MAGAZINE
BRONZE
BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM
JUNE 2019
TAKE OUR FUN BEAUTY Q&A QUIZ 5 KEY STEPS TO A BEAUTIFUL LOC JOURNEY GIRL BOSS MONIQUE RODRIGUEZ OF MIELLE ORGANICS ON HER BEAUTY EMPIRE & PAINFUL PATH TO FINDING HER PURPOSE
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BRONZE beauty con COMING 2020
BRONZE MAGAZINE
MAY 2019 Editor’s Note
Cover Credits:
Photographer: @shaunandru
FOUNDER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Shawn Stuldivant CO-OWNER Barry Stuldivant GRAPHIC DESIGNER Casey Blackman EDITOR/PROOFREADER Katrina Sivels WRITERS Nsi Amah Kesha Marie Jaukia McConeyhead Patrice Rivers
Hey Bronze Beauties! Summer is almost here, so I know a lot of you are planning or have already started your vacays. I’m so excited about our very first beauty issue! While there are so many aspects to beauty and we couldn’t cover them all, we wanted to highlight and spotlight a few strong women who are taking this industry by storm. Monique Rodriguez, Founder and CEO of Mielle Organics, and leads the charge as this month’s cover star. Monique’s background as a registered nurse sparked her passion for helping women accomplish inner and outer beauty while a tragic and painful loss emboldened her to find her true passion and purpose. Our intimate chat with Monique will inspire and motivate no matter where you are in your journey of life. Be sure to check out the other amazing beauty bosses Chimere Faulk, Krystal Cummings and De’Shaun Chancy, all CEOs whose brands are beauty innovators. I hope you enjoy this special issue, and please feel free to reach out to me personally at editor@bronzemagonline.com for feedback on this issue and suggestions or ideas of what you’d like to see us cover in future issues. Enjoy the month and I look forward to seeing you again in July!
xoxo, n Shaw t n a v i Stuld
CONTENTS
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10
Founder & CEO of Dr Locs Chimere Faulk
Artist & Owner of Browstress Krystal Cummings
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Beauty Q&A
Cover Star: Mielle Organics CEO Monique Rodriguez
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Key Steps to a Beautiful Loc Journey
Celebrity Esthetician Shani Darden
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Dare to Have Hair CEO & Founder De'Shaun Chancy
Horoscope: What's Your Sign?
Photo Credit: @shaunandru
Photo Credit: Kelley Ray 6
BRONZEMAGONLINE.COM
JUNE 2019
MEET CHIMERE FAULK FOUNDER & CEO OF DR LOCS by Jaukia McConeyhead Finally! A girl boss who decided to step up and help the loc community by creating a product line specifically for locs. Chimere Faulk has been a loctitian for 12 years and is a beast at what she does - creating products tested and loved by her loc clients all over the country. It took her clients’ dissatisfaction with their hair for her to fix the problem with her all-natural handmade products fulfilled by her brand, Dr. Locs, which represents community, diversity, and inclusivity. With the loc community not getting as much attention as the loose curl natural hair community, Chimere is providing products made with love and passion. We caught up with Chimere to learn about her journey with locs, why her clients love her products, and what sets her brand apart from others.
Q.) How did you begin your loc journey? A) Currently I do not have locs but in 1998 I started them. I had them until 2007. So, for 9 years I had locs. I was inspired by Lauryn Hill’s album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” Before I had locs I wore box braids for 2 years, constantly putting them in and taking them out of my hair. I didn’t feel like doing my hair, honestly. My two inspirations for locs overall were Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu. No one in my family has locs. No one really understood at first why I got them, and I was in high school. At first, my family was like, what are you doing? But later on my mom became more accepting of them. Q.) How is Dr. Locs different from other brands that cater to locs and natural hair? A). There are few product lines that are dedicated to locs. Many brands out there are for the loose, natural community. They will only provide one or two products for the locs community. From experience, either a client or myself would buy products from other brands and it wouldn’t work. They weren’t testing them on people with locs. As a loctician, I knew these products wouldn’t work. So, out of frustration for finding something for the loc community, I decided to make it myself. I am more than just a line. Many brands don’t have a full set of products for the loc community. What sets us apart from others is our availability for customer service and education focusing on how we’re different from other lines. Q.) When you first started this journey with creating a product that prevents buildup, what was the feedback that you received that stuck with you? A) The products feel light, and people love this as opposed to products that make their hair feel really heavy. They love the scents, simplicity and bottle mechanics. We are really big on customer satisfaction. Q.) When you wore locs, did you ever felt discriminated because of your hair? A) Never felt discriminated against. I attended a school in Richmond, Virginia called Virginia Commonwealth University. It was very diverse with diverse people of different races. Never had any situations. Entering into the corporate world before being an entrepreneur, I was hired at a corporate office. A black woman said something to me, whereas the two white women there never said a thing; they were my bosses, but the black woman who worked for this company hired me. One day she called me into her office and said I would do well in the company if I cut my locs and permed my hair.
