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4 Black Woman-Owned Brands You Need In Your Skincare Routine
Elevate and chill is the wave, and every week, xoNecole is highlighting four black woman-owned brands you should support and follow. Join us on August 3 to support businesses like these in real life at our first annual ElevateHER Market event.
As I've grown older, my skin has come to feel like less of a point of pride and more of a burden on my to-do list. While, as a young, spring chicken, I didn't have to worry about the perils of cystic acne and sebum-induced sadness, now it seems like it's all I think about.
My Google search history is riddled with natural remedies that have either left my skin inflamed or had little-to-no effect at all. It wasn't until I decided to buy black that I realized the value in consulting and confiding in experts that look like me and therefore have the same problems as you (as well as the right solutions).
While the ULTA lady tried her hardest to help me understand how the latest cult cleanser that's about $100 more than what I've budgeted for is the key to healing my hyperpigmentation, sis just couldn't relate. If you're like me and have spent hours on end looking for a suitable skin solution, look no further.
Below, I've compiled a list of black-owned skincare brands created by boss women that look like us that will help remedy all of your skin-related woes in the process:
Minimo Skin Essentials
Less is definitely more when it comes to skincare products, and according to Minimo Skin Essentials, minimalism isn't their mission.
Created in 2016 by Houston-based entrepreneur, Mary Ware, this company seeks to deliver high-end, paraben-free beauty products that will help you say goodbye to bad skin and revel in your glow like the queen that you are. Minimo's line of all-natural, reasonably priced products includes facial scrubs, serums, and dark spot correctors that will get your skin all the way together.
Shop Minimo Skin Essentials here.
Jade & Fox Co.
If you're in the Atlanta area, make sure to swing by Little Five Points, where Jade & Fox Co. can fulfill all of your natural skincare needs. This company uses products that can be found in the confines of your pantry to create a cocktail of skincare magic that will give you that glow all year round. I've ordered from this company twice before, and while I miss their package deals, I can really appreciate what these clever concoctions have done for both my acne and my hyperpigmentation (the Darla Cleanser paired with their Fineapple Face Mask is the key to true happiness).
Jade & Fox Co. offers a number of organic solutions to suit all of your personal needs and offers a range of products, including but not limited to aluminum-free deodorant, linen spray, and body scrubs.
Shop Jade & Fox Co. here.
Brown and Coconut
Brown + Coconut is a plant-based, non-GMO skincare company based in Boston that was created by melanated sisters, Letisha and Zeena Brown, who developed the business after suffering from years of severe acne.
Letisha and Zeena cured themselves of their dermatology-related woes from the inside-out, starting with changing their eating habits and later compiling years of research and testing to create organic, chemical-free skincare solutions that would be suitable for every skin type. Using household ingredients like thyme, honeysuckle, and kale, these sisters have created a line of scrubs, masks, and cleansers that will have your skin on 10.
Shop Brown + Coconut here.
Uni Beauty Blends
When it comes to sunscreen, serums, and scrubs, Uni Beauty Blends has you covered. Based in Baltimore, Uni Beauty Blends offers plant-based solutions for all skin types that help with problems like hyperpigmentation, eczema, and psoriasis. Most of their products are under $20, making this collection perfect for the sebum-burdened beauty on a budget.
A woman like me can't say no to an effective facial system, and according to several customer reviews, this company has exactly what you need. You can purchase these products for a steal as a part of a bundle deal or try them out individually a la carte. According to many customers, Uni Beauty Blends' Apple Crisp toner is a crowd favorite that will have you looking 10 years younger.
Shop Uni Beauty Blends here.
Featured image by Instagram/@MinimoBathAndBody.
Show your support to black-owned businesses created by women in real life by buying a ticket to xoNecole's first-ever ElevateHER Market event today!
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.
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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
Blair Underwood Initially Turned Down 'Sex And The City' Because 'It Was About How Samantha Was Fascinated By Dating A Black Man’
Actor and heartthrob Blair Underwood is opening up about why he turned down Sex and the City the first time he was offered a role. Many fans of the HBO series may recall Blair's time on the show in which his character was dating Miranda (Cynthia Nixon). However, he was previously offered another role where his character would date Samantha (Kim Cattrall).
During his interview with AV Club, the Set It Off star revealed that he was uncomfortable with the initial offer due to the character's fascination with him being a Black man.
“I actually did say ‘no’ the first time,” he said. “The first time they had offered the role, to be honest with you, it was about how Samantha was fascinated by dating a Black man and wanted to know if, uh, all of the rumors were true about our anatomy! And I said, ‘Listen, I’m honored, thank you, but I just don’t want to play a character based on race, on curiosity about a Black man.'”
But that didn't stop them from reaching out again. This time he was offered to play Dr. Robert Leeds, the love interest to Miranda and he decided to go for it. "So they were nice enough to call about a year later, and I said, 'Well, is it gonna be about race?' And they said, 'No, no, no, we’re not even gonna mention race!' And I think it really did only come up maybe once," he recalled.
"It did five episodes, and I think Samantha mentioned it once, saying something about 'a Black doctor' that Miranda was dating. And that’s really been a consistent thing in my career: not wanting to be boxed as 'the Black guy.'
"I’ve had that conversation with many producers along the way, and they were so great. They said, 'No, he’s just a doctor who Miranda meets in the elevator, and they have a nice little fling.' And it was amazing."
Blair has had a wide-ranging career playing everything from a lawyer on L.A. Law to playing Madame CJ Walker's husband on Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madame CJ Walker. And during his interview, he revealed another role that he initially turned down, Set It Off. The movie, which is considered a classic in Black culture, stars Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise. Blair's character, Keith, played a banker and love interest to Jada's character, Stony.
He explained why he said no at first and eventually accepted the offer. "I had initially said “no” to that. Because I was playing this historic, iconic African-American historical figure in Jackie Robinson, and the time, y’know, there was Boyz N The Hood, and Menace II Society was out there, and I’d finished playing this noble Negro… [Laughs]," he said.
"And I’m reading the script, and there’s a scene where Jada Pinkett’s character—Jada Pinkett-Smith now—was going to sell her body so she could make some money to send her brother to college. And I remember, honestly, I threw the script across the room. I was, like, “I don’t want to do this. I want to do something uplifting for the Black culture and Black characters, and I don’t know if I want to see this.”
After a conversation with the movie's director F. Gary Gray and the actor's manager encouraging him to finish reading the script, Blair had a change of heart. What he first thought about the movie turned out to be totally different.
"So I finished the script, and I saw that the character they were asking me to play was really the love story in the midst of all of this turmoil of all of these characters, the four ladies: Queen Latifah, Vivica Fox, Kimberly Elise, and Jada," he explained.
"It was so well-written, it was such a great platform for them. And to be able to play the love story and the storyline that gave Jada’s character a leg up and a way out of this world, something to hope for, to wish for, someone to love her… I said, 'You know what? I’d like to be a part of that.'
"And I’m so glad I did, because that film resonates to this day. People all the time come up to me and say that they love that movie. So I’m glad that I did it."