THEJOURNAL
Stories, wellness tips, and reflections from the people who run this store — in their own words.
How to Tell Good Incense From Bad: Tips From Our Owner
Monique Nicholas shares how she judges incense quality: what to smell before you light it, how it should burn, and what to know about ingredients.
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Gifts That Celebrate Black Culture and Identity
Gifts that celebrate Black culture and identity: books, red, black and green flags, shea butter and more, many under $15, from a Black-owned Brooklyn shop.
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How to Make Herbal Tea at Home: Steeping, Ratios & Storage
How to make herbal tea at home: steeping times, ratios, hot vs. cold brew, fresh vs. dried herbs and storage, from Monique at Nicholas Brooklyn.
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Resin, Stick, or Cone: A Beginner's Guide to Incense at Nicholas Brooklyn
Monique breaks down resin, stick and cone incense: how each one burns, what you need to use it, and how to pick incense as a gift.
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Soursop Bitters: What This Caribbean Tonic Actually Is (and Isn't)
Soursop bitters is a steady seller and widely misunderstood. Monique explains what a bitters tonic does and the soursop claims you shouldn't believe.
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African Black Soap Without the Dryness
If black soap leaves your skin tight or stinging, you are probably using it the wrong way. Monique explains why and the six adjustments that fix it.
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How to Use Batana Oil on Locs, at Every Stage
Locs hold onto everything you put in them. Monique walks through batana oil for starter locs, budding, mature locs and retwist week, and when to use none.
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Sea Moss and Elderberry, Taken Together
Why sea moss and elderberry get paired for fall, what each contributes, the iodine question nobody warns you about, and one claim Monique wants retired.
Read the Post →What Batana Oil Actually Does for Your Hair — and What It Doesn't
Batana oil is everywhere and much of what's said about it is oversold. Monique explains what it does to hair and the one claim to stop believing.
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Berberine and Menopause Weight Gain: What It Actually Does
Berberine is hyped as a weight loss shortcut. Monique explains what it really does, how perimenopause changes metabolism, and who should not take it.
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Why Is Everyone Talking About Yum Boujee (Marshmallow Type) Oil?
Marshmallow perfume oil, explained by the owner: what a "type" oil is, how Yum Boujee smells, and why one bottle works as body oil and burning oil.
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Magnesium 101: The Different Types, What They Do & When to Take Them
A plain-English guide to magnesium glycinate, citrate, oxide, malate, L-threonate and chloride: what each does, who reaches for it, and how much you need.
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Fifty Years on Fulton Street: The People Who Walked Through Our Doors
Monique Nicholas traces fifty years of Nicholas Brooklyn, from her father's car trunk in 1974 to today's Fulton Street store and its famous photo wall.
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Why Is Everyone Talking About Bentonite Clay?
Face masks, foot soaks, detox baths, and internal use — Monique explains what bentonite clay actually is and the safety basics before you try it.
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The Natural Oils I Keep in My House and Reach for Again and Again
Castor, grapeseed, coconut, avocado, rosehip, and more — Monique breaks down what each oil is actually good for, so you can stop guessing at the shelf.
Read the Post →What Is African Black Soap and Why Has It Been Used for Generations?
Long before TikTok, African Black Soap was a family staple. Monique explains the types, how to use it properly, and why it earned its shelf space.
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Castor Oil for Hair, Brows & Skin: What Works, What's a Myth
Castor oil for hair, brows and skin: how people use it, Haitian black vs. cold-pressed, what research says about hair growth, and when to be careful.
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10 Herbs I Believe Every Household Should Keep in Their Herbal Cabinet
You don't need 100 supplements in your house. Monique shares the 10 herbs she believes every home should have on hand — and why simple usually wins.
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How to Burn Sage & Palo Santo Safely: Step-by-Step Guide
Step-by-step: how to burn white sage, palo santo and incense safely, plus the safety basics Monique tells every customer.
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Why Is Everyone Talking About Medicinal Mushrooms Right Now?
From Lion's Mane in your coffee to Reishi before bed: Monique explains why medicinal mushrooms took over wellness routines and which to start with.
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Welcome to the Nicholas Brooklyn Blog
Owner Monique Nicholas introduces the Nicholas Brooklyn blog — what it is, why she's starting it, and what you can expect to find here.
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