Beauty & Fashion
In December of 2020, she created The House of LR&C, a fashion house that intersects fashion and philanthropy and that's when my love for the ATLien grew stronger. Ciara stated in a press release:
"Fashion has always been my avenue for creative self-expression, and throughout my journey, I've always been looking for a brand that's a one-stop-shop, from investment pieces to budget-friendly items."
The fact that she is using her platform to create a line that can be a woman's best friend in fashion speaks to why she deserves multiple bouquets of flowers. So we are going to do just that. Ahead, find an assortment of Ciara's most memorable looks which makes up one hell of a style evolution.
2005: 10th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards
At the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards, Ciara opted for a black satin suit with black open-toed heels. At this point in the game, the singer was still figuring out how to make her mark on the carpet but it was still very fitting for the year 2005.
2006: 48th Annual Grammy Awards
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Fast forward to 2009, you see Princess Ciara draped in a beautiful and delicate white gown. This was also a monumental night as she won her first Grammy for Best Short-Form Music Video for "Lose Control," featuring Missy Elliott & Fat Man Scoop.
2011: 53rd Annual Grammy Awards
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
By 2011, our favorite dancer realized her love for high slits. Ciara wore an Emilio Pucci Spring 2011 dress featuring cutouts and an extra-long train to grace the red carpet.
2012: MTV Movie Awards
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Is it us or do we see Ciara stepping into her grown and sexy bag on this red carpet? She brought the heat to the carpet in a red, hot Balmain dress paired with the nude Christian Louboutin 'Pigalle' pointed-toe pumps. It's a timeless look that could be worn in any era.
2014: 56th Annual Grammy Awards
Dan MacMedan/WireImage
The year is 2014 and the singer is expecting her first child with rapper, Future. We remember being so excited to see her on the carpet with her adorable bump. The pregnant star stole the show in a custom Emilio Pucci gown and her simplistic beauty made for a perfect ensemble.
2015: American Music Awards
Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images
Reem Acra never looked as good as it did on the R&B beauty during the 2015 AMAs. She was a presenter this night and if we recall, we had just fallen in love with her new relationship with Russell Wilson. They made their pro-BAEte at the White House State Dinner earlier that year and we have been stanning ever since.
2016: Billboard Music Awards
Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images
As the co-host of the 2016 Billboard Awards, Ciara had to bring it. She did so in a metallic chain dress designed by Phillip Plein. The sheath-style dress accentuated every curve and gave a new meaning of the side-boob. These Casadei Blade Sandals were also all the rage back then as strappy sandals had a chokehold on red carpets.
2017: Vanity Fair Oscar After Party
Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images
The Vanity Fair Oscar after-party is one of the biggest nights in Hollywood. All of the biggest and brightest stars gather after the Academy Awards to have a party comparable to a night spent with your favorite people eating In-N-Out burgers and drinking Veuve Clicquot while indulging in deep conversations.
Picture Ciara strutting down the not-so-red carpet in this plush velvet, oxblood Jovani Signature gown that perfectly shows off her burgeoning baby bump. She did that. She and her hubby were welcoming their first child together and this was a perfect way to make memories of a beautiful union.
2018: Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports
Steve Granitz/WireImage via Getty Images
Ciara is not like regular moms; she's a cool mom. And this is shown to be facts on the 2018 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports carpet where the star rocks a Maison Margiela getup with her baby boy and baby girl in tow. We know Ciara to have a boyish-chic vibe since her introduction to the music scene so this is very on-brand.
2019: MET Gala Celebrating Camp: Notes On Fashion
Karwai Tang/Getty Images
This look from 2019's MET Gala will go down in history. The Dundas gown is stunning but this hair defined the moment. Interestingly enough, Peter Dundas was once the creative director of Emilio Pucci, an obvious fave of Ciara's. So when she chose this Dundas frock for the Camp: Notes on Fashion theme, it was serendipitous. Her larger-than-life hair was the winner of the night. Diana Ross had to be proud.
2020: Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Toni Anne Barson/WireImage
It might be safe to say that the mommy mogul loves showing off her baby bump at the premier Vanity Fair event. Wearing Ralph & Russo, the "Level Up" singer made this sheer sequined number look like the ensemble of angels. It screams ethereal goddess and the styling of her hair brought it all together.
2021: 27th Annual ELLE Women In Hollywood Celebration
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Looking heavenly in white, Cici donned a Mônot Spring 2022 gown to ELLE's annual event celebrating the achievements of women in entertainment. This year, like many events, was a comeback from 2020 which means the stars shined super bright in their high-fashion garments. Ciara stunned us all in this Ready To Wear piece by Lebanese designer, Eli Mizrahi, dramatized by a thigh-high slit and "gone with the wind fabulous" cape.
