Everything We Know About The 19-Year-Old Activist Who Was Found Murdered In Tallahassee
If no one has told you today: I love you and I see you, sis.
Regardless of our sexual orientation, economic status, religious beliefs, and marital status, Black women remain the most neglected, unprotected, and disrespected people in America and you, my good sister, deserve better. I deserve better. And so did 19-year-old activist Oluwatoyin "Toyin" Salau, who was recently found murdered in Tallahassee after tweeting the details of her sexual assault.
Here's what you need to know:
Oluwatoyin Salau Fought Relentlessly For Black Lives
rest in power oluwatoyin salau 🤍 BLACK WOMEN DESERVE SO MUCH MORE. SHOW UP, FIGHT FOR, AND PROTECT ALL BLACK WOMEN… https://t.co/LusDB7QBzp— girl w tha butter coochie (@girl w tha butter coochie) 1592193777.0
Toyin was originally reported missing on June 6 and was subsequently found dead alongside 75-year-old AARP volunteer Victoria Sims by authorities after being missing for eight days. The teenager was a vocal member of the Black Lives Matter movement in Tallahassee and relentlessly pulled TF up for victims of police brutality, including trans man, Tony McDade, who was fatally shot and killed by police officers, until the time of her death.
Oluwatoyin Salau Was Seeking Refuge Before Her Death
Hours before her disappearance, Toyin penned a series of tweets that quickly gained traction and ultimately triggered a statewide search for the young activist. Toyin, estranged from family and without resources, explained that upon searching for refuge, she encountered a man who she initially suspected to be a good samaritan. The teenager shared that although she found shelter at a nearby church, she was ultimately forced to leave in order to "escape unjust living conditions." She wrote:
"He came disguised as a man of God and ended up picking me up from nearby Saxon Street. I entered his truck only because I carry anything to defend myself not even a phone (which is currently at the church) and I have poor vision. I trusted the holy spirit to keep me safe.'
Oluwatoyin Salau Tweeted The Details Of Her Assault
Shortly after, Toyin described being violated, an experience that she became familiar with while navigating life as a homeless teenager. Her tweets continued:
"Once I saw he was asleep I escaped from the house and started walking from Richview Road to anywhere else. All of my belongings my phone my clothes shoes are all assumably at the church where I've been trying to track since I sought spiritual guidance/ refuge. I will not be silent. Literally wearing this man's clothes right now DNA all over me because I couldn't locate his house the moment I called the police because I couldn't see."
...Which Later Helped Authorities Locate A Suspect
While information from her tweets was unable to help authorities find Toyin before her untimely death, they did help police locate 49-year-old Aaron Glee Jr., a suspect who is now being investigated for double homicide and was accused of sexual assault as early as a week before her disappearance.
"Mid 40's lives in a gray painted duplex apartment style house drives a white clean Silverado Chevrolet truck."
The 19-year-old activist was described by friends as "brave" and "passionate" soul who damn sure didn't deserve to die by the hand of a man whose freedoms she was fighting to preserve. Toyin's story is only one of the heartbreaking tales that reminds us that Black women are a national treasure that deserve to be protected and heard at all costs.
As we mourn the deaths of our many sisters who have been silenced by police brutality, domestic violence, and internalized misogyny alike, please don't forget to say their names:
Aiyana Mo'Nay Stanley-Jones
Ayanna Stanley-Jones would have graduated high school this year She would be alive if police hadn’t shot her whil… https://t.co/Te2tw4vTki— Feminista Jones™️ (@Feminista Jones™️) 1592247291.0
Dominique Fells
🕯Dominique “Rem’mie” Fells 🕯💔Black trans women are living in a state of emergency 🚨 within a state of emergency. En… https://t.co/9EjvOZqcOR— 🔮 (@🔮) 1591938306.0
Korryn Gaines
let’s not forget when they ran in 23 year old #KORRYNGAINES house to “serve a warrant”, ending up in a standoff res… https://t.co/2zaDAVDfod— big nine (@big nine) 1590843402.0
Riah Milton
Natasha McKenna
This is Natasha McKenna. She died in police custody at the age of 37. Her last words were, "You promised you wouldn… https://t.co/Xy27OdGUVL— 𝔩𝔦𝔰𝔰𝔶 (@𝔩𝔦𝔰𝔰𝔶) 1592014049.0
India Beaty
One year ago today, #IndiaBeaty was killed at the hands of the Norfolk, VA police. #SayHerName & know her story https://t.co/9XeEOLHekP— African American Policy Forum (@African American Policy Forum) 1489943288.0
Nakia Crawford
Black women deserve SO MUCH more. Rest in power #NakiaCrawford in Akron Ohio. Baby girl recently graduated high sc… https://t.co/8tPMi6GS9e— millionaire nae 💸 (@millionaire nae 💸) 1592233470.0
Priscilla Slater
Family of black woman who died in Detroit police custody pleads for answers, after she was found dead in her holdin… https://t.co/rnZyeUReHW— Complex (@Complex) 1591979364.0
Featured image by Twitter.
