

We have a rare occurrence happening at the end of August, and that is the Super Blue Moon in Pisces. This Full Moon is rare because it is a Full Moon, Supermoon, and Blue Moon all in one, and is the biggest Full Moon of the year. The phrase, “Once every Blue Moon,” comes from this moon cycle, as it signifies the second Full Moon in one month, the first one being on August 1st in Aquarius.
What Is a Blue Moon?
Blue Moons are a symbol of spiritual and emotional renewal and a time when you gain the insight you have been looking for. A Blue Moon like this won’t occur again until 2032, so this is the time to do the inner work and experience a true refresh in your life.
Nourish your world, let go of what doesn’t serve, and reconnect to your dreams.
When is the Super Blue Moon of 2023?
The Super Blue Moon will be occurring on August 30th at 9:35 p.m. EST. Because the Super Blue Moon occurs in the water sign Pisces, this time will be an emotional one for the collective. Full Moons in general, are more focused on acceptance, letting go, and bringing attention to the gratitude in your life. This Super Blue Moon is awakening the heart and transforming what happens moving forward. With the Sun and Mercury retrograde currently in Virgo, opposite of where the Super Moon and Saturn will be, we are being asked to find our balance between what’s working and what hasn’t been and to create more space for emotional blessings and stability to enter.
This is a good time to declutter, open the heart, focus on gratitude, and be more vulnerable with others. Light a candle, be near a body of water, create art, and do the things that bring you closer to the universe.
There is strength in your emotions if you honor them rather than let them overwhelm you, and this Super Blue Moon is a rite of passage to the next phase of your dreams. With Mercury and Venus both in retrograde right now, things aren’t as clear as we’d like them to be; this Supermoon is a helping hand and the insight that makes all the difference. Don’t get discouraged. Move on to better.
Read below to see how this Super Blue Moon will be affecting you. Look at your sun and rising sign for deeper insight.
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What the Blue Super Moon of 2023 Has in Store for Your Sign
ARIES
This Super Blue Moon for you, Aries, is a time to slow down. The Supermoon will be occurring at the very bottom of your chart, giving you the space needed to experience an emotional renewal. You are doing a lot of contemplating, and you are opening your eyes to the past, present, and future and how they are all intertwining for you now. Own your voice, and trust your intuition. You do not have to hide your truth for the comfort of anyone else, and you are free to communicate, honor your peace of mind, and create boundaries where needed.
TAURUS
Life comes full circle for you during this Blue Moon, Taurus. This Blue Moon is a chance for you to take a look around and to accept and process the joy and inner discovery you have found as of late. There is emotional fulfillment, support, and friendship in your life, and you are getting the opportunity to see that all a little clearer right now. Jupiter, the planet of blessings and expansion, has been in your sign since May and goes retrograde a few days after the Supermoon. Take this time to let things come together once and for all before you have to take a few steps back again.
GEMINI
You are moving through a time of transformation this Supermoon, Gemini. Things are changing, and your guidance for this time is to flow with them rather than to fight this change. Know that what is falling apart for you right now is showing the cracks that need to be mended in your life so that you can walk on more solid ground and loving foundations. Career and professional life are experiencing some shake-ups, and it’s time to let go of one dream to build a new one that feels more freeing and fulfilling for you now.
CANCER
This Supermoon is happening in a fellow water sign, giving you an extra boost of magic and positive energy in your life. This time for you is about finding your balance between the adventures you want to go on and the newfound stability and safety in your life, Cancer. Know that you can do both and have it all and that sometimes the big adventure is doing something fun in the environments you are comfortable in, with the people you are comfortable with. Inspiration is high for you right now, and you have the power to decide what you do with it.
LEO
You are moving on to bigger and better things, Leo. This Super Blue Moon is an emotionally heightened time for you and one where you are looking at the commitments, intimacy, and vulnerability in your life. Your emotions are transforming, and you are going through a rebirth. Overall, this Full Moon for you is about moving forward and away from what’s been holding you back from living your truth and honoring your happiness. Notice what partnerships enlighten and inspire you and which ones leave you feeling more drained. Know that there is love on the other side of the fear you are walking away from right now.
VIRGO
This Super Blue Moon is all about aligning with harmony, Virgo. You are receiving the blessings, love, and peace that you have been looking for, and there is a good balance in your life this Full Moon. With the Sun currently in your sign and the Moon in your opposite sign, Pisces, relationship matters are becoming clearer to you now, and the work that you have been putting in is coming full circle for you. Honor what’s leaving your life and what is coming in, and notice how everything works out for your highest good, even when you are least expecting it.
