Women are donning beat faces and flawless skin now more than ever. In fact, just about every other video on Instagram is a makeup tutorial.
But just like weaves, we have to make sure that what's underneath the extensions of our beauty is carefully maintained as well. That made us wonder how women are keeping their skin tight and right. One of the biggest culprits that adds years to your appearance is dark spots. While they can be harmless, the presence of hyperpigmentation can decrease your self-esteem and make you extremely self-conscious.
Here at xoNecole, we asked some of our readers to let us in on the ways they tackle dark spots and achieve glowing, radiant skin. Here's what they had to say:
Shanelle
What She Does:
Freelance Writer
How She Gets Rid of Dark Spots:
"The number one thing that has UNDOUBTEDLY helped with my dark spots is Vitamin C serum. It's a natural brightener and it helps your skin glow from the inside out. I have sensitive/combination skin so I was a bit apprehensive about putting an oil like this on my face, but I'm so happy I did! I use that twice a day, morning and night, and it's definitely a MUST HAVE in my skincare routine."
The Products She Swears By:
"A product I can't live without would be either the Vitamin C serum or my Noxzema Ultimate Clear Anti-Blemish Pads. The pads are made with salicylic acid, which sounds harsh, but it works like an astringent. In addition to blocking blemishes from forming, they also help to reduce scarring from previous ones. Without those two, my skin would NOT look as cohesive as it does."
Mel
What She Does:
Business Owner, RN, CMSRN, Professional Makeup Artist
How She Gets Rid of Dark Spots:
For Mild - Acne Scarring
"I use a salicylic-based skincare line, Clinique, to prevent more breakouts. In a nutshell, salicylic acid is a naturally occurring alpha hydroxy acid family derived from willow bark (the same place we get aspirin). Salicylic acid is both highly keratolytic and comedolytic, which means it not only dissolves dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, but it's also able to get down into the pore, dissolve the oil and break apart the debris inside that commonly leads to acne. Additionally, it can correct dark spots without irritating your skin because it's derived from willow bark, which has some topical anti-inflammatory benefits."
Olamide
What She Does:
PR Consultant/Brand Strategist/Multi Media Journo
How She Gets Rid of Dark Spots:
"I battled with acne and as a result dark spots for years, but after reading up on maintaining a flawless skin and getting to understand my skin, I stuck to a routine that has worked for me till date. My routine is pretty simple enough for every day and doesn't take my time. I start with wiping excess oil with unscented wipes, then I go on to wash my face with a gentle wash from Beauty Formula when taking a bath. Afterwards, I leave my face to air dry and then use my ever-trusted Palmers Skin Success Deep Cleansing Astringent (I've used this for over 15 years!), which is followed by Palmer's Skin Success Toner. Then, I moisturize."
Nighttime Routine
"My night routine is also pretty similar, from wiping my makeup to cleansing, toning, and using a green tea serum that works on my skin overnight. I exfoliate once a week using a sugar scrub from Arami Essentials. I interchange this with my electric facial brush that also works for exfoliating and deep cleansing so my skin is clean and clear. I also drink lots of water and make sure I never touch my face. I wash my makeup applicators often and sometimes I go makeup-free, leaving my skin to breath. I never pop pimples, I make sure to apply topical cream to them till they dry off and the scar slowly fade out."
Naomi
What She Does:
Purpose & Soul Creator of @yourstrulyclub & @inspofinds/Host of Yours Truly Podcast Design + Direction
How She Gets Rid of Dark Spots:
Skincare Journey
"I normally have very good skin and then around October 2017, I suddenly had constant breakouts for a good couple of months, which led to, of course, picking and leaving me with quite a lot of scarring around my cheeks. My main problem was the spots not clearing up at first as I couldn't fix the dark spots if I was still getting acne. I tried so many products and even the famous DuDu black soap, but I have now learned that too much irritation to the skin can cause more breakouts. I have discovered that I have highly sensitive skin and combination skin. I think learning what skin you have is so important to know what products work well for you. For instance, at night I use an oil and I tried coconut oil, which is highly popular but it was too much for my skin and clogged my pores but Vitamin E oil isn't as heavy and contains antioxidants to help acne and smooth uneven tones."
Dietary Restrictions
One big part of my routine now is no dairy. I realized that a lot of my skin problems came from the dairy and after taking it out I no longer have breakouts and my eczema is also clearing up. It's not just about what you put on your skin but what you feed your body too and, that said, I also drink a minimum of 1.5L of water. It's so easy to say, water doesn't do anything when you drink a lot, but a friend reminded me that imagine your skin if you didn't drink anything!"
Skincare Routine
"I think everyone needs to be 100% committed to a morning and night routine to transform and maintain good skin."
"Every morning, I wash my face with Shea Moisture African black soap, which unlike the Dudu African soap, is very nourishing. I don't feel like my face has been stripped away. I then follow up with Body Shop Aloe Toner. I then follow the Body Shop Vitamin C moisture serum, which honestly, this range has transformed my skin. The only difference is my night routine. I change my moisturizer for pure Vitamin E oil and smooth a few drops onto my skin. For around six weeks, I did this every night but now I do this twice a week as it is starting to get warmer in the UK."
The Product She Swears By:
"Now the magic product I just LOVE is the Body Shop Vitamin C Glow Revealing Liquid Peel. It has honestly transformed my skin. I use it twice a week and it subtly lifts a layer of my dead skin off and you feel it doing so! Because I use this twice a week, it lifts the dead skin sitting on my dark spots allowing them to fade."
Do you have any other natural ways to remove dark spots? Let us know in the comments!
Featured image by Getty Images
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Joce Blake is a womanist who loves fashion, Beyonce and Hot Cheetos. The sophistiratchet enthusiast is based in Brooklyn, NY but has southern belle roots as she was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Keep up with her on Instagram @joce_blake and on Twitter @SaraJessicaBee.
Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney & Jill Marie Jones On 'Games Women Play' & Dating Over 40
What do you get when you mix unfiltered truths, high-stakes romance, and a few well-timed one-liners? You get Games Women Play—the sizzling new stage play by Je’Caryous Johnson that’s part relationship rollercoaster, part grown-woman group chat.
With a powerhouse cast that includes Claudia Jordan, Demetria McKinney, Jill Marie Jones, Carl Payne, Chico Bean, and Brian J. White, the play dives headfirst into the messy, hilarious, and heart-wrenching games people play for love, power, and peace of mind. And the women leading this story? They’re bringing their whole selves to the stage—and leaving nothing behind.
From Script to Spotlight
The road to Games Women Play started over 20 years ago—literally.
“This script was written 20 years ago,” Jill Marie Jones said with a smile. “It was originally called Men, Money & Gold Diggers, and I was in the film version. So when Je’Caryous called me to bring it to the stage, I was like, ‘Let’s go.’” Now reimagined for 2025, the play is updated with sharp dialogue and modern relationship dynamics that feel all too real.
Demetria McKinney, no stranger to Je’Caryous Johnson’s productions, jumped at the opportunity to join the cast once again. “This is my third time working with him,” she shared. “It was an opportunity to stretch. I’d never been directed by Carl Payne before, and the chance to work with talent I admire—Jill, Claudia, Chico—it was a no-brainer.”
Claudia Jordan joked that she originally saw the role as just another check. “I didn’t take it that seriously at first,” she admitted. “But this is my first full-on tour—and now I’ve got a whole new respect for how hard people work in theater. This ain’t easy.”
Modern Love, Stage Left
The play doesn’t hold back when it comes to the messier parts of love. One jaw-dropping moment comes when a live podcast proposal flips into a prenup bombshell—leaving the audience (and the characters) gasping.
Demetria broke it down with honesty. “People don’t ask the real questions when they date. Like, ‘Do you want kids? How do you feel about money?’ These convos aren’t happening, and then everyone’s confused. That moment in the play—it’s real. That happens all the time.”
Jill chimed in, noting how the play speaks to emotional disconnect. “We’re giving each other different tokens of love. Men might offer security and money. Women, we’re giving our hearts. But there’s a disconnect—and that’s where things fall apart.”
And then Claudia, of course, took it all the way there. “These men don’t even want to sign our prenups now!” she laughed. “They want to live the soft life, too. Wearing units, gloss, getting their brows done. We can’t have nothing! Y’all want to be like us? Then get a damn period and go through menopause.”
Dating Over 40: “You Better Come Correct”
When the conversation turned to real-life relationships, all three women lit up. Their experiences dating in their 40s and 50s have given them both clarity—and zero tolerance for games.
