Over the past couple of years, the beauty industry has made tremendous strides in becoming inclusive of all shades and I am totally here for it!
For a long time, the beauty industry has failed women of color when it comes to creating products that suit our deep range of shades and varying undertones. It seems like since Fenty Beauty came into the game in 2017, carrying 40 shades of foundation has become an industry standard. Brands have been putting in work to create foundations and other product categories that represent all shades of beauty, particularly the darker end of the spectrum. Though much work is being done, one product that brands have repeatedly missed the mark on is bronzer.
Prime Beauty
I was super excited when I stumbled upon Brownzers by Prime Beauty. These Brownzers are matte (not glittery) bronzers and made with women of color in mind. This is literally a dream come true to women like myself who love the idea of bronzer but struggle to find bronzer shades that are actually deeper than our skin tones. Most popular bronzers on the market don't come in shades that suit Black women and, quite honestly, it's a bit disappointing.
Thanks to these bronzers that make the beauty needs of women of color "primary, not secondary", I'm no longer mixing the brown shadows in my Juvia's Place Warrior palette to create a bronzer that looks good on me. These chocolate girl-friendly bronzers are offered in 3 shades: 'Glow Coast' (light brown), 'Bronzeville' (medium brown) and 'Chocolate Litty' (deep brown) to enhance your melanin. The clever shades names made me even more excited to try them out.
Writer MIKA/xoNecole
Here’s what my makeup looks like before I added bronzer:
Writer MIKA/xoNecole
My makeup looks good, but I know a touch of bronzer would elevate it. Some people may ask why do women of color need bronzer anyway? Bronzer is a great finishing touch to your makeup to give your face a bit of dimension and an overall sun-kissed look.
Over the years, I've become a huge fan of bronzing as opposed to contouring. Think of bronzing as contouring's much more calm "sister". It takes way less effort and precision, yet it gives your face that little extra "life" that it needs.
Here’s what my makeup looked like after applying the 'Bronzeville' bronzer from Prime Beauty:
MIKA/xoNecole
After applying bronzer, my face looks much more complete and warmed up. I actually look and feel like I have a vacation tan. In reality, I'm in 40 degree weather in NYC. 'Bronzeville' is my preferred shade of the three that Prime Beauty offers. However, I can see myself using 'Glow Coast' and 'Chocolate Litty' in the future as well.
Overall, I think the Brownzer's by Prime Beauty are absolutely worth the $21 price tag. Besides the fact that their bronzers come in shades that are flattering on WOC, these bronzers are ideal for any makeup lover; from novice to professional. They apply super smoothly, which makes blending simple. Also, they are buildable, so you can start with a little bit of bronzer on your brush and add more bronzer as needed. FYI: You don't need a lot at all.
Wearing 'Brownsville'; Pictured 'Chocolate Litty'
MIKA/xoNecole
So, if you're in the market for a new bronzer or are looking to try bronzer for the first time, I would highly recommend trying one of the Brownzer's from Prime Beauty. These bronzers will open you up to a makeup category that hasn't met the needs of WOC in the past.
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Featured image by MIKA/xoNecole
“WaterWipes has been in my household for I don’t know how long. We don’t just use them for Noah; I keep them in the car and my makeup bag, too,” Rowland shares in an exclusive interview with xoNecole. “I also like the fact that they are natural. I’ll definitely have them in my fanny pack for trick-or-treating. This is Noah’s second Halloween, and I know he’s going to be excited and digging in his pail to try the different candy, and his little fingers will be messy. He’s going to want to get dirty. So, I love that WaterWipes is putting up ten Hallowclean stations across the country for parents to use; it’s such a great idea. I just love Halloween, and I really love Halloween with my kids, so I thought this campaign was a really great idea.”
Kelly Rowland and son Noah at the WaterWipes Hallowclean Machine in Brooklyn, NY.
Photo courtesy of WaterWipes.
She and her youngest son, Noah, attended the event, where the two enjoyed a day of family-friendly activities while he sported the most adorable astronaut costume. But the Spooky Szn fun doesn’t stop there for the Merry Liddle Christmas actress and executive producer.
We recently caught up with Kelly Rowland over Zoom to learn more about her Halloween (and holiday) plans, her keys to a healthy marriage, and she even dropped her go-to cold-weather skin routine—finally.
xoNecole: What are your family’s upcoming trick-or-treat plans? Will you do a fun group costume, or is everyone going to do their own thing this year?
Kelly Rowland: I’m preparing for tour, so I’ve been in rehearsals and pre-production. And my husband's schedule has picked up, too. But the kids are going trick-or-treating; we usually go with people we know, so mommy and daddy will definitely be home to take them. We’re actually letting the kids dress us up this year, which means my costume will be a complete surprise to me. I told Noah he could paint my face or even go to the costume store and pick something out—it’s literally up to them. So, I don’t know what that will be. And, right after, I’ll be back to rehearsals.
xoN: Speaking of holidays, what do you look forward to most during the season?
KR: We love having people over, especially during the holidays. It looks like we will be home this year—thank God— just enjoying each other and spending quality time together. I like to decorate the house and go completely ham; it always looks like Christmas threw up in my house. From the stairwells to the exterior of the house and the lights—everything. We go so crazy. I also love the smells, it’s one of my greatest memories with my mom, God rest her soul. So I love to play all of that up.
