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Extraordinary not ordinary!

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The main reason I decided to go natural nearly 3 years ago was simply because I wanted a change. Ever since I took that leap I have been absolutely fascinated with my tresses.

I think of my natural hair as a fun and healthy way to escape the mundane. It allows me the opportunity to go from one look to another without a terrible amount of work.

My natural hair has kept my life and the lives of others just a little more interesting than it would otherwise be. I used to work with a guy who tried to track my hair styles every single day! He finally got to the point where he just couldn’t keep up.

At the end if the day I think of it like this, the Bible says that we are the salt of the earth. Salt ads flavor, which is precisely what I try to do every day. When I walk into a room the atmosphere should change. When people look at me they should see extraordinary not ordinary! Holy Spirit is what truly brings that out. Taking advantage of my natural hair’s versatility offers that extra special something. After all, what’s fine cuisine without garnish?

Be you beauties!

BEAUTY, FASHION, NATURAL HAIR, SELF LOVE

Pushing the Corporate Envelope

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I LOVE pushing the envelope when it comes to wearing my natural hair at work.  I’m in a corporate environment Monday – Friday 7:30 to 4:30 so every day I do my hair in the morning I’m thinking of yet another way that I can do something a little more outstanding than the day before.  Being one of 3 african american individuals on the floor I work on, blending in isn’t really an option.  And I am truly thankful for that!  Outside of the fact that the Book calls me the salt of the earth, intended to offer a bit of spiritual flavor to an otherwise bland atmosphere, I love the idea of contradicting a corporately correct fit with a curly fro or super high mega bun.  I love being different.  My natural hair affords me the opportunity to be different every single day.  Holy Spirit lives in me and my every day goal is to change the atmosphere he puts me in.  Some love me and others love to hate me.  At the end of the day the only thing that matters is that I love me.

Don’t be afraid of wearing your natural hair styles at work. Don’t fear that they could potentially hold you back from advancement. God is your source, your job, is just a resource. Love yourself. Be yourself. And the next time you think about wearing that style you’re just not sure is ok for work…go for it. And don’t just wear it, OWN IT!

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BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR, SELF LOVE

Feeling Myself

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So, my growth challenge has got me really feeling myself!  Feeling incredibly encouraged and excited about my potential to reach my waist length goal, not necessarily within 6 months but perhaps in 12.  It’s amazing to me how one small initiative like a hair growth challenge can inspire you and build up your confidence.

I’ve been taking my all natural vitamins twice a day, playing with protective styles and trying to be more active. The big challenge this week has been drinking more water. Gotta find a way to get it in!

I did get a few new products that I’m really excited to try:  Cantu Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment, Bioinfusion Curl Cream, Motions Define My Curls Creme, and Motions  Hydrate My Curls Hair Pudding. Super excited about trying these products!

Check out my YouTube video below to find out more about my growth challenge as well as these products and how I plan to use them.

Well…one thing is for sure, my self-love is definitely on overtime!  I suppose the natural Be You Beauty thing to do to maintain  such a healthy level of confidence like this would be to find more positive, healthy initiatives to take on.  Who knows…this could be the beginning of something Be-You-tiful!

BEAUTY, FASHION, NATURAL HAIR, SELF LOVE

Mad Morning Essentials

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It’s hard not to feel good about yourself when you’ve had an opportunity to genuinely apply yourself in the morning. You’ve paired a perfect outfit for the season, created a new hairstyle sure to turn heads and finished it off with a sensational face beat. Unfortunately our realities don’t typically run this smooth. So, how can we assure self confidence in our appearances on those days when we can’t find anything to wear, our hair doesn’t cooperate and we struggle to find time to even apply foundation? Here are my essentials, especially for days like this:

1. Self love on point: this is where loving who you are really comes into play. Recognizing my natural beauty allows me to be confident even on days like this.

