I will never forget the feeling of watching Black Panther for the first time. Now, here we are gearing up for Black Panther: Wakanda Foreverfour years later. To think about the film without Chadwick Boseman is challenging to process. However, we know all who worked on the film will honor his legacy while delivering a movie we'll discuss long after we leave the theaters.
This time around, Marvel Studios is partnering with brands—many of which are Black-owned—to get us all ready for opening weekend, November 11th. From nail care to hair care to coffee, there are several Black-owned businesses to support. And there's even a collab with a makeup brand that always brings it when working on creative projects.
Keep reading for all the deets on each collab!
Marvel Studios' Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Layovers
Pear Nova
If you're unfamiliar with Pear Nova, the Chicago-based nail salon founded by Rachel James in 2012 is Black-owned and offers a range of polishes you can order online and use for your at-home mani. However, this collaboration with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is all about Layovers (think press-ons, but better).
The limited-edition layover nail collection features custom nail art inspired by Black Panther that is both long-lasting and reusable. The collection includes three designs: Vibranium Claws Layovers, Wakandan Tech 101 Layovers, and Rituals + Royals Layovers. And each set includes 24 almond-shaped luxury faux nails, a nail file/buffer, a cuticle stick, and nail glue.
Limited Edition Bevel x Marvel Studios Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Safety Razor Gift Set
Bevel
For the Marvel fanatics in your life, shaving just became more fun. Bevel collaborated with Black Panther to design their best-selling double-edged safety razor in a limited-edition all-black. In addition, because the razor is specially designed for coarse and curly hair types to reduce bumps and irritation, shavers will get a close shave with a one-of-a-kind Wakanda style.
Young King X Black Panther Wakanda Forever Collab
Young King Hair Care
Young King Hair Care is a plant-based, natural hair care line founded by wife-and-husband team Cora and Stefan Miller to redefine male grooming for young boys of color. Young King offers products from co-washing to stylers, and their collaboration with Black Panther is no different—just much cooler for wash day. The Wakanda Forever limited edition line includes a co-wash treatment meant to condition and detangle, styling balm, custard curl enhancer, and refreshing spray, all adorned with Black Panther packaging we're sure your kiddos will enjoy.
MAC x Black Panther Marvel Collection
MAC
One thing MAC does well is collaboration. Am I the only one still using their MAC x Aaliyah Makeup Collection lipstick? From what we can tell, this 18-piece collection adorned with specially curated Wakanda details and colors, including an eight-shade eyeshadow palette decorated with T'Challa's Claw necklace and a blingy highlighter designed with the Black Panther emblem, is going to be equally as amazing. Prices for the limited-edition collection range from $23 to $39.
Bonus: BLK & Bold x Marvel Studios' Black Panther Wakanda Forever
BLK & Bold
I wake up and drink a cup of BLK & Bold coffee every morning. I love starting my mornings with a Black-owned business. Plus, knowing that five percent of all BLK & Bold profits are used for good makes my morning cup of joe even sweeter. So I was excited to see their latest collaboration with Black Panther. This limited edition drop has three offerings: dark roast, medium roast, and Keurig k-cups, with packaging featuring Shuri, Okoye, Nakia, and M'Baku.
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Featured image via MAC Cosmetics
Some women have their whole wedding planned out, from the bridal gown and venue to the bridal party and playlist. However, KJ was not one of those people. “I didn’t foresee a wedding in my future,” she reveals. “I was just gonna be the boss chick, rich auntie. I didn’t force love in my life until recently. I never had an idea of what a dream wedding would look like, it was easier for me to elope.”
KJ Smith
Photo by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
And to many people’s surprise, that was their original plan – until Skyh brought up a valid concern. He was raised by his grandmother and thought she should be at the wedding, and naturally, that led to KJ wanting her grandmother to be there as well – then her mom – and later her sister – and, you’ve gotta invite the besties too, right? From there, the guest list continued to blossom. Much like the updo and pop of color bold red lip, she wore on her special day, which was initially on her Pinterest board as a soft glam look with her hair hanging on her shoulders, KJ is okay with changing her plan if it brings her and her loved ones happiness.
So let’s get into the wedding, which took place in Malibu, CA. The first thing you should know about the celebrity couple is that they’re non-traditional. They know, and they don’t care. So, in true unconventional fashion, they shared the morning of the wedding together.
“I woke up with Skyh, we walked our dog, had black coffee, and said good morning to the people who stayed at the venue with us,” she says.
Now, it was time for hair and makeup. While she was getting glammed up, she had Black-owned McBride Sisters wine and champagne (which ties into The Black Experience theme) on deck with her mom and friends, had her besties help rework her vows, retried on every outfit (sis is very Type-A), took photos, and ended the early-celebration with prayer and meditation. It seems very non-Bridezilla, I said.
“Yeah, I was the most unbothered bride ever. Everyone was just so supportive. As entertainers, we go on red carpets all the time. We actually have a production company,” she explains. “The get-ready process was like a day at work, but with people we love the most. Being entertainers, we didn’t feel stressed at all, but my excitement was so high.”
Things moved quickly, and before she knew it, it was time to line up to walk down the aisle.
“Yeah, I was the most unbothered bride ever. Everyone was just so supportive. As entertainers, we go on red carpets all the time. We actually have a production company. The get-ready process was like a day at work, but with people we love the most. Being entertainers, we didn’t feel stressed at all, but my excitement was so high.”
KJ Smith and her bridal party
Photo by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
Since everything started with their grandmothers, the couple wanted to ensure they honored them and planned to keep an element of their wedding traditional. Although we’ve all seen the reception videos and photos online, you may have noticed visuals from the wedding itself are harder to find.
“We planned for it to be traditional, but we’re not like that, so we tried to create those moments. We jumped the broom and had a salt ceremony (where the bride and groom individually pour salt into a glass container, symbolizing their lives becoming one.) But honestly, still, nothing was traditional about it.”
She goes on to explain that her mom caught the holy ghost coming down the aisle, her glam team was on deck, and she became so nervous with excitement that she had an anxiety attack – something she struggled with for years, she explains tearfully. Her friends had to literally cheer her down the aisle because of how overwhelmed she felt until she eventually calmed down.
“Skyh was standing there with his hand on his heart; we have our own little language, and I could feel the support,” she shares.
It was surprising to hear all these emotional moments happened before the party we saw online. That is until she once again got into the backstory.
“As a Black woman actress, for so long, it was popular to be mysterious and secretive, but that’s not who I am or what I like. Plus, we both wanted to create an experience for everyone there. We are the people who always host family and friends,” she says. “Like for me, the first order of business was getting sandals for the women so they can dance all night long. We had oxtail, D'ussé, and a coffee and sativa lounge – which is part of Skyh and I’s lifestyle and routine. We wanted to bring them into our world.”
Skyh Black (L) and KJ Smith (R)
Photo by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
She went on to discuss the dance routine she did for her husband at the reception, which has taken over the internet. Apparently, that’s another thing that didn’t go according to plan. According to KJ, she had promised a performance at their joint bachelor/ bachelorette party, but her outfit got stolen from her car. So, Skyh ended up performing for her – complete with a strip tease. Still, she never forgot her promise to dance for him.
So, she hired her friend as a choreographer, learned the routine, made friends and family watch it endless times, and attended Beyoncé’s Renaissance show a few days before for a confidence boost. It ended up being a show to remember. But that wasn’t all the night offered. Lil Mo performed, and the guests received special goody bags featuring their favorite Black-owned products like journals, hair care, and more.
“We made sure everyone was taken care of all night. That kind of stuff makes us happy. I wanted everyone there to experience the joy and love I have for myself, my partner, and for them. I wanted them to feel full and whole, and they had the time of their lives,” she says.
But naturally, the internet is going to internet, and while there were countless people praising the event and applauding the newlyweds, some thought it was too over the top. I was curious to know her thoughts on some of the criticism.
“It’s cool. We did what we wanted to do. I’ve decided to share my world with people. Just how I went on social media platforms and found inspiration, I want people to do the same,” she explains. “I don’t think it's fair to my supporters not to give that out. There’s so much I wanna share with brides, specifically Black brides. I love that people are adding it to their Pinterest boards."
"I wanted everyone there to experience the joy and love I have for myself, my partner, and for them. I wanted them to feel full and whole, and they had the time of their lives."
KJ Smith
Photo by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
“I’m happy with it because we did what we wanted to do. They can do what they wanna do. Don’t be cruel, though, because you will get blocked,” she said, laughing.
The more I spoke with her, the more her sense of freedom shined through. People are always going to have their opinions, but at the end of the day, it’s you who has to live your life, and it seems like the couple realizes that and embraces that power. She also stressed the importance of not living for others and the lessons life has taught her.
“I’ve been to countless weddings, and I’ve been in countless weddings. I’m a generally older bride. So when women in my demographic get married, and you and your husband are busy working people like us, you deserve to have the one you want to have,” she shares.
“This is what we wanted to do. Our loved ones love and support us. We did so much to honor them, but we also wanted to start our own tradition, legacy, and creation. I'm not going to be pulled back into ideas of the past when I’m trying to create a future with my partner. “
If you’d like to see more of the couple, you probably won’t have to wait long. Although no content is planned yet, she admits to being an oversharer. “Me being open and transparent about my experiences lets people know it’s okay to have flaws; it makes you human, and for many years, I didn’t believe that was okay. I had pressure to be perfect, and I’d crumble every time,” she explains to xoNecole.
Now, she owns her flaws and uses them as a superpower to connect with her community and feel and express her love.
“Some people give us [Skyh and KJ] a hard time because they say we just seem too perfect. I’m like, why is that a bad thing? I love the people I love. From my man to my mama, to my friends - unabashedly. We move through time and space how we want to move. If we did it another way, we’d let ourselves and our union down.”
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Feature image by Stanley Babb/ Stanlo Photography
