Ever since Cardi B told the world on her infamous song "Bodak Yellow" that she "got a bag and fixed her teeth," Dr. Catrise Austin, the dentist behind her smile transformation, has seen her business quadruple. However, Dr. Austin's business was already booming. Long before the millennial superstar shouted her out on her breakout record -- and before social media made "getting your teeth done" something you posted and vlogged about -- Dr. Austin's had been putting in work building a name for herself in the cosmetic dentistry industry.
Celebrities like Anthony Anderson, Common, Eva Marcille, Omarosa, Wendy Williams, Busta Rhymes, DJ Khaled, and ASAP Rocky have all graced Dr. Austin's chair and let her hands do what they best: craft beautiful smiles. As a cosmetic dentist, she specializes in providing smile makeovers, which include services such as porcelain veneers, composite veneers, bonding, or "anything that makes your smiles whiter and straighter without braces or major surgery," she says.
Dr. Austin chatted with xoNecole about how she got into cosmetic dentistry, the ups and downs of her career, her plans for expanding her entrepreneurial empire, the power of Black women in dentistry and more. One 2017 study noted that "the underrepresentation for Black dentists is extraordinary." Seeing a Black woman dominate in an underrepresented industry is inspiring. While many of us may not be not fans of visiting the dentist, understanding Dr. Austin's journey to where she is today will give you a newfound appreciation for the power of the hustle and finding your niche.
When you follow your purpose and are willing to invest in and nurture it, you cannot fail.
Dr. Austin wasn't always the dynamic go-getter that she is today. As an adolescent, she grew up with gapped, flared teeth and was never confident about her smile. At the age of 15, her mother surprised her with braces. A year later, she had straight teeth and immediately, she remembers, her "self-esteem, popularity, and confidence increased." By 16, she already had her dreams set on being a dentist so that she could give everyone the [boost] of confidence she experienced.
"A smile is like your business card," says Dr Austin. "It's the first thing people notice about you. If you're not confident about your smile, you don't smile, or you cover it up. It affects your total being."
While attending the University of Maryland School of Dentistry as a minority woman who hadn't majored in the sciences during undergrad, she struggled. There were times that Dr. Austin wanted to quit but with the support of students and administrators who looked like her, she was able to finish her requirements early, took special courses and specialized in oral surgery. That support was key, especially when her non-POC peers often insinuated that she was less than or less able to achieve. "I had to do the work -- sometimes harder than others."
Dr. Austin's catalyst moment came after graduating from dental school and moving to NYC. She found herself immersed in the late 90s Black New York City nightlife.Though she had no office or clients at the time, it was almost as if the universe was guiding her to something greater: her niche. Dr. Austin thought, "These are my friends. This is my network. Celebrities need to have beautiful smiles." She continues, "I put 'Dr. Catrise Austin - Dentist to the Stars' on a business card."
Sometimes you have to envision the dream before you actually live the dream.
Courtesy of Dr. Catrise Austin
Little did she know that act of manifestation was probably the most important thing she ever did.
A chance encounter with Isaac Hayes at Diddy's restaurant Justin's followed. He was so impressed by her tenacity and became her first celebrity client. Isaac ended up welcoming Dr. Austin into his entourage and ushered her into the world of celebrity.
Next, came putting her all into building her brand. "I was everywhere entertainers were -- awards shows, music conferences, nightclubs -- anywhere I could meet my target market." It was tough, but Dr. Austin was determined. "We didn't have social media, so I had to do a lot of street marketing, flyers, business cards, and [word of mouth] networking."
But like any newbie entrepreneur, Dr. Austin still had to deal with the practical challenges of building a business. If she was going to be a "dentist to the stars," Dr. Austin was going to have to do everything to highlight her own starpower and differentiate her brand from her competitors. She hired a publicist early on who helped establish her expertise and increased her visibility in the right media outlets. She also made sure that she was investing in resources that would help her overall bottomline. "I didn't know anything about business...I hired [dental consultants] that came to my office and trained me and my staff on budget, industry standards on overhead, and systems."
By working with the local Small Business Administration, a resource she highly recommends, Dr. Austin received help on creating a long-term business plan. She also recommends that every serious entrepreneur invest in key advisors such as an accountant, bookkeeper, and lawyer. Dr. Austin's constant studying of her competitors uncovered a new market opportunity. "I looked at my top competitors and saw all the top dentists have a sexy location in Manhattan or Beverly HIlls, books, and products."
Tired of promoting other dental products, VIP Smiles, Dr. Austin’s line of dental health and whitening products was born.
She happily says, "I'm excited to see the brand expand because I can offer the same thing that I offer in my office like teeth whitening, but for a lower price point for under $60...and because I'm a dentist, I'm offering products that are safe and really work."
Dr. Austin is so passionate about what she does, she deems it important to educate those who aren't her customers. With the rise of medical tourism and people opting to travel overseas for cosmetic dentistry, she urges consumers to do their research. "One size doesn't fit all," she warns.
It's important to review a cosmetic dentist's credentialing, experience, past work, and warranty. Most importantly, make sure your dentist is also checking the health of your teeth and gums first. It's protocol in Dr. Austin's office for all patients to have a consultation prior to having any services rendered. While your initial investment may be cheaper, you may end up paying more later to fix the damages of poor dental work.
Understanding the product your chosen dentist is using is also crucial. High quality porcelain veneers can cost between $1500-$3000 per tooth. "Many times, overseas dentists are installing composite veneers," Dr. Austin explains. "The material is plastic and that's why they can hand sculpt and do it in one visit. You are getting a cheaper product."
