Bold & Beautiful: How To Rock A Black Lip
There's nothing like a bold lip color to make you feel confident and sexy while standing out from the crowd. While your office mates are slicking on their fall reds and subtle oranges, some of us are turning our pretty pouts into statements that say go bold or go home!
A confident woman should feel comfortable rocking a black lip any time of year. Don't wait for the cool seasons to roll around to pull out your darker-hued lipsticks and glosses. If you're looking to finally master that technique of how to apply your lipstick seamlessly, let's take it back to the basics.
Here's an easy step-by-step guide on how to paint your pout black and embrace your inner bad gal!
Step 1: Exfoliate & Moisturize
You always want to exfoliate your lips first before applying any lip color. Gently massage the product into your lips to remove any dead skin cells to create a smooth surface for your lipstick. After about a minute, take a warm towel and gently remove the exfoliator.
Tip: If you don't feel like splurging on a lip exfoliator, you can do it yourself by whipping up a little olive oil mixed with sugar in the raw and voila....your own homemade lip exfoliator.
After exfoliating, apply a lip balm for moisture.
Step 2: Line & Fill In
I like to line my lips starting with the outer corner and working my way in. Continue to fill your lips completely in. This gives your lipstick a good base to cling to and ensures that you have even color. This is a great trick for you ladies who have one lip that may be darker than the other.
Next up, take the edge of the black lipstick and reline the lips first then proceed to apply the lipstick as you would any other shade. Take your time and go slow so you don't end up outside of the lines. Blot your lips together gently to deposit the color evenly all over.
Tip: Use a lip brush to apply the color for more precision.
Step 4: Touch It Up
Finally, for the finishing touches, take your lip liner pencil again and reline your lips after you've applied the lipstick. This will help your lipstick from “bleeding" outside of the lines, giving you perfectly lined lips. Clean up any minor mistakes with a tissue.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage