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8 Eyebrow Trends And What You Should Know Before Trying Them
I like knowing random information; I think that’s a part of what’s kept me in the writing game, full-time, since 2000. Anyway, a few years back, I remember reading that some of the first things that men notice on women are their faces, their bodies, if they’re loud, if they’re with guys or girls, and their accessories. That got me thinking that, even though I’m heterosexual, I can appreciate a woman, lawd. And so, what I tend to notice first is her body, her hair, and, if I’m close enough, her lips and eyebrows.
Yep. Eyebrows. I dunno. Like they say that you can learn a lot about a man by the kind of shoes he has on (and how well he takes care of them), I feel that way about a woman’s eyebrows: I think that you tend to be pretty intentional about your appearance if your eyebrows are on-point — and personally, I appreciate that.
Since I also once read that around one-quarter of women use eyebrow pencils to make their brows look as perfect as possible, I took that as a sign that I can’t be the only one who is as into eyebrows as I am. That’s why I thought it would be cool to take a moment to share some of the current eyebrow trends that are poppin’ out in these streets…in case you’re looking to switch up your own brow look any time soon.
8 Eyebrow Trends You'll See Everywhere in 2024
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1. High Arches
A few years back, I would get my eyebrows threaded. There was a place that was much closer to me than where I go to get waxed now, and it was convenient. So, why did I stop? The main reason was that the ladies kept creating higher and higher arches which meant my brows were getting thinner and thinner — and that was really pissing me off.
I did some asking around to see if this was other people’s experiences, and (le sigh) apparently it is (the losing brows in threading, I mean. If it has been for you, would you hop in the comments and let me know?). Anyway, although I much rather have my brows follow another trend on the list (more in a bit), I will say that high arches are something that’s currently really popular.
To a certain extent, I get it. They can be sexy, especially if you like to play around with eyeshadow. My main problem is I HATE the growing out processing of thinner brows — so, if you’re contemplating “upping your arch,” just keep in mind that it could take 3-4 months to grow them back out again. Geeze.
@kyranikole2 this was not on the agenda for today but just wanted a little umph for these brows lol
2. Tinting
And what if you’re currently in the growing out stage and you’re trying to figure out how to make it through? Back when I was in the process of wanting my own eyebrows to look fuller, this is right where I was. The remedy was another current trend: eyebrow tinting. Long story short, it’s a semi-permanent coloring approach that can help to fill in sparse areas of your eyebrows and/or make them darker in order to give them more definition.
If there is a heads up that I would give for this, it’s that, if you end up not liking the tint job once it’s done, it could take a few weeks for the tinting to fade completely. Oh, something else: be sure about the color you want. Sometimes, that black can be way too much on lighter skin tones. So, make sure that you are crystal clear with the esthetician about what your expectations are. One more thing: discuss the chemicals that are in the products. Some folks have been known to have an allergic reaction from time to time.
3. Serums
Okay, so what if you want the depth that tinting provides, yet you’d prefer to avoid the permanence that the method offers? A great alternative is yet another eyebrow trend for this year: eyebrow serums. The cool thing about those is they can help to smooth out your brows while giving them dimension in a no-side-effects kind of way. That’s because a lot of serums contain ingredients that help to condition your brow hairs so that they are able to remain healthy and strong. Plus, they actually contribute to the growing out process. Glamour has a list of eyebrow growth serums here; Vogue has some others here.
@itslexclusive Replying to @MulaMone This is a halo brow free zone!💅🏾 @REVOLUTION brow soap styler @Milani brow pen -espresso @NARS Cosmetics concealer pot - Amande &Cacao #eyebrowtutorial #eyebrowtutorialblackgirl #blackgirlmakeup #fluffybrows
4. Fluffy Brows
As for me and my house, I’m not sure what I think about fluffy brows because, every time that I look at them, I feel like the hairs that are poking out at the top of the brow line need to be trimmed — yet hey, to each their own, right? The flip side to these is they do look hella full and healthy, so that’s a plus. Anyway, although some people like to achieve this look with brow lamination because there are some long-term risks that potentially come with going that route (you can read more about that here), just know that if you want to try the fluffy style out, you can also make it happen with the help of some hairspray or eyebrow wax.
