• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Afrobella

Natural Hair, Beauty, Fashion and Makeup Blog

  • Hair
  • Beauty
    • Makeup
  • Reviews
  • Pop Culture
  • Style
  • About
    • Awards and Acclaim
    • FAQs
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Mama Bella Says – Protect Your Neck!

by afrobella

I’ve written about my mom more than a few times, and just about every time I have, I get requests from readers for her to share her beauty tips. I did a post like this, featuring Mama Bella’s top five beauty tips. I still love number 5, and I try my best to live by it!

So in the spirit of celebrating Mama Bella and sharing the tips she has to impart, here’s the beginning of a new series. How long will it last? As long as she wants it to! Mama Bella Says is all about the beauty and health tips that have kept my mom looking gorgeous as she grows older.

So… how old is she? I know it isn’t right to discuss or disclose women’s ages, but I asked my mom if I could share this detail with the world. And she was as forthcoming as I knew she’d be.

“Honey, I’ll be 70 in September. I’ve never lied about my age, and I don’t plan to start now,” she replied.

So bellas — this is what almost-70 can look like if you take good care of yourself. And please note – my mom has never had plastic surgery or any injectable beauty treatments. (Not that she wouldn’t, she just never has). This is what drinking water, taking amazing care of yourself, fancy skin care products, and enjoying life’s little pleasures can do.

My mom has always drilled me about my neck. “Did you scrub the back of your neck?” “Patrice, your neck!” “And did you clean your neck today?” All through high school. Super annoying, as you can probably imagine.

However, the reasons she harped on this particular aspect of my appearance were twofold.

1. In all honesty, the back of my neck is kind of dirty. Always has been. And when I was younger, I didn’t give two hoots about how it looked. Now that I’m older, my hair is shorter, and I don’t wear a collared uniform shirt every day like I did in high school… I’m even more aware that I gotta take care of it.

2. Taking good care of her neck has been one of those invaluable beauty secrets my mother has always taken to heart. And she’s a smart lady for that — few body parts show age more vividly than the neck and the decolletage. The skin there is thin and delicate, and wrinkles easily with the passage of time. It’s one of the areas of the body that are the most difficult to cosmetically enhance. Yes, you can get a neck lift, but wouldn’t you rather not?

Don’t make me feel bad, bellas — I know I’m not the only person of color with the dirty neck phenomenon. I notice it often here in Florida, and back in the day in Trinidad, there was a laundry detergent commercial that referred to the condition of “tropical collar,” meaning a shirt collar lined with dirt from constant neck-contact. So at least I know I’m not alone, but still — what’s a bella to do?

For years, my mom has meticulously cleaned the back of her neck with rubbing alcohol. The harshest cleaning agent possible. I am not a fan.

But apparently her idea isn’t totally crazy — it is one of Gomestic’s 12 excellent uses for rubbing alcohol — right alongside cleaning your shoes, mirrors, and phones with it!

I can’t really stand the smell of the stuff, but Mama Bella swears by old-school astringents like menthylated spirits to clean her skin. Not every day, mind you — just once a week. I’ve tried her method, and discovered what works for her doesn’t necessarily work for me. For my neck dilemma, the one thing that’s really helped is regular exfoliation.

I love a good scrubby scrub, and some of the best neck stuff I’ve tried includes good ol’ St. Ives’ Apricot Scrub and Lush Ocean Salt scrub. LOVE that stuff, and it makes my skin feel super refreshed but not stripped. But these days I’ve been using a super-cheap dollar store version of an exfoliating shower towel. Use a liberal dab of your favorite moisturizing body wash of choice (say, Olay with Spa Exfoliating Ribbons or Softsoap with Shea Butter), and you’ll get great results.

I’ve even started taking Mama Bella’s advice on using a good moisturizer on my neck — I tend to use the really thick creams that really penetrate the skin, like Liz Earle’s Superskin Moisturizer (which kind of smells like castor oil, but moisturizes like crazy), or Olay Definity Night Restorative Sleep Cream, which promises to eventually alleviate discoloration, dullness and brown spots. I’ve been using it for a few months now and I gotta say, I still have some brown spots… but I do think they’re a little lighter. And this Olay blend leaves my skin super soft. Is it worth $25? I’m not 100% sold yet. I’ll keep you posted.