LIBRA
Honor your divine intuition, and make the decisions that resonate with your heart, Libra. You are letting go of the past and recognizing that what you are letting go of is being replaced with something better. This Super Moon for you is about taking care of your health and well-being, taking care of your responsibilities, and supporting yourself regardless of who is by your side. You have the power to move forward, and you are divinely protected as you do. Listen to your heart and your mind, and notice the gift you are in this life, Libra.
SCORPIO
This Supermoon is a chance to let go of any heaviness you have been carrying in your life, Scorpio. You are getting an opportunity to regroup and lighten your load so that you can move forward with less emotional baggage than before. You are nearing the end of an important cycle in your life, and this Super Moon for you is a time of closure, culmination, and moving into your happiness. Get creative with where life is headed, take note of the spark you have found, and trust that the paths you are paving in your life right now will show fruition for you in the future.
SAGITTARIUS
This Super Blue Moon, for you, is about trusting the divine timing of your life and where things stand right now, Sagittarius. There can be some impatience you are feeling in your life around the time of the Full Moon, and you are being asked to trust that everything is unfolding exactly how it is meant to, in the timing it is meant to as well. A little bit more faith in the universe is required now as you wait for more answers to come and for the path to clear. Focus on the healing you can do now and on gaining a renewed perspective.
CAPRICORN
Your strength is needed during this Supermoon, Capricorn. Important revelations are coming in, but there could be some harsh reality checks you are experiencing in the process. Give yourself the time and space to connect to your heart and the duality that is showing in your life, and know that magic will come from this. Communication is key right now as you dive deeper into what is really going on in your mind, body, and soul. Use your inner compass to move you forward, and stand your ground when it comes to what matters to you most.
AQUARIUS
It’s time to invest in yourself, Aquarius. This Super Blue Moon is highlighting where you have been feeling stuck and what limitations you may be putting on yourself both consciously and unconsciously. The energy that is flowing through your life now is helping you to create breakthroughs by recognizing some of the mirrors of the life experiences you have been through recently. By getting to the bottom of things, honoring your self-worth, and planning accordingly, you can unleash your true potential. Financial matters are more pressing now, but you have the power within you to turn this into a blessing.
PISCES
The rarest Full Moon of 2023 is in your sign, and this is fitting for the rare type of energy you are, Pisces. This Super Blue Moon is a time of your blessings falling down on your lap and when you can finally take a deep breath of relief. Life is coming full circle, and you are loving what you are seeing right now. Write down lists of gratitude, congratulate yourself for how far you have come, and look in the mirror with more appreciation. The spotlight is on you right now, and you are free to be who you are or who you want to be.
This is a self-fulfilling and abundant time for you, Pisces. You are worth it.
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Tayler Barakat is a Mystic who has studied Astrology for over a decade. She does intuitive astrology and tarot readings for people all over the world, and her work focuses on healing and empowering individuals. Follow her on Instagram @taylerbarakat_ and check out her website www.listentothevirgo.com.
Luxury Hairstylist On Viral 'Hey Boo' Texts & Professionalism In The Hair Industry
As Black women, our hair is our crowning glory - whether we paid for it or not. We take pride in how we wear and take care of our hair. As with everything, hair care and hair styling have evolved over the years. Long gone are the days of Blue Magic (although I hear it’s making a comeback).
Now, we have a plethora of creams, oils, conditioners, shampoos, and stylists to choose from. Beyond wearing our natural curls, we have a range of options, from wigs and sew-ins to tape-ins, I-tips, and K-tips. So much choice! But you know what they say about too much of a good thing...
The Black hair industry has definitely blossomed in the last decade with a wave of new stylists and salons popping up all over the place. As much as I love that for us, many of these stylists have become the subjects of viral TikTok and Instagram tirades because of their alleged questionable behavior and bizarre rules.
Excessive policies, strange fees, long wait times, poor performance, and the infamous “Hey boo” texts. Beauty is pain, they say… xoNecole got to the root of these issues with luxury hair extensionist Dee Michelle, who’s been in the hair game for 20 years and runs a seven-figure business - all while being a mom of four.
