Lifestyle
This Is How To Beautify Your Scars

One of the most fascinating and inspirational stories that I love so much is that of Oprah Winfrey.
Born into a life of poverty, Oprah was the daughter of a maid and a coal miner, who had a brief relationship. Raised in rural poverty and facing a very difficult childhood, she spent some years with her wonderful and nurturing grandmother, who taught her to read very early, leading to her development and interest in public speaking. At the age of six, she was sent to live with her mother, who was a maid working long hours, often leaving Oprah alone most of the time.
Her traumatic moments began at the age of nine when she started experiencing sexual abuse from male relatives and a family friend. These experiences left emotional scars that led her to act out and live wildly as a teenager.
At age 14, Oprah became pregnant. She kept the pregnancy a secret for a long time and eventually gave birth to a premature baby, who died shortly after birth. Following this, she was sent to live with her father, which marked a turning point in her life. Under her father’s strict care, she began to thrive academically and socially, excelling in oratory and drama in her school, and winning numerous awards. Her father made her read and write reports, which helped her develop a strong love for literature and learning. All of this built her up, and her natural talent for public speaking and storytelling led her to win a full scholarship to Tennessee State University, where she studied communication.
This marked the beginning of her journey to stardom. She started working part-time at a local radio station, and from there, transitioned to television as a news anchor. At 19, she became the first African American news anchor in Nashville, a significant achievement at the time. In 1983, Oprah relocated to Chicago to host AM Chicago, a struggling morning talk show on WLS-TV. Within months, Oprah’s authentic and engaging style turned the show into a hit, overtaking The Phil Donahue Show in local ratings. Her success in Chicago led to the show being syndicated nationally in 1986 and renamed The Oprah Winfrey Show. This was her process.
The show quickly became the highest-rated talk show in the United States, running for 25 years until it ended in 2011. The Oprah Winfrey Show was groundbreaking in its approach, featuring a mix of self-help topics, celebrity interviews, and discussions on social issues. Oprah’s willingness to share her own life experiences, including the traumas of her childhood, resonated deeply with viewers. She created a platform where people felt safe to discuss difficult and often taboo topics, helping to shift cultural conversations on issues like racism, gender equality, and This Is How To Beautify Your Scars mental health.
From there, she built a media empire, founding Harpo Productions in 1988, which gave her control over her own show and allowed her to expand into other media ventures. Harpo produced several movies, and she later launched O, The Oprah Magazine in 2000, which became one of the most successful women’s magazines.
In 2011, she launched her own cable network, OWN. The network focuses on programming that promotes personal growth, spirituality, and empowerment, reflecting Oprah’s mission to inspire and uplift her audience.
Today, she is one of the most successful women alive and one of the most influential philanthropists in the world. She has donated millions of dollars to various causes, particularly those focused on education and empowerment. In 2007, she opened the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, which provides high-quality education and leadership training to underprivileged girls.
I shared so much detail about Oprah’s life so you can be inspired to take charge of your life, what is written up there is not even up to the half of what this Amazon has achieved. Your own scars may be visible or hidden, but the fact is they are there, and you’ve allowed them to influence your behavior, worldview, emotions, and interactions for too long, even preventing you from aiming high.
No matter how ugly your life may seem to you or others, no matter how difficult it may appear, I want you to keep in mind that no life is beyond repair for God. No scar is too deep for God to beautify, no story is too bad for God to rewrite. With your actions, you may one day become the voice that pulls millions out of their darkness, just as Oprah inspired and empowered and empowering many women worldwide to become better versions of themselves
Your scars don’t have to be the same as Oprah’s. They could be from any traumatic event, the loss of a loved one whom you relied on, creating a gap and a deep sense of loss, heartbreak or betrayal from people you trusted the most, chronic illness or disability, childhood neglect or abuse, significant failures, missed opportunities, discrimination or injustice, financial ruin such as bankruptcy, having to fend for yourself since childhood, having no one to turn to, being raped, being a victim of trafficking, physical abuse from someone who should protect you, having a child at a young age which has led you to feel unworthy or incomplete, losing your sight to sickness or lack of immediate care, being with embracing self-compassion and acknowledging the pain because it is there. Don’t you ever deny them, as that only deepens the wound. Once you have done this, it is time to reframe the narrative. Instead of viewing your scars as symbols of weakness and failure, leading to selfpity, reframe them as evidence of strength. Let the story shift from “I was hurt” to “I overcame.” Go ahead and find meaning in that experience. Know that God permits everything in life for a reason. Look for the lessons from this painful experience. Understand that our most difficult moments often lead to the most significant growth which has the potential to shape our character and values if we shift our focus from the negative to the positive. Once you’ve picked up the lessons, it’s time to channel the pain into purpose.