Q.) Who do you want to market your products to the most? A) Men and women both working in professional environments that are showing people you can have locs and work in a professional environment. They can be the CEO of a company breaking boundaries. Men and women in college. They’re health conscious. Women that may have transitioned from loose natural hair now to locs, and now they’re used to having a set of products that work for their loose curls and now the transition to figure out what to use for their locs. It’s a whole new journey. Q.) If you could explain your journey with your hair care line in two words, which words would you choose? A) Magical and very spiritual. A lot of clients and friends come to me for business advice. It’s about perspective and because of my perspective, things are always magical. With learning many lessons, difficulties, it’s all-magical to me and I’m a big kid. Q.) What is one question that people ask you all the time about your journey or product? A) Dads and moms asks the question: when do you have the time to do all of this? I always relay it back to this being a spiritual experience for me. It’s my passion. Whenever you’re dealing with your passion, you’re doing it for a living, time goes by and you don’t think about the details. Being a mom, daughter, dealing with my business and running a household, everything gets done and fits in their place. Free time to be present, meditate, and do yoga. My children remind me to be present. Working on being present and time outside of my business. As far as organizing my time with my business. Things fit into their place. My theory with life is when you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing in life, going towards your passion, things happen magically and that’s an ongoing thing with me. Q.) What legacy do you want to leave in the hair industry (mainly natural hair)? A) I’d love to bridge the gap between the loose natural hair community and the loc community, as well as calming the black woman’s spirit with her hair. Leave a sense of freedom and calming in the industry. In the salon I feel as if I touched a lot of people. I want my brand to set the tone in the loc community, which is a newer loc community than what they might have been told about, or heard of years ago. Q.) Any future plans to expand your business? A) Yes, I do plan on expanding my business. When I was younger I had a journal and wrote on top “I will be successful.” I would write and sketch business ideas that I would have, and now I pick it up from time to time thinking wow, I can execute all of this now! Dr Locs is the platform for me to take off in many different directions. I’m all about passions. As for the loose natural community, I have thoughts on that, like potentially creating my own natural care line for them as well. I am also a co-parent advocate. I co-parent with my children’s dad and bonus mom. I’m writing books on proper positive co-parenting techniques while infusing counseling, as well as being the superwoman for everyone who has kids and showing her she can do it. You don’t stop and your life doesn’t stop once you have kids. I always tell people I live my life with my kids. I’m not waiting ‘til they’re grown for me to live my life. I am a big advocate for women who have kids to see it is possible to still live while having kids. As far as the hair industry, I want to soothe the whole industry and connect people and take down the stigma that we don’t swim or dance in the rain. I was and I am that girl. Q.) How did you come up with the idea to create a product that prevents buildup and why did you choose to focus on that specifically? A) I am a loctitian and I’ve been one for 12 years now. Over the years I’ve worked for a salon that had products for natural hair and we used it on the loc clients, and it was cool, but I always noticed buildup and it’s a common thing within the community, and even for me. The question I would hear is, what can I use that doesn’t have buildup? So when I created my salon, The Natural Hair Lady, I came up with my own thing. So, I went out in the market and looked for things known for locs, but they didn’t work properly for me and wasn’t up to my standards. I also travel and take care of clients around the country. Once I came back home, clients would tell me they used certain products and I would let them know not to use it anymore. Their hair was clogged with buildup, and I just got frustrated because I’m telling them not to use certain things and they’re running out of options. So, I decided to solve the problem myself. So many of my clients were getting locs, so I decided I wanted to make my own leave-in conditioner. So I looked up things such as what types