Introduce yourself
My name is Dayna, I am a wife to my wonderful husband of 3 years and a mother to our amazing daughter Aria. I am based in Baltimore Maryland. I am a CHIC, fierce and effortless woman who is a lover of all things fashion and natural hair! I work full time for a corporate athletic apparel brand and part time as a fashion and natural hair blogger for my brand, CHICNaturalistas, started by myself and best friend Brittany.
How do you defy society’s typical beauty standards?
I defy society’s typical beauty standards by being unapologetically myself! I am an African American woman who embraces her deep ebony skin complexion and flaunts her short natural hair in style. In some people’s eyes, dark skin and kinky hair would not be thought of as beautiful. But when you look at me, you will see my confidence, my personality my natural beauty and you will see that I easily defy that “typical American” beauty standard.
What inspires your style?
I would have to say, my mood inspires my style. I can switch it up in a heartbeat. One day I will be laid back, casual, tom boy-esque. The next day I will be super high fashion, glam! It is all about my mood, the occasion and the look I want to exude that day. Outside of my mood, my style is inspired daily through my blog’s Instagram page (@chicnaturalistas). Through that page I see a number of beautiful natural women, showcasing their style and I am easily inspired by them all!
What are your go-to beauty products?
My go-to beauty products are my MAC studio fix foundation. My signature dark lip which is NYX Copenhagen paired with MAC Nightmoth liner. For hair I love my CURLS blueberry bliss curl control jelly and Lotta Body foaming lotion. Last but not least, for my face I can’t live without my Neutrogena grapefruit acne wash. Love that stuff for keeping my skin clear!
When do you feel the most comfortable in your own skin?
I feel the most comfortable in my own skin, when I am with my husband at home, no makeup, natural hair out, just me and he compliments me every time and tells me I am so beautiful. Sometimes I have to give him that look like “are you serious” haha. But in those moments I feel so fulfilled and so beautiful. It is an amazing feeling to be around the one that you love and be completely yourself. You don’t have to try to hide anything or pretend, and I love that. I am always the most comfortable in my own skin around my husband.
Have you become the woman you’ve always envisioned you’d be?
I definitely have a vision for the women that I want to be, and I would say that I am halfway there. I still have so much that I want to accomplish but I am very proud of where I am at this present moment. I have high hopes, high goals and I know I will attain them if I continue to do everything with passion, and with an undeniable work ethic.