Do you suffer from dry or dull under eye? Well I do as well as sensitive skin so when I tend to use concealers and foundation I have to moistures really good. It can also be a problem when I over moisturize and get very oily by end of the day. Under eye pads have been a thing lately but I never knew which was best or what brands too use.
It was a beautiful day in Ross (one of my favorite stores) and there were so many different under eye creams and pads. I decided to pick a random one to try out. First thing I noticed was dehydration and thought: this is definitely what I need! It comes with 5 pairs and I used it every other day for a week. I recently used my last pair and wanted to review the product.
To say the least my under eye feels moisturized and hydrated. The product goes on very well not oily or sticky but very wet. No left over residue in a bad way but there is product under the eye to keep it hydrated. You leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes; which I did the whole 15 minutes. After removal I lightly rubbed in the product on eye and that was it.
If i had to rate product on a scale from 1-10 and 10 is fantastic…
My rate is a solid 7… wonder if i will find the product again.
Until next time- stay beautiful be blessed and buy makeup!
Mother’s are amazing at what they do, I mean who else would wash the dishes after cooking a good meal or separate the clothes; colors from whites. The unpaid duties like; the alarm clock, the maid, the waitress, the teacher, the nurse, security and counselor. The list continues but there is no degree and no experience required. Well, unless you help raise other kids like myself. On call 24/7 for the rest of your life and not just until they turn 18 years old. While nothing really prepares you for motherhood. Sure parenting books, classes or advice given from numerous support but it’s nothing like the true experience itself. Most of the time we never have time for ourselves and when we finally do, our mental is constantly working thinking about dentist appointments and checkups.
I took the time to interview two parents both at different stages in their lives as mothers. Jaybria Hunter (my sister)a new mother with a 7 month old precious daughter experiencing the new changes in her life. Also interviewed Bella Lee long time friend (big sister sent from God) who has two children; 2 adult men. The life experience she has already gone thru and still is.
Jaybria Hunter with 7 month old daughter Rona
Jaybria Hunter: The biggest surprise I encountered after having a baby is how breastfeeding helped me lose my stomach fat.
Bella Lee: That I gave life to two beautiful little boys.
BeautySlayHer: So, what is or was the biggest challenge you faced in terms of time management with a baby)?
Jaybria Hunter: The biggest challenge I faced in terms of time management is trying to make time to bath and eat for myself. I was so consumed in feeding my daughter and keeping her clean that I didn’t know when to do for myself.
Bella Lee: My challenge was trying to get everything done in a timely manner. But then I realized it was okay if I didn’t do it all in one day.
BeautySlayHer: I remember feeling needed all the time and so therefore my time to myself was based on the help of others or when my baby was sleeping.
BeautySlayHer: Let’s talk more! What coping mechanisms have you found to be helpful with regard to lack of sleep and fatigue?
Jaybria Hunter: To cope with sleep and fatigue, I started sleeping when she was sleeping. When my husband would get home, I would give him instructions, so I can catch a quick nap while he watched her.
Bella Lee: (skipped question)
Jaybria Hunter: My child has impacted my life in a major way. I want to be the best version of myself for her. I want her to see me as a phenomenal woman.A great woman. I just want to be great example of strong yet loving woman. She also pushes me to be a great wife, so she knows what to do when she gets married. I’m constantly thinking of ways to make her happy to call me her mom.
Bella Lee with sons; Chris & Brandon
Bella Lee: They have given me so much joy and happiness. I had to grow up very quickly becoming a mother at age 17.
BeautySlayHer: We will always be concerned about our babies big and small, so what concerns you more about the future now than before you had a child?
Jaybria Hunter: The concerns I have about the future that changed after having a baby is I want her to live a healthy and happy life. I’m concerned about her safety 24/7. I want to become more financially stable, so I can show her the world.
Bella Lee: (skipped question)
BeautySlayHer: Yeah, it’s been a lot going on in the world lately but I believe everything will change with prayer. Post-partum is a very real and serious thing and I want to know how how did you deal with post-partum?
Jaybria Hunter: Honestly, I’m still coping with post-partum. I express my needs to my husband more. I call him when I’m feeling down. I meditate more and pray more frequently. I’m doing things that make me feel better and get my mind off the feelings that overcome me.
