Whether you’re 25 or 65, your image is something that’s very important to you.  How do I know?  You’ve told me so!

I learned from the majority of you that you were taught to get your hair done at least every two weeks.  This was the average time line.  Then I learned that your skin was not discussed as much unless you had acne.  Then I learned, you were taught to lighten up the dark spots created by scarring with bleaching creams.

OK, let’s start with your hair.  As African American’s growing up in a world where long straight hair has primarily been the image of beauty, we’ve put our hair to the test.  It’s been fried, permed, relaxed, straightened, S-Curled, Jerry Curled and now weaved to the 25th power.

Has this always been healthy when caring for our black hair.  Not really.  But we were taught that if our image was not reflecting something other than O Nat-U-ral, we weren’t beautiful.

Now, to our skin. Complexion has always been and still is a litmus test as to who enters what doors.  I grew up hearing sayings like …the blacker the berry the sweeter the juice or that’s a fine brown frame.  But it wasn’t until James Brown uttered, “Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud”, that Black People began to really express a love for our beautiful black skin and hair.

The lighter your complexion the bigger your Afro, it was a way of proving that you embraced your “blackness.”

An then, there’s your total image.  What is your expression in wardrobe?  We’ve gone from men in suits and women in white gloves and heels, to Dashiki’s, pencil leg pants, baggies,  zoot suites and back.  Yet our expressions are all unique.

Why did I go to Egypt and back with this conversation?  Because when you get right down to it, we’re all an individual expression of self, that’s if we’re being true to “Self”and not following what’s put before us in magazines an television.

Don’t get me wrong, these are great resource pieces to be taken lightly.  Take the best, trash the rest.

Simplicity can make the most Noble of Statements.  A well cleansed and moisturized face, a shampoo and conditioned head of hair, a simple pair of pants or skirt and a freshly starched white linen shirt can make the most elegant of statements.  Your accessory of choice brings the Individual You to the forefront.

When your hair looks good and your skin looks good … You feel good!

Not everyone has shared their thoughts on Black Skin, Black Hair and the Total Image, so let me know your thoughts on the subject.

Email me – askjuliette@nyrajuskincare.com.

Dedicated to Your Beauty,

Juliette Samuel,
Esthetician/Publisher
NYRAJU Skin Care – Providers of Natural Skin and Hair Care Products for the African American Market

http://www.nyrajuskincare.com