big beauty tuesdays
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#RespectTheArchitects: How Misa Hylton Helped Make Hip Hop a Fashion Statement
If you were lucky enough to witness the rise of hip hop from its genesis *raises hand*, then you know there is a “before,” and an “after.” Specifically, there was hip hop before it met and married the world of fashion, and hip hop after its union, in which the era of Kangols, Adidas, 8-Ball…
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Big Beauty Tuesday: Do PHreckles Hit the Spot?
Fun fact: I am in love with a freckle fetishist. I’m not sure either of us knew this until well into our relationship when he’d become well-accustomed to seeing the faint smattering of freckles across my nose and cheekbones that are on full display, sans makeup. I’d often catch him staring at me intently for…
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Big Beauty Tuesday: Supermodel and Activist Joan Smalls Explains Why She Launched 'Donate My Wage'
If pretty is as pretty does, perhaps we should expect exceptional behavior from the women who hold that rare title of “supermodel.” But in the wake of the protests that have swept the country and the resulting calls for accountability across industries, Joan Smalls asked her industry to think bigger than the performative black box.…
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Big Beauty Tuesday: Loving the Skin We're In, With Urban Skin Rx
America may tentatively be reopening, but after what felt like endless weeks of quarantine, many of us are emerging with some new habits—which might include a more thorough skincare regimen. Blame it on more time spent alone and makeup-free (or simply more time spent scrutinizing ourselves), but a basic Google search of “quarantine skincare” shows…
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Big Beauty Tuesday: A Look at the Legendary World of Ballroom With Makeup Artist La Sonya Gunter & Friends
La Sonya Gunter didn’t initially set out to be a makeup artist. In fact, the makeup department lead on HBO Max’s Legendary discovered her craft while still a singer-songwriter, transfixed by the transformative nature of a well-made-up face. Honing her talents while working with M.A.C. Cosmetics, Gunter found a bridge between her two passions, becoming…
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Big Beauty Tuesday: Yes, You Need Black Girl Sunscreen Because Melanin Isn't Enough
Handwashing. Masks. Social Distancing. All of these are necessary measures of self-protection in our current climate. But as we begin to consider how to move about the world in our current climate, we want to remind you of one simple, yet essential fact: Melanin is NOT sunscreen! Yes, yes, we know your beautiful brown skin…
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Ponytails and Protective Styles, Meet Pattern: Tracee Ellis Ross Debuts Accessories Made for the Moment
If like me, you’re finding yourself relying heavily on ponytails, buns and a growing array of protective styles as the pandemic wages on, you’re not alone. Since our social lives have mostly become comprised of social media, as of late, some aspects of our personal grooming routines have understandably become a bit more…lax. Besides, if…
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Big Beauty Tuesday: Is Dove's 'Amplified Textures' a Drugstore 'Do'?
If there’s one sweet spot to this whole “sheltering in place” thing, it’s the resurgence of the care package—sending them, receiving them (yes, online shopping for yourself counts), and assembling them. If you haven’t gotten into this quarantine activity yet, you should; there’s something special about receiving a treat in the mail, especially during a…
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Big Beauty Tuesday: I Get It From My Mama
Another Mother’s Day dawns this Sunday, and if you’re lucky enough to have a loving matriarch still physically present in your life, no doubt you’re holding her that much closer this year (virtually, of course). The COVID crisis has made us all reflect on how precious life is and how much we should honor and…
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The Glow Up Gets…Into a New Pattern With Tracee Ellis Ross’ New Haircare Line
It’s official: I am a prodigal naturalista. If you haven’t been following along, that means that after 18 months of transitioning and protective styling, I finally made the long-awaited move to cut the remainder of my keratin-straightened strands off in a return to my natural texture. And while it’s been a journey, I have to…