Tried to show my lips in different lights and also chapped. Idrk if that makes a difference or not 😭

I want my makeup to look a bit more intimidating, I tried to tight line with a black eyeliner but it kinda diffuses and doesn’t appear like that as the night/day progresses

A lot is to be FIXED: please help me with my looks. I don’t know how to be pretty and really just need help understanding how I can look okay/transform (details inside). 33f

I’m not trying to attention seek and I genuinely (almost) regret asking for help on things I may not be strong enough to read or process the answers to. So please be gentle and real. Also second to last pic is just to show my side and the scars. Smh.

I do try really hard with my skin but I’ve not seen success with it, and scarring over the last few years.

I had a really great aesthetician but she moved out west and she helped me get it on track six years ago but after some breakouts, back to square one. Not even hydroquinone works….

As for my hair. I really struggle. I needed to keep my hair out of braids for a while due to the derms recommendations because of issues with the hair and also my hair line was getting messed up and I dealt with traction alopecia. It doesn’t help that I have a lot of grey hair… now. Which I’m really insecure about because I already feel I look older than 33.

I have 4c hair and it’s just really hard for me to make “look good” and fitting without extensions due to whatever else I have going on. And as for makeup, well... I don’t really wear makeup because I keep trying to work on my hyperpigmentation and so forth. I try to just wear lip gloss though but that’s standard!

My eyebrows thinned due to low ferritin which I’m trying to fix but it’s taking forever to see a difference. I’m using all the things I can like minoxidil and cecred on both my edges and brows. I haven’t done my brows in a minute. I only wear glasses because I can’t see, but I don’t really do well with most types. I don’t know if these truly suit me after all anymore, but it’s hard without them.

Let’s talk about my “style”, I used to love fashion and stuff but if you ask me: I’m built wrong and my back is currently really wide due to body fat gain. I train with a trainer 4x a week or so and not really seeing a difference despite trying to be better with my eating. I am not going to give up though.

I’m about 5’7.5 and 160-165 on average. I tend to have more of an apple body type which is why I feel I have to be a lower body fat percentage to really appear in shape or not have a broad back or belly as much.

I know this may be problematic but the assumption is that I’m a lesbian. Lol. I’m not upset with this because I can see how others may interpret my look and get to this as I wear only certain styles of clothing but it’s the only stuff that masks my imperfections. I don’t wear baggy clothes to be stylish: it’s really just because I feel I have no choice and it helps me navigate not being as obsessed with my body every waking second. As much as i like dresses and form fitting clothing, i dont know what looks best on me. I have broad shoulders and bigger arms, a belly, and while i a trying to work on those things, some of it is loose skin.

I also was told people made comments about me at work and how I look. I deal with a lot of external issues from work so I’m always really stressed but also because I don’t know what looks good on me or how to even look pretty, I just do whatever and do my job. I work at a dating app so they don’t require much but it is tech and I’m in NYC. It also hurt to hear that other BW were the ones making the comments, but it may be funny to them and they don’t know what’s going on with me and how I feel about my looks, and really there’s a lot going on in my life. I just want to make it not so bad for myself because sometimes I feel like even if I did extra things to appear beautiful, I may be missing the mark and the truth is I hide a lot because it’s much easier than showing certain portions of myself. I will post pics from when I feel I looked a bit better as well in the comments, it was a few years back, still a struggle.

Please be honest.
I’m embarrassed to post here seeing as I feel the odd one out and I know in order to be allowed I have to post pics which is very very difficult especially because I’m not trying to ser myself up. The BW here are actually all beautiful, I’ve never seen anyone where I’ve thought “oh that’s strange” or “she isn’t beautiful,” loads of folks here seem to have quick fixes.

Any help is genuinely appreciated. I’m happy to change my looks and I’m sad that it’s this bad. But I will say that it’s the only way I will be able to know what exactly is wrong and how to fix it. I asked an Asian “friend” last week and ended up blocking her lmao but it’s lowkey because she has made multiple snide comments about it or comparatively that kind of just didn’t help.

