Last Sunday kicked off this year's International Women's Month and what better way to do it than uplifting the little queens in our lives? This past weekend, an Instagram live video of an Atlanta hairdresser (who we now know as Shabria) speaking life into a beautiful brown-skinned girl named Ariyonna went viral and proved that not all heroes wear capes. In the video, Ariyonna is seen breaking down into tears after saying "I'm so ugly," which ultimately proved to be a touching moment for women across the internet. Shabria captioned the post:
"While doing her hair she had alllll the energy in the world then out of nowhere she stares at herself and gets soooo discouraged 😢 it broke my heart into pieces because she has the GREATEST energy and the most beautiful smile and heart ! She comes from a great home & loving mother . I just think when kids go to school they learn and pick up sooo much different things that they don't know the definition but they know the feeling ! Keep her in your prayers and keep lifting up our future!!!"
The video has since amassed millions of views and thousands of comments from celebrities like Jada Pinkett Smith, Michelle Obama, and Viola Davis, who expressed their mutual support for the young queen in heartfelt messages. Director Ava DuVernay wrote:
"In tears over this. Somebody told this child this and her heart broke and her confidence broke and she believed it. Thank God for this beautiful spirit in her life to tell her differently. This video shows how deeply we harm each other. And fully we can lift each other up."
Among Ariyonna's supporters was also Hair Love creator, Matthew A. Cherry, who launched a massive social campaign that rallied creatives to show their love for young Arianna through artwork and Black Twitter showed up and showed TF out, sis.
While this year may have gotten off to a rocky start, I'm pleased to say that this is the type of wholesome, Black AF content I like to see on my timeline.
For more stories that are poppin' in the news this week, click below!
Niecy Nash & Jay Tucker Finalize Their Divorce & Agree To No Spousal Support
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In October, Niecy Nash and her husband, Jay Tucker, announced their split after 8 years of marriage and this week, the couple seems to have amicably finalized their divorce, proving that not all breakups have to be bitter.
Page Six reports that in their separation, Niecy will retain ownership of their Bell Canyon California home and 2016 Tesla while Jay will walk away from the marriage with a 2011 Ford F-150 Truck and one final payment of $185,000 from his former spouse.
While the couple's romantic journey may have come to an end, they have done so as friends and both waived their rights to spousal support. They wrote in a joint statement on social media:
"Our union was such a gorgeous ride. And as we go our separate ways now, we feel fortunate for the love we share — present tense."
Omar Epps Teased A New Movie With Mekhi Phifer & Larenz Tate & Our Hearts Can’t Take It
Omar Epps just teased a new movie with Mekhi Phifer and Larenz Tate and no one film should have all that chocolate.
In a cryptic Instagram post, the actor wrote:
"Been hard at work trying to create something incredibly special for all of you! We're one step closer... 💥🐐💥 Stay tuned...."
While we're not sure what these three have in the works, we're definitely here for all of it.
This Lipstick Tutorial Has Gained More Than A Million Views
This viral Tik Tok video has gained more than a million views and 134K likes on Twitter and this Black beauty blogger is at the helm.
Jacinda Pender's lip tutorial series is everything we didn't know we needed and she recently sat down with Allure to break down the details behind her iconic glossing methods. She told the publication:
"This is [for] whenever I'm in the mood for a dark glossy lip look, which is rare. If I had the time, patience, and energy to rock this badass glossy ombré look, I definitely would. It's such a sexy look that radiates such strong dark, mysterious, and vampire energy."
In the post, Jacinda is seen applying the f*ck out of an ombre lip that is perfect for both a work slay or a night out on the town. Since the success of her short video, Jacinda says that fan support has done wonders for her career in the beauty industry.
"I just want to say THANK YOU guys for supporting my lip swatch series because it's allowing me to partner with companies that will remain nameless and opening doors for me, thank you."
To recreate the look, here's what you'll need:
Coachella Is Postponed Until October
Reports reveal that Indio, California officials are not here for your germs and will postpone Coachella until October due to the coronavirus outbreak. Coachella and Stagecoach are the latest major music festivals, following the Ultra Festival and Miami and SXSW 2020, that have been affected by the viral disease.
The announcements come as the list of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the U.S. rises to 116.
This Is The Ciara-Inspired Hair Trend That's Taking Over The Internet
This unique hair trend is living proof that the internet was made for Black creatives. Don't @ me.
