
Marsai Martin Is 20! Here Are Some Of Her Best Beauty Looks Over The Years

The greatest joy about indulging in our favorite television show is following the characters on their journey—seeing them as actors/actresses in beginning roles to stardom. Week after week, we can’t help but invite them into our living rooms for enjoyment. Whether we’re sitting down watching their antics or casually hearing their voice in the background, they naturally become characters in our everyday lives.
However, like life, each character must grow into the human they’re meant to be. And we, as viewers, have to come to terms with this.
One actress growing up in front of our eyes is Marsai Martin. At one point, she was a young girl who dominated our television screens and immediately stole our hearts through her role in Black-ish. Now, our princess-turned-queen is officially the big 2-0! Our girl is all grown up. In honor of her special day, we’ve come up with our favorite beauty looks from her throughout the years.
1.Fresh Faced Queen
Makeup where? Martin proves her face card never declines with this casual bare-faced selfie. Fresh box braids allow the actress to show off her healthy eyebrows and cute dimples!
2.Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend.
The actress is dripped in diamonds while promoting her nail line Mari by Marsai. Although the nails are on point, can we also take a moment to appreciate this soft glam look? Martin is wearing latte makeup with a hint of old Hollywood vibes. Seriously, Marilyn Monroe would be proud.
3.'90s Kind of World
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Don't call it a throwback. During the 2022 BET Awards, Marsai rocked a mocha-colored lipgloss and 90s-style lip liner. The glam look was also tied together with a sweetheart cat-eye that made her side-eye game sharp. A golden bronzer followed to seal this makeup moment together.
4.The Blueprint
Body snatched and face beat, Marsai posed in a series of photos featuring her on a balcony wearing a blue form-fitting dress with hair and full glam to match. Sis isn't playing fair, we fear.
5.Smokey-Eyed Gaze
Arnold Turner/Getty Images for NAACP
Getting ready for a night on the town with the NAACP Awards, Martin sported a smokey eye. The navy blue base is outside of her typical neutral eye. And just when you think the glam stops there, BOOM! Insert lashes! Diva-style lashes lay across the actress’s eye, enhancing her smoky makeup and taking things to new heights.
6.New Hair Who Dis?
Hair truly brings a beautiful look together. Martin’s captivating red hair is a perfect example! We are obsessed with the way her deep red hair complements her neutral pink lip.
7.Hater Blockers
We have to give it up to this cool accessory. The glasses (pictured above in slide 2) are making this glam look out of this world. They cover the actress's entire face, leaving nothing to see but a girl's greatest beauty asset—a smile.
8.Just Peachy
If this sweet pic doesn’t warm your heart, we don’t know what else will. Martin gives us a light peachy moment when showing off her fresh cut. Sun-kissed blushes and a simple lip are the touches that make this selfie too sweet.
9.That Girl Always
Well, you know what they say: blondes have more fun! And this stands true with her latest look. Martin wore blonde boho braids, a red dress, and a beat face. Happy belated birthday to a true queen of glam.
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Featured image by Araya Doheny/Getty Images
Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
Watch the full episode below:
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole
Calling All Lovers: October London, Tamar Braxton & Ro James Deliver A Soulful Serenade
If there was ever a night to pull out your best leather jacket, call up an old flame, and lean into your soft, sultry era, The October Nights: Calling All Lovers tour was it.
Presented by Black Promoters Collective, the show brought an evening of lush vocals, smooth grooves, and unapologetic grown-folks business to Atlanta—with Ro James, Tamar Braxton, and the man of the hour, October London, leading the charge. The energy? Sensual. The vibe? Intoxicating (literally and figuratively—more on that in a minute).
Ro James kicked off the night with his signature raspy vocals and a cool confidence that immediately set the tone. While “Permission” was the undeniable crowd favorite (with couples slow-dancing in their seats and people swaying with their phones in the air), he also dug deeper into his catalog, delivering seductive mid-tempos and moody ballads that reminded us he’s not a one-hit wonder—he’s a whole vibe.
Next up, Tamar Braxton took the stage with diva energy and vocal acrobatics that had the crowd on their feet. Her set was a perfect mix of emotion and edge—songs like “My Man,” “All the Way Home,” and “Love & War” hit every heartstring, but she didn’t stop there.
Tamar tapped into her earlier work, showing her full vocal range and reminding everyone that she’s one of the most powerful voices of her generation. Between tracks, she got personal with the audience, sharing laughs and stories like we were all cousins at the family reunion.
Oh—and in case you missed it: “Braxtons are coming back.” 👀 Consider that a soft launch if we’ve ever heard one.
Then came the velvet king himself: October London.
From the moment he stepped on stage, it felt like time slowed down. Backed by a silky live band and powerhouse background vocalists The Shindellas — Kaso, Stacy, and Tam, October’s set was pure R&B indulgence.
He opened with songs like “She Keeps Calling” and “Make Me Wanna,” blending retro soul with modern sensuality. Every note was intentional, every lyric soaked in emotion.
“Touch On Me” and “3rd Shift” had the crowd in a trance, while “Lovers Interlude” and “You Look Better” brought things to a tender, candlelit close.
And because this is October London we’re talking about—of course, he came with the charm. “If I come down there and sing with you,” he teased one woman in the front row, “you gon’ get pregnant.” The entire room screamed.
He also took a moment to introduce his newest venture—a signature whiskey that he’s currently promoting on tour. Smooth music, smooth vocals, smooth whiskey? A trifecta for the grown and sexy.
To top off the night, there was even a surprise pop-up from Tyrese, sending the crowd into full nostalgic overload.
By the end of the night, it was clear: this wasn’t just a concert—it was a love letter to R&B. The October Nights: Calling All Lovers tour captured the essence of grown-up intimacy, storytelling, and soul. No gimmicks. Just real voices, real feelings, and really good music.
If October London is the future of modern soul, we’re all in.
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Feature image by Geoffrey Clowes/ Shutterstock