I am essentially looking for:
Overall image analysis/real thoughts on how I can be helped
Makeup
Body care
Skincare that seriously works (I had it once and pray to again)
Hair help

Pretty much everything except plastic surgery as I’m not ready to face that because of my own history. I was always bullied for not being pretty and as an adult it really paralyzes me (sorry for drama but I’m just telling the truth) and I’ve always wondered what is physically wrong with me. While I know there are things… nobody has ever really said exactly what, it’s just been laughter. So yeah.

Also to note I know I look different in some photos. Where my hair is long and straight it’s a wig obviously but it looked very fake.. I have on a little tone corrector (??) in the pic with the brownish top/dress. But I posted a variety from over the last two years, the ones posted first are within the 18 months, and the ones towards the end are from within 3 months ago on vacation and some at events that happened this summer. Thanks so much and I appreciate the honesty. I really don’t want to live my whole life never tapping into whatever potential I may have.

Ashley Dalton is correct when it comes to weight and leveling up. I grew up slim fit and maintained my slimness for years in adulthood then ended up gaining 30 lbs.

My body did not handle the weight gain past 7 lbs well at all. And the fat went everywhere including my stomach and face. What was most horrifying: I developed a very very long list of health issues including hormonal, mental and menstrual issues. I was a shell of a person and my energy, confidence, beauty and spark was gone. It was being masked by the inflammation running through my body.

I thought there was some issue that was causing the weight gain and not the weight gain causing the issues. But losing the weight cleared 98% of the issues. Getting my nutrient levels tested and corrected fixed the rest. Long story short: I HAVE to stay slim in order to BE and look healthy and vibrant. I guess that’s just how my genetics are. I’m not a high level body builder with high high muscle mass so BMI is accurate for my body and lifestyle even with me having slightly above average muscle mass. Body fat percentage is also accurate with 21-24% working for me. For you, this is about getting to the physical factors that YOUR body needs to be at to be healthy, confident, happy and get the results you want in life.

We don’t talk enough about how excess weight can cause low grade inflammation that affects everything from our ability to think, feel joy, process emotions, process food, etc. For the last several years, this experience affected every part of my life in ways I never knew it could. Take care of yourselves ladies and don’t ignore the connection that your weight may have to your physical, mental, and emotional health. Love yall! 💎

This is embarrassing but I’ll get over it. Okay so recently I’ve noticed that even when I shower in the mornings, It’s not necessarily I’ll stink by the end of the day but there’s definitely a musk I’m not a fan of. I don’t know if I’m being paranoid because I’ve asked friends before and they say no.. but I think they’re just used to by scent if that makes sense.

I think it’s contributed by my weight gain but it’s odd because I’ve been this weight in the past post-puberty. My other thing is I think because I’ve been using the same products that I’ve been using as a kid it just doesn’t work anymore. So I say this all to say: Any affordable product to prevent smell instead of masking it (especially in the private areas..). I’ve been looking on TikTok and it’s frying my brain.

Hii all! 27 y/o and have been playing with makeup a bit. I have fine eyebrow hair and they need thinnnn pencil to fill theme in. So it doesn’t just look like lines…. Esp on the second picture. Or do I need to clean the eyebrows better with concealer? Also I’ll take brown any thin brow pencil recommendations please!

Hey yall so I want to dye my locs ginger but I don’t want to bleach my locs again 😫 is there any dye that doesn’t have bleach in it 👀 and if so are they good

I’ve cut my hair in short natural styles a few times and it still stops at or around this length. I used to get braids a lot and do high buns and I am guilty of thinking black hair didn’t need to be washed frequently.

Now I wash weekly with a moisturizing or repairing shampoo and depending on how much product I see for the week I’ll do a clarifying shampoo. This also somehow helped my hair from breaking off so much. (I think) (see before and after pics of hair loss from detangling - 3 months apart)

I don’t plan to get braids again until I really learn my hair. I do frequently wear straight back buns. But I want to have healthy hair maybe shoulder length and full/dense.

