Category: Beauty

#MustKnow, Beauty, Community, Health, Healthcare, Lifestyle, Relationships, Uncategorized

Peace of Mind

Sandré

At what expense is your peace of mind? Money? Great sex? Nice things?  A conversation came up within the work place the other day. Relatively new, I mind my business and simply listen. A colleague was going on and on about how unhappy she is with her current boo. In summary, boo thang is trash. She was asked why she stayed and her response was because of the lifestyle he offered. His company came with cash and gifts. I’ve too found myself holding on to things or an individual not because it’s of value or because it was healthy per se but because of what it promised or came with. I’m usually not the one to blame it on the alcohol but I will say that a few days ago it definitely contributed to me being in my feelings. Frisky feelings to say the least, which resulted in exchanging some photos with an ex. I’m not sure if it was that the liquor was wearing off, my inner self trying to talk some sense to me, or a combination of both, shoot maybe it was God, but what originally started off as enticing and sexy, to say the least, turned into me feeling sick to my stomach. I felt rather awkward and began to think to myself.

What good is great dick if it comes with lies, confusion, and heartbreak? What good are lavish gifts if they come with entitlement and no respect. What good is money if you have to compromise who you are at the core to obtain it. What good is that high paying job if the work environment is toxic and literally tearing at your self worth or mental space. What good are thousands of followers and fame if you feel empty inside? Need I go on? You get it. Disclaimer, if an uneasy mind is due to underlying mental health issues, then it’s out of our control and we must not be afraid to seek professional help. But if it is not, understand that health is wealth and so is our peace of mind. A healthy mental space has got to be a priority. Maybe the things mentioned aren’t what contribute to you having a restless mind. None the less, it’s important we pinpoint what it currently is or may be and avoid it. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the notion that money, among other tangible things, are a cure all and will bring happiness. I’m not rich, but I can easily think back on a few moments where I thought receiving a certain amount of money or a specific item would fix a situation and it didn’t. I had to get to the root of the issue. The underlying issue that was making me lose sleep and wasn’t sitting well with my soul. This being stated, make your mental health a priority, choose peace!

xoxo

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Women to Know Wednesday: Social Media Influencer & Hair Product Line Creator Lianne D.

Sandré

“No cosmetology training, purely operating off of passion,” Meet Lianne. She is the Creator of ChroniCurls, a platform dedicated to taking you through her natural hair journey, and the mind and owner behind the hair product line Pop! Curl Color. Her decision to go natural came about during pregnancy. She wasn’t sure whether or not relaxed hair upkeep was good for the baby at the time and knew that soon would come the time to do her baby girl’s hair. What started as simply documenting this journey via YouTube and Instagram five years ago has now generated a very large following and her making a name for herself in the cosmetology business realm, enhancing multiple curl patterns at a time with homemade products! She is originally from Danville, VA, but as an Airforce wife has done a lot of moving.

What inspired your transition from relaxed hair to going natural?

“At the time I decided to go natural I was pregnant with my daughter. I didn’t know if relaxers were good for her and I thought about how my mom always took me to the salon. I told myself I need to know how to do my daughter’s hair.”

What led to you sharing this transition with the public?

“I got comfortable with styling my natural hair and wanted to document it. It was also during the time that blogs like Curly Nikki and natural hair YouTubers were becoming more popular.”

What was your why in creating Pop! Curl Color?

“I wasn’t satisfied with other temporary hair colors on the market. I felt other products made the hair dry, so I wanted something that was fun and colorful but moisturizing and defining at the same time.”

What does Pop! Curl Color do for our hair?

“My products are temporary hair color and curl products.”

Are there any FDA regulations or testing that have to be followed when creating and selling hair products?

“No specific FDA regulations for cosmetic products but they do have strong recommendations. It also depends on your specific state’s regulations.”

When did you realize hair care and creating such products was a passion?

“When I realized I loved creating content about it on my YouTube channel & blog. I loved doing my hair. I loved the feeling I would feel when I would edit a video and it would come out exactly how I wanted it to.”

“My viewpoint on beauty and hair in general began to change and that’s when I realized I wanted to make natural hair a part of my life.”

What were some initial thoughts prior to kicking everything off, business wise?

“Initially I thought I would end up sticking to youtube, full time, and eventually making money off of that, but it didn’t work out that way. I had been sitting on this idea for a year and something told me to simply work on my own product when I had time. A few months ago I was able to launch it.”

