Beautiful Soul

Dear Beautiful Soul,

You feel they don't recognize your beauty and efforts deep beyond the surface of the beautiful face you display each and everyday. You have waited time and time again for the okay of others, letting them validate your life, the check mark that states okay  you can move forward with what you want to do. Where does your own confidence lie? One day you're up the next day you're down. Mind on overload, heart overblown. Telling yourself each day that it's okay, just brighten up don't let them see your weakness although you know you have become weaker than before, in reality you may not realize how STRONG you really are.

That luggage of worries that is weighing you down up underneath that no one sees, start letting it drown and drift into the ocean. If it no longer means you any good, if it's not adding to you it is subtracting LET IT GO... They tell you that you're beautiful but most times you don't believe it because all you can see is your flaws. You are so hard on yourself young thing, it's okay you are doing your best STOP IT. Just keep going after what you want. There is ENOUGH in the world for you, so don't think that it will pass you away.

That faith of a mustard seed, are you using it to move those mountains?? Know that sometimes the hardest battles are given to the toughest soldiers. Lace up those boots, throw on your camos and denim and apply your red lipstick... YOU ARE BUILT FOR THIS!!!

There is so much more in store for you, JUST WATCH WHAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN NEXT!!!

P.S. This is for the woman who is going through anything right now! Just believe in yourself, command whatever you don't want in your life to leave, it can no longer live in you, and go out and conquer all that you have inside of you!!

Lipstick & Love, XOXO

Under Construction

It does not feel like a Thursday today, being that New Years landed dead smack in the middle of the week. As I spoke on in my last post, my visions and goals are being set to become a better me. Planning is very necessary to achieve my personal and career goals. I am taking some days off to plan so that I can become very effective in the criteria I post on my website. I want to bring you everything that is dear to me, well thought out information, and things that you and I both would love to read and engage in.

Although my blog has not created a platform for a bulk load of followers (and that is okay with me as I am building the foundation) I want to thank you all who are reading and will support me throughout my journey. This is my relaunch of Thee Lipstick Canvas from 2010, it is not a hustle or a get known quick scheme but merely one of my passions and purpose. I promise that I will not just bring you the everyday norm that you are seeing with bloggers nowadays. The mess and drama of others and just the daily posting of outfits but things that will Inspire, Empower, and help us all to be better whether it is mentally, physically, with our style, our beauty and aesthetics and so much more.

Stay Tuned, there is So much in Store!

Lipstick & Love, XOXO

Photo Credit: Google Images

Glam Gal: Lipstick & Love

Good Saturday Morning to you Beautiful

People! This week I decided to get glam and rock some lip colors. Usually I only apply bold lipstick when hanging out, but not during my work week. *starts to sing: Staying alive working 9 to 5, my 9 to 5* 

The lip colors I werked from top to bottom were RiRi Heaux: I like the matte feel of this lipstick and also it still has moisture not making the lips feel cracked and dry. Second, was RiRi Woo lipstick and it is also matte. The red lipstick is definitely a signature color. Lastly, I kept it simple with MAC's lipglass in Salmon. Now this gloss is perfect to wear alone or paired on top of any lipstick to get a shine. Oh, and it was also a headband and bad hair week but it all worked out perfectly. 

Tell me more of the lip colors that you like to wear this fall or any time! 

Lipstick & Love XOXO 

Fab and Fit: BGWT New Workout DVD

Now *Lunge* and *Squat* and *Lunge* and *Squat*. Let's get that Booty Right Ladies! I began to laugh after I wrote that because when doing the first Black Girls Workout Too dvd I'm almost out of breath coaching myself and gulping down a bottle of H20 stating "I can do this". Last week I was on the roll working out 3 times and trying not to eat out, while making better food choices. This week I'm back in the fatness house, I haven't done a thing but look at my workout gear and climb into bed.

