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Are Eyelash Businesses in Crisis? Here’s What Technicians Say – Essence

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After being attacked for her eyelash extensions, Texas congresswoman Jasmine Crockett went viral for her response over the weekend. Naturally, it sparked an ongoing conversation in regards to the price we pay for our lashes.

WITH Maintenance costs as grass-wall salons offering less for more grow and grow across the United States, justifying the worth of eyelash services might be harder now than it was 4 years ago. And while native Texans (hint: Megan Thee Stallion and Revlon collaborate on eyelashes) might be covered out of pocket, New York and California clients can go for reasonably priced at-home eyelash extension treatments in its place.

According to Alanah Sahaba, a lash specialist in Los Angeles, lashes exploded in popularity in 2020, the 12 months the pandemic began. “With masks covering most of our faces, we focused on our eyes, which made lash extensions much more desirable,” Sahaba tells ESSENCE. However, “before lash extensions became popular among the masses, a standard set of lashes cost $300 because it was hard to find someone who even did lash extensions.”

At the time, all lash technicians offered extra-full lashes in one length, making it difficult to search out styles beyond classic, hybrid, and volume. Now, with education becoming more widely available, many technicians have been in a position to expand their services. But not and not using a cost. “The almost overabundance of knowledge has led some people to jump into the lash industry without the proper training,” Sahaba says. “That’s given lash extensions as a whole such a bad rap,” she explains, citing the “get rich quick” schemes that litter the market.

Aside from technicians who’re only interested in making a fast buck (often on the expense of quality), the generational shift from traditional 9-to-5 jobs to entrepreneurship isn’t low-cost. “Inflation is making it harder to keep prices low,” Houston-based eyelash and hair tech Aria Smith she says. “When clients see a higher price, they often assume we’re overcharging, unaware of the many expenses we face,” and services at HTX range from $100 to $120. From rent and taxes to the associated fee of materials and skilled training, “the financial burden of running a lash business is significant.”

As a result, it’s harder for patrons, especially in expensive cities with high traffic, to search out a lash technician who can provide a service price their money. Therefore, they might prefer to do it themselves. Statistics show, strip eyelashes make up 65.9% The global false eyelash market, which is anticipated to grow from $1.50 billion in 2024 to $2.70 billion in 2032. “There are options in every industry,” says Jas Imani, a licensed esthetician in New York City. “DIY lashes are not new and they’re only going to get better, that’s a fact.”

Competing with DIY lashes and an oversaturated market, lash technicians are more prone to burnout, unable to show away clients even when their schedules are full. “There’s a culture of rushing around that can lead to burnout,” says Smith. Sahaba agrees, saying the toughest a part of being a lash technician just isn’t with the ability to say “no” to latest clients. “I end up working my days off or the craziest hours to get everyone in,” she says. “It’s really important to have strong boundaries and set aside days off as a lash technician, especially if you want to do it long-term, because it’s a very physically demanding job.”

Known for his or her affordability, convenience and straightforward application, drugstore lashes are a fast fix that we’ve even seen on red carpets and celebrity awards shows (think: KISS lashes). But their popularity could also be behind a perceived decline, removing inexperienced lash technicians who offer only basic services. “I think [DIY lashes] are the main reason for the decline in business for lash technicians who continue to offer the same copy/paste styles that don’t require a lot of expertise,” says Sahaba. “I think these lash artists are becoming less common and they won’t be very successful in this industry for a long time.”

By Miami Lash Tech Valencia Kogerthe rise of custom designs is replacing standard kits. “I think the hardest part of being a lash technician starts with how much you know and how confident you are in your craft,” Koger says. For example, her hottest lash service, called “lash color matching,” includes clients with albinism, who may not give you the chance to search out DIY lashes in their shade. “This technique is popular because it’s inclusive,” she says. “It opens up the possibility of anyone wearing lash extensions, even if it’s a one-time thing.”

Imani notes that lash services are identical to selling every other product. “If a lash artist feels like they’re losing customers, they need to adjust the treatment or experience to accommodate that,” she explains. From offering all-original lash styles like Sahaba to Koger’s eyelash color-matching service, “the treatment is an experience and usually a luxury for most people,” Imani says. So scheduling appointments with lash technicians who offer a service that DIY lashes don’t, and having them in locations apart from only a salon, will keep these artists afloat.

“The beauty community can support lash techs by including us in spaces that makeup artists and beauty influencers have access to,” Koger says. After all, their influence, as seen this week with Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s viral moment, is what makes lash extensions an unparalleled detail in black beauty. “Lashes are typically the last step in a routine, and with our expertise, we can add so much value to the entire beauty industry.”


This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

10 tips to prepare for the next Trump presidency

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Now that Donald Trump has been elected president of the United States for a second time, a lot of the tens of millions who didn’t vote for him are searching for solace in the election results.

Journalist Daniel Hunter of Waging Nonviolence is victim 10 tips to help us prepare for and sustain the next Trump presidency. The guide emphasizes that to take effective motion, one must refrain from contributing to the autocrat’s talent for instilling fear, isolation, exhaustion, and confusion.

“Looking into an even more destabilized future is not easy. If you’re like me, you’re already tired,” Hunter says. “The prospect of greater drama is discouraging. But authoritarianism will not disappear regardless of the election results.”

Hunter has been busy throughout the election, preparing for the possibility of one other Trump presidency. From outlining potential scenarios, creating training and collaborating with colleagues experienced in autocratic regimes, he developed 10 tips on how to navigate the next Trump administration while maintaining inner peace.

(*10*) Hunter says, which is essential to not perpetuating “Trump’s goals of fear, isolation, exhaustion, or constant disorientation.”

1. Trust yourself

In the face of widespread social distrust – where many distrust the government, doctors, the media, and even family and friends – Hunter suggests starting by trusting yourself. It encourages you to listen to your inner voice and be mindful of how what you see, hear and feel affects your overall condition. By checking in together with your feelings and emotions, you possibly can put your phone down for a couple of hours, rest, or come to terms together with your fears.

Essentially, it’s “building up a defense against the ways in which madness can become internalized,” Hunter writes.

2. Connect with people you trust

Hunter points out that social isolation is the basis of fascism and dictatorship, urging readers to stay connected with like-minded groups who share similar values. Drawing on Hannah Arendt’s The Origins of Totalitarianism, she emphasizes that loneliness is a necessary ingredient of autocracy. To combat this, he encourages people to exit, engage in social groups, and find like-minded people. These connections help construct trust, allowing individuals to explore their very own pondering and support one another to stay sharp and grounded.

“We must consciously break this distance,” Hunter writes.

3. Allow yourself to be sad

Sadness is a human emotion that ought to be accepted, not limited. Hunter suggests that we start by detailing and allowing the feelings to emerge. He recalls staying up late with a friend after Trump’s victory in 2016 and just letting the emotions flow.

“Alternating between angry screams and tears. We became sad. We cried. We held each other. We breathed. We went back to naming all the bad things that we knew we had lost and the things that we thought we were probably going to lose,” he said.

Through this process, Hunter and his friend were able to higher mentally prepare themselves for what the next 4 years would bring. Instead of bottling up his emotions and continuously saying, “I can’t believe he’s doing this…” Hunter released his feelings on election night and started moving toward acceptance.

“Believe it. Believe it now. “Sadness is the path to this acceptance,” he writes.

4. Let go of what you possibly can’t control

There might be so many pressing issues during Trump’s presidency that accepting that we won’t take care of every thing might be a challenge, Hunter quotes.

“Trump’s first day likely includes pardoning the January 6 insurrectionists, reallocating money to construct the wall, withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, and firing greater than 50,000 government staff to begin replacing them with loyalists. There is not any reason to imagine that the second day might be much calmer,” he writes.

To counter the chaos that always fuels autocracy, Hunter advises abandoning the belief that we’ve got to deal with every thing. While this may increasingly be difficult for natural activists, he warns that “the urge to act on every issue leads to poor strategy.” Instead of focusing solely on public insults or symbolic activities resembling rallies and protests, look for simpler ways to engage.

5. Discover your path

Referring to his book entitled scenarios on how a Trump presidency might unfold, Hunter outlines several paths of resistance to counter the coming chaos. One track, ‘Protecting People’, focuses on supporting those directly affected, resembling transgender people, abortion seekers and immigrants. Examples include creating committees to welcome immigrants, establishing funds to support abortion, or training volunteers in security skills to respond to white nationalist violence.

Other tracks include “Defending Civil Institutions,” where people unite to defend institutions whose mission is to protect civil rights, “Disruption and Disobedience,” where individuals intervene to stop bad policies or show resistance, and “Building Alternatives” to support for more democratic processes.