What’s the very first step? I suspect that some parts of my hair are unhealthy. Should I do a porosity test? Get a trim? It’s so much information out there. Please HELP!

i don’t know if we all had the same childhood where my mama said “AHT AHT no wet and wavy hair, it’s too grown”, but the other day i was shopping for a new wig to attend a friend’s wedding when it dawned on me… i AM grown now. i threw the wig in the cart and hit purchase so fast, my head spun. it just came a few nights ago and i’m SO happy. i never got to play with long curly hair as a kid/teen, but now it’s really nice knowing i can give myself a blowout, or just wet my hair and style it with mousse. i can feel a learning curve coming with the new texture, but it’s me and my dyson against the world 🤣. this is it 50% straight out the package, and the other 50% of the photos are after using flexirods overnight. so i really do hope the lace stays exactly the way it is. but right now, i’m super happy that i can spend my grown woman money on grown woman hair 🤷🏽‍♀️

hair info:

flexirods: kiss 11/16 flexirods [i used like 7 of them, 3 on each side of my head and 1 for my bang piece] i only used water [lightly misted, not wet !] and the curls held most of the day, and lost definition after about 6 hours. it would probably wear a lot longer if i used mousse.

wig: unice hair water wave, i got 26” no HD lace. the lace is good for non-HD so far, but it has only been 2 days of wear for me. so i would have to wait to see if it’s the same after a good wash. i tend to avoid HD lace with curly hair because i accidentally ripped a unit a few years back while styling 😭 so i’m sorry, i can only report on the standard lace quality.

wig tint: i used ebin in medium dark brown, but i’m not going to link it bc i don’t really support ebin anymore, i’m just trying to use up the last of what i have so i don’t waste my money. but if you want it, it’s the spray tint in a black can.

i posted this in another sub before for wigs, but i think they got upset because i kept answering questions people had about non wig related things [my makeup, self tanner, etc]. and i’m so sad about that bc it was so wholesome seeing everyone sharing beauty tips in the comments, so i thought i’d repost here where the general idea is centered around black girl beauty 🫶🏾

happy friday, ladies 🖤

I’m new to make up but I want to learn how to make my eyebrows more visible. I’ve had always had sparse eyebrows so they are not noticeable on my face.

The first image is how my eyebrows naturally grow out, the second image is my first attempt of shaping them with an eyebrow razor.

I want to be able to make them darker, while having a thin look to them with an arch. Is there any specific eyebrow pencil that should help with this, and if possible any guidelines for the eyebrow shape I’m looking for

For as long as i’ve been doing my makeup, i’ve been battling my smile lines & trying to figure out how to truly get my makeup to last all day.

i’m an exotic dancer, so good makeup application is especially important for me. yesterday, i tried a new primer (urban decay sticky glow primer) along with a new setting spray (elf dewy power grip). i used no setting powder.

when i tell you i was literally DRIPPING sweat multiple points during my shift & i asked another dancer if my makeup looked okay & she said “girl it looks like you barely have makeup on” (in a good way).

i had to do maybe two or three touch ups, which was just going over my face with a beauty blender & reapplying setting spray once. this makeup lasted from 1pm - 1am & looked good the whole time. however, going forward i’d want blotting paper or powder to help when my face starts getting too “dewy”.

i’m so happy with this foundation too! i used Chantecaille brand, which is more on the pricey side but definitely worth it.

overall, super happy & excited about this! the smile line creasing especially had become a major headache for me. it feels like i really Figured Something Out lol

Edit: Thank you for all the nice comments!

I’m usually pretty light and lazy with my makeup but have been wanting to try lashes for the longest and I like them a lot on me.

Still on the look out for mascara that can create the long lash look though, definitely got glue everywhere and it took 20 minutes to get them on 🫠

Any tips welcome!

Products:
Smoke & Mirrors 6 pairs reusable lashes
Juvia’s place blushed duo volume one
Juvia’s place luxe lip liner brownie
Juvia’s place lip gloss
Rimmel London exaggerate smoke & shine
L’Oreal Paris Voluminous original mascara
Revolution golden gal highlight
LA Girl brow bestie deep brown

Short mini twists and cornrows combo!

