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15 Road Trip Must-Have Items For Your Next Cross-Country Adventure
There’s no better time than the summer to grab your girls — or go solo — and embark on a cross-city road trip.
Sure, it’s nice to sit poolside or go out to a day party, but there’s something special about putting together an itinerary, packing enough clothes and snacks to last you a few days, and setting off to a new, yet nearby, destination. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway to a neighboring town or a cross-country adventure, packing the right essentials is key to having a smooth and enjoyable journey.
From haircare to snacks, backpacks, and chargers, preparing your packing list will ensure you’re fully equipped for an unforgettable experience. So, before you fill up your tank and pack your weekend bags, we'll walk you through the must-have items to keep handy while hitting the open road.
Cécred Travel-Size Double Cleanse Kit With Moisturizing Deep Conditioner
If you’re looking for a travel-friendly, compact way to store your haircare products while away from home conveniently, Beyoncè’s Cécred brand has you covered. The clarifying shampoo and scalp scrub help to revive and renew your hair and scalp, providing your hair with the deep clean it craves. The hydrating shampoo is infused with hyaluronic acid. It provides deep hydration, while the deep conditioner is enriched with an African oil blend and shea butter, leaving your hair revalidated while you’re on the road.
JBL Clip 4 Eco
Amazon
When your friends ask, “Who’s on the Aux?” you can smile with the pleasure of knowing you’re providing the vibes. Enhance your road trip soundtrack with the JBL Clip 4 Eco, a portable and eco-friendly Bluetooth speaker. Its compact size and carabiner clip make it easy to attach to your bag or vehicle, providing high-quality sound wherever you go.
Olipop Sparkling Tonic Variety Pack
Amazon
Stay refreshed and enjoy a healthy beverage option with the Olipop 6-Flavor Sparkling Tonic Variety Pack. These tonics are a delicious, gut-friendly alternative to traditional sodas, perfect for keeping you hydrated and satisfied during your drive.
Baggu Packing Cube Set
Amazon
Organize your luggage efficiently with the Baggu Packing Cube Set. These durable, lightweight cubes help you compartmentalize your clothes and accessories, making it easy to find what you need without unpacking everything. They are perfect for keeping your road trip essentials neat and accessible.
Loop Quiet Ear Plugs for Noise Reduction
Amazon
These Loop Quiet Ear Plugs are designed to reduce noise, making them perfect for blocking out traffic sounds, snoring travel companions, or noisy environments. They are comfortable and discreet, providing you with the quiet you need to rest or focus during your trip.
Kodak Mini 2 Retro 4PASS Portable Instant Photo Printer + 68 Sheets Bundle
Amazon
Capture and print your road trip memories instantly with the Kodak Mini 2 Retro 4PASS Portable Instant Photo Printer. This compact printer allows you to print high-quality photos directly from your smartphone. The bundle includes 68 sheets, so you can create physical keepsakes of your journey and share them with friends and family on the go.
Curology Gel Moisturizer
Our skincare routine doesn’t stop just because we’re on the road! Add this lightweight, everyday moisturizer to your travel bag to stay on top of your skin goals.
LesserEvil Organic Popcorn, Himalayan Pink Salt
Snack smart with LesserEvil Organic Popcorn in Homer's Blend. This tasty and healthy popcorn is made with organic ingredients and offers a satisfying crunch without the guilt, making it a perfect road trip snack.
Sagely Naturals Calm & Centered CBD Cream
After a long day of fun, you’ll probably be looking for a way to bring some ease back into your body. For moments like this, Sagely Naturals Calm & Centered CBD Cream is a great option, featuring calming lavender oil and chamomile oil. This cream absorbs quickly into the skin, providing a soothing and natural way to keep your skin moisturized and calm during your travels.
iWALK USB-C Portable Charger
Amazon
A reliable portable phone charger is a lifesaver, especially when you're using your phone for navigation, music, and emergency calls. Keep your devices powered on the go with the iWALK USB-C Portable Charger. Compact and efficient, this portable charger ensures your gadgets stay charged throughout your journey.