Antonio Livingston
“I started my business with my career in the hair industry [at] very, very young age when I was maybe like eight...So, over the years, I've just built a very successful seven-figure business very quickly just by offering high-end services and creating great experiences for my clients, many of whom are high-profile professionals,” she said. “I'm also a mother of four, including a set of triplets, which inspires me daily to show what's possible with my hard work and focus.”
Dee’s business has gone viral on social media because of what many call outrageous prices for her invisible K-Tip installs.
“When I developed my invisible K-tip extensions technique, I made sure that it wasn't just about the hair or the style, but about providing a high-end experience from start to finish. So, my clients just aren't paying for the extensions or just the style itself, but they're investing into my meticulous, seamless craft and premium hair sourced from the best suppliers…I've spent so many hours mastering my craft, creating this seamless method that gives my clients long-lasting natural results, and my pricing just reflects that - the value of my expertise and the exclusivity of the service.”
The K-tip specialist stands on business when it comes to catering to her clients and giving them an experience worth the cost.
“And it's just important for me to also say that my clients are high-profile individuals who value quality, their privacy, and their time. They want a service that fits into their lifestyle and their time. They want things that deliver perfection. And I deliver that every single time.”
I’m sure we’ve all seen the various TikTok rants about people’s nightmare experiences with stylists and uttered a silent “FELT!” We asked Dee her opinion on a few nightmare scenarios that beg the response, “please be so forreal."
On stylists charging extra to wash clients’ hair:
“I think they should just include it in the price, to be honest. Because I feel like when clients go to a stylist, they're expecting you to wash their hair. Personally, if I see that washing is extra, I just wouldn't go to the salon because it just shows a lack of professionalism, in my opinion, and a lack of experience.”
“I think they should just include it in the price, to be honest. Because I feel like when clients go to a stylist, they're expecting you to wash their hair. Personally, if I see that washing is extra, I just wouldn't go to the salon because it just shows a lack of professionalism, in my opinion, and a lack of experience.”
On ‘deposits’ that don’t go towards the cost of the service:
“I think that's kind of weird, too, for deposits to not be like a part of the service. I've seen people have booking fees and I just don't understand it, to be honest. I disagree with that kind of policy…By all means, people should do what works for them, but to me, it doesn't make sense. Why does somebody have to pay a fee just to book an appointment with you? I don't get it. It feels like exploitation.”
On stylists charging extra to style (straighten/curl) wigs, sew-ins etc., after installing:
“I don't get it. Clients come to us to get their hair done, to get it styled. So why is it extra for you to style it? If you're going to charge extra, just increase your price. I feel like it could be just a lack of confidence in those stylists, feeling like people won't pay a certain price for certain things, or just their lack of professionalism as well, because people are coming to us to get styled.”
On the infamous “Hey boo” text stylists send to clients when they need to cancel/reschedule:
“Professionalism in any industry, especially the beauty industry, is everything. So texting a client the, “Hey boo” is so unprofessional, and it's damaging to the client-stylist relationship. Clients book their appointments expecting a level of respect and care, especially when they're investing their time and money and a service. And I get it, emergencies happen, we're all humans. However, it should be done with a formal apology and a clear explanation.”
“Professionalism in any industry, especially the beauty industry, is everything. So texting a client the, “Hey boo” is so unprofessional, and it's damaging to the client-stylist relationship. Clients book their appointments expecting a level of respect and care, especially when they're investing their time and money and a service. And I get it, emergencies happen, we're all humans. However, it should be done with a formal apology and a clear explanation.”
We know all too well what kinds of things will keep us from ever gracing certain hairstylists’ chairs with our butts again. So, what should hairstylists do to provide a good service to their clients? What is good hairstylist etiquette?
“For one, being on time is an important rule for stylist etiquette. It's just not okay to require your clients to be on time, and you're not on time. Also, communication. Being able to communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally, whether that's in person, via text, or on social media. Style is etiquette. Appearance matters. So just maintaining a clean, polished, and professional look. Clients respect you more whenever your appearance reflects your work. There's just so many things, but another thing I would say is active listening. So, being able to pay close attention to what your client wants and also clarifying any questions that they might have. Just to ensure that they feel heard and to minimize any misunderstandings.”
Dee also shared some red flags to look out for when considering a new stylist.
“Even me as a client, if I'm booking somebody and they have a long list of rules, I don't even book with them. That's, for one, just such a huge turn-off. Also, stylists who have inconsistent or unclear pricing, that's a red flag. People who change their rates too much without an explanation. Poor communication. So, if a stylist is responding very slow or responding unprofessionally, or giving vague answers to questions, that can make clients question whether or not they are respecting their time and their needs.