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
We Rounded Up The Coldest Lip Combos Around The 'Net Just In Time For Sweater Weather
Listen, one thing about us is, that we're going to fawn over a bomb lip combo. Though it's a staple for many makeup looks year-round, with the dropping temps and full embrace of nude and earthy colors, if you haven't tried it already, lip combos feel like a must for cozy girl fall makeup routines. And while we can appreciate the solo lip product looks, the lip combo routine is mean and, as a lip pencil meets lip product and creates an elevated lip look you had no idea you needed, it makes you realize the perfect pairings do exist.
Simply put, a lip combo is a combination of applying and layering any lip product in a specific order to create a new lip look. These days, the internet makes it easy to decipher the lip liner and lip color, gloss, balm, tint, or oil of choice that got some of our favorite girlies' pout games on point. Find the lip combo duo of your dreams by scrolling through some of the best lip combo duos ever.
The Best Red Lip Combo
@makeupbymissevelyn Theres just something about a RED LIP 😍 @NARS Cosmetics - Starwoman💋 #redlipstick #grwm #lip #mattelip #lipcombo #lipstick #blackgirlredlips #blackgirlmakeup
As the caption by @makeupbymissevelyn reads, "There's just something about a RED LIP." We couldn't have a list like this and not feature a look like this. Everything about it GIVES. Though she doesn't go super in-depth about the lining process, in her comment section, she revealed that she used the lip combo for the "perfect red lip" with the Color Pencil by Morphe Cosmetics in "Trendsetter" paired with the NARS Cosmetics Powermatte Lip Pigment in "Starwoman."
Nude Pink Lip Combo
@symphani.soto Replying to @Shuny my lace is lefting with this heatl lmfao 🥹🧍🏽♀️ anyways these are the products @maccosmetics chestnut, cork lipliner Teddy 2.0 lipstick @Lawless lipstick “annie”
Artist Symphani Soto shared her lip combo in a recent TikTok. To outline her lips, she used MAC Cosmetics Lip Pencil in the intense brown shade "Chestnut" and the more muted "Cork." After creating a gradient effect with the two brown pencils towards the center of her lips, she filled the remaining space with MAC's Powder Kiss Lipstick in shade "Teddy 2.0," a deep nude tone, before swiping the shade all over her lips. Her final step was the peachy nude classic cream lipstick from LAWLESS Beauty in the shade "Annie."
Barbie Heat Lip Combo
@delikaalthea Mwahh , my most complimented lip combo 💕 Products #nyxcosmetics retractable eye liner (brown) #juviasplace liner (kola) #nyxcosmetics smooth whip matte lip cream (cheeks) #fentybeauty gloss bomb fu$$y heat #fypシ #lipcombo #lipcombotutorial #makeuptutorial #lipcombotiktok #blackgirltiktok #blackgirllipcombo #blackgirlmakeup
Creator @delikaalthea shared with her TikTok audience what she refers to as her "most complimented lip combo." The end result was a glossy Barbie-pink lip that didn't skimp on the heat. In the video, she started off by generously lining her lips with not one but two products, NYX Cosmetics' Retractable Eye Liner Pencil in "Brown" and Juvia's Place's Luxe Lip Liner in "Kola." She then finalized the look by filling in her lips with some NYX Cosmetics Smooth Whip Matte Lip Cream in "Cheeks" and Fenty Beauty's Gloss Bomb Heat Universal Lip Luminizer + Plumper in "FU$$Y."
