I have been incredibly excited to share this week’s Powerful Beauty guest contributor… Kathleen Cross is the author of two Harper Collins novels, Skin Deep and Schooling Carmen. She has been a guest on numerous radio and television shows, including Oprah, Montel and Dr. Phil. In addition to being an acclaimed author, Kathleen is currently is the top writer for eDrugstore.md and has her own website KathleenCross.com.

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here is incredible power in being loved unconditionally. Love allows us to see ourselves as the beautiful creatures we are, and if we are open to the lesson, it will teach us what we are truly made of. I learned that from my former fiancé Todd, who knew that at forty-something I had plenty of internal and external flaws, and chose to focus instead on what he found beautiful in me.

Kathleen Cross shares Powerful Beauty ideas with fellow Bionic Beauties

In His Eyes
I am sweet marrow wrapped in angel’s flesh
strength’s elucidation of grace
I am stillness in motion, heaven and earth alloyed
I am the only goddess and he comes undone when I dance
I am alto now soprano then, aria in rhythmic breaths
lyric in silence, soloist and symphony abreast
I am the matchless voice and he lip syncs as I chant
I am sapphire
I speak watercolors
in my lover’s eyes
I shine

I penned those words after Todd informed me during an argument, “Don’t tell me not to put you on a pedestal. It’s my pedestal. I put you up there, and there’s nothing you can do or say to remove yourself, so just shine.”

The trouble with that kind of admiration is what can happen to you and your self-esteem if the admiration is suddenly withdrawn. Todd taught me that too when he drowned in the ocean trying to save a friend caught in a riptide. I was beyond devastated by the loss of my husband-to-be, and, lost in the dark fog of mourning I arrived at the conclusion that the only way something so terrible could happen to me is that I deserved it.

I deserved it. That one ugly thought burrowed itself deep, obliterating my self-esteem and leaving me unable to feel beautiful or worthy of love for many months to come. I retreated to a deep dark cave where I was sure my ugly self belonged, and I stayed there much too long.

A mohawked skater-dude in line with me at the bank has no idea he rescued me. Written on his t-shirt were the words, “Welcome to Earth, where ugly things happen to beautiful people.” I found a powerfully beautiful message in it for me.

We come to Earth beautiful. Beauty, like love, is our birthright. We don’t have to do anything to deserve it any more than we can do something to deserve those experiences we interpret as “ugly.” Earth is our pedestal and it is our right to shine here. Todd already knew what it took me a while to learn.

I am beautiful, because I am.

Kathleen’s words are absolutely incredible and emotionally moving. I received her contribution by email, read it, and it literally stunned me. I hope all the Bionic Beauties out there love it just as much as I do. ~Jami

Catch up on the rest of the Powerful Beauty features. And remember to check back each Friday for another dose of how to Achieve Powerful Beauty!

This week’s Powerful Beauty segment features Josephine Pizarro. Josephine is the head of the Your Beauty School website.

She first became interested in beauty of the world and how people perceived beauty when she was around 25 years old. Josephine loves to travel annually “to see what different people around the world perceive as beautiful”. She also loves learning about new cultures and exploring her own self through her travels.

And now let’s hear how Josephine defines Powerful Beauty…

To me, powerful beauty is being beautiful (both inside and out) and still maintaining a certain modesty about it. You look good and feel good, but you don’t feel the need to rub it in other people’s faces. Flaunting here is not a good thing by any means. Of course, anyone and everyone enjoys receiving compliments here and there. But the mark of true inner beauty is in receiving the compliment with humility as well as genuine appreciation.

Perhaps it’s just me, but I have always noticed that this type of powerful beauty can make anyone look even more beautiful or portray their true beauty in any given situation. But people who are clearly very conceited or self-involved tend to become less attractive to me as I get to know them. It’s very rare and special to find someone who radiates powerful beauty but when you do find them, it’s impossible not to hold that person in high regard.

Powerful Beauty can come in any size or age across the world.

Catch up on the rest of the Powerful Beauty features. And remember to check back each Friday for another dose of how to Achieve Powerful Beauty!

