This Professional MUA Is Putting The Glow Up In Our Quarantine
I'm sure I'm not the only one who was left in shock when retail stores and nail salons closed their doors indefinitely with no warning. Part of me was offended that there wasn't some sort of notice, I thought we were better than that. But here we are, quarantined at home with no idea of when the great outdoors will open up again. And while most of our days consist of showering (or not), only to put on a new pair of pajamas (or not), pro-MUA Kierra Lanice is giving us the glow up we all need, from the comfort of our own homes.
She's one of the millions who have felt the sting of the COVID-19 fallout. And while we're appreciating the beauty industry much more now than ever, Kierra, whose work has been featured on major events like the Grammy Awards, has launched virtual beauty consultations, which easily serve as a way to give us the star treatment at home; all while making sure her business not only stays afloat but continues to thrive during these unexpected times.
From doing personal assessments of her client's makeup bags to custom tips on how to maximize their own skills, Kierra's virtual beauty consultations are a perfect fit for novices and her fellow makeup pros alike.
xoNecole: We live in a different day and time where everyone is trying to adjust to their new normal, whatever that might mean for them. What inspired you to offer virtual makeup sessions?
Kierra Lanice: I want to help people bounce out of their funk. Yes, I think that it's very important to take a pause. We're in the middle of a global pandemic. It's OK to grieve, it's OK to not feel like doing anything. But you can't let that paralyze you.
At the beginning of this, I was really bummed out. I had just wrapped up tour dates with [Grammy-nominated artist] Rapsody. The last show ended up getting canceled, and so all this stuff started happening. I was disappointed because the tour was something that was huge for my career, but the moment I felt myself starting to spiral and my mind starting to go under siege, I knew I had to do something. People are depending on makeup artists. Just as much as this is affecting me, it's affecting the people I take responsibility for making feel beautiful. If I'm down in the dumps, how much more are other women?
"Just as much as this is affecting me, it's affecting the people I take responsibility for making feel beautiful. If I'm down in the dumps, how much more are other women?"
What’s the biggest concern you’ve heard from women when it comes to beauty and being quarantined?
You see these videos, they have 50 different steps, an hour and a half 'Get Ready With Me', and women want to know, 'Can I look this fly, can I feel this confident without using so much time?' That's been one of the things I've been trying to do is debunk the myth that it requires 25 products, an hour and a half. But at the same time, it's OK, since we do have extra time on our hands if you want to explore. If you say you'd never wear red lipstick, now is the time. Nobody's gonna see you! Try it, wear it around the house and see how it makes you feel. You might be surprised!
What will each woman walk away with after a session with you?
They'll leave with a better understanding of their skin and their face shape. That's something I've been very strategic with talking about… knowing how to shop better. They'll also get digital handouts to refer to and reference when doing their makeup. Just something that makes it more than a one-time thing. They can implement it into their regular routine. My favorite part is that it's customized specifically for them.
"I always say skincare is just as important as brushing your teeth. If you take care of your skin, it will take care of you."
How important is it for us to still practice healthy skincare routines - even though we’re not outside as much, and our skin isn’t exposed to bacteria as much as it used to be?
I always say skincare is just as important as brushing your teeth. If you take care of your skin, it will take care of you. Who knows how long this social distancing this is gonna last. I would hate for, on the other side of this, for us to come out with even worse skin. Now is the time to really start buckling down and creating these routines, getting in the habit of doing specific steps, even if it's just starting with a cleanser and a moisturizer. If you're a person who doesn't do anything to your face, start now by getting in the habit of doing this, so when we do come out of it and you start wearing makeup again like you normally would, your skin knows how to react and bounce back. Even though we're not going out, even though we're not as exposed to the skin, skincare from A-Z, finding a good cleanser, using a good moisturizer for your skin type, all of these things are important. We're responsible for taking care of our skin, cleansing it, and making sure we're protecting it.
As someone who provides self-care for others, how have you practiced it yourself during your downtime?
Every day, or at least twice a day, I'm putting on a new mask! Just because. I've been experimenting more after realizing I'm actually resourceful. In the past, I've spent so much time getting my nails done. I can do my own nails! And even braiding my hair.
As much as I love a good lazy day, there's something about putting on lipstick and doing our hair with nowhere to go.
