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My Confidence Journey

Writer's picture: Jerilyn HarperJerilyn Harper

Unknowingly, my love for fashion and beauty started when I was very young. I can’t pinpoint the exact moment I realized this was something I wanted to pursue for the rest of my life, but I think it began somewhere between my obsession with organizing my mother’s closet—arranging it like the department stores we visited every other week—and the joy I felt creating unique nail designs at the salon. All I knew was that I loved the feeling it gave me—this sense of pride in seeing these little masterpieces I had a hand in bringing to life.

My love for fashion and beauty didn’t start with clothes and makeup. It began with high-heeled shoes that perfectly matched their purses, bold church hats, and intricate nail art. Those three things were my entryway into a world of creativity and expression.


Middle school wasn’t the kindest time for my confidence. I was a small, chubby girl with a gap in the middle of my teeth—braces weren’t in the budget at the time. Like so many other middle schoolers, I became an easy target, and kids wasted no time highlighting every “flaw,” especially my gap.


But by high school, I started finding little pockets of joy that gave me the confidence I craved. My favorite days were always the first day of school and orchestra concert days. There was something magical about piecing together my outfit and hearing people say I “Put that ish on”—as the kids say these days. Fall was always my time to shine; I felt like it brought out my best style.


My confidence journey with fashion and beauty truly took off when I began my matriculation at Spelman College. For those unfamiliar with the AUC or HBCUs in general—every day is a fashion show, sunshine or rain. While I wasn’t the most extroverted girl and mostly kept to myself, fashion gave me a voice. It became my confidence booster, my armor, and my way of showing the world who I was, even on days when I didn’t feel seen.


I didn’t grow up with sisters, and my mom wasn’t big on glam-style makeup. She swore by her Sephora FX powder foundation and called it a day. But when I got to Spelman and had my makeup done for the first time by my freshman roommate for a campus party, my entire world expanded. Concealers, highlighters, blush—I wanted to know everything. When she handed me the mirror, I gasped. I had never seen myself look so pretty. I knew the beauty was always there, but she brought it to the surface.


That moment was just the beginning. By sophomore year, I joined the House of Funk marching band as a member of the colorguard, and full glam became a Saturday ritual under the stadium lights. I picked up tips and tricks for flawless makeup that could withstand the sweat, the spins, and the spotlight. I even got good at putting on false eyelashes—an accomplishment in its own right!


By senior year, I became co-captain of the team, and with that came the responsibility of choosing the beauty products and hairstyles for our performances. NYX was always the go-to for our signature “maroon” lipstick. It felt surreal to be in charge of the looks that would help my team of seven feel just as confident as I did when I danced on the 50-yard line. I wasn’t just learning how to elevate my own confidence anymore; I was helping others find theirs, too.




And that’s exactly what I want to do with the Confidence Avenue community—help you discover the trends, products, and tips that bring out your highest confidence. Whether it’s a lipstick that makes you feel bold, a hairstyle that shifts your whole vibe, or an outfit that makes you strut a little taller, I want this space to be your go-to guide for stepping into the best version of yourself.

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Welcome to “Confidence Avenue”! 

Welcome to a space where fashion and beauty are used as tools to highlight the confidence that’s already inside of every woman. Before we...

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