We should be wearing sunscreen every day, regardless of the season, skin tone, or whether we can see the sun or not. Sunscreen is a very crucial step to our skincare routine because it not only protects us from the harshness of the sun, but it helps fight against aging, hyperpigmentation, and skin cancers like melanoma. Let's be honest, there are several reasons why black people still aren't wearing sunscreen. For one, the medical field historically hasn't played fair when it comes to awareness and treatment in the black community. Two, we grew up with myths like "black don't crack" or not realizing that black people can get sunburn too. And lastly, the lack of diversity in the actual sunscreen formula itself.
Historically, sunscreen has been catered to white people. For a long time, sunscreen brands didn't concern themselves with how the formula worked on people of color. Sunscreen formulas now and then often gave people with deeper tones the Casper or ghost effect, which left a white cast on our skin. Believe it or not, this is a huge deterrent for people of color and I can't blame them. Who seriously wants to walk around with a white or gray hue on their skin? I don't and I know you don't either. Thankfully, some brands cater to sun protection for all skin tones.
Here are 10 Black girl-friendly sunscreens that won't give you the Casper effect.
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1.Black Girl Sunscreen Make it Matte
Black Girl Sunscreen
The Black Girl Sunscreen Make it Matte has SPF 45 and consists of aloe, squalene, and shea butter that help moisturize, soothe and heal your skin. It works for all skin types but it's ideal for people with oily skin looking to control the oils and find a balance of hydration and nourishment that isn't too thick and greasy. The love is defintely real, as the product is currently out of stock as I type this, but if I were you, I'd get on that "notify me" email list quick for the restock.
2.Black Girl Sunscreen Original
Black Girl Sunscreen
A cult favorite, the Black Girl Sunscreen original creamy formula has SPF 30 and consists of natural ingredients avocado, jojoba, sunflower oil, carrot juice, and cacao. It works for all skin types and doubles as a moisturizing lotion while protecting your skin. And unlike its Matte successor, it is for individuals who aren't afraid of a glow.
3.Alba Botanica Hawaiian Coconut Clear Spray Sunscreen SPF 50
Amazon
Alba Botanica Hawaiian Coconut Clear Spray Sunscreen is a lightweight, quick-dry mist made with SPF 50, coconut, and shea butter to protect against sunburn, skin cancer, and premature signs of aging. It has a subtle scent and leaves your skin with an extra glow.
4.Alba Botanica Hawaiian Green Tea Sunscreen Lotion SPF 45
Amazon
Alba Botanica Hawaiian Green Tea Sunscreen Lotion is a creamy non-greasy moisturizing sunscreen lotion with SPF 45 made of aloe vera, green tea, and tropical fruit extracts. This is a 100 percent vegetarian-friendly product and does not contain oxybenzone, octinoxate, gluten, or synthetic fragrances.
5.EltaMD UV UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Dermstore
EltaMD UV UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 is a clear sunscreen formula made with SPF 46, sodium hyaluronate to moisturize, and lactic acid to refine your skin to clear pores and reduce shine. It's fragrance-free and protects your complexion from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
6.Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen
Fenty Skin
Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Moisturizer Broad Spectrum Sunscreen is made with SPF 30 and acts as a moisturizer and sunscreen. It's lightweight, oil-free, and invisible on all skin tones. Another added benefit of this sunscreen is you can purchase refills instead of repurchasing the bottle. Another bonus? It's vegan.
7.EleVen by Venus Williams Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35
EleVen
EleVen's Unrivaled Sun Serum by Venus Williams is a lightweight serum that combines skincare and mineral sun protection. It's made with SPF 35 to protect you from UVA and UVB rays. It also provides long-lasting hydration while calming and soothing your skin, creating a smooth velvety finish.
8.Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion SPF 50
Neutrogena
Neutrogena has mastered the cooling and hydrating water-gel formula in most of their products and it's no different with their sunscreen. The Hydro Boost Water Gel Lotion is made with SPF 50 to protect and moisturize your skin. It gives your skin a cooling and refreshed feel without any white residue. It's also oil-free and non-comedogenic, which means it won't clog pores.
9.Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Body Lotion SPF 60
Aveeno
Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Sunscreen Lotion has SPF 60 and prebiotic oat to protect and heal dry skin. This sunscreen can be used on all skin types but is ideal for people with sensitive and extremely dry skin. It aids in relieving itchy skin while strengthening the skin's barrier.
10.Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Biossance
Biossance Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen is a good option for those who can only use a mineral sunscreen and have sensitive skin. It has an invisible, non-toxic formula that calms and cools your skin with a dewy finish. It's made with SPF 30 squalane, and water lily for a cool, refreshing feel.
