What is the most dangerous job in the world?...

At Sex Trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world...

One thing about myself...I have a huge sense of urgency for justice in the world.  Sometimes I have to admit that it can also be a weakness of mine when I begin to care more about the justice instead of the person.  So, on to the strength of me being all about justice :)

One thing that I have always struggled with when it came to finding out about prostitution, sex trafficking and porn is how many times the victims in these situations get arrested or hurt instead of the real problem, the johns and the pimps.  One would hope that there would be consequences for people that feel the need to make people slaves of this abuse.  Thankfully there are hard working, justice filled people that do fight for the same things I hope and fight for.  In America 80,000 people are arrested a year for soliciting sex. Sadly this is not always the case and many prostitutes will be the one accused of a crime.

My ignorance showed today when I read this statistic...1 in 10 men in the world have purchased a prostitute. That is a disgustingly high number. That means its the average joe.  To me that is a huge problem.  The average joe is keeping this sex industry alive and growing.  Our men could stop this.  That may sound very dreamy or hopeful of me but if enough people cared and took action, it could happen.

The answer: The murder rate for an American prostitute is 204 for every 100,000. It is the most dangerous job in the world.  Now, this is not including the disease, physical abuse or starvation that happens. This is MURDER alone! Most people know commercial fishing to be the most dangerous job in the world.  It IS dangerous with 129 per 100,000, but not the most dangerous.  Ignorance is bliss isnt it?.....not so much.

At this moment there are over 40 million prostitutes. Thats more than the population of Canada or Australia.  That puts it into perspective.  Many people think that most prostitutes have chosen this life.  Studies show that most women in prostitution have been previously abused in some form.  Getting into this mess is normally due to pimps convincing women that they will be taken care of as a girlfriend, soon to find out that they will be robbed and used as a pimps slave to be sold.  Threatening their lives or those of their family.  Another common way into this mess is from sex trafficking wether taken from their own country here in the US or trafficked over seas to satisfy the disturbing wants of people here.  It is often viewed as women choosing this so called "profession".  Can you imagine what it would take to get out of a situation like that. To them, it is nearly impossible.  How they have been damaged is a reality that only they know and I can only imagine....

makeup=relationships

So, why makeup…

When I decided to become a makeup artist I lived in Vegas.  I didn't wear much of it mostly because I didn't know how to.  When I worked with xxxchurch I would go to strip clubs, brothels and porn conventions just to get to know the girls that worked there.  My goal was to just get to know who they were as individuals and hear their story and do whatever I could do to encourage them.  Going in, I knew that would be hard.  Walls go up as soon as you say who you work with or what you are doing because of other experiences they have had with people that call themselves Christians and do the exact opposite of what Jesus would have done.  Going in and telling them that they need Jesus and that they are doing the wrong thing is not the way to go about doing this in my opinion, nor do I think its appropriate in any situation.  No one will listen to you no matter what they do for a living if there is no relationship built or trust behind what you are doing. I knew that offering something to them such as getting their makeup done was a service to them that they did every day anyways.  So makeup it was...

I ended up going to LA and taking a makeup course to become a certified makeup artist to be "legit" :)  I practiced a lot!  And soon became confident to do makeup on others. Makeup became my passion not because I started off loving what it was but because of where it would take me and who I would meet because of it.  The stories that I would hear when i was "in someones face"  were....wow, i dont think there are words.  Peoples stories became so important to me and its all I wanted to do.  Hear their stories and serve and encourage them in any way I could...THIS was my passion and I was finding that out very quickly.  Soon, I had friends in that industry, not because I thought they needed me but because we grew a relationship that was mutual, that we both enjoyed and grew from.  Those were some of the best times of my life.  And they will forever be apart of my story and passion.  Because of those women I met....I will forever be fighting for them and their humanity. 

One thing that I would like to make very clear that has seemed to be a road block for people to understand what I do.  I dont need everyone to understand but I do need to be clear on the passion in my heart.  I would get a lot of people saying "so you make girls look pretty so that they can go use their body for men?" or "so you encourage them to strip, prostitute themselves or make videos by putting makeup on them?".  If that is what you are getting out of this....it is the complete opposite. Hear is a quick list of reasons why I do what I do.  

-My passion is to be apart of peoples lives and grow with them, not change them. 

-My passion is also to love everyone but hurting women and children because of sexual slavery is my heart.  To love, encourage and protect them as much as I can.  To be apart of their story in a life changing way.

-I have grown to LOVe makeup :)  Its a fun hobby and it has helped me meet some incredible people.  From the brothels to Macys.  Sitting down with someone and having meaningful conversation while I put makeup on them.  Cant get much closer to someone than that :) Thats the relationship....that had nothing to do with how they look. To have them get up from my chair and say, "wow, you made me FEEL beautiful".  Looks mean nothing unless you can feel it in your heart that you are beautiful. And to know that you were created as you are and makeup can only enhance what you already have.

