Chimere Nicole

Beauty Fashion Lifestyle Blog

How To Use Vitamin C For The Skin: Top 5 Benefits

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Vitamin C for the skin has been such a miracle ingredient for me. I have shared with you all my journey of dealing with acne, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation due to pregnancy. Vitamin C along with a change in my diet has completely transformed my skin for the better. I mean a complete 180. Today I want to discuss the benefits of vitamin C for the skin and teach you how to incorporate vitamin C into your nighttime skin routine for optimum result. Please note, you will not see results overnight. With a little patience, you will see amazing results.

What is Vitamin C

Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid.  It is a water-soluble nutrient found in some foods. In the body, it acts as an antioxidant helping to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and UV damage. Free radicals can build up and contribute to the development of health conditions such as cancer heart disease and arthritis. Vitamin C also helps to protect the immune system from cardiovascular disease and is also used in prenatal health. When using vitamin C for the skin it helps with collagen production. This is possible due to the thickening of the dermis of the skin which diminishes fine lines and it gives you a firm and youthful look. 

This is where we get to the meat and potatoes. The goal of skincare is to improve and or preserve the look and feel of the skin. You should have a clear understanding of ALL the products you are using on your skin.

You should know what these products will do, how to mix and match, and what products to avoid. If you are an all-natural ingredients type of person, vitamin C can also be utilized best by ingestion.

 Vitamin C can also be found in the following foods.

  •  Cantaloupe
  • Orange juice
  • Broccoli
  • Red cabbage
  • Tomato juice
  • Kiwi
  • Red peppers

Benefits

The biggest benefit to vitamin C usage on this skin is that it helps to promote collagen production. Rich in antioxidants, to help fight the free radicals within the body and skin. The most beneficial usage I’ve gotten from vitamin C has been the prevention of dark spots on my the body. I have been using vitamin C for years to help fade the brown and dark spots from my skin and also to help with collagen production.  My before and after photos are proof that vitamin C works. 

How to remove hyper pigmentation and dark marks from the skin using vitamin c
My skin after using vitamin C

Best Practices

The way that I have incorporated vitamin C into my skincare regimen has been two-fold. The products that I use under my makeup to prep my skin are infused with vitamin C. I have a video here showing you how I apply these products to my skin during the day. And for my nighttime skin routine, I like to incorporate the use of facial serums and under-eye creams.  With any skincare regimen, it is best to always use an SPF to protect your skin from UV rays from the sun as well as protect your skin when using topical medications.

 Below I have my updated nighttime skin routine. In this video, I will be showing you how I incorporate my vitamin C products into my skincare regimen to maintain an even skin tone. Although the brands that I use may change from time to time, the way in which I incorporate vitamin C into my skincare routine does not. 

My Favorite Vitamin C Products

The vitamin C I started off using has been by Pixi Beauty. I use a wide range of their products and this was my first introduction to vitamin C. Over time I have evolved into the current products that I used today those products are by Dermalogica. I will list the products that I am currently loving that contain vitamin c.

Here are some other great products I highly. I’ve personally used these products with great success. I recommend you research the ingredients before using them with other ingredients.

How To Pitch To Brands For Sponsorships and Collaborations.

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So you have been creating the content, writing the blog post, filming and editing the YouTube videos and now you are ready to make money. No matter which avenue you’ve chosen, brand collaborations and sponsorships are a wonderful way for you to generate additional income. So, why aren’t your favorite brands contacting you?  Well, the short answer is, they may not know that you exist. Let me teach you how to pitch to brands for sponsorships and collaborations. I know this may seem scary but trust me. This simple formula will have you well on your way to writing great emails that pitch to brands for sponsorships, collaborations, and much more.

I’m going to share with you guys what has taken me years of training, expensive courses, as well as combing through online resources, to create.

At the very least this formula will get you on the PR list. At best it will get you the brand deal you’re requesting. Now, all things considered, the content must be engaging, informative, and Evergreen. I have a blog post here where I talked about creating content that is Evergreen to attract brands as well as generate residual income. The key to learning to pitch to brands for sponsorships is being able to explain in a short email how much value to offer the brand.

Before You Send Out That First Email 

 There are a few steps you need to take prior to sending out that first pitch email. Do not mindlessly email the brand. You should first figure out what you’re trying to get out of this correspondence.  

  • Is your goal to get on a PR list? 
  • Or trying to get on an email list to get invited to an event?
  • Are you soliciting a paid sponsorship? 