Many people may never discover their purpose in life until they go through a significant, ugly situation. Share your stories, talk about your process, and channel your emotions into creative outlets like writing, music, or even public speaking. Share your story and own it with pride because it is a testament to your journey. Recognize that surviving difficult experiences has likely made you more resilient. Resilience is a form of inner beauty that reflects a person’s ability to bounce back and grow stronger in the face of challenges. Finally, forgive and release. You cannot aim for the future while holding on to the past. Joseph never saw his brothers as those who sold him into slavery, rather, he welcomed them and cared for them. Joyce Meyer never held onto anger toward her father, who raped her throughout her childhood. instead, she forgave him. The fact is, holding onto anger, regret, or resentment will forever keep your scars raw and painful, thereby limiting you from reaching your full potential and what God wants to achieve through that story. Forgive not only yourself but others, and surround yourself with support because God has a promise of transformation and renewal which has to be fulfilled in your life. He wants to bestow upon you a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. You will be called oak of righteousness, a booming plant of the lord for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61 Verse 3. Resentment, anger and unforgiveness will prevent all these from happening. In conclusion, scars, whether visible or hidden, are part of the human experience. While they cannot be erased, they can be embraced, understood, and even celebrated. We all are scarred in one way or another. Don’t let your scars limit you in life. Start beautifying them for a more fulfilling and purposeful life that will enrich the lives of many because the beautification of that scar is tied to many destiny, don’t fail yourself and don’t fail your creator. confined to a wheelchair due to errors from birth or even accident, the list goes on and on.
All of these, just like physical scars, are reminders of past pain and struggles. They are often viewed as imperfections, reminders of pain, markers of vulnerability but you forget that they also tell a story of survival, of resilience, and growth, which can be beautified by reframing our perspective on these experiences and finding ways to transform the pain associated with them into sources of strength, wisdom, and even pride. There are many more people like Oprah who never came out of that ugly experience, there are many girls who were born into poverty, who were raped and abused by their family members, who got pregnant at a tender age but never rose to their full potential after they’ve been scared.
No matter how ugly your life may seem to you or others, no matter how difficult it may appear, I want you to keep in mind that no life is beyond repair for God. No scar is too deep for God to beautify, no story is too bad for God to rewrite. With your actions, you may one day become the voice that pulls millions out of their darkness, just as Oprah inspired and empowered and empowering many women worldwide to become better versions of themselves.
This is me telling you that your life can still take a good turn, that your scars can be beautified and that many more beautiful and perfect things can still emerge from your imperfect life. The Bible said it in the book of Genesis 50:20 and I’ll rephrase “That scar intended to harm you but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the liberation of many lives” Beautifying your scars begins
Lifestyle
African Beauty Brands You Should Know

Many African beauty brands are striving to bring the perfect products for each person closer to them, both at home and in the diaspora. These brands celebrate indigenous ingredients and sustainable practices and their names are making waves across the globe. Offering products that blend tradition with innovation, each of them carves its unique space and thrives in it.
These brands are curated without using standard criteria.
Shea Moisture
As a global beauty brand, Shea Moisture has deep African roots. This company was founded in 1991 by Liberians Nyema Tubman and Richelieu Dennis. The establishment of the brand was inspired by Dennis’ grandmother who sold shea butter in Sierra Leone, the brand uses raw shea and other African ingredients to create hair and skincare products tailored for textured hair and melanin-rich skin. They offer skin cleansing products with naturally derived formula and their products are available for adults and children.
Arami Essentials
Founded in Lagos, Nigeria, Arami champions minimalist skincare using raw, natural ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and black soap. Their simple yet elegant packaging and effective formulations have earned them a cult following both in Africa and abroad. Arami Essentials was established when the owner, Ore Runsewe, arrived in Nigeria from the UK, where she could not access hair products that suited her.
LIHA Beauty
This is a British-Nigerian beauty brand that focuses on natural, sustainable and ethically sourced ingredients for their products. Merging Yoruba tradition with British chic, LIHA Beauty was created by friends Liha Okunniwa and Abi Oyepitan. They utilize ingredients like raw shea butter, coconut oil, and tuberose to produce top products. LIHA Beauty celebrates African wellness with a modern twist.
Nubian Heritage
Known for its use of culturally authentic ingredients like frankincense, myrrh, and African black soap, Nubian Heritage is beloved for fusing ancient beauty recipes with contemporary science to create nourishing body care products. Nubian Heritage is inspired by African healing traditions. Here, they use organic ingredients to revitalize the skin and hair of their customers.
