9 Lipstick Shades Every Black Girl Should Add To Their Collection This Summer

Nothing switches up a look like a nice lippie.
Luckily for you, summer is the perfect opportunity to switch up staple items in your makeup bag and play around with fun lip colors. Here are 8 lipsticks every black girl should add to their collection this summer.
1.Rever

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Be a part of the Dream Team with Rever by ColourPop – a standout shade with a cream finish that will make your lips thank you. This neon orange-red shade comes paired with a lip bundle of two nudes that you can also rock this summer. At $16 for all three, there's no way you should pass up on this set.
2.Goddess

Channel your inner Goddess with the splendid gold hues of this lip gloss by The Lip Bar. You'll be impressed with the pigment of this product and its versatility. Wear it to the beach or in the office for the perfect bronzed look throughout summer.
3.Menace

Alex Friedmann
Start trouble with Menace by Urban Decay. This bright fuschia pink translates into a great go-to for girls' night out or a day about town. Take it one step further by creating an ombre effect with a fuchsia lipliner, and you'll officially win the prize of showstopper this summer.
4.Cotton Candy

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Get all the way into this flirty pink for summer. Cotton Candy by Anastasia Beverly Hills is the perfect hue of fun, with a moisturizing matte finish that won't leave you high and dry (literally). Use this shade to add a pop of color to neutrals and basics you can't part with during the hot months.
5.Socialite

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Get out and about with Socialite by The Lip Bar. This ultra-pigmented lip gloss sets the scene with pink and peach tones that are sure to make you the life of the party. Regardless of the time or place, this shade is ready for whatever.
6.Stunna

Go for the reddest of the reds with Fenty Beauty's Stunna. This intense lip paint has a soft matte finish that will make you the center of attention. Rock it with minimum makeup or a full beat for a tantalizing look that shows you mean business.
7.Tight Fit

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Are you a fan of a great lip gloss and a good deal? Get both with ColourPop's Tight Fit. This peachy pink metallic offers a high gloss shine plus full coverage finish at a fraction of the cost of its competitors. At $6, it's worth buying one for you and a friend.
8.Stevie

Switch up the tempo with Stevie by Anastasia Beverly Hills. This smooth matte is the perfect nude to carry you through all four seasons. Wear it alone during the summer or use a brown liner for a darker look this the fall. This versatile color is a staple worth investing in.
9.Prima Donna

