Black-Owned Nail Press-Ons, Polish & Products To Use While Quarantined
This quarantine made me realize I've definitely been taking my salon trips for granted. Don't get me wrong, not getting my nails done isn't the worst thing in the world, but I definitely miss that fresh set feeling. Recently, we dropped an article on this site called "10 Press-On Nail Inspo To Get You Through Quarantine"; and now we're giving you the tea on who, what, and where to get the things you need to get your nails on track. And you already know, this list is going to be blackity-black-black!
Before I get into the list though, I have to say, I love the variety of black-owned businesses to shop. I mean to go from growing up without many black businesses to variety, our ancestors would be proud. While it's necessary to have businesses for us and by us, it's just as important to support them.
From press-on nails to nail growth products, here are some black-owned nail brands to use while in quarantine.
Nail Supplies & Wraps
bVAIN Nail Supply
First of all, you had me at the name. Vanity usually has some negative perception but this business wants to encourage you to take pride in your looks, especially your nails. bVAIN offers everything you need to enhance your nails like: charms, decorations, crystals, and more.
Power Nail Decals
If you're wondering what the heck is a nail decal, it's pretty much a sticker or gem that is applied to a portion of your nail. Power Nail Decals offer a variety of high-quality but affordable nail decals that highlight black culture one handshake at a time.
Press-Ons
ETN (EthereallyTouchedNails)™️
Ethereally Touched Nails is a luxury nail company based in the UK. Ethereally offers trendy and custom nail designs, from animal prints to ombre styles.
Complimenté Nails
Complimenté Nails offer a variety of vibrant gel color press-ons. Get into the spring/summer season with light and bright colors like this "Madame" red.
Precious Kreation
Precious Kreation creates a variety of custom nail options for your birthday, prom, etc. This LA-based nail company offers one-of-a-kind designs for every moment in your life.
Léluxx
If long nails are your thing, then I definitely recommend that you check out Leluxx Beauty. Their press-ons give you long chic but classy vibes. They offer long-length coffin, stiletto, and almond shaped nails in almost every design you can imagine.
Sassy Nails Studio
Sassy Nails are nothing short of its name. It's far from basic, this is for the girls who like to add sassiness to their nail design. Sassy Nails offers high quality custom multi-design press-ons, plus the option to make your own.
Glam NailZ
Glam NailZ offers a variety of affordable glam-worthy press-ons and accessories for those who like both an edgy and natural look.
Nail Polish
Law Beauty Essentials
LAW Beauty Essentials is a luxury nail polish line that's innovative and eco-friendly. Their pigments are high shine, chip-resistant and 13-free and cruelty-free, meaning no animal testing or harsh chemicals.
LaPierre Cosmetics
LaPierre is a luxury nail polish brand that embodies elegance and class. Their polishes are free of harmful ingredients so you don't have to put your health over beauty.
Rooted Woman
Rooted Woman bridges nail care and self-care together. It's a non-toxic, ethical nail brand that offers treatments to promote radical self-care for women.
POLISHED BY PRETTI
Polished by Pretti offers acrylic nail powders in a variety of colors, nail cuticle oil, and press-on nails. Polished by Pretti gives a very girly and trendy look for your nails.
Triple O Nail Polish
Triple O Nail Polish is dedicated to inclusivity. They provide imagery, nail lacquers and gel polishes for underrepresented skin tones so no color is off limits. Their mission is to inspire people to explore beauty that is relatable.
Breukelen Polished
Breukelen is a luxury vegan nail polish brand straight out of Brooklyn. They cater to the health conscious who isn't afraid to own their dopeness.
Kaeess Nail Polish
Kaeess Nail Polish empowers everyone to break boundaries through color and self-expression. This brand was created to be diverse and empower those who are boxed in and want an outlet to express themselves through subtle yet bold color art.
People of Color™ Beauty
People of Color Beauty offers quality and vegan-friendly nail polish that represent everyone who lives in and loves color. One of their main missions is to represent People of Color and the various shades of brown skin when curating our nail polish collections.