Beautifully aging bellas like my mama might want to reach for a product meant to target the neck’s delicate skin and specific aging issues with a product like Perricone’s firming neck therapy, which comes as part of the Beautyfix member package.

My mom loves Strivectin for her face and hands, so the Strivectin Neck Cream might be the kind of product she’s been looking for.

Thanks to her constant harping on this beauty issue, this bella’s learned her lesson relatively early. I’m taking extra care of my neck now, because I want to stave off those telltale signs of age for as long as I can.

What about you, bellas? Do you have any particular necky concerns? How’s about a question for Mama Bella? Fire away in the comments!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Filed Under: Reviews, Skin Tagged With: Beautifully Aging Bellas, Makeup Muses, Skin

« So, What do You Think?
The Journey »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. jennifer

    at

    Your mom is almost 70!!!! Girl, I woulda gave her at least 50!!!

  2. Shell

    at

    Reading about the dirty neck made me laugh. My mom was always on me about making sure my neck looked clean. It was annoying when I was younger. As I got older, when I saw the back of some people’s neck, I was glad mom made me wash extra careful.
    Your mom looks gorgeous. I’m going to take your mom’s tips on taking care of my neck and hands.

  3. T.T.

    at

    Mama Bella is GORGEOUS!!!!!!! Keep it up Mama!!!!

  4. Sincerely

    at

    wow your mum looks amazing!

  5. sungoddess

    at

    I just wanted to add a few to the list of possible cleansers, especially for us in the Caribbean who don’t access to some of the stuff you listed.

    1) Witch Hazel (EXCELLENT STUFF! Every civilised house needs a bottle)
    2) Limacol (also excellent for lifting dirt and oil from the back of your neck.
    3) Bay rum – this is my favourite, because I have a whole lot of nostalgia wrapped up in the smell of bay rum….

    Your mother made you clean your neck, it was my grandmother… she would grip me in one arm, and scrub with bay rum or limacol until she was satisfied.

    LMAO!

  6. African Bella

    at

    The neck really is the first place to show signs of aging or abuse. Have you ever seen someone who has bleached her skin for years? Believe me, her neck will be 30 years older than her chronological age.

    Speaking of necks… I’m going to scrub mine with St Ives Apricot scrub. Thanks for the tip Afrobella!

  7. StPatJack

    at

    I love your mama, b/c cleaning my daughter’s dirty neck is an OBSESSION for me too. I have always been into the finer details of hygiene,i.e. nails the same length, clean ears, deep moisturizing of the neck and chest ( can’t stand a beautiful mature lady with a great face and a beat up leather bag for a chest…YUCK), etc.

    I will definately have my baby girl check out this post to let her know I am not only one that insists on a clean neck. LOL!

  8. Wes

    at

    Wow, your mom is GORGEOUS!!! Great post- Thanx Mama Bella!

  9. Dad

    at

    I think your mom forgot to add one thing……… a good husband. Doh doubt dat

  10. zen

    at

    It’s not just a Caribbean thing. We had a commercial back in the day, for a detergent that got rid of “ring around the collar.” Thanks for the awesome tips!

  11. Rae

    at

    Love Mama Bella!! She is truly beautiful and gorgeous!! I love Papa Bella’s comment too!! LOL…too sweet

  12. Tiffany

    at

    Your mom is beautiful and aging well.

  13. Mecca

    at

    Your mom is absolutely gorgeous! I can’t believe she is anywhere near 70! Just keep posting her beauty regiment for the rest of us!

  14. TJ

    at

    Your mom looks fantastic!

  15. NiKita W (www.theb-spot.com)

    at

    Wow, Momma Bella is fabulous! What are her secrets because that is how I want to be when I grow up!!!!!!!

  16. Laquita

    at

    WoW – your mother is beautiful :o) Great advice. I’m taking notes…so I can look as good when I’m 70.

  17. SDG

    at

    wow! She looks amazing. I have 30 more years to go and I want to be her when I grow up. Wonderful advice.

  18. Gem

    at

    This was a wonderful post and a wonderful idea (Mama Bella beauty tips).

