When I see a woman who carries herself with grace, confidence, or quiet strength, something in me recognizes her. Her beauty reminds me of mine. It’s like looking in a mirror that reflects not just my face, but my spirit. In those moments, I’m reminded that beauty isn’t competition, it’s connection.

For me beauty has become more about a certain feeling and an appreciation for the love that is shared between loved ones.

For me beauty has become more about a certain feeling and an appreciation for the love that is shared between loved ones.

Time in this world can make a Black woman’s love waver, but this piece is a reminder that we deserve to feel good in our skin, with or without the world’s validation.

After giving birth, I felt both miraculous and undone, caught between gratitude for my daughter and grief for the version of myself I no longer recognized.

Beauty for me is freedom, its laughter, its dancing. I believe a person is at their most beautiful when they are their most authentic selves. I think when I was younger I probably thought about beauty in more traditional terms.

When Layla and Mya started their business, Suga Babes, in April 2012, they had one dream - to sell sugar scrubs online to family and friends.

For someone who spends her lunch hour lurking around beauty shops and returns to work with swatched arms, the Indie Beauty Expo (IBE) is my literal heaven. Having stumbled upon it last year through a co-worker’s suggestion, I made sure to attend this year’s as well.

Having  good skin that doesn’t need to be filtered with VSCO, Instagram, FaceTune, or whatever other enhancing apps that exist, is something a lot of us desire. Not to say we don’t love these apps or filters, but that not-so-humble filterless brag on social media about “minding your business and drinking water” to maintain your healthy skin is goals for many of us desiring perfect skin.