LOVE CORN Sea Salt Crunchy Corn Pack
Amazon
For a crunchy and savory treat, bring along a bag of LOVE CORN Sea Salt. These delicious, crunchy corn kernels are a great alternative to traditional chips and are perfect for snacking on the go.
Baboon to the Moon Go-Bag — Mini
Baboon to the Moon
Pack your essentials in style with the Baboon to the Moon Go-Bag — Mini. This durable and versatile bag is perfect for short trips or as an additional carry-on. Its compact size and multiple compartments make it ideal for organizing your belongings and keeping everything easily accessible.
Bed Head by TIGI Hair Wax Stick
Amazon
When you’re out on excursions, hikes, or driving with the top down, the last thing you want to think about is your hair’s flyaways. TIGI Hair Wax Stick is the “OG” in the wax stick category, with a stronghold that will leave your hair smooth, laid, and frizz-free.
Crosswordese
Amazon
Keep your mind sharp and entertained during long drives with Crosswordese, a fun and challenging crossword puzzle book. Perfect for downtime at rest stops or in the evenings, this book offers hours of engaging brain exercises to keep you entertained on the road.
Saie Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer
Saie
Protect your skin while staying radiant with the Saie Slip Tint SPF 35 Tinted Moisturizer. This light-coverage moisturizer provides hydration and sun protection, making it perfect for road trips where you’re exposed to varying weather conditions. Its tinted formula evens out your skin tone, giving you a natural, healthy glow.
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Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
How This New Bond Repair Line Transformed One Mother's Postpartum Shedding Into The Ultimate Curl Comeback
This article is in partnership with SheaMoisture
For Crystal Obasanya, her wash day woes came shortly after her son did. The beauty and lifestyle content creator had been natural for years, but during postpartum, she quickly learned about one reality many mothers can relate to experiencing: postpartum hair loss. “Sis had thinning hair. Sis had split ends,” she shared about her hair changes in a Reel via xoNecole.
Over a year into her postpartum journey, Crystal explained she also had dry, brittle hair, noting that keeping it hydrated before pregnancy had already been “a task.” The 4C natural recalled going from thick hair during pregnancy to a thin hairline due to postpartum shedding as “devastating.” When it came to strengthening and revitalizing her hair, the new SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection was just the thing she needed to elevate her damaged coils to revive and thrive status and get them poppin' again.
SheaMoisture is providing us with the cheat code for transforming dry and damaged strands into thriving and deeply nourished crowns. By unveiling their 4-step hair system, the SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection is equipping you with the tools to reverse signs of hair damage caused by protective styling, heat, and color and is uniquely formulated for Type 3 and 4 hair textures.
The haircare system revives damaged natural hair by repairing and rebuilding broken hair bonds through a game-changing combination of HydroPlex Technology and AminoBlend Complex, a unique blend of fortifying amino acids formulated specifically for curly and coily hair. Scientifically proven to reduce breakage by 84% and make your hair six times stronger (vs. non-conditioning shampoo), the collection infuses your hair with the nourishment it craves and the strength it deserves.
All five products of the SheaMoisture Bond Collection are infused with natural strengthening ingredients like Amla Oil and fair-trade shea butter. The collection consists of the 4-step breakage-fighting Bond Repair system, as well as the Bonding Oil.
“When trying it out, I quickly noticed that my hair felt revived and renewed, and my curls were so hydrated,” Crystal said while using the Amla-infused Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner. “I also felt my hair strands were stronger.” So much so that the influencer felt brave enough to get her hair braided shortly thereafter. “I can definitely say that I will be keeping it in my hair wash routine,” she added in the caption of her Reel about her positive experience using the products.
SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection is making bond-building a key player in your wash day routines and the purveyor of life for thirsty manes. Because who doesn't want stronger, shinier, happier hair?
Step One: Bond Repair Collection Shampoo
Rejuvenate your hair with SheaMoisture Bond Repair Shampoo, your go-to solution for luscious locks. Packed with hella hydration power, this shampoo adds moisture by 60% while removing buildup without stripping your strands. This shampoo gently cleanses impurities while significantly enhancing shine, smoothness, and softness.