 This of course influences the subject line of your email.

Subject Line Of Email

You want your subject line to stand out and grab the reader’s attention. You can opt to place something like “Urgent Inquiry” in the subject line. This can be a bold yet effective move. This is sure to get your reader not only interested in your proposal but interested in you. 

learn to pitch to brands for sponsorships
Photo by Elijah O’Donnell on Pexels.com

Pitch Email Example

Here is an example of what you can include in a pitch email.   Depending on the type of collaboration you are pitching to the brand you will have to change the verbiage to suit your interest. 

Hello, (Insert direct contact name)

My name is Chimere Nicole I am a digital content creator as well as a brand strategist. Please visit my website for more information at your convenience.  I have also attached my media kit for my up to date analytics and more. 

Then Explain The Reason For The Email

I’m emailing you today because I’m inquiring about your PR list. As a beauty and lifestyle influencer, it would be an opportunity of a lifetime to create content from a brand I own and love. I could create great quality content in exchange for an affiliate link, paid collaboration, or free product. 

This again, will depend on the type of collaboration your looking for. 

Then you want to tell the brand why you are worth the rates you are charging for this collaboration. 

Why You Are Worth The Rate

This portion of the email will serve as a mini resume of previous collaborations you’ve done and an outline of your social media reach. This will help to establish brand trust and validity. 

 My content can be seen on Forbes and XM Radio. I’ve been featured in Peoples Magazine, Essence, and Vanity Fair.   

You only want a name drop for the companies and brands that align with the company you are sending the pitch too. 

Example: If I’m pitching to CVS I will talk about the campaigns I’ve done with Walgreens. 

Try to keep this portion a minimum of 2-3 sentences. 

Finish Strong

 Lastly,  you wanna end the email with a strong thank and call to action.

Here is an example.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read through my email. I trust that you will take the content of

my email and a serious consideration. Additionally, I

look forward to hearing from you at your

earliest convenience.

 Kind regards,

Chimere Nicole

(Insert your contact information)

Best Practices

concentrated young ethnic woman having phone call on couch near napping dog

Here are a few extra tips I want you to keep in mind when pitching brands for brand collaborations. 

  • Create a Media Kit. This will be a PDF document that breaks down your niche, demographic, rates, and more. 
  • Prepare to negotiate your collaboration terms. Be flexible but remain firm.
  • All collaborations should be mutually beneficial. You and the brand should benefit from the sponsorship equally.
  • Do NOT pitch to brands if you can’t provide value. Make sure your numbers and analytics are up to date.
  • Keep your correspondents professional at all times. 

Make sure you check out my article on EVERGREEN content HERE. If you want to attract brands, you will need to position yourself as a creator that provides value. Evergreen content helps you to do that, FAST.

What Products Make My Natural Hair Grow Fast

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There are millions of products I can recommend for you to use that will make your natural hair grow fast and healthy. I have tried so many oils, serums, and creams to last me a lifetime. The secret to using all of these products is you have to do one thing. BE CONSISTENT. 

learning to make natural hair grow fast
Photo by Lucas Da Miranda on Pexels.com

It’s easy to tell you to buy a particular product and make you fall in love with it. I mean, all of the products I recommend work, we all know that. But if you are not consistent with the usage of them then you won’t reap the benefits. Makes sense right? That’s the secret! 

Natural Hair Can Grow

The key to making your natural hair grow fast is to be consistent in your hair regime. Give yourself a minimum of 90 days before making any significant changes to your routine. 

When helping my new clients transition and grow their natural hair fast the formula I like to use is called “The Five C’s”. This is a term I coined to help them focus on what’s important in the growth cycle of hair. This means stop buying tons of products and use the ones you have correctly.

The Five C’s Of Hair Growth:

Cleanse:

The type of shampoo you use will determine the level of cleansing you will receive. There are many types of shampoos. Clarifying, Medicated, 1st lathers, and many more. You should have at least 3 different shampoos at any given time. 

Clarifying: These shampoos help to remove product build-up and other impurities from the hair and scalp. They are great to use when treating the hair pre-shampoo and post shampoo. 

Medicated: This will include any shampoo that deals with seasonal scalp elements. Elements such as dry and itchy scalp, dermatitis, Eczema, or psoriasis. These shampoos typically have soothing and properties to not only help remove excessive bacteria but also help to heal the scalp. 

