

Yonce Taught Us: Why Loving An Older Man Is Lit
First of all, let me start by saying that I'm one of those women who thinks Jay Z is super attractive.
Maybe it's his round mouth or his wide nose or how tall he is or just his presence when he's on a mic, but I can definitely see why Beyonce has attached herself to this man for the better part of 17 years. But, another characteristic of Jay that seems to be put under the microscope lately is his age.
While Beyonce just turned 36 this past September, Jay Z made 48 last week. Although 12 years isn't exactly a big deal - especially in Hollywood - people seem to be up in arms whenever the age difference is obvious in photos. Like this one Beyonce dropped on us last night via Instagram reminding us that she can still rock some booty shorts.
It could be the contrast between Beyonce's shorts and sexy knee-high boost against Jay's white grandad sweater, but the critics came with the shade and, to me, they read like ageism:
Part of me wants to remind everyone that aging is okay, and this obsession with "black don't crack" can border on oppressive.The other part of me feels compelled to state for the record that dating an older man can be lit.
Not to shade younger men, but we all know the likelihood of f-boy antics decreases with age. But didn't JAY Z cheat on Beyonce? Cheating is a part of celebrity lifestyle. That's like getting upset that you got wet when you jumped head-first into a swimming pool. Beyonce married "Jigga man" - come on, sis.
Opting for a man a decade or so your senior is may serve as a nice change of pace and here's why.
Older men are planners...
Are you tired of the random "Wyd" texts? You might need to get you an older man. An older man does not need 18 hours and several text messages to ask you out on a date. He has a place and time in mind and all he needs from you is a "yes" or "no" to complete the evening. If you're tired of the whole "I don't know, where do you want to go" circus, you might want to consider upgrading to the deluxe edition.
Older men are financially established…
Most men over 40 have already gone through the financial foolishness and are likely in a much better spot with their money. This doesn't apply to all older men, so showing some discernment is key, but money is the number one cause of couples breaking up, so the more financially educated your partner is - the better.
Older men let you shine…
There's nothing worse than dating someone who feels like competition. If you're anything like me, you prefer to be on a pedestal now and then in your relationship. A lot of older men have already had most of their shining moments, so sitting back and watching you glow is a no-brainer for them.
Older men are less insecure…
The older you are, the further along you are on your emotional journey. So expecting a 23-year-old man to have a full grasp of who he fully is, is asking a lot. Not that younger men can't be well-adjusted and self-aware, but that process is cyclical. Who we are in our 30's is a better version of who we were in our 20's. Might as well go with the upgrade.
Older men know what they want…
One of the challenges of millennial relationships is that both partners are often equally ambitious and productive. Figuring out dating schedules between two bustling careers may be less of a problem if you date an older man. He's already gone through the rough first years of career building, so making time for each other is less of an issue.
Bottom line: here is your end goal. If you want to date to have fun with boys - dive in, the water is fine. But if you want to try out a more established brand and date with the intention of settling down, look for a man who has some notches on his resume.
Featured image by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Clara Lionel Fo
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Ashley Simpo is a writer, mother and advocate for self-care and healthy relationships. She lives in Brooklyn, NY. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @ashleysimpo. Check out her work and her musings on ashleysimpocreative.com.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
'I Want To Be The Color In My Home': Jackie Aina Gives Tour Of Her Posh Neutral Tone Pad
Jackie Aina is the embodiment of Black girl luxury, and her crib is no exception. Located in a ritzy area in Los Angeles, CA, Jackie’s home is equipped with all the things every fancy girl needs: an upscale kitchen, elevator, and fabulous pool. Luckily for us, the YouTuber opened up her home with the ultimate house tour. In a video on Tayo Aina’s (no relation) YouTube channel, Jackie goes from room to room, showing us her interior design style while also dishing on her life and career.
Jackie began making beauty content on YouTube in 2009, and from there, she’s grown her empire through collaborations with makeup brands like Too Faced. Now, she is the co-founder of the candle company FORVR Mood. The former Army reservist is known for her colorful personality, but her home is the opposite, which is on purpose. “Personally, because I have such a big, bold, colorful personality, I like to dress big and bold, I want to be the color in my home,” she said. “I don’t want my home to be the color. I want you to see me.”
She continued, “I want the house to be calming, and I want the house to blend in. I don’t want it to attract too much attention.” Her home may not be screaming look at me, but it’s definitely giving quiet luxury. Check it out below:
Breakfast Nook
Tayo Aina/ YouTube
Jackie revealed that she and her fiancé, Denis Asamoah, eat their meals at their breakfast nook daily.
Kitchen
Tayo Aina/ YouTube
“When my fiancé and I bought this house, I really wanted a double island kitchen, and the irony is like I don’t cook at all,” she said. Jackie explained that because she’s Black, African, and a woman, she’s expected to cook, and she doesn’t like doing what’s expected. “Why can’t I be good at other things? Like that doesn’t make me a woman if I don’t cook in the [kitchen].
Family Room
Tayo Aina/ YouTube
The star of the family room is the big, L-shaped white couch, and according to the YouTube star, her couch is so comfy you can melt into it.
Office
Tayo Aina/ YouTube
Jackie’s office houses the trophies and plagues that she received from YouTube and Shopify.
Backyard
Tayo Aina/ YouTube
The entrepreneur’s backyard has the same feel as the inside of the house. It has a gigantic pool and comfortable seating. “I’m very big on enjoy it while you have it,” she said.
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Feature image by Tayo Aina/ YouTube