The Life of A Ladybug

Hotter than Hell (In Memoriam): Michael Jackson

 

There is no way in the world that I could pick anybody else this week.

"I Am Not My Hair"

At work, I keep my iPod with me and I wear it during most of the day.  It keeps down distractions and I love having a soundtrack to my day.  This morning, I listened to India.Arie's "I Am Not My Hair" and it struck me how poignant the lyrics are.  They're words every woman, especially African American women, could stand to hear regularly.  Enjoy. (click through for the lyrics)

Michelle Obama's Inauguration Dress

  

Look at our new First Lady, y'all!  She is resplendent in a fabulous yellow dress with jeweled collar and matching coat, by Cuban American designer, Isabel Toledo.  And check out how she coordinated with deep forest green pumps!  To die!  This chick is so damn fabulous.  Here's looking forward to this intelligent and fierce Black woman as the standard of American beauty and fashion.  I can't wait to see what she wears to the balls!

The most beautiful picture I've seen in a long time ...

Part 2 of my interview on Affrodite.net!

Hey y'all!  I hope you get a chance to read Part 2 of my interview with Ife on her blog, Affrodite.net.  This part of the interview focuses on natural hair - my decision to go natural, how that decision was influenced by my daughter, and the continuation of my natural hair journey.  Enjoy and let me know what you think!

http://affrodite.net/2009/01/12/tsm-interview-part2/

Toya's Tips: A new image of American beauty

This is our new first family, America.  Just let that sink in ...

I am so proud of you, do you know that?  I am so proud of all of you who stood in long lines and made the effort to do your civic duty.  Was it good for you?  Because it was fabulous for me.

It was an historic moment for America, one for the ages.  But, I'm not really going to delve too much into my personal feelings about the nature of this win ... at least, not on this blog.  If you want to read that, feel free to skip over to Makeda.  Instead, I want to talk about our new image of American beauty ... Michelle Obama.

Take a look at this chick.  She is all kinds of awesome, no?  I am so flabbergasted and grateful and awed that the new female face of America is this flawless Black woman.  Not since Jackie Kennedy has this country had a First Lady with such taste and style.  I'm wondering if as many people will want to rock her style as wanted to rock Jackie's.  They better recognize!

If you're one of the smart women out there who want to emulate Mrs. Obama's style, just slightly, here are my tips.

• Pick clothing with clean, simple lines.  Michelle Obama isn't known for the frou-frou.  She has impeccable taste and poise, but her outfits look very streamlined, playing up her long, lean figure.  But you don't have to be either long or lean to find simple pieces that flatter your figure, so make sure you're doing what looks best on you!
• Jewel tones.  Mrs. Obama picks robust jewel tones, which look wonderful against her brown skin.  But women of all shades can find a sparkling shade that make them look their radiant best.  Try yummy shades of red, purple, green, and blue.
• Sleek hair.  Instead of going for big hair, try to tame it down, just a bit.  That's easy for me to say, of course, as my hair is hella big - LOL!  But, even I can put my mane into a lovely pinned up style and so can you.  If you have shorter hair, try a slicked down look.  Longer haired ladies, pull it back into a sleek ponytail, an elegant chignon or just wear it down, but polished.
• Neutral makeup.  Michelle wears the sort of makeup that looks good with every outfit.  She always looks fresh-faced, but uber professional.  Neutral eye makeup - try Bobbi Brown's Shimmering Nudes Palette or Stila's Day to Night Palette.  Plum blush - try MAC's Beauty Powder Blush in Secret Blush or MAC's Blush in Plum Foolery.  Neutral brown lipstick with a bit of shine - any of MAC's Lustre lipsticks in a neutral shade will work.

This is a new time in American beauty.  I am so happy to see it and I can't wait to see how y'all rock it!

I'm on-air today!

If you get a chance, I'd love for you to listen to me today!  My essay about my journey to having natural hair and how it's helped me to love myself, will be airing on NPR's "Tell Me More" today.  I'm not sure when the show airs in your area, but if you have a local NPR station, please listen in!  And, if you know that you won't be able to, or if you're at your computer with nothing to do, you can click on the link below and read my essay, as well as hear my voice reading it.  I hope you enjoy it and I'm always happy to hear your feedback.

http://thisibelieve.org/dsp_ShowEssay.php?uid=41045

Be your beautiful best today!

I'm gonna be on the radio!

I don't know if you guys remember my "Nappyheaded Activist" post, but here's the link in case you want background: http://lifeofaladybug.typepad.com/the_life_of_a_ladybug/2008/02/nappy-headed-ac.html

One of my friends (Hi, Shanna!) read this post and told me I should submit it to "This I Believe", an NPR show.  I did, but didn't hear anything back for months.  Finally, they contacted me - they wanted to air my essay!  I went down to my local public radio station and recorded it today.  It's the gist of the original post, just condensed and really focused on a central point.

I am so happy to be able to speak about natural hair and my decision to go natural.  This is such an awesome opportunity.  I'll let y'all know when it's going to air!  Now, instead of just reading my words, you'll be able to hear my voice!

Beauty Line Co-Founder and Makeup Artist of Color: Trae Bodge!

As you can tell from some of my recent posts, Three Custom Color Specialists is one of my new favorite brands and I find myself sporting at least one of their products quite a bit of the time!  I'm so honored to bring you an interview with Trae Bodge, co-founder of Three Custom Color Specialists - a new inspiration to me, as a woman of color who owns her own beauty brand and is a renowned makeup artist.  Enjoy!

Trae Bodge has over 20 years' experience in the beauty business.  In addition to serving as Creative Director for Three Custom Color Specialists, a brand she co-founded in 1997, Trae specializes in clean, flawless makeup for bridal and fashion and she has been featured in Elle, Lucky, Marie Claire, Vibe Vixen, Upscale and Essence and on NBC, ABC, LXTV's First Look, Glow! on the Style Network and QVC UK as a pioneer in independent-brand cosmetics.

1) What hardships have you experienced in the beauty industry, as a woman of color?  Not many, to be honest.  My only challenging experience I faced based on my ethnicity and gender was many years ago when I worked for a family-owned company.  One of the owners was from another generation and leery of working with women in general and women of color in particular.  I made it part of my job to allay those fears and suspicions.

2) How has being a woman of color helped you in building a beauty career? I think because I have had my own share of beauty challenges with my own skin tone, I make it a priority to be aware of the challenges that women of all skin tones face.  But that being said, any serious makeup artist should have a solid understanding of all skin tones, what colors work on them, etc. 

3) Women of color historically have been underserved by the beauty industry.  What changes are you seeing in this regard?  What changes do you think still need to be made?  I think that there have been great strides made in recent years in the beauty business.   The first major step was with the introduction of makeup lines made specifically for women of color, like Fashion Fair and Flori Roberts.  From there, many makeup companies have become more "global" with their color selections.  I still think that there is more progress to be made, however.  As a business owner, I understand the challenges that brands face when they try to carry shades for every skin tone - it's not often practical from a monetary standpoint, but I think it's important from a human relations and customer service aspect.  When we launched Three Custom Color Specialists, my partners and I made it a priority to offer colors for women of all skin tones.  This continues to be the cornerstone of our business philosophy.

4) Who has been your biggest inspiration and why? My mom.  She is a driven woman who lets nothing stand in her way, who raised me with the belief that I could achieve anything I wanted to.  She has always held me to a high standard and has been unfailingly supportive of my endeavors and proud of my achievements.  I hope to be as good a mother to my daughter!

5) What tips can you give other women, particularly women of color, who are seeking to enter the beauty industry? For women - be good at what you do.  Be willing to apprentice at the beginning and learn everything you can from those more experienced that you.  Be open to criticism as there is always something to learn no matter your level of experience.  If you plan  to launch a product or start a business, it's not enough to have a good idea.  Make sure your idea has longevity and that you have the knowledge to grow from where you've started (and if you don't, make sure you are willing to admit your weaknesses and build a team of people who can contribute what you cannot). 

For women of color - Always feel pride for who you are and where you came from, but don't use your ethnicity as a crutch or consider it a hindrance.  It should only be an issue if you choose to make it one. 

6) Name the products you think every woman of color needs in her beauty wardrobe. This is for all women!  High quality, effective skin care (with high SPF for daytime).  I am partial to Aveno, Clinique, Olay and Kiehl's. 

The perfect Concealer, a face powder (translucent or pigmented), Brow Gel (clear or tinted), an edited collection of lip colors, eye shadows, liners and blushes that give you flexibility with different clothing colors or for different occasions.  I am partial, of course, to Three Custom Color Specialists, and our products and makeup consultations, but I encourage every woman to seek the advice of a professional makeup artist at least once every couple of years. 

Right now I am loving:  Three Custom Color Specialists Concealer #6, Face Powder #4, Clear Brow Gel, Pink Fizz Lip Gloss and Tai Lip Shine (due out in mid-Oct), Poppy Lip & Cheek Stain, Warm Camel and Cool Aubergine Eye Shadows, Black and Navy Eye Pencils and Dark Clarifier Pencil

7) Talk about your idea of beauty.  Share your beauty philosophy.  I love makeup and what makeup can achieve, but I do believe that beauty comes from the inside out.  Respect yourself and others, be true to yourself and be the best person you can be and you will feel more beautiful.  Then consult a makeup artist and learn how to play up your features.  Have fun expressing yourself yourself with makeup! 

Thank you so much for sharing with my reading audience, Trae!

Glam.com introduces "Black Life"!

Folks, I am pleased to announce that Glam, a blogging network of which I am a member, has just introduced its new sub-network, Black Life!  In it, you will find all Glam blogs that are marketed toward or authored by a Black person.  Of course, I am one of those bloggers and you will be able to find all my posts on the Black Life Channel, under blogs.  I hope you'll go and check out Black Life.  I'm very excited about it and am so happy that Glam sees the diversity of thought, interest and information that bloggers of color bring to the web.