolutely nothing wrong with traveling within your state, or even city for a small getaway.
That's exactly what I did.
In partnership with DriveShop and Toyota, I took the roads about 2 hours outside of LA to Temecula, California - spending the day with Brandie and the Be Kekoa team.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to drink any wine (it gets dark soooo early now!), but there's always next time. Besides, my day was still full of laughter, learning, and love - without the vino.
I spent all day inside the Be Kekoa salon, surrounded by what I'm most passionate about - natural hair! I watched in awe as Brandie, Mary, and Frances transformed colors, big chopped, shaped hair, and set twists faster than I've ever seen in life.
While I was there, I got to experience one of theeeeee most relaxing services ever - a heavenly scalp massage from Mary with the new Be Relieved oil roller. Let me tell you - and I'm sure you know this already - but there's nothing that feels better than someone else's hands massaging your scalp. Self-scalp rubs are nice, but don't feel the same.
This trio is amazing. You'll want to head to bekekoa.com and grab yourself one!
I don't want to spill the beans too much here about Be Relieved (I'm writing about it in another post soon), but just know it's a vial of genius. From ingredients to packaging, it's going to be your scalp's new bff - at home and on the go. Stay tuned for that blog post.
I was also able to experience the new Tamanu Kukui Bath Truffle Melts - which are exactly what they sound like. Ultra moisturizing, skin nourishing truffles that melt in your bath water, helping to soften and heal the skin.
All in all, my Be Kekoa daycation was a single day, spent around beautiful women who are empowering women to embrace their natural hair, with positivity and love. The Be Kekoa salon is such an affirming space - if you ever get the chance, I highly recommend you visit.
Even though I spent the day learning, I got such a charge of energy from being around Brandie, Mary, and Frances. As I drove home in bumper-to-bumper-to-bumper-to-bumper (and did I mention to bumper?) traffic, I was notably less stressed - because I knew I got exactly what I needed while out in Temecula. A quick change of scenery + positive energy = refreshed and ready.
Ready to hit the road for a mini getaway of your own? Here are 5 tips to help you make the most of your day out: 5 Tips for Maximizing Your Self Care DayCation
1. Get a great set of wheels and a full tank of gas
If you're going to be driving some distance, I highly recommend driving a car that isn't yours. Not only will it save you miles, but it adds to the 'adventure' of the day. It's purely psychological, but a rental car (or just someone else's car) will make for an easier ride, leave you less stressed about wear and tear on your daily driver, and amps up the "getaway" feeling.
I also drove down to San Pedro, to get my workout on at Cabrillo Beach. #selfcarecomesinmanyforms
I'm so thankful that I was able to partner with Drive Shop and Toyota to take the new 2018 CH-R for a spin. This blue beauty was fully equipped with everything from bluetooth and heated seats to climate control and rear view camera. It was my first time in a true crossover vehicle, and I'm HOOKED. No more sedans for Christina. 2. Get on the road EARLY
Don't leave at 10am with the expectation that you're going to make the most of your day. Especially if you live in or around LA. After 9am, everybody and their cousin Shirley is on the road. I know it seems counterintutive (because who doesn't like to sleep in on a weekend), but the early bird really does get the worm here. If you can help it, get up, at 'em, and on the road by 7am. Trust me. It's worth it.
3. Make a dope playlist
I have 3 main playlists that I work from, all which are amazing for long car trips. There's my Gym Werk list, which fulfills my desire to listen to music from artists like Cardi B, Vince Staples, Migos, and Drake. It also gets me hype in the gym and is perfect for waking me up on the early morning drive. Then, there's my gospel jams. Sometimes, you gotta praise your way through the traffic and construction zones. My final list? 90's and early 2000's rap and r&b. Because depending on the distance you're driving, there will be some lonely roads that are perfect for belting out Dru Hill lyrics at the top of your lungs.
And thanks to the Toyota CH-R, I was able to seamlessly skip around and enjoy my music while remaining a safe driver on the road.