“Your path may be unclear right now. That’s okay. There will be many opportunities to join the resistance,” notes Hunter.

6. Refuse to conform upfront and avoid self-censorship

Hunter cites two major media publications that “cowardly” refused to endorse a politician as examples of self-censorship. Trump did not have to directly threaten these media outlets; their very own leaders instructed them to “wait it out,” Hunter notes.

“If autocrats can teach us anything, it is this: political space you don’t use, you lose,” he writes.

Recognizing that we’ve got the power to select when to speak up, Hunter urges those that care to “use the political space and voice you have.”

7. Redefine your political landscape

Hunter explains how a Trump presidency is changing political alignments and the potential impacts. It highlights the importance of taking a position to listen to and have interaction with individuals with different political or personal views to broaden our perspectives. It also encourages you to practice empathy and face the reality of who’s in power.

8. Face the reality of power

Taking to the streets in mass protests and not using a clear goal will only increase frustration, leading to disengagement and radical motion disconnected from any strategic plan.

“We will not stop him from doing these things merely by persuasive tactics or by showing that MANY of us are against it,” Hunter writes.

Using the inverted triangle as an influence evaluation tool, Hunter explains how strategically taking down Trump’s support pillars could also be simpler. Massive lack of cooperation puts people at greater risk and repression. However, it also shows the potential to achieve the form of liberatory government all of us truly deserve.

Hunter cited the Trump government shutdown in 2019 for instance, when flight attendants were preparing for a nationwide strike. That strike could have grounded planes across the country, disrupting a key transport network. Within hours of announcing “immediate mobilization” for the strike, Trump backed down.

“This tipping point of mass non-cooperation will create a mess. This means persuading many people to take enormous personal risks in exchange for a better option,” Hunter writes.

9. Manage fear and switch the violence against yourself

Managing fear just isn’t about suppressing it; it’s about continuously redirecting it. Referring to activist and mental Hardy Herriman’s research on political violence, Hunter explains that counterproductive political violence involves not being intimidated and standing up to these threats, which causes them to lose power.

Hunter uses the example of Bayard Rustin, who turned police threats of arrest in response to outdated anti-boycott laws right into a moment of courage. Rustin organized a gaggle of civil rights leaders who went to the police station and demanded an arrest, positioning themselves as leaders and turning the repression into a robust spectacle. Some leaders who aren’t on the police list have also publicly demanded his arrest. The defendants were met with applause from the crowd as they held their arrest papers aloft, turning the fear of arrest right into a moment of triumph.

10. Imagine a greater future

No matter who’s in office, there may be an entire world of beauty we are able to concentrate on as a substitute of marveling at the state of presidency and its impact on our country.

“On days when I don’t sense any of these political possibilities (more than none at all), I turn away from the lifespans of trees and rocks and toward spiritual reminders that nothing lasts forever,” Hunter writes.

“The whole future is uncertain. But with these things, we have a better chance of having a better future and experience in these turbulent times.”


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Health and Wellness

Your friend has been diagnosed with cancer. Here are 6 things you can do to support them

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All over the world, one in five people are diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. Almost on the age of 85 one by two Australians can be diagnosed with cancer.

When this happens to someone you care about, it can be difficult to know what to say and the way to help them. However, providing your friend with the precise support can make an enormous difference as they face the emotional and physical challenges of a brand new diagnosis and treatment.

Here are six ways to provide meaningful support to a friend diagnosed with cancer.

1. Recognize and respond to emotions

When faced with a cancer diagnosis and treatment, it’s normal to experience different situations (*6*)emotions including fear, anger, grief and sadness. Your friend’s moods may change. Feelings are also common change over timefor instance, your friend’s anxiety may decrease, but she or he may feel more depressed.

Spending time together can mean so much to someone who feels isolated during cancer treatment.
Chokniti-Studio/Shutterstock

Some friends might want to share details, others prefer privacy. Always ask permission to discuss sensitive topics (similar to changes in physical appearance or thoughts about fears and anxieties) and do not make any assumptions. You can tell them that you feel uncomfortable since it validates the difficult situation they are facing.

Once they feel comfortable talking, follow their lead. Your support and willingness listen without judging can provide great comfort. You don’t need to know the reply. Just acknowledging what was said, giving your full attention and being present for the person can be very helpful.