5. Two-Tones
Something else that I peeped that some folks are into right now is two-toned or ombré-looking eyebrows (this typically means lighter-looking brows towards your eyes and darker towards your temples). Now, this look can be achieved in a few different ways. Some folks get their eyebrows tattooed (you can see it here). Some apply henna (you can see that here). Others use make-up, especially in order to create drastic, colorful eyebrows (there’s an example of those here). Whatever route you decide to take, if you want eyebrows that look less one-dimensional, two-tone/ombré will make it happen (the make-up approach is really great for photoshoots, by the way).
@jeriekaewing How to achieve the straight eyebrow shape. I wanted something different and decided to change the shape of my eyebrows. Concealer used is by @toofaced brow pomade is by @suggacosmetics (they no longer sell it) #fyp #xyzbca #makeuptutorial #makeuphacks #blackgirlmakeup #browtutorial #browtransformation #straighteyebrows
6. Straight Brows
Something that has been all over the place, both this year and last, is straight eyebrows. This look is pretty much what it sounds like: people are trying to remove as much curve from their brows as possible, which means that many are taking off the tail end of their own eyebrows so that there is less of an arch while others are removing the end and then using eyeliner to create a straight eyebrow tip.
Some folks believe that taking this particular approach to their brows helps to make them look younger. Personally, I don’t see it but…just putting it out there if you’re bored with your own eyebrows and you want to try something different. Or trendy.
7. Natural Brows
You know how you need to go to a hairstylist who wants to give you what YOU want and not what THEY think is best? Same goes with an esthetician — and I adore mine. For years, I was doing my eyebrows myself. I started seeing her when I wanted to do some pampering (in fact, had I not been getting my eyebrows done the day that my house blew up, I probably wouldn’t be writing this article now). Years later, while I can still get the job done in the pinch, I still see her about once a month because she’s trained to create the brow look that I’m after in such a precise way that I don’t need to apply anything until the next appointment (and I adore that for me!).
No doubt about it, she has my brows looking really full, very natural, and with a gradual arch. As life would have it, natural brows are in, too. I don’t really care, though. I don’t see myself switching up from natural brows any time soon — trend or not. *Elmo shrug*
8. (Baby) Brow Lifts
There used to be a time when it was mostly older women who went through the cosmetic procedure of a formal brow lift. It was because they wanted to remove any wrinkly or aging skin around their eyes while also “lifting” their forehead a bit so that they could look younger. These days, younger ladies are following suit, especially by getting what is known as a “baby brow lift.” What medical professionals are saying is a lot of women sing the baby lift’s praises because it gives them a higher arch and a more exotic look with less downtime (for instance, botox can provide this effect, although you will have to get it redone as the botox wears off while others are combining brow lamination with brow tinting).
Since this option is probably the most expensive out of all of the trends here, definitely make sure you want to shell out this much cash and that you consult with a reputable cosmetic surgeon about if you need it as much as you think that you do.
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It’s kind of funny that the two strips of hair that are there to keep sweat ‘n stuff out of our eyes (and help us to communicate effectively) get so much cosmetic attention. Hey, I appreciate it, though. I say it often: a woman with some manicured brows, a couple of coats of mascara, and something on her lips usually doesn’t NEED anything more than that.
Whether she follows trends or…not. #Elmoshrugagain
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Different puzzle pieces are creating bigger pictures these days. 2024 will mark a milestone on a few different levels, including the release of my third book next June (yay!).
I am also a Professional Certified Coach. My main mission for attaining that particular goal is to use my formal credentials to help people navigate through the sometimes tumultuous waters, both on and offline, when it comes to information about marriage, sex and relationships that is oftentimes misinformation (because "coach" is a word that gets thrown around a lot, oftentimes quite poorly).
I am also still super devoted to helping to bring life into this world as a doula, marriage life coaching will always be my first love (next to writing, of course), a platform that advocates for good Black men is currently in the works and my keystrokes continue to be devoted to HEALTHY over HAPPY in the areas of holistic intimacy, spiritual evolution, purpose manifestation and self-love...because maturity teaches that it's impossible to be happy all of the time when it comes to reaching goals yet healthy is a choice that can be made on a daily basis (amen?).