Featured image by Shutterstock
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The essence of effortless poise and refinement shines bright through the iconic university colors of indigo blue, red, and white. Every October, Howard University students, alumni, staff, and friends gather on the prestigious campus in Washington, D.C. to take part in time-honored traditions and events, which is Homecoming. This year's theme, “The Meccaverse,” was a week-long celebration of Howard University’s heritage, including the Homecoming football game and Bison Pep Rally, the Fashion Show, Greek Life Step Show, Homecoming Day of Service, Lavender Reception, and the iconic Yard Fest Concert.
As 2024 marked the 100th anniversary of the Howard Bison trek back to The Mecca and after two years of virtual events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this was to be a celebration of a lifetime. We enlisted HU alumnus Sharmaine Harris, a luxury retail buyer, as she revisited her alma mater as eyes on the yard for fashion-forward outfits mixed with personal style and campus pride for the weeklong celebration.
Before we get to the looks, discover how attending Howard University impacted her career in fashion and her day-to-day style:
Credit: Sharmaine and Friends
xoNecole: Describe your personal style. Did attending Howard have any impact on developing it?
Sharmaine: Howard taught me that there’s no such thing as being TOO dressed. There’s always a reason to “put it on” and look presentable, even if it’s just for a day of classes. Standing out was celebrated and encouraged with my peers embracing the opportunity, giving me the confidence to try new styles and trends.
xoNecole: How did Howard shape your career as a luxury buyer?
Sharmaine: I studied Fashion Merchandising, through which I was fortunate to have professors who were very connected to the industry and able to give first-hand accounts of opportunities and what to expect post-college. I was also able to build a network through my peers and other Howard Alum, which has opened doors to endless possibilities both within fashion as well as daily life.
The same confidence instilled in me through my style has also been rooted deeply within me as I step into any role or project I’m faced with throughout my career.
xoNecole: This year marked Howard’s 100th-anniversary Homecoming celebration. Can you describe what the weekend looked and felt like?
Sharmaine: I’ve gone to many Howard Homecomings since graduating, but this year’s 100th anniversary felt like a huge family reunion filled with nothing but love. It was beautiful to see so many Bison return home looking great and radiating joy. It was beautiful!
xoNecole: What makes Howard fashion different from other HBCUs?
Sharmaine: Being that Howard is The Mecca, we have such a diverse population with each individual having their own spin on fashion. Getting dressed is second nature for us, but the layered confidence is our secret ingredient to make any look come together. Through that comfortability to push barriers, we have a legacy of setting trends, as indicated by the many alumni we have in the fashion and entertainment industry.
Keep scrolling for the top street style moments from The Mecca's Homecoming weekend:
Credit: Lacey Gallagher
Credit: Alan Henderson
Credit: JaLynn Davis
Credit: Dylan Davis
Credit: Caleb Smith
Credit: Kendall W.
Credit: Jordyn Finney
Credit: Vanessa Nneoma
Credit: Dr. Mariah Sankey-Thomas
Credit: Caleb MacBruce
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Credit: Teniola
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Credit: Nicolas Ryan Grant
Credit: Dylan Davis
Join us in celebrating HBCU excellence! Check out our Best In Class hub for inspiring stories, empowering resources, and everything you need to embrace the HBCU experience.
Featured image courtesy of Sharmaine Harris
During a Club Shay Shay interview, the actress shared, “My divorce shook me to my core. Lord, you asked me to be celibate, and I was; you told me to marry, and I married that person. I tried to do everything to the best of my ability, and no, I didn’t do everything perfect, but I don’t know if I could do anything differently if I’m being honest.”
Haunted by the fear that her husband would abandon her after 10 years of marriage, mirroring her father's leaving her mother, she was profoundly shaken when it became a reality. As Good describes, it required a significant journey of prayer, introspection, and education to guide her toward a place of healing, wholeness, and happiness. “It was a lot of rediscovering God and realizing that sometimes the way that we see and understand things is not that it’s not true, but we come into different seasons.”
Little did she know, her new season would include Lovecraft Country star, Jonathan Majors. The pair built their relationship on friendship. “We met at an event and it was just instant chemistry,” she told PEOPLE. Good continued, "I wasn't really in that mind frame. Then we re-met again about four months later, and I was like, 'Oh f---, this is going to happen.' And it did."
Now that our good sis is leaning into this new chapter and her new forever, let’s take a look at Meagan and Jonathan’s relationship history.
June 2022: Meagan Good and DeVon Franklin Finalize Divorce
Meagan ends her 9-year marriage to producer and preacher DeVon Franklin. The split is a major transition for Good, who had been in a relationship rooted deeply in shared faith and public life. She takes time to focus on healing and rediscovering herself after a highly publicized marriage.
March 2023: Jonathan Majors Faces Legal Troubles
Jonathan Majors is arrested in New York on domestic violence charges after an altercation with his then-girlfriend. The incident generated widespread media attention, putting Majors' personal life under public scrutiny. As his legal situation unfolds, Majors remains mostly silent about his dating life.
