

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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It's kinda wild that, in 2025, my byline will have appeared on this platform for (what?!) seven years. And yeah, when I'm not waxing poetic on here about sex, relationships and then...more sex and relationships, I am working as a certified marriage life coach, helping to birth babies (as a doula) or penning for other places (oftentimes under pen names).
As some of you know, something that I've been "threatening" to do for a few years now is write another book. Welp, October 2024 was the month that I "gave birth" to my third one: 'Inside of Me 2.0: My Story. With a 20-Year Lens'. It's fitting considering I hit a milestone during the same year.
Beyond that, Pumas and lip gloss are still my faves along with sweatshirts and tees that have a pro-Black message on them. I've also started really getting into big ass unique handbags and I'm always gonna have a signature scent that ain't nobody's business but my own.
As far as where to find me, I continue to be MIA on the social media front and I honestly don't know if that will ever change. Still, if you need to hit me up about something *that has nothing to do with pitching on the site (I'm gonna start ignoring those emails because...boundaries)*, hit me up at missnosipho@gmail.com. I'll do what I can. ;)
Luxury Hairstylist On Viral 'Hey Boo' Texts & Professionalism In The Hair Industry
As Black women, our hair is our crowning glory - whether we paid for it or not. We take pride in how we wear and take care of our hair. As with everything, hair care and hair styling have evolved over the years. Long gone are the days of Blue Magic (although I hear it’s making a comeback).
Now, we have a plethora of creams, oils, conditioners, shampoos, and stylists to choose from. Beyond wearing our natural curls, we have a range of options, from wigs and sew-ins to tape-ins, I-tips, and K-tips. So much choice! But you know what they say about too much of a good thing...
The Black hair industry has definitely blossomed in the last decade with a wave of new stylists and salons popping up all over the place. As much as I love that for us, many of these stylists have become the subjects of viral TikTok and Instagram tirades because of their alleged questionable behavior and bizarre rules.
Excessive policies, strange fees, long wait times, poor performance, and the infamous “Hey boo” texts. Beauty is pain, they say… xoNecole got to the root of these issues with luxury hair extensionist Dee Michelle, who’s been in the hair game for 20 years and runs a seven-figure business - all while being a mom of four.
Antonio Livingston
“I started my business with my career in the hair industry [at] very, very young age when I was maybe like eight...So, over the years, I've just built a very successful seven-figure business very quickly just by offering high-end services and creating great experiences for my clients, many of whom are high-profile professionals,” she said. “I'm also a mother of four, including a set of triplets, which inspires me daily to show what's possible with my hard work and focus.”
Dee’s business has gone viral on social media because of what many call outrageous prices for her invisible K-Tip installs.
“When I developed my invisible K-tip extensions technique, I made sure that it wasn't just about the hair or the style, but about providing a high-end experience from start to finish. So, my clients just aren't paying for the extensions or just the style itself, but they're investing into my meticulous, seamless craft and premium hair sourced from the best suppliers…I've spent so many hours mastering my craft, creating this seamless method that gives my clients long-lasting natural results, and my pricing just reflects that - the value of my expertise and the exclusivity of the service.”
The K-tip specialist stands on business when it comes to catering to her clients and giving them an experience worth the cost.
“And it's just important for me to also say that my clients are high-profile individuals who value quality, their privacy, and their time. They want a service that fits into their lifestyle and their time. They want things that deliver perfection. And I deliver that every single time.”
I’m sure we’ve all seen the various TikTok rants about people’s nightmare experiences with stylists and uttered a silent “FELT!” We asked Dee her opinion on a few nightmare scenarios that beg the response, “please be so forreal."
On stylists charging extra to wash clients’ hair:
“I think they should just include it in the price, to be honest. Because I feel like when clients go to a stylist, they're expecting you to wash their hair. Personally, if I see that washing is extra, I just wouldn't go to the salon because it just shows a lack of professionalism, in my opinion, and a lack of experience.”
“I think they should just include it in the price, to be honest. Because I feel like when clients go to a stylist, they're expecting you to wash their hair. Personally, if I see that washing is extra, I just wouldn't go to the salon because it just shows a lack of professionalism, in my opinion, and a lack of experience.”
On ‘deposits’ that don’t go towards the cost of the service:
“I think that's kind of weird, too, for deposits to not be like a part of the service. I've seen people have booking fees and I just don't understand it, to be honest. I disagree with that kind of policy…By all means, people should do what works for them, but to me, it doesn't make sense. Why does somebody have to pay a fee just to book an appointment with you? I don't get it. It feels like exploitation.”