Any initial fears prior to going forward with your products?

“Uncertainty had me super scared. I knew the concept was good, but I didn’t know if people would like it. I had never started a business before and also because I already had the large following on other social media platforms, I thought if it failed everybody would know!”

And how did you overcome these fears?

“It was a lot of prayer. I’m also in a groupchat with other bloggers. We all have similar interests. One day I went in the chat and told them what I was feeling, and they were all just so encouraging, as well as my husband.”

“Having somebody else to hold me accountable for what I said I was going to do pushed me over the edge.”

Advice for those interested in entering the cosmetology realm but hesitant due to uncertainty, no school training, or afraid of failing?

“Do your research, ask questions, and just do it! Everything doesn’t have to be perfect. I was recently reading something that said “Launch it broken. Fix it live.” So even its not perfect go ahead and just do it. Launch it and continue to work on it as it goes along, because if you’re waiting for it to be perfect, it’ll never launch.”

Describe to me a typical Pop! Curl Color day or week.

“Pretty busy. I make the gel at home. I take a day I’m not working and make what I think I’ll need for the next week or two. Two days out of the week I spend packing and shipping. I have a process in place to stay organized so that when I’m off and my kids are home I can keep my attention on them.”

Personal strength that you feel have contributed to the success of Pop! Curl Color?

“I am very flexible, business and personal life wise, because things are not going to always go the way I want them to but I have to be quick coming up with another plan.”

Are your products for all hair textures ?

“My products are for all wavy, curly, and kinky hair types.”

Biggest accomplishment thus far from all of this?

“My biggest fear was people wouldn’t like it or understand it, so I’m proud that people really like it. I get really excited when customers send me pictures. It validates the idea behind the business to begin with and makes me feel good. I want women to like it and feel good about their hair.”

Lianne’s advice for those interested in making such products is to do your research, test other products, know what it is that you want, and to join online groups and websites that will guide you into launching your own products.

Outside of being an entrepreneur and using her social media platforms to influence and promote her products you can find Lianne exercising, enjoying the outdoors, online shopping, and being an Airforce wife as well an amazing mother to two beautiful kids! She also received a Bachelors degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and a Masters in Health Sciences from Duke University. Her background is in medicine and she currently works part time as a Physician Assistant out of Alaska. If you’re natural and looking for quality products to enhance your curl pattern and add temporary color you should definitely follow her social media platforms!

chronicurls.com

Instagram: @chronicurls

Youtube, subscribe!

Beauty, Community, Lifestyle, Motivation, Opinions, Thoughts of a Black Girl, Urban Issues

Confidence Is Skin Deep

shaniselene

From adolescence, women are taught that beauty is vital. It’s attractive and the key to gaining a man’s attention, but what about confidence? Whether it’s on television, radio, magazines or social media, we are subconsciously reminded that beauty is heavily based upon the external. While most of us may be saying, “I’m confident with or without makeup”, but we all know there has been a point in time where we’ve felt the complete opposite.

Other than a pasty complexion, I take pride in a fresh face because it is all natural. Based on my past experiences, every person I’ve ever been involved with has either said they prefer me without makeup or I don’t need it. Although that isn’t enough to cease my cosmetic application completely, there is something liberating that comes along with wanting to wear makeup, but not needing to. During the recovery period from one of the biggest allergic reactions I’ve ever experienced, I had epiphany and realized my self confidence was at the lowest it has ever been.

I’ve never had acne or problematic skin, so acquiring contact dermatitis from a cosmetic product that I’ve been using for the last (5) years gave me the opportunity to empathize with those who do.  Who knew that having red spots on your face could affect how you felt about yourself overall? Regardless if they are temporary, the biggest issue was that I was uncomfortable because I’ve never experienced this before.

Even though this was a new feeling, I am a grateful for what I endured because it made me realize that I also had superior confidence within myself when everything was normal, but my self-esteem was questioned upon signs of trouble. I also learned that we tend to make things greater than what they are due to being self-conscious. Either people didn’t notice or my imperfections were insignificant because it did not prevent them looking or coming up and speaking to me. This was a clear indication that I was overthinking the entire situation and that I started relying on my exterior versus what I have to offer from within. This is no excuse, but it’s easier said than done when you are constantly reminded of your outer beauty.