of oils were out there for hair growth. I gathered up a list of things I wanted to use in a bottle for myself, and I went to Whole Foods and bought them. Used it on my clients and they loved it; even the smell. Lots of people started to ask for me to make it for them. I told them you can make it yourself and they wanted me to make it. So, I went to Sally’s and got bottles. Started selling them $5 a bottle. When some clients came back I noticed their hair was soft. One client in particular stated to me, “It’s the stuff that you use.” So I started thinking this could be a business. I’m solving a problem I’m passionate about. After that, I wrote down all the problems that my clients would tell me. Buildup, my hair flaking, shampoo, moisture etc., everything to hold your locs. I wrote down everything and I decided to knock them out one by one, and it turned into 5 products. I consulted with a chemist and refined it for a year and a half. Put a couple of thousands into making the products and learned so much for a year and a half. One day it hit me and I realized this could be a big thing. So I created my website drlocs.com and decided to create a culture. I have a background in creative advertising. I didn’t want to be an ordinary buy-this-bottle person; I wanted to educate. I knew what it took, but I never had a reason or product, but now I have a product. So I know how to market this product because I know how I would want it to be done and I wanted everyone to know about it.
Photo Credit: Tatum Lewis
By Kesha Marie
About Browstress
Based in Brooklyn, NY Browstress is an amazing beauty space, offering a few pretty amazing permanent makeup options. From the widely recognized micro-blading to teeth whitening Browstress has something for you!
“ I’m so grateful for all of the opportunities I’ve been presented with, in my first year of business and I’m really looking forward to the future for Browstress, as well as a long career in the PMU industry.”
Who is Krystal?
Krystal Cummings of Brooklyn, NY is the artist and owner of Browstress, a permanent make-up studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Browstress, offers semipermanent make up, such as microblading, freckles tattooing, lash lifting & tinting, brow tinting, scar micro pigmentation, tooth gems, and several other great techniques and services, that cater to women and men with hair loss, due to specific illnesses and conditions. This past year, has been on the incline for, Krystal. In addition to being a featured panelist for quite a few events, Krystal has also been an invited vendor for Beauty conventions.
The Inspiration
Bronze Magazine had an opportunity to sit down with Krystal to chat a bit about how she started Browstress and the inspiration behind the brand. Krystal shared her humble beginning. However, the mission and inspiration behind the brand is even more humbling. Browstress was born after Krystal's aunt was diagnosed with cancer, which ultimately caused severe hair loss. Her aunt; a woman who loved to care for her hair, and loved to pamper herself with beauty services was devastated by the hair loss. Krystal decided to learn how to do permanent makeup, in particular micro-blading to help combat the effects of chemotherapy. Today, Krystal offers a number of services, however its clear her mission is helping women suffering from hair loss feel beautiful.
Micro + Nano Blading
Microblading and Nano-blading both offer fine hair strokes that look natural and true to life. In comparison nanoblading provides further precision and accuracy because it uses tiny needles, compacted together into an ultra fine blade. While micro-blading uses a super-fine pen to deposit pigment into skin. With either option, your brows are sure to give a very natural look, yet full o dimension and fullness.
Tattoo Freckles
People have been raving over having Freckle tattoo’s done on their faces. It has become such a huge trend in the US. From just a few beauty marks, to a full face, freckles will most definitely add character! Freckle tattoos work just like any other cosmetic tattoo, whereby pigment is deposited below the skin.
3D Areola Re-Pigmentation
Nipple and areola reconstruction can help a breast cancer survivor feel more comfortable with her new breasts. 3D Areola Re-Pigmentation and nipple restoration techniques employ cosmetically tattooed micro-pigmentation as a way to restore the natural beauty of your breasts so you can regain confidence in your own femininity. If you have partial or total loss of areola pigment, or are dissatisfied with the shape and size of your areola, this semi-permanent option will enhance the color of the areola and adjust its size and shape to one that you are most comfortable with.