As my regular readers know, every Friday at Bionic Beauty features the Powerful Beauty article series. There have been contributors from across the globe and from a variety of professions (models, artists, book authors, and makeup artists – to name a few).

I’d really love to open this feature up to my readers and anyone else who wishes to participate! Simply send me a two to four paragraphs telling me “How you achieve or define Powerful Beauty”.

You can use my Contact Form to submit your article. If you’d like me to link to your own blog or website, please include that as well. You can also send me a photograph of yourself, but that is completely optional.

One of the great things about this Powerful Beauty feature is that it is bringing women together under a common topic. These articles discuss feelings, physical attributes, tips and ideas that are important and common to us all. And each person’s view is so individual! I am honored to have such strong and confident women among my friends and readers!

By the way, there’s no cut-off for your entry… just type it up and send it along as your schedule allows and I’ll work your article into the queue.

Stay Bionic,

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ast week featured Part One of the Powerful Beauty Quote Series… this Friday I am posting another group of quotes that help illustrate how I think of, and define, Powerful Beauty in my life.

“There are two ways of spreading light… to be the candle, or the mirror that reflects it.” ~Edith Wharton

“For every beauty, there is an eye somewhere to see it.” ~Ivan Parlin

“So many gods, so many creeds,
so many paths that wind and wind,
while the art of being kind,
is all this sad world needs.”
~Ella Whaler Wilcox

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they didn’t have any.” ~Alice Walker

And now for a bit of snarky humor…
“The truth will set you free. But first it will just piss you off.” ~Gloria Steinen

Do you have any favorite Powerful Beauty quotes? What’s your favorite quote from above?

Catch up on the rest of the Powerful Beauty features. And remember to check back each Friday for another dose of how to Achieve Powerful Beauty!

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his week’s Powerful Beauty segment features some of my all-time favorite quotes. These quotes, along with more that I’ll post over the next few weeks, summarize my feelings and definitions of Powerful Beauty.

“It takes less courage to criticize the decisions of others than to stand by your own.” ~ Wess Roberts in the book Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun

“Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels.” ~ Faith Whittlesey

One of my favorite Girl Power quotes from the TV show, Alias; by lead character Sydney Bristow.

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.” ~ Elizabeth Kübler-Ross

Do you have any favorite Powerful Beauty quotes?

Catch up on the rest of the Powerful Beauty features. And remember to check back each Friday for another dose of how to Achieve Powerful Beauty!

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his week’s Powerful Beauty feature is a snippet from one of my favorite super-hero movies, Daredevil.

I first became a fan of Jennifer Garner during her short stint on Felicity and in Pearl Harbor; then of course in my all-time favorite TV show, Alias. I’m a sucker for television shows with a strong female lead who retains “real life” character flaws.

The reason I love this scene from Daredevil is not just because Jennifer Garner is the star; but it’s a dramatic turning point for her character, Elektra. Sure, the choreography and music score is great- but I see her embracing all the tough times she’s had in her life (her mother dieing, her father’s murder, etc), channeling and focusing those tribulations into strength.

Her motivation is revenge for her father’s murder; which granted is not typically the most mentally-healthy response. But she morphs from an already strong woman into a super-hero. She trains to grow her abilities, until she excels.

I’m not saying that we all need to go around training with Sai’s to be a Powerful Beauty, but don’t think of the rough spots in your life as drawbacks. Those moments are part of a full life- look back at them with no regrets, and remind yourself that you are stronger because of them.

Stay Bionic,

Catch up on the rest of the Powerful Beauty features. And remember to check back each Friday for another dose of how to Achieve Powerful Beauty!

Welcome to another “Powerful Beauty” Friday at the Bionic Beauty blog… This week I am switching things up. Instead of focusing on a positive definition, I’m highlighting a complete opposite example of Powerful Beauty.

Have any other Bionic Beauties been a tad offended by the new marketing campaign for Axe’s Twist and Shift fragrances for men? The Shift body spray’s gimmick is that it supposedly changes scent “through the day”.

