They say you should never judge a book by its cover, especially as it relates to makeup and skincare. I’ll be the first to raise my virtual hand and say that I have missed out on sampling some of the best products because of the packaging, but I have since learned my lesson – and have completely fallen in love with Itiba Beauty.

Itiba Beauty is an all-natural, Caribbean skincare line that’s infused with avocado, unrefined shea butter, and a variety of natural oils for conditioning effects. The hair and body products are “inspired by nature and created from earth,” yet, there is something very familiar about the spicy undertones in the Midnite Rain body lotion and the oaky scent of the ‘Kaya’ body polish. And because we all love a good exfoliator for our skin, I have to be honest and mention that some of the oils overpower the texture in the scrub, which left my skin feeling a bit greasy afterward. I loved that I didn’t have to use a moisturizer, so for everyone who’s ever complained of uncomfortably or excessively dry skin, this product’s for you.

I’m a complete guinea pig when it comes to hair care products, so there was little to no pressure testing the Papaya Hair and Body Oil. I used a dime-sized amount to soothe my dry scalp, and I had instant relief. And the scent? Remember the Strawberry Shortcake doll from the ‘80s that puffed a fruity scent when you squeezed her belly? Yup. It’s everything, and more.

I’ve never been a huge fan of black soap, because some of them have stripped my skin of its natural oils. I was pleasantly surprised that this was not the case with the Midnite Rain black soap. The intoxicating scents of jojoba oil and hint of black pepper reminds me of an exotic rainforest, and for about half of a second, I forgot that I was still in my modest apartment, in Chicago, with no sight of a sandy beach in the Caribbean.

All in all, Itiba Beauty is one of the most uniquely crafted, indie skincare brands that I’ve ever sampled, and I can’t wait to order more. It just reconfirms that sometimes, less is more.

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