The Natural You

By Shadine M��nard

[caption id="attachment_1045" align="alignleft" width="213" caption="Photographer . Ixiana Hernandez-Wilmot . Makeup . Gadiel Hernandez . Model . Alexandra Azo"][/caption]

Since the tragic earthquake of January 12, 2010, I can see the light bulb go off in someone���s head whenever I respond ���Haitian��� to a question about my heritage. It���s clear that the unfortunate earthquake has put my motherland on the map. Unfortunately, it hasn���t changed the stereotypical and ultimately wrong views of Haitian beauty.

Basically, most people fail to associate beauty with Haiti. This is why, instead of writing about make-up, I���ve decided to tackle the most important Spring must-haves that allow your skin to glow from within: natural beauty, self-confidence and pride.

Beauty is not a color, feature or trend. It is a combination of that twinkle in the eye, sweet smile, glistening skin and infectious laugh that can belong to anyone from any country or ethnicity. True, there is a certain je ne sais quoi that aesthetically makes the Halle Berry, Garcelle Beauvais, Jennifer Lopez, Freida Pinto, Megan Fox and Heidi Klums of the world so arresting to watch, but note that none of them have the same background.

In a world full of differences, why is it that some still refuse to believe that there is beauty everywhere and the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere is no exception. So, I happily reply ���Haiti��� when asked where my family is from and calmly ask ���What does a Haitian look like?��� when invariably told that I do not look Haitian. ��I also always make it my duty to educate people on the historic melting pot that makes Haitian women so diverse and beautiful.

When visiting Haiti, I always see so many naturally beautiful faces. Whether they are selling in the street, sitting behind desks, shopping or dancing in the hottest clubs Haitian women have this glow. Their smiles are genuine and their skin radiates, even when there is sometimes poverty or sadness lurking. Their secret is not voodoo, it is self-love and pride.
I shine brightly because I have that glow within me. If you haven���t already, make sure that this Spring you cultivate your inner glow by nurturing your spirit with activities and moments that make you appreciate YOU. Challenge your mind by tackling new goals and have fun getting your body in the shape you want it to be. Now that you are shining brightly, go on and choose the Spring make-up palette that best illuminates your natural splendor.

Haitian women, like our model, shine brightly because they have loss, yet stay resilient and open-hearted. �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� �� ��Tell SBC what makes you shine brightly.