  19. Toneah

    at

    Your mum looks fantastic.

    I too had a mother who always got on me about my neck. With her sing-song Trini accent say “Just go wash it.” **chuckle**

    These days I use Tea Tree Oil Facial Cleansing Pad by Desert Essence (from Whole Foods). This stuff works great and cost under five bucks. My face is too sensitive for it, but it works great on the back of my neck. Only prob with it is my SO hates the smell so I have to rinse after I use it.

  20. successfulgal

    at

    Your Mom is so, so beautiful! She is fierce, very elegant and has a gorgeous face! I am speechless!

  21. Starchild

    at

    Mama Bella is absolutely bellisima!

    I do the St. Ives scrub on the neck in the shower, and then swipe with a cotton ball soaked in alcohol every day and evening. If it helps me to look as good as Mama Bella, then I will never stop!

    🙂

  22. kiki

    at

    you know we all love your mamma!!!

  23. Jamila

    at

    Your mom looks like my mom. BEAUTIFUL! People still ask me if she’s my sister!

    But i can agree with the Witch Hazel CANT live without it!

  24. MoniMoni

    at

    I agree with Witch Hazel, and I agree about the neck…Have you seen Susan Lucci and Joan Rivers? Faces tight and necks look like road maps.

    I use either shea butter/ponds cold cream/cocoa butter on face and neck every night. So far so good! People always say I look 24 not 42. Thanks mommy and grandma! 🙂

  25. Veronica

    at

    I just went back and read Rule #5… I think we ALL need that in a little frame somewhere.

    Mama Bella rocks!

  26. Ms. Beans

    at

    I love your new site and your mother looks wonderful and beautiful!!! That is what taking care of yourself does!! 🙂

    I too trouble with the “dirty” neck condition growing up as a child. I would scrub my neck do hard til it hurt. I later realize that the “dirty” neck is really not dirt but instead it might be a condition named Acanthosis Nigricans. See Link:http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/acanthosis_nigrica.html

    Anyway, I started taking better of myself and loss some weight and the my “dirty” neck started to clear up(still in process 🙂 ). Bella, I do not know if you are referring to the same “dirty” neck as me (I’m talking about the discoloration of the neck area). Great Post!

  27. Denise

    at

    Love the post as usual. Your Mom looks awesome.

    ‘Bella- Witch Hazel is good, or if you want something thta includes withch hazel along with our natural stuff you can get Aubrey Organic’s Rosa Mosqueta facial toner. It works well. http://www.vitacost.com/Aubrey-Organics-Rosa-Mosqueta-Facial-Toner

  28. Aisha

    at

    This post made me laugh out loud. Thanks for the great tips.

  29. nyc/caribbean ragazza

    at

    bella your mom is bella as well. the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. 🙂

  30. pippy97

    at

    your mom is absolutely gorgeous

  31. Lillybeth09

    at

    My great-grandmother died at 88 and did not have one wrinkle on her skin. Her secret was olive oil and Oil of Olay.

  32. Demi

    at

    My mom had us use rubbing alcohol to clean our necks too!!! I still do it from time to time. The smell is not nice but it works. I just moisturize right after. Thanks for the tips. You mom is FAB-U-LOUS! Thanks for sharing!!!

  33. T

    at

    Great post. My mom alwyas told me about my neck area and Ive known about alcohol like foreverand Im only 27 lol. I dont know why those harsher products clean so well. Also like my mom and many of the women in my family they look all 20 and 30 years younger than they are and wouldnt dream of botox(dont need it). Ah melanin what an awesome thing!

  34. Rene

    at

    Where can I get Limacol?

  35. Rene

    at

    I agree with you StPATJack. My daughter is 10 and her neck makes me want to scrub it with ajax or something. I know thats not the right stuff but my gosh.

  36. Karla

    at

    I’m looking for answers if anyone can PLEASE HELP ME 🙁
    i am 25 years old and have the dirty neck effect and i am olive skinned.. It is so embarassing, i am so paranoid about my neck i am always hiding it by pulling up my shirt :/
    I don’t know what will work but does anyone know if the strivectin neck cream is effective for it??
    I really wanna be more confident especially im the summer time 🙁

  37. Adam Financial Advisor Boca Raton

    at

    “A couple weeks ago, I realized that’s where I wanted to go, that’s the school for me. If you run your own business there are several different ways that you can keep track of your records throughout the year so you are ready for tax time. Consumers so want to check into leader has feelings for you it can be uneasy the actual as a citizens.