Hydrating Shampoo: This is the shampoo that all-natural hair types should own. This is a shampoo that not only cleanses the hair and scalp but also provides moisture and hydration. This shampoo will not strip the natural oils from the scalp but will provide adequate cleansing to the hair and balanced pH levels.

Condition

Remember all things are relative. So depending on the shampoo you use will determine the type of conditioning you will need. A good rule of thumb is, for every wash add 15 minutes to your conditioning time. 

How does this work?

Well, if you are using a deep cleansing shampoo like the clarifying shampoo I mentioned earlier. You will need to not only moisturize the hair but hydrate it as well. So I would recommend 15 of a moisturizing conditioner and an additional 15 minutes of a hydrating conditioner. These of course can be applied together to give you 30 minutes of deep conditioning time. Simple right? Let’s keep it, cute honey. 

YES! 

This is every time you wash your hair. 

So stop wasting time on all those extra steps on wash day and get back to basics. 

Cut:

I don’t care how long you have been growing your hair. How long it’s been in that protective Style. The fact that you think you can cut it yourself. Your ends need to be trimmed every eight to 12 weeks.

 I know that cutting your hair seems counterproductive seeing as you are trying to grow your natural hair. But I need you to trust me here. The more you cut your ends the better the quality of new growth you will see. 

Those see- through ends need to go! Trim those ends. 

Care:

Your aftercare instructions will vary depending on how you wear your hair. If you prefer to wear your hair straight you will likely need a leave-in conditioner and heat protectant. 

If you are a textured style kind of girl you may prefer creams and gels to lock in moisture and define your curls.

 No matter what style you choose make sure you lock in the moisture. I have a full video HERE explaining how to do this. 

But you need to seal in the moisture from your conditioning treatment. 

The product of choice is up to you however, If you don’t seal it up you will be wasting money on expensive products and not seeing the benefits. This is because you aren’t using the products correctly. 

Circulation:

The final step in the Five C’s method is circulation. Anything without blood flow is dead. This includes your scalp and hair. Blood circulation is important for the cell turnover on your scalp. This is what helps produce new hair bulbs within the hair follicle. 

This is where your essential oils come in. One of the reasons I Highly recommend essential oils is because of their healing properties. They are great for stimulating circulation within the scalp as well as sealing moisture into the hair.

Oils Are Essential

Oils are my absolute favorite for locking in moisture and promoting a healthy scalp. Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp you know. 

Depending on the type of essential oil you use you will also see that your hair will appear thicker, softer and have more luster in the hair.

How To Use Essential Oils

We will start by creating  four subsections within the hair. I like to take a few drops of essential oil and apply it directly to the scalp. I then massage the scalp within the small subsection to make sure that the essential oil is evenly distributed throughout the hair. You can finger comb or use a large wide tooth comb to evenly coat the hair. I repeat this step with the other three sections and then I style.

 I feel this method works best at night when preparing the hair for sleep. This is because it allows for the product to sit on the scalp and you can cover your hair with a silk scarf or bonnet to help create heat. Heat will open the pores and allow the essential oil to activate.  Thus, helping penetrate the scalp even more. 

My favorite essential oils at the moment is lavender oil. Lavender oil has been known to speed up hair growth. It is also antimicrobial and aids in a healthy nourished scalp.  A great way to mix lavender oil is by using it in conjunction with a carrier oil like olive or jojoba oil. Add a few drops to your scalp scalp while protective styling once or twice a week.

I will list some of my favorite shampoos, conditioners, and hair mask below. I encourage you to do your own research on all of these products to make sure they are right for your hair type. Although these are products I use daily on my clients. I want you to become educated on the ingredients and brands. 

The Fact Is

The take away from this article is that there is no one secret product that you can use that will grow your hair long and fast. The secret to making natural hair grow fast is a regimen and sequence of products that you use on a consistent basis that will deliver the results you are looking for. Do not believe any product that is advertised to sell you a dream. That product does not exist. What does exist is your ability to use all of the products you currently have at your disposal in the best way possible to deliver lasting results. Product knowledge is key and a consistent routine will get you there. 

Next Up: Best Shampoos For Natural Hair

Why Has Scalp Popping Gone Viral

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Monitoring my nine-year-olds Tik Tok and I came across a series of videos on scalp popping. These videos were literally filled with kids pulling their hair until they heard the scalp make a popping sound. Think of the sound you hear when you crack your knuckles. I was in disbelief and started laughing. Why on earth are videos of scalp popping going viral?

