Redefining Beauty: Through Her Lens

This month, we talk with Amanda about what beauty means to her and the beautiful lessons she’s learned along the way through life. Please take a moment to read Amanda’s beauty story.

Hi, Amanda! Thank you so much for being the Redefining Beauty this month. To start us off, could you introduce yourself to the readers?

Hi, my name is Amanda! I’m a wife, daughter, sister, auntie, friend, writer, and therapist. I received my bachelor’s and master’s degree from “Thee” North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and currently reside in Clayton, NC.

The first step in reclaiming my beauty from the depths of this lie was becoming aware that this was the narrative I believed about myself and beauty. The lesson I am now teaching myself on beauty is that I am the one who defines this in my life.

What was your first lesson on beauty? How has this lesson affected your life?

My first lesson on beauty was counterfeit; yet, highly impactful. I learned early on that black was not beautiful and hiding my flaws was best. I had a proclivity to look outside of myself for what beauty was and then aim to recreate that same image for myself. This lesson on beauty impacted my life in many ways from never wearing certain outfits due to flaws on my skin or always changing my hair because I could never find a style that made me beautiful enough.

The first step in reclaiming my beauty from the depths of this lie was becoming aware that this was the narrative I believed about myself and beauty. The lesson I am now teaching myself on beauty is that I am the one who defines this in my life. I look to other women for inspiration but I am learning to authentically show up as who I am. Flaws and all.

When you start your morning, what’s the first beauty product you grab and why? What about at night?

In the morning the first beauty product I grab is CeraVe Moisturizing Facial Cleanser and I top it off with Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Facial Cream. I use these products because I have always had very sensitive skin and these products do not dry my skin out, cause rashes, or irritate my eyes. These products leave my face clear and ready for a full beat or a fresh face kind of day.

We all have moments when we feel EXTRA beautiful. Tell us about a time when you felt this way.

I have a couple of moments in my life when I felt extra beautiful; however, there are two times in particular when I felt like that chick, okay! My 25th birthday party was amazing and I wore a bomb blue dress from Ellae Lisque, my makeup was beyond beautiful, and I had the time of my life.

The other time that comes to mind is my brother’s wedding. I wore a red dress from Fashion Nova and I felt grown, sexy, and confident. My makeup was beautiful and although my feet hurt all night the shoes set the outfit off.

As a therapist, how do you make sure you’re always taking care of yourself?

Routine is important to me and if I am off routine it impacts me in ways it may not impact someone else. An important part of my routine is spending time reading the bible, listening to a sermon, or praying. I like to do this at the start of my day because once my day starts there is generally no stopping. Doing this keeps me in a good headspace when I am seeing clients and it keeps me spiritually healthy.

As a fellow loc’d sister, what do you absolutely love about your journey? What have you liked the least?

I have come to love my hair. Starting out was difficult and I wanted to cut or comb them out more than I can count, but we made it! My two-year locversary was September 30th. What I’ve loved most about my loc journey is the simplicity of it all. I’ve never really known how to style my hair but with my locs I can quickly twist them up or do a half up half down style and feel confident. What I’ve liked least about my journey is waiting on my length. But, now that my locs touch my shoulders a lil bit you can’t really tell me nothing.

From what I know from social media, you are an avid reader. What has been the most inspirational book you’ve read and why?

I’ve read many inspirational books; however, the most life-changing book I’ve read was “Get Out Of Your Head” by Jennie Allen. This book not only shifted the way I think about my life, but it has also aided in shifting my clients’ lives as well.

We should aim to find and be found by women who we can pour into and women who can pour into us.

Do you have a current makeup or skincare routine? What does it consist of?

My current skincare routine includes using CeraVe facial cleanser with an EcoTools exfoliating brush, witch hazel toner, and  Aveeno Facial Moisturizer. I do this in the morning and evening. My days have been busy lately so I’ve not had time to beat my face like I want to; however, on the go, I pair MAC Magic Extension 5MM Fibre Mascara, with Bovanti’s VAMP liquid matte lipstick and I am good to go.

From my understanding, you are a facilitator for small group workshops for Wives in Waiting. Sisterhood is definitely a beautiful thing. Do you think sisterhood and connections/friendships correlate with beauty? If so, how?

Absolutely! Sisterhood is truly what you make it and what you need in whatever season you are in. We should aim to find and be found by women who we can pour into and women who can pour into us. When we get together we show up dressed, faces done, and feeling our best. In those moments we find opportunities to ask about nail techs, hairstyles, makeup products, and other things we see our sisters wearing that could potentially have an impact on what we see beauty as moving forward.

Sometimes we have to go through the fire to come out as pure gold and other times we are delivered from having to experience the fire. There is a testimony in both.

As a tradition of the Redefining Beauty segments, what words of encouragement would you like to leave for our readers?

There is purpose in the process of healing. Everything is not an instant fix. Sometimes we have to go through the fire to come out as pure gold and other times we are delivered from having to experience the fire. There is a testimony in both. Don’t let go of hope.

Please take some time to share any business ventures and/or social media platforms with our readers.

The name of my practice is Living Waters Counseling and Wellness Center. If you or a family member is looking for someone to walk alongside them as they process through life transitions, marital concerns, anxiety, and more feel free to reach out to me for a free 10-minute consultation at the following email: amanda@lwcwellness.org . My personal social media account is @theetherapistbae