If you have any PERSONAL QUESTIONS (please do not contact me with any story pitches; that is an *editorial* need), feel free to reach out at missnosipho@gmail.com. A sistah will certainly do what she can. ;)
How This New Bond Repair Line Transformed One Mother's Postpartum Shedding Into The Ultimate Curl Comeback
This article is in partnership with SheaMoisture
For Crystal Obasanya, her wash day woes came shortly after her son did. The beauty and lifestyle content creator had been natural for years, but during postpartum, she quickly learned about one reality many mothers can relate to experiencing: postpartum hair loss. “Sis had thinning hair. Sis had split ends,” she shared about her hair changes in a Reel via xoNecole.
Over a year into her postpartum journey, Crystal explained she also had dry, brittle hair, noting that keeping it hydrated before pregnancy had already been “a task.” The 4C natural recalled going from thick hair during pregnancy to a thin hairline due to postpartum shedding as “devastating.” When it came to strengthening and revitalizing her hair, the new SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection was just the thing she needed to elevate her damaged coils to revive and thrive status and get them poppin' again.
SheaMoisture is providing us with the cheat code for transforming dry and damaged strands into thriving and deeply nourished crowns. By unveiling their 4-step hair system, the SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection is equipping you with the tools to reverse signs of hair damage caused by protective styling, heat, and color and is uniquely formulated for Type 3 and 4 hair textures.
The haircare system revives damaged natural hair by repairing and rebuilding broken hair bonds through a game-changing combination of HydroPlex Technology and AminoBlend Complex, a unique blend of fortifying amino acids formulated specifically for curly and coily hair. Scientifically proven to reduce breakage by 84% and make your hair six times stronger (vs. non-conditioning shampoo), the collection infuses your hair with the nourishment it craves and the strength it deserves.
All five products of the SheaMoisture Bond Collection are infused with natural strengthening ingredients like Amla Oil and fair-trade shea butter. The collection consists of the 4-step breakage-fighting Bond Repair system, as well as the Bonding Oil.
“When trying it out, I quickly noticed that my hair felt revived and renewed, and my curls were so hydrated,” Crystal said while using the Amla-infused Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner. “I also felt my hair strands were stronger.” So much so that the influencer felt brave enough to get her hair braided shortly thereafter. “I can definitely say that I will be keeping it in my hair wash routine,” she added in the caption of her Reel about her positive experience using the products.
SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection is making bond-building a key player in your wash day routines and the purveyor of life for thirsty manes. Because who doesn't want stronger, shinier, happier hair?
Step One: Bond Repair Collection Shampoo
Rejuvenate your hair with SheaMoisture Bond Repair Shampoo, your go-to solution for luscious locks. Packed with hella hydration power, this shampoo adds moisture by 60% while removing buildup without stripping your strands. This shampoo gently cleanses impurities while significantly enhancing shine, smoothness, and softness.
The Bond Repair Collection Shampoo is the first step in the 4-step Bond Repair system, all of which are powered by the uniquely formulated AminoBlend, and HydroPlex, SheaMoisture’s technology that rebuilds hair strength at its core.
Step Two: Bond Repair Collection Conditioner
Tailored to repair styling damage, this creamy conditioner locks in 12x more moisture than standard non-conditioning shampoos, boosting damaged hair strength by 1.5x with significantly less breakage. The creamy SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Conditioner deeply hydrates, enhances manageability, and leaves your hair looking healthier and shinier.
Step Three: Bond Repair Collection Masque
This Ultra Moisturizing reparative masque is a moisture-rich game-changer for those dealing with the aftermath of hair damage caused by styling. The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Masque delivers 13 times more moisture compared to non-conditioning shampoos, ensuring your hair feels nourished and soft. Designed to repair and rejuvenate, this masque significantly strengthens damaged hair — making it twice as strong while reducing breakage.
Step Four: Bond Repair Collection Leave-In Conditioner
Elevate your curl game with SheaMoisture’s Bond Repair Collection Leave-In Conditioner. Lightweight and hydrating, the Bond Repair Leave-In Conditioner provides 12x more moisture than non-conditioning shampoos and tames frizz with 24-hour humidity control. Designed to define curls and coils, the leave-in conditioner enhances softness and shine allowing you to detangle effortlessly.
Bonding Oil
The SheaMoisture Bond Repair Collection Bonding Oil is a multitasking all-in-one formula that acts as a heat protectant and provides the hair with moisture, strength, shine, damage protection, and intense nourishment. This lightweight oil not only offers 24-hour frizz and humidity control but also fortifies your tresses, making them up to 5 times stronger with significantly less breakage.
