Beauty???! How Do You Define It?

The topic of "Beauty" has been discussed over and over in society. "Beauty" in the African American culture is a very sensitive subject because it can range from skin color, grade of hair, eye color, height, and build. Basically, how society wants to view the African American woman superficially.   

Chantelle Brown-Young also known as Winnie Harlow

 First let's be technical about the word "beauty", beauty is defined as the quality of being physically attractive, the qualities in a person or a thing that give pleasure to the senses or the mind, and a beautiful woman. Seems clear cut to me. So why does society seem to down play beauty especially in the Black community?  Look at the model Winnie Harlow, she is so beautiful. I do not see any flaws, I just see plain beauty.  It's amazing how this young woman came into the model industry and literally broke barriers. Notice when describing this young woman not once did I mention she has Vitiligo, because it doesn't matter when describing absolute beauty. Some will not see her as a work of art or the face that changed many minds. Some will challenge her beauty and question what makes her beautiful. Some will look at her flaws and call her ugly just cause they have no ideal what true beauty is.  

  

Beauty has its own versions to the eye. Not every person will agree that beauty is just simple and not so complex. Some individuals believe beauty is having a face full of makeup, a small waist, big derriere, and expensive clothes. Leaving one to believe the shallowness of some individuals. Then again society has placed this facade as though the video vixen, stripper, and Instagram model is the exact definition of beauty after being lifted, beat, sucked & tucked in, and enhanced to all measures. When did the taste for classic, regal beauty fade?  

 When watching an episode of Being Mary Jane in season 2 the question was ask but in a different way. "Are Black women ugly?". When did the notation that Black women are ugly began? Did the African American community embracement of the European culture standards of how beauty is defined dismissed our ancestors teachings? I personally think the notation came from how the Black woman is viewed as strong, independent, self-sufficient, and why some may constitute or viewed as intimidating. Also, I think its viewed that way because the cast majority of Caucasian people believe the Black woman walks around with a "chip" on her shoulder.

 Let's be clear, I for one is not for the antics and shenanigans that society throws upon African Americans Women and Women of Color. By portraying African-American women as self-defined, self-reliant individuals confronting race, gender, and class oppression. African American women factual appear to be dominate in every category; education, finance, physique, class, race, and culture. Yes, the younger generation morals and ethics are questionable, but as a whole the African American woman has defined and conquered all odds. So what makes African American women so ugly? Some may say the attitude of a Black woman, but does that constitute as ugly or just personality. Why the constant negative stigma? Basically, why do everything have to be negative when referring to the African American race? These questions are not to be dismissed as though there is no proof of this being displayed in society or just another Black person complaining for no apparent reason. 

Former First Lady Michelle Obama

 So let's view it from another angle shall we. The most educated First Lady of the United States to ever grace the halls of the White House and steal the hearts of many Americans, Michelle Obama was scrutinized from the moment her husband Barack Obama announce his nomination for the Presidency position. Michelle Obama was educated at the most prestigious Ivy League institutions in the world and then earn several degrees from those same Ivy League institutions. She was still scolded based on appearance. Was this African American woman from the Southside of Chicago intimidating to the majority race because she was able to maintain her success prior to becoming the First Lady off of hard work and dedication? Or was it because she was Black? Or was the African American community not seeing this correctly cause there is no evidence proving the fact she wasn't a victim of American prejudice? Remember when the Caucasian woman Pamela Ramsey Taylor, director of the Clay County Development Corp decided to refer to the First Lady as an "Ape in Heels"? Many argued freedom of speech. True, she the right to speak her mind but it was at the expense of degrading another individual though. History has showed regardless if the African American woman has an education, conduct herself in a professional manner, the best mother, the best wife, Christian, wears the best/expensive brands, and outstanding citizen to society none of that matters because of the color of her skin. That's one of the main reason why the younger generations is focused so much on appearance and acceptance through social media because society has shown to not care about the important factors that makes the African American woman so beautiful.  

 My view of beauty comes from the African American woman perspective and the more I embrace what makes me beautiful, the more I can see why "Black is Beautiful".  I dislike the phrase "Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder" because a fool can use the phrase as justification to be ignorant and degrade an individual. Unconventional beauty is something that you can't fully understand and just know when it's presented to you in a form that is more than superficial beauty can be simply amazingly beautiful. Self-love is taught and acquired by one who has fully understood that "Beauty is Only Skin Deep". One of favorite authors/poet wrote, "I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself and others like me."- Maya Angelou.