2. Understand their diagnosis and treatment

Understanding your friend’s diagnosis and what they’ll undergo after they are treated could also be helpful.

Being informed can reduce your worries. It can also help you listen higher and reduce the quantity of explaining your friend has to do, especially after they’re drained or overwhelmed.

Browse reputable sources similar to Cancer Council website for accurate information so you can have meaningful conversations. But remember, your friend has a trusted medical team that gives personalized and accurate advice.

3. Check in commonly

Cancer treatment can be isolating, so checking in commonly, texting, calling or visiting can help your friend feel less alone.

Normal conversation and sharing a joke can be greatly appreciated. But everyone deals with cancer in a different way. Be patient and versatile in your support – some days can be tougher for them than others.

Remembering key dates – similar to the subsequent round of chemotherapy – can help your friend feel supported. Celebrating milestones, including the tip of treatment or anniversaries, can boost morale and remind your friend of positive moments on their cancer journey.

Always ask if it’s a superb time to visit because your friend’s immune system could also be violated due to cancer or treatment similar to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. If you’re feeling unwell, it is best to postpone your appointments, but they might still appreciate a call or text.

4. Offer practical support

Sometimes one of the simplest ways to show care is thru practical support. Help could also be offered in quite a lot of ways, and your friend’s needs may change at the start, during and after treatment.

For example, you could offer to pick up prescriptions, drive them to their appointments so that they have transportation and company to check-in, or wait with them at their appointments.

Meals will all the time be welcome. However, it will be important to remember about cancer and its treatment affect taste, smell and appetite, in addition to your friend’s ability to eat enough or absorb nutrients. You might want to check first in case your child likes any particular foods. Good nutrition can help increase their strength when dealing with the negative effects of treatment.

There may additionally be family responsibilities you can help with, similar to babysitting, grocery shopping, or pet sitting.

A nice casserole dish filled with lasagna sits on the stove.
There could also be practical ways to help, similar to dropping off meals.
David Trinks/Unsplash

5. Explore support together

Studies they showed Mindfulness practices can be an efficient way for people to cope with the anxiety associated with a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

If that is something your friend is focused on, it is perhaps fun to explore a category together (online or in person).

You can also help your friend connect with organizations that provide emotional and practical help, similar to the Cancer Council support linewhich offers free, confidential information and support to all people affected by cancer, including family, friends and carers.

Peer support groups it can also reduce your friend’s sense of isolation and foster shared understanding and empathy with individuals who have been through similar experiences. primary care doctors can help with referrals to support programs.

6. Stick with them

Be involved. Many people feel isolated after their treatment. This could also be because regular meetings have been reduced or stopped – which can mean the lack of their safety net – or because their relationships with others have modified.

Your friend may additionally experience emotions similar to worry, lack of self-confidence, and uncertainty as she or he becomes accustomed to: recent lifestyle after completing their treatment. This can be a vital moment to support your friend.

But do not forget: take care myself can be vital. Providing good nutrition, sleep, exercise and emotional support will help you get through this difficult time for each you and the friend you love.

Our research the team is developing recent programs and resources to support caregivers of individuals with cancer. While this can be a difficult experience, it can even be incredibly rewarding, and your small acts of kindness can make an enormous difference.

This article was originally published on : theconversation.com
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Health and Wellness

Vice President Kamala Harris’ ascension and derailment to the White House is the story of many Black women, including me

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2024 Election, Concerned, black women


Written by Dr. Dionne Mahaffey

My heart is heavy. My mind is racing and I am unable to help but take into consideration what this latest era under Donald Trump means for me and for ladies who appear like me and who wanted Vice President Kamala Harris to win, not simply because of her policies and competence or its historical significance. We wanted her to win because having her as a black woman in charge could be a robust statement for a rustic that so often seems reluctant to recognize our strength, talent and humanity.

Madame Harris’s candidacy was deeply personal. Black women identified together with her story, her rise, her spirit. Like me, she grew up in a single mother’s home. She’s my sorority sister. I felt hopeful in the concept that for the first time a Black woman was on the verge of real power, not only next to it. She represented every part we are sometimes told we can’t be: good, uncompromisingly ambitious, compassionate, and yet fiercely independent. Her presence defied the “angry black woman” stereotype, and her resilience reminded us of the countless ways during which Black women have long been pillars of American progress.