Featured image courtesy
10 New Moms Share What They Wish They Knew About Sex Post-Delivery
Back when I was the teen mom director for the local chapter of a national non-profit organization, I decided to become a doula. One reason was that I couldn’t stand how disrespectfully dismissive a lot of doctors were towards pregnant teenagers (how you gonna pre-schedule C-sections in girls who are in their first trimester?). My second reason was to do some healing from my own past pregnancy choices (check out “Why I Named The Children I Aborted”). Over time, another reason was that when a woman has a child, she needs support for more than just birthing her baby.
Take her sex life, for example. Although some women have a pretty thriving sex life throughout their pregnancy and, after their six-month check-up, they resume having sex relatively smoothly then as well, for other women, their experience is quite different. And because sex, post-delivery, still (amazingly) remains a taboo topic on a lot of levels, other (new) moms suffer in silence because they feel like they are alone.
That, right there, is why I decided to sit down with some mothers to have them share what they wish someone had given them the heads up on when it comes to sex after having a child. If you are a mom who’s having some challenges in the bedroom, hopefully, this will assure you that others get exactly where you are coming from. If you’re not a mom (yet), my goal is that you can get an idea of some things that could possibly happen — so that you can surround yourself with the support that you need (i.e., a girlfriend, some other new moms, even a counselor, if necessary). That way, you can do what needs to be done to get your sex life back (or right) to where you want it to be…in time.
*Middle names are used in this type of content so that people can speak freely*
1. Bevelynn. 28. Mom of a Six-Month-Old Daughter. First Child.
“The weirdest thing for me is there are certain positions that can always make me cum that were super uncomfortable throughout most of my pregnancy. So, it felt like I was having sex for my partner instead of with him. Then, after having the baby, my man was so used to hurrying through sex because that’s how I was while pregnant that he felt self-conscious that I was trying to ‘coach him’ through foreplay like he wasn’t a good lover.
"You know how they say that sex, after abstinence, is like riding a bicycle? The hell you say! There was a lot to relearn that it was almost like having sex for the first time again. Pretty much a year of sex being one way and then adjusting to something else will do that to you. We’re still figuring it out.”
2. Embree. 34. Mom to a 11-Month-Old Son. Third Child.
“I never had postpartum depression, thank God. I did go through a long sex lull. I love my babies, Lord knows that I do, but you don’t really get just how much sex creates them until you have them, if that makes sense. Being a mom is fulfilling and draining — any woman who says otherwise isn’t taking her role as seriously as she should. And when you sit and realize that kids can’t exist without sex, you have moments when you’ll avoid having it at all costs because you don’t want to risk what comes from it — another baby. And that’s just the truth.”
3. Gail. 37. Mom to a Four-Month-Old. Third Child.
“Please don’t give your husband a hard time about getting used to your new body and hormonal changes during sex. It might be popular to act like men shouldn’t have a say in giving birth or what comes with it, but science says otherwise, and while they’re supporting you through your changes, they might end up going months without intimacy — no man wants that. The more talks [that] you have about sexual needs and expectations before getting pregnant, the better. Remember that he is a part of all of this, too.”
4. Quincee. 32. Mom to a One-Year-Old Daughter. First Child.
“I was told that I should get a doula before having my daughter, and I should’ve listened because it makes no sense to push out a baby on your back. My friends who had doula assistance learned positions that were way more helpful. Since I didn’t and my daughter, although I love her dearly, has a really big head, I tore pretty badly. The healing process was borderline hell but, more than anything, I had some PTSD about allowing any — and I do mean anything — from going into my vagina.
"I don’t care if it was a penis, a sex toy, or even a tampon, I was traumatized. Get those perineal massages before giving birth, squat during labor, and get a man who loves oral sex, both ways, so that you both can get through the adjusting. That’s the best advice that I can give on it.”
5. Francis. 30. Mom to a Seven-Month-Old. Second Child.
“You might need to see a sex therapist after having children. It might sound crazy, but no one talks about how having a baby changes everything about you — every single thing. My husband has always been able to please me, and he’s not small in the least, but after having our first child, my vagina never felt the same. That kept me from feeling the same pleasure, which made me want to have sex less and even resent him for not being able to please me like he used to.
