

Black-Owned Supplement Brands To Add To Your Wellness Routine
Ah, I miss the good old days when I would just pop in a Flintstones vitamin and call it a day. Those times are now long behind me, and my body has gone through many changes since my Flinstone days. I'm learning how important it is to take extra steps to keep my health in check. Drinking water, working out, and feeding my body only good things have helped me keep going. Something else offering an assist to my overall health are supplements.
Wellness supplements can make our bodies feel incredible, but finding a supplement that is right for our needs can be quite challenging. For generations, people of color have had a harder time finding proper medical care, health advice, and trusted supplements that speak to our bodies. I think it's fair to say it is the area where we feel the least heard on top of everything else.
Luckily for us, Black-owned wellness businesses are on the rise and are going the extra mile to make sure we're taken care of. Here is your list of black-owned wellness supplements.
MOVITA Organics
MOVITA Organics is a popular Black-owned vegan supplement created by Tonya Lewis Lee. Her mission is to support women of color and their powerful choices to amplify their life. MOVITA Organics is a multi-purpose vitamin brand made with organic fruits, vegetables, herbs, and minerals. The vitamin is also gluten-free, allergen-free for shellfish and nuts and free of GMOs.
The vitamin-based brand offers a few different vitamins for any woman's needs. A few of the options are prenatal vitamins, which support the immune system and baby's development; beauty supplements support the healthy growth of hair, skin, and nails; and the multivitamin supports breast and reproductive health, heart health, immunity, and stress relief. The best part? The vitamins can be taken on an empty stomach. Perfect for taking your vitamin at the start of your day with no repercussions.
My Happy Flo
For some women, that time of the month is associated with negative feelings. Their cycles and cramps are painful, diagnoses like PCOS and fibroids fill the body with trauma, and something that should symbolize new life is affiliated with the inability to conceive. Coming in clutch and making #periodgoals a thing is My Happy Flo.
My Happy Flo is an up-and-coming supplement brand focused on empowering women to have a happy period, period. The brainchild of xoNecole founder Necole Kane, My Happy Flo is an all-natural plant-based supplement that helps to holistically balance your reproductive health system. The end result is a happier, drama-free period and elevating your menstrual wellness.
Sacred Vibes Apothecary
Sacred Vibes Apothecary was founded by Black herbalist Karen Rose. Her shop is based in Brooklyn, NY, and is a learning community center and a herbalist boutique. Karen makes an abundance of different cleansers for the body but is praised for her all-natural tonics. Her best seller being the Anti-Inflammatory Tonic.
The herbal tonic is made with devil's claw, turmeric, ginger and dandelion roots, garlic, and cayenne pepper. The product promotes weight loss, stops yeast and fungus growth, prevents infection, and balances blood sugar. Seriously, is there anything this tonic can't do? Not to mention it also prevents and removes inflammation. Simply include this in your water twice a day for maximum results. If you're looking for a rebirth, then this product is for you.
The Honey Pot
As women, that time of the month can be very hard on us. Our bodies are going through a beautiful process that can sometimes throw us and our pH out of whack. Now, there is a supplement to help get back in alignment with our pH. Bea Dixon founded the Honey Pot. Her now plant-derived feminine brand manifested through her struggles with bacterial vaginosis. She developed a series of feminine products as well as a vaginal supplement to help us all.
Her supplement Boric Acid & Herb Suppositories is a vaginal insert. The suppositories are made to help with pH balance but can support ongoing symptoms of bacterial vaginosis. The supplement is all-natural made with boric acid and tea tree oil for balance, plus coconut butter for an added boost of hydration and moisture. The supplement comes with an insert, similar to a tampon. It is advised to take the supplement for seven days twice a day.
Peak and Valley
Stress in our life can have hard effects on the body. Lack of sleep, weight loss, mood swings, the rise of blood pressure, and heart disease can all stem from stress on the body. Having a supplement to keep your stress levels low can save you a lifetime of health challenges. Good thing we have Nadine Joseph, the founder of Peak and Valley--an herbal company backed by science.
Peak and Valley promotes medicinal mushrooms and herbal supplements for holistic wellness. Nadine, a scientist, became passionate about providing products to help us deal with everyday stressful situations. Her powdered supplement, Balance My Stress Blend--is a chocolate blend of herbs and mushrooms to support calm and wellbeing without the need for prescriptions. The powerful ingredients are clinically proven to balance cortisol levels, support and enhance immunity, increase energy, and decrease stress. You may apply one tablespoon of the supplement to any tea, coffee, or milk.
VeganSmart
People of color, we have to do better about our eating habits. Now don't get me wrong, I love a saucy rack of ribs, but if I had it every day, I'd be dead. People of color are at a higher risk of having diabetes and other diet-related illnesses. In fact, Kareem Cook and Claude Tellis, owners of VeganSmart, saw this within their own families. The two college friends developed a protein powder and recipes to support nutritional health.
The VeganSmart All-In-One Nutritional Shake is a plant-based vegan blend of prebiotics, omega-3, digestive enzymes, and vitamins and minerals. Each ingredient contributes to the body's overall health, supporting cell function, brain and heart health, and the digestive system to absorb nutrients. You may also find a series of healthy recipes on their website to stay in alignment with your fitness goals.
Dr. Sebi's Cell Food
Giving our bodies a good cleanse can help us see the world just that much clearer, and Dr. Sebi's is helping us do just that. His cell food is proven to bring immense healing from the inside out. Most of his products are from botanical extracts and herbs, which help cleanse the body of toxins and every cell to promote profound self-healing and physical rejuvenation.
