Now that Christmas is in the rearview, this is the time for folks to start returning the gifts that were more thoughtful than practical. It is indeed the thought that counts. But gift receipts were created for a reason.
And Whether you were naughty or nice, you can still treat yourself. If no one in your circle thought to give you the gift of useful beauty, feel free to take control of your own spoiling.
These five beauty items and new brands that we’re excited about will help you ring in the new decade with your beauty routine already off to a good start.
GIVE THE GIFT OF ESSENCE FESTIVAL
This Holiday Season give the gift of live music, empowering speeches, beauty consultations, great food and more! Only at Essence Festival of Culture.
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Hyper Skin Clear Brightening Clearing Vitamin C Serum
New decade, same hyperpigmentation. Or not. At least not on Desiree Verdejo’s watch! The first product from her brand, this vitamin C serum contains some of our favorites for brightening and evening, including turmeric and kojic acid. In a skincare market oversaturated with prestige products that don’t always come through, it’s nice to have a junk-free item that works effectively for our skin.
When you’re getting really close to wash day but he (or she) is spending the night, but you still want to be stylish, this shower cap comes through. Not only is it cuter than your average cap, but it’s smarter too. Its premium nano-tech fabric makes water just repel off of it. So you never have to worry about your tresses or your towel getting soaked from residual water. And it dries in seconds so it’s easy to store. It’s not silk-lined so keep your scarf on underneath, for now, to protect your curls and coils.
Not all lashes are created equal, we know that by now. And these lashes are made specifically with women in color in mind. They are designed for women whose lashes tend to be thicker and curlier, and they’re made to conform so they’re not too stiff or straight. The kit comes with everything you need, and lasts up to 25 uses. Talk about getting your money’s worth. These lashes will take you well into the new decade.
Nothing says ‘I love you’ like the confidence of a great hair day, even when the weather takes a turn for the worst. And in the winter it only takes minutes to go from dry and cold to rainy and cold, or snowy with harsh winds. Whether you’re rocking full shoulder-length coils, or your ‘do is chopped down to a curly fade, it’s your business to protect your style. Like a waterproof beanie and visor hybrid, this hat will do exactly that.
This wonderful little band might seem like it’s mainly for keeping wigs in place without pins, combs, glue or tape. But it’s actually also a great tool for keeping beanies, scarves, and silk headwraps in place. And whether you have a slender dome or a sizable skull, it’ll adjust to fit your needs. For anyone who’s ever lost a wig or hat to the wind on a really (and I mean really) bad hair day, you truly understand how much of a gift this band is.
Did you know that APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD) is a serious genetic disease that impacts people of African ancestry? AMKD affects thousands of Black women and men, however, it’s not yet widely known or diagnosed in the United States. Therefore, we want to recognize AMKD Awareness Day, held annually on the last Tuesday of April. Now is the perfect time to learn more about AMKD, have open conversations about your health with your family and doctor, and seek additional testing resources, if needed.
“This disease has a huge impact on my daily life,” said Emani McConnell-Brent, an advocate and ambassador for the American Kidney Fund (AKF), currently living with AMKD. “I don’t feel like I have the luxury to operate in the world like an average 21-year-old.”
While kidney disease is often regarded as an older person’s disease, Emani’s story is unsurprising once you learn that AMKD can develop at a young age in otherwise healthy people and can advance faster than other kidney diseases.
Chronic kidney disease is often regarded as a “silent” disease as it typically has no noticeable symptoms until the kidneys have declined dramatically, often necessitating kidney dialysis and potentially, a kidney transplant.
In the U.S., there are clear disparities among those affected by kidney disease. “People of all races and backgrounds can have kidney disease,” says LaVarne Burton, president and CEO of AKF. “But people of color are more likely to be affected by kidney failure.” Kidney disease affects one in seven American adults, however, the prevalence of end-stage kidney disease (kidney failure) among Black people in the U.S. is over four times that of White people.
One cause for the higher prevalence in kidney failure among Black Americans is genetics—specifically changes in the APOL1 gene. Everyone has two copies of the APOL1 gene (one from each parent), but people of Western and Central African ancestry are more likely to have changes (variants or mutations) in their APOL1 gene that can cause AMKD. An estimated 13% of Black Americans have the two APOL1 gene variants (mutations) that are associated with AMKD. “Those who have variants in both copies of the APOL1 gene have a one-in-five chance of developing kidney disease, therefore, it’s critically important for people who are Black, Afro-Caribbean, African American or Hispanic/Latino to be aware of AMKD and have kidney health conversations with their doctor,” explains LaVarne.
What to Look For
If you have not been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease but have started noticing symptoms such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, swelling, fatigue, headaches, foamy urine, itchy skin, and/or muscle cramps, talk to your doctor about whether you should get tested for kidney disease.
“For those at risk for AMKD, there are steps that can be taken to promote kidney and general health, including regular visits with your doctor, maintaining a healthy eating plan, taking all medicines as prescribed, being active at least 30 minutes a day most days of week, and avoiding tobacco,” says Pranav Garimella, chief medical officer, American Kidney Fund.
It’s important to note that people with APOL1 gene variants that cause AMKD are not guaranteed to develop kidney disease. “They should be aware of the possibility, and discussing kidney health and symptoms with their doctor, given that AMKD generally progresses to kidney failure more rapidly than kidney disease caused by other factors,” says LaVarne.
AMKD can present in a variety of ways—including (but not limited to) focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS), hypertension (blood pressure)-associated kidney disease, HIV-associated nephropathy and lupus nephritis. So, people who have already been diagnosed with a form of chronic kidney disease may have AMKD without knowing it, and the only way to confirm is through a genetic test.
If you have already been diagnosed with kidney disease, talk to your doctor about whether getting a genetic test to learn if you have the APOL1 genetic variants is the right next step.
Emani’s Story
Emani’s symptoms first appeared at 17 years old. Emani started having unexplained symptoms, leading to collapsing, and her mother rushed her to the emergency department. “I experienced edema, chronic fatigue, proteinuria, and stomach pain. However, records show that my pediatric physicians noticed I had had protein in my urine since I was seven years old, but it was ignored and said to be caused by an unhealthy diet,” says Emani. “At the point of hospitalization, that major symptom had been ignored for 10 years.”
At the hospital, Emani was given a diagnosis of kidney disease, and the nephrologist mentioned several possible causes of it, including lupus. The experience was frightening and so anxiety-inducing that Emani opted for a biopsy right then and there. When the results came back, she was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a form of AMKD. “At that point, I thought my family and I had received all the answers we needed, but almost a year and three medications later, nothing was working,” says Emani. “My nephrologist suggested genetic testing, and I was diagnosed with AMKD as the root cause of my FSGS.”
Receiving this diagnosis has made a huge impact on Emani’s daily life. “Before class, I have to check my blood pressure, eat breakfast, take medications, check my legs for swelling, and put on compression socks if needed,” says Emani. “It has forced me to be transparent about my diagnosis with friends. While it’s normal for them to want to go out and have fun, I simply don’t have the same amount of energy as them.”
Emani McConnell-Brent with her mother, Shaquita Brent
Power Forward Together
Powering forward means taking action—having open conversations with family and your health care team about your health, family history of kidney disease and learning whether you’re at risk for developing AMKD.
If you have kidney disease, genetic testing is the only way to know if you have AMKD and deciding whether to have a genetic test is a personal decision. Knowing if you have AMKD can help you and your doctor decide how best to manage your disease and take care of your kidneys. While there are currently no medicines to treat the root cause of AMKD, new potential treatments for AMKD are being studied, and you may be eligible to participate in that research.
That’s why the American Kidney Fund launched AMKD Awareness Day to increase recognition of AMKD and encourage people to become APOL1 Aware. “We want people to better understand how their genes can impact their kidney health, and share that knowledge,” says LaVarne.
If you have AMKD, you may be able to take part in a clinical trial.
“This could provide an opportunity for researchers to investigate treatments for AMKD,” Pranav said.
“My plan moving forward is to stay focused, stay positive, and share my journey as it unfolds,” says Emani. “My advice is to pay attention to what your body is telling you, no matter how old or young you are.”