Pear Nova
Pear Nova is the perfect mix of function and fancy and is committed to celebrating the strength and beauty of women everywhere. Pear Nova is cruelty-free, vegan-friendly and 5-free, which means — no harmful ingredients.
Mischo Beauty
Mischo Beauty nail lacquers are vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and free of artificial fragrances and ingredients. Mischo offers over 16 soft and very pigmented nail lacquers.
Nail Growth
Woo Me Beauty
Woo Me Beauty offers a nail growth nail serum made with all-natural ingredients like Olive Oil, Biotin Oil, garlic, and Vitamin E Oil. The nail serum claims to transform brittle and fragile nails that refuse to grow into strong healthy nails.
Nail Gel System
Pottle
The Pottle offers a variety of nail care systems for you to get the most out of your nail design like the Ebony and Ivory set. This set inspires more DIY projects and allows you to create your own colors and creations. They also offer healthy gel nail alternatives.
Featured image via LaPierre Cosmetics/Instagram
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Freelance writer, content creator, and traveler. She enjoys the beauty of simplicity, a peaceful life, and a big curly fro. Connect with Krissy on social media @iamkrissylewis or check out her blog at www.krissylewis.com.
Reset Your Relationship: How To Start 2025 Strong With Your Partner
As the calendar turns and a new year unfolds, many of us are laser-focused on our career goals, fitness resolutions, and vision boards that outline the journey to our best selves. But amidst all the planning and self-improvement, have you made room for another important part of your life? Your relationship.
It's easy for couples to fall into a routine, going through the motions and letting their connection sit on autopilot. While comfort is natural in a long-term relationship, it’s important to remember: that what you don’t nurture, eventually fades. So, why not make 2025 the year you reset your relationship? Here’s how to start the year with a renewed bond, reigniting the spark that brought you together.
Step 1: Schedule Your Reset Meeting
The first step to hitting the reset button is a State of the Union meeting with your partner. This is your chance to take a pulse on the relationship, discuss what's working, and identify areas that need attention. It’s all about creating space to reflect, without distractions.
Grab a pen and paper (or open a shared note on your phone) and come prepared to share your top 2-3 desires for your relationship.
What do you both want to feel more of in 2025? Maybe it’s feeling more appreciated, or perhaps you want to reignite the passion you had when you first started dating. Whatever it is, get clear about it, and make sure both of you are on the same page.
This isn’t just about listing your own wants, it’s also about discussing ways to nurture each other’s needs. Relationship goals should be focused on fostering deeper intimacy, trust, and mutual respect. Use this time to check in, not only with each other but with your individual feelings and expectations. Set the foundation for a fulfilling year ahead.
Step 2: Set A Date (Or Multiple!)
Having the meeting is only the first step. Now, it’s time to take action. One of the simplest ways to breathe new life into a relationship is by reintroducing consistent, intentional time spent together. For many couples, life gets busy, and date nights fall by the wayside. But dating doesn’t stop when you say "I do"—in fact, it’s even more essential.
During your reset meeting, lock in a regular date night that works for both of your schedules. This could be a weekly dinner date or an every-other-week adventure—whatever keeps things fresh. The goal is consistency. It’s easy to push date nights aside when life gets hectic, but if you set a specific date each week or month, you’re making your relationship a priority.
If you’re unsure what to do for your date nights, don’t worry! The key is creating new experiences together. This is what sparks excitement and brings you closer as a couple. Whether it’s cooking a new recipe together, trying a dance class, or exploring a nearby town, it’s about creating shared memories that build your connection.
Step 3: Find an Accountability Partner
Just like you might have a personal trainer to help you crush your fitness goals, an accountability partner for your relationship can do wonders for keeping both of you on track. Consider hiring a marriage coach or therapist—someone who can meet you where you are and guide you in strengthening your relationship.
When selecting a professional, it’s important to choose someone who truly wants the best for your marriage and can provide actionable advice.
Don’t be afraid to set high standards for your relationship, and seek guidance on how to keep it thriving for the long haul. In your reset meeting, discuss your commitment to growth, and be honest about areas where you may need support.
