PATRA VERONIQUE

Okay, let's talk skin. I believe it is really important to take good care of your skin. Beautiful clear glowing skin is an asset. You can quote me on that... I have always struggled with maintaining clear skin both on my face and back. In the past, it was much harder so I sought out dermatological help because I thought it was the only way to solve my issue. The main medication prescribed was a contraceptive that would help balance my hormones which in-turn cleared my skin. This was backed by topical medication. After a few years of using the pills, I noticed being disgusted by them. Even the thought of taking them made me sick. To this day certain drinks and scents trigger the feeling. Yes, it's that deep. I also noticed that I had developed excessive sweating and a few other side effects that were just displeasing so I stopped taking the pills. The topical products were just too harsh and chemically for my skin. I'd have peeling or my skin would sting plus they were not at all cost-effective and if I skipped a month of my routine I'd be back to square one.

The thing is I have super sensitive skin in addition to eczema so a myriad of ingredients may cause a flare up, leading to a massive disgusting breakout. My triggers mainly stem from products with heavy fragrance, harsh chemicals, dirt/dust and some foods. The combination makes it hard to find something to treat all my problems. It was either eczema calm but acne crazy or irritable skin. I used Cetaphil (which is a great product) for some time but I need to feel clean and it didn't do that for me. So in 2014 when I did my Big chop and was looking into organic means for hair care. I stumbled on a whole industry that seemed promising for my skin.  I started researching different products and the benefits, that's where my natural/organic skincare journey began.

How To (I) Achieved Clear Skin
Many products on the market tend to have synthetic ingredients that may cause irritation or other problems. It surprising how many crap companies put in beauty products. Just ridiculous especially when dealing with ultra-sensitive skin. So I found that avoiding these harsh chemicals and using fragrance-free, natural/organic products can make a significant change in your skin. I have also started to weed out my makeup collection (its not much of a collection anyway) to ensure its more vegan/ natural friendly. This proves to be harder than anticipated as I tend to be more sensitive to makeup products. I'll report on that in a later post. Bonus tip: Your diet also plays a role in how healthy your skin is. Drink a lot of water and stay away from sugar!

Cleansing
African Black Soap is my soap of choice. This stuff is simply magic. I can not live without this! A permanent staple in my skincare routine, ride or die for sure. It literally saved my skin. Now, I know you're thinking, "Isn't African black soap a bit harsh on the skin and I must admit yes it can be. That is why I created a DIY solution to reduce the harshness. I created a liquefied version of the African black soap and added Neem leaves/oil which is excellent for eczema or skin irritations. Here are the simple recipe instructions

•  Brew the Neem leaves in boiling water for a few minutes/if you have neem oil simply use distilled water and add a few drops to the water.
•  Let the mixture sit and cool not completely. The mixture needs to at least be lukewarm so that the black soap can be dissolved. 
• Crumble the soap into small pieces and place in the neem brew mixture. Shake the mixture occasionally until all soap particles are completely dissolved and that is it, your soap is ready. 

I use this both morning and nights. Its leaves my skin feeling clean but not dry.

Mask
These are good to detoxify, moisturizes, sooth and to add a glow. My DIY all-natural concoction is Bentonite clay and Apple Cider Vinegar. I love this remedy as it seems to do wonders for my skin. Bentonite Clay is known for its detoxifying properties. It has so many benefits like unclogging pores, preventing blackhead build up and it's a natural exfoliant which aids in evening out the skin tone. The mask is super easy to make. this is my 'recipe'

•  2 teaspoons of Bentonite clay to one teaspoon of ACV  and a splash of water to dilute the ACV as it can make the mask a bit strong. Use only plastic utensils as metals can leach from the spoon to the clay. The mixture should be a peanut butter consistency. 

I apply the mixture to my face and neck, sometimes my hair as well to detoxify my scalp. I leave the mask on for approximately an hour then wash it off with warm water. After which I use cold water to close my pores. I use my DIY all natural Bentonite clay mask recipe once a week.

Exfoliating
Listen, Baking soda is a magic product. It seriously has so many uses it's ridiculous. I use this as my primary exfoliant both for body and face. The fine granules act as a microdermabrasion that polishes the skin leaving it smooth by buffing away the dead skin cells. The frequency of use really depends on my skin's needs. I add a bit of baking soda to my hands then add my DIY African Black soap mix.  I use gentle circular motions to scrub taking care not to add too much pressure as I do not want to tear my skin. I've also been using Vasanti Brighten up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator, which is an incredible exfoliator. It is an all natural, paraben free product that has papaya enzymes which break down dead skin cell. The micro-crystals polishes your skin leaving it softer and visibly brighter. It is said to mimic professional microdermabrasion and I quite agree. I absolutely love this product!! But be careful if you have sensitive skin, use the tiniest bit!

Toning
I just realize that I use a lot of food based products for my skin. Apple Cider Vinegar is another one of those products. This has anti-fungal properties which are proven to inhibit the growth of acne-causing bacteria. I dilute the ACV in distilled water at a 1:3 ratio in a spray bottle. I use this twice per day after my facial wash/mask/exfoliation. Let it sit and absorb or pat into skin.


Moisturizing
I currently do not have an organic/natural cream in my routine...but I would love to add one. I am testing out the Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream, so far its good but only time will tell. To add moisture I use Hyaluronic Acid Serum in the day and Organic Rose Hip Seed Oil at night. The hyaluronic serum instantly hydrates my skin leaving it plump as it replenishes moisture. Rosehip Oil is filled with antioxidants, vitamins and essential fatty acids that hydrate dry, itchy skin and corrects dark spots. It is excellent at reducing fine lines and scars.