“I feel sexier than I’ve ever felt,” said Jill, who proudly turned 50 in January. “I say what I want. I mean what I say. I’m inside my woman, and I’m not apologizing for it.”
Demetria added that dating now comes with deeper self-awareness. “Anybody in my life is there because I want them there. I’ve worked hard to need nobody. But I’m open to love—as long as you keep doing what got me there in the first place.”
For Claudia, the bar is high—and the peace is priceless. “I’ve worked hard for my peace,” she said. “I’m not dating for food. I’m dating because I want to spend time with you. And honestly, if being with you isn’t better than being alone with my candles and fountains and cats? Then no thanks.”
Channeling Strength & Icon Status
Each actress brings something different to the play—but all of them deliver.
“I actually wish I could be messier on stage,” Claudia joked. “But I think about my grandmother—she was born in 1929, couldn’t even vote or buy a house without a man, and didn’t give a damn. She was fearless. That’s where my strength comes from.”
For Jill, the comparisons to her iconic Girlfriends character Toni Childs aren’t far off—but this role gave her a chance to dig deeper. “If you really understood Toni, you’d see how layered she was. And Paisley is the same—misunderstood, but strong. There’s more to her than people see at first glance.”
Demetria, who juggles singing and acting seamlessly, shared that live theater pushes her in a new way. “Every moment on stage counts. You can’t redo anything. It’s a different kind of love and discipline. You have to give the performance away—live, in the moment—and trust that it lands.”
Laughter, Lessons & Black Girl Gems
The show has plenty of laugh-out-loud moments—and the cast isn’t shy about who steals scenes.
“Chico Bean gets a lot of gasps and laughs,” Claudia said. “And Naomi Booker? Every scene she’s in—she’s hilarious.”
But the play isn’t just about humor. It leaves space for reflection—especially for Black women.
“I hope we get back to the foundation of love and communication,” said Demetria. “A lot of us are in protector mode. But that’s turned into survival mode. We’ve lost softness. We’ve lost connection.”
Claudia agreed. “We’re doing it all—but it’s not because we want to be strong all the time. It’s because we have to be. And I just want women to know: You can have peace, you can be soft. But stop bringing your old pain into new love. Don’t let past heartbreak build walls so high that the right person can’t climb over.”
Final Act: Pack the House
If there’s one thing this cast agrees on, it’s that this play isn’t just entertainment—it’s necessary.
“Atlanta is the Black entertainment hub,” Claudia said. “We need y’all to show up for this play. Support the arts. Support each other. Because when we pack the house, we make space for more stories like this.”
Games Women Play is more than a play—it’s a mirror. You’ll see yourself, your friends, your exes, and maybe even your next chapter. So get ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even heal—because the games are on.
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Feature image courtesy
Patricia "Ms. Pat" Williams has always marched to the beat of her own brutally honest drum — and that’s exactly what makes her so magnetic to watch. Whether she’s making us laugh until we cry on The Ms. Pat Show or now laying down the law on her courtroom series Ms. Pat Settles It, the comedian-turned-judge proves time and again that there’s nobody quite like her. Unfiltered, hilarious, and real to the core, she’s made a name for herself by turning her life’s journey — including the pain — into purpose.
Now in her second season of Ms. Pat Settles It, airing on BET and BET+, she’s not only delivering verdicts — she’s dishing out life lessons in between the laughs. The show feels less like your typical courtroom drama and more like your outspoken auntie running a court session at the family cookout, complete with celebrity jurors, petty disputes, and a whole lot of real talk. xoNecole sat down with Ms. Pat to talk about her wildest cases, balancing motherhood and fame, and why sleeping in separate bedrooms might just be the key to joy.
CASE CLOSED, BUT MAKE IT CHAOS
If you’ve ever tuned in to Ms. Pat Settles It, you already know the episode titles alone deserve awards. But when we asked Ms. Pat which case stood out most, she didn’t even have to think twice. “There was this one woman — Shay — who got out of federal prison and was working for her old bunkmate. But the bunkmate didn’t want to pay her!” she says, chuckling. “That girl came in the courtroom like a firecracker.”
It’s moments like those that remind viewers Ms. Pat isn’t just bringing the laughs — she’s giving people a platform, even if it’s a little messy. And if her court ever gets turned into a real-life franchise, we need Shay on the promo posters immediately.