After seeing Ciara's stylist masterfully spell the word "melanin" in her hair, social media user Shanell Khan decided to recreate the look. Much to dismay, they don't sell block letters at the hair store. It was then when Shanell used her ingenuity to bring the celebrity-inspired look to life:
"I really missed my nephew and then it Hit me...That light bulb moment lol: [Children's] Wooden blocks. Like why didn't I think about this before? I ran to the store and I was soo happy when I stumbled across these with the letters already written on them (I was soo excited !!! I had a quick dance 😂🤣 my close friends know the excited dance 💃🏾 the workers at the store probably thought I was cray cray 😅😂🤣😅) I bought some brown beads and got a carpenter to make the huge round ones. Shout out to him!!"
Featured image by Instagram/@lilwavedaddy.
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Kayla Nicole says she wore a dress that was once worn by Braxton herself for the Halloween costume. “It’s not a secret Toni is more on the petite side. I’m obsessed with all 5’2” of her,” she tells xoNecole via email. “But I’m 5’10'' and not missing any meals, honey, so to my surprise, when I got the dress and it actually fit, I knew it was destiny.”
The episode was the perfect way for the multihyphenate to take control of her own narrative. By addressing the viral moment on her own platform, she was able to stir the conversation and keep the focus on her adoration for Braxton, an artist she says she grew up listening to and who still makes her most-played playlist every year. Elsewhere, she likely would’ve received questions about whether or not the costume was a subliminal aimed at her ex-boyfriend and his pop star fiancée. “I think that people will try to project their own narratives, right?” she said, hinting at this in the episode. “But, for me personally – I think it’s very important to say this in this moment – I’m not in the business of tearing other women down. I’m in the business of celebrating them.”
Kayla Nicole is among xoNecole’s It Girl 100 Class of 2025, powered by SheaMoisture, recognized in the Viral Voices category for her work in media and the trends she sets on our timelines, all while prioritizing her own mental and physical health. As she puts it: “Yes, I’m curating conversations on my podcast The Pre-Game, and cultivating community with my wellness brand Tribe Therepē.”
Despite being the frequent topic of conversation online, Kayla Nicole says she’s learning to take advantage of her growing social media platform without becoming consumed by it. “I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out,” she says.
On The Pre-Game, which launched earlier this year, she has positioned herself as listeners “homegirl.” “There’s definitely a delicate dance between being genuine and oversharing, and I’ve had to learn that the hard way. Now I share from a place of reflection, not reaction,” she says. “If it can help someone feel seen or less alone, I’ll talk about it within reason. But I’ve certainly learned to protect parts of my life that I cherish most. I share what serves connection but doesn’t cost me peace.
"I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out."
Credit: Malcolm Roberson
Throughout each episode, she sips a cocktail and addresses trending topics (even when they involve herself). It’s a platform the Pepperdine University alumnus has been preparing to have since she graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism, with a concentration in political science.
“I just knew I was going to end up on a local news network at the head anchor table, breaking high speed chases, and tossing it to the weather girl,” she says. Instead, she ended up working as an assistant at TMZ before covering sports as a freelance reporter. (She’s said she didn’t work for ESPN, despite previous reports saying otherwise.) The Pre-Game combines her love for pop culture and sports in a way that once felt inaccessible to her in traditional media.
She’s not just a podcaster, though. When she’s not behind the mic, taking acting classes or making her New York Fashion Week debut, Kayla Nicole is also busy elevating her wellness brand Tribe Therepē, where she shares her workouts and the workout equipment that helps her look chic while staying fit. She says the brand will add apparel to its line up in early 2026.
“Tribe Therepē has evolved into exactly what I have always envisioned. A community of women who care about being fit not just for the aesthetic, but for their mental and emotional well-being too. It’s grounded. It’s feminine. It’s strong,” she says. “And honestly, it's a reflection of where I am in my life right now. I feel so damn good - mentally, emotionally, and physically. And I am grateful to be in a space where I can pour that love and light back into the community that continues to pour into me.”
Tap into the full It Girl 100 Class of 2025 and meet all the women changing game this year and beyond. See the full list here.
Featured image by Malcolm Roberson
Meanwhile, frankincense and myrrh originate from the Middle East and Africa (you know, like the Bible does — some folks need to be reminded of that—eh hem — Trumpers) and ginger? It too helps with indigestion (which can definitely creep up at Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner tables); plus, it’s a key ingredient for ginger snaps and gingerbread houses. So, as you can see, holiday-themed scents have a rhyme and reason to them.