In this photo, you can see my skin is not perfect, but I'm comfortable with going makeup free on a daily basis. I have a few spots here and there especially on my chin where I get hormonal acne EVERY month :(. That's the hardest part for me. I just can't seem to rid thereof acne scaring because of the constant occurrence. Any suggestions? I would love to know what you do to get rid of your cystic acne.



Disclaimer: This is what works for me! Everybody's skin reacts differently to products so take this with a grain of salt. Although, I do believe implementing natural/organic products in your regiment will benefit your skin. While if needed, supplementing it with prescribed medication to target stubborn problems.

.

Blue Mountain Peak is the island's highest point at 2,256 meters. The trail is about 9 km distance with a very steep ascent. Generally, it takes a grueling 4 hours to hike to the peak. The path along the trail is primarily forest and is a protected heritage site...Jamaica's first terrestrial National park. En route, you'll be able to view several species of endemic flora. It is said that over 40% of the plants are found only in Jamaica. The area is also home to a few species of birds, one such the rare Jamaican Blackbird.
The Journey
We didn't go the touristy route, through a tour company. We took public transportation. Our journey started in Papine where we boarded a minibus to Mavis Bank which cost $150 JMD per person. Once in Mavis Bank, we took another minibus to Hagley Gap at a cost of $250 each. It is unfortunate however that we ended up paying more than the locals because I was traveling with a tourist. We only found out after the fact. This was only for the Mavis Bank/Hayley Gap leg, the bus driver was just trying to make an extra buck. From the Hayley Gap, we walked the rest of the way to Whitfield Hall, the hostel we decided to stay for the night. This was a 3.5km walk that took an hour. You could always charter a trailer car to take you to the hostel at a cost of $1000JMD. But even though the ascent was quite high, the views were amazing, so it was well worth it in my opinion. The walk is completely safe and the locals were quite friendly and helpful.
*There is always the option to drive however bear in mind that the roads are quite steep and narrow so a 4 wheel drive vehicle is essential.

Where we stayed
We chose Whitfield Hall because it is located right on the hiking trail. A Rustic quaint hostel straight out of the 80's. Space was well kept with absolutely no electricity. Although, they did have kerosene lit lamps that provided sufficient lighting. Now I know you're wondering if they have running water, yes they do with adequate bathroom facility... But I must tell you the water is mad Cold! The rooms had bunk beds, a dresser and a lamp very minimal. Everton, the caretaker was welcoming and helpful. We made arrangements for breakfast and dinner prior to our visit which is recommended. Our meal was prepared and waiting when we arrived.


The Hike
Ok, so we wanted the sunrise experience at the peak. We thought, well my partner thought it would be best to wake at 2am because he had checked the time for sunrise prior. We also knew it was not going to rain because he checked that as well. By 2:15am we were out and on the trail. To be honest, I was a little scared, it was so dark and quiet, but I eventually got over it a few minutes in. The trail at starting was decent with clear pathways and a few directions here and there. The steepness progressed gradually. We couldn't really see much, so this was our time to talk to each other, learn something new and joke about how terrible I was at hiking. By an hour in I was mad tired!!! I wanted to give up. We stopped for a minute or two here and there but it wasn't much. At this point, I heard a noise in the distance a group was ahead of us. They welcomed us as we approached. We walked with them a bit and rested when they did. We eventually lost them because they were moving too slow for my partner. Now that I remember some of my moments were really dramatic. I remember I said to him ' I can't do this! I'm going to die!... I laugh at myself now but it was no laughing matter then. He was calm and encouraging and gave me snacks and water which gave me a bit of a boost when it counted the most. When we got to Portland Gap, where the rangers station is located, I felt better because I knew we'd be at the summit soon. This was the hardest part of the hike for me. The trail was really mountainous and narrow. I think I asked a hundred times 'Are we there yet', ' how much further' (FYI, he did the hike maybe 2 years prior so he'd know). I must have been quite annoying 😁. The dawn had come so we were able to see the breathtaking views. I was in awe of how beautiful the scenery was. You could see the fog in the distance, the dew on the anchoring trees, hear the birds chirp and smell the clean crisp air. It all seemed like something out of a jungle movie well without the animals 😏. I can't even describe the feeling I had when we got to the summit. I was so emotional, I couldn't believe I did it. I survived the bitter cold and the  4-hour long walk. I DID IT!





The walk down was quicker. We were able to see all the floral and spotted a few birds. The trees were crooked and formed a canopy which was very lush. Varying moss and vines covered the trees. It was truly a sight. When we reach the Rangers station we paid the park fees $20US for visitors and $200 JMD for locals. We realized there were quite a few coffee farms, the smell was heavenly. I was surprised that we got back to the hostel in 3 hours... fast right?



I would recommend the Hike to Blue mountain Peak a must have Jamaica experience whether you plan to visit Jamaica or if you live here. Sometimes we forget the treasures our own country has to offer because other countries bounty seems greater. If you do decide to make this trip, check out my list of must-have...


Things you'll need
Comfortable Shoes - Athletic shoes preferably hiking shoes that support your feet are highly recommended. This is a must you will surely regret it if you forego this tip. I wore converse and that was a sore mistake.
Snacks - the hike takes a lot of endurance so to keep your energy up you'll need snack/energy bars to sustain your strength.
Water - It's quite easy to get dehydrated on these hikes because of the cold and ascend. I'd recommend you taking a canister of water with you. You'll be able to top up at the Ranger station along the trail.
Bundle up - Its cold, very cold. A warm sweater is needed for sure. If you have a waterproof jacket that will come in handle since it rains almost every day on the trail. I'd also recommend athletic leggings or joggers rather than jeans. It's best to be as comfortable as possible. A scarf is welcomed as well.
Flash Light - You will need this to light the dark pathway on the trail. It's steep and rocky and parts of the trail are borderline precipice so to prevent breaking a rib bring a flashlight.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin