

Women have always been powerful in their own right.
It is only recently that we have truly been owning that power in a truly revolutionary way. With all the girl boss books, female anthems, and calls from Beyoncé to get coordinated – there is no excuse to feel anything but empowered in your womanhood. We are successful in our own rights, we are breaking boundaries, and writing our own rules to live rich and fulfilling lives. The future is no doubt female.
As women of today, we can do whatever we want, be whoever we want, and have whatever we want. By extension, we can also have whoever we want. Enter, the high value woman.
She is strong, she is independent, and she knows what she wants out of life and strives to get it. She is a force to be reckoned with. A queen among queens and when you encounter her energy, she casts a spell that makes her so memorable, she's impossible to forget. It's deeper than physical beauty – it's an aura that she exudes. Read on for the 5 traits of a high value woman and find out how to slay the dating game.
5 Traits Of A High Value Woman
The high value woman doesn't equate her worth to sex.
As a woman, your worth isn't tied to your vagina. Women's bodies have always been theirs without truly belonging to them. Sex has culturally been a determining factor that insecure men draw a false sense of power from and thereby feel the need to base a woman's worth on her body count or lack thereof. But who gave a man that power? *Cue Queen Mother Erykah Badu* Certainly, not me.
The high value woman knows her worth without relying on a man to validate her worth or value. The high value woman doesn't let what others think of her dictate how she lives her life. The high value woman doesn't use sex as collateral and instead makes decisions for her body based on her wants, independent of what anyone else says in attempts to try to police – whether it is celibacy, abstinence, or sex three times a week.
A high value woman transforms sexuality into what it is, a vessel of self-expression and intimacy, as opposed to a commodity. She is aware that the aspect of her that a man should really be worried about acquiring is her exclusivity. That's the real prize.
The high value woman is confident.
While confidence can be faked until it's made, authentic and deeply felt self-love stems from a place of true confidence. And that is where a high value woman harnesses her power. She doesn't need anyone and as a result, none of her actions come from a place of neediness – instead, it echoes confidence. She knows her worth and it is evident in the way that she walks, talks, but most importantly, in the way that she treats herself.
Thus, the quality of men she attracts know they have to step their game up and treat her in a way that matches what she does on her own or more, or they can keep it moving.
The high value woman doesn't play games.
Because she is a high value woman, she doesn't feel the need to behave in a way that is inauthentic to her desires nor is she one to manipulate for the hell of it. She doesn't pretend to be busy, take twice as long to respond as her potential bae did to a text, or swallow and shroud herself in an effort to be more likeable to the opposite sex. She doesn't have to follow arbitrary rules to seem more unattainable or more attractive – she just doesn't have the concern.
She is only interested in attracting and keeping people who value who she is as a woman in the way that she values who she is. That kind of woman is not worried about whether or not potential bae is thrilled by the chase.
The high value woman is self-aware and expressive.
Some women fail to realize that a lot of what makes them a woman are qualities to be revered – being emotional and sensitive are just two of those qualities. These are beautiful feminine qualities that you should own as pivotal aspects of your divinity. Closed mouths don't get fed, and women hide so much of themselves out of fear of being too this or too that, so they don't voice their opinions, their thoughts, or feelings – especially in dating.
The high value woman doesn't hide herself in any way from the world, especially not from a prospective partner. She understands that it's not what you say, it's how you say it and that the way she expresses herself is a part of seduction and intimacy. She is grounded in her own sensibility and understanding of the world. She is not afraid to ask for what she wants, to say “no," or demand respect by walking away confidently from a table where dinner is no longer served.
The high value woman has her own.
Her value is not intrinsically dependent on a man. She is enough just by existing so she is enough for herself. She feels good in her own skin, complete, full, and whole. She is a well-rounded woman who is emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually independent. She travels the world, makes time for her girls, and clocks in to a work life she's passionate about.
She can wait for Mr. Right without desperation because she knows that the man she chooses will be the one that deserves her and all that she is.
Featured image by Getty Images
Originally published December 9, 2017.
