Earlier this week I did a post about the show “She’s Got The Look”.  A show about 35 year old women that compete to see if they can be transformed and step into modeling as a new career.  The first host was Beverly Johnson, Entrepreneur, Model and mother of a Plus Size Model.

Well, I talked with several mature Black Women that are now in their 50’s + and the one thing that they were concerned about is how not only are there not enough shows or publications that speak to this age group, but there are no shows or publications that speak to African American Women specifically in this age group.

No one talks about your hair, your skin or your wardrobe.  As I sat down to write this post a hornet flew into my office, wonder what this means.  Am I about to stir up a hornets nest?  Great!  Because here’s what I heard from my ladies.

“Just because we’re maturing doesn’t mean we’re going to wither up and die”.  Clarissa

“Why aren’t there clothes that compliment my body type? With what they’re selling in the stores today, no wonder women look like they’ve lost interest” – Deborah

That’s not all you had to say but the bottom line is that we’re psychologically overwhelmed with clothes that won’t work well on our bodies, with make up that doesn’t blend into our skin tones.  Does anyone remember Negro #8,  a foundation that was created for Black Women?  It was the only color palette in foundations sold for “All” of us.

My daughter records programs for me to watch at a later date and another one of these shows was an Oprah episode with Cybil Shepard, Linda Evans and Teri Hatcher.  It was all about maturing, coming out of the make up and accepting the person that you are now.

Here we go again, where’s the Black Woman?  OK, I had to sit through the entire program and here is a 30 second spot of Beverly Johnson.  My daughters take on this was that we don’t age as fast as others.  Granted but what about the style part, the image and make up part.

To mature as a Black woman is a bit different than maturing as other women.  The elasticity in your skin holds up longer, you don’t show fine lines and wrinkles as fast as others and no matter what your size, You are always feel you’re the Belle of the Ball.

Side note: Just because they make it in your size doesn’t mean that you should always wear it.  Spandex is not always your friend, large or small.

This post was sparked by Oprah and women dealing with how well they mature.  As Black Women there are always tips that can be given and taken from others:

• Eat your green foods
• Keep your body in motion – walk, swim, salsa … you get the idea
• Get your rest
• Remove negative people from your life – this can mean long time “friends”, family and definitely people you work with.
• Take a breakation every 6 weeks.  Get a way even if it’s a two night stay at a hotel in your home town.

These simple things will keep you and your skin looking younger and Maturing Gracefully.

Dedicated To Your Beauty,

Juliette Samuel

Esthetician/Publisher

NYRAJU Skin Care – -Providers of Natural Skin & Hair Care Products for Women of Color

http://www.nyrajuskincare.com