Lip Blush
Lip Blush is a semi-permanent tattoo that brings back the color to your lips and defines the line. Your lips will look like candy on the day, and soften as they heal to become a subtle and natural looking lip tint. Apply a little gloss or balm and your lips look kissable! A follow up appointment is conducted 4-6 weeks after your initial appointment to ensure the optimum results are achieved.
For more information on permanant makeup or additional services offered at Browstress, go check out Krystal @browstresskrys on IG!
Beauty Q&A All time fave beauty product?
Favorite beauty makeup brand?
Must-have skincare product?
Favorite beauty blogger?
What's your secret beauty weapon?
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MAY 2019
Meet Girl Boss
Monique Rodriguez CEO of Mielle Organics
-by Jaukia McConeyhead Spiritual, determined, warrior, entrepreneur, mother and businesswoman are a few words to describe Ms. Rodriguez. She was obedient to her purpose after a hard loss that led her to grow a multi-million dollar company that sells in over 100,000 major retailers and is one of the fastest growing natural hair companies in the USA. My favorite statement that she left me with is “God will use painful trials and tribulations to awaken our spirit and our purpose can be revealed to us”.
Due to such a huge loss with the passing of your son, would you say you used your pain to fuel a bigger opportunity for yourself? Or did all your hard work lead to your success? I would say it’s a combination of both. My pain led me to my purpose and I discovered my passion. I started doing something that I loved. God will use painful trials and tribulations to awaken our spirit and our purpose can be revealed to us. I always felt there was something different about me. I knew I had a bigger purpose. It took me to go through something to realize what my purpose was. I had to get spiritually close to God and listen to him speak to me but I also had to put in the hard work. I had to fulfill and go after the purpose that has been ordained for my life. Transitioning into haircare, what was your purpose with going into this industry? What did you want to achieve? How did Mielle Organics start? Been passionate about beauty and hair from a young girl. I went to nursing school originally. I was never passionate about being a nurse. I had dreams of modeling for a haircare company. I was working a career that was unfulfilling. I still worked with integrity and took great care of my patients. I knew I wasn’t working for myself. Having to deal with the loss of my son. I also hated my job. I used my social media as an outlet to talk about my passion and things I was interested in doing. I started educating women on their hair. My intention was not to create a haircare line but to become an influencer. People started asking what I was using in my hair and I told them I used natural products that I created myself. I started with one product and the brand took off. My website launched May 23, 2013.
The hair industry is huge and there is a lot of competition. What sets you apart from the rest? What makes me different is ME. There is no such thing as a saturated market. Everyone has their own gift, their own unique talents and abilities. We all offer something different. None of us have the same story. All of our stories are different yet relatable. There is a lack of relatability with CEOs. No CEO is providing education, hair regimens. I saw that I could come in and be that relatable CEO. People trust me and resonate with me. No one can be duplicated. The way I engage and communicate with my audience is second to none. Do you have any mentors in the haircare industry? Or would you say you’re self-made and learned the ins and outs of the industry yourself? First three years I learned everything myself. Over the past year in a half I was able to connect and receive guidance and mentorship in the industry. They were not women. When you created your mentorship program The Secret Sauce Academy, was this your way of giving back? What tools are given to those who get a chance to be a part of it? Definitely my way of giving back something I didn’t have but I wish I had coming into the industry. I don’t mind sharing information. People who enter my program I’m giving them everything they ask for and everything I know of that I use as a resource. I provide manufacturers, PR recommendations, marketing agencies, branding worksheets and marketing checklist. Basically, a personal cheat sheet.