"We tried to figure it out on our own, but that started to affect his self-esteem, and then we weren’t having much sex. My girlfriends had some of the worst advice, so I spoke with a marriage counselor who referred me to a sex therapist who helped me to understand the transitions of motherhood, sexually. It’s one of the best things that happened to our relationship. My best advice is nothing is fully ever the same after a baby — sex, for me, was on top of that list.”
6. Erda. 25. Mom to a Three-Month-Old Son. First Child.
“Being a mom is hard as sh-t — do you hear me? I am terrified of getting pregnant. I don’t mean any time soon; I’m contemplating being done forever because my pregnancy was difficult, and my son thinks that we all should be up all day and all night long. People keep telling me that this will pass, but until it does, whenever I see my husband’s penis, it’s like ‘enemy #1’ in my eyes. We can do some oral action; I’ve always been about that. But if he wants to put that thing in me, I always want him to put on three condoms — I’m NOT playing.”
Shellie here: As a doula, I’ll be checking back on her in six more months or so. Something tells me that this will have a bit more balance in the narrative. Those first few months can be a mutha, indeed.
7. Laurelle. 39. Mom to a One-Year-Old. Fourth Child.
“Even after having four kids, I never got used to my breasts being available to everyone. Mine, then my husband and mine, and then, for a season, my kids — and then sometimes everyone’s. Our two first children were less than two years apart, so I swear that my husband didn’t get to touch my breasts for like three years straight…and he’s a breast man! I don’t think anyone can fully prepare you for how to be a momand a sexual being at the same time. It’s one of the hardest things about motherhood to date.”
8. Iris. 30. Mom to a One-Year-Old. Second Child.
“Your erogenous zones might change. Mine did. I used to not be a breast person, but I started having orgasms while breastfeeding, which kind of creeped me out but then it made me want my breast played with more than ever during sex with my man. The other thing is my thighs got pulled on a lot during labor, and so, I’m kind of jumpy when my fiancé reaches out for them now — and he’s a thigh man. Having a child isn’t just a miracle because of the baby. Being able to figure out a new normal in the bedroom is a miracle, too, sis.”
Shellie here: If you can relate to what Iris just said about climaxing while breastfeeding, there is no reason to feel embarrassed or guilty.Breastfeeding tends to produce some of the same hormones that come from sexual stimulation — for instance, remember that oxytocin is a bonding chemical.It’s for this same reason that you might produce extra milk when you orgasm after having sex with your partner. It’s natural. It also tends not to last forever. It will usually pass.
9. Hope. 32. Mom to a Four-Month-Old. Second Child.
“The talk about the whole ‘Madonna-Whore’ thing that men may go through — you know, how once you become their wife or mother of their child, they have a hard time seeing you as a sexual being. Some of us go through that, too. I don’t have hang-ups about sex. I’m just not as nasty as I used to be. My body is used for so many different things now, and the fluids get all mixed in together — I dunno. Sometimes, when I’m about to show my porn side, I’m like, ‘Hold up — is this appropriate? I’m a mother now. It’s so complex, honey.”
10. Tateyana. 27. Mom to a Nine-Month-Old. First Child.
“I was told to get a co-sleeper and keep our baby out of our bed. I didn’t listen. I wish I had because now our bedroom is more like a nursery/daycare and it’s harder than ever to keep our son out of our bed — emotionally. My husband is patient; sometimes, he’s the one who wants our son to stay in the bed but we know that sex is an important part of marriage and we certainly didn’t sign up to be co-parents who are roommates. When they say that the bedroom is for sex and sleep only, the sleep part really shouldn’t be your children. They’ve got a room. They’ll be fine in there. We’re trying to wean him off now, so I’m preaching to the choir here. Sex after babies…it’s just so much.”
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Sex after babies…it’s just so much. As you can see, sex, post-delivery can be layered, complex, and sometimes challenging. Still, if you have a partner who is understanding, if you’re patient with yourself throughout your transitions, and if you get that healthy intimacy has a mental, emotional, and spiritual component that can get you through all of the physical “growing pains” that you may be experiencing — sex after having a child can become richer, closer and even better with time.
After all, a new normal? Sometimes, it exceeds what you’ve been accustomed to.
And isn’t that something to look forward to when it comes to post-delivery intimacy? Definitely.
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