Bella Lee: Oh man post-partum was tough in my day. I spoke with my doctor and she then put me on an anti-depression pill, over time it helped and I got better.
BeautySlayHer: What has been your greatest struggle as a parent?
Jaybria Hunter: My greatest struggle as a parent is finding time for myself. It’s hard to leave her and do the things I like to do. It’s also been a struggle to find time for husband. I often feel like I get so consumed in our baby that I don’t do the things I used to do for my husband.
Bella Lee: Being a single parent and having to play more than one role. Raising you children alone is very difficult and challenging.
BeautySlayHer: Bella I am sorry you had to experience that struggle alone but I know it made you stronger as a woman and mother. Jaybria I also agree finding time for yourself is very difficult but important. Ladies what has been your greatest rewards?
Jaybria Hunter: My greatest reward as a parent is seeing my daughtersmile every day. It’s also rewarding knowing that she has everything she needs.
Bella Lee: (skipped question)
BeautySlayHer: Do we really have time for ourselves as mothers? I mean have you ladies found time for yourselves? If so what were a few things you did?
Jaybria Hunter: Yes, I find time for myself. I go shopping, to the hair and nail salon, shop online, and catch up on my favorite shows. Every now and then I get a trusted baby sitter, so I can have time with my husband.
Bella Lee: Yes I found time for myself, I would go shopping and get hair and nails done. Love on myself just for a little then back to being full time mother.
BeautySlayHer: I see shopping is a girls best friend lol I could definitely use a nice mini shopping spree. (Hint to hubby lol) speaking of husband, Jaybria this question is for you. Has parenting changed your relationship with your partner? More for the better or worse?
Jaybria Hunter: Parenting haschangedmy relationship with my husband. We have more compassion for each other. We communicate more. We also have more quarrels because some things you just disagree on when it comesto raising a child.
BeautySlayHer: Yes! This is very much true, it’s all about team work and leaning on each other for moral and emotional support when necessary. Do you find yourself doing the same things as your mother/father did when you were younger?
Jaybria Hunter: No, I don’t see myself doing the same thing my parents did when I was younger. That may change as my child gets older. But I’m doing things a lot different now.
Bella Lee: Yes, with my first born I would yell at him and say to him the words I remembered “Do as I say and stay in a child’s place”. But I had to learn that I didn’t like being yelled at when I was younger so learning to do better for them was a must.
BeautySlayHer: I understand that. Okay last question ladies, Do you feel are failing or have failed as a parent? If so why? If not why?
Jaybria Hunter: No, I don’t feel like I’m failing as a parent. I’ve been able to provide breastmilk for my child and give her everything she needs in life so far. I’ve already started planning for her future. Doing these things have given me a feeling of accomplishment when it comes to parenting. I’mreally proudof myself.
Bella Lee: No not at all, you learn as you go and you get better with making choices over time.
BeautySlayHer: Thank you ladies for answering my questions and I hope you enjoy Mother’s Day even though we know it’s everyday.
I will end this post with a short Mother’s Day poem.
Wanting to bring a little light on the queens who helped the fashion industry while we are still celebrating women of history month.
I believe every woman has at least one freak’em dress! Let’s just say Zelda Wynn Valdes had an eye for fashion and admiration for the feminine silhouette . In 1948, Valdes became the first black woman to own a storefront on New York’s most iconic street, named Chez Zelda. Her clientele insist of stars like Joyce Bryant, Dorothy Dandridge, Ella Fitzgerald and Mae West. Highlighting the curves of the female body, she quickly drew the attention of the world famous playboy Hugh Hefner and designed the now popular playboy bunny costume. Zelda Wynn Valdes retired in 1988 and died 2001 at the age of 96.
Photo credit to google images
Beverly Johnson
“Once a Supermodel, always a supermodel.” – Beverly Johnson
Queen B may have graced the cover of Vogue magazines September 2018 issue but let us not forget to honor one of the first black woman that led the way for so many women of today. Beverly Johnson was the first African American supermodel to appear on the cover of US Vogue and the French Elle magazines. Not limited to print, she also walked the runway for designers such as Halston, appeared in tv commercials, shows and movies. Breaking many barriers she indulged in a cosmetic line, her very own doll and also wigs and extensions. Beverly Johnson was a game changer that opened many doors for women of color.
Photo credit: Google Images
Anne Lowe
Anne Lowe was the earliest African American high fashion designer to become apart of the New York fashion establishment. She was best known for designing Jacqueline Kennedy’s wedding dress. 50 yards of silk taffeta made up Jacqueline’s dress and was the most photographed dress in history. Every dress was an original and never repeated piece of art. In 1946, Lowe designed the dress Olivia de Havilland wore to accept the Academy Award for best actress although her name was not on the label. Her customers included but not limited to the DePonts, Roosevelt’s, Biddles, Rockefeller’s and more. Her gowns were featured on Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Town & Country magazines in the 50s and 60s of her career. Anne was known as the socialists “best kept secret” because she was a black woman.
Photo credit: Google images
Ola Hudson
Most people will not recognize the face nor the name of Ola Hudson, a very known costume designer in the 1970s. Her clientele insisted of Stevie Wonder, Janet Jackson, Pointer Sisters, Diana Ross and John Lennon. She is the mother of Slash, best known as the lead guitarist in the rock band Gun N’ Roses. One of Hudson’s famous looks were the tailored outfits she made for David Bowe’s Film “The Man Who Fell to Earth.” Designing costumes for some of the most famous musicians she made her mark in the fashion industry.
“I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself.” -Emma Stone
Keeping yourself motivated, inspired and confident on a daily basis may sound easy but for women it’s s a very challenging task. Society throughout history has always perpetuated the that men are the strong ones. But let’s be honest, women have overcome many obstacles that not a single man could even comprehend the depths of doing. With that being said women have to move with confidence and a strong mind set to get things done. I look at how strong women have become over the years and I am proud to be amongst that percentage of growth.
Over a long period of time I did not know who I was, what my goal was and how to achieve confidence. Childhood trauma is real and it can damage a person either for the long haul or until you realize it’s time to have some control of your own life. I use to let the words of others determine my mood and my self esteem. My weakness was trying to be like everyone else, comparing material things while seeking approval from those I thought mattered. In my mind the confident ones, were the loud out spoken girls, who criticized others just for self humor. The girls who walked with so much confidence because they then had curves you wouldn’t see until adulthood. Learning later on that this was not the case, and most of those girls were just as lost as I when it came to knowing who they really were. As I matured life came with more challenges and there was this one saying “you need a few mango seasons” that continued to put a damper on my confidence as a young black woman. I had already endured emotionally and verbally distraught from family wrongdoing so I definitely didn’t want that coming into my adult life.
I was a young mother of a baby boy who counted on me when I still was counting on others. I then had to learn who I truly was and accept everything about this new woman that reflected in my mirror. I could not change the past nor predict the future but I was determined to become this new confident woman. Comparing to others was no longer acceptable, I began to compliment the women I admired. Owning my flaws and mistakes as genuinely as possible, my mindset began to change slowly.
Affirmations became my best friend! I established speaking positive words into my atmosphere. Giving me a boost I never seen before. Knowing you are beautiful and saying you are beautiful are two different things but when I spoke both into my life, my entire confidence changed. By learning who I am, my authentic self – that became the ultimate goal. So with that being said speak life into your life, ignore those thoughts that say you can’t or you won’t. Put God first in everything you do for he already has the master plan. Learn everything about yourself and accept it with grace. Turn away those negative people who don’t support your growth, in the confidence you begin to walk in.
Soul searching is very important in my opinion. To know what is missing within yourself will only help you move forward in retrieving the best you. Learn what you love or dislike about yourself, your strengths and weakness that determine what imperfections you can work on. Trust yourself to create the kind of person that you will be happy to live with. A woman who walks in her purpose doesn’t have to chase people or opportunities.
Philippians 4:13– “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
2 Timothy 1:7– “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
There will be days when you are just not motivated or confident in anything you do or say but when you learn who you are and what your goal is then this is only a small set back for a big comeback. You better go wash that face get you something to eat and throw on some trap music if that’s a must but you can do it. I believe in you so now it’s your turn to believe in yourself. Let go of all things negative and just focus on a more positive future. Try to see the world as your new stepping stone into something great. Despite your problems, you are a unique and special person. You deserve to feel good about yourself. Do things that you enjoy and try spoiling yourself a little.
Confident, now what?
Let’s go get that confidence beautiful, it’s all yours!