-To share my story and to hear the stories of women that sit in my chair is life changing.  So putting makeup on women had nothing to do with me making them look good for men. Wether I am doing their makeup or not, that is their job.  I got to put makeup on them to talk to them, build a relationship and serve them.

-And now with be Lovely, my makeup line, my passion is to be able to sell this makeup and fight for a cause that is already doing something about human trafficking. Spreading the word that slavery still exists and to encourage people to fight with me. 

I hope that gives a little clarity on my goals, passion and my heart.  I am an open book so if anyone has any questions about be Lovely, my story or would like to share theirs, I would love to hear!  

email: rachel@belovely.com

facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/belovelymakeup

A fire that doesnt burn out...

"Anyone can dabble, but once you've made that commitment, your blood has that particular thing in it, and it's very hard for people to stop you."

On Friday be Lovely makeup was delivered!  I cant believe it is already here.  The work, dedication, passion and follow through have paid off.  My passion for hurting people is a fire that has lived in me for a long time.  Once I became apart of the stories is when my passion went to the next level....of no escape.  Nothing at that point could stop me from surrounding myself with men, women and children that were hurting...especially because of some sort of sexual slavery.  
There was a point in my journey that I knew for me, it was not enough to just know and be sad about it.  You know its a passion when you talk about it and tears well up in your eyes because of how much it fires you up.  Everyone has a passion....it doesnt matter what it is, if it is YOUR passion.  Its something no one can take from you. Something that you would live and die for.  If you dont think you have one....you do.  Finding it can be a journey. But once you know.....you know.


There have been moments in my journey that have been hard.  Times when I thought the emotions were too much or the effort that I gave forth was too hard.  Not giving up became a fight.  Knowing that if this was truly my passion that I would be changed because of it.  I had moments when I wasnt physically doing something about this fight against sex trafficking, hurting people, and broken hearts...and that bothered me.  Learning what I was capable of doing, was a battle of really knowing and believing that I could make my dreams (that didnt seem real) come true.  That it was going to take courage, heart, people telling me I couldnt, and determination.  


be Lovely is born. :)  This idea was a dream of mine for 3 years.  And I am finally now doing something about it.  It was a lot of growth in my life.  I know now that I wouldnt have been able to do it 3 years ago. The timing has been for a reason, preparing me for the good and the hard that come with creating and having your own business.  If you know me, you know I HATE numbers.  I'm all heart and no business, and that can be hard when you are trying to run your own business.  As some of my business minded friends know. :)  So a key thing for me has been listening and learning from people that have the strengths that I do not have.  And so, be Lovely will survive because of the heart and the business. 


Now, be Lovely is not only a way of life but a makeup line.  And its coming soon! A few more details before the purchasing begins but....website is up, product has been ordered and arrived, people are aware, and now let the fun begin! 


https://www.facebook.com/belovelymakeup


belovely.com

https://twitter.com/#!/belovelymakeup

#13...

The Twin Cities is the 13th most heavily trafficked metropolitan area in the US...

When I have had the opportunity to talk about human trafficking to people here in Minnesota, they have been shocked.  So if you didnt know that human trafficking was such a big issue here in the twin cities, its ok, you are not alone.  BUT, now you know, which means....now you have no excuses! :) Its common to think that slavery/human trafficking only happens over seas or with women and girls that have been brought here from somewhere far away.  While that is true, there is more to that story.  Women and girls are being kidnapped and coerced into sex trade right here in Minnesota.  The reality of it all is heartbreaking.  This is affecting your community here in the city, suburbs and surrounding towns.  It is not just the poverty stricken neighborhoods...it is infesting our state from the poor to the rich, from the city to the suburbs.  I hope that knowing that reality, not only makes you sad, but fires you up to do something about it yourself.

Watch this story on Duluth, Minnesota.

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/05/05/sex-trafficking-on-the-north-shore/

Yes, what i have written about, is about Minnesota.  But for all of you reading this that dont live here....it happens all over the US.  I encourage you to research your own state. Make yourself aware of the effects that it has in your own city.  Because its there, and it is very real.

Not For Sale is an organization that has taken action all over the country to stop human trafficking and bring awareness to the issue.  This is their facebook page for people here in Minnesota.  Check it out!

https://www.facebook.com/NotForSaleMinnesota

Chocolate, Coffee, Cotton....

I was just in New York this last week and was able to stay right by time square where everything is happenin. When I was there, it really made me think even more about how much we all consume.  Whether it be food, clothing, or coffee.  If you want something, its pretty accessible.  That being said, it is nearly impossible to make sure all the products you are buying are slave free...sad, but true.  BUT there are ways to be more conscious of  what you are buying and how it was produced.  There are brands out there that are dedicated to supplying quality products that are supporting the people that make them. 

