By: JS Brunson

As a still relatively young millennial, I have some thoughts on the state of womanhood. For as much progress as we’ve made in being seen as independent and free-thinking humans; like letting our arm hair grow out and not smiling in every damn photo, there still seem to be more products than ever promising us that by using it we’ll somehow feel freer. Unfortunately, I hadn’t had much luck in finding that ideal product, until now. And I’ll tell you early on, that that product is Kush Queen’s Defynt CBD Skin Serum. 

Made with 100mg CBD, this serum is like applying a 60-minute meditation session directly to your face. Talk about a #lifehack, am I right! But let me back up a little bit and explain why you need this serum in your life. 

I recently turned the big 3-0. If I’m being honest I was terrified. I had so many assumptions about what being thirty would mean. Wasn’t I supposed to have it all together by thirty? The perfect guy, the perfect job, a house with multiple rooms, a cute dog and an Instagram worthy proposal on the way? Well, I do have a great boyfriend, but the rest are just ideas that have gotten as far as my Pinterest boards. I spent the last month of being twenty-nine stressing out! I was always concerned about where I thought I should be and then upset with myself for not checking my privilege and getting down in the first place. Oh, it was a vicious cycle. 

As I’m sure you know stress plays a very big part in how our skin reacts. I don’t say this to be annoying, but I’ve always had pretty good skin. Thank my long-ago African ancestors for that, but during that time my stress was causing some irritation on my skin. I was so dry my lips began to crack, I had the darkest under-eye circles, and generally looked consistently exhausted. 

I knew I needed to make a change. I needed to treat my skin better. That’s when I decided to try out the Defynt Anti-Serum. Now, I’m not a product junky by nature, I still use the same Origins face wash that I first discovered in high school. Hey, if it isn’t broke why fix it right? So needless to say I was a bit skeptical that this new product would do much for me now. 

I got up the next morning ready to try out the serum. I washed my face (using my Origins thank you very much), toned with Dr. Thayers witch hazel and applied a dime-sized amount of the Defynt Serum to my face. Within a few moments, I could instantly see my puffy eyes calm down. It was like my face opened up and smiled after months of neglect. 

What I didn’t expect was how calming the CBD skin serum made me feel. I woke up with a slight headache and after applying the serum my headache cleared up and I felt like I could actually get my day started on a positive note. I made sure to apply a light moisturizing sunscreen after the serum to lock in all the goodness.

I’ve been using the Defynt Anti-Serum for a month now and not only has the overall puffiness of my skin gone down, but I’m less grumpy in the morning. Added bonus according to my boyfriend! 

So hey, maybe I don’t have it all figured out. But now that I’m safely and deeply into my 30th year of life, I’ve realized that adulthood is what you make it. There are no rules, there are no standards. I live my life to make me happy, and that now includes taking good care of my skin. 

Don’t forget to follow and tag @kushqueenshop & @kushqueenco in your Instagram posts and stories.

Ready to take your skincare routine to the next level? Shop Defynt below!

Get Your Pre Summer Glo With 2 Amazing DIY CBD Tincture Face Masks

I love the summer. The heat, swimming pools are open, barbecuing yummy foods on the balcony – all of it. But my skin, on the other hand, may say otherwise. For whatever reason, the summer brings out the worst in my combination skin…and I mean the worst. My t-zone area is so greasy but at the same painfully dry – and let’s not mention the breakouts along my temples. 

So being the self-titled “DIY Queen” I am, I mixed up a few masks with the help of Kush Queens Bare CBD Tincture! For the most part, these masks use ingredients that can easily be found around a kitchen and can be switched up depending on what your skin goals are! 

CBD oil, not hemp seed oil – is quickly becoming a staple in the beauty industry. It’s nothing short of a blessing for skin! A 2014 study showed, “CBD oil may help reduce various types of acne thanks to its ability to adjust how the body creates sebum.” Kush Queens, Bare Daily Wellness uses olive oil, which is an amazing anti-ager and reviver of sun damage as well. And because a few drops of olive oil goes a long way, only a small amount of CBD oil is needed to get refreshed skin! 

The Hydrating Avocado CBD Mask

• 1/2 ripe avocado
• 1 Full dropper of bare CBD tincture
• 1 teaspoon plain organic yogurt
• 1 teaspoon of honey

This mask is perfect when your skin needs an extra boost of hydration. Especially if you’ve been spending a lot of time in the sun, the combo of fresh avocado + CBD will do your skin right!

Avocado is known for its healthy fats and those natural oils can deeply penetrate the skin to soften and nourish, preventing fine lines and texture. The addition of honey contributes to hydrating your skin without leaving it oily or irritated, which is ideal if you have sensitive skin. Finally, yogurt finishes this ultra-hydrating mask with its ability to plump and revitalize dull skin with it’s ingredient lactic acid. Lactic acid provides a gentle exfoliation which contributes to the glowing skin you’re about to have!

Mash the avocado as much as you can in a bowl then mix in the rest of the ingredients. Apply to your face and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Warning: Your dog may try to lick your face. If you want to up the hydration in this mask, add in an extra dropper of bare.

ACV Clay Mask with Bäre CBD Tincture

For those that don’t know the power of raw apple cider vinegar or the “Aztec Clay” mask, you’re about to learn. Raw apple cider vinegar pops in every home remedy, from loc detoxes to acne fighting. It may also help unclog pores and smooth skin texture. The clay mask, which you’ve probably seen every on Instagram and Youtube at some point – lives up the hype!

I swear I’m such a skeptic about anything, but I bought a jar of it last year around the holidays and I haven’t regretted once. The clay mask will reach down into your pores and rebuke the oil and trapped dirt. It’s also a great hair mask for all hair types. Just be mindful that it does not go down your sink without a fight, a lived and re-lived learned experience. But you can throw into the grass and it will act as a natural fertilizer – it’s the circle of life baybee *Kawhi Leonard voice.* 

• 2 to 3 tablespoons of Aztec Clay mask
• 1 full dropper of Bare CBD Tincture
• Enough apple cider vinegar to have a spreadable paste

Combine all ingredients in a non-metal bowl and mix with a non-metal spoon.* I like the consistency of a loose toothpaste, if that makes any sense. After getting it to your desired consistency, apply – once again careful not to use metal utensils. (* Bentonite Clay literally absorbs impurities and heavy toxins when applied, so if exposed to metal it will absorb the impurities from that and not from you!) Leave for 10-15 minutes, and rinse off with warm water. Yes, this dries very tight. Yes, your skin may be a little red for like 20-ish minutes afterward – but these are all momentary and will only reveal bouncy and refreshed skin. 

Conclusion

So sit back, kick your feet up and let these simple CBD face masks do the work for you! Whether you skin needs hydration or deep pore cleansing, these two masks are easy to incorporate into your weekly routine.

Want to DIY your own CBD oil face mask? Shop Bare CBD Tincture below!