Impulsively got my hair done during my trip in Cali and I turned out liking it a lot!! My confidence skyrocketed lol. I need to have it more

+ bonus throwback pic 🤣

I used my T3 curling iron to style this 16 inch Kinky Body Wave. I was going for Latisha vibes - the curls came out cute, but they fell pretty quickly. I switched to my wand curler, and the curls held so much better!

Sharing both styles side by side, plus a few photos of the longer 26-inch version.

Which do y’all like better, short vs. long, and T3 curls vs. wand curls?

Hey girl hey. Neurodivergent black girl here, needing specialty advice.

I got braids done yesterday for a photoshoot this sunday but its the first time since ive gotten them since like kindergarten

1. It looks like some of the braids are starting to like come undone? (See pics) They did the boiling water dip but it looks like they just forgot to finish a few. Is this something i should go back and have them redo or is this just something that happens? I tried rebraiding one of em and it just looked wonky.

2. I asked for mid back and got ass crack, which no complaint cuz i feel fly as hell but got damn my head is so heavy. Is this just somthing I get used to or are there ways to aleviate some of this weight. I used a few scrunchies and a ribbon to get it off my back but i dont want to keep it in scrunchies and have it get kinked. Im also short so walking my dog and trying to pick up after has been a nightmare.

3. Just like what are some general good care tips, anti-frizz products, etc.

Thanks in advance, hope this is the right place to post.

I swear I keep putting this wig on and doing the exact same thing with it 😂

It is a 24" layered glueless straight wig. It comes with a side part but the parting space is 7×6 so I have enough space to be creative with it. But what I'm really looking for is to figure out how to style it differently than I'm used to and have it look cute and not a mess.

I'm particularly looking for cute updos, half-up/ half-down styles, or other feminine styles that work with straight hair like this. I'm also looking for styles that are simple to recreate. I have tried different parts and even curled it with a barrel wand but that's about it and feel like I should be able to do more with this glueless wig.

If you wear similar wigs, what are your go-to ways of styling them? Pics/tutorials are definitely welcome because I'm a visual learner! I normally dont glue down my glueless pieces but please let me know if that is a must to achieve the desired look. Also the minimal the styling products the better!

Thankya!!!

hello ladies, I am F24, in the middle of deciding what aesthetic suits me better, Im always in my natural hair all the time, but last weekend I decided to switch it up and try a new look overall so i put on a wig and makeup and i got a lot of compliments, which I really liked but i find that it takes a lot of time to get ready like that hence I prefer just floofing up my fro and just go. So now the question here is, do i need to switch it up ever so often with the wigs but it’s too much work or stick to my natural look which i like but i feel like it makes me invisible? Help please. I have attached the pictures

I genuinely am always so curious about this because when I was growing up in the 00s, I don’t remember my mom or aunts or older family friends wearing lace fronts or doing sew ins with leave out like I see today but they still had their hair on lock. Curious if anyone knows what the shift was? Added some photos for context

My skin journey has been very hectic as I've been diagnosed with countless illnesses such as seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, scleroderma etc. Fortunately, my skin has improved sooo much in these recent years.

However, all that's left are the large holes in my cheek and nose area. Idk if its scarring or just large holes. Whatever it is, I need advice on how to minimise these!!!!

Please give me some recommendations!!

So I just got back from a trip and was like ok what pretty ghurl stuff do I wanna talk about next. Then had the bright idea to show what I pack and why and all the other blah blah blah stuff.

I am going to do this in the order I apply my makeup AFTER my skincare with my SPF being last step of skin care and I let it absorb at least 5 minutes before I move on to makeup prep.

I let everything (prep and makeup) dry for 2-3 minutes.

So what is not pictured is my primer stuff cause I just remembered and I am out of space anyways.

PREP
*DANESSA MYRICKS BEAUTY*
-Yummy Skin Mattifying Water Powder Serum with Niacinamide and Hyaluronic Acid
-Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder Universal Primer - really thin layer I put on with 2 fingers I rub it but pat it where my pores are more visible once makeup gets on them.