The three biggest contributors to human trafficking as a working slave are the three C's...
Cotton
Coffee
Chocolate

I dont know about you but these are the three things that i consume the most. Again, I am not saying that everything that I have ever bought is slave free.  There is no way of really making sure because of the world we live in and that human trafficking is so hidden.  But I am dedicated in making myself aware of the things that I buy. 

What to look for...

Fair trade.  Again, it is not a guarantee that things that have this symbol are fully legit. But it is a higher possibility that they do not use slaves in the making of this product. This symbol appears in non specialty stores like target, on coffee and chocolate.

Now, a big thing that is coming out is "Slave-Free".  This isnt as common to find but when you are in a store or purchasing a coffee it is always a good thing to ask if their product is slave free.  It gets a little deeper into the production even more than fair trade.

Not For Sale has made an app for iphones and androids that you can use to scan products and learn about what you are buying.  It also gives a grade on if the product is legit.  download it!
http://www.free2work.org/

We cant be perfect, but we can sure try...

Why be Lovely?

be Lovely Mission Statement: To provide each client with high quality makeup while affirming the beauty of the human soul and helping support individuals and organizations working to fight social injustices.

For 3 years I have had the dream to create a makeup line of my own and give some of the profits to support an organization involved with the prevention of human trafficking.  For some reason, about a month ago I was finally ready to make this happen. A friend came to me and wanted to help so I jumped on the opportunity and here I am. 
As I have shared in previous posts, makeup was not my thing. I didnt really wear it much or care too much about finding the next best color or product.  But when I started to work with women in the sex industry I realized that makeup was a thing that all of them had in common. From porn stars, to strippers, to prostitutes, to moms, to your every day girl...most women will wear some type of makeup.  When I saw this opportunity I knew it was something that would bring me to relationships that I otherwise my not have.  So, while I lived in Vegas I decided to take a few weeks to go to LA and learn this trade. By the end of those few weeks I left as a certified makeup artist. Now what??
Then came the most rewarding time of my life. Myself, along with my friend who did hair, found ourselves using our gifts and now passion to connect with women in brothels, strip clubs and porn conventions. I met some amazing people. Being a makeup artist is an in-your-face kind of job.  The client and the artist cant really escape from each other :) Conversation came naturally. To be able to build a relationship in this way was incredible.  Whenever we would go to the brothel we did it just for fun.  They would always ask us why we were doing it. Our response was always "why not?"  We were able to share why we cared about them and told them how much they were worth. Leaving those situations taught us all things. They were always asking when we were coming back.  I will never forget the faces and hearts of those women. 
As I continued to do makeup, my passion for hurting people because of this destructive business would not leave me. I combined both my passion for makeup and hurting people and created be Lovely.  So...it begins.





Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Be-Lovely/342229445802346?sk=wall

Website: belovely.com

Its personal...

According to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, sex trafficking is "the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for the purpose of a commercial sex act."

It all began here for me..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqyLRpGgxRs

Constance became apart of me and what I wanted to fight for. Constance started off as a video and soon became actual faces to me.  i was struck at the connection between sex trafficking and pornography. i had been affected by pornography earlier in life with people that were close to me.  it was pain that i new i wanted healed, and my way was to help others that had also been hurt.
so for a year of my life i met these faces. from brothels to porn conventions to strip clubs. Constance was all over. I am not saying that all of these women have been forced into the industry but a lot of them have.   the girls in videos are real people, with real families and real hearts.  seeing the brokenness in flesh makes that very real.

i know that this is controversial subject....pornography. but in my mind its simple. when someone looks at porn on the internet, they dont know where or who these people are. are they from the states? Thailand? the Philippines? are they 12? 17? 25?  How did they get there? where they forced? beaten? coerced? are these questions people ask when they are wanting to satisfy a so called "need"? sadly, they dont. i believe that if people knew the connection between the two, some people may change their mind the next time they "need to satisfy that need".  some may not care at all, but for those of you who do...i encourage you to think about that the next time you sit down at your computer.
porn is also a real addiction and i know that. ive seen it. that side of the story is also sad. there are ways to get help just like every other addiction. if you desire that help here is a resource for you...
xxxchurch.com  you're not alone in that.

all that to say, it is my passion in life to help people face these issues, and face them myself. these are ugly things with real people involved. i have a tattoo of a bar code on my wrist with the numbers spelling "constance" to continually remind me that there are people like Constance all over my city and the rest of the world. the people that i have been able to share this with has been amazing. i continue the fight and to know that if even one person is changed, i am reaching that goal. so to that, i hope that thoughts of concern and urgency have been planted.