Scalp popping

What Is Scalp Popping

Scalp popping is also known as “hair cracking” is a technique made popular on TikTok where a small section of the hair is pulled from the scalp by the root. Tugging the hair results in a “cracking”  or “popping” sound. This trend is also made popular by the ASMR experience.

When I saw this trend I couldn’t help but laugh. Why in the world are teens trying to crack their scalps. Just to hear the pop?  Reasons are beyond me. I thought that’s what we have microwave popcorn for. I think everyone is bored and needs to get out of the house at this point. The sound is kind of scary to me honestly. I mean, who wants to hear a loud crack anywhere near my head. Then the thought of my hair coming out after the pop. A bit too much for me.

Where Did Scalp Popping Come From

Tik Tok users have speculated that scalp cracking could be related to traditional Turkish or Asian techniques of relieving migraines. There are tons of videos on YouTube that show this technique done in other countries around the globe.

So I did a bit of research.

Scalp popping has been used in other parts of the world as a beauty service. If your new around here, salon anything makes me happy. Hairstylists and barbers in India have been using scalp cracking as an ASMR response. 

Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a euphoric experience characterized by a static-like or tingling sensation on the skin that typically begins on the scalp and moves down the back of the neck and upper spine, precipitating relaxation. It has been compared with auditory-tactile synesthesia. Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) signifies the subjective experience of ‘low-grade euphoria’ characterized by a combination of positive feelings, relaxation, and a distinct static-like tingling sensation on the skin’. It typically begins ‘on the scalp’ before moving ‘down the spine’ to the base of the neck, sometimes spreading ‘to the back, arms and legs as intensity increases’, most commonly triggered by specific acoustic, visual and digital media stimuli, and less commonly by intentional attentional control.

Is Scalp Popping Harmful

When scalp popping, what you’re essentially trying to do is pull tissue layers apart in your skull. So if you pull it too hard or in the wrong way you risk tearing those tissues.

Either by tearing the skin itself, tearing the tissues underneath, and pulling out a whole lot of hair.  

The issue I find with scalp popping is that in an attempt to create the cracking sound you are in fact encouraging traction alopecia. This is a constant pulling of the hair until the hair follicle becomes damaged.  This will result in permanent hair loss in that area. I don’t think there is any good reason for you to pull on your hair follicles at any time. 

 So although scalp popping may not be the most dangerous trend I see on Tik Tok. it is however harmful to the hair and scalp when not done properly. I would encourage you not to try and crack your scalp. There are plenty of other ways to relieve tension. Perhaps going for a walk, lol. Pop some popcorn, anything but this. 

Next Up: 20 Secrets Your Hair Dresser Wants You To Know

How To Get 1000 Subscribers on Youtube Fast

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YouTube now has new guidelines for monetizing your new channels. In order for you to generate AdSense income on YouTube, you now have to have 1000 subscribers and over 3000 watch hours on your videos. This may seem daunting when first starting out. However, this is an attainable goal. I’m going to tell you EXACTLY what you should be focusing on to reach your first 1000 subscribers on YouTube fast. 

What Type Content To Create

The key to achieving your first thousand subscribers on YouTube fast will depend on the type of content you create. For instance, if you are a beauty influencer like myself and you specialize in a particular niche it may be easier for you to create content for that subject but harder to stand out. Different categories of content grow at different speeds. No matter what category your content will falls into the number one thing you need to remember is when starting a YouTube channel make sure your content is Evergreen.

happy ethnic woman sitting at table with laptop
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

I talked a great deal about Evergreen in my previous post. This is the key to growing your channel fast. Your content must be valuable information and help to solve a problem. This is crucial for growing fast on YouTube.  Content is King on YouTube. It doesn’t matter how pretty you are, it doesn’t matter how large your following is on other social media platforms (there will be exceptions) if your content is not useful to the viewer you will not grow. With anything, there are exceptions to the rule. You will find creators who jump onto the platform and experience great successes right out of the gate however I want you to be realistic in your goals. Do not expect to be an overnight success. 

Niche Down Then Branch Out

  Another great rule of thumb for creating content on YouTube is to be very specific. What I mean by this is to focus on one particular subject and create as much valuable content around that subject. This is another way of saying stick to a particular niche and focus on that. The more valuable content you can give your viewers about a subject matter the faster you will be able to grow an audience and build your brand. I have seen time and time again people who create YouTube videos and they are talking about everything under the sun. This is not necessarily a bad thing however it will be harder for you to gain a solid audience because they don’t know what value you can give them. It will also take you longer to reach that first 1000.

