'Tis the season for holiday cheer, yet for many of us this joyous occasion can be overshadowed by the stress that comes along with finding the perfect gifts for the women in our lives. As a self-proclaimed perfectionist, every year I become obsessed with choosing gifts that are special and useful in one's everyday life. Typically a last-minute shopper, this year I'm getting a head start to avoid the ongoing shipping delays, "out of stock" notifications, and even worse, the mad dash to the mall to pick over whatever's left of the holiday gift sets.
As I attempt to master the art of the annual gift exchange, my strategy is to shop for products that everyone loves, including myself. Whether for the annual 'Friendsmas' get-together or showing your bestie how much you care, these are the gifts that keep on giving no matter the gal you're shopping for. From beauty products to home goods, here's a list of my favorite things when considering what to buy this holiday season.
1.Laneige Sleep Mask Set
One thing I've learned is women love sharing beauty tips and breaking down their favorite facial products. Recommended by at least five people I know, this Laneige Sleep Mask set is life-changing. Created to revive dry, chapped lips 24/7, it is exactly what the doctor ordered, especially in the wintertime. A great gift for only $21, you might as well add another set for yourself.
2.Your Sunday Candles
Modern wellness for the contemporary woman, Your Sunday is a luxury candle shop made with vegan, non-toxic ingredients along with cruelty-free fragrances and luxe scents. Made to bring balance and harmony into intimate spaces, these beautifully crafted wax sculptures are created with calming aromas that inspire one to take it slow, pause, and breathe. Bold shapes and silhouettes are unique to the brand's identity and overall aesthetic for a stylish feel that fits in any home.
3.My Black Beautiful Hair: 101 Natural Hair Stories from the Sisterhood
The perfect coffee table book, My Black Beautiful Hair: 101 Natural Hair Stories from the Sisterhood takes us on a journey of self-love and self-discovery. A collection of Detrick-Jules' candid photos of Black women, this book also features first-person stories from the women about their natural hair experiences. This book stands as a joyful witness to the current cultural landscape as the natural hair movement comes into full bloom.
4.Mented Cosmetics Holiday Brush Collection
I've never been into wearing much makeup, but I have learned that at some point a makeup brush collection is totally necessary. For the friends that love the 'no makeup' makeup look, this is a gift they may not even think to give themselves. As one who knows little about applying makeup, I didn't realize how small my collection was until I needed more brushes. Mented Cosmetics' Holiday Brush Collection is the perfect brush set to gift the makeup guru in your life or the perfect starter kit to grow a girl's expertise.
5.DIXIEGRAZE By Hanna Jewelry
Gold is a girl's best friend which means DIXIEGRAZE By Hanna is a must when shopping for practical gift options this year. One of my favorite shops when looking to add a layer of specialty handmade accessories, this line of jewelry is perfect for everyone. Simple yet chic makes these pieces designs anyone could wear.
6.UnSun Cosmetics Bronze Goddess Face and Body Highlighter
Speaking of gold, give the gift of a beautiful glow this Christmas with the help of UnSun Cosmetics. Created to bring a natural glow to a bare face or a made-up one, the award-winning beauty products are the perfect addition to any facial routine. With winter around the corner, maintaining a natural summer glow all year is one of my skincare goals.
Featured image by Getty Images
Exclusive: Melanie Fiona On Making High-Vibrational Music & Saying Yes To Partnership
Melanie Fiona is back! After taking a little more than a decade-long hiatus, she has officially made her return to music and blessed us with two singles, “Say Yes” and “I Choose You.” While both singles are very different from each other, they both reflect who she is today and the type of music she wants to make. In our conversation, the mom of two expressed what she learned during her time away.
“It's interesting, even when I said it is like coming back, I don't ever feel like I really left because I was always still performing. I've still been public. It's not like I went into being this recluse person or version of myself, but the thing that I really learned in this process is that I think things take time,” Melanie says in a xoNecole exclusive.
“I think often we're so caught up in it, being on the timing of demand or popularity, or, like, striking while the iron is hot and the thing that I've learned is that everything is on God's time. That's it. Every time I thought I would have been ready, or, like, things were taking too long, I had to reship some things, personally, professionally, in my life. I also gave myself permission to make a living, not just make a living, but make a life for myself.”
Making a life for herself included getting married to Grammy-nominated songwriter Jared Cotter, starting a family, and embracing new landscapes, such as podcasting as a co-host of The Mama’s Den podcast. She also began doing more spiritual work and self-care practices like meditation, sound healing, Reiki, acupuncture, and boundary setting, which allowed her to get in touch with her inner voice.
