I've often thought about how I would go about a threesome, how I'd go about setting boundaries for myself and ensuring that it wasn't some socialized desire I took to meet my "freak" quota for my man (we all know one). Would I even be willing to incorporate a threesome into my relationship? As a single person looking in, I decided I'd rather be the third to another couple and leave the potential for messiness in their bedroom. But as a sex educator, the reality is that it can be done, but a threesome requires communication and healthy boundary-setting to ensure that things can be tucked away with a neat little ribbon afterwards.
For some, the boundary is simply: "The third can never be someone who we'd invite to the wedding." Either way, specificity is key and in this day and age, the possibilities are infinite. Couples and singles are seeking out a third partner through apps like Thrinder, swingers clubs, at random, or in the age-old direct message.
For the expansion of your mind, body, and soul, it's important to know that a threesome has the ability to be diverse. Despite the sexism we learned around MMF threesomes, it is in fact that and not a train. And we should reject the idea that a threesome ONLY ever occurs when it's FFM because...you guessed it...that's dated, patriarchal, sex-negative language.
It encompasses voyeurism (you'll see) and/or the use of accessories such as strap-ons and vibrators. It takes place inside throuples but also with a group of singles. Threesomes are whatever you make them...except foursomes (that's just group sex, point blank). They can be sexy, they can be awkward, spontaneous or premeditated. Just like sex with an indiviudal, you might be more comfortable in one scenario than another.
But, let's get into it. Here are 8 threesome stories featuring people on what threesomes are really like through their own experiences.
1.Watch me watch you...
"My boyfriend and I have a semi-open relationship. To be honest, I don't know exactly how to label it because I'm not into labels and everything (to me) is fluid, based off of impulse and how we feel at the time. I've always been interested in group sex/threesomes, mostly two men and me, and I made this clear to my boyfriend early in our relationship, however never was comfortable with acting on it [and I] didn't know how down he would be. Anyway, I'm very up and down sexually.
"There are times where I'm asexual, and then there's times when I'm hypersexual and can't stop thinking about sex and prefer 'riskier' behavior. It's supposedly tied to the fact that I have BPD, as suggested by my previous therapist. Well, when I was at the height of my adderall addiction, I was extremely hypersexual, unfortunately to the point I would fuck random niggas behind [my boyfriend's] back. (Yes, my boyfriend and I were OK with fucking other people, BUT we didn't officially talk about it so technically I was cheating.)
"One day, he found out, because I'm not one to hide shit well. He was extremely angry, as he should have been, but eventually he forgave me and then began to want to incorporate my desires into our sex life. We would invite people over, and I'd f*ck them and he'd watch. So basically, he never participated in the threesome, but he'd watch/tape; or he would not be there, and request that whoever is f*cking me would tape it all and then I would send it to him."
"I say all this to say... I feel like sometimes people don't talk about the uncomfortable TRUTHS about this lifestyle. In my case, it began to be an obsession. It also stopped being something that was on 'a whim'. He [my partner] started constantly asking me if I was talking to someone (to initiate sex) and asking me details of what I was talking about and asking me about times/days, all that kind of shit.
"To incorporate him in the mix, it started being overwhelming and like a second job at that point. And I think it was mostly because he ultimately wasn't completely on board with me doing this with him, but he was interested in the thought of voyeurism/threesomes/group sex but just not me doing it. Anyway, long story short, we don't do that anymore. And that was my decision, not his."
2.Tonight's the night...
"It was with a hetero couple I dated. I met them while teaching their son but they didn't pursue anything until after I had stopped teaching him. But I knew they had been attracted to me for some time. We were hanging out casually, perhaps that was the time I was taking to get comfortable and warm up. Finally, in February we all went back to their place.
"I was ready and in the mood. I said we having sex tonight. We started with some p*ssy licking. I asked each of them to take turns while I'd close my eyes and guess who was performing at a given time."
"After, I found myself sitting on his face while she rode her husband. After that, I gave her some good head and made her jizz in my mouth. I recall feeling excited, slutty (in a good way), accomplished, stimulated."
3.Almost doesn't count...
"I basically auditioned. I was sought after. She wanted a threesome, she started talking to me on her own. Then, we met up for dinner and took it from there. But I really didn't find her boyfriend attractive. Then they started talking about 'girlfriend' business, but I didn't like him so we made an attempt and the first time she got mad because he was touching me, so I Ieft.
