
The Lipstick Shades That Allow Your Lips To Be The Star

There's nothing that pulls a look together quite like a fire lipstick.
Whether you don a full face to accompany it or simply use it accentuate your natural features, there's no doubting the power of a good pout. And that's exactly why we've rounded up a handful of our fave lippies that we're currently falling over just in time for the new season. And we've got something for everybody!
So if you're more of a vampy girl or you like to keep it cute and classic––scroll on to find your new faves.
The Lip Bar: Bawse Lady
The Lip Bar
It's a known fact that Black girls can wear any color and this brick red is just another example. The Lip Bar's "Bawse Lady" is the perfect go-to for when a run to the store or for a safe (socially-distanced) outing!
M.A.C: Ruby Woo
M.A.C
If you don't have this staple in your makeup bag, then sis what are you waiting for? This classic red looks good on literally anyone, but it's especially poppin' on us melanated women. Get into it!
MAC: Flat Out Fabulous
M.A.C
Staying in the M.A.C family, if you're one of those girls who love a pop of color no matter the season––then this beautiful plum pink is just for you. With its soft matte finish, it's sure to turn heads wherever you go.
Milani Amore Matte Lip Creme: Obsession
Milani
There's a reason why this lippie is called Obsession. With its vibrant, rich hue––you'll be wearing this again and again. And for an added bit of glam, dab a swipe of clear gloss after it dries for a kissable shine.
Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink: Protector
Fall is right around the corner and the one thing you NEED is a good vampy lip. This dark brown is a universal lewk that turns up the drama to your look with little to no effort.
Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink: Driver
Maybelline
Now before you look at us crazy, trust us when we say this color is IT. If you're looking for a good nude with a soft, non-sticky finish--this is your girl. Just make sure to outline your lips first with your favorite dark brown lip pencil/lipstick and blend for a nice, natural look.
NYX Lip Lingerie: Beauty Mark
NYX
We know it's often hard for us darker brown girls to find a good nude, but NYX definitely came through for us with this muted brown tone. We'd also recommend outlining your lips with a dark brown liner just so your lips can stand out.
NYX Lip Lingerie: Embellishment
NYX
This muted rose pink color paired with a dark brown liner as well will give you that cutesy pink pout that we've all come to admire. And if you want it to look a bit more natural, add a tinted gloss to set the look off.
NYX Buttergloss: Praline
NYX
When Lil' Mama said her lipgloss was poppin', we're sure she talking about this buttergloss. The name is accurate because of how smoothly it glides on and this color is the perfect finisher to any look.
E.L.F Lip Laquer: Clear
E.L.F
I know lipstick may not be for everyone, so for my ladies who like to keep it as natural as possible, this clear gloss is right up your alley. Sometimes a glossy lip just hits different, so you can definitely use this baby to turn your pout from matte to shiny too. (Just remember the clear gloss will take on whatever color your matte lip is, so might wanna keep a couple of these handy.)
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Writer. Empath. Escapist. Young, gifted, and Black. Shanelle Genai is a proud Southern girl in a serious relationship with celebrity interviews, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and long walks down Sephora aisles. Keep up with her on IG @shanellegenai.
Eva Marcille On Starring In 'Jason’s Lyric Live' & Being An Audacious Black Woman
Eva Marcille has taken her talents to the stage. The model-turned-actress is starring in her first play, Jason’s Lyric Live alongside Allen Payne, K. Michelle, Treach, and others.
The play, produced by Je’Caryous Johnson, is an adaptation of the film, which starred Allen Payne as Jason and Jada Pinkett Smith as Lyric. Allen reprised his role as Jason for the play and Eva plays Lyric.
While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Mother's Day is loading and so is our new series. Meet Michelle Ganey, Laurencia Bright, and Joy Ferrell as they each share their motherhood journey and the ups and downs that come along with it. Whether you're in your motherhood era, wanna be one, or just love yours deeply, The Mother Load series will have you laughing, crying, and calling your mom.
Motherhood is one thing, but Black motherhood is its own unique institution. From fears that only Black mothers can understand to the unspoken language that connects them, our series delve into the vulnerable conversations that are often not highlighted in mainstream media.
Laurencia Bright
xoNecole YouTube/ Screenshot
“They are products of their environment, of your parenting, of your personality, things like that. So check yourself,” Laurencia reminds us. Motherhood may come with a whole set of challenges and having to face yourself can be one of them. Laurencia opens up about how motherhood taught her to break generational cycles.
Joy Ferrell
xoNecole YouTube/ Screenshot
Joy, like most mothers, put their kids first. However, the mom of two is now learning that it's okay to put herself first. "It's okay to not fill your life up with your kids," she says. "It's okay to still be an individual and to actually actively and aggressively pursue being an individual versus a mom."
Michelle Ganey
xoNecole YouTube/ Screenshot
When it comes to Black mama rules, Michelle Ganey reflects on a classic one, "Do not embarrass me in public," she says. "I think one of my hardest struggles with kids is not caring about how they look when they leave the house and it feeling like its a direct reflection on me as a mother."
Watch the full The Mother Load series below:
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