gift guide
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The Glow Up’s Guide to Giving: Give Them Their Kicks
A funny thing happened this year at ComplexCon Chicago: I was turned into a late-blooming sneakerhead. Don’t get me wrong: I have plenty of sneakers, and I know what I like. And of course, I’m no stranger to the culture—though I may not have considered myself a “sneakerhead,” per se, The Glow Up has watched…
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The Glow Up’s Guide to Giving: This Season, Help Them Spoil the Skin They’re In
If you, like me, aren’t blessed to live in a warm climate during the winter months, no doubt skincare rises on your list of concerns on a seasonal basis. As the temps drop, our melanin is more vulnerable than ever to ashiness—not to mention the inevitable chapped lips and windburned cheeks. While skincare may not…
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The Glow Up's Guide to Giving: The Biggest, Blackest, Most Beautiful Reads of the Year
“Coffee is the color,” sang Roy Ayers—and the lyric proves true on the gorgeous crop of coffee table-worthy tomes published this year. From fashion icons to iconic works of art, black representation was strong in the publishing world this year, leaving us with books that are as powerful as they are pretty to look at.…
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The Glow Up's Guide to Giving: The Gift of the Radiant Child
As we all well know, for Christians, the height of the holiday season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ—the young man who, according to the Bible, was immaculately conceived, born to save us and ultimately died for our sins (with a promise to return). But strangely, it was another young man who…
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The Glow Up's Guide to Gifting: Let's Get Intimate…With Liberté
During the holiday season, there are gifts you give, and gifts you give yourself—and then, there are gifts that do both. When it comes to mutually pleasurable offerings, lingerie ranks high on the list, though it’s a gift that can be enjoyed with or without a partner. That’s why we’re in love with Liberté, the…
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Revolution, Reparations, Revelry: The Root’s Black (AF) Gift Guide 2019
The theme from last year’s Black AF Gift Guide was self-care; in 2017, it was about being woke. This year, we’re talking “Revolution, Reparations, and Revelry,” because we like alliteration, and because these three go together like greens, yams, and ham (turkey ham, if you don’t swill swine. If you don’t eat meat, please pass).…
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Because #DadsAreDope: Your Last-Minute, 'I'm So Glad You're My Dad' Father's Day Gift Guide
If you’re lucky enough to have a positive, present, supportive father figure in your life, no doubt you want to celebrate him—but life comes at you fast, and therefore, Father’s Day might’ve too. I know this because last night, I found myself waiting in a very long line at FedEx just to ensure my pops…
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'Cuz She's Your Favorite Girl: Very-Last-Minute, Love-You-More-Than-Anything Ideas for Mother's Day Gifting
Did you forget? Freeze up? Been feeling broke? Or have options just been feeling flat when it comes to honoring the mother(s) in your life? Whatever your reason, if you now find yourself scrambling to find a Mother’s Day gift that makes an impact, never fear: The Glow Up is here! If you’ve procrastinated on…
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Gift from the Heart: The 'I Didn't Forget' Guide to Winning Valentine's Day
If it seems like we’ve been a little “blasé, skip it” about Valentine’s Day this year, it’s because we have been. Truth is, historically, the lovers’ holiday has consistently been a bit of a letdown, so color us less than enthused. But apparently, we’re not alone in that attitude. As reported by Business Wire, discount…
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12 Days of Gifting, Day 12: Stuff Those Stockings!
If your family is one that goes all out to celebrate Christmas, no doubt you’re familiar with the tradition of filling Christmas stockings, in addition to presents under the tree. (It’s a European tradition, but a fun one, nevertheless). In fact, I’d guess that my parents are currently shopping for items to fill the personalized…