Marriage isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it endeavor—it’s an ongoing process. Regular check-ins with a professional can help keep your relationship in tip-top shape and “divorce-proof” by addressing issues before they become insurmountable.
Step 4: Try Something New Together
Stale routines can easily make a relationship feel monotonous. Spice things up by trying something new! Couples that explore new activities and create new memories together have stronger, more fulfilling bonds.
My husband and I host one of the top luxury marriage retreats, A Weekend For Love, designed to help couples experience new things together. From couples' workshops to outdoor adventures, the retreat provides a platform to rediscover each other and reconnect on a deeper level.
The element of surprise can reignite your connection. It’s exciting, fresh, and shows your partner that you’re committed to growing together. This doesn’t have to be a huge commitment—it could be as simple as trying a new hobby or planning an impromptu weekend getaway.
Your Relationship Should Be A Priority
As you start the year with personal goals in mind, don’t forget the importance of nurturing your relationship. It’s easy to get caught up in work, fitness, and family obligations, but your bond with your partner deserves to be at the top of your list. Resetting your relationship offers an opportunity to reignite that spark and remind each other why you fell in love in the first place.
In 2025, make a commitment to prioritize your partnership, to nurture it daily, and to invest in its growth. Take time to celebrate each other’s victories, support one another’s dreams, and build a foundation of love and respect. When you start the year with a clear focus on your relationship, you’re setting it up for success.
So, before you start mapping out your new workout plan or work goals, do yourself a favor: put your relationship at the top of that list. Your love story deserves a fresh start, too.
Happy New Year, and here’s to a love-filled 2025!
Couples, if you are ready to do the work and invest in your relationship register for A Weekend For Love: Heart Retreat Feb 21-23, 2025.
Featured image by zamrznutitonovi/Getty Images
Alaska Wasn’t On My Bucket List, But My Glacier Adventure Made Me A Believer
We all have bucket list destinations at the top of our lists. I visited one of those at the top of 2024: Japan! But what happens when you get an opportunity to go someplace that wasn’t on it? For me, that was Alaska. Now, I’d submitted my short film to the Anchorage International Film Festival, genuinely thinking it would be a long shot to get in with a short film about fibroids and Black women’s health.
However, to my surprise, I received an email that read: “It’s with great excitement that we announce your film, Super High: A Period Piece, has been selected for the 24th Anchorage International Film Festival.” After looking at the flight distance from Atlanta to Anchorage—a solid 10 hours one way— I’d decided this would be one I wouldn’t attend.
That was until there was a follow-up email that shared that the festival was sponsoring two excursions for filmmakers: A Northern Lights Tour and A Glacier Hike.
With that, I knew I had to make the trip to the 49th state! I flew Delta, which offered the shortest layovers—just 50 minutes each way. For a more comfortable flight on the longer legs that were about six hours between my layover city and Anchorage, I upgraded to first class with an in-app discount for $256 (the regular price of a first-class ticket runs about $2,100), which was so worth it for additional space and service for the six-hour trek.
Courtesy of Bianca Lambert
"So What’s Alaska Like? Did You Have To Wear a Snowsuit? What’s the Food Like?"
These are among the major questions I’ve gotten. Anchorage reminds me less of a bustling major city and more of a small town with an easygoing feel. When I arrived, they’d just had snow a few days before, so it was cold, and the streets were slick. So, I was so happy I’d invested in a pair of snow boots. For my first few days, the locals said it was warm. Warm to them being 20s at night and mid-30s during the day.
However, by the time I left, fresh snow was on the ground, and temps were well into the single digits—and it felt like it. Oh, the sun doesn’t rise until 10:30 a.m., and it sets around 4 p.m. That was among the most challenging things to experience because I felt like I never really woke up. So, between the lack of sun and the four-hour time difference, I felt tired the whole time I was there.
As for food, I didn’t explore a ton because I was so cold. But I found two gems! First was Whiskey and Ramen. If you enjoy ramen and exceptional service, this is a must-visit. I’d make a trip back just for their Wagyu ramen and their special take on an old fashion!
And, for coffee, I thoroughly enjoyed That Feeling Co. The coffee was great, and being surrounded by plants helped to perk up my spirits.
The Northern Lights
Iceland is one of the most popular places to see the Northern Lights, so I was very excited to know that Alaska also gets to see the Aurora Borealis light show. Typically, many people visit Fairbanks to see them, but there are tours offered in Anchorage too! When prepping for the late-night tour, we’d heard that the night we were heading out to see the lights, the cloud coverage likely meant we wouldn’t be able to see them. Bummer. I know. So, we could sit the tour out or still try. But, in my mind, I was like, why would I come all the way to Alaska not to try?
So, at about 9:30 p.m., we piled into vans and headed out to chase the Northern Lights. We traveled about an hour and a half from Anchorage, and when we stepped out of the van, it was cold and pitch black. And unfortunately, after a couple of hours in the cold, those clouds in the sky never parted for us. I know that when we see the posts of people who do get to see Mother Nature do her thing, we don’t have all of the context of the science, which is Aurora Borealis.
Sometimes, the weather just doesn’t do what we earthlings would like, which can lead to disappointment. However, our guide did give a recommendation. When you book a trip to see the lights, give yourself four to five days to see them. Don’t bank on one day because, at the end of the day, this is science.
Courtesy of Bianca Lambert
Now, On to the Glacier!
Just six hours after returning from the Northern Lights tour, we were up for the glacier tour because they were back-to-back! I was exhausted and so excited. If someone had told me I’d hike on a glacier, I would have given them a mean side-eye. I mean, where on earth does one climb a glacier? Let me share a few destinations with you, just in case you want to plan an icy adventure: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Chile, Argentina, and Alaska.
Aside from the fact the Matanuska Glacier is 22,000 years old, it’s the largest glacier accessible by car in the United States—27 miles long and four miles wide, making it one of the easier ones to see IRL. As a girlie with generalized anxiety disorder, I get anxious about doing this kind of thing because I know that to see these world wonders is usually a mountainous trek.
This one was two hours long, one-way, up snow-capped, windy, mountainous terrain. However, my therapist always reminds me to push myself to do what scares me (as long as it’s for a reason, of course). I held my breath for the journey there and back! And white-knuckled it from time to time, too.
Courtesy of Bianca Lambert
Once we got there, we were surrounded by fresh, fluffy snow, and it was COLD! In the negative cold. I was thankful, I’d over-prepared. If you even go on a glacier tour, I recommend a few things: Balaclava, heavy-weight gloves, cashmere socks, snow boots, and lots of layers.
Here’s what I wore. My first layer was Ann Taylor leggings and a Wolford Turtleneck. Then, I layered a cashmere turtleneck and cashmere joggers. A COACH down vest, which I’d recommend anyone own just for winter, in general, because it’s SO warm! For my feet, I wore Ann Taylor cashmere socks (I love these because they’re affordable and so warm) and Adidas Adifom Superstar Winter Boot and topped all of that with a Brandon Blackwood ankle-length parka. I know BB is known for his accessories, but the brand’s outwear is truly amazing and worth the investment. After two hours on the ice, I felt great!
If you’re open to adventure travel, I highly recommend putting a glacier tour on your list of things to do. There are a few reasons. First, standing on an ice age-old massive piece of glacier was my 2024 version of touching some grass. I was reminded that I’m a speck on this spinning rock and need to spend more time grounded in that fact as I move through the world. I looked to the sky and thought of how proud my ancestors would be, even though I know they’d be telling me to get my butt home and off a dog on a glacier!
Secondly, I gained an ever-large appreciation for Mother Nature as I learned that glaciers are the world's largest reservoir of freshwater, containing around 69% of the world's freshwater. Again, another fact that helped me gain perspective. Lastly, it’s just fun and stunningly beautiful!
After this, I’m looking forward to my next cold-weather adventure! Iceland and Argentina are at the top of the list!
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Featured image courtesy of Bianca Lambert