Tying this all in together — several years ago, I penned an article for the platform entitled, “Are You Ready To Have Some Very Merry ‘Christmas Sex’?” Well, in the spirit of revisiting some of that content, with a bit of a twist, I decided to broach some traditional holiday scents from the perspective of which ones will do your libido a ton of good from now through New Year’s Eve (check out “Make This Your Best NYE. For Sex. EVER.”).
Are you ready to check some of them out, so that, whether it’s via a candle, a diffuser, some essential oil, or some DIY body cream (check out “How To Incorporate All Five Senses To Have The Best Sex Ever”), you can bring some extra festive ambiance into your own boudoir? Excellent.
1. Vanilla
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When it comes to holiday desserts, you’re going to be hard-pressed to find recipes that don’t include vanilla — and that alone explains why it is considered to be a traditional holiday scent. As far as your libido goes, vanilla is absolutely considered to be an aphrodisiac — partly because its sweet scent is considered to be very sensual. Some studies even reveal that vanillin (the active ingredient in vanilla) is able to increase sexual arousal and improve erectile dysfunction in men. So, if you adore the smell, here is more incentive to use it.
2. Frankincense
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Although, typically, when people think about frankincense (and myrrh), it’s in the context of the gifts that the wise men brought Christ after he was born; it’s a part of the biblical Christmas story. However, frankincense goes much deeper than that. Sexually, since it has an earthy and spicy scent, some people like to use it to meditate (check out “What Exactly Is 'Orgasmic Meditation'?”). Also, since it has the ability to put you in a better mood, soothe and soften your skin and maintain your oral health — with the help of frankincense, every touch and kiss can be that much…sexier.
3. Cinnamon
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I already gave cinnamon a shout-out in the intro. Personally, I’ve been a fan of it, in the sex department, for a long time now (check out “12 ‘Sex Condiments’ That Can Make Coitus Even More...Delicious”). When it’s in oil form, it can be very sweet to the taste while sending a warm sensation throughout the body — which is why the giver and receiver of oral sex can benefit from its usage. Beyond that, cinnamon helps to increase blood flow to your genital region, elevate sexual desire and, some studies say that it can even help improve fertility. Beautiful.
4. Peppermint
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If there’s a signature candy for the holiday season, it’s probably a candy cane — which automatically puts peppermint in the running for being an official holiday scent. Pretty much, in any form, it’s got your sex life’s back because it’s hailed as being a sexual stimulant; in part, because its smell is so invigorating. Plus, it helps to (eh hem) ease headaches, it gives you more energy and it can definitely help to freshen your breath. Also, that minty sensation? The same thing that I said about cinnamon can apply to peppermint too (if you catch my drift).
5. Ginger
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Whether it’s in a meal or in your bedroom, ginger is going to produce results that are hella spicy. On the sex tip, science has praised ginger for being able to increase sexual arousal, improve blood circulation (which intensifies orgasms) and strengthen fertility for many years. Scent-wise, I find it to be one that both men and women enjoy because it is both woodsy and sweet. So, if you’ve got some massage oil in mind, adding some ginger is a way to please you both.
6. Pomegranate
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September through December is the time of year when pomegranates are considered to be in season. And, as someone who is a Rosh Hashanah observer, I have a personal adoration for them because I am aware of the various things that they symbolize in Hebrew culture including the fact that they are a fruit that represents love and fertility. So yeah, they would absolutely be an aphrodisiac — one that is perfect for this time of the year. While consuming it helps to boost testosterone levels in both men and women, the floral bittersweet smell that it produces can help to reduce stress while promoting relaxation (like most floral scents do) — and the more relaxed you are, the easier it is to climax.
7. Nutmeg
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Another signature seasoning during the holiday season is nutmeg. It’s perfect in Thanksgiving sweet potato (or pumpkin) pie and Christmas morning French toast. And yes, it can also make your sex life better. If you consume it, it can intensify your libido and, overall, its warm-meets-spicy-meets-sweet smell is so inviting that it is considered to be a pretty seductive scent.
8. Cloves
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I ain’t got not one lie to tell you — if you’ve got a toothache, put some clove oil on that bad boy and send me a Christmas present for putting you on game. Aside from that, as I round all of this out, cloves are another holiday scent that can do wonders for your sex life. For men, it has the ability to significantly increase sexual arousal and improve stamina and endurance. For men and women alike, it also has a reputation for strengthening sexual desire. And for women solely? Well, if you want an all-natural way to increase natural lubrication down below — the scent and and feel (in DILUTED oil form) can make that happen. It can make the holidays especially special…if you know what I mean.
Ah yes — the atmosphere of the holidays and what it can do.
Take it all in! Scent ‘n whatever stimulating that comes with it! #wink
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