But now plainly this dream has been placed on the back burner. Trump’s victory brings back a well-recognized fear. His administration has at all times signaled a disregard for racial equality and women’s rights. We’ve seen what happens when hard-won protections are dismantled: voting rights are violated, police grow to be more aggressive, access to health care is restricted, and social justice is sidelined. For me as a black woman, these changes aren’t abstract political moves; these are issues of survival and dignity. The rhetoric surrounding us is a direct reflection of how protected, valued and vulnerable we feel in our own country.

With Trump’s victory comes the specter of Project 2025, a conservative motion plan that would severely limit civil rights, access to health care and economic resources, especially for Black Americans. Proposed cuts and restructuring of health care, housing and education could reverse years of progress and disproportionately harm marginalized communities. In my work, I see the potential impact on Black-owned businesses that already face enormous barriers to accessing capital. My clients – small business owners who’ve put every part into their ventures – are actually apprehensive about surviving in an economy that will push them further aside. Their concerns echo my very own, underscoring a reality we all know all too well: for us, progress is never linear and actually not guaranteed.

Twice nearly as good

But she didn’t win. We know that Black women often have to be twice nearly as good to achieve half nearly as good. Instead, America selected a criminal over an experienced black woman and it hurts. His victory brought back memories of my very own profession, after I began my first job in the technology industry over 30 years ago. I earned a formidable six-figure salary and came upon that my white friend made $30,000 greater than me. I had a diploma; he didn’t do it. While I used to be promoted to manager, he was promoted to director, and the company ended up paying for his education while I self-funded my MBA. That was the first time I understood how much white men were pampered and given opportunities to achieve perfection that black women were simply expected to earn.

Kamala was greater than qualified — she had worked as a prosecutor for 13 years, was the first Black and South Asian woman elected as a district attorney in California, the first Black and South Asian woman in the United States Senate, and the first woman of color to function vice chairman. By contrast, Trump is a convicted felon, born into privilege, who paid someone to take the SATs, filed for bankruptcy six times, was found guilty of sexual assault, incited a deadly revolt and denied the results of the 2020 presidential election. But by some means he won.

For Black Americans, Trump’s return to office is greater than symbolic. The reality of Trump’s latest presidency appears to be looming. Project 2025 plans to dismantle civil rights protections, access to health care, and economic opportunity that our communities have fought to provide. For those of us who in the past were forced to work twice as hard to achieve half as much, the stakes couldn’t seem higher.

Peace priority

The consequences of these selections aren’t just political – they’re deeply personal. As a therapist, I actually have seen firsthand how alternative anxiety affects my clients. After the elections, this tension will only deepen. Many people struggle with concerns about their future safety, rights and dignity in an environment where they feel increasingly unheard and invisible. Advising clients in these times is difficult, especially knowing that they may face renewed threats to their mental health and well-being. They carry the burden of this country’s instability, and sometimes that burden is greater than anyone should bear.

While helping others, I also need to concentrate to my very own mental health. It’s hard to support others when your spirit is drained, when their fears mirror yours. Taking care of yourself is not just a buzzword for me now – it is a necessity. Every day I remind myself that I cannot pour from an empty cup; so as to serve my clients and community, I need to provide myself with a spot to rest, recharge, and find peace inside myself.

Protecting our peace in times like these requires intention and care. It starts with tuning out the noise – setting boundaries around the news to stay on top of things and prevent anxiety from creeping in. Community is a balm, a reminder that we’re on this together. Leaning on friends, family and networks keeps us grounded and resilient. Mindfulness practices, corresponding to just a few minutes of quiet reflection or deep respiratory, can show you how to regain calm in the face of stress. Taking small actions, volunteering, supporting essential causes restores a way of control and purpose.

And still we rise

When I take into consideration this moment, I do not forget that Black women have faced adversity for generations and proceed to thrive. Kamala Harris’s candidacy, irrespective of the end result, has ignited something inside us – the determination to claim our space, construct our communities, and defend justice. The fight for equality and progress doesn’t end with one election; it is a lifelong journey and we’re uniquely equipped to sail it.

So today I hold space for my disappointment. But tomorrow, like all Black women who know that our value, power, and stories are greater than any single person or alternative, I’ll return to work. We will proceed to move forward, not just for ourselves, but for generations who will look back on this moment and know that we never gave up. Together we embody resilience and together we are going to rise.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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