Because I grew up in Trinidad, I didn’t grow up reading American literature. It was pretty much all British and Caribbean lit until I moved to America and started doing college literature classes. Naturally The Great Gatsby was an early essential, and from the first time I read it I had strong feelings about it. I…
Reviews
Five Little Independent Hair Brands Doing It Big
What with the proliferation of natural hair brands taking over retail store shelves at places like Target and Walgreens, it’s even easier these days for aspiring naturals to enter into the world of natural hair products (and potential product junkie-ism). There are indie brands who have made it big, big brands who continue to…
Fashion Fair’s 40th Anniversary Collection — All Pink Everything
For 40 years, women of color have known and loved Fashion Fair Cosmetics. The venerable beauty brand based in Chicago was a staple in my formative years and I know I’m not the only one who remembers that familiar pink marbleized compact being on their mother’s dresser. The brand has been through so many…
Let’s Talk About Body Moisturizer
I slather it on every day as soon as I get out of the shower. Some days it’s a cream, some days it’s a butter, some days it’s an oil. As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize – daily body moisturizer is essential. When I was a teen and in my twenties, I knew I should’ve been…
New Skincare to Put on Your Radar
I always find it very difficult to write about light fluffy things following a national event, like what Boston experienced this week. My mind and heart are truly with the victims of the marathon bombing. But I realize that sometimes you need an escape from things that are too heavy so I hope that…
How To Look More Glamorous, Instantly
Several years ago, a good friend in the beauty industry told me something that I didn’t quite believe. She said that brown eyeshadow made you look glamorous and wealthy, and took her beauty game up a whole nother level. This good friend is a woman of color with a fabulous, deep chocolate complexion. I didn’t…
Bright Eyes. Get Springtime Fresh With 5 Colorful Eyeliners
For the past few weeks I’ve been sharing all my spring beauty picks and tips and experiences with Target, from bright lips to DIY nails. This week, I’m all about the eyes. The bolder and brighter, the better for spring! However, it can be tricky and intimidating, trying to pull the look…
Bright, Fun, Fresh Lip Glosses for Spring!
I didn’t realize how subdued my personal fashion palette had become, until this Easter weekend. The first warm holiday weekend in Chicago, and I had THE hardest time finding the right springtime pop of color for the occasion! I haven’t yet turned my winter wardrobe over to spring, but I’m all about spring…
My Week In Instagram. New Products, New Adventures, Stories to Tell
I see a lot of bloggers doing a “My Week in Instagram” kind of post and I love the concept. Sometimes life moves too quickly to share what I’m doing in writing, which is why I LOVE Instagram, I can share snapshots of life and get instant feedback. And now once a week I’m…
30 Essential Lipsticks For Women of Color – Drugstore Edition!
Bellas, you LOVED my last collaboration with my favorite Los Angeles makeup artist Nicole Evans. – you guys shared, pinned and tweeted our 25 Best MAC Lipsticks For Women of Color post to the gods! Thank you so much. Via Twitter and in the comments, we kept getting requests for MORE posts like that. More…