I saw this brilliant feature over at YMIB, and LOVED it. YMIB Circle Sister NaturalReign’s, list of the 20 things she wished she knew before going natural made me think of a few things of my own. — I wish I’d known that the mysterious hairstyle I’d been looking for all my chemically-relaxed life, the…
Everyday Beautiful
Last Minute Gifts, By Bellas For Bellas
In a perfect world, I would have posted this roundup of fabulous by bellas, for bellas items over a week ago. But as many of you know, the holidays can be insanely hectic. I feel like the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. I’m late! I’m late! I don’t know if you can still put…
Sweet Deals!
In my black lipstick wearing, Indian bindi experimenting Gwennabe teenage days, I was practically obsessed with anything glittery. Especially makeup. I even went so far as to buy a little pot of glitter from the stationary store and experiment with making my own fabuleaux glitter eyeshadow. Epic fail. And all the time I was lusting…
Island Remede – Brown Sugar Babe
So far I’ve written two Island Remede posts, the first on aloe, the second on coconut oil. And the last time I wrote one, my brother Dominic contacted me to say um, you spelled “remedy” wrong. So I’d like to take this opportunity to explain that no, it was intentionally spelled like that, as it…
Adorn Yourself
When I’m going out somewhere special and I want to look and feel fierce, I wear my hair extra big, pull it back from my face with a comfortable headband, and rock some fly jewelry. A big, glorious afro puff looks extra amazing when paired with some oversized earrings. I’m also a big fan of…
An Anniversary of Healing
This photo was taken in my back yard in Trinidad, New Year’s Day 2007. Judging from the amount of champagne still in my glass, it must have just struck midnight. I’m standing between Aunty Gemma and Aunty Opal, my mom’s sisters who raised me just as much as my mom and sister Petal did. I…
Where Do You Find Beauty Inspiration?
Between the Vogue Italia hubbub and the New York Fashion Week’s will-they-or-won’t-they ethnically ambiguous post, I’ve been thinking A LOT about models, the fashion industry, and where women of color find themselves in the midst of it all. Where do you look if you want to see beautiful, inspiring images of women of color —…
Island Remede: Coconut Oil
Some kids can be so mean for no reason. I know, because I was one of them. Back in primary school, there was a sweet, shy Indian boy in my class whose mother slicked back his hair with coconut oil every day. For some reason, kids found that to be hilarious and a neverending source…
Ask Afrobella — Get Rid of Acne Scars
This Ask Afrobella question touched my heart in a special place. Girl, I know exactly how you feel. Dear Bella, I’m writing you because on the web you are the only one I’m looking up to. You inspire me in so many ways and even though I don’t leave comments on your website, I can…
Ask Afrobella — A $5 Makeover??
If you’ve been on this Afrobella journey with me for any length of time, hopefully you’ll realize — I am all about bellas on a budget. I believe that just about every woman wants to feel beautiful every now and then, whether they’re stacking lots of paper, or struggling to get by. These almost-recession days…