WHERE ARE MY EYEBROWS?: Lipstick Angels & EcoBrow's Got 'Em!

LIFE AFTER CANCER

Although growing in, I've still been struggling to find those eye-brows.  I found them.  I found eyebrows amongst a group of Angels, Lipstick Angels, that is!

Using the power of Beauty to transform & heal

On a Thursday, I got a call from a producer of The Queen Latifah Show.  She'd read my email and was interested in my story.  I told her that I was one of three flight attendants for a major airline, having gone and going through the fight of Breast Cancer--together.

After a few phone interviews and more calls, on Friday we were booked to shoot on the show, receive free wigs from Sherri Shepherd to aid in our hair loss and pampering from an organization that specializes in beautifying chemo patients right in the hospital infusion rooms.

On the Sunday prior to the taping, Founder and Head Angel Renata Helfman was to pamper us with a slew of feel good product sponsored by: Burt's Bees, Glo Minerals, Tarte, Street Saint and Pratima and EcoBrow (Beverly Hills) to name a few. I was leery, I must admit.

We traveled only a few minutes away to a condo in Santa Monica and was greeted by Head Angel herself Renata and Cosmo, her adorable pooch.  We were led up the stairs to an art-deco laced condo with a breath taking view.  Renata's Auntie Judie provided water, juice and delicious snacks.

Santa Monica View

Then Renata Blessed us, first with purpose.  She was a one woman show who wanted to give back.  A twenty-year plus veteran of make-up artistry, the best way she could give back to Cancer patients was to transform and aid healing through beauty.  So she visited the hospitals only to find a program had been set up to address other needs of Cancer patients.  No programs addressed loss of, eyebrows, hyper-pigmentation and other beauty regimens.

Through the hospitals Renata traveled.  With her base established at Cedar-Sinai, Renata added color, pizazz and the gift of touch to people experiencing Cancer and the effects of chemo.  Soon her other friends from the industry joined in and now Renata dispenses over 100 Angels throughout Southern California to use the power of beauty to transform and heal.  "My goal is to have this program in every hospital throughout the nation..."  Renata boasts.

Now at ease, Renata got to work on me.  Lovingly and gently she cleansed my face using all natural and aromatic product that sent my senses to soar. 

Renata 'beating' those brows
EcoBrow defining wax
Penelope Brunette

Then she applied the pizzazz.  All, I emphasize all of her products are organic, natural and great for the skin.  When I emerged from her chair, I felt like a Queen and the Husband got the benefit of my feel good when I got home.

On Monday I was graced by another Angel: Shannon Irene.  We laughed, talked and she made me glow with pride as I graced the stage. 

I will never ever forget my amazing experience with the Lipstick Angels.  Cancer/chemo can be so ugly at times.  To have one to help you to feel so beautiful is well... ANGELic.  Lipstick Angel angelic.



Me after Lipstick Angel Magic




 

To donate to or volunteer with this amazing wonderful cause check them out at www.lipstickangels.org  Renata is taking her mission nationally.  A little birdie told me, this movement is going Global.  Let's all get on board.

l-r Jermica, Renata, Me

MY FEET IN THE SAND: Finishing The Fight

As I look back over my life... and I think things over... I can truly say that I've Been BLESSED.... is a line from one of my favorite gospel songs.  Today, November, 2014 I stand in the eye of that Blessing, looking forward to a breathtaking new dawn.

Friday October 31 was the final day of Breast Cancer Awareness 2014.  I admit this journey has been amazing and arduous simultaneously. 

When I say I wouldn't take nothing for my journey... Maya Angelou, that statement resounds as one of grace.  On September 3, 2013 I found a lump.  On October 30, 2014 I stand before you having won and learned... invaluable lessons about life and me.

Me after exercise and Voting

When I first learned of my diagnosis I inhaled every cliché I could find-- CANCER PICKED THE WRONG DIVA, FIGHT [CANCER] LIKE A GIRL, GIVE CANCER A SWIFT KICK IN THE ASS.  They helped and I  would come to rely on them for comfort in some of the darkest times I could imagine.  However, in a time when it was drilled in my head to be selfish and self-absorbed about me and my healing; my greatest lesson was that none of this is about me.  It's all about HIM... GOD the ALMIGHTY, the GOD in me. 

Today I have a profound yearning to vibrate at a higher level beyond the pettiness with compassion, grace, forgiveness and most importantly love.  I don't exist for me.  I exist to serve in humanity and connectivity.  I am a spiritual being having a human experience and when I lose sight of that magnanimous vision, life bumps me back in line to learn it. 

That's how working through Cancer has aided me.  Working through Cancer has prodded me to listen.  Working through Cancer has jolted me to infuse compassion and self-less absorption into my being.  Having worked through Cancer has taught and continues to show me True North Evolution, that I can consistently exist there some day.

Throughout this past year, I've encountered momentous experiences, those encounters where I've had to pinch myself to remain present. 

Me and Actor/Friend Suki Avery
Backstage at the Queen Latifah Show

Recently I was Blessed to enjoy pampering courtesy of Lipstick Angels, donated wigs for Breast Cancer Survivors and Soldiers by Sherri Shepherd and to share a piece of my experience with a two of my pink sisters on the Queen Latifah Show.



Me and Photographer/Make-up Artist/Pink Sister
Friend Jermica Ragland
Backstage at the Queen Latifah Show
Wigs courtesy of Sherri Shepherd
Make-up courtesy of Lipstick Angels

I'm in this fight to the finish.  I'm not only speaking of the battle of Cancer but the fight to life.  Thank each and every one of you for sharing this journey with me.