Beauty Secrets – Ylonda Gault

So, what is “Beauty Secrets”? Beauty Secrets is where you can learn about the beauty-full inner workings of women who are moving and shaking in their world, whether it be beauty, personal finance or some territory in between.

Today’s muse is Ylonda Gault. Ylonda and I live in the same town and met through a mutual friend. She is the author of Child, Please: How Mama’s Old School Lessons Helped Me Check Myself Before I Wrecked Myself (Tarcher-Penguin). She is also an Op-Ed Contributor to The New York Times and a contributing editor at Working Mother and Essence.

Here are Ylonda’s beauty secrets:

1. “I know it sounds corny, but Mama has always said, “Pretty is as pretty does.” She’s right. I honestly believe looking good for me starts inside. I work out often, because
   nothing is more beautiful to me than strength and confidence
   . Prayer and meditation help me keep “ugly” thoughts at bay. And, most important, I smile…a LOT. Although I hate the taste, I use baking soda several days a week to help whiten my teeth—another of Mama’s old-school rules.
2. A made-up face is not really my style. In real life, ain’t nobody got time for all that. But now that I’ve got, ahem, a few years on me my motto is “Go big or go home!” I have a humongous kisser and I’m not shy about playing it up with bold color. My very favorite product for the past couple of seasons is Bobbi Brown’s Art Stick in Sunset Orange, which looks like a big fat magic marker and goes on matte.
3. I’m lucky to have had great make up artists work on me. So I pump them for tips and beauty information. The fabulous Christopher Michael is evangelistic when it comes to spreading the good news on mascara. He made me a believer. I can’t lie and say I never leave home without it. But when I haven’t had much sleep and wake up looking tore up from the floor up, it’s as essential as a strong cup of Joe. They say ALL mascara does the same thing, but I swear by Lancome Definicils—which is saying a lot because I’m very cheap. When I can’t bring myself to spring for primo brand, I like Rimmel Lash Accelerator. The package says it actually grows lashes—which is dubious, to my mind. But it costs under 10 bucks, so at least it’s not an expensive lie.”

Follow Ylonda!

Site: Ylondagault.com 

Twitter: @TheRealYlonda

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