- Shan Boody Frozen Five The Game Of Desire - xoNecole: Women's ... ›
- What Do You Bring To The Table? - Perfect Response - xoNecole ... ›
- How To Attract Rich High Quality Men - xoNecole: Women's Interest ... ›
- Are My Standards Too High In Dating? Short Answer? No. - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- What Makes A Man Invest In A Woman - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- 'Future Faking' Is The Current Dating Trend To Be Leery Of - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- What Men Value In Women Relationships - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- What To Say To What Do You Bring To The Table - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- Signs She's Faking It, Relationships - xoNecole: Women's Interest, Love, Wellness, Beauty ›
- Traits of a High Value Woman, According to Old Hollywood | by ... ›
- The HIGH-VALUE WOMAN VERSUS The LOW VALUE WOMAN ... ›
- 13 Ways You Know You're Dating A High-Quality Woman | Thought ... ›
- Top 6 Traits to Look For in a High-Value Man (Matthew Hussey, Get ... ›
- 12 Basic Signs of High Value Women - The Power Moves ›
- 3 Top Keys To Become A High Value Woman - YouTube ›
- 11 Traits of High-Value Women That Make Them Stand Out from the ... ›
- 5 Traits High-Quality, Superior Men Find COMPLETELY Irresistible ›
- The Two Traits of Women that Men Routinely Fall In Love With ... ›
- How to Be a High Value Woman-7 Traits ›
- 7 Traits Of High-Value Women That Make Them Irresistible To Men ›
On her debut album,CTRL,SZA crooned about her desire to be a “Normal Girl.” Now, nearly eight years since its release, her Not Beauty line represents her commitment to existing outside of traditional beauty norms.
The singer whose real name is Solána Imani Rowe first teased the idea of a lip gloss line during Super Bowl LIX in February, noting that the release would be happening “very shortly.” Not Beauty debuted simultaneously with the Grand National Tour, which she co-headlines with Kendrick Lamar, in Minneapolis on April 19.
Each Not Beauty pop-up would offer fans the opportunity to purchase the glosses, learn more about the brand, and have the opportunity to meet the superstar in the flesh regardless of their ticket status.
During the Los Angeles tour stop, which spanned three dates on May 21, May 23, with the finale on May 24, xoNecole had the opportunity to test out the glosses included in this soft launch, as SZA revealed in a statement that "this is just the start of other lip products, including plans to launch stains, liners, and creams all inspired by SZA's “infamous layered lip combinations.”
Courtesy
So, what is included in the first Not Beauty launch?
The current Not Beauty products available are lip glosses that come in three shades: In the Flesh, Strawberry Jelly, and Quartz.
During my visit to the first LA Not Beauty pop-up activation, I not only had the chance to purchase all three glosses but also took a peek inside the blow-up log tent. Inside, fans got to experience SZA’s love for nature and her fascination with bugs, which are prominently featured in her performances for this tour. At one point, she even had human preying mantis prancing across the stage y'all.
There were blow-up photos of the beauty that is SZA for fans (myself included) to take photos, but in wooden-like tree trunks were a deeper dive into some of the ingredients featured in her products and their benefits.
For example, the glosses feature Hi-Shine Lip Jelly and Shea Butter as key ingredients and some of the listed benefits included are:
- Shea Butter - “A powerhouse ingredient, offering both functional and nourishing benefits.”
- Hi-Shine Lip Jelly (featured in the In the Flesh shade) - “Formula glides on with perfect adhesion to the lips without stickiness).
Courtesy
What are in the products?
Featured in an orange package, with images of a bug and flower on the side, the back of the box reads: “It’s NOT BEAUTY, it just works. Developed by Solána “SZA” Rowe.
As someone who never leaves home without a good lip gloss, I loved how compact the wood panel packaging is. Perfect to slip into my purse, or in the case of the show at SoFi Stadium, into my pocket when I’m not carrying a bag.
Because I’m a sucker for a good black and brown lip liner and clear gloss combo, I decided to wear the Quartz flavor on night one of the Grand National Tour LA stop, and it did not disappoint. I’ll admit, it’s light weight feel made me nervous because it felt like there was nothing on my lips. However, when I checked my lips in my compact mirror several times throughout the night, I was shocked to find that my gloss was still intact. I only reapplied once out of the habit of looking cute and applying my gloss, but not necessity.
Here are some of the ingredients featured, but not limited to, in the Quartz flavor.
- Polyisoubutene
- Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea)Butter
- Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil
- Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil
- Tocopherol
Courtesy
Lip prep
I’m a simple girl who loves to stay true to her roots. So ahead of the show, I stopped by a local Inglewood Beauty Supply store and grabbed a Black and Brown shade lip pencil for just under $2 a piece.
Shading the outline of my lips with the black pencil first, I used the brown to lightly fill the inside of my lips before applying my Quartz Not Beauty shade gloss.
How to apply
There’s truly no right or wrong way to apply lip gloss (in my opinion), with this being a brush applicator sort of product, I simply untwisted the top and swiped the gloss around my top and bottom lip generously.
Courtesy
Results
Again, my Not Beauty Quartz product stayed on my lips from the start of the show, which began with a fire DJ set from LA’s very own, Mustard, to the conclusion when Kendrick and SZA reunited on stage to send us home to their duet, “luther,” featured on the rapper's GNX album.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image courtesy
Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole