It’s Time For Your Glow-Up
Be fearless. Be vivid. Be savvy. Be boujee.
“To be brave is to forsake all others to be true to yourself. That is the vow of a confident girl.” ~Glennon Doyle
Every morning, I look into the eyes of the person I will love for the rest of my life. She’s tired when she steps in front of the mirror to wash her face and brush her teeth. She applies moisturizer and makeup with care but in motions so smooth anyone watching would know that it’s such a familiar routine that she could do it in the dark.
In fact, she has done it in the dark on early mornings in a quiet house. She’s done it with her eyes closed when she’s dreaming of that first cup of coffee. Still, she goes through the motions. She only pauses at the end, her hand hovering over the gold tubes of lipstick, wondering who she’ll be today. She swipes one and smiles, her eyes finally looking into the mirror.
The person I’ll love for the rest of my life is me.
This should be true of all of us. After all, we are the one person we’re sure to spend the rest of our lives with. Shouldn’t we love ourselves well while we’re doing it?
This life I’ve lived hasn’t always gone my way. Some things I wanted didn’t work out at all. But I’ve also had luck I wouldn’t have imagined in my wildest dreams. Some of the challenges felt like they would break me. I found myself in a dark place, moving blindly through my life and going through the motions while dreaming of better, brighter times. I kept going and kept learning from my struggle. I was healing while becoming a truer, deeper version of myself.
First, there was the darkness. Then, there was the glow-up.
The glow-up happens when we emerge from difficult times stronger than we were before. The transformation can be physical or emotional, but often, it’s a little bit of both. We embrace all the shades of empowerment to become fearless, vivid, savvy, and — yes — even a little boujee.
The Shades of Empowerment
Be Fearless
Fearless people don’t deny that they are sometimes afraid. They simply understand that fear doesn’t get to sit in the driver’s seat anymore. Instead of being driven by fear, they are driven by passion, courage, and a sense of adventure. They understand that life is short, and they intend to savor every single moment of it.
A fierce sense of fearlessness often happens at the start of any glow-up. The fearless don’t ask themselves, What if I fail? They ask, What if I succeed? They dare to imagine that life favors the brave.
“You either walk inside your story and own it or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.” ~Brene Brown
Be Vivid
It wouldn’t be a glow-up without a dash of boldness. When we overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, we’re filled with a sense of confidence and euphoria. Perhaps we’ve lived black and white lives, leeched of color and joy. Surviving tough times can remind us of how grateful we are to be alive.
We bring that sense of vividness into our lives. We are stronger, bolder, louder, and prouder. You won’t find any shrinking violets or wallflowers here.
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” — Maya Angelou
Be Savvy
Tough times are revealing. With our layers stripped down and pulled back, we step into our power as the savvy, sassy, and classy people we were meant to be. We have something to say, and we’re not afraid to speak up and speak out. Life isn’t something that happens to us; we empower ourselves to make choices that honor what we want and need.
We embody the saying do no harm, but take no sh*t. This part of the glow-up is where we truly shine — showing others that the best thing we will ever be is simply ourselves.
“Of course I am not worried about intimidating men. The type of man who will be intimidated by me is exactly the type of man I have no interest in.” ~Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Be Boujee
It wouldn’t be a full glow-up if we weren’t just a little boujee. This is when we take our self-care to a whole new level. It’s more than bubble baths and lipstick. We savor our lives, own our choices, and leave a lasting impression while we do. It’s sensual, meaningful, and entirely unforgettable.
“Security is mostly a superstition. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” ~Helen Keller
Rather than throwing shade at others, we embrace the shades of empowerment that come with a personal transformation. We are fearless, vivid, savvy, and boujee — and we want that for others. We become the cheering section for the people in our lives, but we’re equally happy to reach out and cheer on a stranger on their journey to loving themselves. A glow-up isn’t a glow-up at all if the light we radiate doesn’t reach out and touch others to help make their lives better.
Brave Glow, emerging onto the beauty scene, understands the glow-up. Their lipsticks encompass the shades of empowerment, and their teeth whitening pens help every smile stand out. A vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free company, they combine a mission for empowerment with eco-friendly products. They do all of this while encouraging women to embody those characteristics rather than just wearing the colors.
When I reach for my lipstick each morning, I ask myself who I want to be today. Will I be fearless and have the courage to risk a little vulnerability for the chance of loving well and living my dreams? Will I be vivid and use my boldness to ask for what I want and then go out and get it? Will I be savvy and use life’s lessons to take a stand — for myself or someone else? Will I let my full personality shine through? Or will I be boujee and decide that self-care is the order of the day while also savoring time with those around me?
It’s only lipstick — yet, it’s more. Every day, we’re offered a fresh start with all the opportunities that entails. Every day, we decide who we’ll be and how we’ll treat those we encounter along life’s journey. We can let life happen to us or we can empower ourselves to take the driver’s seat. As we meet our own eyes in the mirror, we get to choose.
I hope you choose to be brave.
