Issa celebration, ladies! February has arrived to the year via black car service and it's ready to swag surf on the necks of the culture. The beauty of it all comes in seeing most businesses adapt to a more inclusive marketing outreach, but the beauty, beauty of it, is seeing black businesses celebrating us as loud and unapologetically as possible.
And y'all know how much we love supporting our black queens around here, so when we saw the latest promo for one of our favorite hair lines, Pattern Beauty, we completely lost our wigs.
Why? Because it was beautifully black AF.
In celebration of the launch of their newest collection, which consists of two new products: a hair mask and scalp treatment, the haircare juggernaut released a full visual, complete with black embracing, customary cultural screenshots, and so much more to have the blackity black black cup runneth over with happiness. The cinematic shots, the inclusion, the rawness, and most of all, the approach to a life and upbringing that only we understand is almost too much to handle.
It also comes complete with community shots from real customers, and a signature slogan, #HonorYourPattern, to welcome and encompass all hair types from 3B to 4C.
If you're unfamiliar, Pattern Beauty was founded by Tracee Ellis Ross, a hair icon of this generation. Beyond its very hair-famous founder, Pattern Beauty is legit, with their backstory detailing how they are, and plan to be, an ally for us naturals. Ross even detailed her entire journey, from Girlfriends to Pattern Beauty, in a personalized blog post.
On why she created the visual to roll out the new products, she tells O Magazine:
"I think art plays a big part in the changing of people's hearts and minds. I think storytelling is a huge part of that. Being transparent and honest about the experience of discrimination is a big part of changing the culture. And we know that culture then starts to influence policy."
And each product in the new line is carefully crafted with us--and only us--in mind. The products are:
Pattern Beauty Definition & Curl Elongation Mask
Pattern Beauty
Ross explains:
"In a nod to ancestral home remedies, which is so much of what Pattern is about, is this idea that all of us with curly, coily, and tightly textured hair have become our own best experts. We come from a legacy of self-care that is haircare. And so one of the new products is an innovative hair mask that combines fermented rice water and moringa oil—two time-honored hair treatments that have been formulated in a modern way. And the beauty of it is that it aids in length retention. For so many of us with curly hair, shrinkage is an issue."
Pattern Beauty Invigorate & Cool Scalp Serum
Pattern Beauty
She continues:
"[The second product] is a scalp treatment, which has rosemary and lavender oils. It's a beautiful way to hydrate the roots of your hair, which we know is what promotes hair growth. It also has a cooling and beautiful smell that stimulates the scalp. It was a really exciting process. We've moved from rock your pattern to style your pattern to honor your pattern."
Queen.
--
Click here to watch the entire promo video.
Are you a member of our insiders squad? Join us in the xoTribe Members Community today!
Featured image by Pattern Beauty/Instagram
RELATED
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images