On stylists charging extra to style (straighten/curl) wigs, sew-ins etc., after installing:
“I don't get it. Clients come to us to get their hair done, to get it styled. So why is it extra for you to style it? If you're going to charge extra, just increase your price. I feel like it could be just a lack of confidence in those stylists, feeling like people won't pay a certain price for certain things, or just their lack of professionalism as well, because people are coming to us to get styled.”
On the infamous “Hey boo” text stylists send to clients when they need to cancel/reschedule:
“Professionalism in any industry, especially the beauty industry, is everything. So texting a client the, “Hey boo” is so unprofessional, and it's damaging to the client-stylist relationship. Clients book their appointments expecting a level of respect and care, especially when they're investing their time and money and a service. And I get it, emergencies happen, we're all humans. However, it should be done with a formal apology and a clear explanation.”
“Professionalism in any industry, especially the beauty industry, is everything. So texting a client the, “Hey boo” is so unprofessional, and it's damaging to the client-stylist relationship. Clients book their appointments expecting a level of respect and care, especially when they're investing their time and money and a service. And I get it, emergencies happen, we're all humans. However, it should be done with a formal apology and a clear explanation.”
We know all too well what kinds of things will keep us from ever gracing certain hairstylists’ chairs with our butts again. So, what should hairstylists do to provide a good service to their clients? What is good hairstylist etiquette?
“For one, being on time is an important rule for stylist etiquette. It's just not okay to require your clients to be on time, and you're not on time. Also, communication. Being able to communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally, whether that's in person, via text, or on social media. Style is etiquette. Appearance matters. So just maintaining a clean, polished, and professional look. Clients respect you more whenever your appearance reflects your work. There's just so many things, but another thing I would say is active listening. So, being able to pay close attention to what your client wants and also clarifying any questions that they might have. Just to ensure that they feel heard and to minimize any misunderstandings.”
Dee also shared some red flags to look out for when considering a new stylist.
“Even me as a client, if I'm booking somebody and they have a long list of rules, I don't even book with them. That's, for one, just such a huge turn-off. Also, stylists who have inconsistent or unclear pricing, that's a red flag. People who change their rates too much without an explanation. Poor communication. So, if a stylist is responding very slow or responding unprofessionally, or giving vague answers to questions, that can make clients question whether or not they are respecting their time and their needs.
Another red flag - an inconsistent or low quality portfolio. And I feel like, I see this a lot with stylists stealing other people's work, and their portfolio on social media is just very inconsistent.”
We couldn’t let Dee go without getting the tea on what styles she predicts will trend in 2025.
“I feel like people are going back to natural-looking styles. So, a lot of people are ditching the wigs, the lace fronts, things like that. People are still wearing them, of course, but it is becoming more of a trend to embrace your natural hair and something that's not looking too fake. That’s one thing that we're going to be seeing a lot. I would say a lot of layers are coming back, heavy layers. Those are becoming really, really trendy. And people are leaning more towards platinum-colored hair. I've been seeing lots of like blondes coming out. Also, jet black is always going to be a trend. But I would say more like natural colors, but natural colors that are still making a statement.”
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Feature image by Antonio Livingston.
One of my favorite things to do is kiss. In fact, kissing is so important to me that I once stayed with someone longer than I should’ve, in part, because he was such a good kisser (to the point where I can confirm that “kissing orgasms” are a real thing) and I also once broke up with someone because he absolutely sucked at kissing (ugh). Kissing is sexy. Kissing is sensual. Kissing is intimate.
And science says that kissing can boost endorphin levels in your body; reduce feelings that are associated with stress and anxiety; elevate your immunity; help to lessen allergy-related symptoms; soothe headaches and period cramp discomfort; make you horny (yes, literally), and even decrease your chances of getting cavities.
Yes, kissing is a good thing. A really good thing.
Oh, but as someone who is turning out to be one of my favorite philosophers (Aristotle) once said, the excess of a virtue can indeed turn into a vice — and as far as kissing is concerned, that can prove itself to be true in a way that some may have thought was nothing more than an urban myth: getting STIs (sexually transmitted infections)/STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) from doing it.
Yep, if you heard somewhere that you can get an STI/STD from puckering up, there is indeed some truth to that, so please take a moment to read more about it. That way, you can finally separate fact from fiction.
Bottom Line, Yes…You Can. However, the Risks Are Relatively Low.