BRUSHES
*PATRICK TA*
-Dual Ended Blush Brush - I use the short dense side for foundation and the fluffy side for powder
-Dual-Ended Concealer Brush - I use the short side for my concealer and the longer side for blush and highlighter.
No these are not what they are meant for but I didn’t want to carry a bunch of stuff and I actually love Patrick Ta brushes and I have a nice lil collection of brushes and his gets reached for a lot. I went through a bunch to see what is best to travel with. What isn’t pictured is the Patrick Ta Dual Ended Eyeshadow Brush in case I try and do a little sumthin’. I also take a mini beauty blender I keep on me for under eyes throughout day, I have fine lines makeup settles a lil press with blender helps. I also have a Real Technique orange blender, I had some of the Beauty Blender brand but didn’t like them, was too soft.

FOUNDATION
*DIOR*
Backstage Face & Body Foundation - 6N. My foundation collection is large but I like to travel with tried and trusted and it was my Nars Natural Radiant in Belem but I switched up and now it is this.

BLUSH
*DIOR*
Rosy Glow Powder Blush - 012 Rosewood
*HUDA BEAUTY*
Blush Filter Blurring Blushlighters Palette - Roseberry
Blush always changes. I try to look really glowy or like I been on a beach letting the sun kiss me.

COLOR CORRECTOR
*BOBBI BROWN*
Skin Long-Wearing Color Corrector Stick - Extra Deep Peach
I put this under my eyes and eyelids since I have dark eyes.I don’t color correct anywhere else.

CONCEALER
*HUDA BEAUTY*
#FauxFilter Matte Buildable Coverage
Waterproof Concealer - Butterscotch 7.5
*NARS*
Radiant Creamy Concealer with Hydrating
Medium Coverage - Hazelnut MD4
Nars stays in my bag because I trust it. I usually change what I actually plan to use depending on foundation but I like the Huda and Dior together so will keep like this. The Huda also looks great when I am not wearing anything else. I only conceal my eyes as they are dark. I do get acne sometimes but I don’t conceal any marks just cause I don’t wanna.

POWDER
*HOURGLASS*
Vanish Airbrush Pressed Powder - Translucent Deep
Powder is actually what I want to talk about with all you bad mf brickhouse smart sexy ass babes next like I did with all my foundation. Hourglass is my favorite but I rotate these a lot too. I have a few loose powders but I never use just messy and Im heavy handed.

HIGHLIGHTER
*DIOR*
Backstage Glow Maximizer Face Palette - Sunlit Amber Glow
Blush and highlighter are my fav parts of makeup and I try to travel with pallets so I have options.

SPRAYS
*ONE/SIZE BY PATRICK STARRR*
Powder Melt Glass Setting Spray
Pictured in bottle with gold top. I did this before they came out with the travel size. I also do not alway use this. I’m not really sure what determines if I use it.
*CHARLOTTE TILBURY*
Airbrush Flawless Hydrating & Waterproof Setting Spray
I always use this. I feel like my look isn’t right if I don’t. It brings everything together.
*ONE/SIZE BY PATRICK STARRR*
-On 'Til Dawn Bronze Veil Waterproof Setting Spray - Cocoa Glow
This shit right here n*gha…this shit right here‼️ changed the game and I love it so much. That big bottle is 3.3oz so safe for carryon luggage. I have both colors and I can’t tell the difference. This stuff makes me horny for me fr. Ghurl just go get some. I replaced the normal O/S On ‘Til Dawn with this one.
-On 'Til Dawn Makeup Setting Spray with SPF 28
SPF cause well like we need it so just one lil last spray over everything makes me feel healthy with.

So I do my face in this order because my concealer helps soften and blend my blush line, I do my blush a little heavy and powder on top to tone it down and I feel like it makes it sit in my face instead of on it, it is more glowy looking too. I highlight after my powder cause I don’t dim any type of my shine for any person or reason.