This is why I encourage makeup free days for those who are uncomfortable without makeup. At the end of the day, you have to be happy with your reflection when you look in the mirror. I feel blessed to have self confidence with or without makeup, but I’m also thankful that I had this recent experience because it displayed my true self, gave me more confidence because it reminded me that I am more than my aesthetics and humbled me. The moment you’re able to feel as good as you do as you look on the outside, it’s like you become a whole new woman.

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Fresh Faced

shaniselene

Tomorrow marks the final day of my makeup detox and I must say that I see a significant difference in my skin. Although I absolutely enjoy being dolled up, I usually take pride in my, “Fresh Faced” days. Disciplining myself to go makeup free for an entire week was a slight challenge this go around because I am still recovering from the allergic reaction that I experienced about a month ago. I was so determined to stick to this detox that in the event that I had to run an errand or leave the house, I wore a medical mask to cover the areas from the sun (oddly enough, I still got hit on and approached, but that’s for another blog post lol).

This detox has allowed me to pinpoint certain products and ingredients that don’t agree with my skin and also served as an example for what happens when wearing makeup excessively. Typically, the longest I’d wear makeup is around eight hours, but between relocating within the last two weeks and entertaining guests that were in town, I wore makeup for thirteen hours over the course of three consecutive days and the irritation that I experienced was a clear indicator that this wasn’t something my skin was accustomed to. Initially, I thought that I was building an allergy to my foundation, but quickly came to the conclusion that wearing it more than my regular regimen. Most are unaware of this, but a majority of skin allergies stem from products already introduced to the skin. For example, you could be using a facial cleanser for ten years and the eleventh year, have an adverse reaction to it.

If you’re a product junkie like myself, I suggest doing an at home patch test if you’re unaware of ingredients that don’t agree with your skin. The area on your inner wrist and forearm are the closest to the skin on your face. Apply a pea size amount of the new product (label if it’s more than one) and allow to sit for (24) hours. If you notice any signs of inflammation or bumps, that is a clear indication of an irritant. If you’d like to take it a step further, you can ask your physician if they offer medical patch tests at their office or to direct you to a physician that does. The process is quite similar, but instead of (24) hours, a patch test panel is taped to your back for (48) hours. They can test anything from makeup to latex to decipher what you are allergic to. Since I am constantly asked about skincare, I also recommend getting your blood type tested. Once your blood type is identified, you can obtain a list of foods and ingredients that aren’t suitable for it. This serves as a great way to clear your skin if you are experiencing problems, but as always, I advise everyone who seeks my advice to speak to a Dermatologist; they are not only professional, but have the access to tools and additional knowledge to conduct further research and can confirm if your skin concerns are dietary, hormonally or cosmetically related.

Aside from giving your skin a breather, I encourage all cosmetic lovers to indulge in a makeup detox. My face is brighter, more even and supple. Not only is it great for your skin, but it helps fuel your self confidence if your suffer with insecurities of going bare. There is something empowering about not wearing makeup and living in your natural truth. For those of you who aren’t as comfortable going makeup free, this is a great way to start. As aesthetically pleasing as you may be externally, remember that beauty fades and at the end of the day, YOU have to be ok with what you see in the mirror when you wake up in the morning, so love yourself wholeheartedly; imperfections and all.

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Likes for your Soul?

shaniselene

Social media platforms such as, Instagram, are not only updating constantly, but evolving on a tremendous level. As a blogger, it is important to consistently post quality content in order to maintain your brand, however, Instagram’s recent changes has made it extremely difficult to reach new accounts and engage with others on the platform; even your current followers have become more difficult to connect with due to the algorithm. 

Most of us would agree that the order in which your feed is displayed is one of the worst attributes of Instagram, but I believe the affect it has on the psyche and our self esteem takes the cake. Rather than utilizing this social media outlet to connect with family and friends whom you may not be able to engage with on a daily basis, it is now used to obtain followers, likes and views. To make matters worse, people are willing to do anything for attention; anything to get them seen. This includes paying ridiculous sums of money for advertisements and promotions to compromising their morals and values. 

For those of us like myself, who’s accustomed to being in the spotlight or characterized as the popular kid in school, attention isn’t something you crave when it’s always been handed to you. Please be advised that I am not excluding myself from experiencing a time of self doubt due to social media, however, the confidence and self assurance that I have both internally and externally play a major role in preventing me from falling victim to the psychological plague of Instagram.