So how do you all stay motivated and determined to put forth the effort each week to accomplish your fitness goals? I know that It all starts within yourself and if you want to get things done, you just have to do it. Do you think having a partner to workout with is a great idea to stay motivated? What are your fitness tips?

Vitamin Ellen and Lana Ector have released a new dvd TODAY. You can buy it over on Amazon at a price of $29.99. They are snatching it back and getting you to do those SQUATS NO SHOTS in this DVD and it also comes with a new meal plan. I am contemplating on buying the dvd because I yet to do what needs to be done with the first one but I've also thought far ahead and said what if I switch out my routines between both. Such a good Idea huh.

Are you setting fitness goals and clean eating habit goals for the new year? Let us in on your secrets too!

Lipstick & Love XOXO

Bad Bey, H Town: BEYONCE

Did BEYONCE just give it to us or not?? Dropping an album without any promotion or anyone knowing is pure genius. I woke up in awe, hit the download button and have been in concert ever since. LOL! A visual album is creative and amazing. Bey Hives and Bey Stans are in heaven right now. So far, I love the songs Drunk in Love, Pretty Hurts, Partition, and Mine. Excuse me, I love the entire album! It is exclusively available on Itunes and will be available for purchase in retail stores on the 21st of December . Be sure to pick it up, I promise you won't be disappointed. Beyonce has given me an entire new outlook on her, she works so hard and she is such an ICON.

Track list Includes:

1. Pretty Hurts
2. Haunted
3. Drunk in Love (feat. JayZ)
4. Blow
5. No Angel
6. Partition
7. Jealous
8. Rocket
9. Mine (feat. Drake)
10.XO
11. Flawless (feat Chimamanda)
12. Superpower (feat Frank Ocean)
13. Heaven
14. Blue (feat. Blue Ivy)
15- 32 (Visual Videos)

NOW AGAIN, WHO RUN THE WORLD?? GIRLLLLSSS

Lipstick & Love xoxo

Let's Talk: Healthy Hair

When it comes to hair talk, what do you consider healthy hair? We as (African American) women have went from thinking the perm, relaxed hair was the best thing since sliced bread until the journey of natural hair began to take over. Is it true that either style chosen can be healthy depending on how you take care of your hair, or all the chemicals and ingredients in perms are really bad for us? Honestly I will be the first to say that I have failed to properly take care of my hair when I thought I was the bomb.com (LOL) and I am now on a journey of restoring it to it's natural and healthy state.

Let's talk about what are some of the mistakes that we as women can make when it comes to our tresses.

1. Not keeping our hair washed and cleansed of impurities, dirt and bacteria on a weekly basis.
2. Some think that wearing weaves and installs protects their real hair so they don't bother having a regimen for it underneath the caps and nets.
3. Failing to use a scarf or silk pillowcase when going to bed at night.
4. Poor diet and lack of water.
4. Not choosing and doing research on a hairstylist who actually cares about your real hair.

So, with that being said here are some tips that I think are beneficial for healthy hair.

1. Drinking plenty of H20 to keep your scalp hydrated and eating healthy.
2. Washing your hair once a week or every two weeks, and using a deep conditioning treatment.
3. Developing a hair regimen personalized for you.
4. Consultations with a hairstylist on what will be most beneficial for your hair.
5. Keeping your scalp and hair oiled and clean under your installs, plus making sure that they are not too tight where it causes traction to your edges and fine hairs.
6. Wrapping your hair up at night to keep it free from tangling.
7. Researching the products you use for your hair, and doing a spot test before using it over your entire head.

Disclaimer: I am not a hairstylist nor an avid lifestyle coach for healthy hair, these are just tips from my own personal life with my hair. *Covers eyes*

Do you have any great tips when it comes to hair care??