"Then, shortly after, they broke up and she and I started messing around. That was great. I was nervous for the threesome activity though, [it's] not really my style, and no I would never do it again (laughs). Maybe with two girls."
4.It's instinct, I guess...
"First off, I'll say I'm a 'compersive' person, meaning I get pleasure out of my partner receiving pleasure. The prospect of a threesome came up after one of my female friends asked me about it, as she was attracted to us both. I set her and my partner up on a date without me, so they could see if they vibed. Apparently, it was a good time, but nothing ever really panned out from that. Then when we were out of town out drinking with some old friends, I asked if she would be down for a threesome with one of my friends, who I know, but isn't too close to me. He's also a nigga I know that's down for almost anything, plus he's discrete, which made him a good candidate.
"Me and him went outside the club to smoke a blunt in the car and I asked him if he would be down. [Though] my partner gets a lot of attention and I knew he would be down, he first responded like, 'Why me?' and I told him to just consider himself lucky. He was like, 'Aight sign me up, imma stop asking questions' and laughed. I told him to meet us at the hotel later. When my partner and I got back to the hotel and started getting ready for bed, I made sure she stayed up and mentioned that one of my homies would be coming over.
"When he got there, we thought it was a good idea to start rolling up. I could tell he had never been in a threesome before. Anxiety was in the air. So before the weed came out, I started making out with my partner, then I said to her, 'You should go show my homie some love too' and I directed her towards him and they started making out. She had on a little short nightgown and I put my hand up her gown while she was making out with him."
"He was still nervous (and had trouble getting hard, understandably), and I could see her getting anxious too so I ate her out, while she started giving him head (he was semi at this point). Then I turned her around and gave her some aggressive backshots until she came a few times while giving him head, and he started to choke her. She asked me if I told him she liked being choked, which she does, and I actually didn't. It was instinct, I guess.
"Anyway at this point everybody was on 10 and I backed away to let him put a condom on so they could fuck too. She's submissive, and says things like 'yes please,' which he finds hot. I recorded a bit, they both came, then he left. After he left, we fucked again which was probably the best sex of the night tbh, and went to bed. She was GLOWING the next day, and we debriefed over breakfast. The next two weeks she was hornier than ever, throwing the pussy at me even if I just looked at her. I think she really felt confident in herself as a sexual being and her sex drive was on another level for a couple weeks. I really feel like it was a win-win-win overall."
5.I wanna play...
"I went to the swingers club with the intent of watching, but it's hard to be hard-wired for horny and not want to partake. I think I also planned on watching because I didn't anticipate any Black people being there and white people weren't going to get me off. My curiosity got the best of me when the Black couple I had been keeping tabs on while they exchanged oral had suddenly left the room. True to my Sag, my ass went to explore the situation. I found them with the one other Black couple making out on the couches.
"They gave me permission to join verbally and as a sign of good faith she gave his dick some room to breathe so I could show them I was serious. We moved to a private room where she and I took turns eating one another out, and giving him head."
"Soon after, we had sex but not for long because I panicked, through my clothes on, and dipped out. Unfortunately, I was forced to bump into them for the rest of the night in the club. I would definitely do it again but I would put slightly more thought into it. More intention."
6.An invitation...
"Back in undergrad, one of my closest friends also happened to be my roommate. She was going through a bad breakup and after a night of my then-boyfriend and I listening to her whine about it, I randomly said, 'We're going to have sex now. You're welcome to join. That may help get your mind off of things.' With very little hesitation, she asked for 30 minutes to clean herself up (shave and whatnot) and not too long after that we all fucked.
"Having sex with my best friend and my boyfriend for my first threesome was great. Knowing that I trusted them and we all were very familiar with one another definitely made us all more comfortable. I do think my boyfriend was having a mental conflict. He wasn't able to keep a hard on with my best friend. After the threesome was over, he had to finish in our room with me. The days following were pretty normal. We laughed about it, but there were no awkward moments."
7.Fifty shades of submission...
"There's lots of things that aren't very sensual about my sexual experiences, especially when it has to do with swinger lifestyle stuff. I've been a part of the swinger lifestyle for about four to five years and started in Baltimore. When I moved back to Detroit, I never really sought it out because it was too close to home, work, etc. Post-breakup, I went to a lifestyle party in February with a friend. Initially, I was like, 'I really don't wanna do this but you know I'm really f*cking horny and I really wanna have a community dynamic of, not only being f*cked but seeing people f*ck.' So I went.
