

My relationship with dating apps is a love/hate one. As a single Black woman in my thirties, dating isn't always easy. Not only do you have to navigate the nuances of online dating and weed out the crazies, but deciding where to start can be difficult. In the past few years, I've used every dating app imaginable. Some were good, others were so awful. I vowed never to touch another app again. My dating app sabbaticals never lasted long since I'm single and searching for a life partner online. Wouldn't it be great if there was a guide that told us what the best dating apps are so we could save both time and energy? This article was birthed from that exact thought.
This is your dating app guide for Black girls who’ve considered life as a spinster when online dating wasn’t enough. Hopefully reading this will save you time and hopefully money. Listed below are some of the best dating apps on the market that I have used over the years. From the quantity of the dating pool to whether it provides daily matches to whether it's a free app or a paid service, I took everything into account.
Please be advised that online dating still sucks and you still have to engage and create “interesting” profiles to increase engagement but, based on my own experiences with online dating as a Black woman, these apps are the most promising.
1. BLK
BLK is probably one of my favorite dating apps because it is for us by us. BLK is a dating app that was built after watching Black people being discriminated against on popular online dating sites. The app focuses on connecting people with similar cultural backgrounds to create a more intentional space for Black singles.
BLK is a free dating app for singles looking for long-term relationships. It is a great option for Black women who are interested in finding a mate that shares their values and interests. This site has an intelligent matching algorithm, which can help find your perfect match.
2. eHarmony
eHarmony is an online dating site that focuses on compatibility rather than simply swiping through profiles. It has become increasingly popular due to its quality-over-quantity approach. For singles looking for long-term relationships, eHarmony is a popular dating platform. You will take a "Compatibility Quiz" after you sign up to find out more about yourself. The quiz covers six sections and takes up to 20 minutes to complete.
The site's matchmaking algorithm uses your personality and values from the quiz to match you with potential partners. If you upgrade, you'll get a personalized profile review and relationship tips based on the quiz. You can also check who has viewed your profile.
3. Match
Match is the world’s largest dating site, with over 25 million users. Its goal is to help users find matches based on their criteria. It has a variety of search options and features, such as a "Discover" section, which helps users learn about others in their area. It also has a search option for "top picks," which are matches deemed highly compatible with your stated criteria by the algorithm.
Once you have an account on Match, you can create a profile and upload photos. It also has a chat feature that lets you interact with other users. You can even get a free trial of Match to see how the site works before you commit to a paid subscription. If you do decide to sign up for a premium membership, there are several different packages available to choose from.
4. Tinder
One of the most popular and widely-used dating apps is Tinder. It has millions of users worldwide and offers a simple yet effective way to meet people near you. You’ll need to create a profile, upload photos and start swiping right on profiles that interest you. If two people both swipe right on each other’s profiles, then they’ll match and be able to communicate with one another. This is a feature that I love because every match means mutual interest.
5. Bumble
Bumble is similar to Tinder in that it uses swiping technology but has a few key differences that make it unique. For starters, only women can initiate conversations on Bumble. This gives women more power and control over who they talk to and eliminates getting messages from men you are not the least bit interested in! Plus, Bumble also has added features like Bumble Boost which allow users to unlock additional features such as having their profile seen by more people or extending matches' time limits for an additional 24 hours.
6. Hinge
Hinge is another popular dating app geared towards meaningful relationships rather than casual encounters. The "dating app designed to be deleted" uses an algorithm tailored specifically towards making sure users don't just get random matches but ones that are actually compatible with them based on things like interests and values. Additionally, Hinge also offers helpful icebreakers that can help kick off conversations between potential matches as well as different ways of filtering searches so users can find more tailored results faster than ever before!
7. EliteSingles
EliteSingles is the most expensive app on the list but offers more bang for your buck. EliteSingles is a serious dating site that takes online dating seriously, and its user base consists of educated, committed singles who are looking for a long-term commitment. EliteSingles has an extensive personality test that helps members find compatible matches. The app’s 115-question questionnaire takes about 20 minutes to complete, and you can even pause the test at any point.
The app also has a daily suggested match feature that streamlines profiles into quick overviews to swipe through. Premium members can send messages and winks to matches, as well as like or comment on their photos. Another great feature is the “Have You Met?” feature, which matches singles based on a common interest. It’s similar to a carousel of Tinder-like matches, but it only lists singles who have shown interest in your profile.
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Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
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I Tried It: 3 Low-Maintenance Wigs That Will Elevate Your Look This Season
There's nothing like the feeling you get when your hair is done. It can instantly boost your confidence and put you in a great mood. I've never been a stranger to hair trends and I often experiment with the latest braided styles and colors.
But there are moments when I just don't feel like doing my hair. I'm natural and a lot of times I will braid or twist my hair up and cover it with a scarf or turban. However, when I crave a different look without the hassle of styling, I reach for a wig.
I've always had a love-hate relationship with wigs. Sometimes, I struggle to get them to lay flat and don't get me started with the bonding glue process. So when it comes to wearing wigs, I like to keep it nice and breezy around this b--- (word to Katt Williams), especially in the summertime.
That's why I jumped at the chance to try these three versatile wigs from Luvme Hair. Each one offers a unique look and is surprisingly low maintenance, which aligns perfectly with my philosophy that wearing wigs should make life easier. Let’s dive into the three styles below.
Headband Wig
Courtesy
This was the first wig I tried on, and I instantly fell in love with it. So much so that it took me weeks to even consider trying the other two. I’m partial to colored hair, especially blonds, browns, and reds, so I was skeptical about the jet black hair. However, I think the color, combined with the curl pattern, worked surprisingly well for me.
One of the things I really liked about this wig was that I didn’t have to braid my hair down first. I could simply throw it over a low ponytail, which is the epitome of a low-maintenance style. The headband has combs inside and velcro on the ends, ensuring a secure fit.
Half Wig
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I had never worn a half wig before, so I faced some challenges. I cornrowed the bottom half of my hair where the wig would sit, but I believe this made it more difficult to use the combs. It might just be me though. I straightened the top part of my hair to blend it with the wig, which looked cute for about five minutes.
Firstly, I have a brown/blonde color mix on the ends of my hair, and the half wig is black. So, I had to hide some of the color (I didn’t have time to dye the wig). Secondly, straightening my hair myself is always a hassle because it never lasts long. Add to that the summer humidity, and you get a hot mess. Despite all this, I managed to get some cute pictures before things got out of control, and that’s all that matters, right?
Would I consider this a low-maintenance hair style? Yes and no. I think it’s unrealistic for me during the summer, especially since I enjoy summer activities. However, when the weather cools down, I’ll definitely rock it, dyed, of course.
Bob
Courtesy
Now, this is the wig I was nervous about. I never had a bob and I didn't think I would like it. But once I put bobiana on, my mind instantly changed. I finally understood why the gworls rave about the bob so much. It was giving boss. It was giving grown woman. It was giving the bob means business. Iykyk. It was the ultimate statement.
I will say when I first put it on, one side of my wig just would not lay flat. It took some trial and error, but I finally managed to get it to look good. With the bob, I highly recommend braiding your hair down first as small as you can so it can lay as flat as possible. I really liked the ash blonde color, which is perfect for summer. The length also makes it a great low-maintenance style for the season, so you don't have to worry about the hair making your neck sweaty.
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