Prima Donna by The Lip Bar is the type of purple that won't let you down this summer. Make it your go-to for day parties and night scenes. It's the type of liquid matte lipstick you won't regret.
*Featured image of Kandice Guice by Rico Images
Your October 2025 Monthly Horoscopes Are All About Magnetic Love & Divine Timing
October is about the power of attraction. This is the month to set your intentions, create space for a new beginning, and find your balance between the past, present, and future. There aren’t many astrological transits this month, signaling more possibilities in the air and an opportunity to create that which you desire.
We begin the month in Libra Season, and Libra Season is always the time of year when love is the highlight. With Juno also entering Sagittarius on October 1, right as we begin the month, it’s about committing yourself to a new adventure, to the gifts of love, and to perspectives that heal and bring you closer to another.
October 2025 Astrology: An Overview
Mercury enters Scorpio on October 6, and Mercury in Scorpio only knows depth. The conversations being had this month are inspiring, transformative, and a little more blunt than usual. This energy is good for the power of persuasion and for asking for what you want, especially within business and financial matters. On the same day, we have a Supermoon in Aries, and this is a powerful Full Moon for reflection, owning your power, and letting go of the insecurities that don’t resonate with what you want for yourself and your future.
Venus, the planet of love, moves into Libra on October 13 after being in Virgo for the past month, and after some time of healing and clarity in love, Libra is here to bring in the romance. Venus loves being in Libra, and this energy creates new beginnings within relationships and provides a little extra magic in this area of life. With Pluto going direct in Aquarius on the same day after being retrograde since May, life and love move forward mid-October, helping provide more stable and nurturing foundations in your personal life and community as well.
The New Moon of the month occurs in Libra on October 21, making it a beautiful time for manifesting romance, balance, and harmony in your world.
This New Moon aligns with the Sun in Libra, and it’s all about letting a new beginning transform your world and the love in your life for the better. Scorpio Season officially begins on October 22, and Neptune retrograde enters Pisces on the same day, bringing in some water sign energy into the mix. As we close out the month, it’s time to renew, honor the transformations occurring, and know that your dreams aren’t as far out of reach as they may seem at times.
Read for your sun and rising sign below to see what October 2025 has in store for you.
What October 2025 Has In Store For Your Zodiac Sign
ARIES
AriesKyra Jay for xoNecoleOctober is all about perspective, Aries. This is the month to trust the divine timing of your life, and not let the what-ifs overwhelm you. With the Sun in Libra, your sister sign, for most of the month, October is about building connections, finding your balance in love, and knowing that you are worthy of what your heart is seeking right now. We have a Supermoon in your sign on October 6, and emotions are a little heavier this month, but also healing. Give yourself grace, and let go of what isn’t working for you.
Venus is in your house of love from October 13 until November 6, and there is a lot to look forward to when it comes to romance and the relationship dynamics in your life as you move through the month. It’s about being confident in your power of attraction and letting love come to you right now. Before October comes to an end, we have a New Moon in your 7th house of love as well, and with all this energy in your relationship zone, life changes for you in love for the better in October.
TAURUS
TaurusKyra Jay for xoNecoleOctober is a spiritual month for you, Taurus. You are thinking a lot about your next steps ahead, and are getting organized, focused, and aligned. The Supermoon on October 6 is a time of reflection for you, and you are entering the month ready to let go of the past, heal, and create space for something new in your life. This month is all about trusting your intuition and letting your wisdom guide you in your personal growth and evolution.
You are more than where you have been, and this month is a reminder of that.
With Mars in Scorpio and in your 7th house of love all month, you are motivated by the partnerships in your life right now. Your love life and relationships are where the action is for you this month, and you are honoring your passion and direction here. Venus, your planetary ruler, moves into your house of health mid-month and into November, and you are leaving October seeking healthier habits, daily routines, and relationships. Overall, this month is helping you align with your vision.
GEMINI
GeminiKyra Jay for xoNecoleThis month is a fresh start for you, Gemini. Your heart is free, love is beaming, and you are feeling larger than life. This month is about taking a leap of faith in yourself, honoring your confidence in life, and being your biggest advocate. With the Sun in your 5th house of self-expression, romance, and happiness, and with Venus entering this same area of your chart mid-October, there is a lot to look forward to right now, and things are looking up for you.
On October 21, we have a New Moon in a fellow air sign, and this is a good time to set your intentions for creative projects, hobbies, romance, and your overall happiness in life. There are a lot of little moments of magic unfolding for you this month, and this New Moon is one of them. Before October comes to an end, Mercury, your ruling planet, enters Sagittarius, and this brings open communication into your relationships, and you are having lively conversations and insights.
CANCER