"The host, whose name was Vick, and there was a guy named X, as well -- while I was there, I ended up f*cking like three guys [and] I played with a girl. Although I wanted to f*ck X, I didn't for whatever reason but I did end up f*cking Vick. Fast forward, not too long ago this past fall, Vick is like, 'Come over, I really wanna f*ck you' and I'm like whatever because I know he's going to slut me out. He has a Dom nature.
"Like I'm going to feel like I can serve and please him, which gives me my release. He also has this house where he lives with guys which also turns me on knowing that others can hear me getting f*cks, I don't know, just another kink of mine. And so while I'm f*cking him, I end up biting my fingers, sucking on my fingers, sucking on his fingers. Basically indicating that I need another dick. I'm this horny, I wanna please, I want to be slutted out. But I'm not going to shy away from it, I needed to be myself and I needed a release."
"So Vick is like, 'OK, do you trust me to bring someone over?' Minutes later, X walks in! Obviously, I'm excited. He also has a Dom nature about him. At this point, I'm in heaven. I'm sucking X's dick. But I'm also on this tip where not only do I want to be pleased but I also want to see the manifestation of me giving and me serving and making sure I get the ultimate slut/sub trophy and that's cum, right? So I'm sucking him off, letting him f*ck. He's cumming on my face and Vick is watching like, 'Good girl, keep going. Please him like you please, daddy.' We're going back and forth and eventually Vick is like, 'You need to bend over so I can take your ass.' And I wanted it! I wanted all of my holes filled that day.
"And that ended up happening. X ended up laying back and Vick was like, 'You're going to try DP (double penetration) for us.' It was again a very primitive, raw experience around being a slut and wanting to get all of my holes blown out, wanting both of these men to please me and knowing that they both have this Dom, honestly, hood persona that I adore. Which is opposite of how people see me but this is what turns me on. I was gone in a beautiful way. I enjoyed every minute of it."
8.The perfect stranger...
"This one is pretty wild. I was at a friend's bar (he was the bar manager) and there was a guy in there visiting from New York for business. We were discussing everything he had done so far since he was there and he said he hadn't done much! My other friend had met me at the bar (we usually went every Monday to get drunk for free and eat). About two hours had passed and we had been chatting it up with the guy but my friend had to go home because he had work in the morning. Me and the visitor kept chatting it up and he told me his hotel wasn't far and he wanted to go out tonight because it was his last night in ATL.
"We get to this other popular bar, both drunk off our asses and we go to the bathroom together (this bar is one of those bars where you have to go to the bathroom with your friends or they may get lost, if you know what I mean). The next thing I know me and the guy are making out in the bathroom! He invited me to his hotel but I told him I needed to go home to change first. In actuality, I was going to pick up my roommate/the other friend from the bar earlier. I told the guy that my friend likes to watch and he was TOTALLY DOWN! I run in the house to wake up my friend and give him the tea, he was WITH IT!
"So we go back to the guys' hotel and me and the guy are doing oral while my friend went to use the bathroom. Next thing I know, I'm calling for my friend to come out of the bathroom, but before he could, me and the visitor went to the bathroom and I started giving oral to my friend! We made our way to the bed and had our way! The guy was vers so he f*cked me and my friend f*cked him. It was quite the experience! We end up staying the night at the guy's hotel. We had to come up with an escape plan to leave the guy's hotel before he asked for a ride to the airport. So I 'went to get the car' from valet, and texted my friend to come down, but to say he'd be back! Never talked to that guy again."
Are you a member of our insiders squad? Join us in the xoTribe Members Community today!
Featured image by Shutterstock
Motor City native, Atlanta living. Sagittarius. Writer. Sexpert. Into all things magical, mystical, and unknown. I'll try anything at least once but you knew that the moment I revealed that I was a Sag.
We have less than 40 days left in 2024, and while I'm not one to rush goals just because it's the end of the year, it can be fun to challenge yourself to think about ways you'll close out this year big.
