3 Life Lessons We've Learned From 'Insecure'
In about a week, we'll welcome back our favorite friends for season 3 of Insecure. Dare we say this could be the best season yet? So far, we've experienced the reckoning and the rumble, now it's time for the revolution.
Our modern-day Friends live in the realm of "two steps forward, one step back, arguably the theme of your late 20's as well. We've seen these girls and Lawrence (farewell to thee!) set their worlds ablaze over the past two seasons. There was a collective online groan when Molly seductively answered the door for Dro and a universal facepalm when Issa showed up at Daniel's house. Each challenge resulted in a life lesson that we've all been faced with, or will be in the future. Insecure does an expert job of writing characters who are flawed and imperfect, yet relatable and tangible.
The third season is modeled after the classic Twitter adage, "You should know better and you should do better." But before we start to do better, let's recap some key lessons we all learned last year.
Relationships today can be more complicated than ever before.
The complexities of a singular relationship are vast. It's apparent in the first season that comfort zones aren't ideal for relationships. But in the second season, we're exposed to the exact opposite situation: a relationships with no boundaries. Dro and Molly were the most controversial topic of last season's finale and for good reason. How can you be in half of a relationship? Or in Dro's case, a relationship and a half? Boundaries can be subjective. Boundaries can be blurred. Insecure tackles those points perfectly. It will be interesting to see how those relationships play out in the long-term. When you answer your challenges with emotional responses, they can only go haywire.
Girl gang dynamics.
It happens in every girl gang. Pregnancy, marriage, or divorce (to name a few) can drastically change the dynamics of your gang. We all handle stress and change differently, which naturally bleed into our relationships. Women can withstand a myriad of emotions at once, and Insecure does a great job of portraying that. We're constantly bombarded with storylines of Molly and Issa making answering logical questions with emotional responses. Even with the fight between the two in previous seasons, we got to see how the working of their imitate lives influenced their relationship.
Before you judge, look within.
While this is present from the first episode of season one, it becomes a dominant theme in season two. The girls are constantly judging each other only to find out a deep look inside should be the first priority. Life is about learning this lesson over and over again. In the Napa Valley scenes, we watch Molly and Issa box it out over their personal choices. But once they stopped for 10 seconds, it was easy to see the parallels they share. We can all do well to internalize this more in our life.
Between misfires in your career to back-steps in your personal life, life in your late 20's is anything but perfect. You're constantly second-guessing what or who you're doing, and how you're doing it. And that's the glory in Insecure: Issa and friends are key examples of how the hottest of messes can still get it together.
Insecure Season 3 airs August 12 on HBO.
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Courtney is a contributing writer, based in Puerto Rico by way of Tennessee. Interested in the intersection of fashion and culture, she has an affinity for fashion, empowerment, and really good tacos. Keep up with her on Instagram (@hautecourtxo).
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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The Quiet Luxury Skincare Products A Beauty Writer Thinks Are Worth The Hype
Luxury has become TikTok’s new obsession. Long gone are the days when it was cool to wear that t-shirt with GUCCI labeled across the front. Nowadays, the girls are all about keeping their luxury items a secret. Only opting for clean and high-fashion pieces leaves nothing but a mystery to the mind. Now that quiet luxury fashion has established itself as the latest “it girl” of the season, it’s time for her to expand to other areas, like skincare. Quiet skincare is a rising trend that is soon to take over the summer.
Local drugstore and trendy skincare must move to the left because now it’s all about the fabulous life of luxury skincare. Think Prada, Gucci, and Dior, but on your face. Now that’s what I call a good time! Of course, as your fellow beauty writer, I have done the Lord's work and tested out plenty of luxury skincare products. It hasn’t been easy, and trust me, I’m exhausted, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.
This is not the economy to mindlessly buy luxury skincare brands that will barely live up to the hype. Here are my recommendations for luxury skincare that are worth the hype and do what they say they’re going to do.
Tata Harper Clarifying Pore & Oil Control Cleanser with BHA & AHA
Sephora
Our skin and makeup will thrive by keeping our pores as happy as possible. Tata Harper's Clarifying Cleanser is guaranteed to put your pores in their place. This cleanser contains three key ingredients: pear flower enzymes, juniper fruit, and chlorella. Combining these ingredients helps promote exfoliation, oil balance, and soothe redness. I’ve enjoyed using this when those pesky breakouts come through, and my skin is calmer. A gentle clearing cleanser is all you need to invest your money in.
Dr. Barbra Sturm Face Mask
Dr. Barbara Sturm
Before we begin to apply the best of the best of skincare, we must prep our skin. The Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Mask is packed with nutrients to give your skin the supple hydration it deserves. I truly enjoyed using this face mask after my routine deep pore cleansing face mask - no, it’s not luxury, but it is to my pores. It’s safe to say that this face mask is best for all skin types and will have your skin glowing all day long. Aloe vera, known for its hydration and clearing properties, is the main ingredient in this product. After a few usages, I have noticed a massive difference in hyperpigmentation and hydration.
La Mer The Concentrate
This serum is going to cost you a coin. The product is set at a whopping $440. I can try multiple beauty products through brand PR packages as a beauty writer. I tried this popular serum with a small sample I inherited. Sometimes, a sample is all a girl needs to live a rich auntie lifestyle. The serum had my skin looking as incredible as the aftermath of a fresh facial appointment. This product aims to take all your money and rebuild your skin barrier. A secret miracle concentrate is packed into each bottle to enrich your skin. It also contains antioxidants that protect the skin from inflammation and environmental stressors.
Lancôme Absolue Soft Cream Revitalizing & Brightening Moisturizer
Lancôme
Bring your skin back to life with the Lancôme Absolue Soft Cream Moisturizer. Few brightening creams catch my attention, but this one has my heart. Shea butter is one of the key ingredients along with vitamin E. I am convinced these ingredients have played a massive role in the deep hydration of my skin and the radiance I have experienced with this product. Although this item will cost you $165, a little goes a long way with this product. Shea butter is exceptionally moisturizing and shouldn’t be used with a heavy hand.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Under Eye Cream
Dr. Barbara Sturm is back at it, stealing our wallets one product at a time. Her undereye cream is an exception in terms of skincare. Are you crying at your job? This undereye cream has got you covered! This product is praised for reducing redness and dark undereye shadows, smoothing, and firming while protecting the skin barrier. I’ve used this product on good and bad days and found the consistency is similar to the face mask previously mentioned—hydrating, supple, and enriching.
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