Your Makeup Palette

Beginner Moves:Deadlift Squat

• Stand with feet wider than hip-width apart, holding a 5-pound dumbbell in each hand at inner thighs.
• Bend both knees 90 degrees, coming into a squat, lowering weights toward the floor.
• Do not let your knees go past your toes.
• Stand and repeat.
• Complete 4 sets of 15 reps.

Couch Bridge

• Lie on the floor and place your feet hip-width apart on a couch or bench, knees bent between 70 and 90 degrees.
• Press into heels and drive hips toward the ceiling.
• Drop your hips and repeat. Work up to 3 sets of 15 reps.

Lateral Step-Up

• Standing with your right side facing a step bench, hold a 5-pound weight in each hand in front of your thighs.
• Step up onto the bench sideways with your right foot and squeeze your glutes for a count of 3, then step down. Repeat for a total of 15 times on each side and work up to 3 sets.

Intermediate Moves:Bent-Knee Deadlift

• Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, holding a 5-pound dumbbell in each hand at inner thighs.
• Bend knees 30 degrees, coming into a shallow squat.
• Keep your back straight as you bend forward from the hips, lowering weights toward the floor.
• Squeeze your glutes and slowly stand.
• Complete 3 sets of 15.

Single-Leg Bridge

• Lie on floor and place your feet hip-width apart on a couch or bench, knees bent 70 to 90 degrees.
• Extend left leg, pointing toes.
• Press into your right foot and lift hips toward the ceiling.
• Complete 3 sets of 15 reps, then repeat on opposite side.

Lateral Step Extension

• Stand with your right side facing a step bench, holding a 5-pound dumbbell in each hand in front of your thighs.
• Step up sideways onto the bench with your right foot, then lift your left leg 45 degrees to the side, toes pointed.
• Hold for 3 counts.
• Step down and repeat for a total of 15 reps.
• Switch sides.
• Do 3 sets.

Advanced Moves:Balancing Deadlift

• Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent about 30 degrees.
• Holding a 5-pound dumbbell in left hand, extend right leg back and lower weight toward floor.
• As you stand, kick right leg forward to hip height.
• Lower to start and repeat.
• Complete 3 sets of 15 reps on each side.

Stability Ball Bridge

• Lie with shoulders and arms along the edge of a couch or bench.
• Balance feet on a small (25- to 35-centimeter) stability ball, knees bent.
• Keep feet on ball and press hips toward ceiling, bringing them level with chest.
• Complete 3 sets of 15.

Lateral Jump

• Stand with your right side 2 to 4 feet away from a step bench.
• Keeping your arms bent at sides, squat down slightly and hop up sideways onto the step, landing on your right foot.
• Next, bend knees slightly to hop back to start landing on your left foot.
• Continue hopping back and forth for a total of 15 times before switching sides to repeat.
• Complete 3 sets.

“African hair feels harsh and scratchy.”

“Unless it is processed, African hair will be kinky and bushy.”

“African hair is oilier/greasier than European hair. This is evidenced by the fact that water beads up on their hair.”

“African hair is harder to style than other hair types.”

Go all out on lashes

Photo: Bellevue Massage and Spa

Brighten up with liner

Photo credit: Chanel

Try a (colorful!) smoky eye

Credit: Karen Pearson

 Allow Yourself Enough Time