Whether you're planning to meet a certain financial or fitness goal, or you're simply trying to maintain and build on the progress you made this year, having something to look forward to is always a good look. Setting actual goals, according to research, actually leads to more success than just playing things by ear. So here are a few to get you started, sis:
(Disclaimer: Not everything is for everyone, so do like my Granny always says: "Eat the meat. Spit out the bone." Take on five out of the 40 and focus on that for the remainder of the year, or do them all. Either way, this is just to get you started.)
40 Ways To End The Year Strong and Inspired
Money Moves
Riska/Getty Images
1. Increase your retirement (or other savings/investment) contributions by 1%.
Experts have found that you could be leaving money on the table by not upping your contributions when you can.
2. Cancel two to five subscriptions.
You could be missing hundreds, even thousands, of dollars a year due to sneaky price hikes and "updates."
3. Create a "fun" in a high-yield savings account.
This is especially important if you struggle with the dreaded b-word (budget) and will make next year's efforts a lot less intimidating. Even if it's $10 a month, do it.
4. Put on your big-girl panties, and set up automatic transfers and payments for at least one bill.
It reduces the stress of managing bills, lessens the chance of a missed payment---and the fees that come with that---and there can be cost savings for doing so.
5. Invest in a cleaner or housekeeping service.
Bosses who value their time (and mental health) invest their dollars into areas where the time they'd spend doing those tasks themselves could be better used to focus on other money-making projects. (And yes, rest is part of that.) Get a housekeeper, sis, or drop off that laundry, even if it's once per month.
6. Donate to a charity.
Beyond the tax benefits, it's a win-win for the greater good of communities you care about.
7. Review your insurance policies and negotiate a better rate (or move on) before their end dates.
Experts often agree this is a small but mighty step to take each year, especially since insurance rates are competitive, you could be spending more money than you need to (or not enough) and your insurance rates can affect your mortgage payments.
8. Call your loan provider and refinance.
As interest rates fall, “millions of borrowers may be able to refinance and get more affordable payments. As interest rates eased down to 6.5%, about 2.5 million borrowers could already refinance and save at least 75 basis points (0.75%) on their interest rate,” the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reports. You can also refinance student and other types of loans.
9. Stop buying individual items and stock up via going bulk.
Research has found that, among 30 common products, buying in bulk could save you 27% compared with buying in lower quantities. Water, paper products, and baby products like diapers, toiletries, and garbage bags are the top items where people see the most cost-effectiveness. (This has been a lifesaver for me—children, large family, or not—especially when it comes to toothpaste, deodorant, toilet paper, and feminine hygiene products, saving stress, time, and money.)
10. Go cash-only for the holidays.
If you set smart goals and stick to limits on things like gifts, going out to eat, or groceries, you'll see the benefits of this. Cash-stuffing is one method recommended, but something as simple as taking a $10 bill out for lunch, disabling that card for an hour, and leaving your card in a safe place at the office can give you that mindset jump start to see how far you can take your money without the need to splurge.
Love And Romance
11. Say "no."
There are clear mental and physical health benefits to saying no including the setting of healthy boundaries, creating time and energy for other self-care activities, and protecting yourself from physically harmful situations (i.e. unprotected sex or abuse). Just say it, clearly and simply, when you need to.
12. Set a fun, free, adults-only date night for once a week or twice a month with your spouse.
If busy, high-profile folk have touted the success of this, even you can make the time for quality time with your partner. And it's even better when it costs nothing. The best connections are made doing something chill, challenging, or outside the usual dinner-and-a-movie date. Play a game that allows you to reconnect, take a walk in your neighborhood to chat and laugh, or try a little erotic chocolate/edible liquid/paint episode a la Mea Culpa.
13. Go out with Mr. or Ms. "Not My Type."
I love my man, but if I were waiting out for my "type" at the time, we wouldn't be celebrating seven (going on eight) years together. Sometimes having strict, unrealistic expectations for a spouse (especially related to things like height, physical features, or career path) is what's keeping you alone and lonely.
Take the pressure off and explore all your options. I'm not telling you to stop popping the balloon on the guy who earns $20,000 less than you if that's a hard no that Jesus himself told you to skip. I'm asking you to explore other options and see what else God might have out there for your love journey.
14. Immediately apologize and pray together.
I've learned that always being "right" isn't always ideal when you truly care about someone and you're in a relationship for the long haul. Defaulting to an apology when necessary, even when things aren't 100% resolved, is a good way to prioritize peace and save your energy for more worthwhile battles. Research has even supported the benefits of apologies in relationships, and how couples married for five or more years do it often.