CancerKyra Jay for xoNecoleThis is a transformative month for you, Cancer. You are moving through closure, healing, and depth as you navigate the opportunities that are coming into your life, with the stability you are seeking. With the Sun in your 4th house of home and family in October, this is the month to spend more time in your safe spaces, connect with your loved ones, and get grounded. You are also more focused on your financial world right now, and this is a good time for building new foundations for yourself and looking at the bigger picture when it comes to your career and life goals.
Mars is in your house of romance and happiness for the entire month, and this is one of the highlights of your life right now. You are passionate about your joy and all the things that light you up inside, and you are protecting your peace and giving more of your energy to your pleasure. Before the month ends, we have a New Moon in Libra, highlighting your home life, and some Cancers may be moving at the end of the month or getting the opportunity to turn a page here. Overall, this is your month to reflect, go within, and make sense of what has been restricting you from feeling stable.
LEO
LeoKyra Jay for xoNecoleOctober is about taking things one day at a time and being patient with what is presenting itself to you, Leo. This month, you are getting your ducks in a row and gaining the clarity needed to create a new beginning in your life. The month begins with a Supermoon in a fellow fire sign on October 6, aligning in harmony with you and fueling your need for adventure. You are going over the wisdom you have gained as of late and how it has shifted the way you navigate your life and see the world around you.
On October 13, Pluto goes direct in your 7th house of love, after being retrograde here since May. This is bringing in more balance, empowerment, and passion into your love life, and this is a positive change of energy for you after a time of some power struggles within your relationships. Before the month comes to an end, we have a New Moon in Libra, and this New Moon is the best time to set intentions for clarity, communication, and connection. October is about taking your time with things and knowing that everything is working out in your favor at the end of the day.
VIRGO
VirgoKyra Jay for xoNecoleThis October is about finding your balance, Virgo. There is a lot of energy when it comes to your finances this month, but you may be overworking or overcommitting yourself in the process. Honor the opportunities and responsibilities in your life, but make sure you are equally taking care of your health and prioritizing your time and energy so that you don’t burn out. Venus, the planet of love, is in your sign until October 13; use this energy to your benefit and let things come to you.
You are a magnet for abundance, romance, and support if you allow yourself to receive it.
On October 13, Venus moves into your 2nd house of income, and your relationships are a supportive place for you to lean on right now. Your love life and partnerships are where your financial world is evolving this month, and this is a good time to ask for what you want; you never know what may happen. At the end of the month, Neptune goes retrograde in your sister sign, Pisces, and you are taking a step back and reassessing what love means for you right now. Overall, October is about remembering that you don’t have to do it all alone, Virgo.
LIBRA
LibraKyra Jay for xoNecoleLibra Season is here, and it’s your time to shine and thrive! This Libra Season changes everything for you, and October is when you really begin to feel this shift in your life. The Sun is in your sign until October 22, and it’s time to put yourself first. With a Supermoon in Aries as we begin the month as well, you are letting go of any unhealthy attachments or relationship dynamics that take you away from yourself, and are moving into deeper clarity.
On October 13, Venus, your planetary ruler, enters your sign, where it loves to be the most. With Venus in your sign for the rest of the month, love takes on a new tone, and you are feeling more love for yourself and where life is taking you right now. To end the month, we have a New Moon in Libra, and it’s time to set your intentions for where you want life to grow for you over the next year. This is a month of embarking on a new journey of self, and allowing what is inspiring you right now to build your confidence in yourself and your relationships.
SCORPIO
ScorpioKyra Jay for xoNecoleOctober is about honoring your freedom and your power to decide, Scorpio. A lot is going on for you this month, and you have the passion and energy to see things through. Mercury, the planet of communication, moves into your sign at the beginning of the month on October 6, and this is going to help you get your ideas across, making it a good month for business matters, networking, and getting inspired. With Mars also in your sign for the entire month, life moves forward for you in transformative ways in October, and you are a force to be reckoned with.
On October 13, Venus moves into your house of closure, healing, and endings, and you are ready to close one chapter of love and create space for a new one. You are in a contemplative space when it comes to matters of the heart, and you are ready to let go of any heaviness you have been feeling here. Scorpio Season officially begins on October 22, and you are ready to begin again. This Scorpio Season is about owning your confidence in life while letting go of insecurities or self-doubts that have been getting in the way of that.
SAGITTARIUS
SagittariusKyra Jay for xoNecoleEverything unfolds for you in a beautiful way this month, Sagittarius. You are flowing well with the energy of October, and life opens up to you. With the Sun in your 11th house of aspirations, dreams, manifestations, and community, you are feeling in balance with your desires and your reality, and are bridging the gap here. This is a month of friendship, believing in your dreams, and creating space for love. With Juno also entering your sign at the beginning of the month until the end of the year, you are attracting soulmates into your life.