To get your fashion fix and to stay up to date with the latest trends, check out the xoNecole Style section here.
Featured image by Toni Anne Barson/WireImage
And just how do some of us do that very thing? Check out these 12 random habits that can put a dent in the “Black don’t crack” narrative. It might just surprise you how much you do them and how stopping it can have you looking 5-15 years younger in absolutely no time.
1. Neglecting Your Neck
There is a particular Black celebrity woman who I’ve always found to be attractive. She also ages really well. Matter of fact, I still think she could pass for being about 15 years younger than she actually is — if it wasn’t for her neck. Her neck has a lot of rings around it which makes it look kinda old. She’s actually the reason why I make sure to pay closer-than-ever attention to my own, now that I’m in my 40s.
For me, that consists of applying some rosemary oil to my neck in the morning and at night. It hydrates it really well. That’s what works for me. As for you, just make sure, because the skin around your neck is thinner than the skin that is on your face, that you also moisturize it on a consistent basis and that you even apply sunscreen. Because if there are two spots that can age us, no matter what our face may look like, our neck and hands would definitely have to be it.
2. Constantly Wearing Acrylic Nails
Before the pandemic decided to totally show out, I would see my nail tech like clockwork. Although my nails were mine (no tips), I would get them powder dipped (which is lighter than acrylic and lasts longer) and because I like to switch my styles up, I would see her a couple of times a month (at least). But when the country shut down and I had to take a couple of hours to totally soak that dip off myself and then several weeks to get my nails back healthy and thriving? I’ve been really hesitant about returning to powder (especially now that new variants of COVID are upon us and things could possibly shut down again).
It might be a wise move too because I also read that something that can age our hands are acrylic nails. Why? Because the continuous process of applying, filling and removing the product from our nails causes our cuticles to thicken over time which causes our hands to look older than they should. If you just read all of that and was like “whatever,” at least consider going on 3-6 month breaks sometimes; a lot of professionals say that’s the best way to keep your nails healthy overall.
3. Drinking Too Much Coffee
One of the most controversial foods (in the sense of the pros being about as much as the cons) is coffee. What I’ll say as it relates to this topic, in particular, is if you’re someone who can’t seem to get through a day without at least three cups, you should probably scale that back a bit. Aside from the fact that coffee can create somewhat of a diuretic effect which can lead to dehydration (which isn’t good for your skin), the caffeine that’s in it also tends to lower your dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA); that’s a hormone that helps to reduce inflammation and keep you looking younger. You know what that means, right? Even if you don’t do coffee but you drink anything that’s highly caffeinated, it’s probably working against you rather than for you on the anti-aging tip.
4. Eating Inflammatory Foods
Y’all probably aren’t going to like this very much but — sugar, refined carbs, dairy, trans fat, vegetable oil, processed meat and (excessive) alcohol. Wanna know what these things have in common? They all have the ability to trigger inflammation in your system. The problem with that, when it comes to premature aging, is not only can that accelerate the aging process but sugary stuff can break down the collagen and elastin in your system too (which is never good). Life is too short to not enjoy some “fun stuff” every once in a while. Still, for the sake of your Black not cracking, always remember to consume inflammatory-prone foods in extreme moderation.
5. Always Sipping from a Straw
I like straws; especially since I adore me some lip color and straws help to keep it from smudging or getting onto my teeth. Plus, straws can keep sugary drinks from getting too much on my teeth, not to mention the fact that I feel a lot better about drinking from cups and glasses in restaurants when I have a straw in hand. Yet as with most things in life, there are a couple of cons to them. For one thing, most are made out of plastic which definitely isn’t good for the environment. Also, the constant puckering that we have to do to suck through a straw can actually cause fine lines and wrinkles — not immediately but eventually. I guess the bottom line here would be to use them in moderation too. Oh, and to thoroughly moisturize that space in between your nose and lips. Sometimes it gets neglected more than it should too.
6. Constantly Wearing Eye Make-Up
I wasn’t allowed to wear make-up while growing up. Matter of fact, I don’t think it was until my junior year of high school that I got to put on something that was more than tinted lip gloss. In hindsight, I’m grateful because, although my gene pool is pretty dope when it comes to aging well, I know that when people tell me that I don’t look my age, going without make-up (most of the time) has been a huge part of my saving grace (check out “8 Solid Reasons To Go Make-Up Free At Least Once A Week”).
This point was further affirmed when I read that another thing that can age a person is constantly wearing eye make-up and/or not removing it properly. The main reason why is because the thinnest skin on our face and body, period, is our eyelids. So, constantly manipulating that space wears it down and ultimately ages us. That’s why it’s a good idea to sometimes rock a “wake-up face”. And when you do wear eye stuff that you apply an emulsifier (something that has water in it that allows water and oil to easily mix) like Aquaphor to remove your eyeshadow, eyeliner and mascara, so that your delicate skin is handled with some much-needed TLC.
7. Not Wearing Sunglasses
I recently went to the eye doctor. While we were discussing the fact that my mild astigmatism was healing (I had no idea it could do that), I got mildly reprimanded for not wearing sunglasses more often. I had no idea that it reduces my chances of getting cancer and cataracts (I just saw them as a way to squint in the sun less, to be honest). As a bonus, sunglasses also reduce fine lines and, since crow’s feet can definitely age a person, you can best believe I’ll be picking up a pair sooner than later.
8. Tight Ass Protective Styles
I’ll be the first to say that when I get my hair braided, if there’s something that I want my stylist to do, it is make sure that they get as much of my edges into those braids as possible. Between my braider being really good and my not getting braids back-to-back all of the time, my edges have survived my pseudo vanity. I do know others who can’t say the same because whether it’s their braids, twists, wigs, weaves or high ponytails, the constant stress and strain that their hairline has had to endure has resulted in very thin or flat-out bald edges that has added a few years onto them.
A flawless hairstyle is top-tier. I get it. At the same time, it’s a little counterproductive to get a protective style that doesn’t protect ALL of your hair…right? By the way, if you want to take extra special care of your edges and nape right through here, check out “7 Tips For Getting The Edges And Nape Of Your Neck To Grow Faster”.
9. Doing THE MOST with Your Face
I’d be surprised if you didn’t have at least one relative who, if they saw you cross your eyes when you were a kid, they told you to stop because they could end up getting stuck that way. Hmph. Somebody needed to alert more of us about this when it comes to those totally-over-the-top facial expressions that a lot of us put on display.
Constantly doing things like turning up your lips or furrowing your brows can also cause fine lines to set in. Yeah, I know a lot of us think that we’re doing nothing more than being “expressive” but exaggerating our facial expressions can age us faster than we want to. Don’t say that I didn’t warn you, chile.
10. Sleeping on a Cheap Pillowcase
I’ll tell you what — the older I get, the more I am learning to respect my bedding more. Take pillowcases. While a lot of us know that a satin one can be good for our hair (because it helps to keep moisture in our locks), were you aware of the fact that a silk one can help to reduce wrinkles? Sometimes, it might seem like it’s a wise move, financially, to go with cheaper sheets but when you’re rolling around for 6-8 hours a night on a set of rough pillowcases, that can start to put tiny marks on your face that can result in premature wrinkles or even sagging. So, if you haven’t been investing some good money into your bedding, this is a solid reason why you should.
11. Not Having Enough GOOD Sex
I write about sex, basically all of the time. That’s why I know that I can easily provide you with literally dozens of reasons why having as much sex as possible is beneficial. Matter of fact, in the article “10 Irrefutable Reasons To Have An Orgasm A Day”, one of the things that I touch on is the fact that orgasms can make you look younger. The long short of it is, orgasms help to decrease stress and elevate estrogen levels — both are great because stress triggers premature aging and estrogen helps to collagen and elastin production.
Long sessions can cause you to sweat which removes toxins and bonding with your partner increases oxytocin which is also stress’s enemy. Just make sure that it’s good sex because the more that it goes down, the more often you’ll want to “engage” and the better off your skin will be because of it.
12. Not Having a Pamper Day (At Least Twice a Month)
At the turn of every birthday, something that I commit to, more and more, is refusing to let any person, place, thing or idea stress me out. For what? Stress is directly attributed to things like obesity, diabetes, headaches, depression and heart disease (which continues to be the #1 killer among Black women). If you add to that the fact that accelerated levels of cortisol (the stress hormone in our system) can also break down collagen and elastin at an accelerated rate…why wouldn’t you see doing things like having a pamper day as a necessity in your life?
Massages. Mani/pedis. Facials. Taking a bubble bath. Unplugging from social media. Doing things that make you feel good and help you to relax are good for your mind, body and spirit and can help to keep you looking younger for a longer period of time. That’s why you should definitely pamper yourself, at least a couple of times a month. You will adore it and your skin will even more!
Join our xoTribe, an exclusive community dedicated to YOU and your stories and all things xoNecole. Be a part of a growing community of women from all over the world who come together to uplift, inspire, and inform each other on all things related to the glow up.