Skin Gourmet
This Accra-based brand creates 100% natural, edible skincare using raw ingredients sourced directly from Ghanaian farmers. With products like baobab oil and cocoa butter scrubs, Skin Gourmet is redefining luxury with authenticity and sustainability at its core. They use meticulous methods to craft their products which are free from preservatives.
These brands are redefining beauty like never before. Using natural ingredients, effective formulations and appealing packaging, they are telling African stories in their own way. Also, in the little way they can, they are empowering local communities, and showing the world the richness of the continent’s natural and cultural resources.
Lifestyle
Wizkid and Ayra Starr Face Backlash Over ‘Gimme Dat’ Lyrics Referencing ‘Diallo’

Wizkid and Ayra Starr Face Backlash Over ‘Gimme Dat’ Lyrics Referencing ‘Diallo’
Nigerian music stars Wizkid and Ayra Starr are under scrutiny following the release of their latest collaboration, “Gimme Dat.” The track has sparked controversy due to its chorus, which repeatedly mentions the name “Diallo” in a romantic context. Some listeners interpret this as a reference to Amadou Diallo, a 23-year-old Guinean immigrant fatally shot by New York City police in 1999.
The contentious lyrics—“Diallo, Diallo / If I give you my love, oh / Make you no disappoint, oh…”—have been deemed by some as insensitive, suggesting they trivialize a significant historical tragedy.
Following the song’s release, Ayra Starr promoted the accompanying music video on X (formerly Twitter), sharing a snapshot and inviting fans to watch. However, the post quickly attracted criticism. A user, @Catchoris, expressed disapproval in a tweet that has since garnered over 2.5 million impressions:
“Ayra Starr & Wizkid are so ignorant. Wyclef sang ‘Diallo’ about the US police killing an unarmed African in 2000. 25 years later, 2 African stars turn that sad tune about police brutality into a stupid song about sex, repeatedly calling the murdered man’s name in the silly chorus.”
While some fans echoed these sentiments, accusing the artists of cultural insensitivity, others offered a different perspective. User @menlotanna argued:
“I get your point but you’re wrong bro. Ayra’s song samples Wyclef Jean’s ft Mary J. Blige ‘911’ which is actually a love song. And the ‘Diallo’ in Ayra’s chorus doesn’t reference the song you’re referring to because the notes in these songs are totally different.”
Indeed, “Gimme Dat” samples Wyclef Jean and Mary J. Blige’s 2000 hit “911,” a song depicting star-crossed lovers entangled in drama, with the male narrator evading police while the female narrator expresses concern. The original “911” does not reference Amadou Diallo. However, Wyclef Jean did release a separate track titled “Diallo,” directly addressing the 1999 police shooting of Amadou Diallo and criticizing systemic racism and police brutality.(en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org)
The confusion may stem from the similarity in names and Wyclef Jean’s involvement in both songs. While “911” is a romantic narrative, “Diallo” serves as a protest song memorializing Amadou Diallo’s tragic death.
As debates continue, neither Wizkid nor Ayra Starr have publicly addressed the controversy. Meanwhile, “Gimme Dat” has achieved commercial success, amassing over 1 million Spotify streams within 12 hours of its release. The song’s popularity underscores the global reach of Afrobeats, even as discussions about cultural sensitivity and artistic responsibility persist.(Inside Port Harcourt)
Lifestyle
Diaspora Watch – Vol. 42
Dive into the 42nd Edition of Diaspora Watch!
Explore the intersection of global politics, entertainment, and lifestyle with our latest edition.
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The big question on everyone’s mind is Trump’s Tariffs: A Threat to American Jobs or a Boost to Automation? Meanwhile, sports fans will be thrilled to know that Cristiano Ronaldo is making his Hollywood debut with an action-packed film studio venture.
In a heartwarming story, a Nigerian nurse who had been working in the US has made the bold decision to return home in search of a more fulfilling life.
This edition also shines a spotlight on Nigeria’s Diaspora Commission Chairman, who has been honoured in Saudi Arabia for his outstanding contributions.
Other highlights include an in-depth analysis of the US-China trade war, which has intensified with Trump slapping a 104% tariff on Chinese goods.
You won’t want to miss the Diaspora Watch editorial on the need for ambassadors, followed by a report on the Nigerian government’s commencement of screening for ambassadors.
In sports, Aston Villa is hoping to lure Ademola Lookman with Champions League qualification. The back page is dedicated to this exciting development.
Grab your copy of the 42nd edition of Diaspora Watch today and stay up-to-date on all the latest news and trends.
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