
The Perfect Galentine’s Day Gift Guide, According To A Shopping Expert

Lover girls, tap in. Galentine’s Day season has officially arrived.
Traditionally, February marks a time of year that’s been reserved for romantic love and those who are in committed relationships — but single girls need love too. Gathering the girls on or before Valentine’s Day takes a spin on the holiday’s conventions, providing a space for women to come together in celebration of sisterhood and friendship; no matter their relationship status.
Hosting your girlfriends for brunch, a 90’s rom-com marathon, with (lots of) wine, is a special way to celebrate the ladies that have held you through thick and thin.
And no need to come empty-handed. To help, we’ve tapped Marissa Kearney, creator of the viral social platforms, TargetWhileBlack and RetailWhileBlack for her top recommendation on gifts for your gals this Galentine’s Day.
Courtesy of Marissa Kearney
Since 2020, retail shopping expert Marissa Kearney has been bridging the gap between retailers and consumers through her viral social platforms, TargetWhileBlack and RetailWhileBlack. Dedicated to highlighting the best Black-owned and Black-founded brands from big-box retailers, including Target, Nordstorm, HomeGoods, Walmart, JCPenney, and more, Marrisa has garnered a community of over 550k followers and counting.
Understanding the importance of representation in the retail space, Marrisa shares how “Buying Black” is one of the greatest acts of love we can show each other. “It’s been so refreshing to walk into stores like Target and see items that reflect who we are and what we love,” she tells xoNecole. “It makes you feel like you're finally getting a regular shopping experience; like you don't have to go digging to find things that look like you.”
Ready to spread the love? Here, Marissa drops her favorite Black-owned products to make your Galentine’s Day one to remember.
Love Jones Candle
Frères Branchiaux
Love Jones Candle
Want to light up the night and set the vibe? Marrissa recommends this soy candle from Frères Branchiaux to do the trick.
Galentine’s Gift Bag
Black Paper Party
Galentine's Bag
Bag secured. Black Paper Party’s decorative designs are the perfect way to pack your gifts and deliver them in style.
Rose & Geranium Sea Salt Bar Soap
Iyoba
Rose & Geranium Sea Salt Bar Soap
As Marissa mentions, every woman deserved to be pampered. Grab a bar of Iyoba’s calming sea salt soap as a treat to your girlfriends or yourself.
Faux Mink Lashes
Luna Magic
Faux Mink Lashes
Marissa says these lashes from Luna Magic are “the perfect present” for a friend who likes to keep their face beat. Pick up a pair—or two—to make their look complete.
Vegan Sweet & Salty Organic Popcorn
Tabitha Brown For Target
Vegan Sweet & Salty Organic Popcorn
Our fairy god-auntie, Tabitha Brown, just dropped the tastiest (vegan!) snacks to hit the shelves. Add a bag to your charcuterie spread; the ladies won’t be able to put them down.
'Shine' Pillow Pink
Pillowscript
'Shine' Pillow Pink
What woman doesn’t love words of affirmation? This accent pillow from Pillowscript is not only adorable but will give your bestie the perfect pop of color and positivity to her living space.
Hella Awkward Card Game
Hella Awkward Card Game
Turn your Galentine’s into a game night. Put the phones away and break the ice with the new card game, Hella Awkward.
"Black Plum" by Craig
Puzzles of Color
"Black Plum" by Craig
We may live in a digital world, but the joy that comes from analog play never goes out of style. Pick up the pieces of this puzzle and gift it to your gal who loves a good challenge.
Casablanca Eau de Parfum
Brown Girl Jane
Casablanca Eau de Parfum
There’s no better way to say, “I love you, girl,” than through the gift of scent. Brown Girl Jane’s Casablanca fragrance is the perfect way to show your bestie that she deserves all the finer things in life; and more.
Black Girl Magic Rosé Wine
McBride Sisters Black Girl Magic
Black Girl Magic Rosé Wine
To Marissa, the perfect girl's night is not complete without a glass of wine (or two). Keep the libation in rotation and sip slow with the crowd-favorite Black Girl Magic Rosé Wine.
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Aley Arion is a writer and digital storyteller from the South, currently living in sunny Los Angeles. Her site, yagirlaley.com, serves as a digital diary to document personal essays, cultural commentary, and her insights into the Black Millennial experience. Follow her at @yagirlaley on all platforms!
Eva Marcille On Starring In 'Jason’s Lyric Live' & Being An Audacious Black Woman
Eva Marcille has taken her talents to the stage. The model-turned-actress is starring in her first play, Jason’s Lyric Live alongside Allen Payne, K. Michelle, Treach, and others.
The play, produced by Je’Caryous Johnson, is an adaptation of the film, which starred Allen Payne as Jason and Jada Pinkett Smith as Lyric. Allen reprised his role as Jason for the play and Eva plays Lyric.
While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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'Leave Quicker': Keri Hilson Opens Up About Learning When To Walk Away In Love
What you might call Black love goals, Keri Hilson is kindly saying, “Nah.”
In a recent appearance on Cam Newton’s Funky Friday podcast, the We Need to Talk: Love singer opened up about a past relationship that once had the public rooting for her and former NBA star Serge Ibaka. According to Cam, the pair looked “immaculate” together. Keri agreed, admitting, “We looked good.” But her demeanor made it clear that everything that looks good isn't always a good look for you.
That was all but confirmed when Cam asked what the relationship taught her. Keri sighed deeply before replying, “Whew. Leave quicker.”
It was the kind of answer that doesn’t need to be packaged to be received, just raw truth from someone who’s done the work. “Ten months in, I should have [left],” she continued. “But I was believing. I was wanting to not believe [the signs].”
Keri revealed to Cam that despite their efforts to repair the relationship at the time, including couples counseling, individual therapy, and even sitting with Serge’s pastor, it just wasn’t meant to be. A large part of that, she said, was the seven-year age gap. “He was [in his] mid-twenties,” she said, attributing a lot of their misalignment to his youth and the temptations that came with fame, money, and status.
“There were happenings,” she shared, choosing her words carefully. “He deserved to live that… I want what you want. I don’t want anything different. So if I would’ve told him how to love me better, it would’ve denied him the experience of being ‘the man’ in the world.”
But she also made it clear that just because you understand someone’s path doesn’t mean you have to ride it out with them. Instead, you can practice compassionate detachment like our girl Keri. “You can have what you want, but you may not have me and that.”
When Cam jokingly questioned what if there was a reality where a man wanted to have both “you and a dab of that,” Keri didn’t hesitate with her stance: “No,” adding, “I can remove myself and [then you] have it. Enjoy it.” Sis said what she said.
Still, she shared that they dated for a couple of years and remain cool to this day. For Keri, being on good terms with an ex isn’t a sign of weakness; it's a reflection of where she is in her healing. In a time when blocking an ex is often seen as the ultimate sign of growth, Keri offers an alternate route: one where healing looks like resolution, not resentment. “I think because I have such a disgust for ugliness in my life. Like, I don't do well without peace between me and everyone in my life. Like, I really try to resolve issues,” she explained to Cam.
Adding, “I think that's what makes things difficult when you're like sweeping things under the rug or harboring ill feelings towards someone. When you're healed, when you've done your work, you can speak to anybody when you've healed from things. I think maybe that's the bottom line.”
Watch Keri's appearance on Funky Friday in full here.
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