WHEN THE CELEBS SHOW OUT
It’s already hard enough to get a word in with Ms. Pat running the show, but throw in a celebrity jury featuring Tamar Braxton, Ray J, TS Madison, and Karlous Miller? Whew. “I don’t even try to control them,” she laughs. “Thank God we have something called editing.” According to her, behind the scenes, things get wild — but that chaos is part of the magic. “People only see the cut-down version. What you don’t see is all of us losing it in real time.”
Still, Ms. Pat makes it work. The courtroom becomes a stage, but also a safe space for guests and jurors to show up as their full, unfiltered selves. “It was a wild season,” she explains. Let’s be honest — if your jury looks like a BET Awards afterparty, you might as well let it rock.
IF FAMILY COURT WAS REALLY A THING
Ms. Pat might wear the robe on screen, but at home, she’s still managing her own wild bunch. When asked what kind of case her kids would bring into her courtroom, she burst into laughter. “Oh, they’d be suing my oldest son for eating their food,” she says. “You know how you have that one roommate that eats up everybody’s food? I can see my oldest son getting sued for that..”
And let’s face it, we’ve all either been that sibling or have one. Ms. Pat says moments like that — the everyday family squabbles and real-life irritations — are what make her courtroom show so relatable.
THE VERDICT SHE WISHES SHE COULD REWRITE
Ms. Pat is known for keeping it real, even when the conversation turns serious. When asked if there was one “verdict” in her real life she’d change, she pauses for a second before answering. “I wish I had graduated high school,” she admits. “All my kids went to prom and I took all of their high school diplomas.”
“I wish I had graduated high school,” she admits. “All my kids went to prom and I took all of their high school diplomas.”
It’s a rite of passage in most Black households — your diploma doesn’t really belong to you, it lives at your mama or grandma’s house like a family heirloom.
HOW SHE STAYS GROUNDED
Between filming TV shows, headlining comedy tours, and running a household, Ms. Pat makes it very clear: she will find time to rest. “People swear I don’t sleep, but I do — I just knock out early and wake up early,” she shares. “And sometimes, I’ll just sit in my car.” She’s also a big fan of solo naps and mini getaways when things get overwhelming.
But one of her favorite forms of self-care? Separate bedrooms. “Me and my husband don’t sleep in the same room. That way, when I don’t feel like being bothered, I go to my space,” she laughs. She’s also found a new love for facials. “They’re addicting! I don’t need a lot — just sleep, a facial, and a little quiet.” Honestly? That’s a self-care routine we can get behind.
FROM PAIN TO PURPOSE
Ms. Pat’s story is one that’s deeply rooted in resilience — and she’s always been transparent about how her journey shaped her. Her advice to other Black women trying to turn their pain into purpose? Speak up. “You have to tell your story,” she says. “Because once you tell your story, you realize you’re not the only person that’s been through that situation.”
She adds that sharing your truth can be one of the most powerful things you do. “When you give a voice to pain so many other people who have that pain gravitate to you,” she says. “To heal, you have to speak out loud about it. What you keep inside is what eats you up.” Coming from someone who built an entire brand on truth-telling? We believe her.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR MS. PAT?
While Ms. Pat’s got her hands full with Ms. Pat Settles It and her comedy show, she hints there’s much more to come. “I got some stuff poppin’ that I can’t even talk about yet,” she teases. “But just know, like Kendrick [Lamar] said, we about to step out and show ‘em something.” That multi-genre deal with BET and Paramount is clearly working in her favor — and she’s not slowing down anytime soon.
She says one of her proudest moments in this chapter of her career is seeing things she once dreamed of finally come to life. “In this business, you never know what’s gonna work or what’s gonna stick. But now I’m working with a network that really understands me — and that’s special,” she says. “I feel seen. And I’m just getting started.”
Whether she’s in the courtroom cracking jokes or catching up on rest in her own sanctuary, Ms. Pat is living proof that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of authenticity. She’s rewriting the rules in real time — on her terms, in her voice, and for her people. As she continues to turn pain into purpose, laughter into legacy, and everyday mess into must-see TV, one thing’s clear: Ms. Pat is in her prime. And we’re lucky enough to watch it unfold.
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Feature image by Earl Gibson III/Shutterstock