Another red flag - an inconsistent or low quality portfolio. And I feel like, I see this a lot with stylists stealing other people's work, and their portfolio on social media is just very inconsistent.”
We couldn’t let Dee go without getting the tea on what styles she predicts will trend in 2025.
“I feel like people are going back to natural-looking styles. So, a lot of people are ditching the wigs, the lace fronts, things like that. People are still wearing them, of course, but it is becoming more of a trend to embrace your natural hair and something that's not looking too fake. That’s one thing that we're going to be seeing a lot. I would say a lot of layers are coming back, heavy layers. Those are becoming really, really trendy. And people are leaning more towards platinum-colored hair. I've been seeing lots of like blondes coming out. Also, jet black is always going to be a trend. But I would say more like natural colors, but natural colors that are still making a statement.”
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Social Media Has A 'Man's First Love' Theory. I Asked 10 Guys About It.
Let me just put it right on out there and say that my first love and I couldn’t be more ridiculous — and yes, ridiculous is absolutely the right word. Ever since 1993, when we first laid eyes on each other in a friend’s dorm room, it’s been a series of situations, experiences, run-ins, phone calls, declarations — over and over and over again with the latest one actually being about a year ago.
We both happened to be in a part of Nashville, debating about which restaurant to go to, literally debating between the same two, only to ultimately run into each other…again. Googly-eyed and flirting…AGAIN.
This is an intro, so I don’t have a lot of time to get into why marrying someone who has been married before will absolutely never be an option for me (unless they are a widow) and honestly, because neither one of them has yet to jump a broom, I think that’s why there is still a part of us who romanticizes the notion that life may someday cultivate another chance for us. I don’t know — I’ve been humbled enough by his fineness and our undeniable chemistry to not pull a Brandy and “never say never” anymore (some of y’all will catch that later — LOL).
For now, I’ll just say that I’m only sharing all of this because of something that he — and many other men in my world over the course of my life — has said to me before: “I’ve only really loved you and one other woman”…and trust me, there have been MANY, so that statement is…something.
That’s why the man’s first love theory, something that has been generating quite a bit of chatter on social media these past few months, has intrigued me so. Because, even as a woman, I believe that men don’t “fall in love with love” that often. Not only that but, contrary to a lot of rambling gibberish that I oftentimes see on TikTok and Instagram, I also believe that when easily 80 percent of men genuinely love a woman, they take it far more seriously than they are given credit for.
Y’all don’t have to take my word for it, though. Let’s first unpack what the “theory” is all about and then hear what 10 men have to say about it all.
*Middle names are always used in my interview pieces so that people can speak freely*
First, What Is the “Man’s First Love” Theory?
@jayoffline♬ original sound - JB
Honestly, what this guy just said pretty much covers the theory in a nutshell: once a man has experienced true love for the first time, it’s hard for him to ever fully shake it. Okay, but what intel is there to support this notion beyond his post?
Well, a USA Today article on the topic said that this could be true due to the fact that since men are typically not encouraged to process their emotions in the same way that women are, that could be why their first love oftentimes has such a lasting impact on them. Beyond that, I once watched a social media post where a man said that since men are called to provide and protect and women expect men to do that, men love women like they do their daughters while women love men like they do their fathers — and since fathers are (mentally and emotionally) expected to die before daughters, that’s why men and women process love differently in the sense that women can see love ending and surviving it while men? Not so much. Pretty deep, right?
And I mean, the mere fact that 70 percent of divorces are initiated by women? That may help to prove that perspective to be pretty accurate (just sayin’). There’s also scientific research that says women tend to experience love more than men and that women tend to “fall out of love” before men do, although, interestingly enough, men reportedly “fall in love” faster than women and say “I love you” three times quicker (bet y’all didn’t see that last part coming).
What do I think personally? Well, I do think that women are oftentimes more relationship-minded and driven than men which makes sense when you think about the fact that we have a strong nurturing gene within us — and because of that, we’re probably more intentional about having a serious relationship and even more resilient should said-relationship come to an end.
On the flip side, I have talked to so many men about this topic over time that I will stand 10 toes down that I think that when it comes to real, genuine, and lasting love, most men probably have three of those max: their first love, their wife and perhaps someone in between or after (should the marriage end).