A few of his products include powders, tonics, and vitamins, but my favorite is Banju. This product is my personal favorite because it promotes brain health and reduces anxiety. The tonic is rich in antioxidants reducing neurological inflammation, elderberry, which protects and nourishes the brain, blue vervain delivers emotional and nervous restoration, and more. These ingredients make for the perfect anxiety-reducing potion.
Are you a member of our insiders squad? Join us in the xoTribe Members Community today!
Featured image by Getty Images
Exclusive: Gabrielle Union On Radical Transparency, Being Diagnosed With Perimenopause And Embracing What’s Next
Whenever Gabrielle Union graces the movie screen, she immediately commands attention. From her unforgettable scenes in films like Bring It On and Two Can Play That Game to her most recent film, in which she stars and produces Netflix’s The Perfect Find, there’s no denying that she is that girl.
Off-screen, she uses that power for good by sharing her trials and tribulations with other women in hopes of helping those who may be going through the same things or preventing them from experiencing them altogether. Recently, the Flawless by Gabrielle Union founder partnered with Clearblue to speak at the launch of their Menopause Stage Indicator, where she also shared her experience with being perimenopausal.
In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
Here's How To Host Your First Dinner Party, According To TikTok's Viral Dinner Host
If you haven’t scrolled upon Olivia McDowell's TikTok famous dinner parties, you may need to reconfigure your "For You Page."
What began as a passion for hosting aesthetically themed meals for her closest friends has quickly become a viral sensation. With an astonishing 12 million viewers, women describe Olivia’s picturesque dinner parties as the “dream girls' night,” complete with classy cocktails, beautiful table settings, elegant outfits, and, most importantly, food plated to perfection.
Seemingly reigniting the feminine urge to host fancy dinner parties, Olivia has perfected the finer details. Overlooking the skyline in her beautiful NYC apartment, she never fails to make her signature handmade pasta dishes while simultaneously looking effortlessly chic in the wardrobe of dreams while doing so.
@oliviaamcdowell Replying to @nara0630 what should the theme of my next dinner party be? #minivlog #nycliving #dinnerpartyideas #caviarinnewyork
What I love most about hosting intimate dinners for close friends are the connections and relationships that form over food. They don't require a caviar budget with a high-rise apartment, it just takes determination and a little creativity. Watching Olivia’s journey inspires viewers to be a part of a community of positive and uplifting women who share common interests and tastes in food, fashion, and decor. Simply stated, she’s raising the bar of friendship goals.
If you’re aspiring to host a holiday-themed dinner party this season, check out the four tips that will guide you along the way.
Choose Your Theme
@oliviaamcdowell Replying to @emz.life.tsv what was your fav part? 🤍 hope this gives you some inspiration to host a fancy friendsgiving too! #hostingtip #dinnerparty #pastamaking
Set the ambiance with a thoughtful theme, which will indeed be your guiding light for less stress during the planning process. Establishing a theme sets the tone for everything else to fall in place, such as menus, table design, and presentation. For example, a holiday-inspired dinner party is a perfect occasion for elegant all-white decor paired with draped table cloths, pillar candles lit atop luxe holders, floating floral arrangements, and, for a personal touch, handwritten place settings.
Utilizing free resources such as Canva for menu templates and creating a “Dinner Party” moodboard via Pinterest is perfect for gathering dinner inspiration for themes, decor, and recipes for the special occasion.
Simplify the Menu
@oliviaamcdowell How to host your own pasta making dinner party — part 1: pasta making from scratch 🤍 Hosting dinner parties has become my favorite thing to do this year. More goes into it than you expect, the prep, planning, guestlist, tablescape, etc. but it’s always worth it in the end. What do you guys want to see next? #hostingtips #dinnerparty #pastamaking
Don’t overcomplicate the menu. A simple dinner party formula to use as your guide to making sure your guests leave full of food and joy is appetizers, salads, entrees, sides, desserts, and beverages. As a starter, assemble an aesthetic spread that your guest can nibble on while awaiting the main course with starters such as bread, cheese, jam, nuts, and fruit. A simple salad will do, complete with a light dressing right before your entree. For a main dish, pasta recipes always go a long way and also allows your guests to interact with one another, which leads to McDowell's third dinner party hosting tip.
Include an Interactive Element
@oliviaamcdowell Replying to @itstai.tv 🥹🖤 #girlhood
To break the ice and encourage guests to get to know one another, introduce interactive elements to the evening. Moments of interaction allow everyone to connect, like capturing content for social media or memorializing the essence of the night through fun Polaroids. Olivia also encourages her guests to participate in the pasta-making dinner process as a group, or if hosting a brunch, her friends indulge in building their own coffee bar as an opportunity for forming connections and conversation starters. Group board or card games are also great for laughs and healthy competition to help get the vibes flowing.
Don’t Forget the Dress code
@oliviaamcdowell Replying to @samantha_mendiz when all of your friends are the main character 🖤🥂 #dinnerparty #nycfashion
Tis’ the season for glamour and sparkles, so why not go all out with a super chic dress code? You can’t have a picture-perfect holiday dinner party without the coordinating attire to match. When planning, make sure to make the required attire specific yet broad enough for a range of personalities and preferences to comfortably partake while looking stunning doing so.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Justin Lambert/Getty Images