April 2023: Rumors of a New Romance Begin
Speculation about Jonathan’s' romantic life resurfaces in April 2023 when sources hint at a budding relationship between him and Meagan Good. The news was surprising to many given his ongoing legal issues and Meagan’s recent divorce. They were reportedly spotted at several private gatherings together, though neither confirms the relationship publicly at this stage.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Meagan said, “Someone saw us somewhere going to a movie and then kind of reported it, and it was like, 'Should we shut it down or not?' And I was like, 'No, because people have a perception of you that's not true. A perception of who you date that's not true.' So if this is what it is then at some point they're going to find out.'”
May 2023: First Public Outing
The couple was seen together for the first time publicly in Los Angeles. They were photographed holding hands, which quickly sparked dating rumors. Their appearance together came as a surprise given the backdrop of Majors' legal battle. Friends of Good reportedly expressed concern but also indicated support for her choices during this period.
Leon Bennett/Getty Images
June 2023: Confirmed Relationship
Multiple media outlets confirm that Meagan Good and Jonathan Majors are indeed dating. Sources close to the couple reveal that they started seeing each other earlier in 2023 and that their relationship grew quickly.
In New York City, Majors attended a hearing at the Manhattan Criminal Court, accompanied by Good. Photographers captured the couple holding hands as they entered and exited the courtroom.
September 2023: Majors Refers to Good as "The Missus"
For the first time, the couple publicly acknowledged their relationship during the Congressional Black Caucus' eighth annual Black and White Gala, co-hosted by Good and Larenz Tate, held in Washington D.C.
In a speech, the Eve’s Bayou star said, “We’re just so happy to be here with y’all tonight, celebrating us, celebrating the moves we’re making, celebrating the way we love and support each other, the way that we shift the world. Let’s enjoy ourselves!”
“So many beautiful Black faces. I love us, y’all! We are so beautiful! That’s all I got. I’m just happy to be here and I love y’all!” After delivering her speech, she handed the podium over to Majors. “Babe, you want to say anything?”
Majors then said, “Y’all heard the missus, so that’s what it is.”
November 2023: Solidifying the Relationship
On November 29, 2023, as Major's trial commenced, Good demonstrated her unwavering support by accompanying him to the courtroom, where they entered hand in hand. Throughout the trial, she continued to make appearances, steadfastly standing in solidarity with the actor, conveying a message of unity and unwavering commitment.
According to a source close to the couple, Jonathan's challenging experience has strengthened their bond. Meagan's unwavering courage and resilience have been a constant source of support for him, solidifying their relationship further. In the front row of the courthouse, the actress took a reserved seat behind him. As they entered and exited the courtroom, she repeatedly placed her hand on his back. Additionally, Good's mother joined them as the trial commenced.
February 2024: Cohabitation
According to a reliable source via PEOPLE, Good and Majors' bond remains strong and filled with love. Their relationship deepened, as they moved into the charming Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City together. The couple shares a 3-month-old Belgian Malinois puppy, adding to their shared happiness. In addition, the source revealed that Majors and Good embarked on a memorable cross-country road trip from Los Angeles to New York City, making a heartwarming stop in Texas to visit Major's mother. This journey further solidified their connection and highlighted their unwavering commitment to each other.
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
March 2024: Red Carpet Official
At the 7th Annual African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) Special Achievement Awards Luncheon in Los Angeles, the couple made their first joint appearance on the red carpet, where they shared a brief update on their relationship with Extra. When asked about how they were doing, Majors responded, "In love... We're doing good, thanks for asking." Good added to the response, "We're doing great. God's good."
Summer 2024: A Different Love
At the 2024 BET Awards, the icon shared with Entertainment Tonight, “This love is different because I don’t have any fear anymore. I feel complete freedom and that’s a wonderful place to be.”In their relationship, even Jonathan actively encouraged her not to be with him, intending to protect her. However, she was confident in her ability to handle the complexities of their relationship. While speaking with People she said, “ ‘My love, first of all, you’re dealing with a Black Leo,’ ” she continued, “I grew up in this industry. The things that I’ve been through gave me the bandwidth to love other people, regardless. So when we got together it was like, this is going to be a lot, but you got the right one.”
Emma McIntyre/WireImage
November 2024: He Put A Ring On It
At the EBONY Power 100 Gala in Los Angeles, Majors and Good happily announced their engagement while speaking to PEOPLE. "We're thrilled," the actress exclaimed, displaying her stunning diamond ring. Majors beamed, "It's a time of pure joy."
We're all on the edge of our seats, waiting to see what happens next in this couple's story.
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Featured image by Emma McIntyre/WireImage