I too in my YouTube career have uploaded videos in many different niches. This was because I wanted to share information that I had learned over the years to help people in different aspects of their lives. If I could do it all over again I would concentrate on building my audience for one subject then branching out. 

Tip: Focus on providing value to your viewer and highlighting your personality.

woman in gray jacket sitting beside desk
Photo by Andrew Neel on Pexels.com

Personality Wins

 Over the years I have seen creators come and go. These are people who are very talented but lack personality. When creating video content no matter how helpful your content is if you lack personality the delivery will just come across as stale. No one wants to watch a video where the person is speaking monotone, lacks enthusiasm, and seems bored while making the video. Personality is everything in video content creation.

 This is one of the reasons while vlogging has become so popular. Weekly and daily Vlogs are able to highlight the person’s life, take you behind the scenes, as well as show the creator and their personality. You feel like you are a part of their day-to-day lives and you are able to get to know them on a personal level. These types of channels are also a great way to build your first 1000 subscribers on YouTube fast because you are able to create more content at a faster rate. The videos are also longer than the traditional 10-15 minutes so you can reach the 3000 hours of watch time fast as well. If you are creating vlogs each and every day and the Vlog is over 30 minutes long you will be there in no time.

 Remember you need 3000 hours of watch time on your channel. Vlogs are the best way to create content that gets you to this goal. Getting subscribers is another thing. Personality will make them fall in love with your channel. They will subscribe and want to keep up with you and whatever it is you have going on. 

Equipment

A word of advice. Do not fall for the trap. You do not need to go out and purchase hundreds or even thousands of dollars worth of YouTube equipment that you cannot even use. Let me explain, what is the point in spending money that you have not earned yet with the hopes of you receiving a return on your investment?  To be honest you don’t even know if you like creating content yet.

So it would be in my opinion foolish of you to purchase equipment that you may not utilize properly in the beginning. With any business, you will learn to scale up as your business grows. You read previously about a return on investment. I am not saying that you shouldn’t purchase equipment to create quality content what I am saying is you should do it when you are guaranteed that you will receive a return on the money you have invested.

I do have a list of all of the things I use to film my videos on YouTube. Here is a link to my Amazon Store so you can read up on everything I use and compare prices. Don’t feel obligated to purchase anything until your ready.

Use What You Got To Get What You Want

 A great way to do this is to find ways to utilize the resources you already have at your disposal. These are things like:

  1. Free editing software that comes standard on your computer. 

2. Your are smart phone. 

3. The built-in microphone on your smartphone. 

4. Free editing apps.

 5. Natural sunlight. 

 You have already paid for that smartphone so be smart about using it to its fullest potential. And I forgot to mention you can also edit on your phone as well. There is no excuse. These are all of the things people take for granted because YouTube has become big business.  I tell my story all the time. When I started my YouTube channel I had a handheld camcorder sitting on a box of tissues in my bathroom. Humble beginnings. Once I was able to create revenue from YouTube that’s when I was able to invest in the fancy stuff.

Free Game

Let me give you some free game. I have a no-nonsense type of attitude when it comes to YouTube and creating money on the platform. I do not get involved with you in politics and I don’t try to be anything other than who I am.

 The number one thing I will tell you about YouTube is that you need to be your authentic self. Do not get on YouTube trying to emulate your favorite blogger. Or trying to steal ideas and content from other creators. Not only is this a big No-No but you will not be able to build a solid fan base. The way that you build your first 1000 subscribers fast on YouTube is by being authentic. 

 I have found that my greatest successes on YouTube have come from me being transparent and authentic. People want to feel like they can relate to you. No matter what your Niche is on YouTube, if the viewer can see themselves in you in some shape or fashion they will be drawn to your content. Being YOU, add VALUE, and being CONSISTENT will get you there. 

But also creating the content. Stop writing out an endless list of ideas or overthinking if the idea will work. Turn the camera on and create the magic. Again, my biggest successes on the platform have been videos I did not plan and just pressed record. 

YouTube is not a get-rich-quick scheme it is going to take some work. You are going to have to learn to be a content creating machine to get to that first 1000 subscribers on YouTube. But if your videos are quality and add value trust me it will happen fast. 

Next Up: Evergreen Content