15. Get a Rose and discover true self-love.
Do I really have to explain this? You've gotta know what satisfies you, and how better to figure that out than to practice self-love in the bed by yourself? You can also try this with a partner, but as a woman who got on this train very much later in my sexual activity journey. I have a lot more learning to do on my own, and even in a satisfying relationship, I like to find out new things about myself, by myself.
Figure out what you're into, watch what you want to watch, and read what you want to read to define pleasure for yourself. There's a freedom and empowering element there especially if you're used to prioritizing pleasing your partner.
16. Be direct and have the "money talk" with bae.
Money issues are one of the leading causes of divorce, so you need to have those conversations before you even think about marrying someone. And true, nobody can predict the future so you won't be able to avoid some challenges altogether, however, talking with your potential spouse about how they view money, their spending habits, and the pain points in terms of their approach to money management can at least give you a glimpse into what's in store if you do walk down the aisle, move in with them, or decide to share a bank account/business/child with them.
17. Invest in the "paid" version of that dating app.
I know plenty of successful, married folk who did this and met "the one" as a result. Let's be honest: The free version is for playing around. I had a lot of fun with my "free" profile back in the day, trust me. Upgrade that photo, profile, and package, and see if the quality of your dating adventures changes when you're serious about finding a true partner. Dating coaches and matchmakers cosign this.
18. Solo travel to meet that long-distance connection.
Sometimes, your perfect match isn't within 100 miles of you, and that's okay. Make it an adventure, enjoy the memories, and book that ticket. I met my man this way and it's been a whirlwind escape ever since. If you're not comfortable traveling solo, travel or (network to plan travel) with a group via Facebook.
Career And Business
Riska/Getty Images
19. Schedule coffee or virtual meetups with smart people from your graduating class, previous employer, or current employer.
I have gotten many freelance opportunities by doing this. It's as simple as connecting and offering value (or simply learning how you can better equip yourself to do so.) It's also a great way to expand your network, spark new friendships, or find out about new job opportunities.
20. Invest in a well-made suit.
I don't care what industry you're in, a suit says "power," and it's not as old-school or out-of-style as you'd think. Plus the whole experience of looking for a new one (or getting one tailored) is fun and affirming. Try these options. I swear, anytime I wear a blazer, I'm treated like a celebrity or boss, especially when traveling. I was once upgraded to first-class wearing a yellow blazer outfit, and the airline professional literally said, "You look like somebody important. Here you go."
21. Volunteer for a worthwhile project or cause that's important to your company.
If you're overworked and underappreciated, skip this one, but if you truly have the time, love what you do, and want to advance, this move is clutch. Volunteering for extra projects got me where I am today in media because I had foresight, and knew that was the only way at the time to leverage relationships, and I was able to challenge myself to learn skills that 20 years later are still bankable. That VP you can't get a meeting with will be at that gala your company is planning, so join that committee, sis.
22. Write down why you deserve a raise and ask for it in your next one-on-one.
Gather those receipts (ie sales increase numbers, KPIs met, deals closed, people acquired via recruitment, the impact of systems updates, or other tangible success metrics) and ask for that raise before the first or second-quarter budgets are being finalized.
23. Instead of quitting, write down your exit plan.
While revenge quitting is set to be a thing next year (and maybe you're among those who will be leading the trend), try the better boss move and quit with a real plan.
24. Start automatically separating that estimated self-employed quarterly tax estimate.
If you have side hustles (or you're collecting 1099 income,) baby, you do not want to neglect those quarter tax payments. Talk to a professional, do your research, and set up automatic transfers to an account specifically for paying these at the appropriate due dates.
25. Sign up for a free one- to 11-week course related to your industry—or the industry you want to be in next year.
Institutions like Harvard University and platforms like Coursera offer free courses that can enhance your skills. You can also invest in certificate courses with accredited colleges as well as tech training.
26. Hit "Easy Apply" for 10 dream jobs listed on LinkedIn.
While you shouldn't solely rely on this when actively job-seeking, using this convenient LinkedIn option is a great way to get into the habit of applying for positions. And if you're already employed, you should still be "dating" other employers if you're looking to make a move in the next six months. Keep your interview skills sharp, practice toughening up for the "nos," and get a bit of an ego boost in the process.