The ad doesn’t just hint at its message, it bluntly states that “women get bored easy”.

If you haven’t seen the video, take a 45 second break and have a watch…

Is that the best that Axe’s fancy PR Marketing department could create? An advertisement embracing the fact that women are single-minded, flaky, easily distracted, and also continually flop their eyelashes around?

From the Axe-man’s changing appearances, the ad suggests women can not value a man unless he is constantly updating his costume, putting on a pretense, and playing head games with us.

Do women want a shifty man who is going to leave twisting when he gets bored of putting on an act? Apparently we certainly couldn’t be attracted to a guy is unique and true to his own personality.

This campaign is celebrating an idea of a man who is at root a superficial actor; a player who does not wish to realize a woman’s intelligence or independence. Instead of learning to communicate with a woman past a bad pickup line, Axe-man is relying on his cheap body-spray to seal the deal.

Yep, Axe. You nailed it. Women are unable to remain focused on a man for any time longer than a commercial break, and a guy sporting a shifting body spray fragrance is definitely going to keep a woman hanging on his every word.

After watching Axe’s “women get bored easy” advertisement, what are your thoughts? In my opinion, it’s a gigantic PR Marketing Fail, this Axe ad struck me as the complete antithesis of the Powerful Beauty motto; but I’m completely fine if y’all disagree with my assessment.

Catch up on the rest of the Powerful Beauty features. And remember to check back each Friday for another definition of Achieving Powerful Beauty!

Welcome to another “Powerful Beauty” Friday feature!

This week Kimberley, a co-founders of YBF Skincare (one of my personal favorite skin care brands), has decided to share her thoughts on how she defines Powerful Beauty.

First here’s a little bio Kimberley shared with me…
“I like long walks on the beach, candlelit dinners at home, sharing a bottle of wine… oh, wait. Start over…

I’ve worked several different jobs, from demolition derby sign up to sports pub bartender, with retail assistant manager and corporate trainer in between. I’ve earned two degrees (a bachelors for organizational communications and an associates for graphics technology). My most recent corporate position was as a graphic designer. I have to say I’ve enjoyed every job but one; not bad, since there have been so many. My favorite? Absolutely, positively, no question about it–working with Darrell and creating Your Best Face Skincare. I’m thankful for all the job experience I’ve had in the past that I can pull from when we find ourselves in different situations and with different opportunities for YBF. Outside of business, I enjoy traveling, spending time with my family, creating jewelry and taking on other creative, artsy endeavors.”

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hen first exploring the idea of powerful beauty, I didn’t know where to begin. My thoughts took me down so many different avenues filled with examples and ideas. So, I decided to break it down. I considered “powerful” and “beauty” separately before bringing the two back together again. I discovered a true and clear connection, a full circle, that brought me back to my original ideas of what powerful beauty means to me. Now, rather than a montage of seemingly disconnected ideas of powerful beauty, I have a way to express a clearer picture of what it means to me. And, so it goes like this…

I think of beauty as something, an object or act or person or experience, that entices the senses in some way and is pleasing to the spirit. The beholder of that beauty may smile to themselves, or make a comment to someone else, or even produce a tear. The beauty is noticed, enjoyed, appreciated and the person may or may not have more reaction to it.

I believe beauty becomes powerful when it leads the beholder to a strong reaction. Beauty becomes powerful when it leads to more beauty. It becomes powerful when it moves someone into action. In turn, it becomes even more powerful when it affects many people. True beauty is wonderful to encounter; powerful beauty makes a difference. Powerful beauty affects a person in a way that gives a ripple effect; it affects them in some way that makes them appreciate more than just the beauty itself. This effect may last a short time or a lifetime, it may affect one person or many people, it may be gentle or it may be grand. Whether small or big, short-lived or long-term, powerful beauty makes someone think and react in a manner that makes a difference, most often passing a form of beauty on to someone else. In a conversation yesterday with my business partner, Darrell, he said that he seeks ways to create joy, elation, comfort and help for others. Now, that is powerful beauty.

