Natural + Beauty = Effort

I've been thinking about writing on this topic for awhile. Everyday,I wake up I go through alot of steps of washing,brushing,scrubbing, masking,ironing, and checking the mirror several times just to look what think is "decent". I've come to the conclusion that I'm not "naturally" pretty. Now,I don't think I'm ugly but I have to put in serious effort in just to look like something.

Example #1- If I don't watch what I'm eating or put in some kind of exercise I will blow up. Some people feel great as a Plus size diva but I don't. I'm always on a mental diet.

Example#2- I have a skin care regimen that I don't think most celebrities with fantastic skin even do. Why? If I skip a day of day cream or a night of night cream or a Wednesday facial steam or a biweekly lip scrub I look busted. I have a friend who has NEVER used a facial moisturizer. She doesn't have to. She didn't even know what it did.

Example#3- Makeup. I love love love makeup but I can't skip a day. I just look plain and dry.

Example#4- Last year, tried to tone it down, you know less accessories, neutral colors, simpler cuts of clothing, even simpler makeup. I thought maybe if I simplify everything, my natural beauty will shine. I looked like a bum all year.

Example#5( when my girlfriends read this they'll be shocked)- This weekend past,everything from my makeup,to my perfume, to my outfits had been strategically planned for over a week. I packed everything down to the lip glass according to the outfit and the scene. I took pictures of each outfit to make sure it look good on camera. Why all this? If I had packed three black shirts, two pair of jeans and a pair black boots and maybe a dressy bag I would have looked un-Jamie like but others would have looked stunning. The effort I put in is simply crazy sometimes.

My mom used to say to me when I was young in the 80s living in South Carolina going to school where I was normally the only little black girl in the class, that I had to put more "effort" in my school work than everyone else because they(kids,parents,teachers) expected me to fail. In beauty,I have to put in more "effort" than everyone else. I don't wake up to a bump and curl and go. I wake up to take off the scarf,pick out the hair, wet the hair,apply about three different products,fluff the hair, forget the hair, and put on a wig and vintage scarf. I felt like I needed to share this with my readers. Do you feel"naturally" pretty? And how do you do it? Or does your looks require"effort"?

pic: My Last Friday Night Shoes( They matched my eyeshadow,see homecoming post #1)

Jamie

Happy Valentine's Day!

Face:Wet N Wild Mega Glo Face Illuminator in Paradise
Brows:CG Perfect Point Plus in Espresso
Eyes,Lips,Cheeks: Too Faced The Quickie Chronicles in The Party Girl- I used all three of the e/s and the pink iridescent lipgloss and the blush( which is this gorge pink,wow!!)

Fragrance: The Healing Garden Sensualtherapy in Passion Rose- I love it the mix of vanilla and Rose. I used the All Day Moisture Body Creme then the Romantic Body Mist to layer. I'll admit that I'm not a big fan of rose, but The Healing Garden gives great combo of hydration and smell that feels "sensual"!!

Now that I'm ready for Valentine's Day, I must say that I hate it anyway. Even when I have someone,It's a stressful mess to complete a perfect day. Cynical about V-Day...Damn right! I have endless stories of shopping with overstressed girlfriends for their men the day before, waiting on phone calls from long distance boyfriends who seem to forget what day it was,watching co workers gush over cheap roses and dollarstore greeting cards, and all wishing for finally a "perfect" V-day myself( dinner@ an overcrowded restaurant,cheap flowers,and a $100 bracelet from Zales:)). I woke up this morning to a beautiful gift bag from my mother of chocolate candy( which I will scarf down in a minute...),bath soak, and a pretty,pretty pink leather-like clutch purse. She knows I like clutch handbags!! My mother does love me:)( Today.). I plan on chilling out @ the house, not by choice but because my car broke down yesterday and now its in Spbg@ the Toyota Dealership. But the best part? All that Target Choxie Chocolate will be on sale tomorrow!!!!


Jamie

There it is yall...

JHud is on the COVER of VOGUE. Check out @ www.concreteloop.com

Jamie

photo: www.concreteloop.com

Rural Glamour's Grammy Awards Fashion Recap!!

Ciara's dress is going to be a "no" for me. Beautiful dress, but the cuts wrong on her. I see what she was trying to do( keep it young) but the top of the dress cuts her neck off.
Did she and Solange switch weaves?
Love it. and the round toe pumps to match. Comfy glam.
I don't remember when being a VJ qualified you as a red carpet celeb? But I like the dress. Now Ciara could have done this kind of short party dress.
JHud is definitely is focusing on the silhouette of a dress. What works on her body and not what's trendy. Low cut and body skimming. She even looks good in red. Love it.
I posted this picture cause I like the bejeweled bangles and earrings. The dress is just okay.
I don't know. Really, Beyonce's has been missing the mark red carpet frocks lately. I like the color and length. But the cut,especially the strapless( looks like its too small at the top, she's got a half boob situation going on..) is weird on her.
Okay...I just expected a little more pizazz from MJB. This is not her. It might be a "Grammy dress" but its not her.


Jamie

photos:

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Make it happen!! Homecoming Trip 2007 Part 1

Before I go on I must say that this weekend made me realize that...

IF I SEE ANOTHER BELTED TUNIC HIGH UP ON THE WAIST WITH A CHEAP MULTI COLORED BELT AND THAT RAINBOW PLASTIC 60 INSPIRED JEWELRY AND THOSE BAD KNOCKOFF PEEP TOE PATENT LEATHER CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTON SHOES,I'M GOING TO SCREAM!! THAT WAS ALL THE CHICKS WERE WEARING AT HOMECOMING(CRINGES).

Obviously,I'm 29 and finished college in 1999. And I don't watch music videos on BET because they are ridiculous, so I'm considered FASHIONABLY old.Damn.

Any way, Homecoming was fabulous but I'm glad its over. The older I get the less I want to go. I will say that most of festivities are not alumni friendly. We normally make our own stuff happen like Friday night...

I met Michael Jordan. For real.

We( T.Hall,Jenn,Erica,Nikkia) went to a Delta sponsored party @ The Sunset Club, one of Charlotte's better grown folks spots for a good drink and cigar. T.Hall alerted me and Erica that since she had arrived that Michael Jordan and Bob Johnson( Charlotte Bobcats owner and former BET CEO) was in the cigar room with like five bodyguards.Of course,I was like, "whatever". But while Nikkia and I stood at the bar, we turned around and the crowd parted and then all of 6foot 7 inches of the best basketball player that ever existed,Michael Jordan walked by like a slow moving commercial. He looks younger in person. I looked him dead in the eye and he gave me this smirky ass smile. Maybe it was that MAC Silver,Dark Soul,Soft Wash Grey piggie combo eye that got him. But he had some "ladies" with him so,I didn't put the moves on him!!!LOL. Hell,I wouldn't know what to say if I could.

Continued...

Also on the Friday Night FOTD...

Wet N'Wild Mega Glo Face Illuminator in Paradise( I used this all over my face and works like a illuminating foundation)

Loreal Blush in Front Page Peach

KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Highlighter in Juicy Java

Loreal HIP l/g in Pixie

Loreal Telescopic Mascara

Jamie