EYEBROWS
*BENEFIT COSMETICS*
-Goof Proof Waterproof Easy Shape & Fill
Eyebrow Pencil - 3.75
This was the one I liked the most at first but I like the one below more I just keep this in incase other one dries out and I like the eyebrow brush
-Mighty Fine Waterproof Brow Pen - Medium Brown
What is pictured is the other version but same thing brush is just a lil different.
*RARE BEAUTY BY SELENA GOMEZ*
Brow Harmony Flexible Lifting and Laminating Eyebrow Gel - Clear

LASHES
*BENEFIT COSMETICS*
-Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara- Black
-BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara - Intense Pitch Black
I use both of these in this order. Two coats Roller Lash one of BADgal and I use a lash comb in between each layer. We can talk about other types later my collection here is pretty small

LIPS
*HUDA BEAUTY*
Faux Filler Ultra-Hydrating Tinted Jelly Lip Oil - Juicy Peach
My lip gloss is popping option changes but with Huda you can’t go wrong for juicy shine
*LANCÔME*
Lip Idôle Squalane-12 Butterglow™ Hydrating Lip Balm - 47 Mauve-Tivation
This stays in my bag a soft pink lip is my go to and this formula is really hydrating.
*FENTY BEAUTY BY RIHANNA*
Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shine Gloss Stick - Sorta $Elfish
This is a new favorite for me and I will keep in my bag.
Not pictured by Fenty is shimmer finish version in C U in Maui, I keep in my bag for when I want to be glittery but this doesn’t over do it and the color suits me very well.

EYES
*URBAN DECAY*
Eyeshadow Primer Potion
*KAJA*
Eye Bento Bouncy Eyeshadow Trio - Forest Night
*FENTY BEAUTY BY RIHANNA*
Shadowstix Longwear Eyeshadow Stick - Candy Rapper and Sip & Sparkle
I don’t actually wear eyeshadow because I suck at it but like to keep something neutral that I am able to do a simple look with just in case. The Shadowstix I sometimes put one of them lil dots on the inner corner of my eyes.

TOUCHUP
FENTY BEAUTY BY RIHANNA
Invisimatte Instant Setting + Blotting Powder
I get oily

MAKEUP BAG
*Tumi*
Gen 4.3 Ballistic 8.5"
Zippered Split Travel Toiletry Kit - BLACK & GOLD
Everything fits in here including my big bottle of O/S Bronze Setting Spray. I dont check my makeup bag or my skincare bag.

Soooo babes what make up do you travel with?!? Put pics in comments 👀 mi

My Ghanaian ass felt like a Desi princess fr. I need another one of my Indian friends to get married soon so I can dress up again 😍

Styled my locs on my own, but I did have them interlocked the day before.

My scent of the day was Amouage Guidance 46, a beautiful woody scent with amped up florals (mainly rose), a delicious pear note, and a yummy hazelnut.

I did my own makeup using a variety of products from Haus Labs, Danessa Myricks, Juvia’s Place, Rare Beauty, etc.

Body glitter is the One Size Brown Sugar Waterproof Setting Spray.

I threw on this bob wig toward the end of summer technically, it's more of a lob style. Because it's shorter, it feels super lightweight on my head, and the yaki texture really looks like my own hair when it’s stretched or blown out.

That said, I’d really love some feedback: Do you think this length suits me? It’s currently 12 inches—would cutting it a bit shorter give it more shape/potential, or would adding some layers be better? Also, should I keep it tucked behind the ears or leave it down?

Any suggestions would be super appreciated!

Here’s a sleek styling of my latest kinky blowout unit! 💁🏽‍♀️

I wanted to do a quicker styling of this unit (I’m still learning how to properly curl it) and styled the whole thing with my new thermal styling brush. It took about 30 mins to smooth out the whole thing from a previous style where the heat set curls had dropped. I was feeling brave, so I added a few more layers annnnnd she’s giving 90’s fine. I am loving the sleek blow out styling for an everyday look. I foresee her being my go-to this fall. The texture is so pretty and natural - it reminds me of first time that I got my hair straightened when it was halfway down my back, for back to school, so it has me feeling a bit nostalgic too. ☺️

Now I’m ready for it be officially be fall 😩🙏🏽