4. Have a plan, but be open to new experiences
I went to Temecula with visions of hanging out at Be Kekoa for sure, but also dabbling in a winery or two. It didn't happen as I thought it would, which is okay. Release yourself from the added stress and burden of expectation. After all, you've only got one day. Go with the flow, and trust that you're going to get exactly what you need out of your time.
Photo Credit: Samuel
5. Detach from social media
I know you thought for sure that I was going to Snap and Instagram my whole Be Kekoa experience, right? Because that's what bloggers do - document everything. Not this time around. It's so important to unplug occasionally. To be present. To not get so caught up recording the moment to share that you miss out on the experience yourself. #issaword
When was the last time you hit the road for a day of discovery and self care? Let me know in the comments below!
This post is sponsored by Toyota and DriveShop.
Since I began my own blogging and natural hair journey back in 2012, the community of women has grown exponentially and beyond my wildest dreams. And while there is still a lot of work to do, I choose to celebrate how far we've come because as Black women, we all we got.
Time and history has shown us that we can't rely on anyone but ourselves to celebrate and lift us up.
To be honest, that need to promote ourselves in a positive light is a major driving force behind why I continue to keep The Mane Objective going. From information to inspiration, we need us. This blog post is a tribute to our #BlackGirlMagic, in the form of a feature with a brand that I definitely consider a rising star - Genedor Beauty.
What is Genedor Beauty?
Genedor Beauty is a new (as in just launched a few months ago new), Black Owned hair and skincare brand that hails from Frisco, Texas. The brainchild of Ketia Bradley, Genedor Beauty aims to take the marketplace by storm with specially crafted beauty products to meet the specific needs of Black women.
In a few short moments, you'll see why I couldn't just "review" Genedor Beauty. Ketia is a part of the new entrepreneurial wave - Black women who are multi-passionate, driven, and determined to excel as a professional and entrepreneur. Knowing her background as a nurse and clinical psychologist, I could not resist discussing topics ranging from the psychology of natural hair to self care and mental health.
Wanna see everything in action? I've got a video for you! Check it out here:
But if you're ready to deep dive behind the scenes with owner Lekitia Bradley, keep reading for our Q&A!
Interview with Lekitia Bradley - Founder, Genedor Beauty For those not familiar with Genedor Beauty, introduce yourself! Where do you and the Genedor Beauty brand hail from?
To be honest, Ketia is simply a semi-shy, down-home girl from the Mississippi Delta. I’m a mom of three very amazing children (Anthony, Tavoris, and Amaree). When I look into their eyes, I’m constantly reminded that I don’t have the option of sitting back and watching my dreams pass by. They’ve fueled a fire in me that empowers me to push myself beyond life’s limits. Genedor Beauty hailed from one of those burning fires.
What profession were you in before you launched Genedor Beauty, and how did that inspire you to create the brand?
I launched Genedor Beauty in addition to maintaining my current careers. I say careers because I hold positions as a clinical psychologist, professor, and nurse of 18 years. I love each role that I’ve played because they have allowed me to nurture, and educate clients mentally, as well as physically. My desire has always been to treat the individual as a whole, including the mind, the body, and the soul. The fusion of my careers made this possible.
My love for the cosmetic industry stemmed from me working as nurse in the cosmetic surgery/medspa industry. This industry is also where I gained my skincare, and product development experience. The desire to create my own products was always there, but the timing never felt right. After praying about it, I decided step out on faith and go for it. My goal with Genedor is to not only build beauty, but to also help build self-esteem.
Wash & Go with Swirl Curls Gel Styler
How did you come up with the name Genedor Beauty?
Genedor is a combination of the first few letters of my mother’s name “Geneva” combined with the first few letters of a longtime friend, and business partner of mine mother’s name “Dorothy”. Unfortunately, Dorothy passed away a few years ago. The name Genedor is extremely special to me because it honors these two strong, and beautiful women.
Natural Hair - Community, Psychology & Self Love
From your perspective, how has the natural hair community evolved over the years?
I think the natural hair community has evolved immensely. We have gone from having a deficit of products that spoke to the direct needs of our hair, to having several amazing brands that have made it their mission to understand naturally textured hair from every angle of the arena. Because of this, we now have top quality products that have been chemically balanced with our hair’s best interest at heart.