I think Kimberley nailed it! What are your thoughts on her definition of Powerful Beauty? And feel free to chat about your fave YBF products in the comments below too!

Catch up on the rest of the Powerful Beauty features. And remember to check back each Friday for another dose of how to Achieve Powerful Beauty!

This week’s Powerful Beauty segment features Jessica Victoria!

Jessica is the author of YogaMiracles.com website which helps readers learn to use yoga for physical and mental health, body maintenance, and weight loss. Her other site BeautySurgeries.com focuses on plastic surgery options available for both men and women, and helps people choose what procedures may be best for each individual.

Now let’s see how Jessica defines Powerful Beauty…

Powerful Beauty is the term that varies in meaning. In its ordinary parlance, powerful beauty is a beauty from within us. The meaning of beauty is more associated with reality and honesty and these three elements co- exist with one another. Reality (truth) is the logic that exists in our mind associated with what we actually see. Honesty (goodness) is the drive that makes us response to a thing and beauty is the feeling that we enjoy when something or a stimulus strikes our mind and gives us a positive reaction. We can only appreciate the real beauty or the heart of beauty if beautiful things stay alive within us. Every one of us possesses internal good looks. Good looks do not show normally from the external features of a person. Most importantly is the beauty that resides within us. For humanitarian reasons, the real meaning of powerful beauty is when we share what we have with the less needy.

Much is said about powerful beauty. However, the meaning of powerful beauty does not end within us. One thing, we can ask the help of Mother Nature to enhance our beauty within and have it glow and radiate for everyone else to appreciate and admire. There are different products now in the market that rejuvenate, restore and refill our skin for the loss of its natural beauty to attain a lustrous radiance from the outside. To site a good example, is the topical berry called sea buckthorn. This kind of berry is not found at the sea as what the name connotes. On the contrary, this is a fruit found in the Tibetan Himalayas 12,000 feet above sea level. Sea buckthorn can be a best source of nutrients good for the hair, nails and skin. Products from this fruit are made available at the Sibu Beauty site where they have various beauty system products like fruit drinks with slimming effects, nutritional supplement and products for face care.

More said than done, powerful beauty therefore is not alone narrowed to inner beauty. Although it is important from the traditional point of view that beauty must come from within, it is equally essential that we take care of our body to achieve a more gorgeous and good-looking effect. With the help and the tips we have from these beauty sites it would become easy for anybody to have a powerful external beauty without sacrificing the beauty from within.

I adore Jessica’s intelligent and knowledgeable writing style, but I also love her robust definition of Powerful Beauty. Her contribution proves that as we learn more about the internal (and external) workings of our bodies, we can bring those two pieces together. At least that’s my take. What are your thoughts on Jessica’s definition of Powerful Beauty?

Catch up on the rest of the Powerful Beauty features. And remember to check back each Friday for another dose of how to Achieve Powerful Beauty!

As many of you know, I had my Danger-Magnet gene kick in just after the Fourth of July. So this Friday, I’m sharing a different kind of Powerful Beauty article to explain my spotty absences over the past month.

At the start of July, I took a trip down to Florida to spend some time with friends. With the nice weather and the potential of finding, and photographing a band of wild horses, we set out into a prairie reserve. Since I knew the hike was flat terrain (compared to the typical slick stones and smaller mountainous regions that I normally hike), I opted for sneakers over my heavy hiking boots.

Bionic Beauty’s Lesson #1: Always, always, always wear hiking boots… no matter how flat, or easy, the terrain. Hmmpfh.

My friend and I actually had just finished warning each other to keep an eye open for snakes since the edges of the grassy trail had slightly mushy shoulders from recent rains.

My friend ~ “Keep your eyes peeled for snakes!”
Me ~ “I ammmm… owwww!” (Yep, I found one.)