On October 6, we have a Supermoon in a fellow fire sign, allowing you some closure in love and a chance at healing. Your heart is feeling renewed, and you are owning your power in creating happiness in your life. Before the month ends, Mercury moves into Sagittarius, where it will be until mid-November, and inspiration is heightened. Pay attention to the guidance you are receiving this month, the conversations you are having, and the light bulb moments that are going off for you right now.
CAPRICORN
CapricornKyra Jay for xoNecoleOctober is about going within and connecting with the guidance of your soul, Capricorn. You are taking more time for yourself this month, and rightly so, as you need time to fully process what has happened so far this year. Pluto goes direct in your 2nd house of income, and this moves things forward when it comes to your earning potential, abundance, and values.
The key this month is in valuing yourself, your perspective, and what you are building in your life right now.
On October 21, we have a New Moon happening in your career zone, and this is a good time to manifest your goals within your professional world. Put yourself out there, show up, and know that you are worthy of success and that your dreams aren’t too big for you. As we close out the month, Mercury moves into your house of closure, even further facilitating your desire for contemplation and alone time this month. Overall, October is about taking care of your mental health, owning your successes, and finding your peace.
AQUARIUS
AquariusKyra Jay for xoNecoleOctober is a new beginning for you in love and in life, Aquarius. Your heart is feeling inspired, and there is a lot to look forward to right now. The Supermoon at the beginning of the month will be occurring in your 3rd house of communication, giving you the answers you have been looking for and helping you close the door on a chapter in your life that left you feeling misunderstood or misdirected. You are ready for a change of pace this month, and you are receiving that as we begin October.
Mid-October, Pluto goes direct in your sign after being retrograde since May, and this is a huge breath of fresh air for you and your path ahead. You may have been a little harder on yourself while Pluto was retrograde this year, and now you feel ready to forgive, move on, and own your power. Before the month comes to an end, we have a New Moon in Libra, and you are embarking on a new adventure. The end of the month is a good time for traveling, exploring, and gaining a new perspective.
PISCES
PiscesKyra Jay for xoNecoleThis month is giving you the guidance, perspective, and passion to see yourself with clear, loving eyes, Pisces. There is a sense of feeling more overwhelmed with life lately, and October is allowing you to gain the insight needed to move on from this energy, or at least see more of the gifts of what has occurred. On October 6, we have a Supermoon in an area of your chart having to do with self-worth, values, and income, and it’s time to see the gifts of what you have been investing in and valuing in your life, including yourself.
Let go of the need to play it small or count yourself out of important conversations, and know that you deserve a seat at the table.
With Pluto going direct in your 12th house of healing as we end the month, you are finally getting the answers you have been looking for emotionally, and it’s changing your perspective on your commitments in life and making you feel empowered. Before the month ends, Neptune goes retrograde in Pisces, and you are going to be moving through a personal revolution as we close out the year. You are inspired by change right now, and this month is what kicks starts this metamorphosis within you.
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Featured image by Kyra Jay for xoNecole
3 Things Apryl Jones Revealed About Taye Diggs, Omarion & Fizz
They say heartbreak can be your greatest teacher if you let it, and Apryl Jones most certainly lets it do its thing.
The 38-year-old actor and media personality has kept it cute and rarely on mute about the fact that her very public relationships have also meant she's been through the ringer a few times in love. Through the pain and challenges, the mother of two has clearly done the work, which is why she can look back at her past relationships with reflection rather than reactivity.
The former reality star recently sat down for an interview with Carlos King for his YouTube series Reality With the King, where she talked about personal power, her journey to sobriety, choosing to use her degree between acting jobs, and her most talked-about relationships. Here's what we learned.
What She Said About Taye Diggs...
Since their breakup, a question I see frequently in comment sections when I see Apryl or Taye Diggs pop up on my feed is a variation of "why did y'all break up?" Carlos finally got us some insight by allowing the entertainer the space to "clear the air" about what happened with her and Taye. She revealed to the host about their relationship, "It was great. It was great. While it was great. And we had some good times. We laughed a lot."
She talked briefly about how their funny videos together came about and repeated the sentence, "We had fun." They were together for a little over a year and when asked why they didn't work out, Apryl said, "Why didn't it work out? I will say this about Taye and I. I think that-- I will say this truthfully, we were--we went to therapy because I think we spoke different--we had different communication styles, you know. So we did do therapy, which I think is healthy for all. That's partnership. And so we did. I think we tried. I think we-we tried to understand each other.
"I think sometimes it doesn't always pan out. I think sometimes you cannot--the communication can hit a roadblock. And I think that, that's kind of what happened. I think like I may have felt like I needed certain, you know, that he wasn't and then he and it was like, 'Well, I'm telling you.' And he's like, 'Well, I'm telling you.' And it's like, 'Okay well, can we understand?' And we just couldn't get there. And that's okay."
