3 Tips For Dealing with Thinning Brows

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Where did my eyebrows go?

Why did no one tell me to that I might want to leave my naturally thick eyebrows alone because they would practically stop growing after I turned 30?  I blame my mother. As long as I have been alive, she has had no eyebrows. I would, and still do (since I live at home and her makeup dresser is in "my room"), watch her draw on her eyebrows. I never questioned why she had no eyebrows, until one day I woke and noticed my eyebrows were thinning and barely growing in. Ever heard that saying, "if you pluck one gray hair, two more will come to its funeral (at the location of the the plucking)? Why can't my eyebrow hairs do that?

I wish I could jump in a time machine and travel back 15 years ago and stop my younger self from allowing random women from plucking and waxing my eyebrows. Now I am filling in my thinning eyebrows with eyebrow powder every morning, so that I do not look like a big head alien. I already have a big forehead. The last thing I need is to bring more attention to that area between my eyes and my hairline.

What causes this thinning? According to my "Googles," eyebrow hair loss can be caused by a number of factors, including over-plucking or waxing (which can cause follicle damage or infection), excessive weight-loss, stress, vitamin deficiency, and aging.

To combat the thinning, I have done the following 3 things:

1. I cut down on my monthly eyebrow maintenance. I quit waxing my eyebrows around 2008, after some woman in some random nail or hair salon left me with pencil thin, uneven eyebrows. I transitioned over to Indian eyebrow threading after hearing about how great and mostly painless it was from several friends. Eyebrow threading is an ancient hair removal technique which uses a twisting thread to pull hair from the root. I love it because they remove each hair individually, which decreases chances of over-plucking. The threaders always ask whether you want to clean up or fully reshape your eyebrows. However, after noticing that I could barely see my eyebrows, even without a fresh threading, I had to change my brow maintenance from every three weeks to every three months. Ugh!

2. I started using eyebrow powder after a threader in Santa Barbara suggested I use it to get a fuller brow. She used the Smashbox Tech Trio on me and I instantly fell in love with the way my brows looked. Immediately, I headed to Sephora and bought a box. I used it until they discontinued it and replaced it with Smashbox Ultra Eyebrow Tech Shaping Powder, which I currently use in Dark Brown.

3. I have been applying Jamaican Black Castor Oil, which is multipurpose oil that I have been using for years to regrow my edges and moisturize my locs. But, recently I found out that it is also good for stimulating eyebrow growth (it is stated as a possible use on the box). I wipe it on my eyebrows before bed after I wash my face. I honestly haven't been applying as consistently as I oughta, but I definitely recommend other eyebrow hair loss sufferers try it out.

#MotivationMondays | Sometimes You Gotta Get Knocked Down to Get Up

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This week I am giving you words to motivate you and music to keep you moving along.

Bouncin' Back (Bumpin' Me Against the Wall) by Mystikal has been on my "Steady On My Grind" playlist for years. Giving me the inspiration and good vibes I need, when I feel low, tired, and done.  The song has a great message about being able to overcome setbacks, failure, and self-doubt, along with a New Orleans bounce-filled, jazzy beat (Note: This song has no explicit language, so it is work and kid friendly).

My favorite lines from the song are:

"So if you ain't ready you better get ready/

I know I do it better when I'm being opposed/

Ah stick ya chest out, keep your chin up/

'Cause sometimes you gotta get knocked down to get up/

You keep bumping me against the wall/Yeah I know I let you slide before/But until you seen me trust me/You ain't seen bouncin' back"


If you have never heard of this song, check out the video below. 

#BlackBusiness Spotlight | The Wrap Life

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The Wrap Life is one of my most recent black business find gems. I discovered this great black female-owned business on social media. Created by Nnenna Stella in Brooklyn, New York, The Wrap Life is about "cultivating a life abundant with color, texture, and handmade goods," such as handprinted and African head wraps, jewelry, soaps, and incense.

