How lucky are those pampered celebrities who roll out of bed into the very capable hands of a posse of stylists called the ‘glam squad’. These artistic teams of professional trend setters create magic by transforming otherwise regular looking celebs, into glamorous, camera ready goddesses. Well today, my friends, is your lucky day! Because through this column, Ask Paula B!, I’m going to grant you access to some of the top hair, make-up and fashion stylists, all of whom will be giving their best advice to YOU.
As a former high fashion model on both the European runways, as well as in the iconic Ebony Fashion Fair, I’ve learned a few things about style and beauty. And now, I’m going to share and reveal the sorts of style and beauty secrets you want to know.
Undoubtedly, style is an individual pursuit and beauty is a quality that is at best, defined by the one making the observation. Your standards and tastes will differ from mine, but our common goal is deeper. When you, for example, step out the door feeling like a million bucks while wearing jeans and a t-shirt, you’re expressing an attitude, a confidence that comes from within.
On its May 5th cover, People magazine named Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o its Most Beautiful. During the ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon, the Kenyan actress shared her victory over a past pain that will benefit countless Black girls. Lupita tells that during her adolescence, she prayed that God would wake her the next morning with lighter skin. . .instead, God turned the light on within. Inspired by the acceptance and adoration received by African model Alek Wek and maturing into an understanding of the advice given by her mother to ‘embrace her own appearance’, Lupita has now grasped HER true meaning of beauty. “I hope,” says Lupita, “that my presence on your screens and in magazines, may lead you, young girl, on a similar journey – that you will feel the validation of your external beauty, but also get to the deeper business of being beautiful inside.”
It’s time to own your beauty! E-mail those puzzling hair, make-up and fashion questions. I’ll answer with tips on everything from quick beauty solutions to figure flattering style advice. Show-off that gorgeous you on the outside, but know your real beauty is within. For anything style and beauty, [email protected]
