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Hi, hello, my name is Ada and I'm black. 2020 has been A YEAR, I don't have to go into the specifics – we all know what's been happening. But there's been a couple good things that have happened this year.
The best thing to come out of 2020 for me was the beginning of Black Pound Day. I started seeing so many Black-owned British businesses for the first time and I thought: "you know, Ada, let's try and just use them for a week." And here I am.
1. Plantain Cookbook
I'm not someone who enjoys cooking, but what I do love is eating plantain, so when I saw the Plantain Cookbook by Tomi Makanjuola I thought: "yes, right up my street". I've only done a handful of recipes but Lord, they are good. 10/10, would recommend.
2. ÁMI London
I bought both the Whipped Shea Butter and Glow Face Oil – I will be reordering these, 100%. Everyone commented on how my good my skin looked after using the Face Oil for just one day – the glow that it gives me is indescribable. And the Whipped Shea Butter, chile, I smell like a brownie – I don't think I've ever smelt so good in my life. I initially bought the 6oz but trust me I'll be getting the 17.5oz from now on.
3. Girls Do Succeed
This is THE most comfortable tracksuit I've ever bought, no cap. TMI – I wore it for four days straight, but don't judge me because I didn't leave the house and I can do what I want.
4. Niche Tea
Anyone that knows me knows that I love me some tea. I'm always reluctant to try new teas, but I'm happy I gave Niche Tea a chance. Their Skin blend goes down so well, just the right amount of fruity not overpowering at all – they have a regular customer in me.
5. Wild Seed Botanicals
Did you eat those Refresher sweets as a child? That's what the Wild Seed Botanicals' Green Smoothie Mask smells like, I couldn't stop putting it on my face. Perfect for a self care day, and left my face incredibly refreshed and rejuvenated.
6. Charlotte Mensah
Charlotte Mensah is the GOAT – if you know, you know. The Manketti Hair Oil is the only thing keeping my edges alive right now. Sometimes hair oils can be overly thick and just annoying to deal with, but this hair oil is light and doesn't linger on your fingers two hours after use.
7. Daily Paper
Sometimes you've just got to treat yourself, and when we had the last day of sun, so I decided to stunt, and cop myself a pair of Daily Paper sunglasses. It may be raining right now, but I regret nothing because I look damn good.
8. Oré Mi Candles
How many candles do you think we all buy in a lifetime? A calm 100? Well, once you buy Oré Mi you won't need to buy another brand ever again. This is the best candle I've ever smelt and it burns so well. The most annoying thing about candles is when the wax just creates a hole in the middle, but not this one – the whole thing melts at the same time. I'll be buying 10 more.
9. The Nude Room
Buying makeup online without seeing it in person first is a risk, but it's a risk I took and don't regret. I got the Cigar gloss and I looked hella cute, I'm not going to lie. And even under my mask, the gloss kept up.
10. Afrocenchix
Does anyone else have the driest hair in the world? Like, if you slept in a bucket of water it would still be dry. Well, that's my hair. I bought the moisturising set from Afrocenchix and I really think my hair is improving from the broomstick-level dryness it was before. Also, it smells amazing, super citrusy, and light. Let me know what method you use, LOC? or LCO?
11. Swimming Pigs Gin
Next to tea, I love gin. I love gin a lot. And this gin right here, get me a crate please. One sip and I started floating like those pigs in the Bahamas. Actually typing this out has made me want another, BRB.