This year’s winter has been mild. A welcome relief from our usual harsher weather. As we mosey into Spring there seem to be fewer excuses to stay in, cuddle up and sink into self-care. Even those special occasions and holidays that usually prompt us to indulge have passed.
Mind you. I’m always up for a challenge.
Honestly, I rarely need a “reason” to prioritize self-indulgence. I’m baffled by those who don’t celebrate a birthday “month”. Like, why not?
I digress. Perhaps it’s my vintage (a hem), but getting this far with life-ing, means I’m over the need to find “a reason” to pamper myself. Exerting the energy to keep my ‘inside’ voice inside is pretty much reason enough.
This mindset led me to seek self-care products and practices I can turn to at any time. Indeed, why postpone treating myself or others until a special event arises?
No to go all Audre Lorde, (but well, why the heck not!?) — Investing in self-care isn’t just about indulgence.
Self-care is about recognizing the importance of nurturing our well-being on a regular basis. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for new self-care items to keep on hand, ready to spoil myself or extend that care to others whenever the need arises. I find joy in the simple act of prioritizing my own well-being.
Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.
– Audre Lorde
Having these little indulgences readily available ensures that I prioritize self-care in my life. Whether it’s unwinding with a particular skincare product after a long day, creating the right atmosphere with a candle or wearing boots that take care of my feet while I run around taking care of everyone else. We deserve it.
When I find black-owned businesses offering self-care products, I buy extra.
That’s because, in my experience not only do Black business owners often ensure their wellness brands include natural ingredients, but many do more with their profits and time. While we often hear the most about Black-owned brands during the month of February, they support other entrepreneurs, particularly people of colour to build businesses all year round. I believe in a Buy Us, For Us. Amazing black-owned businesses typically employ us and are and give us rock-solid examples of Black excellence in business.
In a world that often demands our constant attention and energy, Black parents especially deserve to carve out moments for self-care.
And while the external pressures may fluctuate, and demands of our children are ever-present – there is no better time to ensure our commitment to nurturing ourselves is unwavering.
So if you’re looking to embrace self-care as a daily practice and as an act of resistance to the tyranny of toddlers and the shenanigans of teenagers – join me in my discovery of Black-owned Canadian Self-Care Brands we can feel good about indulging in.
Black-owned Canadian Self-Care Brands we can feel good about indulging in.
Cup of Té is a premier online retailer of loose-leaf organic teas and teaware. A Toronto-based brand, the company was founded by Taylor Lindsay-Noel. She has grown one of Canada’s mots well-known brands by making Oprah’s list of favourite things – and for good reason. Her tea is exceptional and her story is unforgettable.
Taylor was an aspiring Olympic gymnast, who suffered a training accident that left her paralyzed. Pivoting to a new dream, she began a tea company that is about comfort and love and trying to make the world better. Available in small batches or kits through their online store or in person, Cup of Té donates $1 from each Starter Kit to mental health awareness.
What better to go with a Cup of Té than a box of handcrafted chocolates? If you’re like me, that sentence conjured up an image of a cozy night with a good book, a fuzzy blanket, tea and Mary’s Brigadeiro’s unbelievably good chocolate. From chocolate spreads to boxes of chocolatey goodness, MB Company delivers for those who spell self-care: C-h-o-c-o-l-a-t-e.
And let’s complete the picture with Catherine and Company scented candles. With these on hand, you can take relaxation up a notch in any room of your home. Whether it’s a candle that smells like Plaintain or Midland station that suits your fancy, there is no judgment here. What’s important is taking the time for self-care.
Bedtime is the best time for self-care. With beautiful accessories to “Protect your Crown”, Rayne Hair Essentials offers Luxurious Satin Hair Accessories that will wrap up your bedtime routine. Available through their online store and Etsy, RHE offers everything from Bonnets and Headbands to Lined hats and head wraps. The perfect way to wrap your hair and indulge in a bit of luxury nightly.
I’m over the need to find “a reason” to pamper myself. Exerting the energy to keep my ‘inside’ voice inside is pretty much reason enough.
Okay and speaking of Accessories – I have to include jewelry brand Omi Woods in our list. For some folks jewelry may not seem like an obvious ‘self-care’ item, but wearing jewellery that connects us to our heritage can feel grounding. From Caribbean Charm bracelets to Infinity Necklaces, the everyday luxury offered by jewelry is one of the best ways I can think of to carry the reminder of self-care with you.
When it comes to ‘self-care’, showing love to my skin feels like one of the best gifts I can give to myself. Essentials by Temi offers exceptional products. Temi is a skincare brand that offers natural products with simple ingredients. From masks to face oils and mists Temi skincare items offer the best way to indulge ourselves. Temi products feed your skin and your desire for self-care. As well, founder Temi Shobowale is committed to sustainability, and like so many other Black entrepreneurs ensures her products are made with all-natural ingredients.
And heck – if your skin is feeling good, why not add a little cosmetic magic to amplify your melanin glow? Started by a mother and her two daughters, Paba Cosmetics has everything you need when your self-care might include a bit of a glam up. From makeup to skincare products and professional makeup services, this mother-daughter team have you covered.
Loungewear brand Cherry Gardens says they work to “elevate your lounge game” and lounging screams self-care to me. The brand promises soft, stretchy, real-life clothes for relaxing and unwinding. When I discovered them, I could only picture myself wrapped up, chilled out and lounging my way into my weekend.
Black parents should embrace self-care as a daily practice and as an act of resistance to the tyranny of toddlers and the shenanigans of teenagers.
The Green Jar Shop
offers eco-friendly products I’m going to spend some time learning about. Their shop in Toronto is complimented by an online boutique and both offer soaps, essential oils and personal care items. The Green Jar tries to keep the promise of offering sustainable natural items including vegan body products. This approach can help make self-care feel indulgent while you live up to your commitment to sustainability.
Of course, we can’t have a self-care list for us that doesn’t include body butters. ImoNatural is a self-described handmade, small-batch, cruelty-free all-natural hair and body care company. The shop is named after the founder’s grandmother Imogene who was the reason she grew to love handmade products. ImoNatural uses natural oils, botanicals, and essential oils to make luxurious products like hair and body butters, lip balm and soaps to name a few. These products promise to be kid-safe – but forget the kids! These items are all for you.
Umm so are shoes and bags self-care? They are in my books! Especially when they are Dr Liza shoes. A Toronto-based osteopath, Dr. Liza created her brand with the vision of helping us to feel as good as we look. With (almost) flats and super cushiony insoles, these shoes are made to be worn and loved all day long. What’s amazing about Dr. Liza is the ability to shop by concern – whether you need shoes that help you manage back pain, a knee injury or arthritis (I mentioned my vintage, eh?) – there are shoes made just for you.
These Black-owned Canadian brands offer the perfect way to prioritize our well-being.
As we bid farewell to an unusually mild winter and welcome the approaching Spring, the transition brings fewer excuses to stay indoors and more reasons to invest in rejuvenating self-care.
This list ensures that we, as Black parents, can easily incorporate self-care into our daily routines because we deserve it. We deserve loungewear that looks great while managing our households or working from home. Why shouldn’t we have jewelry that catches the light during parent-teacher interviews? And it only makes sense to indulge in shoes that complement the tantrumming toddler wrapped around our ankle. These Black-owned Canadian brands offer the perfect way to prioritize our well-being while contributing to the resilience of our community.