Although I’ve received from flack from friends, outsiders and individuals with cyber courage that stated I wouldn’t be able to relate to certain struggles on Instagram because I meet a majority of the standards of beauty or been trendy before Instagram existed, my main goal is to educate and inspire others through my medical school journey, new ventures throughout my career and levels in which God has brought me to and places He intends to take me. I want others to know that He can do the same for them and not to allow the perception of society limit them to what they can do. 

No shade to the accounts that have reached large pinnacles of success, but most of them eat, live and sleep Instagram and have nothing else going on for themselves outside of it. When you begin collaborating with other bloggers or influencers, receive deals from major companies and network with successful individuals in the industry, you learn that IG is not all it’s cracked up to be. It isn’t REAL. The more you begin to focus on all of the positives in your life, what you currently have and cultivating the things in your world, the hype of Instagram will begin to fade and eventually, you won’t even notice it. Remember to water your own grass rather than sprinting in a never ending rat race chasing something unobtainable.

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Blessings In Disguise

shaniselene

The most gut wrenching aspect about life is the simple fact that regardless of the choices you make for yourself, you will never be in complete control of your circumstances. If you’re a perfectionist like myself, the activities that take place in your daily routine are predominately scheduled. Whether it be event and work meetings or the day, time and amount of funds that are to be removed in order to contribute to bills, everything is done in a timely manner. Unfortunately, you come to the realization that although you make your best efforts to ensure that you’ve dotted all of your, “I’s” and crossed all of your, “T’s”, unforeseen events still take place. 

A perfect example of this was when I originally moved into my condo. I was about (3) months in and the 1st week of the month quickly approached and I noticed a notification from my real estate company stating that the confirmation number for this month’s rent reflected an incomplete payment. To my surprise, I called my bank to find out that I was a victim of card theft and due to suspicious activity taking place on my account, they decided to freeze it. I was grateful that the institution whom I bank with was able to locate the discrepancy before any further damage took place on my account, but frustrated because due to their inability to notify me in a timely manner, my rent was late and an additional late fee was added to my overall payment. Had I foreseen this in the future, I would’ve transferred my funds into my second account.

I provided this past experience because it served as a teaching moment. There have been so many unexpected things taking place in my life in which I lack understanding. Typically when I endure these kind of events, God is up to something; something in which I prayed for. Storms always come before your shower of blessings, but it’s important to handle them in manner that reflects your trust for Him. Everything I’ve been asking Him is coming to fruition, but not in the way I thought it would. Usually, it happens this way; we ask for things, but then begin to question our desires because it doesn’t happen how or when we want it to. I ask that you be encouraged, stay focused and endure the storm because your time is coming.

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Racism In Medicine

shaniselene

As a recent undergraduate pursuing a career in Dermatology, I’ve learned that there are numerous unspoken rules that aren’t taught in college. One of those rules included minorities having to work twice as hard to prove they are qualified to become a physician regardless if they exceed their medical school requirements. I came across an article stating that there were fewer black medical students in 2014 than in 1978. This small excerpt of information baffled me because the year of 1978 was closer to the days when racial prejudice was at its peak, but after shadowing various doctors, I grasped the concept as to why.

I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to experience the daily routines of medical professionals both within and outside my area of interests, but I’ve noticed that although my resume surpassed the requirements of that office, there were certain occasions where I was, “handled differently”.  I remember visiting a local practice after emailing my resume, all forms of required documentation and my liability certificate and when we finally met in person, I was further interrogated; some of these questions had absolutely nothing to do with medicine or shadowing. The physician was quite bold and upfront, and even stated that they were surprised someone who looked like me didn’t consider a career in modeling or something of that nature. While most would be flattered by this suggestion, I was offended. I took the physician’s statement to heart because the doctor completely disregarded my qualifications due to my appearance and their preconceived notions. My second experience was during an event that I attended discussing women overcoming adversity and bias in medicine. Although I met the characteristics of being a women with a future in medicine, I was still judged because I was a minority; as if black students shouldn’t pursue careers in this field and should be overly applauded if they make the decision to do so.