The Bond Repair Collection Shampoo is the first step in the 4-step Bond Repair system, all of which are powered by the uniquely formulated AminoBlend, and HydroPlex, SheaMoisture’s technology that rebuilds hair strength at its core.
Step Two: Bond Repair Collection Conditioner
Tailored to repair styling damage, this creamy conditioner locks in 12x more moisture than standard non-conditioning shampoos, boosting damaged hair strength by 1.5x with significantly less breakage. The creamy SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Conditioner deeply hydrates, enhances manageability, and leaves your hair looking healthier and shinier.
Step Three: Bond Repair Collection Masque
This Ultra Moisturizing reparative masque is a moisture-rich game-changer for those dealing with the aftermath of hair damage caused by styling. The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Masque delivers 13 times more moisture compared to non-conditioning shampoos, ensuring your hair feels nourished and soft. Designed to repair and rejuvenate, this masque significantly strengthens damaged hair — making it twice as strong while reducing breakage.
Step Four: Bond Repair Collection Leave-In Conditioner
Elevate your curl game with SheaMoisture’s Bond Repair Collection Leave-In Conditioner. Lightweight and hydrating, the Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner provides 12x more moisture than non-conditioning shampoos and tames frizz with 24-hour humidity control. Designed to define curls and coils, the leave-in conditioner enhances softness and shine allowing you to detangle effortlessly.
Bonding Oil
The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Bonding Oil is a multitasking all-in-one formula that acts as a heat protectant and provides the hair with moisture, strength, shine, damage protection, and intense nourishment. This lightweight oil not only offers 24-hour frizz and humidity control but also fortifies your tresses, making them up to 5 times stronger with significantly less breakage.
Featured image courtesy
'ACross Generations With Tiffany Cross' Talks With Black Men About Safe Spaces & Their Love For Black Women
ACross Generations with Tiffany Cross, a podcast featuring intergenerational discussions on contemporary issues, has returned with an impactful episode exploring the challenges Black men face in America.
This week's show features host Tiffany Cross, Keith Dent, an entrepreneur, relationship coach, and author, alongside Isaiah Gaymon, a digital creator. The pair delved into various topics, including overcoming societal stereotypes, developing emotional intelligence, fostering platonic relationships, and navigating the complexities of modern dating.
A particularly engaging topic from the discussion was interracial dating and its prevalence in the Black community. According to a Pew Research Center study, Black men "are twice as likely" to participate in interracial marriages compared to Black women. The study also indicates that the higher a Black man's status or education level is, the more likely he is to marry a non-Black woman.
When Cross asked if the men had been in interracial relationships, Gaymon, who is married with children, revealed he had avoided dating white women. He explained this choice stemmed from his discomfort with being viewed as a fetish, a perception often rooted in stereotypes about Black men.
“Absolutely not. I want my family to be Black. The behaviors of white women I just don’t really favor,” he said.
As the conversation shifted to how Gaymon would react if a friend introduced a white woman to their social circle, the digital creator revealed he would question the dynamic to ensure all parties involved were entering the relationship for genuine reasons.
“I’m for sure asking questions. He must really like her,” he stated.
On the other hand, Dent has experience dating white women. The relationship coach, now married to a Black woman and father to adult children, explained that his environment and not being entirely accepted in the Black community influenced his past interracial dating.
“I would say yes… I went to a predominately white school,” he said. “Over time, I was seen as the nerd, but I was not seen as a part of the Black community.”
Following Dent's admission, Gaymon offered a counterpoint. He emphasized that many Black men deeply appreciate and value relationships with Black women, so much so that they are willing to be patient in their search for an ideal partner.
“There are Black men out here who love Black women. Who may take a longer time to find somebody [because] they haven’t found a Black woman that they want, but they won’t quit on that,” he stated.
For more on this topic and to explore other subjects discussed, the full episode of ACross Generations with Tiffany Cross is now available on the show's official YouTube channel.
Exploring the Emotions of Black Men With Keith Dent & Isaiah
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Feature image ACross Generations/ YouTube