Self-Care And Wellness
27. Pre-schedule three month's worth of massages.
Oftentimes this is cost-effective since some spas offer deals for multiple bookings. Also, it makes an act of self-care deliberate and important, not an option. When you get that reminder call, you'll know it's real.
28. Fire that therapist and try another one.
Cultural competency in mental health support is one major problem that can hinder Black women from even bothering with therapy. And who wants the added stress of spending multiple, paid sessions explaining why something is a microaggression? Cut the cord and move on to try someone else, either via a Black women therapists channel or recommendations from others.
29. Join a small group at church.
Bedside service ain't gonna cut it and neither is going to the usual Sunday service. Join a smaller group and upgrade your efforts to connect, network, and elevate spiritually. Even if virtually, take a step to dig a bit deeper with more targeted Bible study and discussions.
30. Say no, even to loved ones.
This is on here twice, for a reason. Saying no is the simplest, most powerful micro-action you can take today to make 2025 better. No explanations. No guilt. Say no.
31. Choose one "luxury" beauty product for skincare and stick to it.
This was trending big on social, especially for millennials hitting their 40s. There's just something so freeing about not giving in to every trend and sticking to the basics that work, especially when there are quality, healthy ingredients involved. Put those orders on auto-renew.
32. Sign up for a new sport or fitness class just for fun, not for results.
It's great to be on a weight-loss or weight-lifting journey, but try something just for the fun of it. Switch things up with a couple of these fitness activities.
33. Book a staycation.
Leave the passport at home and explore a nearby community or another town in your state. There's so much enrichment in your own backyard right here in the U.S., and you don't even have to break the bank.
34. Pre-schedule your mammograms, Pap smear, and peri-menopause checkups for next year.
Take control of your health by pre-scheduling essential appointments like mammograms, Pap smears, and peri-menopause check-ups for 2025. Prioritizing these screenings early ensures you stay on top of your wellness and make time for self-care in the new year.
35. Cut off support of beauty and wellness professionals whose customer service is below standard.
This is another one that many Black women have been vocal about—from unrealistic pre-appointment requirements, to booking fees, to long waits, to unsavory in-salon experiences. Spot the red flags early, and just stop accommodating foolishness. Support salons or experienced stylists who are kind, have proper systems in place and value your time.
36. Schedule five to 10-minute moments of silence on your calendar.
Again, wellness is not optional, and if it's not on my calendar, it's not official. Sit quietly. Pray. Meditate. Or do nothing. The benefits of silent moments are almost endless.
37. Download a meditation app.
If you've found that meditation is difficult to schedule or to even start, an app can help. Try this, this, or this one, and take that step to embrace something new to enhance your wellness routine. If you're tired of downloading apps, create a playlist for meditation via Amazon Music or Spotify and schedule a reminder to do it once a day or week.
38. Invest in a healthy meal prep or delivery service.
Time is emotionally expensive, so save as much of it as possible. Getting into meal prep to keep to your goals is a great way to save time, stress, and effort. The health benefits of meal prepping have also been proven via research.
39. Create a positive playlist on Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, or other streaming platform.
It can be podcasts, music, affirmations, or somatic sounds. It's a game-changer. You can even set an alarm to wake you up to start your day with the positive playlist. Not into creating your own? There are plenty to choose from with a quick search.
40. Set up reminders for Alexa (Siri or other AI) to remind you, "You are loved," and "You are okay."
This simple effort can boost your endorphins and remind you that you're indeed, not alone, and you will be okay, regardless. To set mine up, I simply commanded, "Alexa, remind me everyday 'Jesus loves me,'" and like clockwork she does. She almost scared the ish out of me one day when I'd forgotten the reminder was active, but it was the reminder I needed when anxiety had gotten the best of me that week.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by
One thing about Black women: we gone switch that hair up. And it’s the holidays so we are also going to add some razzle-dazzle.
This guide offers a curated collection of holiday hair and beauty inspirations designed to celebrate the diversity and beauty of Black women, emphasizing elegance, versatility, and creative expression. Each style suggestion embraces natural textures, protective elements, and statement-making glamour, ensuring you shine brightly throughout the festivities.
Here's a roundup of holiday hair and glam ideas tailored for Black women, focusing on elegance, versatility, and creativity. Each style embraces natural textures, protective styling, and statement-making glam.
