THRIVE

fortmatty
Jan 14, 2024
4 min read

I recently started to take notice of harmful ingredients in the products I use after having several reactions to skin care products and cosmetics. I began to question why something like formaldehyde, a known carcinogenic, was listed as an ingredient in my skin care products. Isn't this embalming fluid? How many other harmful ingredients were lurking in the products I used on my face and skin?

While I was in the Emergency Battered Women's Shelter, as a reward for doing chores and cleaning up we were given an opportunity to pick an item from a prize box. I was thrilled to find Thrive Liquid Lash™ Extensions Mascara. I had never heard of this brand before and what drew me to this product was the name, Thrive. I also like the color of the box, #ThriveTurquoise, as it is called. The first time I tried it I was in awe at how it made my eyelashes pop! My eyelashes looked thick and long! I fell even deeper in love with this mascara when I began to cry and rather than looking like Tammy Faye Bakker my mascara didn't run! I looked fantastic even while crying. I recently purchased a tube of Thrive Liquid Lash™ Extensions Mascara from their website. While $25 is more than I usually pay for mascara I felt it was worth the price when I read this on their website:

Thrive Causemetics® is Bigger Than Beauty®: For every product you purchase, we donate to help communities thrive. We believe changing the world starts with a single ingredient, and that's why we create vegan, 100% cruelty-free formulas containing proven ingredients without the use of parabens or sulfates.

Trust me, there is lots of crying when you are healing from trauma. This Thrive mascara did more than just keep me from looking like Tammy Faye when I was crying, it reinforced the mantra to continue pushing forward from victim to survivor. In order to do this, I needed to learn to become resilient, resourceful, and adaptable. This is challenging as domestic violence and abuse crush a person's self. Your self-confidence, self-determination, and self-worth are under attack on a daily basis. Whether you are experiencing emotional abuse, physical abuse, or sexual abuse you begin to believe you are unworthy of love and deserving of this treatment. You begin to believe the treatment is justified as you are worthless.

Very often abuse cycles through stages described by experts as a tension stage where the abused feels they are walking on eggshells, the explosion stage where physical violence or threats of violence takes place, and finally the honeymoon stage where the abuser promises to never do it again and does everything in their power to make the abused feel safe, loved, and secure. Ironically most abusive relationships begin in this honeymoon stage. The relationship is almost perfect until the abuser can no longer keep up the act.

In my personal experience, I cycled through times of high anxiety and hypervigilance. I was constantly under intense scrutiny having a lack of privacy. My location, spending habits, eating habits, clothing choices, emails, phone calls, text messages, passwords, and social media were constantly monitored. Those around me only got a glimpse into who my husband was as he was very private. He came across as a charming, doting, caring husband who put me first. Some were even envious of the attention he showed me in their presence which was just a ruse. Once we were alone he paid me no mind often retreating to his "man cave" playing video games or disappearing for hours as he had to attend to "work".

Letting go of the past, cutting up those unhealthy patterns, and making healthy decisions is one of the most difficult challenges a person who leaves abuse faces. I had to learn to trust myself and believe I have the ability to survive and thrive on my own. This is difficult as I was cut off financially and homeless. I know each time I was faced with an obstacle I would hear those words used to tear me down and question if I had what it takes to keep moving forward. Statistics state it takes at least 7 attempts before a victim of domestic violence leaves their partner permanently. My first attempt was in 2010 and it has taken me 13 years to finally escape! It has been a long road for me and today I can tell you I know I have what it takes to succeed on my own! I am doing it! I am proud of myself and know the hardest work is behind me. I have survived and now I am learning to thrive!

Want to Thrive with me? Check out the link below to purchase your own Thrive Liquid Lash™ Extensions Mascara and get a coupon! I have a feeling you’ll like it too.

This link will take you straight to the Liquid Lash™ Extensions Mascara and it will give us both a discount! http://refer.thrivecausemetics.com/illwjmv?e&pid=10590155084

After clicking the link, you'll get a coupon code that can be used once you've finished your shopping.