Featured image by Getty Images
There is no quick fix to rapid growth but if you schedule your trims, keep your hair hydrated, and use products with ingredients that stimulate growth — it'll get you on the right track. This is why I want to introduce you to VIP Luxury Hair Care.
VIP Luxury Hair Care was created by Ashanti Lation to help with the growth, health, and overall maintenance of all hair whether you're relaxed or natural. The brand offers three different lines to cater to your needs — the GREAUX Collection, SILK SHOT Collection, and the DAY PARTY Collection. I had the opportunity to try their most popular collection, the GREAUX Collection, which offers six growth stimulating products.
Here is what I thought of each product and how my wash day went using the collection.
The GREAUX Shampoo Review
VIP Luxury Hair Care
The first thing I noticed about the GREAUX Shampoo prior to actually using it was the product looked like a conditioner. I actually had to double-check to make sure I was using the right product, which to me, isn't a bad thing. At the beginning of my wash day, I completely drenched my hair in warm water and added the cleanser to my scalp while working my way down. I didn't detangle my hair or pre-poo before starting and I was actually shocked by how silky and light my hair felt.
On top of getting a really good cleanse, I felt my hair becoming more moisturized, and my curls bouncing back from its dry and brittle state. I was able to run my finger through each strand without many tugs and tangles. This isn't standard for most shampoos and cleansers. I won't typically recommend detangling during the shampoo phase, however, my hair felt so soft it was hard not to. Because the shampoo is made with a mix of biotin, aloe, ProVitamin B5, and rosemary, it provides a nice soft scent, slip, and moisture that I was truly impressed by.
Honestly, this is one of the best shampoos I've used and I would definitely recommend it.
Now, let's move on to the conditioner.
The GREAUX Conditioner Review
VIP Luxury Hair Care
The shampoo really set the tone for the GREAUX Collection, so I was excited to condition my hair and see what my hair would feel like. Chile, the conditioner did not disappoint! After rinsing out the shampoo, I made sure my hair was drenched before adding the GREAUX Conditioner. I used a very generous amount and coated my roots as well as the ends of my hair. Because the ends are the oldest strands of hair and are exposed to the most friction, I focused more on that area. After coating my hair, I detangled with my fingers and a wide-tooth comb, then left it in for about five minutes.
While detangling I noticed, I didn't have much to do, my hair felt soft, silky, and shiny. After rinsing out the conditioner, my scalp felt very refreshed and rejuvenated. I actually couldn't believe the difference in my hair. To give you an idea, prior to wash day I had been wearing my hair in a puff with just two products. I didn't realize how heavy and weighed down my hair felt until washing it.
The consistency of the conditioner isn't thick but you can tell it's packed with the proper nutrients. Like the shampoo, it's made with biotin and aloe, along with sage, silk, amino acids, and botanical extracts to strengthen and repair your hair.
The D.LUXE Detangler and Leave-in Conditioner Review
VIP Luxury Hair Care
After rinsing the conditioner out of my hair, I immediately added the D.LUXE Detangler & Leave-In Conditioner to my damp hair. I like adding it while it's still damp or wet so my hair can absorb the leave-in better. The leave-in was a little runny and is very lightweight. Like the products of the brand's GREAUX Collection, the leave-in conditioner works to strengthen your strands, soften, and detangle your hair for an emollient feel.
ProLong Hair Oil
VIP Luxury Hair Care
I used VIP Luxury Hair Care's ProLong Hair Oil along with a styling cream to twist my hair. I added a small amount to my fingertips and applied it to my hair mostly focusing on the ends of my hair. The oil is very lightweight and feels more like a serum. This is a good option if you're looking to energize the scalp and prevent breakage.
It's light enough to use every day or as needed to add shine and softness to your hair.
The Final Results
The products I used gave my hair lasting moisture and softness. I definitely will keep it in my natural hair arsenal. It's a multi-use product for all my styles, whether I'm wearing my natural curls, braids, or a silk press. I 100% recommend this line to those who: wear protective styles often, have damaged or dry hair, and want to grow and strengthen their hair.
Overall, I love the collection and would definitely keep this in my natural hair arsenal. There are other products the VIP Luxury Hair Care brand has to offer that are worth trying like the Greaux Healthy Hair Drops and Elite Edge Control. If you're looking for non-toxic and strengthening products, I would definitely recommend you get your hands on this!
To get your beauty fix and to stay up to date with the latest trends, check out the xoNecole Beauty section here.
Featured image by Krissy Lewis/xoNecole