How does it feel to have your haircare line in over 100,000 retailers during your journey so far? Blessed! Very thankful. Now I have to work that much harder. Now I have 100,000 partners to support and to grow over 100,000 stores. What are different things you do to keep yourself centered when you may feel overwhelmed balancing your daily life? Meditation and Stillness. I wake up at 5 am every morning before everyone for clarity and sit in my thoughts and pray. Doing this daily puts my day off to a much better start. It helps me to stay focused. Have your children faced any adversity with your haircare line and most likely them being natural with their hair as well? My youngest daughter no, my oldest daughter yes. She was going to a school where the people didn’t look like her. So, it messed with her self-esteem and she would always ask to wear her hair straight. We ended up transferring her to a school where people look like her. It has been a complete 180 and she’s embracing her curls. People in her school ask her now because they want similar curls vs. why is your hair like that.
With all the success you have now, what are words of encouragement you would give to your younger self before you got into the industry? Go after your dreams and follow your passion. Do something you know you love. Don’t pay attention to what everybody else says and don’t compare yourself to other people. Focus on being excellent and build. When you build, they follow. With the rise of social media and technology, would you say it has helped your brand for the good? Absolutely. It has given a lot of people opportunities. When I saw the benefits of it, I quickly tried to learn how to engage and build a brand. Once I learned the art, it took off. It has done great things for my brand. I love social media. You’re a strong woman who has endured a lot. What piece of advice would you give to young and older women, who endured many trials and tribulations, still wanting to achieve their passions? Don’t let your current circumstances dictate your future. We all go through things. Everybody has a story. A lot of people don’t want to go through the process they just want the promise. Practice stillness and listen to God. Pay attention and listen to him speaking to us. God wants all of us to live a life of abundance and prosperity.
Being an entrepreneur what would you say is the best method to success? PRAYER. If God is not in the center, it will not work. Prayer is everything because I know what I’ve been through. Prayer and Hard work. You have to do the things you did to get the success in order to maintain it. Learning more of your background what legacy do you want to leave behind? Knowing that I am a successful entrepreneur who brought a lot of successful people on my journey with me. I never left anyone behind. Are there any books you read that have helped you with spirituality, entrepreneurship or business? Jump: Take the Leap of Faith to Achieve Your Life of Abundance - Steve Harvey You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life - Jen Sincero The 4-hour work week – Timothy Ferriss The number one thing I learned from Monique is never let your circumstances alter your future. You can achieve what you want in this life with hard work, dedication and prayer!
s p e t S y e 5K l u f i t u a e B a to y e n r u o J c o L
By Nsi Amah
Hey, Bronze beauties! Starting your natural hair journey can be a daunting experience, especially when you just did a big chop and aren’t sure where you want to go. It’s, a even more daunting experience when you decide to loc your natural hair. Locing your natural hair does have a lot of benefits, especially when you are super busy and don’t have time to stand in front of the bathroom mirror for three hours. You won’t need a comb your hair at all at this point. However, locing your natural hair is still a commitment and must be maintained as well.
Photo Credit: Idy Tanndy from Pexels 20
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Consult with a Professional The first step you should take on your loc journey is finding and consulting with a stylist near you that you can trust. Ask around locally and see who you would be in good hands with. Once you find a trustworthy stylist, you should tell them how you would like your locs to look and ask them how to maintain them in the beginning stages. Keep your stylist close to you and build a good relationship with him/ her. At the beginning of your loc journey is where you will need them the most!