For more of Kierra, follow her on Instagram.
Featured image courtesy of Kierra Lanice
Charmaine Patterson is a journalist, lifestyle blogger, and a lover of all things pop culture. While she has much experience in covering top entertainment news stories, she aims to share her everyday life experiences, old and new, with other women who can relate, laugh, and love along with her. Follow Char on Twitter @charjpatterson, Instagram @charpatterson, and keep up with her journey at CharJPatterson.com .
How This New Bond Repair Line Transformed One Mother's Postpartum Shedding Into The Ultimate Curl Comeback
This article is in partnership with SheaMoisture
For Crystal Obasanya, her wash day woes came shortly after her son did. The beauty and lifestyle content creator had been natural for years, but during postpartum, she quickly learned about one reality many mothers can relate to experiencing: postpartum hair loss. “Sis had thinning hair. Sis had split ends,” she shared about her hair changes in a Reel via xoNecole.
Over a year into her postpartum journey, Crystal explained she also had dry, brittle hair, noting that keeping it hydrated before pregnancy had already been “a task.” The 4C natural recalled going from thick hair during pregnancy to a thin hairline due to postpartum shedding as “devastating.” When it came to strengthening and revitalizing her hair, the new SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection was just the thing she needed to elevate her damaged coils to revive and thrive status and get them poppin' again.
SheaMoisture is providing us with the cheat code for transforming dry and damaged strands into thriving and deeply nourished crowns. By unveiling their 4-step hair system, the SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection is equipping you with the tools to reverse signs of hair damage caused by protective styling, heat, and color and is uniquely formulated for Type 3 and 4 hair textures.
The haircare system revives damaged natural hair by repairing and rebuilding broken hair bonds through a game-changing combination of HydroPlex Technology and AminoBlend Complex, a unique blend of fortifying amino acids formulated specifically for curly and coily hair. Scientifically proven to reduce breakage by 84% and make your hair six times stronger (vs. non-conditioning shampoo), the collection infuses your hair with the nourishment it craves and the strength it deserves.
All five products of the SheaMoisture Bond Collection are infused with natural strengthening ingredients like Amla Oil and fair-trade shea butter. The collection consists of the 4-step breakage-fighting Bond Repair system, as well as the Bonding Oil.
“When trying it out, I quickly noticed that my hair felt revived and renewed, and my curls were so hydrated,” Crystal said while using the Amla-infused Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner. “I also felt my hair strands were stronger.” So much so that the influencer felt brave enough to get her hair braided shortly thereafter. “I can definitely say that I will be keeping it in my hair wash routine,” she added in the caption of her Reel about her positive experience using the products.
SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection is making bond-building a key player in your wash day routines and the purveyor of life for thirsty manes. Because who doesn't want stronger, shinier, happier hair?
Step One: Bond Repair Collection Shampoo
Rejuvenate your hair with SheaMoisture Bond Repair Shampoo, your go-to solution for luscious locks. Packed with hella hydration power, this shampoo adds moisture by 60% while removing buildup without stripping your strands. This shampoo gently cleanses impurities while significantly enhancing shine, smoothness, and softness.
The Bond Repair Collection Shampoo is the first step in the 4-step Bond Repair system, all of which are powered by the uniquely formulated AminoBlend, and HydroPlex, SheaMoisture’s technology that rebuilds hair strength at its core.
Step Two: Bond Repair Collection Conditioner
Tailored to repair styling damage, this creamy conditioner locks in 12x more moisture than standard non-conditioning shampoos, boosting damaged hair strength by 1.5x with significantly less breakage. The creamy SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Conditioner deeply hydrates, enhances manageability, and leaves your hair looking healthier and shinier.
Step Three: Bond Repair Collection Masque
This Ultra Moisturizing reparative masque is a moisture-rich game-changer for those dealing with the aftermath of hair damage caused by styling. The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Masque delivers 13 times more moisture compared to non-conditioning shampoos, ensuring your hair feels nourished and soft. Designed to repair and rejuvenate, this masque significantly strengthens damaged hair — making it twice as strong while reducing breakage.
