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This Beauty Vlogger Isn't Trying To Fit Inside Any Box
Coming up in the world as a young Black woman sure does come with the whole bunch of no's and don'ts. Nonsense like:
Don't wear that black lipstick, you'll look too goth. Don't wear that red lipstick, you are too dark for that. Don't color your hair blue, you're going to look crazy. Don't cut off all that pretty hair, you're going to look like a man.
These limiting beliefs of what Black girls can and cannot do doesn't leave a whole lot of room for us to explore and experiment.
Beauty blogger Elisa, more popularly known as Shantrinas, has been a mentor on social media for women looking for fun and simple makeup and natural hair tutorials. She is a self-taught artist that can help anyone pull off a bold look, especially those of us with darker skin tones. Recently, Elisa chatted with xoNecole about style, beauty, and what makes her so unapologetic about the way she rocks them both.
Shantrinas/Instagram
What stands out about Elisa is her fearlessness in experimenting with different looks and colors, whether it's through her choice in beating her face or with styling her hair. She can instruct you on executing a range of looks from a striking and bold look, or the face of the Girl Next Door. She believes that is the most wonderful thing about the world of beauty. She is exercising the freedom of becoming your own personal fantasy.
"My style is constantly changing... It started when I went through the whole emo thing because I liked their style and I thought it was a little different. Then I got a bit older and thought I needed to calm down a little bit and I started being a little more toned down, but now I'm kinda all over the place and [it] is based off of how I feel that day. If I want to look like a fairy one day, that's cool and if I want to look like something else the next day, that's fine, [too]," she explained. "The whole reason that I actually went natural was that I wanted to dye my hair... I wanted pretty colors in my hair either purple or pink."
Shantrinas/Instagram
Purple or pink may be the last color the average woman would think of when dyeing her hair but Elisa is no stranger of thinking outside of the box. She grew up inspired by Kelis, loving alternative styles and being infatuated with the emo crowd along with the drag queen community. As a result, self-expression knows no bounds. She shared, "Even when I was younger, people would say, 'You shouldn't be wearing makeup. You shouldn't be wearing that color. You are too dark for this, you are too dark for that. And I said I like how this looks! I don't care what you think, I'm going to do it. I'm going to wear dark lipstick [and] love bold eye shadow I don't care if you think I look like a drag queen. I'm going to do it."
And she does it well. In each YouTube video, you can see her rocking her luxurious natural tresses in different colors like orange, purple, aqua blue, or she might just surprise you and cut it all off because to her, it is just hair.
Shantrinas/Instagram
Creativity is what keeps her going and she uses makeup and hair (the way a painter uses brushes) to create and experience a feeling; even going as far as experimenting with different color eye contacts and highly pigmented makeup colors. Shantrinas mentioned that she is also really into special effects makeup. Her advice when it comes to women that want to try something different with their look and are trying to get out of their comfort zone in the world of hair and makeup, is to do what feels good.
"I think you should find your own individual style. Don't be so pressured to be a certain way when there are so many other things you can be. If you want to try something, just go for it. Don't think about it too much, that is where the anxiety builds. Just do it."
Shantrinas/Instagram
You can catch Shatrinas diving into the world of fitness and clean eating while mixing up different colors to put in her hair. To keep up with this makeup loving, healthy living maven, check out her YouTube channel or on her Instagram @Shantrinas.
Thank you, Elisa, for giving us the inspiration to venture out of our comfort zone every once in a while.
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New Jersey native creating a life that she loves while living in gratitude. She loves using beauty, and fashion to create a balanced lifestyle while prioritizing wellness. A devoted fur mom, and a full-time lover of laughter. She is out for revenge against the darkness by being light, taking her own advice, traveling the world, and letting you know that you are so lit! Connect with her via IG @iamzaniah and please visit Zaniahsworld.com
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
'Love Island USA' Star JaNa Craig On The Reality Of Black Women On Dating Shows
Love Island USA just wrapped up its sixth season, and it has been the talk of the town. According to Nielsen, it's the No. 1 show on streaming, proving it's just as entertaining as the UK version. One of the reasons this season has been successful is due to the authentic relationships formed between the islanders in the villa.
You have the sisterhood between Serena Page, JaNa Craig, and Leah Kateb, aka PPG, and the real relationship moments between couples like Serena Page and Kordell Beckham, who were named the winners of this season. The other finalists include Leah Kateb and Miguel Harichi, Nicole Jacky and Kendall Washington, and JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez.
While JaNa made it to the finale with her boo Kenny, her journey in the villa was far from perfect. Viewers saw the Las Vegas native get her heart stomped on a few times after many of her connections didn't work out.
At one point, it even looked like she was getting kicked off the island. While she had a lot of support from people watching the show, it was clear that she was in a position that many Black women on reality dating shows find themselves in: not being desired.
It has been an ongoing conversation among Black women watching reality dating shows as we see time and time again that non-Black women or racially ambiguous-looking women are often chosen over Black women, especially dark-skinned women. In a discussion with Shadow and Act, JaNa opened up about the support she received from viewers.
@cineaxries i love them 🤧 #janacraig #janaandkenny #loveislandusa #foryou #peacock #loveisland #janaloveisland #xybca #kennyloveisland #janaedit #loveislandedit #janaedits #loveislandusaedit #viral #loveislandusaseason6 #foryoupage #peacocktv
"You know what’s so crazy? I’m so grateful, because when I got my phone, the way they’re making us The Princess and The Frog…I felt honored. I will be that beautiful chocolate queen if I need to be. And the comments like 'beautiful chocolate girl,' I’m like, all Black women are beautiful. There’s the whole light skin versus dark skin, which breaks my heart. I just really don’t understand that, but I will take pride and represent us well," she said.
She also candidly discussed her experience as a dark-skinned Black woman on the show. JaNa and Serena had been in the villa since the first episode, and they were the only dark-skinned Black women there. As new men aka bombshells came into the villa, they found themselves not being wanted by many of them.
"Me and Serena literally had a heart-to-heart before Kenny came in and she’s like, I just don’t think it’s fair that the Black girls don’t get enough fair chance.' Every islander that came in, we were not their top pick. And we just [thought], maybe because we’re Black girls, and the dark-skinned Black girls. It sucked," she said.
"I’m like, 'Serena, we know what we bring to the table. We’re great personalities. A guy’s going to come in for us.' That’s when we manifested what we wanted, and that’s when I manifested Kenny."
@ashleyvera__ We love to see it 🥰 #loveislandusa #loveisland #loveisland2024 #janaandkenny #loveislandseason6 #peacock #realitytv #fypage
After many failed connections, Kenny came in and immediately turned JaNa's experience around. America watched the model get the care and attention that she deserved.
"I’m not going to hold you. When I was in the bottom for a quick second, I’m like, ‘There’s no way America doesn’t [ride for us]. I know Black America had to ride for me, but maybe because I’m a dark-skinned … hmm … maybe … you feel me? And you saw the Casa Amor lineup. Beautiful, beautiful light-skinned [women]," she said.
"We looked at each other like, 'Damn, Love Island did their big one with this. And every single Casa Amor girl was like, 'You girls are gorgeous, you guys are stunning.' They expressed love. You guys are beautiful and it felt good."
Although she and Kenny came in third place, JaNa is happy that she got her man in the end. "I think the thing I’m most grateful about is the fact that this is a beautiful love story like you guys complement each other and there’s no hate toward the skin color. It’s all love and support. I love that more than anything," she said.
"That’s why I was like, 'I won,' even though I didn’t win. And the fact that Serena won, we were like, 'Yeah, run that.' Either way, we won. And I love the support from all communities."