High maintenance hair routines? DIY skincare? Super Naturals is our new interview series featuring super women talking everything from hair care to self care.
ESTHER NARINDWA MARTINS, INTERIOR ARCHITECT
@narindwa_
HAIRCARE ROUTINE
When I first went natural I was very strict, but now I try to wash and deep condition once a week, and moisturise it daily. But sometimes I just wear mabutus, put on a headwrap and go through the whole week like that. Especially so that I’m not manipulating my hair that much.
GO-TO HAIRSTYLE?
My goodness, the one product I can’t live without is coconut oil. It’s so versatile, hair, body. My go-to-protective style is box braids, but of late I’ve doing half braided half cornrows. I try to not make it too thin, or manipulate the hair too much.
I tried to do a crochet braid once. It was big, it was heavy. I went to the mirror and told my husband and he was like, it looks good and I was like, no, I hate it, don’t even try and tell me it looks good.
SKINCARE
The older I get the more I get into routines. I haven’t found a toner that’s great for my skin, that doesn’t dry me out. I use barrier control by Dermalogica and add moisturiser, but very little. Eating right is so vital. It helps with healthy skin. It makes such a difference. If I have milk, it shows up in my skin. Refined sugar makes a lot of difference. Take some time off and allow your body to recuperate, see what works and what doesn’t.
MAKE UP
My favourite lip colour is Ruby Woo, but Mac… Mac probably has my favourite lip colours. I’ve been using LA Girl concealer which I put under my eyes and go. Inglot’s is also really soft and light. I love the dewy look. I hope I carry it well. I hope it doesn’t look like I’ve been sitting in the sun sweating.
Highlighter? Not so much. I can’t contour to save my life, and I can’t highlight either, but I wanna learn. I’m more of a bronze blush girl.
FRAGRANCE
I tried The Modern Muse and I still have the bottle. Every once in a while I take a sniff. Currently I’m trying Joy. It’s nice but it’s not for me. I hate it when it’s too sweet. I like a scent that lingers when I leave the room.
SELF-CARE
You musn’t be afraid to dream your wildest dream because you never know what you’re capable of. Your dreams are valid according to Lupita Nyong’o. My wildest dream would be to have an Afro-minimal range of products, something that lives past me.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned this year is don’t lose hope. When I’m feeling disappointed, I recognize how many other accomplishments and stuff I’ve done and that it’s okay to be disappointed. It’s okay to ask for help. You can’t be all and do all. And also, it’s okay to offer help.
BEST ADVICE?
My mom had a saying that would annoy me when we were younger. “Times are not the same.” You may be suffering now, but this won’t last forever. It’s okay to sit in the moment when things are going good, because it carries you through when things are hitting the fan.
To my younger self I’d say you may be struggling with identity now and life seems undoable, but just be patient. Work hard and love hard. And life is tough, but you’ll make it.
Watch the full interview here.