Let your hair do its thing After you have started your locs, this is the time you leave your hair be! It is best not to tamper with it because your hair needs to on its way to the “budding stage,” where it starts to tangle within itself. Your hair stylist will tell you to not wash them with the traditional shampoo and water, this will disturb the process. The budding process However you start your locs; whether it's by two strand or finger coils, your hair will begin the “Budding process.” This is when your hair begins to tangle within itself and loc. Depending on your hair texture, some will take longer than others to loc. For 4c coily hair (or any curly hair in the 4 categories), it should take you around eight months to a year to fully loc. You must be patient with it; everyone’s locing period is different and looser curls take longer. Fight the urge to re-twist often during this stage; this will help keep this going smoothly. The goal here is to keep them clean, unbothered and your parts separated if they get tangled together. All you have to do is gently pull your roots apart if they begin to marry. Focus on Dry shampoo and Moisture Because you shouldn’t traditionally shampoo your hair (unless it's by your professional), it is best to get yourself a dry shampoo and a leave-in conditioner in between salon visits. The dry shampoo will help keep your hair and scalp clean in between your visits without worrying about getting in the shower. In addition to this, you must keep your baby locs moisturized with a water-based leave-in conditioner and some oils (coconut, tea tree, almond oil, etc). It will even be helpful to get a small spritz bottle with an oil of your choice and water to mist your locs weekly or as needed. Once your locs begin to go through the “budding stage,” it will be good to gradually resort back to your normal shampoo. Thing to avoid Just like having loose natural hair, locs have their things you need to keep in mind while maintaining them. First, avoid heavy cream hair products. Heavy creams will disturb the locing process and create build up in the long haul. It is best to switch to water-based products, that are lightweight. Second, make sure your hair is dry after washing. This cannot get stressed enough. It is very important your locs stay dry and you do not go to bed with them damp. This will create the perfect environment for mold/mildew and will give your hair a strange smell. Third and last, don’t re-twist too often and keep tight up do’s to a minimum. Doing this will keep your edges and scalp stressfree to avoid thinning. Keeping all these steps and precautions in mind will give your hair a good life!
Where to find us
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Celebrity Esthetician Shani Darden Shares How to Maintain your Melanin Magic •Tackling Sun Damage Once and for All: To help reverse the effects of sun damage (i.e. before you knew sunscreen was a daily ritual), opt for a serum like Vitamin C or Retinol. These can help increase cellular turnover, minimize pigmentation as well as boost collagen, which is typically depleted by UV exposure. Exfoliants with ingredients like Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) are also a great solution for reducing hyperpigmentation in the skin. •There’s a Serum for Everything: I’m a huge proponent of serums! Opt for a facial serum with Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), such as salicylic and glycolic acids packed with vitamins A, B and C to help reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots, especially in darker skin tones and to boost skin radiance in dry skin sufferers. Another serum I’ve been loving is the new Dove Dry Serum Antiperspirant – it’s a unique antiperspirant that takes cues from facial serums with its silky-smooth texture and moisturizing benefits. It also offers 48-hour odor and wetness protection so it’s the perfect touch before you head out for your next big event! •Sunscreen for All: Sunscreen is a necessity for everyone! Whether your sunscreen is in your foundation, your moisturizer or a stand-alone product – always be sure to apply it. A popular misconception is that skin of color does not need sun protection, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The damage caused by UV rays still occurs, no matter your skin type. •S.O.S. I have underarm hyperpigmentation: There are several treatments to treat hyperpigmentation in the underarm. If you’re experiencing hyperpigmentation in this area, it’s best to consult with a doctor or dermatologist to determine the best remedy for your skin type. JUNE 2019
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D
are to Have Hair
CEO and Founder De’Shaun Chancy By Patrice Rivers De’Shaun Chancy is a boss babe at heart who started her own company, “Dare to Have Hair” back in 2011. She started with a $300 investment and WITHIN a year it grew to $370,000! Her calling came shortly after she was unemployed leaving her corporate job. God opened doors for De’Shaun and blessings came pouring in from that moment on. From an entrepreneur to creating her own hair care products, she is also an author and a mother at heart. BRONZE MAGZINE: DOES DARE TO HAVE HAIR WORK WITH ALL DIFFERENT HAIR TYPES? DE’SHAUN: Yes, it does. A lot of times people use it as a protective style so none of their real hair is out at all. It’s protected with usually a frontal, a lace closure or just having the closure all the way in. There are some people that like it blended well with their hair and we have different hair for the different hair textures of women. For example, the Mongolian hair is more of a courser texture of hair and can be worn if your hair is blow-dried out. BM: WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE SELLER OF HAIR FROM YOUR CUSTOMERS? DE’SHAUN: I will definitely have to say the body wave type and the Brazilian because a lot of people know Brazilian because when virgin hair first came on the market, it was all Brazilian and Indian hair. Brazilian is much thicker than Indian and body wave is a safe zone hair because some people don’t want to do straight, too curly or too defined. It’s a slight little wave that sells a lot. BRONZE MAGAZINE: BESIDES HAVING THE VIRGIN HAIR LINE, YOU ALSO HAVE THE DARE CARE HAIR CARE PRODUCTS. TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR PRODUCTS. DE’SHAUN: There is a funny story behind that. I didn’t really start the line until I had the virgin hair. I was actually trying to find something that was good and formulated for my kids’ hair, because you know, with African-American hair, our hair leaves a lot of moisture and a lot of products on the market were stripping our hair. It was getting a lot of dry patches, so I started messing around with products that would be best for their hair. Once I figured out something that worked, I presented it, and it spanned off as a children’s brand. You can use it on adult’s hair as well, but a lot of people use it on their children’s hair.
