The Secret to Beauty and Self-Care Lies within its Foundations

The Secret to Beauty and Self-Care Lies within its Foundations

When I was in college, I wore tons of make up and always had my hair done in tiny braid extensions.  It was my signature look.   The red lipstick, face powder and braid extensions.  However, beneath the make up was bad skin and a poor skin routine. I didn’t understand anything about the link between hair products and acne.  I also didn’t understand that the sun also while giving an important dose of vitamin D that after fifteen minutes, could wreck havoc on black skin by causing it to loose skin and lead to hyperpigmentation.  

As for my hair, when I would remove my braid extensions, I didn’t understand the importance of protein and moisture to strengthen my hair.  Nor did I ever give my hair a break or attempt to trim my hair.  My hair without extensions looked like crap.  I would run to relaxers as the solution only to have my hair become limp and damaged.   I didn’t realize that my hair was baby fine and never thick to begin with.  The pulling and tugging of the hair extensions on my hairline caused me to almost lose my entire hairline.  My hair dresser used glue to make my weave look more natural and I ended up with a severe allergic reaction.   I had to understand that my hair was rejecting toxic hair chemicals from the relaxer and hair extensions/weaves.  And I was putting my health at risk.   But I was reliant upon a certain look and I was scared to let go.  Would I be considered less beautiful without all of the glam?

One day, as I looked into the mirror with no make up and braid extensions, I didn’t like the reflection that stared back.  Bad skin and chewed up hair.  I had been a victim of trying my best not to deal with why I had become so reliant upon the makeup and the hair extensions to feel beautiful. That look said nothing about me and what I was trying to align with in the world and how I planned to go into my next decade.  I wanted a clean slate.  But to do that I had to be honest with why my skin was always breaking out and why my hair was breaking and dry.  It meant putting aside all of that stuff which was scary at first.  

I began to understand the foundations of beauty is not about the superficial aspects of beauty. Now don’t get me wrong, the heels, the eyelashes, the wigs, the nails, the contour and make up can be a striking look; however sometimes it’s not a real reflection of the real You.  I began a decade ago to scale back on my make up routine and instead find a more natural look and be diligent with my skincare and find more natural skin care products that would not make my sensitive skin breakout. I had to go to a dermatologist who told me about the importance of sunblock and Retin A.   I also made a decision to stop wearing hair extensions and to stay natural.  I changed my eating and beverage habits.  Now, I wear sisterlocks which allows me to have many styling options where I don’t have to compromise on the way I like to look.   I feel that I am my most authentic whether I wear my make up or not.   My skin is clear and my hair is my own.  I feel good as an African woman in the world.