Another great evolution in the natural hair world was that of YouTubers, Bloggers, and Vloggers. I can’t begin to explain my love, and appreciation for these talented individuals. They have become brilliant educators within the natural hair communities across the world. When I began my natural hair journey…I knew nothing about styling my curls. It was these gurus that taught me everything that I know.
It’s no longer uncommon to see a beautiful head of textured hair from business board rooms, all the way through to simple everyday life. We’ve shown the world that natural hair is not a just a phase passing by. It’s now an embraced way of life.
How has the history of how our hair has been perceived impacted Black women on a psychological level? I personally think that at times, it has had a tendency to be psychologically crippling. I say that because, the negative history behind our textured hair once left wounds so deep that many women allowed it to strip their confidence, and skew choices made in their lives. It’s as if society attempted to drill the words, “How dare you proudly step out into the world with your unattractive, unruly, and untamed hair!” These were the blistering words forcefully embedded into our mental psyche…so much so that many believed them as being true. The thought of being unaccepted…made it desirable for some to give in and conform to a European set standard of beauty. Individuals (women in particular) were suffering from a society induced form of “Toxic Shame” which encouraged them to believe that the hair that they were born with (as it grew from their scalp) was never going to be good enough for the world they lived in.
I’ve learned to embrace all of my natural beauty for what it is…and it feels good! It is my mission to help uplift, and empower other women to reach the same place in their lives.
A few days later... Swirl Curls puff for the win!
Let’s talk texture and skin color. Do you believe there is a texture hierarchy and colorism at work in the natural hair community – and how do these elements play a role in our journeys to self love and acceptance?
This is a highly sensitive topic for many, so I won’t take us so far into the deep end that we find it difficult to come up for air. The answer is yes, I do believe that there is a texture hierarchy and colorism actively working within the natural hair community. The problem goes back way deeper than hair alone. It travels back to the history, and perception that we spoke of previously. The European standard conditioned many to believe that true beauty was only seen in individuals possessing a certain set of physical characteristics. Anyone falling short of these characteristics were pretty much considered defective. The texture hierarchy, and colorism that is being seen in the natural hair community is a prime example that there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to reframe the negative ideas of what beauty presents as. Until strides are made to replace these thoughts, there will continue to be an underrepresentation of darker skin complexions, and beautiful kinky textured hair.
As a follow up to the previous question, how do we address and work through these issues?
There is no magic antidote of resolution for these issues. It will take conscious efforts on everyone’s part to correct them. We must work diligently to break down the barriers that have been put in place. In cases where inclusion is not taking place…we must begin creating our own paths to travel. As a business owner within the natural hair community, it is a strong mission of mine to be inclusive of all skin tones, and hair types. With the platform that I now have, I plan on using it to be a part of the change that I’d like to see. Business owners have a choice as to who they contact to represent their brand.
So much collective good has come out of the natural hair community. How do we ensure that it remains a positive space of acceptance and self love for Black women for the long term?
I wholeheartedly agree. The natural hair community has been one of the most efficient places for textured hair individuals to find detailed information regarding caring for, and styling their hair. I can’t speak for other business owners, but black women will always be well represented in my brand. My plan is to be an all-inclusive company celebrating every woman in a way that shows them they are very loved and appreciated.
More Swirl Curls love.
What are some practical ways Black women can exercise and practice self love?
As Black women, we need to be more open to celebrating our strengths, and place less focus on the things that we don’t have, or can’t control. When we look to our strengths, it motivates, and inspires us to be the greatest versions of ourselves. We also have to take note of the people that we choose to have around us. Not everyone deserves a place in your life. If an individual thrives on negativity, they are not ones that will bring positive energy, and love to your circle. A solid support system should be built with people who have your best interest at heart.
As women, we are the most critical of ourselves. If we idle down our inner critic, and forgive ourselves for not being perfect, we’d begin to feel more kindness, and love for who we are as individuals.
