What is Beauty?

PopArt - Lupita Nyong'o by JoeyHazelLM on deviantART

People magazine recently released their Most Beautiful List of 2014. At the #1 spot was none other than award winning and rising star, Lupita Nyong'o. No one [that I am aware of] is surprised to see yet another accomplishment like this for Nyong'o. As I celebrate with her along with other women (and girls) of color for the achievement, I asked myself (as I do with any such list): "What makes her so beautiful?" and further "What is beauty?"

The easy answer is to Nyong'o's beauty may demand that one simply 'look at her!' Her face is symmetrical, so she's biologically beautiful. Her skin is smooth and even as far as the eye can see, so she is dermatologically (it's a word for the purpose of this blog-lol) beautiful. She's the darling of every red carpet in Hollywood. Her accent isn't so thick that the untrained ear is unable to comprehend what she says. Yet, her accent speaks to just how cultured she is -- how worldly she is. She attended and graduated (with honors) from one of America's best schools - Yale University (a trend we are starting to see more of, but that's for a different blog). The point is, she's not just a pretty face. She's got brains and beauty. Apparently, she has personality too. Still, her ability to show such grace and humility isn't all that makes her beautiful.

What is beauty?

It is her ability to own and master all of those things while still knowing that there is more ground to cover. More to attain; to grow; to achieve. The essence of her says it all. It isn't an innocence or naiveté. It's the opposite. It is an unexpected maturity from someone just over thirty years old.

When my brother's eldest daughter was born, we observed that she visibly favored our/his features and darker complexion. I recognized that image issues may be a potential challenge, and I gladly took it upon myself to esteem her as often as necessary (without going overboard-balance is everything). She was and is beautiful - all of his children are. However, we knew that in this society,  standards of beauty vary from what is considered beautiful in our homes. Being Liberian-American, I personally did not experience the negative effects of colorism until I got to school, as family members and friends were (for the most-part) shades of ebony, chestnut and chocolate. Due to my experiences at home, the effects of childhood taunting (as it related to my complexion) did not seem to phase me to the same degree as other girls and boys a similar complexion. So much work had been done at home and within my family's network. I was esteemed in that area. Yes, I recognized that I was darker, but I was also told that I was pretty, smart, talented, humorous and more.

Lupita is beautiful. There is no doubt about that. However, her beauty comes from so much more than what we see.  I hope little girls (and the little girls within) strive to enhance the internal beauty that all are capable of sharing with the world.

It is so important for all to be represented on mainstream media outlets for this very reason. My niece is all grown up now. She recently told me that Lupita Nyong'o was one of her favorites -- already. It's amazing, and I love it. Her family esteemed her as a little one. Now Lupita and others like her, are reinforcing what we've known all along: that you can be beautiful no matter what the conventional standard dictates.

Watch this endearing exchange between veteran and emerging beauty icons, Alek Wek and Lupita Nyong'o (respectively): 

Be beautiful.

Moving Forward

I know, I know. I've been long gone, and haven't given an update. My life got a little crazy (okay a LOT crazy). In the chaos of it all, I forgot to pay attention to me. Thank God, things are much better now. Though fashion, makeup and hair are still interests (and will still be featured on the site), content has expanded to include health and [possibly] fitness -- for obvious reasons. I've gained a lot of weight and have noticed other physiological declines (i.e., skin, hair health, etc.). Things are settling. I'm on my way to wellness, and I'm inviting you along for the ride. It is not fair to readers for me to blog about image, if I am not focusing on making mine the best it can be. The format of this blog will not change very much, and I will still feature the things I love -- I'll just also be including some additional features related to life+style.

This IS a lifestyle blog. :-)

You've likely guessed, N.Videl is rebranding. Stay tuned to see how things change with me and the site. Feel free to share your feedback. Chat with you soon!

Moving forward,
N.

See What Bey Got Me?!

During the day:

@iamjamiefoxx @taylorswift @nvidel @j0nnieface IT'S OUR B-DAY, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! On this day, 12/13/13 I celebrate life, health, love and laughter. Thank you God, Thank You God, THANK YOU GOD! This year was full of lessons, and I'm a better woman because of these lessons. I looked down at my phone at 12:13 pm; the song "Grown Woman" was blasting in my ear 0:32 into the song). Last night, I was telling my line sister that I needed this song released so that I could blast it in my car (@kimberlyelle_c is my receipt-I ain't lyin')! Would you believe, @beyonce RELEASED HER ALBUM ON MY BIRTHDAY! Last week, I said I wanted a cake. I HAVE TWO! Some may count these as coincidences, but not I. God is blessing in big ways and small-and I am present and on time for them all! Go Nyeta, it's your birthday! #Team Blessed #1213 #TeamSaggi #GirlsNightAtTheRange #ImAGrownWoman #ThisIsMyLongestPostEver

This was an Instagram post sent to my friends and followers earlier today. Yes, it's my birthday! My age is not as significant as the warm and positive feeling I have today. Two Thousand - Thirteen  has been a bitter-sweet year for me. I fought and surrendered; laughed and cried; reacted and reflected. I've learned so much.

Friends have reached out to me, sending birthday wishes and kind thoughts. I've returned the gestures in kind. I really do believe I have the best friends in the world. They have created for me the strongest network of support and love I have (outside of my family). I explained to one friend that this birthday feels especially different. I'm not sure why. I explained that today feels like a New Year's Eve celebration-like 12/31/13. In reference to the Instagram post above, I declared to another friend that  I called Beyoncé last night and asked when she was releasing something new? He humored me, of course and let me finish my story. After telling him what really happened the night before (noted above), I asked: "See what Bey got me ?! An album just to celebrate how grown I am!" We laughed [for what felt like] 10 minutes.  I closed my story by saying that she sent a text with a simple smiley face. Smh-they let me imagine, and I love them for it! I later had Ladies Night at the range (fun times), and dinner at one of my favorite places to eat.

I thought I understood what some meant when they expressed "coming of age," or "coming into their own." Perhaps that's what I am experiencing-but to a greater degree. I've been an adult for years now, it's just different.