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The Groove with State Farm® and Win a Trip to the 2015 ESSENCE
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Disclosure: The
following promotional giveaway and content has been sponsored by State Farm®.
If you would have told me 5 years
ago that my decision to go natural and cut off all my hair would be a choice
that would change my life forever...I probably would have agreed with
you.
But not for the reasons that were
racing through my head as I picked up the scissors.
While looking in the mirror as my
shoulder length hair fell to the floor in clumps, I was suddenly overwhelmed
with emotion. The main emotion? Fear, fear of rejection, of no longer being
beautiful, of not being able to get a job or a man for that matter aaaaand the
underlying fear that my head was actually as big as I thought it was lol.
I was sure that my life was
over...but little did I know, it was just beginning. Cutting my hair was one
giant step of many that would help me Get In The Groove of my amazing future.
I wish I could say I was one of
those girls that instantly loved her hair. That I snipped away all those permed
ends and my curls sprung into place perfectly and I felt beautiful.
It was nothing like that. I felt
alone, confused and was dealing with huge confidence issues. Every time I
looked in the mirror, I was regretting my choice, but my hair was already gone
so, I had no choice but to stick with it.
Those first few weeks and months
were hard...really hard. I hadn't even seen my natural hair since I was in the
early stages of elementary school.
Not to mention I had absolutely
NO IDEA HOW TO CARE FOR MY NATURAL HAIR.
And 5 years ago the market place
for products and information was nothing like it is now. I couldn't just run to
my local Target and grab a million different products to see what worked. Most
natural hair products were only being sold online or in specialty stores. And
how was I supposed to know what to do once I got the products...how was I
supposed to style my hair? Natural hair YouTubers were few and far
between...and blogs? Almost non-existent.
I took refuge in wigs when I went
back to school to avoid questions, and when wigs weren't an option, makeup and
clothing became my best friend. I wanted so badly to take all attention away
from my hair's texture and length that I focused on amping up my style and
makeup.
The outcome? My love for
fashion and beauty were born.
At the time for me it was just a
way of coping, but in the grand scheme of things it was step number 2 towards a
future I hadn't even imagined.
Flash forward two years or so and
things had changed. I was home from school and working at a job in the beauty
industry that had very strict "visual rules." So, you guessed
it. My natural curls were well...not so
natural anymore.
Let’s just call this the heat
damaged stage.
To keep up with appearances at
work, I was flat ironing my hair at least 2-3 times a week. I loved the way my
hair looked though, because it was exactly what I had been used to my whole
life-
long and straight-
but something didn't feel right about the
whole thing.
The idea that my hair "had
to be" a certain way in the back of my head bugged me. I had just spent 2
years getting used to these curls and yes...the familiarity and manageability
of straight hair was comforting. But what was wrong with the way my hair grew
naturally? Why was that "unappealing" and
"unprofessional"?
What was wrong with my natural
hair!?
After nearly a year with that
job, I couldn't take it anymore! The lack of freedom of expression paired with
other company issues forced me to quit, and 5 months later I found myself
working as a natural hair stylist in a salon and once again cutting all my hair
off!
This time the experience was
completely different.
It was freeing...I felt beautiful
and wasn't worried about what anyone thought about how my hair looked. I was
confident, assertive, and pretty darn sure of myself when it came to my hair
and beauty. And working in a natural hair salon I became somewhat of an
advocate of natural hair. When women came in unsure of the beauty or
professionalism of a natural hairstyle or going through with their "big
chop," I was there to reassure them, give style advice or hold their hand
through the process.
That’s when I realized I really enjoyed
helping women and aiding in their journey, no matter what it was. I found joy
in seeing women accept and define their own beauty on their terms. That
realization was step 3.
I’m sure I don't have to tell you
what was born a few months later. That’s right.
THE PRETTY GIRLS GUIDE
I didn't know exactly what it was
going to be when it all started...which is clear if you scroll back far enough
in the archives. I just knew that I wanted to help women feel and live
beautifully and incorporate my love of natural hair, beauty and fashion into
the mix.
Now... almost 2 years later this
blog and helping inspire women with and without natural hair is my
passion.
Being a natural hair and
lifestyle blogger has completely changed my life. It’s opened doors for me that
I would have never even imagined myself standing in front of. I have gotten to
work with companies like ORS Hair Care, Ford Motors, It Cosmetics and many
more.
I have traveled all across the
country, been on TV, and have seen words I’ve written myself featured on blogs
that I look up to. I have turned my
passion into a career and most of all, I have gotten to touch and change the
lives of so many of my followers. Hearing the stories of how my words, videos
and posts have helped you become confident or not give up on your journeys has truly
touched my heart.
I have gotten to see myself grow
and change as a woman and accept myself for who I am, and I know none of
this...especially this blog… would have been born if that younger version of me
had not had - the courage to stand in the mirror and cut off what I thought
made me beautiful and unique.
Going natural has and is giving
me the life I have always dreamed of and more. Although my journey has had its
hiccups and has been filled with everything from weave, heat damage, wigs and
second big chops. I know it was all designed to bring me to this point and
beyond. Without it, I may have never realized my dreams.
CONTEST TIME
Now I know everyone’s natural
hair journey may not do that for them, but we all have something no matter if
it be a significant life experience, a milestone, an achievement or just a
personal important moment in our lives that help us "Get In The Groove"
of things, become better or aspire for more.
And State Farm wants to reward
you...YES YOU for embracing those moments in life with a chance to win a trip
to the 2015 Essence Fest!!
PLEASE READ ALL CONTEST RULES
BELOW CAREFULLY!
HOW TO ENTER:
Get In The Groove and show State
Farm your best dance moves in celebration of your significant life experience
or milestone.
1) Submit one photo or one 15
second video on Instagram with your best dance moves and use the the hashtags
#StateFarmGroove and #ContestEntry for a chance to win the full VIP treatment
and trip to the 2015 Essence Festival presented by Coca-Cola.
BONUS GIVEAWAY
Just for being an amazing supporter
of The Pretty Girls Guide, if you share this blog post via one of the social
links below and comment "sharing is caring" on my latest Instagram
post that corresponds with this blog post you will be entered to win a $25.00
Visa Gift Card*
*Must be following the blog and
my Instagram to qualify
GOOD LUCK GUYS!!! I HOPE ONE OF
YOU WINS!
Until Next Time,
XO Deanna
As a member of The bLink Marketing Network, I received compensation for this sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of State Farm. The opinions and text are all mine.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, all opinions are
100% my own.