BRONZE MAGAZINE: DOES ALL TWENTY-TWO OF YOUR HAIR CARE PRODUCTS WORK ON ALL TYPES OF HAIR? DE’SHAUN: Yes, all textured hair, even colored hair. We have something for everyone.
BRONZE MAGAZINE: OUT OF ALL THE HAIR CARE PRODUCTS YOU HAVE, WHICH ONE WOULD YOU SAY IS THE POPULAR ONE? DE’SHAUN: I would say our curly line, because if African- American hair is mixed or just have naturally coiled hair and want some type of curl, so our curly line is definitely our top seller as well as our Killer Thirst line which is our moisturizer line. BRONZE MAGAZINE: WHAT WAS YOUR MOTIVATION/INSPIRATION TO WRITE YOUR BOOK “THE TRUTH BEHIND THE DARE”? DE’SHAUN: My inspiration behind that was that I felt like my followers didn’t really have a connection with me, so I wanted to write a book about what molded me to start my company because I really do believe that mental mentality and what you think really goes into a lot of being an entrepreneur and I think that is very important. BRONZE MAGAZINE: WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST FOR A FIRST-TIME CUSTOMER? DE’SHAUN: It would depend on the occasion and what they are trying to get. But I would definitely suggest body wave because like I said it’s easier to wear and it gives you two ultimate looks that you can wear, whether it’s bone straight or if you wet it, you can wear it as a flowy wave. I will definitely tell them to start off with the body wave and of course if they are natural, I would tell them to get a closure, but if they wanted something to blend in with their natural hair, I will see the type of coil that they have and suggest a curly texture. BRONZE MAGAZINE: BESIDES THE VIRGIN HAIR AND THE HAIR CARE PRODUCTS, WHAT ELSE DOES YOUR COMPANY SELL? DE’SHAUN: We have lashes and the head wraps for now. Connect with De’Shaun by visiting her website at www.daretohavehair.com Visit her Instagram page @daretohavehair_
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Horoscopes WHAT'S YOUR SIGN?
Coffee. Instagram. Horoscope. Three things we simply can not live without!. Although, we can't steam your milk... we can help you with a little sun-sign advice.
JUNE 2019 HOROSCOPE by: Astrology Club
Capricorn
Aquarius
This month you are empty of direct stimulation. Therefore be happy, do good deeds and collect positive karma. We all need a huge bank account of positive karma. That good energy helps facilitate all our actions, whether worldly or divine. This message is similar to Virgo as you both are empty of direct influence. Capricorn reflect and contemplate on decisions. This month be mindful and slow down in the first few moments of any action. Think about your actions first, don’t be impulsive.
You are still a spiritual and visionary center for the universe as Neptune is in your sign for ages. This month you are daydreaming about something sensual or sexual. The ideas are nice but the reality is far away. On a personal level your visions are good. On a sensual and pleasure level your visions are delusions. They will not work out the way you think they should. Aquarius are sociable beings. This month you are social. You want to help others but you may be motivated by desire. Let things unfold and don’t try to control samsara, it seldom works out the way we expect.
Pisces
Aries
December 22nd - January 19th
January 20th - February 18th
February 19th - March 20th
March 20th - April 19th
This month you are inspired as Jupiter and Uranus are well aspected. Mercury will be well positioned midmonth and so your mind will race in all sorts of positive directions. We can follow the wise words of Lama Yeshe, “Slowly, slowly.” It is a good month, just slow down. Pisces are sensitive and introspective. This month there is lots of energy but it does may agitate you. Slow down and learn how to let energy flow through you without grasping hold of it.