With a THUD and what felt like a cross between burning gasoline, nettles, and at least twenty wasp stings – I futterwackened vigorously, one-legged down the path. (Note: For those of y’all who haven’t seen the new “Alice in Wonderland” movie with Johnny Depp, a “Futterwacken” is a funny little dance he does- here’s a Futterwacken video. It’s hilarious. Truly!)

As I forced my brain to slow, I looked back at my friend only to discover what happened. A darn angry Cottonmouth snake had nom-nommed on my ankle. Three freakin’ times!!

BB’s Lesson #2: Some snakes (er hmm, Cottonmouths) are NOT more afraid of you than you are of them. This one came at me from across a rather wide trail. I never even stepped on or startled him. Grrrr.

So anyhow, back to Mr. Cottonmouth (who I named James after the baddie vamp who bites Bella in Twilight). The only thing my friend and I can figure is that Mrs. Cottonmouth must have kicked James to the dog house and he was pissed. Vengeful and angry, James decided to take his frustrations out on my ankle. Yes, I’ve read accounts on the internet saying Cottonmouths are not aggressive. That is BS! I’ve been an avid outdoor gal my whole life and have encountered Rattlers – leave them alone and you’re generally A-OK. This baddie who munched me was on a vendetta.

The first thing to remember after being snake-snacked is to stay calm. Do not panic! Keep your breathing slow, heartbeat down and get yourself to the nearest Hospital ER as quick as possible.  If you need directions to the ER, or an ambulance, call 911!! There really is no home remedy for a snake bite- no matter how Bionic you are.

Personally, we were in a pretty much unreachable area. So I slowly limped the 45 minutes back to the car. As we shuffled along, my friend kept me talking about my favorite TV show plot lines (Alias), characters I love (I found it best to channel Sydney Bristow during this episode of my life), and other distracting topics. After a reaching the car, my friend drove the quick five minutes to the Shands Hospital ER.

BB’s Shocker #1: I didn’t realize venomous snake bites were such a critical injury. I walked into the ER, had barely signed in when I was scooped into a wheelchair and raced back into a room. The nurse calling out “Call the CDC for anti-venom!!” That’s when it dawned on me that this might not be just a quick overnight stay in the ER.

To make a long story, shorter… I ended up spending four days in the Intensive Care Unit. I was treated with eight vials of anti-venom to get all the bad snake gunk out of my system; and was treated with all sorts of nasty antibiotics and painkillers that did nothing. Cottonmouth snakes (aka Water Moccasins) carry extra bacteria in their mouths due to the swampy, bacteria-laden environments that they live and dine in. Those extra bacteria can cause serious secondary infections at the bite site and throughout your entire body.

Of course, different snakes cause different problems. Non-venomous snakes can still cause secondary infections as I explained above. Venomous snakes such as Rattlers, Diamondbacks, Corals, Cottonmouths (these are the four venomous snakes indigenous to the USA) can be either hematoxic, neurotoxic or a combination of the two.

• Hematoxins – Blood borne toxins that may affect your blood, veins, muscles, organs; basically anything in your body containing, or supported, by blood. Hematoxins can cause permanent damage such as atrophy, muscle loss, prevention of blood clotting, or the very-dreaded Compartment Syndrome.
• Neurotoxins – Toxins that affect your central nervous system- such as your spinal cord, nerves, etc. In the most venomous snakes (located outside the USA), these toxins can cause paralysis.

BB’s Lesson #3: Upon talking to one of my doctors just last week, I learned that one adult male had died from a Cottonmouth bite in a central Florida hospital; and a mother whose son was bitten by a Coral snake, waited 24 hours to take him to the ER… he passed away. Remember… get yourself to the ER, asap!

I spent a week and a half on crutches, two weeks with no driving privileges, and am now completing my month of recovery time. And dag nab it, I never got pictures of those wild ponies, but I never did cry either.

Stay Bionic and snake-bite free please!
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Once bitten, twice shy. Check out these helpful snake bite websites…

• Shands Hospital has a VERY helpful and extensive section on snakebites.
• Mayo Clinic’s Snakebites: First aid article
• Videos of Cottonmouth snakes from Cottonmouthsnake.net