“I wasn't putting out music, and I wasn't experiencing a number one record, but I was being a number one mom,” she says.
“I was experiencing things that were allowing me to heal and get in touch with myself so that I could make new music from a space of joy and freedom, and excitement again because I definitely feel like I did lose some excitement because of just politics and industry and what it can do to your mental health and even your physical health. So giving myself the space to really just say, ‘Hey, it's okay. Everything's right on time.’”
The joy and excitement are felt in one of two new singles, “I Choose You,” which is more of a lovers rock vibe, a tribute to Melanie’s Caribbean roots. While the Grammy award-winner is known for ballads like “It Kills Me” and “Fool For You,” she is becoming more intentional about the music she makes, calling it high-vibrational music. She says her music is a “reflection of my life,” as it captures every facet, from hanging out with friends to riding around in her car.
“Say Yes” has the classic R&B vibe Melanie is known for. However, both songs are inspired by her relationship. Melanie and Jared got married in December 2020, and the Toronto-bred artist dished on their relationship. Fun fact: he is featured in the “Say Yes” music video.
“When we first started dating, I had come into that relationship post a lot of self-work. I had gotten out of a long-term relationship, I had a year and a half to date and be by myself and do a lot of work on myself alone. And when we met, I remember feeling like this has to be my person because I feel it,” she says.
“And so when we went into that relationship, and we started dating, I was very clear. I was like, I know what I want. I'm very clear on what I need, and I'm not going to withhold my truth about myself in this process because of pride or fear of rejection. I know you love me, but I'm coming with my heart in my hand to let you know that if we're gonna get there, we have to put fear aside and say yes. So that was kind of like my open letter to him, which is why the video is us having a conversation.”
Melanie also shares that saying yes to her partner has empowered her in many ways, including motherhood and showing up for herself. Her new EP, also titled Say Yes, will be available at the top of 2025.
Check out the full interview below.
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Tasha Smith On Why Your Self-Worth Is Your Greatest Asset In Relationships
If the definition of BOOM needed a photo next to it, it better be Tasha Smith’s face.
Tasha Smith, 53, the actress known for her captivating performances and outspoken personality, has become a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. Her portrayal of the fierce and fabulous Angela in the hit movie Why Did I Get Married? is nothing short of iconic.
Beyond her role in the Tyler Perry film, Smith has established herself as a versatile actress with a range of impressive credits to her name. She has consistently delivered powerful performances in both film and television, showcasing her ability to embody complex characters and bring their stories to life.
Off-screen, Smith is equally captivating. She is known for her candid and outspoken nature, never shying away from speaking her truth. Her authenticity and willingness to address important issues have made her a role model for many.
Lucky for us, she brings that authentic energy no matter the occasion. Tasha had us saying “Amen” and “Amen again” while listening to a resurfaced interview with Donni Wiggins on the Fully Transparent podcast. There, she talked about starring in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, working with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, and being a powerhouse.
One commenter shared, “Tasha Smith needs to have her own talk show and or motivational conferences!” and we couldn’t agree more. Keep reading for some gems that stuck with us!
Tasha Smith On Self-Worth and Resilience:
“Don’t let any man burn you out or make you feel bad about yourself. Don’t take 'no' from anybody. Period. I mean it, honey. When things go wrong, don’t stay down for too long. Let the comeback be quick and big, honey. Big. We’re resilient. We are.”
On Understanding Your Value:
“You have to understand your value. Sometimes, when things don’t go right in relationships, we, as women, tend to blame ourselves. But why does that have to be the case? I remember talking to a woman who said her guy cheated on her. I told her, ‘He didn’t think he was good enough for you.’ She looked at me confused, and I said it again, ‘He cheated because he didn’t think he was good enough for you.’ That behavior has nothing to do with you—it’s about him trying to feel better about himself.”
On The Power of Boundaries:
“If we understood our value, we’d have more boundaries, and we wouldn’t accept so much. You know what I mean? Because, honestly, we create bad behavior by what we allow. Women ask, ‘Why does he keep doing that?’ Well, because you keep letting him. The apologies are working, and those apologies come with more demonic ones.”
On Breaking the Cycle of “Sorry”:
“Once you get delivered from one 'sorry,' if you keep the door open, more will come in—stronger and harder to overcome. Before you know it, you’re stuck in that 'sorry' space. If you truly understood your value, you’d be quicker to walk away.”
On Moving Forward with Self-Respect:
“For me, at this point in my life, I’m not spinning the block anymore. You can’t just keep spinning the block. You have to have self-respect, boundaries, and a sense of your own worth. If you don’t value yourself, trust and believe a man won’t value you either.”
Watch the podcast interview in full below:
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