Honestly, if you let it sink in that a kiss that lasts for longer than 10 seconds will result in about 80 million bacteria being exchanged, that alone should cause it to make all of the sense in the world that a kiss isn’t something that should be taken as casually as a lot of people do. And although, when it comes to STIs/STDs, it is far easier to transmit them through penetrative or oral sex, the reality is that there are some that can you get via saliva or the mucous membranes that are in your mouth (although infected saliva that is on something like a sex toy makes your chances much lower because STIs/STDs tend to “deactivate” once they are exposed to the air).
And since “low probability” doesn’t mean “absolutely not,” I think we should look into which STIs/STDs could become an issue whenever you go in for a smooch vs. the ones that you don’t really have to concern yourself with at all.
The STIs/STDs That You CAN Get from Kissing
So, here’s the deal: If you happen to have a cut in your mouth or you’ve got a cold sore, that can significantly increase your chances of being exposed to an STI/STD if your partner happens to have one. Which ones am I speaking of specifically?
- Herpes (more specifically, HSV-1)
- Syphilis
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Now something that’s important to keep in mind about three out of four of these (herpes, CMV, and HPV), is that, although they are very treatable, they currently don’t have a cure. As far as the one that does have one (syphilis), it’s important that it’s discovered and treated in its early stages; otherwise, it can lead to things like weight and hair loss, infertility and, if ignored for too long, it can even become life-threatening.
I don’t know about y’all but, to me, this all sounds like valid enough reasons to be cautious when it comes to who you share your mouth with.
The STIs/STDs That You CAN’T Get from Kissing
Okay, so what STIs/STDs does science say you don’t have to worry about when you’re kissing someone?
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Hepatitis
- Trichomoniasis
- HIV
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
The reason why is because these are all things that are spread through oral, anal, or vaginal sex acts (however, they can oftentimes be asymptomatic, so if you are sexually active, please make sure to get tested no less than once a year). That said, if you do happen to have one of these STIs/STDs, please show courtesy and respect to your partner by letting them know — even if sex isn’t currently on the table for you.
Although research does indeed say that kissing doesn’t put them at risk, they still have the right to decide if they want to move forward with intimacy, of any kind, while these health-related issues are being treated.
5 Ways to Reduce Your Chances of Getting an STI/STD from Kissing
Okay, so now that you can confidently separate what you should actually know (and take to heart) from what you may have randomly heard that couldn’t be further from the truth, if you’re curious about what you can do to decrease your chances of getting an STI/STD from kissing, I’ve got a few tips:
Take kissing seriously. Grandma said don’t put your mouth everywhere and she’s right. In a world that continually tries to gaslight us into thinking that we can (and damn near should) just do whatever with whoever without consequence, as you can see, that’s simply not true — especially when you take into account how wild it is that most of the STIs/STDs that you can get from kissing don’t have a cure.
Moral to this story: Your mouth is as valuable as every other part of your body. It is a privilege to kiss it, so please act accordingly. Oh, and don’t be afraid to ask about people’s sexual health status before letting them put their tongue all up and in your mouth. You know what they say — an ounce of prevention is always gonna be worth a pound of cure (or treatment).
Practice intentional oral hygiene. Hopefully, brushing and flossing on a daily basis are a given. What I mean here is you should look for signs of cold sores, cuts, or lesions in your mouth (including a blister that you may get from a burned tongue) on a weekly basis. If any of these are evident in you or your partner, it’s best to wait to kiss (if you haven’t BOTH recently been tested).
Y’all be careful with all of the sexy biting. Speaking of open wounds (relatively speaking, anyway), although I once read that, according to the Kama Sutra, biting lips while kissing is a sign of strong desire and sexual arousal, it can also leave cuts that could make you more vulnerable to getting sick. So, on this one, enter with caution. Straight up.
Don’t kiss when you’re feeling under the weather. Mono, colds and the flu, COVID-19, stomach viruses — these are some of the other things that you and your partner can give to one another while exchanging a kiss. Since some of the symptoms that are related to these may mimic some that come from an STI/STD, it’s best to not kiss when you are sick — not until you can confirm what you have and (preferably) the symptoms have passed.
Get tested on a regular basis. The only way that you are going to know for sure that kissing is a low-risk behavior for you and your partner is if you both get tested. If you’d prefer to do it from the comfort, convenience, and privacy of your own home, there are STI/STD tests that you can have sent to you (like the ones here, here, and here). They aren’t necessarily the cheapest in the world, yet they are pretty darn accurate and can give you the peace of mind that you seek.
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Listen, I am Team Kissing just as much as the next person. However, whenever I stop to think about all that goes on in a mouth, I thought it was important that you become aware as well. As I said earlier, a good kiss is pretty incomparable. Let’s all just make sure that we leave kisses better and not worse off after experiencing them — literally and figuratively.
Amen? I’m sayin’.
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