Lipstick & Love xoxo

Beauty: Aveeno Products

Happy Friday! I have not gave you all any of my thoughts or picks on beauty products that I enjoy. I wanted to first start off with skincare because even under all the makeup, it is very important to take care of your skin, and using the right products that works best for you in your everyday routine. Everyone is different seeing that some of us individuals have oily skin, others have dry, and we can even have a combination of them both. Acne is also a skin problem that many people suffer from and even if they are seeing a dermatologist developing a routine at home is very vital. 

My favorite Beauty/ Skincare products for my face is Aveeno. It is made with Active Natural ingredients such as Soy, Oatmeal, and wheat. The products come in a variety of combinations to help one such as the clear complexion package, or positively radiant package. These are two of my favorite and I have seen a positive difference in my face since using the foaming cleanser and daily moisturizing lotion. You can buy the products online here --> Aveeno Products  or in your stores such as Walmart and Target. One great thing I also like about Aveeno is that the line extends into products for your hair and body, your baby, and even for men. How Awesome is that! 

This is my Beauty pick of the Week. What do you use daily in your skincare routine?

Lipstick & Love xoxo

Masked: When we are a Beautiful Nightmare!

Photo Credit: Ambelav.blogspot.com via google

I decided to display such a beautiful masked picture to tie hand in hand with the post for today. My thoughts for today are that we can be perceived as such a  beautiful person in this world to others but we can be a beautiful nightmare to ourselves. To me it means that we hide ourselves behind a mask, we may look so beautiful on the outside but on the inside we are experiencing a nightmare. 

Think about this. Sometimes you are having the worst day or in the worst situation and it seems like nothing can go right, and instead of a little bit of rain on your parade, it's a pour. But you still have to go about your day as if you are not crying or experiencing turmoil on the inside. Someone asks, "How are you" and the reply is I'm great, or I'm okay but really you just want to begin bawling and spilling your heart out to gain some relief and vent. 

We have learned to mask ourselves, because at times we are afraid to tell someone that my life is not as amazing as you think it is. I'm going through a lot right now and I wish I had someone to just talk too, or to get a hug from and tell me that everything is okay. But out of fear that they may not understand your situation, or they probably won't even care, we mask our emotions, hold everything in and like a shaken soda bottle we don't even realize that eventually we are going to explode. 

The question is when do we realize that we can take off our mask, that we don't have to keep hiding behind our beauty that only one can see from the outside. Sometimes there is someone who is staring at you thinking the same thing, will they listen? I wish they knew what I was going through. 

Today if you are feeling like a Beautiful Nightmare, just as you wipe the makeup off of your face at night before bed. Begin to clean your mask, each layer, each piece at a time. Don't rush yourself, know that the nightmare can only become Beautiful when you allow it to be. We are a masterpiece, and no matter what we feel on the inside we have the opportunity to speak nothing unless it is Positive and Beauty into our life. IT CAN BE DONE!! No matter what YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!!! 

Lipstick and Love xoxo

Fit & Fab

With all the health guru and fitness people we come across nowadays, the new fit and fab talk of the town is working out with Waist Trainers or simply wearing them to achieve that coke bottle figure. I have seen many celebs, and individuals promoting them or showing off their frame captioning the title "What's a Waist" he-he :) While we ladies all want that small waist and to look amazing in our midi dresses and crop tops, question is how great are these corsets and trainers? I've seen some BOMB.COM ladies who stated that the waist trainer is how they achieved that sexy slim figure, but I sometimes wonder did they have work done, do they even need this, or is it all true. Will you or have you tried it yet?

In other news, some women go the other route with exercising regularly and clean eating. Celebrity Fitness Trainers Lana Gem and her mom have been snatching bodies back since releasing their DVD BGWT "Black Girls Workout Too". I, myself have tried this DVD and I must say I seen some results while trying to eat clean and working out to their 45 minute plan. I must say you have to be very dedicated and disciplined, OH and PATIENT (covers eyes) to see the results. What are you exercise tips to get us all in shape? Do you meal prep?? 

Lipstick & Love XOXO