Teyana Taylor Is The Face Of The New Wu-Tang Clan-Inspired Lipstick Collection
Getting ready for the day, an outing, or an event can feel like putting on your beauty armor.
Choosing the right outfit is like a battle uniform, and your hair can double as your helmet of self-expression. When we put on our faces to complete the look, we become warriors the day, unstoppably fierce and ready to take on whatever comes our way. If a bold lip color is your weapon of choice when it comes to makeup, Milk Makeup's new line of limited edition lipstick will soon be added to your makeup arsenal.
When you think of makeup, The Wu-Tang Clan might not be the first thing you think of. But leave it to one of the more entrepreneurial members of the group to change your mind. RZA says that the Wu-Tang x Milk Makeup collaboration was originally his wife's idea. He told Billboard:
Courtesy of Milk Makeup
"I have a great relationship with Milk's founder, Rassi, and as New Yorkers, we've frequented some of the same circles. We spoke about fashion and the cosmetic world and I revealed that [Talani], my wife, has a cool perspective about makeup [because] in her youth, she was in the modeling circles… She is a fan of Milk Makeup's products and when [Rassi and I] talked about forming a collaboration that reflected our NYC sensibility and philosophy, makeup became the unique and unpredictable choice. The Milk Makeup collaboration was spearheaded by my wife."
And who better to embody the essence of "Wu Warrior" than badass Teyana Taylor herself? RZA felt strongly that Taylor's presence and attitude would help "pass the culture and wisdom of Wu onto the next generation." Teyana says that she immediately knew that becoming the face of the campaign was the right move when she saw the artistry behind the sculpted design and the empowering message behind the collection. The "Gonna Love Me" singer says:
"[Working with Milk and Wu-Tang] was a no-brainer… I have been a huge fan of Wu-Tang forever and I love the modern energy of Milk Makeup. When I saw the quality of the lipstick with the custom-sculpted dragon on the bullet, I was impressed — it's like a work of art. [The collection] makes me feel empowered because I definitely feel like a warrior in how I live my life. When I'm rehearsing for my shows, performing, and getting to share my craft with the world, it allows me to access serious personal power to do what I do. I love the idea that lipstick can be war paint of sorts. A power lip is called a power lip for a reason."
If you're a fan of one of the greatest hip-hop groups of all time, then you know that their music and image is heavily inspired by Chinese culture. The collaboration features 8 longwear shades each named after the earthly elements of the I Ching Trigrams. From Sacred to Chi, the Wu-Tang x Milk Cosmetics collection features vegan and cruelty-free shades with packaging that gives ancient weaponry vibes. The classic "W" symbol can't be missed, and the limited edition collection also features a Wu-Tang "W" 24-karat gold plated mirror.
Each lipstick comes in three different finishes—high shine, nourishing matte, and dimensional glitter—so there's always a color and finish for every look under the Shaolin sun. You can purchase each for $55 or the 8-piece set for $440. According to the website, not only is it vegan and cruelty-free, but the collection is also paraben, talc, and gluten-free and encompasses ingredients native to China like lotus water, cherry blossom, and ginseng.
Like Teyana, we can all access our personal power when we approach life with a warrior's mentality. Get your Dolla Dolla bills ready, y'all. The collection is available for purchase now at MilkMakeup.com. Look below for a first-look at the new collection!
To watch the Teyana Taylor the Wu Warrior's campaign for Milk Makeup, click here.
WU-TANG X MILK MAKEUP LIP COLORS | feat. TEYANA TAYLORyoutu.be
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Michelle Schmitz is a writer and editor based in Washington, DC originally from Ft Lauderdale, FL. A self-described ambivert, you can find her figuring out ways to read more than her monthly limit of The New York Times, attending concerts, and being a badass, multi-tasking supermom. She also runs her own blog MichelleSasha.com. Keep up with her latest moves on IG: @michellesashawrites and Twitter: @michellesashas
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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How A Stay At Switzerland's Luxurious 7132 Hotel Reminded Me To Live The Life I Deserve
Sometimes, as women—especially as single Black women—we simply need to be reminded that we are deserving of living a life we dream of. Even if that means creating it for ourselves. I recently set out on a weeklong trip to Switzerland, a trip I’ve been wanting to take for years, and near the end of my visit, I had an epiphany.
“DeAnna, this is the life you deserve,” I thought to myself as I took in the gorgeous bathroom in my suite at the famous 7132 Hotel and Thermal Spa. It was one of the most luxurious hotels (and bathrooms) I had ever stayed in—and that’s saying a lot for someone who often travels for work.
To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
Courtesy
I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
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That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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