If there’s anything I love about makeup, it’s a bold lip. I am that girl that will wear red, hot pink, and even black lip colors. As a child, I was always indifferent about my full lips. I now know that my insecurities stemmed from unrealistic beauty standards that catered to white features, so wearing a bold color is my creative way of taking back my power. It’s also my way of saying my full brown lips are beautiful, good enough, and do not need anyone's approval to be part of the beauty standard. My lips are my way of being vocal, loud, and unapologetically proud.
Although I love my beautiful bold lip colors, I felt it was time I took things up a notch. While shamelessly scrolling on the #beautytiktok hashtag on TikTok, I came across Stay Golden’s Glitter Lip Kit. The now-viral glitter lip kit is an electrifying vibrant kit that will have the spotlight on anyone’s lips. I believe in my heart this glitter lip kit is my spirit animal. I was captivated by the videos showing how the glitter flawlessly glistened in the sun or a nighttime setting. I’m not ashamed to say I fell for classic social media marketing and bought the lip kit to try for myself. Keep reading to learn more about my experience with Stay Golden’s Cosmetics Glitter Lip Kit:
A Little Tea About The Brand
Stay Golden Cosmetics is proudly island girl-owned by Danielle Edmond. The Jamaica-born model started her business on her living room floor in Brooklyn, N.Y. Her love for the city's nightlife and cosmopolitans infused her idea to create a beauty line that shined brighter than the city's night lights. She is now known for her super-popping glitter lip kits sweeping the TikTok For You page.
About My Lips
My lips are sweet, supple, and brown. Since the colder months are upon us, my lips are more prone to getting dry. My self-care routine for my lips consists of sugar scrubs and lip masks to keep them moisturized and smooth. I treat my lips with kindness when removing harsh lip stains or lipsticks. My preference is to use an oil cleanser to remove any bold lipstick of choice. I believe these treatment methods have helped to keep my lips healthy, helping me avoid over-drying, cracks, or sores.
Celeste Polanco
How To Apply: Easy... Too Easy
The only thing that made me nervous about this product was the application. I was worried the process would be pretty messy. Although I love glitter, the last thing I want is a sparkly mess in my bathroom. To my surprise, applying the look was easy and didn’t require any bathroom maintenance afterward. I credit this to the instructions, which listed steps that included using the lipliner, then gliding on the gloss bond, and finally adding the glitter on dry lips. All three items were included in the lip kit.
When I applied the gloss bond the texture surprised me. I would compare it to glue—which makes sense given the glitter must stick—but the feeling was a bit uncomfortable. It dried my lips more, but I guess that’s the sacrifice you make for beauty in this case.
Applying the glitter was easy and fun, and I used the applicator brush that came with the kit to gently apply it. I had full control of where and how much of the glitter I wanted to put on.
The Results:
I gotta admit, I typically don’t believe everything I see on social media, especially when it comes to cosmetics. You ever bought a beauty product because the hype on social media was too real, but then you get it in the mail and realize you’ve been bamboozled? I’ve been fooled by the algorithm and convincing beauty gurus one too many times. However, I am not a victim of buyer's remorse. I chose to spend my coins, and I've paid for my choices—literally.
Celeste Polanco
I'm happy to report the coins were not wasted! This product looked exactly how it did when displayed on social media, if not better. The glitter was unbelievably gorgeous on my lips! At first, I expected the glitter to fall throughout the day or to find bits of it on my face. The total opposite happened! The glitter remained on my lips the entire day as I drank water, caught up with friends, and went about my business.
Remember that drying feeling we discussed earlier? After I applied the glitter, I put clear lip gloss on for moisture and extra pop.
The Value: Worth It
The kit retails for $20 plus shipping. I have to admit I’m actually OK with the price. Why? Because it works! I personally do not mind spending a coin on Black- and Brown-owned brands especially if the product works. I love that this kit provides you with everything you need to achieve the best results. Best $20 I’ve ever spent!
The Final Verdict
I mean, do I even need to say it? I love this product! I appreciated how bold the glitter was on my lips and how well it held up throughout the day. The removal process was also painless. Using an oil cleanser or coconut oil to remove this product will work just fine. Sure, the gloss bond was uncomfortable at first, but lip gloss took great care of that problem. The price point is appropriate, the product works, and it’s Black-owned. Seriously! What’s not to love?
10 out of 10, would recommend!
Featured image by Celeste Polanco
RELATED
One thing that has stood out is the way they choose to mother while also honoring themselves in every way. For one, motherhood doesn’t mean trading in your style, confidence, or ambition. There are powerhouse Black women who effortlessly balance being moms while keeping their hot-girl energy intact. From rocking stages to slaying red carpets, we decided to round up some celebs who redefine what it means to have it all.
These women are living proof that you don’t have to trade in your hot girl card when you become a mom. They’ve shown the world that you can be a caregiver and still exude the confidence, ambition, and style that makes you, you. Who says you can’t have it all?
Beyoncé
(L-R) Beyoncé and Blue Ivy Carter
Amy Sussman/WireImage
When you’re Queen Bey, there’s no dimming your light—ever. As a mom to Blue Ivy and twins Rumi and Sir, Beyoncé continues to dominate the music industry, embodying grace, power, and unmatched work ethic. From headlining Coachella to dropping jaw-dropping visuals for Renaissance, she proves motherhood only enhances the glow. In 2013, Beyonce told Vogue, that becoming a mother helped her to really understand the power of her body:
“I just feel my body means something completely different. I feel a lot more confident about it. Even being heavier, thinner, whatever. I feel a lot more like a woman. More feminine, more sensual. And no shame.”
