The messages in these magazines were much louder than any other positive messaging or belief systems I had around me that would have ensured a healthy self-image in my early adulthood. The circumstances of my upbringing didn’t allow me the chance to explore and discover who I was, apart from my appearance and the external world.

As I got older, and as technology evolved, the messages about a woman’s appearance got reinforced through social media. Rather than going to the mailbox,  this information was available to me on all my devices. Only this time, I’m exposed to the doom-scroll of posts and videos from celebrities and influencers, recommending services and selling a plethora of various creams and potions, that promises eternal youth in a bottle.

I’m taught that spending hundreds of dollars a month maintaining my appearance with “procedures, fills and add-ons” is how I should go about my self-care routines.

I’m taught that women are prized for their youth and that we should strive to always appear younger by going out of our way to “fix” any signs of the natural aging process.

Though it was fun for a while, maintaining my appearance in this way started to feel like a chore. I started to feel less-than and insecure if I didn’t look primped and proper all the time.  It seemed like the more services I had done and the more appointments I went to, the more unhappy with myself I became.

I spent many years in the darkness and at the mercy of social media influence while chasing this unachievable state of perfection; until one day, I realized that the pain of staying the same was far greater than the courage it would take for me to change.

In 2018, I made the decision to take an inward journey to discover Who I Really Am by redefining and embodying my own unique brand of inner and outer beauty.  By saying “no” to my old self- my old habits, beliefs and behaviors,  and “yes” to the recreation of my new self who no longer places my value and worthiness solely on how I look, I got to discover a new and profound sense of freedom.

Today, my value lies in how authentic I can show up in all areas of my life, how honest and true to myself I can remain even if it goes against the status quo, and how I can share the gifts I was blessed with to leave a positive impact on society.

Today, I use makeup and procedures as a tool in a healthy and balanced way, to bring out my natural beauty and not as a crutch to hide from the world.

Today, I have the freedom of showing up and feeling good about Who I Really Am and how I can more naturally look.

I am setting myself up for success by learning to honor myself, at any age, by embodying a “woman of wisdom and refinement.”

I’m here to help guide you along on your journey into redefining, and embodying what inner and outer beauty means and looks like to you.  I want you to feel good about Who You Really Are by helping you to rebuild a healthier relationship to cosmetics, procedures and plastic surgery, allowing the real beauty in you to shine through.

Because the ability to be Who You Really Are is the Ultimate Form of Freedom.