I like to bake something every day, I like to make sure there is something for the kids to do or make each day, we watch Christmas movies, and we even do a wine tasting sometimes. It’s just all really sweet and cozy.
Kelly Rowland and son Noah at the WaterWipes Hallowclean Machine in Brooklyn, NY.
Photo courtesy of WaterWipes.
xoN: We love that family is so important to you, and it always shows in your posts, especially those with your husband. What would you say has been that “key” to a healthy marriage as partners and spouses for you two?
KR: I would say, each of us doing the self-work. I have not seen marriages last long in my lifetime. I haven’t been given the tools to “make it last forever.” We just try to do the work on ourselves and not sweat the small stuff.
Communication is key for us, too. We communicate everything. Whether I’m upset or I’m not sure about something, I communicate it. I also just like being around him, he’s fun. He’s a really great person and makes me laugh. We can literally sit together and watch a game and not say anything. We understand what true intimacy is, and now we’re almost ten years into our marriage.
xoN: Now, Kelly, we have to ask. Skincare. What is your cold-weather routine and the products you’re reaching for as temperatures drop?
KR: Right now, I’m all about moisture. I will wash my face morning and night, I do not skip. I’m obsessed with this 111SKIN toner. It smells good, but it also feels good on my skin. There’s also this product from Vanessa Lee of The Things We Do. They are these coconut eye patches with these little beads. I place them under my eyes and around the corners of my mouth—talk about a game changer. I like to put them on at night and then rub in the extra serum all over my face. Between that and this lactic acid by Shani Darden, they are both game-changers for me this season.
xoN: So, since you’ve found the key to aging backwards, should we be on the lookout for the Kelly Rowland skincare line anytime soon?
KR: Honestly, that market is so saturated. I wanted to do it a while back, but I have to really think about what I want to bring to the marketplace to really impact culture. It’s not just about a product for me. I love the way Selena Gomez has created a community. I want to be able to create a community as well. When it’s not just about skincare, it turns into a space for people to be their most authentic selves. And that’s what I love.
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Feature image by Natasha Campos/Getty Images for Tres Generaciones
My second time in Barcelona, I was able to cover even more territory than my initial visit nearly ten years ago. From Black-owned restaurants to DIY upcycling studios to getting “the shot” in front of the famous The Cheetah Girls 2 movie backdrop. Here’s an insider’s take on what to eat, see and do while there.
Where to Stay
The key to any major city is staying in a central location. This way, you can easily get around, whether by foot, rideshare, or even public transportation. For this trip, I stayed in the ultra-trendy ME Barcelona. With gorgeous imagery of Black women rocking their natural kinks and coils filling its walls, the hotel is a dream for any Black girl that likes to feel seen.
The entire property is decked out in neutral tones and wood accents. There’s a rooftop pool for those visiting in warmer months, a late-night bar accented with pink florals hanging from its ceiling, and a delicious restaurant with tons of greenery splashed throughout.
What to See and Do
First and foremost, you’re in Europe, so retail therapy is a must. With the EU having the VAT (value-added tax) refund, it’s the perfect excuse to get in a little designer shopping while also saving a few coins in the process. With Spain being the home of fashion house Loewe (pronounced Loh-eh-vey), you’re sure to get your hands on some of the brand’s hottest bags and shades for a fraction of the price in the US. Oh, and there’s a nice designer outlet just 30-minutes outside Barcelona proper— you can thank me later. You can also find great shopping around Plaça de Catalunya, as well as the iconic La Rambla (Barcelona’s famous pedestrian strip).
For the artsy girls, add a visit to Upcycling Barcelona Shop (L’Escola d’Upcyling) for unique pieces as well as the chance to take one of the collective's daily DIY upcycling classes. The shop mostly works with denim, so you could walk away with your own custom piece. Also, no trip to the city is complete without seeing the various buildings and houses built by architect Antoni Gaudí. Words really don’t do these structures justice, so you’ll just have to see them for yourself.
For the artsy girls, add a visit to Upcycling Barcelona Shop (L’Escola d’Upcyling) for unique pieces as well as the chance to take one of the collectives' daily DIY upcycling classes. The shop mostly works with denim, so you could walk away with your own custom piece. Also, no trip to the city is complete without seeing the various buildings and houses built by architect Antoni Gaudí. Words really don’t do these structures justice, so you’ll just have to see them for yourself.
Where to Eat
Spain, in general, is famous for its tapas culture. Nearly any sit-down restaurant around the city will serve up an array of small, shareable plates for you and your group. Some of my favorites: the tomato bread with olive oil, fried croquettes, and grilled octopus.
If you’re on your Issa Rae vibe right now— rooting for (and supporting) everyone Black— check out Black-owned Spice BCN and Fori, both known for their African influences and cuisine.For a local vibe, make a reservation at Taberna Llamber tucked away in the city’s back alleys. This spot is popular for local residents, so keep that in mind because it can get packed.
For a unique spin on tapas, head to Fismuler, which also offers live music on most nights.
For the vino enthusiasts, Barcelona is known for its wine tourism as the country is home to the popular sparkling varietal, Cava. Add a full-day wine tour to your itinerary to partake in some of the region’s best labels.
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Feature image by DeAnna Taylor