  38. bodycon dresses for plus size women

    at

    Transparent hair color simply cannot compare to
    the intensity and dramatic appeal of opaque hair color.

    Look for bold prints to become mainstream on single-breasted coats and other items of men’s clothing.
    Their wearers are vivacious and playful, yet
    they don’t take themselves too seriously.

  39. fiberglass igloo marine cooler parts hinges

    at

    Yet he chose to ask me so many questions about how and why I
    do things, because he could see the profound insight I had built up due to going my
    own way with my own research and testing over the past 7 years.
    For instance at a time when anglers where sticking rigidly to the mantra of 3 to 5 milliliters of flavour, plus
    1 to 2 milliliters of intense sweetener to a pound
    of base mix or more, as measured by 4 large eggs or
    6 medium eggs as a basis of measurement,
    I tried other approaches and reaped big rewards against much more experienced anglers.
    The exception to this rule is when fishing structure, there
    will always be a calm spot behind structure that cat fish rest in and it will be natural for your bait to settle in this area.

  40. chloe sims do eyelashes grow back

    at

    However, users of conventional or biodegradable sun tan lotion should
    also heed the Food and Drug’s Administration’s advice that there is no scientific study to uphold sunscreens, as the
    ultimate protections against the sun’s powerful UV rays. Your
    sun-free suntan could last anywhere from 3 – 7 days, dependent upon exactly how quickly you get rid of old skin debris.
    Its application will give you a perfect look and an even tan without any
    hassles.

  41. hcg weight loss clinics in chicago

    at

    As it increases the production of sperm so it is used for male
    also. There are a few things that must be identified about
    the HCG diet plan and consequently a single really should not start off using them without having any assistance of the homeopathic medical doctor.
    The most popular influence of technology on health is weight loss.

  42. Fake Tan lotion reviews

    at

    We’ll show how to accomplish this with just a few simple
    steps. Surgical treatment for Gynecomastia is considered the fastest and most effective way
    to reshape the male breast. They impart a brown color to the concoction, which
    immediately turns your skin brown.

  43. fibromyalgia bracelet

    at

    Hi there mates, fastidious article and good urging commented here, I am truly enjoying by
    these.

  44. I Heart Jesus Charm

    at

    I like the helpful information you provide in your articles.
    I will bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently.
    I am quite certain I will learn a lot of new stuff right here!
    Best oof luck for the next!

  45. Italy Pride

    at

    Nice post. I learn something totally new and
    challenging on blogs I stumbleupon every day.
    It will always be interesting to read through content from
    other writers and practice something from their web sites.

  46. ALS Awareness

    at

    This piece of writing will assist the internet visitors
    for creating new website or even a weblog from start to end.

  47. Nike Linds

    at

    Thank you for this article! I love it and will be trying some of your suggestions 🙂 You talked about getting rid of a “dirty neck”, but do you have any advice for getting rid of dark armpits? I shave regularly and scrub the area, but it still remains darker than the rest of my skin. Any help??

Primary Sidebar


Visit Afrobella Store

Popular Posts

  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • November 2024
  • October 2024
  • May 2024
  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • November 2022
  • September 2022
  • June 2022
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007
  • July 2007
  • June 2007
  • May 2007
  • April 2007
  • March 2007
  • February 2007
  • January 2007
  • December 2006
  • November 2006
  • October 2006
  • September 2006
  • August 2006

Footer

  • Afrobella Radio
  • Ask Afrobella
  • Beauty
  • Body
  • Books
  • Events
  • Featured
  • Food
  • Hair
  • Health and Wellness
  • Issues
  • Jams
  • Life
  • Makeup
  • Monday Manicure
  • Pop Culture
  • Popular
  • Randomness
  • Reviews
  • Skin
  • Style
  • Travel

Copyright © 2025 · Foodie Pro & The Genesis Framework