Shea Moisture African Black Soap w/ Shea Butter Review

Hey my Luvs!! It's been a while since I've blogged, but when life knocks at your door you answer. Now that I feel better, I will be back weekly with your favorite beauty topics. Now let's get to this product review. 

After reading so many reviews I decided to purchase this product. I'm big on researching products before using them because my facial skin is super sensitive. The Shea Moisture African Black Soap is used within a facial regimen to gently exfoliate, cleanse, and moisture the skin while helping control breakouts. The product also helps to balance oily skin for a clearer complexion. Made from palm ash, tamarind extract, tar, and plantain peel that has been used in Africa for centuries to treat eczema, acne, oily skin, and help to clear blemishes and calm troubled skin. Now the fact Shea Moisture added Shea Butter to this product is an extra plus, and the extra key ingredients like Aloe, Oats, and Vitamin E leaves the skin soft and refreshed. The bar soap comes in an 8oz for retail and can be found in retails such as Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreen's, & Sally's. You can even purchase this item at www.sheamoisture.com/products/skincare. 

So this amazing product I’ve been using for the past 3 weeks is the Shea Moisture African Black Soap w/ Shea Butter. Let me start off by saying this product has helped me in so many ways. I'm not all the way there yet with my skin being completely clear but when I say no breakouts, my acne scars & hyper-pigmentation has faded since the my first day of using it. Some of the acne scars are still visible that were severe due to my PCOS breakouts, but those are slowly fading away. With help from my Esthetician and keeping my at home cleansing regimen up my face will be clearer in no time. The picture to the bottom shows where my skin was burned in certain areas and where my acne scarring was majorly visible. In my younger days I never experienced what I’m going through now. I always had clear skin and never needed to wear makeup. 

Dark spots are burn marks from using Proactiv+

Since I have been working out lately and my face sweats like crazy not to mention the products from my hair seems to meet my face all in this motion. LOL!! Not to mention I have acne scars and hyper-pigmentation from a major breakout and due to having PCOS. So I needed something that was going to help unplug my pores and provide a deep cleanse every day for me. Now I only use this product once a day, like I said my skin is super sensitive. I will eventually use the product twice a day but for now I'm good with my once a day. I start my facial cleansing regimen with applying a steamy hot white towel on my face. Once thing I learned from my Esthetician is that colored towels has dye which counter interacts with your facial products and can cause the continuous breakouts that you been having. Nice to know huh?! So the steamy hot wash towel opens the pores and gets the face soft and ready for product to be applied. I then take my Shea Moisture African Black Soap and apply it to my face in a circular motion. I lather my face really good with this product and then use one my Swisspers Exfoliating Cleansing Sponges, which can be purchased at Walmart in the beauty section. Now using this tool helps with pulling up the dead skin and smoothing out imperfections. After that I go in with my Proactiv+ Deep Cleansing Brush (I no longer use Proactiv+ because it burnt my face really bad & did nothing for my acne scars or hyper-pigmentation) and work the product in some more for a deep cleanse. I will do this for two minutes and then take steamy hot white wash towel and rinse my face. Once completely rinsed of product I will pat dry my face with a dry white hand towel and then apply either my Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner or Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel (only if I was harsh on my face throughout the day exposing it too much sunlight). Followed by Palmer's Shea Formula Raw Shea Lotion that helps with my dry/oily combination skin. This is my daily facial routine. Which I think I gave a product review and tutorial all-in-one just now. LOL!! This routine has helped me see results quick and my skin has this healthy glow now. I'm noticing less blemishes through my makeup now, plus the application of my makeup is smoother as well. I'm more confident now wearing my own skin out to grocery shopping or hanging out with friends and family. If I would have known this product was around years ago it would have saved me money and years of feeling unconfident and ashamed. I literally had no social life cause of this. I tend to hide out because of my face was doing its own thing.

The Shea Moisture African Black line has more to offer and I will eventually try other products in this line because this product has work so well with clearing my skin. I really looking forward to trying the Shea Moisture African Black Soap Problem Facial Mask and Shea Moisture African Black Soap Problem Skin Toner. I finally can say I'm happy with this purchase after being let down by other expensive products that harm my skin. So I give this product 5 stars and will keep this product for years to come. Thank you Shea Moisture for an amazing product. 

Please feel free to leave your comments below and share your experience with this amazing product.