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Friday 4/17: Sponsored by Amika - wash hairbrush, cut waste, radical self-love

April 17, 2026

Friday

"I trust that I am doing enough for today."

Welcome to Friday! Today, we're chatting about:

Did You Know?

Your hair’s strength can decrease by up to ___% when wet.

Scroll for the answer!

The Hairbrush Habit Most People Are Skipping

If you can't remember the last time you washed your hairbrush, you're in good company. But it turns out that skipping it has some real consequences. An unwashed brush accumulates hair, oil, product buildup, and bacteria over time, all of which transfer right back to your freshly washed hair every time you use it.

According to a certified trichologist, a clean brush actually does a better job too. Removing buildup creates a smoother surface for hair to glide through, helps remove excess sebum from the scalp, and prevents fungus and bacteria from repeatedly reintroducing themselves to your scalp and causing irritation.

The general recommendation is to remove stray hairs and give your brush a proper wash about once a week, though how often you actually need to depends on how much product you use and how oily your scalp tends to be. The method is simple: soak it in hot soapy water for 10 to 15 minutes, clear out any remaining debris, and let it air dry bristles-down overnight.

How to Cut Waste Without Compromising Comfort

Self-care and sustainability don't have to be separate conversations. Some of the simplest ways you can cut waste in your daily routine happen to be good for you and easier on the planet at the same time.

Start with what you're actually wasting. Food, energy, single-use products, things bought and never finished. Freezing food before it goes bad, switching to reusable bags and water bottles, and turning off appliances you're not using are all genuinely small changes that compound over time. None of it requires a complete lifestyle overhaul.

Your beauty and self-care routine has easy wins too. Concentrated formulas last longer and create less waste. Washing hair less frequently is better for your scalp and uses less water and product. Buying fewer things you'll actually finish beats a cabinet full of half-used items every time.

The bigger picture is just about being a little more intentional. Where you spend your money, what you choose to buy and not buy, and even where your bank invests your savings all count. Small, consistent choices made by a lot of people add up to something real.

Hair Products with Purpose

Your next sustainable swap is just a rinse (or spritz!) away. amika combines salon-quality results with thoughtful sourcing, so your routine works better for you and the planet.

Their formulas use responsibly sourced ingredients that support healthier hair without cutting corners. Even their signature sea buckthorn is grown on a certified organic farm in Tibet, helping restore over 110,000 acres of land. Behind the scenes, amika partners with Forested and PACT to support regenerative agriculture, reduce plastic use, and offer a free recycling program for all packaging.

It’s high-performing haircare with a system that makes sense, from everyday wash routines to treatments you’ll actually notice.

Take 15% off your order with code REVELMEDIA2026!! for a limited time.

Thank you to amika for sponsoring Note To Self. 

The Real Work Behind Radical Self-Love

Self-love has become such a marketed concept that it's easy to lose sight of what it actually means in practice. It's not a guided journal or a beauty bundle. It's a daily, sometimes uncomfortable, choice to show up for yourself as you actually are right now, not a future version of yourself that has everything figured out.

A big part of that is learning to identify and stand up for your own needs. Your needs matter as much as anyone else's, and self-love requires actually believing that, not just saying it. Boundaries, routines, and honest reflection about what genuinely supports your well-being are all part of the practice. So is noticing when you're hiding parts of yourself to make others more comfortable, and slowly letting those parts back in.

The other piece is accepting that it ebbs and flows. There will be days when self-love feels easy and days when it doesn't, and both are part of the process. Journaling through the hard moments, having someone in your corner who can remind you of your progress, and committing to small actions that treat yourself with care even on the difficult days are what make it real over time. You don't have to wait until everything is perfect to start.

The Pause

Before you go, take a small pause from your day with this tip brought to you by The Note To Self editors.

30 Second Reset: Turn your face toward the sun and take one slow breath in and out.

Wellness Round-Up

A Note From Us

Better hair starts with better products. If your routine isn’t delivering, amika offers clean, responsibly sourced formulas that actually make a difference.

Use code REVELMEDIA2026!! for 15% off and explore the full collection.

Parting Thoughts

  • ✅ Did You Know: Your hair’s strength can decrease by up to 50% when wet. Wet strands are more fragile.

  • 🌅 Sunset Of The Day: Sunsets are more than beautiful—they’re actually good for your mood. Got a favorite one? Reply to this email with your best sunset or sunrise photo for a chance to be featured!

  • 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: You don’t need a perfect routine. Just one that feels manageable, supportive, and realistic for your life.

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Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!