That’s just my thoughts on all of this, though. And so, I decided to actually ask 10 guys — guys with different relationship statuses — to share with me what they think about the man’s first love theory…based on what they believe and how they now feel about their own first love.
Here’s what they had to say.
1. Elijah. 29. Single.
“I was late to the game when it comes to love. My first love was in college and she almost ruined my life. Not because she was a bad person — I just had never felt that way about anyone, so it was hard for me to focus on school, I was thinking about changing my plans to follow her around the country and I was even losing some of who I was to make the relationship work. Social media will have you thinking that men don’t know how to love when the truth is that when we fall, we fall hard and if it was painful, we’re just not in a rush to do it again. We’re capable. We just don’t want to be martyrs.”
2. Ian. 30. Engaged.
“My first love was my high school sweetheart. It wasn’t until I got with my fiancée now that I realized that I really did compare every woman after [my first love]to her. That wasn’t fair or even healthy but until her, I had never really seen women on such an ‘all in’ way and, since she broke up with me, it’s not like I had wanted the love to end. Men don’t just not forget their first love, the way that they look at other women is influenced by her. Guys who deny that are lying.”
3. Yosef. 25. Dating.
“The timing of this conversation is strange because I’m wondering if I’m about to have a first love now. I’ve been seeing someone for a few months and even though it’s not serious and there is no title, I can’t get her off of my mind. In high school, there was nothing serious. In college, things stayed casual because I was focused on getting out. Now, I’m ready to consider a relationship and this girl has me seeing women really differently. It’s wonderful and terrifying at the same time. Is that what having a first love is like?”
4. Claude. 45. Married.
“My first love experience is something that I still try to figure out because my actual first love and my wife are very different women — and when I met my wife, it made me wonder if my first love was the real thing. It’s not because I don’t think that my first love experience wasn’t real or even valid but the way I feel about my wife is so much more. I guess what I will say is, if nothing else, men will always be impacted by their first love — and if it was a good situation, they will be grateful that it happened.”
5. Mykal. 33. Single.
“I totally agree with the theory that men don’t fall in love often. For what? What women don’t think about is, once we love you, we don’t have plans to leave. That’s why many men have stories of things that they put up with, too often and too long, because what comes with our love is loyalty. First loves can make or break us — that’s how crucial they are. Only women would challenge that. Guys know.”
6. Jackai. 37. In a Serious Relationship.
“My first love broke my heart and that had me on the war path for a long time. I don’t think women get that once we love you, we see you as perfection and don’t even consider that you will do something that will change that. Once it happens, it shakes us to where either we avoid relationships or we keep things very shallow and surface. While y’all are talking about all we think about is sex, what usually is happening is a guy who is still trying to get over his ex.”
7. Dorian. 39. Dating.
“Funny, because I just talked to my first love recently. Whenever either one of us makes a big life decision, we reach out to update each other. I think it’s because, when we were together, we consulted each other a lot. Anyway, I think that answers your question: men are connected to their first love, one way or another. It’s a space that no one can really compete with. That’s just the way it is.”
8. Franklin. 28. Single.
“Whenever I think about my first love, I’m pissed. She cheated on me and I never saw that coming. It has taken me a long time to believe that all women aren’t like her because when you tell a woman that you love her and she says it back, you don’t even comprehend that she could hurt you. Women don’t get how serious men are about love when it happens…that’s why it doesn’t happen a lot.”
9. Cael. 42. Married.
“I’m lucky to say that I married my first love. It took us forever to get to that point because we’ve known each other since our freshman year in college. We dated for a year and broke up. After graduation, she moved away and got engaged while I dated someone for a few years. We always stayed in touch and when she ended her engagement, we talked more often. I always compared other women to her because she’s my favorite person. We’ve been married for eight years now. Marrying your first love is a pure experience.”
10. Westyn. 30. In a Serious Relationship.
“Your first introduction to anything is going to make up the fabric of who you are. How much you allow that to change you is a choice. A lot about how we love is a choice. But to say that a first love isn’t in the top five as far as life-altering matters? How could it not be? It teaches you about love for the first time. I don’t think any human, not just men, can forget something like that.”
____
You know what I appreciated so much about these answers? It’s because each man expressed that, yes, love is a very real thing to and for them, and their first time learning about it in a romantic way, it did indeed transform them on some level.
And that’s why, personally, I don’t think that the man’s first love theory is a mere theory at all. Men do love — and they love pretty hard whenever it happens. Especially when it transpires for the first time.
As you just saw.
“Theory” proven.
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