I was specifically attracted to the company for their beautiful head wraps. Lately, I have been enamored with various black women I have seen on Instagram rocking beautiful head wraps twisted into creative and unique styles. So, after I found out about The Wrap Life, I headed immediately to their 

website

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What I love about The Wrap Life are their wide variety of head wraps, including brightly colored ones with intricate patterns for the bold head wrapper and darkly colored ones with subtle patterns for the less bold or novice head wrapper, and their short YouTube tutorials providing viewers tips and ideas to help them create your own unique wrap styles. I currently follow the company on Instagram and frequently bookmark their tutorial videos, so that I can try them out.

The Wrap Life's head wraps are 100% cotton, handprinted, and (approximately) 22x72 inches. They are moderately priced, ranging from $25 to $27. I purchased their "Fes" head wrap, which has a Moroccan inspired pattern, and I have already rocked it in three different styles, since I received it in about 2 weeks ago.

I love The Wrap Life's head wraps and I recommend you check them out. I am already eyeing one of their African head wraps for my next purchase.

Website: https://thewrap.life

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/thewraplife

Below, I have posted a picture of a bouffant wrap style I created using one of their YouTube tutorials. Got me feeling confident on those days when my roots are not looking so great.

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Travel Guide: Packing Tips For Over-packers

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In a previous post, I gave y'all tips on how to fly cheaply with Spirit Airlines. Now I got some packing tips for all of the over-packers (and undercover over-packers) out there.

If you are not sure whether or not you are an over-packer, take a few seconds to answer the following questions:

1) Do you own a luggage scale?

2) Do you pack items (just in case) that you know your destination will have or provide?

3) Do you know which items to remove if you bag is a pound or two overweight at the airport?

4) Do you pack a different pair of shoes for each day of your trip?

5) Do you find yourself packing and repacking (and packing and repacking) the night (and/or morning) before your trip?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, YOU ARE AN OVER-PACKER.

Don't worry! I am not judging you. I am a recovering over-packer and I am here to be your sponsor. In the video below, I provide my tips on how to evolve from an over-packer into a smart packer.

#BlackHistoryFacts | Michelle Obama

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I could not think of a better person with whom to finish off my series of black history facts, and enter into Women's History Month, than First Lady Michelle Obama.

Black history fact #28

Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama is a lawyer, writer, and First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. Married to the 44th President of the United States, she is the first black First Lady.  Born in Chicago, Obama is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School. She spent the early part of her career practicing law at the Sidley Austin Law Firm, where she met her future husband Barack Obama while serving as his advisor. After two years of dating, the couple got married on October 3, 1992. As first lady, Obama focused on military families, healthy living, and education. She often made appearances at public schools, stressing the importance of education. Committed to health and wellness, Obama worked planted a garden of fresh vegetables and installed beehives on the South Lawn of the White House. She was particularly focused on fighting childhood obesity. In 2012, she launched the Let's Move initiative, a fitness program for kids. Obama is also widely recognized for her sense of fashion, having appeared twice on the cover of Vogue Magazine and featured on numerous best dressed lists. During her time as first lady, Michelle Obama maintained a high approval rating among the American public, soaring over her husbands, and remains one of the most liked first ladies.

Thank you Michelle Obama for being a great role model, strong woman, and OUR FIRST LADY!

#BuyBlack - Designs by Bolaji

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I discovered the beautiful paintings of this young black female artist Bolaji Ogunsola, while attending a holiday concert performance on Harvard University campus. She was selling her paintings in the lobby of the venue and I was immediately attracted to the bold colors and the images of black women with large carefree afros. I had to have one of her paintings to add to my collection of black art. 

If I had more money, I would have bought more of her paintings. Instead, I have made Designs by Bolaji my #BuyBlack spotlight of the week. 

For information on the artist and her work, check out her website: http://www.designsbybolaji.com

#BlackHistoryFacts | Barack Obama

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Because he finally resurfaced after a well-deserved fun and relaxing vacation from being OUR PRESIDENT, I am spotlighting President Barack Obama and his contribution to black history.