2. Mandatory JC check in: usually on days like this I’ve gotten off to a rough start which can have a negative impact on the rest of my day which shows! Getting some prayer/devotional time in during the morning and sporadically throughout the day helps to keep me positive and peaceful.

3. BREAKfast: Even if my rough morning has caused me to run late I always make sure to eat breakfast. A hungry tummy will only contribute to any festering negativity.

3. GLOSS: it’s amazing what a little lipgloss can do. On days when I don’t have time for a complete face beat I rely on my lipgloss. I find that it keeps me looking fresh throughout the day even when the rest of my face is naked.

That’s about it! Those are my mad morning essentials. The next time you’re facing a mad morning of your own try some of these ideas and see if they don’t help get you back on track

Be you beauties!

BEAUTY, SELF LOVE

You’re beautiful

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Holy Spirit told me to tell you that, you look beautiful. Change your focus from trying to look perfect to being you. You don’t have to do nearly as much as you think to enhance your natural beauty. It’s one thing to do it for a creative outlet or fun but quite another to do it to feel fulfilled and beautiful. BE YOU! Your beauty is inevitable.

BEAUTY, FASHION, NATURAL HAIR

Mirror Mirror in the Handicap Stall

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Sometimes, going to the bathroom has absolutely nothing to do with going to the bathroom.  That’s probably more true for me than most other people.  I go to the bathroom several times a day just to look at myself.   No, I’m not narcissistic and yes, I have a healthy level of self-esteem.  My reasoning is completely rationale, at least for me.

Part of my Be You Beauty is my love for makeup.  Doing an incredible face beat always makes me feel good.  They say that when you look good you feel good and it really is true!  Despite what may be going wrong in my work day all I have to do is take a trip to the ladies room, lock myself in the handicap stall and look at myself.  I know that probably sounds crazy but in addition to some chat time with JC, it really helps me get through!  I figure hey, it’s ok to have a rough day, but don’t look like it.  And you know what I’ve noticed, the way that I look has a positive affect on the people around me too.  I can’t tell you how many conversations I have a day with different people about my makeup, hair, clothes or nail color.  I think that the effort I put into my appearance inspires others and encourages them to separate themselves from their every day grind.  This is not at all my primary intention but it makes me feel good to have a positive affect on others nonetheless.  Anything I can do, consciously or subconsciously that encourages women to embrace their Be You Beauty is part of me walking in my purpose.

So tomorrow if things get rough, maybe you should take an extra trip to the bathroom.

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BEAUTY, NATURAL HAIR, SELF LOVE

Done Fearing the Fro

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After being natural for going on 3 years now, I’ve FINALLY started to embrace my hair in its fullest state.  I know a lot of women who are transitioning and terrified of the fro, feeling like it’s a style that they just couldn’t wear and look good.  I felt the same way for a long time.  In addition to not thinking I could pull it off, I was under the impression that the fro hadn’t been in style since the 70s.  I honestly thought, “Who really wears fros anymore?”  Little did I know there was an entire movement of naturalistas fiercely rocking their Be You Beauty.  To my defense, when your hair has been relaxed for more than half your life this is the kind of mentality you can be subject to.  So even after I decided to take the leap and “somewhat” embrace my natural hair I’d always make sure it was prepped so that it had some type of curl definition whether it was in a braid out, twist out, or defining my natural curl pattern with gel.  Well, I am proud to say that the days of feeling the need to do that are gone!  I have officially embraced my fro, adding yet another liberating experience to the book of my natural hair journey.

I have to admit there are some key products that have played a big roll in me embracing and loving my fro.  The Cantu Leave-in Conditioner and Cantu’s new Hair Lotion have made my fro experience incredible. I am loving these products and have gotten tons of positive feedback on my results.  Now, whether it’s actually the look of my fierce fro or the new level of Be You Beauty confidence I’ve achieved that’s bringing this feedback is undetermined and frankly irrelevant.  The point is…I feel fearless rocking my fro!

Fo details on how I achieve this fro, check out my YouTube video below.  Be You Beauties!

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