August 2019, by far the most exciting month for me as a blogger. Why? I received notification from InStyle Magazine, a photo I submitted selected for the September 25th Anniversary issue for the Real Style section. Better yet, I entered the essay competition for a one-year-old website celebrating black women: the site, Sisters from AARP. Guess what, my entry for bestie and I, we won the AARP; Sisterhood Is Beautiful Essay Contest.
Little did I know about all the perks of being the Grand Prize winner. For our crowning achievement, Cynthia and I received a Girl’s Trip to New York City, a makeover by celebrity makeup artist Sam Fine, bed and breakfast accommodations at Brooklyn’s Akwaaka Mansion, and a $500 Visa Gift Card.
First up, after receiving our travel arrangements and makeover details, we arrived at the beautiful, historic, black-owned Akwaaka Mansion after our Uber ride from the Pennsylvania train station. The once derelict 1860s Brooklyn home was transformed by former Essence Magazine editor and chief, Monique Greenwood, who greeted us upon our arrival. Our private rooms are complete with Sisters from AARP welcome swag bags.
How about the car service from Brooklyn to Urban One in Manhattan for our full-day transformation? On deck at Urban One, the entire AARP SIsterhood content team from NYC and Washington, D.C. And, hair artist Tamara, with make-up artists Sam and his assistant Lisa. It takes a village and a glam squad.
I talk about how I might have hijacked the makeover schedule here. Remember my hair loss journey post? I brought two different units as options for my upgraded look. The before photos, this photo of me should remind me never to wear this updo style again. Plus, after so many years of wearing my hair up, my crown is saying Aaah, thank you for the relief.
Did you notice that I stopped wearing my updo since my November 18 posts? I had the sisterhood makeover back on November 15. I fully embraced my new reality. Full disclosure: It’s easier to adopt wearing a wig when the weather is cooler.
I couldn’t believe my makeover results. I almost cried when I saw my hair after changing my clothes. Regarding the makeover, my brows were reshaped, my nose contoured, my lip color was natural, and finally, my new must-have lashes by Ardell. I like Ardell lashes because they offer a bit of glam and give my eyes presence since I usually wear my specs.
Here’s Cynthia admiring her elegant new look—not much needed with her signature blunt cut. Her makeup included brow reshaping and bold lip color to help enhance her thin upper lip and glam Ardell lashes.
Sam Fine suggested we sport our looking like a million-dollar look and celebrate at Cecconi’s DUMBO (Down Under The Brooklyn Bridge Overview). However, tempted to stay in Manhattan, we ventured back to Brooklyn. Why? For the best friend experience, break bread together at another culturally diverse restaurant in Brooklyn: this time, the upscale pub Tilly’s. Our first evening on Thursday night, we enjoyed Peach’s southern cuisine.
You can read our AARP Sisterhood Is Beautiful Makeover Contest reveal here—my winning submission about my 22-year friendship with Cynthia, saluting our sisterhood in less than 350 words. The essay is about how we are both nearing retirement age and how society would expect us to slow down. When, in fact, we are just getting our second wind. We believe the best is yet to come, as it says in Psalms 92: 12-15.
Did you know AARP stands for the American Association of Retired Persons? Cynthia and I are eligible for the benefits of the 60-year-old AARP, and frankly, we take advantage of the senior discounts. We are among the 38 million Americans who enjoy the many benefits of AARP membership.
AARP’s motto is to continue to empower people to choose how they live as they age. Cynthia and I will continue to embrace the benefits of social media, which help us stay connected as we mature.
A special thank you to the Sisters by AARP Team for the sisterhood opportunity: Claire McIntosh, Editor-in-chief; Jennifer Lauren Hopson, Senior Advisor, African American/Black Strategy; and Shani Holsten, Vice President, Multicultural Leadership. Photography credit: Noémie Marguerite.
You, too, can subscribe to the relatively new, free weekly Sisters By AARP newsletter and get the best in style, health, money, relationships, and careers.
As always, thank you for reading. Have a fabulous week.
