Michelle Obama Nail Color from the DNC

If you follow me on Instagram (terrinique), then you know that I love nail color! Nail color is a fun accessory that adds character to any outfit. While watching the First Lady Michelle Obama give an amazing speech at the Democratic National Convention, I could not help but notice her well manicured hands. I did some investigating via google and found out that the nail color is "Vogue" by Artistic Nail Design. The gray-lilac irridescent complimented her beautiful pink dress so well.  Unfortunately this color is not for sale but has to be applied by a nail technician.... but you know I got your back....Below are some nail color substitutes. 

Learn more about Artistic Nail Design in this video: 

Options you can find:

Essie Sag Harbor

Rival De Loop 54

China Glaze Sea Spray

Do you love nail color? Will you try it?

Do you think you're beautiful?

Confidence is the most beautiful accessory that a girl can have......

Embarking on a natural hair journey takes just that....In a world where straight hair is considered beautiful and everything else is considered a Haute Mess (quoting Vogue Italia) takes a lot of guts. But let's be real, open and honest with ourselves, do you really think that you're attractive? After all of the make up is washed away, the earrings come off, the spanx removed and you look in the mirror at your God given image.

What do you really think about your looks?

The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty found that only 2% of women around the world described themselves as beautiful. Not just women in America but women from all around the WORLD. You've seen the Dove commercials, with women of all shapes, ages, colors and sizes, flaunting their figure in white underwear. I first noticed the commercial while watching TV, and it caught my eye because the lady in the commercial had love handles. I thought to myself "OMG I cannot believe that they are showing this on TV." I was accustomed to seeing stick thin Victoria's Secret models strut their stuff in sexy lingerie. To me, what Dove was doing was revolutionary, showing real women and their bodies was very inspiring. 

I for one had never struggled with weight issues until gaining the Freshman 15 in college. It took about a year and a half to get rid of "the tire around my waist" as one of my male friends described my figure at the time. And to be honest that insecurity still haunts me to this day. I am gonna go out on a limb here and expose you to one of my great insecurities when I was in my early 20's...and that is my weight. Even though, I am very dark skin, I've always thought that I was beautiful----> My uncle said to me one time, "You may be dark skin but at least you ain't fat"--I was about 9 yrs old at the time so didn't understand what he was talking about. As a young girl, I was always thin so weight was not an issue. Growing into a grown woman, where my hips started to get rounder, my thighs bigger and an expanding waist line made me really conscious of my body. I would look at Victoria's Secret catalogs and think if only.....but as a I grew in relationship with God weight issues didn't matter as much. 

The statistic that only 2% of women describe themselves as beautiful is startling to me. If I were ever asked if I was beautiful, I'm almost certain my answer would be "YES". We all have our insecurities and parts of our body's that we think needs improvement whether it's our waist line, nose, arms or skin tone. I've compared my body to supermodels who get paid millions of dollars to stay thin (which is unrealistic). I believe that a lot of women look at others instead of the person in the mirror to define beauty. 

Case in point- We are going through a "Natural Hair Revolution" because for decades the world aligned women with straight hair as being beautiful. Don't get me wrong, it's not just African descent women who have been misled but all women whose hair texture isn't naturally straight. 

Going natural coupled with other insecurities about my body has been a really liberating experience for me. Every morning, when I look in the mirror I admire my hair and natural appearance. It no longer bothers me when people call my hair nappy because I think it's beautiful. I've accepted that I have a little junk in the trunk and with that comes some extra bulge. But I don't think that I am more or less beautiful than the other woman. Merely because I was fearfully and wonderfully made in the eyes of God. 

Are you defining your beauty by what you see in the mirror or on TV? Do you really think you're beautiful? 

Beautiful but NOT Broke

From ancient times women have been obsessed with looking beautiful. Some have created detailed beauty regimens that they live by or have gone to extreme lengths to achieve a certain look. All in an effort to enhance their natural beauty.

14th century BC: Nerfetiti "which means a beautiful woman has come" was an exquisite Egyptian Queen. She was most famous for her bust, which in Ancient Egyptian culture is notable of exemplifying realistic facial proportions. To keep herself looking beautiful, Nerfetiti dyed her nails with henna, took sea salt baths and rubbed aroma oils into her skin. Today, plastic surgeons try to imitate the shape of Nerfetiti's eyes, nose and lips. (We owe nail polish, facial scrubs and lotion to Nerfetiti.)

Late 69 BC: Cleopatra damed the "Great Beauty" of her time used to bathe in milk and honey to exfoliate and soften her skin. She was known to make powerful men bow on their knees because of her aesthetic and sexual appeal. 

Jumping a few centuries to the 90's and 2000's, we have many notable beauties whose beauty secrets we long to replicate. Magazines such as Elle, InStyle, Vogue and Glamour make a fortune off of dishing on Beyonce's work out routine, Rihanna's style, and Kim Kardashian's diet. 

Today beauty regimes have been taken to a whole new level. It is not just the skin, nails and hair we have to keep beautiful. It is the entire body. It includes exercising, eating healthy, dressing in the latest trends while maintaining beautiful hair, skin and nails. 

Although we may not have a personal stylist like Rihanna, trainer like Beyonce or personal chef like Kim K we have options! 

Fashion: Thrifting is the new Black if you don't believe me ask MsVaughnTV. The Goodwill, TJMaxx, Ross or Marshalls provide the latest trends but on a budget. A pair of Christian Louboutins would be nice but who are we kidding...we are in a double dip recession. Instead of investing in pricey pieces try investing in Emerging markets. 

Beauty: There are a ton of Hair, Skin, & Nails treatments in your kitchen. Check out my Honey and Lemon Face Mask. Give yourself a manicure and pedicure by investing in nail polish and foot scrubs. Try creating your own deep treatment from ingredients you already have.

Body: If a gym membership isn't in your budget then use the good old outdoors. Grab a friend and go for a run/walk in a nearby park or take your ipod and run/walk to the beat. Make working out fun and a part of your beauty routine. 

What are your inexpensive beauty secrets?