Victoria Monét
Victoria Monét is the epitome of "cool mom energy." With her adorable daughter Hazel as her muse, she’s kept us grooving with tracks like "On My Mama." Balancing new motherhood and a skyrocketing career, she’s proof that you can have it all—and look flawless doing it.
During an interview with Self, Victoria shared, "After I had Hazel, I went into a full depression. I was very hard on myself, and just judging so much and worrying about what I used to look like and what I used to have. It’s just all living in the past, which is the setup [for feeling like a failure]," she says. "[But] you have to think forward. It’s been a battle to be okay with whatever size I am at the time. So if I go to Disneyland with Hazel, I’m not going to be worrying about the churro, because we’re only at Disney one day."
Jhené Aiko
Jhené Aiko keeps her ethereal energy strong as a mom to two kids, Namiko Love and Noah Hasani. From creating soulful, healing music to co-parenting like a pro, Jhené’s free-spirited essence shows you can nurture both your kids and your inner goddess.
This year, The Purple Agency honored a select group of prominent mothers for their inaugural Mom Honors and the "Stay Ready" singer was among the honorees. Aiko delivered a moving keynote address to conclude the event, sharing her lifelong aspiration of being a mom:
“I always knew I wanted to be a mom more than anything. That was my dream. This is great and I love to do this, but this is not my dream […] It’s fun, but nothing fulfills me more than being a mom."
Ciara
Ciara is serving hot girl mom with no signs of slowing down. From slaying the red carpet with Russell Wilson to inspiring moms everywhere with her fitness and dance routines, Ciara makes sure motherhood doesn’t put a pause on her glow-up. It’s clear that motherhood drives this Atlanta girly. CiCi told Yahoo Music:
“For me, I can speak for myself: Being a mom gave me a bit more of sexy confidence. And it's not about what I'm wearing, it's just more of an internal feeling. I feel there's something very cool about being able to deliver a child, and being able to work hard to get yourself back to that place before you had that child. It's a rewarding feeling… If anything, I think the sexy gets turned up even more!”
Serena Williams
Serena might have retired from professional tennis, but her "hot girl mom" era is still thriving. As a mom to Olympia and a new baby girl, Adira River, Serena continues to serve Black excellence, whether she’s owning the boardroom or slaying on social media. Speaking about how she became to be such a fearless woman toAllure, Serena said:
"I think my mom instilled in us to be confident women, to really believe in ourselves, be proud of our heritage, our hair, and our bodies. That was something that was really important for her to teach us. I’m definitely teaching it to my daughter.”
Rihanna
The billionaire beauty mogul, music icon, and now mother of two, Rihanna is redefining motherhood with unapologetic confidence. From rocking her baby bump at the Super Bowl to running her Fenty empire, Rih proves being a mom only amplifies the bad gal energy.
When asked about how motherhood initially felt for her, she told British Vogue, “Oh, my God, it’s legendary.” Rihanna also affirmed, "Women just need a little bit of validation," she said to The Associated Press. Adding, "You are beautiful. Your body's beautiful. Your body is sexy and you deserve to feel that way."
Cardi B
Cardi’s personality remains larger than life—even as a mom of two. Between her jaw-dropping fashion moments and hilarious, unfiltered parenting takes, she proves motherhood doesn’t stop you from being the life of the party. The Bronx native has had no problems sharing that she has so much compassion—and love and appreciation— for all mothers in the world.
“There is no excuse, we have to do it. I have compassion for good mothers who get up and hustle and work, or even not work—having kids is work. Raising a kid is work.”
And what a feat to work and werk at the same time!
Teyana Taylor
Teyana Taylor is the queen of doing it all. As a mom of two daughters, Iman Jr. and Rue, she balances a multifaceted career as a singer, director, and actress, all while keeping her edgy, hot-girl aesthetic on lock. Teyana Taylor's exceptionally toned physique, showcased in Kanye West's "Fade" music video just eight months after giving birth, ignited widespread admiration and inspired many women to prioritize their fitness goals.
“I love that I can inspire women to feel that way,” she told The FADER. “This video was to do just that. To inspire women and to let them know that we are super women, each and every one of us.”
Kelly Rowland
As a mom to Titan and Noah, Kelly Rowland stays killing the game with her elegance and star power. From her music to her dedication to fitness and fashion, she’s proof you can slay in both the boardroom and the playroom. When it comes to finding the balance of doing it all, she told Scary Mommy:
“I think [that’s] the hardest thing about being a mom. How can I be the best mom, wife, friend, and version of myself all at once? It can be overwhelming at times, but I’ve learned to become more patient with both others and myself, and remind myself it’s okay not to be everything for everyone all of the time.”
Flo Milli
Flo Milli
Taylor Hill/Getty Images
While the “Never Lose Me” singer just announced her pregnancy on Nov. 25, we just know she’s gonna give hot mom vibes. The rapper took to social media sharing, “Flo mommy s— i can’t even see my coochie nomore that’s crazy.” She proudly displayed her baby bump in a series of photos, wearing a white crop top and orange shorts, reminding us that Flo Milli will always remain true to herself.
In an interview with Elle, Flo Milli shared she was raised in a nurturing environment with strong female role models, and she was inspired by neo-soul artists who emphasized self-love and empowerment. These influences instilled in her a strong sense of self-worth, which she actively promotes, particularly for dark-skinned Black women who often face challenges in the music industry. Flo Milli believes that self-perception is paramount, regardless of external opinions.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by