These Are The Manicures We Can't Stop Fawning Over
I used to be the girl who never got her nails done and simply settled for a clean cuticle and some clear polish, but now I'm never missing an appointment. Doing my nails has become a part of my self-care pamper routine and another way for me to express creativity. Every two or three weeks, I'm searching for new nail inspo that represents the mood or vibe I'm in at the time. From color to shape to style, the creativity is literally endless.
As we enter a new season, the change of weather has inspired a switch up for me. As we say goodbye to bright colors of the summer and transition into dark muted colors of the cooler months, this is some nail inspiration that I can't stop obsessing over.
Marble Nails
If an all-black nail color isn't your thing, opting for a dark marble nail design might be a better option. Regardless of the length or nail shape, this design will definitely fit your style. It's a great way of doing a little sumthin' but not doing too much.
Hot Chocolate Nails
It's nothing new to have nail trends or makeup looks inspired by your favorite drink, we've seen it with pumpkin spice and other fall/winter favorites. My latest obsession is the hot chocolate nails. Opting for a shade of brown is a simple way to get into the change of the new season.
Ombre Nails
I'm very late to the trend, but I love it. Not only does it allow you to mix and match colors to make one seamless look, but you can get as creative as you want to and try something a little more exciting than the typical French manicure. For my 9-5 girls who need to keep it professional, you can still do this look with subtle nude colors.
A Thin Line...
I'm not going to lie to you, this nail trend has a lot of variations and names but it very versatile. I love how Breanna incorporated horizontal and vertical lines for a very chic manicure. I really think she took the trend and made it her own.
Logo Nails
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Reecey Roo's NAIL SALON (@iamreeceyroo) on
I'm not going to lie, I don't know that I would actually try this, but the ones I saw were really cute. Logo nails have definitely become increasingly popular recently. I've seen Louis Vuitton, Tory Burch, and Chanel inspired nails among many others. I admire the art behind this and think it's impressive to fit this on such a small space.
Cartoon Nails
Like logo nails, y'all have even gotten more creative with cartoon nails. People are paying homage to their favorite childhood cartoon shows with their nail designs and honestly this is one of my favorites!
Matte Nails
View this post on InstagramA post shared by 𝙺𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚛𝚊 (@kensthetic_) on
This is one of my favorite nail art designs. Matte nails are very chic and simple. It's also a great switch up from the super glossy and shiny nails. The colors really take her nails to another level in my opinion. For her take on the popular rainbow nails trend, Kendra picked five colors that complement each other very well.
Multi-Shape Nails
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If you can't decide on one nail shape, get them all. At first, I wasn't sure how I felt about it but it looks really cute once I saw the finished product. It's no different from getting multiple colors and at this point there are no rules to the nail game if it slays.
Chrome Nails
View this post on InstagramA post shared by •𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝘆•𝗡𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵• (@allthingsbeauty_jellybayn) on
This is a simple nail inspo that anyone can pull off, especially if you like to keep it really simple.
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Featured image by Krissy Lewis/Instagram
Freelance writer, content creator, and traveler. She enjoys the beauty of simplicity, a peaceful life, and a big curly fro. Connect with Krissy on social media @iamkrissylewis or check out her blog at www.krissylewis.com.
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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According To TikTok, This Wellness Concoction Is The Cheat Code To Getting That 'Slip N Slide'
Being a woman is no easy feat. Don’t get me wrong, I love it here – I do! But, it’s not for the faint of heart. And, by faint of heart, I mean men.
Here’s the short list of things we navigate (in no particular order) that make me know God is, in fact, a woman: menstruation, men (good, bad, and ugly), motherhood, and maintaining the motherfucking magic in our relationships. We hold shit down. We get shit done.
There’s simply no denying that, at our best, women are godly! We’re also imaginative, crafty, and intuitive when we allow ourselves to be. We listen to and know our bodies like no other. Though, with Western medicine and generally being displaced from our roots, I think many of us have become out of touch with what’s natural to us and for us. However, I believe we’re attempting to return to what feels right–what feels natural.
TikTok has made it a bit easier as we’ve been able to hear first-person accounts of natural remedies such as okra water and its benefits for all things womanly, and then some. You’ve seen what I’m talking about–all the hype around okra water providing additional vaginal lubrication for women and also, its ability to make for easier labor for expecting mothers.
@charleanleonora We unlocking new levels of self care. Don’t sleep on this stuff and get my e-book! 🤎 #plantbased #naturalremedy #okrawater #womenhygiene
Benefits of Drinking Okra Water
@goldennn_xo6 I hope this helps 💕 #naturalbirth #homebirth #okrawater #okraforpregnancy #naturallaboranddelivery #fypシ #fyp #thefindguru
Between its believed contributions to digestive health and blood sugar control, drinking okra water has a lot going for itself in terms of possible health benefits. One of its most sought-after benefits is the helping hand it lends to those laboring children. Though there isn't a lot of science to support these claims, there’s lots of talk about how okra water can assist with the birthing process, with labor said to be easier through reduced pain, and the added lubrication is thought to help the baby "slide out" during the actual birth.
The believed increase in vaginal lubrication that the concoction is said to create is believed to be another benefit of regularly consuming okra water. Let me add there have been women warning against just how much additional lubrication (Smuckers, gushy-gushy, that wet-wet) it can cause. And, I would say heed this warning if you are someone who feels embarrassed by maybe the idea of squirting and excessive wetness.
The bulk of the knowledge around these particular health benefits is anecdotal, and while there does seem to be other health benefits, we can’t be certain of which ones and the quantity of nutrients being infused into the water in this form.
How To Make Okra Water
@maryamjhampton Replying to @RH How I make Okra Water! #okrawater #healthtips #womenshealth
Making okra water is a rather straightforward process. The simplest way is taking okra pods (frozen or fresh but preferably organic) and putting them in an encapsulated bottle with water to soak for up to 24 hours. Once you’ve made it, rest assured it will have a very thick and slimy texture–this is where it gets subjective. I could try it and tell you my experience, but I’ve seen some people say the flavor isn’t that bad while others say that they can’t handle the texture.
But, once you’ve made the okra water, feel free to mix it in with drinks like lemonade or a complimentary tea. And, as a pro tip, you can even add mint to infuse with your water to further enhance the taste. Though, I’m thinking when people are trying to enhance the taste it’s the texture they’re trying to distract from as many people seem to think the flavor is manageable–texture? Not so much.
You can also add okra water to smoothies, or make popsicles from it – the sky’s the limit when you’re an okra pod.
I know there’s this natural urge to be distrustful of things that haven’t been proven by…well…Western medicine. Though the research is not there in that regard, it seems to be common knowledge and a useful remedy amongst the African community.
I want to point out that our ancestors disseminated and passed along information for generations anecdotally. They shared their first-hand accounts of what worked and what didn’t work. So now, here I am, sharing the stories of others because this is how we get the recipes back! I do encourage everyone to do their due diligence when going the holistic route.
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Featured image by Westend61/Getty Images