It’s a tough pill to swallow, but I’ve accepted the reality. I understand that the individuals hosting most of the medical school interviews will be from the majority and a large number would agree that I do not meet the, “typical” physician standard; male and caucasian. I understand the importance of abiding by the rules until I get through the door, but I’ve made the conscious decision not to allow the prejudice stereotypes in medicine stop me from being myself (dolled up/possessing cosmetic interests) because I am intelligent, ambitious, professional and know that I have what it takes to be a physician. As long as I ensure that I am studying, putting in the work, remaining humble and grounded, and keeping my faith first, I cannot lose. Indeed, it will be a challenge, but inevitably worth it in the end. I not only want to improve the overall health of my patient’s skin, but provide them with knowledge on how to live a healthier lifestyle, provide the tools they need to sustain it as well as alternative options that do not require prescription medication. It’s unfortunate, but we lack doctors who know how to treat ethnic skin and it’s an underserved community that need fair and honest assistance and practice in the field of Dermatology. Whatever your passion may be, please do not allow the odds to come against you. Things may be challenging, but nothing worth having comes easy. Remember that it’s ok to bend, but never break sis…ever.

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Self Love

shaniselene

There comes a point in time where life events take place that affect our self esteem. Whether it’s being laid off from your job, you’re experiencing a random breakout or grieving a traumatizing breakup, it all has an impact on our self esteem. Based on my experiences, if it wasn’t for the love and value I possess for myself, I would not have survived certain situations.

Being confident in who you are gives you the freedom to refrain from subjecting yourself to what others think. I stumbled across a suggested page on one of my social media handles and the young lady posted a video responding to negative comments about her weight. She politely stated that she is aware that she is, “skinny” and is satisfied with her size. The young lady also rejected any suggestions that have been made to gain weight similar to her sister’s. My favorite portion of the video was when she made it a point to elaborate regardless of the number of hate comments she acquired, the bottom line is, “I love me”.

Most of us have a difficult time admitting this, but only a portion of us can actually agree with her statement; some of us actually aren’t satisfied with who we are. The minute our skin is compromised, we start to wonder if our significant other would still view us in the same light or if our peers would respect us in the same manner if we decrease our weekend outings due to a job loss. We all have insecurities, as we should because it keeps us humble and we are human, but we should not allow the things that we aren’t pleased with to dictate our overall perception of ourselves. 

It may be hard to stomach, but self love doesn’t happen when everything is going well; it takes place during hard times. The stages that take place before obtaining true self love can be perceived as boot camp; it’s there to strip away remnants that no longer serve a purpose and mold you into the person who you are within. If you are reading this, love yourself on your good days and even more on your bad days, reward yourself for all of your accomplishments regardless of how minor they be, stop looking for validation from others because you are your biggest competition and always remember that no one will love you like YOU.

Beauty, Business, Careers, Lifestyle, Style, Uncategorized

Babe On A Budget

shaniselene

As a fashionable modernista, it’s an absolute necessity to have my monthly mani-pedi. Depending on the color, length, polish and style desired, nail appointments can become quite pricey. Before you know it, you’re spending $80.00 per salon visit; not including the tip. I’m not sure about you, but I feel incomplete when my nails aren’t done. As a post undergraduate adulting while prepping for school, it’s very important that I keep my expenses at bay. After a painful visit that caused nail damage and searching for a less expensive alternative, I resorted to doing my manicures myself. I purchased a box of colorless nail extensions as well as my favorite, “Miracle Gel” polish by Sally Hansen and shaped my nails to my liking. The process may take more time, but I’m in total control of how I care and style my nails. The best part about this, “DIY” project is that it only cost $12.00!

Although I am thankful for my form of employment and level of income, I’m a firm believer that it is in your best interest to live beneath your means when the end result is to build your career while investing. This may include skipping a retail therapy day at the mall or substituting your high end boutique with a local clothing store. If you’re like me, thrifting has always been my go-to when I want to save a dollar all while channeling a vintage style. Every event or invitation brought to your attention does not always warrant a, “yes”; it is ok to say, “no” sometimes. As an entrepreneur and blogger, saying, “no” has been one of my biggest challenges because I love to network. I’m also not the best at balancing my time between working and having a social life, so whenever an opportunity presents itself, I cease it.

BabeOnABudgetAs an advocate for utilizing time to the best of your ability, I’ve conditioned myself to put every decision into perspective; how will it benefit me in achieving my heart’s desires? When you change your mindset and hone in on what’s important, it simplifies your choices. There will be times in which you may have to eat leftovers for (3) consecutive nights rather than dining at Ruth Chris even though you can afford it; this is what you call, “sacrificing”. Yes, this may require discipline and until you build the habit, it may be difficult at first, but it is possible. Thinking about my future and the longevity in which all of these practices will bring only motivates me to continue. We all yearn to have nice things, but accessing those things doesn’t mean that you must be left empty handed. Keep your eyes on the prize, make intentional decisions, be economically savvy and be a babe on a budget.