Soft Glam Lip Combo
@asiaslimmm RUN do not walk to get these products ! all three of these lip creams are from @NYX Cosmetics ! Definitely try it out you will not be disappointed. Products used : Soft matte lip cream in Cairo Butter gloss in vanilla cream pie Butter gloss in lava cake #lipcombo #blackgirlmakeup #nyxcosmetics #lipliner #liptutorial
When subtlety is your forte, you are knowledgeable of the many ways in which less is more. This soft glam lip combo is perfect for beginners but also for people who might want to make a statement with their lips but do so in a more muted way. TikTok creator @asiaslimmm used all NYX products, starting by lining her lips with their Butter Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss in the shade "Lava Cake" and then applying their Butter Gloss Non-Sticky Lip Gloss in "Vanilla Creme Pie" and Soft Matte Lip Cream in "Cairo."
Viral JT Lip Combo
@itsurgirlaisha_ how gorgeous is the lip combo that JT posted on IG!?? 😍🔥💋 HAD TO RECREATE. using brown lip liner, black eyeshadow and the @Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Hot Chocolit 🤩 #jtlips #jtlipcombo #blackgirlmakeup #lipcombo #lipgloss
TikToker @itsurgirlaisha_ recreated a lip combo that she peeped on City Girls' JT. Start by outlining the sides of the lips with brown liner and then apply black eyeshadow to the cupid's bow and the bottom lip. After that, apply a generous layer of Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in "Hot Chocolit Heat" all over the mouth. Then, take a brush and blend it out.
Two-Toned Glossy Lip Combo
@westindieray Me 🤝🏽 two toned lip combos 🥹✨ #makeupforblackwomen #lipcombos
Influencer Westindieray shared her rendition of "the best lip gloss combo ever" that she believes every Black woman needs on her TikTok. First, take the NYX Cosmetics Slim Eye Pencil in "Medium Brown" and lightly line the lips with it. Apply the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in "Hot Chocolit Heat" to the top lip. Apply Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in "Hot Cherry" onto the bottom lip. After that, go back over with the eye pencil and the glosses to add more shine and color to the two-toned lip combo.
Everyday Nude Lip Combo For Black Women
@tierra.quarles Yall have been asking for my everyday lip combo and here it is: Liner: @makeupforever x Artist Pencil in Limitless Brown. Lipstick: @NYX Cosmetics x Powder Puff Lippie in Squad Goals 💋 If youre a black girl, you NEED this liner. Its a perfect Neutral Brown for all of your lipsticks 🫶🏾 These are my go to’s for my everydag look and now you all know it 🫰🏾 #blackgirlmakeup #makeuptutorial #blackgirllipcombo #blackgirltiktok
Tierra, who goes by the TikTok username @tierra.quarles posted her perfect everyday lip combo, and it only requires two products. First, line the lips with the MAKEUP FOREVER Artist Color Pencil in "Limitless Brown." The liner comes highly recommended by the creator, which she shouted out in her caption, "If you're a black girl, you NEED this liner. It's a perfect Neutral Brown for all of your lipsticks." She topped it off with the NYX Cosmetics Powder Puff Lippie Lip Cream in "Squad Goals."
Easy Lip Combo
@melanin_origin #blackgurlmakeup #ukblackgirlmakeup #makeup#fyp#treanding#lipcombotutorial #makeuptutorial
If you want a really simple lip combo look that feels more modern than refreshing your Carmex or lip gloss of choice but with a little more oomph, creator @melanin_origin shared a TikTok of her easy go-to lip combo tutorial. To create this look, the creator used two different shades of brown liners to outline her lips before using a brush to blend. She added a light pink KIKO Cosmetics 3d Hydra Lipgloss to fill her lips and then topped it off with a clear gloss.
Lazy Girl Fall Lip Combo
@themamagreen Statement fall lip combo for my black beauties 🫦 it’s effortless, i literally did this while layinf down. I always get compliments and the stain helps it last. I top it off with a clear gloss fenty gloss bomb throughout the day. The #benetint by @Benefit Cosmetics is a holy grail at this point #lipcombotutorial #lipcombosforblackgirls #lipstain #benefitcosmetics #BenefitClubPink, #BenefitBrows
Opting for what she calls a "statement fall lip combo," The Mama Green @themamagreen posted her staples for what helps her achieve an "effortless" fall lip look. First, line the lips with a MAC burgundy lip pencil. Next, apply a coat of Benefit Cosmetics Benetint Cheek & Lip Stain. Complete the lip with a clear lip gloss.
Keep scrolling for even more lip combos for Black women to get inspired by.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by We Are/Getty Images