Step Four: Bond Repair Collection Leave-In Conditioner
Elevate your curl game with SheaMoisture’s Bond Repair Collection Leave-In Conditioner. Lightweight and hydrating, the Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner provides 12x more moisture than non-conditioning shampoos and tames frizz with 24-hour humidity control. Designed to define curls and coils, the leave-in conditioner enhances softness and shine allowing you to detangle effortlessly.
Bonding Oil
The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Bonding Oil is a multitasking all-in-one formula that acts as a heat protectant and provides the hair with moisture, strength, shine, damage protection, and intense nourishment. This lightweight oil not only offers 24-hour frizz and humidity control but also fortifies your tresses, making them up to 5 times stronger with significantly less breakage.
Featured image courtesy
In today’s economy, we’re always looking for ways to stretch every dollar. However, the allure of new gadgets, trendy clothes, and the latest dining spots can often lead to impulsive spending. An iced latte here and an Uber Eats delivery there, topped off by a spontaneous online order can add up over time.
For those seeking to curb frivolous expenses and adopt a more mindful approach to their finances, participating in a no-spend month could be the solution to gaining control over their spending.
What is the No-Spend Challenge?
The no-spend challenge is a personal finance exercise where individuals commit to not spending money on non-essential items for a specific period. This could mean cutting off a subscription service, limiting your nights out for drinks, pulling back on online shopping, and holding off on big, spontaneous purchases to see how much you’d save over the month. The challenge encourages participants to evaluate their spending habits, identify areas of unnecessary expenditure, and redirect their financial focus toward savings and debt reduction.
This spending requires one to differentiate between needs and wants, with the base necessities being food, transportation, housing, essential bills, and medical/mental health expenses.
Preparing for a No-Spend Challenge
When embarking on a no-spend month, proper preparation is key to ensure you make the most out of the experience.
Financial expert and founder of The Frugal Feminista, Kara Stephens, says that having a compelling “why” can serve as a motivator to endure the ups and downs of the challenge, especially if it's your first time. “Have a clear idea of what your goals and outcomes are for the challenge. Do you want to be grateful for what you have? Do you want to save a certain amount of money?” she tells xoNecole. “Know what's going to be your ‘after-no-spend challenge' sustainability plan because we're hoping that your habits and your perspective on spending are changing and that you find a way to make that a part of your life after the challenge.”
One of the initial catalysts for the recent popularity of the no-spend challenge is to combat “revenge spending.” This spending habit, triggered by the “life is short” reality of the pandemic, has caused many of us to want to make up for lost time or missed experiences, which can lead to reckless financial decisions and jeopardize future stability.
Because of this, Stephen advises us to reframe our thinking around revenge spending to avoid putting our financial future at risk.
“Try and shift your perspective on revenge spending and say, yes, I want to live my best life, but how can I spend it responsibly?” she says. “How can I revenge spend on a budget? How can I remove the idea of revenge spending from my lexicon and just live well and plan systematically so it doesn't take away from my future financial goals?”
Benefits of A No-Spend Month
Taking part in a no-spend month has a number of benefits, one of which is the self-awareness and gratitude you gain by cutting out non-essential purchases. “You’re more financially self-aware because you're only thinking about what you deem as essentials,” Stephens says. “It can also make you more resourceful because you have to use what you have in your home, rather than going out and shopping.”
Those who take part in the challenge often find they become more intentional with their purchases, distinguishing between what they truly need and what they can do without. The money saved over this course of time can then be redirected towards paying off debt, building an emergency fund, or being put into a sinking fund.
Due to the rigid nature of the challenge, Stephens says that it’s important to have a sustainable framework to follow the no-spend challenge to avoid reverting to old habits. “It can be like "yo-yo dieting,” she explains. “If you were very strict for a certain period, but didn’t create any type of habit or change of mind to continue with it, you could resort back to revenge spending, ironically.”
Things to Keep In Mind
While it may seem like just another financial trend, taking part in a no-spend month can provide precious data about not just how much money you spend but also your mindset and relationship around money. You can observe how your feelings about money change and highlight areas of improvement. Alternatively, you can even start a sinking fund that allows you to put money aside for large purchases or personal experiences.
Ultimately, it’s not that spending money is bad, it’s about how you approach spending in a responsible way that ensures your financial security and success in the long run.
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Featured image by Evgeniia Siiankovskaia/Getty Images