Apryl concluded things with a story about a semi-recent NYC run-in, sharing that he didn't recognize her initially and she had to walk up to him but that there was laughter, banter, and light and that it was "cute." "I think that sometimes that's how relationships are. Sometimes two people recognize that like it just doesn't go further than where it goes. And who's to say that something later on down the line couldn't revisit itself when folks grow up, right? But yeah, that's kind of what happened with us. But it was fun while it lasted."
What She Said About Omarion...
At the start of the interview, Apryl briefly touched on how she and Omarion initially met. "At the gym," she revealed to Carlos. They shared a trainer at the time who thought it'd be a good look to introduce them to each other since they both did music. Apryl talked of not thinking anything of it and looked at Omarion at the time as "cool people" and nothing more.
After they chopped it up a bit during a gym session, Apryl said moments after leaving, she got a text from Omarion who surprisingly had her number despite her not giving it to him personally. She was new to California and Omarion was intent on being someone she hit up if she ever needed anything. "We kinda connected a little bit of time afterwards. And when we hung out, we just used to dance together and talk about spiritual stuff, and yeah like, we were just friends first. For a while."
She admitted he was her favorite of the B2K members as a child, but that she wasn't starstruck when she met him. She was used to meeting people in the industry so she looked at him like a person and he was "nice" in a way that was real. Apryl even admitted they went on to become roommates before anything romantic between them flourished.
Though they were sometimes intimate, they slept in separate rooms, had "banter," and spent a lot of time together. "I think we just really took our time," she told Carlos. According to Apryl, "within a year and some change," their somewhat situationship evolved into something more.
They went on to welcome two children, Megaa and A'mei, which was partially documented during their time on the reality show Love & Hip-Hop: Hollywood together. There's no bitterness when she spoke about why they ended. "Life," she stated simply. "I think that life happened." By the time they got pregnant with their second child, their daughter A'mei, Apryl theorized that Omarion might have just been in "a different space." "And I think when he went to Dubai, he had came home one day off a trip and he was just like, just kinda like need a break. And I was just like, 'Okay.'"
She said he wasn't happy "with certain women in his life" and believed he was "feeling a lot of pressure." "Omari takes care of his family," she said of his responsibilities, "I think, you know, it was at a point where he came home, he was just like, 'I just--this is too much for me.'" The fact that she was pregnant with their second child at the time of hearing that was hard for her too. Still, she tried to give him space for a month to give her some clarity about his why behind wanting a break but said he never did.
She came to her own realization after thinking about what she'd tell her daughter if she had come to her with a situation like that and since the answer would be to get TF out of dodge, she left, got an apartment, and moved out. Apryl was a little blindsided at the time and "didn't get it" but now she says she does understand. She had to make her own peace about what happened between them which has helped her move forward in a healthier way.
What She Said About Lil Fizz...
Perhaps one of the most controversial moments in Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood was when Apryl took her relationship with Omarion's bandmate and former "friend" (quotations because the status of them is apparently up for debate), Lil Fizz public. Back then, not only was their perceived code-breaking with the Apryl-Fizz-Omarion of it all, but there was also some bad blood created between Fizz's child's mother and their fellow castmate, Moniece Slaughter. Fans speculated if the entire ordeal was a get-back to Omarion.
But, in her true transparent fashion, Apryl addressed Carlos' inquiry of her past with Fizz when the question was raised during their interview. She started off by clarifying the timing of everything and said within a span of five years of no longer being with Omarion, a lot happened on a personal level that the audience and fans of B2K or fans of the show weren't privy to.
"At that time, me and Drew (Fizz) really did become good friends from the show, me coming back to the show, and I was dealing with so much at the time," she explained to Carlos, briefly noting court and legal matters transpiring. For that reason and perhaps some others, she expressed feelings of gratitude for Fizz and what he was for her at that time in her life. He was a friend who looked out for her and had her back when she felt like she didn't have anyone in her corner.
"Things were intimate between me and him, obviously. Clearly. But that was a life I was living. It wasn't anything trying to get back at O at the time. O was far gone," she shared. "You know, my real life was happening here. And as a woman who was vulnerable and who was going through a lot of things at the time, I just feel like he was there as someone that I trusted in that time of my life. I didn't feel or see anything wrong with it."
She continued, "Now, while I can understand the world's perspective, while I could see it stepping outside and what that looks like, I get it and I respect it. You know what I mean? We are now in what is it 2025 about to be 2026? You're talking about six years now has gone by. And there has been a lot of evolution within me, a lot of growth."
Most of all, looking back, she wouldn't change a thing.
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