This month you are indirectly blessed with the Sun in Gemini. This means support from a distance with spiritual insights. The spiritual insights are from Neptune being supportively aspected to the Sun and your Sign. There is not much else to say, as Aries is empty of planets. Aries love to be motivators. No direct planets in your sign means look for helpers to accomplish tasks. If you think too independently you may fail. Remember we are fully interdependent with the world, not independently existent.
Taurus
April 20th - May 20th This month Venus runs in Taurus. So love, affection, warmth and sex are on affecting you. None of these have to be problematic. If you have a positive mind and beneficial and good intentions then all these activities can create positive karma. Granted sex may be a worldly activity but if you do it out of love for your partner that is a positive relationship. Most of you are lay practitioners, so take all parts of your life and put them into your practice. Taurus love to be grounded and practical. This month look at your own face to see the blemishes. Don’t look at others, that is too easy and never benefits anyone unless you have strong empathetic compassion. 28
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JUNE 2019
Gemini
May 21st - June 20th This month is the birthday month. Don’t forget to send a present to your parents to say thank you for the body you currently have. Even if they have passed away, do some meditation and send the good energy to them in their new rebirth. The month starts with great intuition and that will continue for the whole thirty days. Neptune runs positively aspected to the Sun and your Sign. Strong feelings could come in the last 10 days as the Sun runs opposite Pluto. This is good for faith and dedication. Just be careful about being overly adamant about your wishes. Gemini are quick on their intellectual feet. This month be mindful of useless energy expenditures until the second week. Then do as you please. Your faith may be strong so be clearly motivated and you could accomplish a great many tasks.
Cancer
Leo
June 21st - July 22nd
July 21st - August 22nd
This month continues to be good. Mercury runs in your Sign and is supportively positioned with Uranus and Jupiter. The power you had last month is less (from the astrological side of things) but the ability to work well is still there. Cancer normally work with feelings. This month is a good time to focus on jobs that need to be done. You have astrological support to think clearly about things, so don’t hesitate anymore.
This month you are a powerhouse of energy. Saturn and Mars are together for the whole month and you feel a lot of ability. Be careful of being overly intense about your wishes. The reason is you are determined and able so that needs sensitivity and balance to be utilized properly. Balance is the key issue in life. Keep in place your bodhisattva balance between samsara and nirvana. Leo like to be motivators. This month keep in mind your altruism and vision for life. It is a good time to be motivated by what you would like to see accomplished on a large scale, not personal business.
Virgo
Libra
August 23rd - September 22nd
September 23rd - October 22nd
You are empty of direct stimulation this month. Therefore be happy, do good deeds and collect positive karma. We all need a huge bank account of positive karma. That good energy helps facilitate all our actions, whether worldly or divine. Virgo do things in an orderly manner. This month your energy is released and free. Be mindful to not be impulsive. Always balance enthusiasm with wisdom.
This month there is support from a distance. The Sun, Neptune, Mars and Saturn all help from their positions around the zodiac. You may have some good insights because Neptune is well positioned. Basically go slowly and be positive. Things will work out just fine. Libra keeps life in balance. This month be mindful, positive and helpful. Qualities that are easy for a Libra Sun.
Scorpio
Sagittarius
October 23rd - November 21st
November 22nd - December 21st
This month you are full of energy and love. Venus is directly opposite Jupiter and Jupiter runs in your sign for some time to come. Therefore be loving and kind but avoid expectations. Saturn and Mars will come square Jupiter midmonth and then your energy may be tainted by control issues. Scorpio are passionate. This month follow your positive desires. Just be mindful of what you are doing as desire can be problematic if you run with it too quickly.
Feelings are still important as Pluto is in your sign for ages to come. This month you have the Sun running in opposition though after the fifteenth of the month. That means your feelings are strong but you feel they take you too far a field. Mid-month is the worst time for this feeling so you should do some quietude meditation to keep your feelings in check. Feelings are important as long as they don’t agitate you unduly. Sagittarius are inspired individuals. This month organize your feelings. If you forget your motive you may become emotionally confused.
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