For the Product Junkies
Let’s talk products! If you HAD to choose, which Genedor Beauty product is your favorite and why?
I would have to say that there is a tie between my Super Fruit AntioxidantShampoo, and my Even Tone Retinol Complex. I love all of my products, but these 2 are closest to my heart because they corrected issues that were problems for me.
My scalp would terribly itch, feel sore due to me scratching it, and my hair began to show signs of product buildup. I was always on an active search for a shampoo that would cleanse my hair and scalp without stripping it of its natural moisture. I also wanted my shampoo to offer some conditioning properties. After months in the lab driving everyone crazy (lol)…I had a formula that satisfied everything that I was looking for in a shampoo.
The Even Tone Retinol Complex was created to help me get rid of post acne hyperpigmentation. During a hormonal pregnancy with my daughter, my skin developed moderate acne. After giving birth, my skin normalized, but I was left with dark spots. I had an allergic reaction to the traditional “hydroquinone” based products that most dermatologists use to treat discoloration. Because of this, I set out to create my own hydroquinone-free treatment to clear up my skin. Again after driving everyone in my lab crazy!
Speaking of the Even Tone Retinol Complex, can you share with us how it works? Some of my followers are curious about the price point as a skincare product.
The Even Tone Retinol Complex was the first product that I decided to create. It is also the one product that I put the most work, time, resources, and money into creating. It has one of the highest percentages of Retinol that can be added to a product without the need for a prescription. It also has very effective levels of powerful peptides, vitamins, antioxidants, and natural skin brighteners all housed in one of the best delivery systems that my team and I could scientifically find. The delivery systems aids in the ingredients deeply penetrating directly into the source of the skin’s problems. It then addresses these issues without causing irritation, or damage to the skin. I always say that in this product, I mastered the art of creating a gentle powerhouse. It actively lightens hyperpigmentation, decreases pore size, improves acne scarring, diminishes lines and wrinkles, and assists in smoothing uneven skin tone and texture. Traditionally, it would take the use of several products to achieve what this product is designed to do alone.
So far so good with Even Tone Retinol. Unfiltered before & afters to come!
In creating this treatment, I consulted with chemists both inside, and outside of the United States. The chemist who worked alongside me in creating this product, is one who has assisted in creating many of the top products that you find in medical spas, as well as in big department stores such as Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, QVC, etc.
When creating this treatment, my initial thought was to only offer it to our Medspa clients. The product was so successful in correcting some of the most difficult to treat skin concerns that I decided to offer it in my online store as well. If consumers were to research products similar to this one, they will find several products on the market with ingredient decks, and delivery systems less powerful than this one - that are way more expensive. Some of them have Retinol as their only active ingredient, yet cost nearly $200.
(That's right girl - charge your worth! No sense in charging bargain basement prices for top shelf results!)
Genedor doesn't have a leave-in (yet), but these #BlackOwned beauties pair perfectly with Swirl Curls.
Yasssss to the gummies! How did you come to include gummy vitamins in your lineup?
I knew that I wanted to include a way to nourish the hair, and body from the inside out, so I began researching ways to do this without the need to swallow huge capsules, and/or caplets. With these gummies, there's no traditional vitamin smell, and bad taste. I tend to tell people that they’re vitamins so good, you won’t believe they’re not candy.
Any new products coming down the pipeline for Genedor?
Absolutely! We have several more, hair, skin care, and body products going in the lab right now.
Any other exciting news about Genedor that you’d like to share?
We are currently in the process of getting our products into local stores so that they are easily accessible to all of our Genedor Beauties. We will also be seeing a lot of you very soon in several upcoming hair, and skin care expos that we will be participating in. In addition to the things that I’ve mentioned, we’re in the process of expanding our space which means employment opportunities will be available soon.
I don't know about you - but for me, that last tidbit is the most exciting. I love seeing our brands grow to the point that we're able to hire and build.That's how we get free.
I'm the owner of this lil' slice of internet at the intersection of natural hair and healthy living. I'm obsessed with hair products, natural skincare, heavy lifting, kitchen experiments, and sneakers.