Holiday Hairstyle Ideas:
- Natural Hair: Embrace your natural curls, coils, and kinks with festive updos, twist-outs, braid-outs, or wash-and-go styles adorned with jeweled hair accessories, metallic headbands, or shimmering hair tinsel.
- Protective Styles: Opt for stylish and low-maintenance options like box braids, cornrows, Senegalese twists, faux locs, or crochet braids, incorporating festive elements like colored hair extensions, metallic cuffs, or decorative beads.
- Wigs & Weaves: Experiment with versatile and glamorous wigs and weaves in various textures, lengths, and colors, adding holiday flair with curls, waves, sleek styles, or statement-making hair accessories.
Holiday Glam Makeup Tips:
- Bold Lips: Make a statement with vibrant red, berry, or metallic lipstick shades that complement your skin tone and outfit.a
- Shimmering Eyes: Enhance your eyes with shimmering eyeshadows, metallic eyeliner, or glitter accents for a festive glow.
- Flawless Skin: Achieve a radiant complexion with a flawless foundation, subtle contouring, and a touch of highlighter.
- Statement Lashes: Accentuate your eyes with dramatic false lashes or a generous coat of mascara for added allure.
These suggestions are a starting point for your holiday hair and beauty journey. Feel free to personalize each look, experiment with different techniques, and express your unique style. The most important thing is to have fun and celebrate the magic that is you!
1. Stacked Bantu Knots
Raimonda Kulikauskiene/Getty Images
Hair:
- Bantu knots with loose, defined curls framing the face.
- Add gold or metallic hair cuffs for festive flair.
Glam:
- Glittery gold or copper eyeshadow.
- Bold red lip for a classic holiday vibe.
2. Sleek and Sophisticated
Ryan Destiny
Getty Images
Hair:
- Straight middle part or side part with layered waves and a high-gloss finish.
- Optional: Add crystal hair pins for extra sparkle.
Glam:
- Cat-eye liner paired with nude glossy lips.
- Soft bronzed cheeks for a warm glow.
3. Holiday Halo
Ciara
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images
Hair:
- A textured halo braid with faux locs or braiding hair for volume.
- Decorate with small ornaments or pearls for a whimsical touch.
Glam:
- Smokey eye with silver shimmer accents.
- Dark berry lipstick for a bold statement.
4. Textured Top Knot
Ari Lennox
Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images
Hair:
- High knot with natural texture or extensions for volume.
- Wrap the base with a velvet ribbon or festive scarf.
Glam:
- Metallic lids in emerald or sapphire shades.
- Subtle highlighter on cheekbones and nose.
5. Hollywood Waves
Jodie Turner-Smith
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Hair:
- Classic finger waves or soft, voluminous curls for a vintage look.
- Use clip-ins or bundles for added length and fullness.
Glam:
- Winged eyeliner with lashes for drama.
- Crimson lipstick for timeless elegance.
6. Braided Beauty
Rihanna
Samir Hussein/WireImage
Hair:
- Fulani-inspired braids with gold beads or strings.
- Finish with a low bun or leave braids flowing.
Glam:
- Shimmery eyeshadow in gold or bronze.
- Glossy lips with a hint of sparkle.
7. Afro Chic
AJ Odudu
JB Lacroix/WireImage
Hair:
- Fluffed-out afro with metallic accessories.
- Secure with a decorative headband.
Glam:
- Dewy skin with a subtle blush.
- A soft pink lip for contrast.
8. Retro Glam Ponytail
Tia Mowry
Anna Webber/Getty Images
Hair:
- Sleek, high ponytail with flipped ends or added curls.
- Wrap the ponytail base with rhinestones or silk.
Glam:
- Bold eyeliner with graphic shapes.
- Matte lips in a deep plum shade.
9. Goddess Locs
Meagan Good
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
Hair:
- Bohemian-inspired locs with curly ends.
- Add holiday sparkle with silver or gold accents.
Glam:
- Bronzed eye makeup with a glossy finish.
- Warm nude lipstick with overlined edges.
Hair:
- Stranded twists styled into an intricate updo or bun.
- Secure with jeweled pins or barrettes.
Glam:
- Rose gold eyeshadow with natural lashes.
- Soft mauve lipstick for a delicate finish.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Getty Images