Black history fact #27

Barack Hussein Obama Jr. is an American lawyer, author, Nobel Peace Prize winner, politician, and 44th President of the United States from 2009 to 2017. He is the first person of African descent to serve as President of the United States. Born in Honolulu in 1961, Obama excelled in school and became the first black editor of the "Harvard Law Review" in 1990. The following year he graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School. After graduating, he moved to Chicago, where he worked as a civil rights lawyer and taught constitutional law part-time at the University of Chicago Law School. In 1995, he published an autobiography, "Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance," which was later reprinted in 2004 and adapted into a children's book. He started his political career in 1996, after he ran for and won a seat in the Illinois State Senate. In 2004, Obama ran for and won a vacant seat in the US Senate representing Illinois. Four years later, on November 4, 2008, Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States, making him the first black person to hold this office. During his first 100 days in office, he was awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to improve America's foreign policy. In 2011, he approved a covert Navy Seals operation in Pakistan that led to the killing of terrorist Osama bin Laden. Obama won a second term of presidency in 2012.

Thank Barack Obama for being OUR PRESIDENT!

#BlackHistoryFacts | Hattie McDaniel

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In honor of tonight's Oscars, I am spotlighting the achievements of actress Hattie McDaniel.

Black history fact #26

Hattie McDaniel (1895 - 1952) was an actress, singer, and radio performer. She is the first black actor to win an Academy Award. In 1940, McDaniel won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for role as Mammy in the film "Gone with the Wind." She began singing at an early age. In high school, she started performing professionally as part of the The Mighty Minstrels. She eventually dropped out of school to focus on her performing career. At the urging of her brother and sister, McDaniel moved to Los Angeles in the early 1930s and started getting minor film roles. In 1935, she got the part of Mom Beck in "The Little Colonel," starring opposite Shirley Temple. This part was an important landmark in McDaniel's film career, as it gained her the attention of Hollywood directors and a steady stream of movie role offers. In 1939, McDaniel appeared in her award-winning role of Mammy in "Gone with the Wind." Ironically, all of the black actors in the film, including McDaniel, were barred from attending the film's 1939 premiere in Atlanta, Georgia. When her acting career started to decline, she moved to radio and took a starring role on CBS Radio's "The Beulah Show" in 1947. After her death in 1952 from breast cancer, McDaniel has been awarded posthumously two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame (in 1975), and honored with a commemorative stamp by the US Postal Service (in 2006).

Thank you Hattie McDaniel for being the first to take home the golden Oscar statue and opening the door for Whoopi, Monique, Lupita, Jennifer, and Viola to win one too!

#BlackHistoryFacts | Jesse Owens

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Black history fact #25

James "Jesse" Owens (1913 - 1980) was an American track and field star and four-time gold medalist in the 1936 Summer Olympics. Born the son of sharecroppers and the grandson of slaves, he was recognized in his lifetime as the greatest and most famous athlete in track and field history. In high school, Owens quickly made a name for himself as a sprinter. He set records in the 100m and 200m dashes as well as the long jump. As a college student competing for Ohio State University, Owens became known as the "Buckeye Bullet" and at the 1935 Big Ten Championships, tied a world record in the 100m dash and set a new world record in the 220m dash, in the 220m low hurdles, and in the long jump, which would stand for 25 years. That same year he competed in and won 42 events, including the NCAA Championships and the Olympic trials. At the 1936 Summer Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany, Owens won four gold medals in the 100m, 200m, long jump, and 4x100m relay. He broke nine Olympic records and set three new world records. He was undoubtedly the most successful athlete at the games, and as a black man, defied Adolf Hitler's theory of Aryan racial superiority. In 1976, Owens received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Gerald Ford and in 1990 was posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal.

Thank you Jesse Owens for shattering records and showing the world we are not inferior!