It's also necessary to understand that there are risks. Cosmetic dentistry is irreversible, but still safe. She cautions, "You have to be super sure that you are okay with altering the natural structure or health of your teeth."
By the end of our conversation, I realize that Dr. Austin genuinely loves what she does.
Dr. Austin understands she's helping to change dental culture as well.
Dr. Catrise/Instagram
"A lot of people are afraid of the dentist. In our culture, you [probably] didn't grow up going to private dental practices. You may have gone to clinics, where the solution was to pull your teeth. Or, the care was not great. A lot of people don't feel comfortable. What people have told me is that [the reason] they chose me is because I'm a woman and I tend to be more sympathetic and empathetic and have a better bedside manner."
The fact that she was a Black female was also one of the reasons Cardi B chose Dr. Austin for her 2016 smile makeover. Dr Austin recalls, "Cardi told me a lot of people were trying to get her to go to the Dominican Republic or other dentists, but she wanted to support a Black female."
The feeling is mutual, too. Dr. Austin dotes, "Cardi B has been a blessing in my life and I have to thank her." Three years later, she still gets referrals because of Cardi. "Cardi B has inspired the world that if you're not happy about your smile to do something about it. If they can't afford me, they are seeking out people they can afford. At least they know, it's a possibility."
Dr. Austin's pride about her work makes me imagine what it must have been like to be in the room when she first saw her new smile at the age of 15. There is no doubt that is her life's purpose. She is walking in alignment.
Dr. Austin recently opened her second dental office in her hometown of Flint, Michigan. She's also working on spreading the reach of her VIP Smiles product line and producing live events and webinars that can help educate future consumers about the power of clean smiles and cosmetic dentistry.
"I want people to remember me for being one of the most honest, genuine, and relatable dentists that was in the business not just for money but to really help change people's lives. I want to go down as someone who really made a difference in the world."
One smile at a time, of course.
To learn more about Dr. Catrise Austin and her work,follow her on Instagram @drcatriseaustin or visit www.vipsmiles.com.
Featured image courtesy of Dr. Catrise Austin
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So, we handpicked one hundred It Girls who embody that palpable It Factor moving through us as young Black women, the kind of motion lighting up the world both IRL and across the internet.
It Girl 100 became xoNecole’s most successful program, with the hashtag organically reaching more than forty million impressions on Instagram in just twenty-four hours. Yes, it caught on like wildfire because we celebrated some of the most brilliant and influential GenZennial women of color setting trends and shaping culture. But more than that, it resonated because the women we celebrated felt seen.
Many were already known in their industries for keeping this generation fly and lit, but rarely received recognition or flowers. It Girl 100 became a safe space to be uplifted, and for us as Black women to bask in what felt like an era of our brilliance, beauty, and boundless influence on full display.
And then, almost overnight, it was as if the rug was pulled from under us as Black women, as the It Girls of the world.
Our much-needed, much-deserved season of ease and soft living quickly metamorphosed into a time of self-preservation and survival. Our motion and economic progression seemed strategically slowed, our light under siege.
The air feels heavier now. The headlines colder. Our Black girl magic is being picked apart and politicized for simply existing.
With that climate shift, as we prepare to launch our second annual It Girl 100 honoree list, our team has had to dig deep on the purpose and intention behind this year’s list. Knowing the spirit of It Girl 100 is about motion, sauce, strides, and progression, how do we celebrate amid uncertainty and collective grief when the juice feels like it is being squeezed out of us?
As we wrestled with that question, we were reminded that this tension isn’t new. Black women have always had to find joy in the midst of struggle, to create light even in the darkest corners. We have carried the weight of scrutiny for generations, expected to be strong, to serve, to smile through the sting. But this moment feels different. It feels deeply personal.
We are living at the intersection of liberation and backlash. We are learning to take off our capes, to say no when we are tired, to embrace softness without apology.
And somehow, the world has found new ways to punish us for it.
In lifestyle, women like Kayla Nicole and Ayesha Curry have been ridiculed for daring to choose themselves. Tracee Ellis Ross was labeled bitter for speaking her truth about love. Meghan Markle, still, cannot breathe without critique.
In politics, Kamala Harris, Letitia James, and Jasmine Crockett are dragged through the mud for standing tall in rooms not built for them.
In sports, Angel Reese, Coco Gauff, and Taylor Townsend have been reminded that even excellence will not shield you from racism or judgment.
In business, visionaries like Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye and Melissa Butler are fighting to keep their dreams alive in an economy that too often forgets us first.
Even our icons, Beyoncé, Serena, and SZA, have faced criticism simply for evolving beyond the boxes society tried to keep them in.
From everyday women to cultural phenoms, the pattern is the same. Our light is being tested.
And yet, somehow, through it all, we are still showing up as that girl, and that deserves to be celebrated.
Because while the world debates our worth, we keep raising our value. And that proof is all around us.
This year alone, Naomi Osaka returned from motherhood and mental health challenges to reach the semifinals of the US Open. A’ja Wilson claimed another MVP, reminding us that beauty and dominance can coexist. Brandy and Monica are snatching our edges on tour. Kahlana Barfield Brown sold out her new line in the face of a retailer that had been canceled. And Melissa Butler’s company, The Lip Bar, is projecting a forty percent surge in sales.
We are no longer defining strength by how much pain we can endure. We are defining it by the unbreakable light we continue to radiate.
We are the women walking our daily steps and also continuing to run solid businesses. We are growing in love, taking solo trips, laughing until it hurts, raising babies and ideas, drinking our green juice, and praying our peace back into existence.
We are rediscovering the joy of rest and realizing that softness is not weakness, it is strategy.
And through it all, we continue to lift one another. Emma Grede is creating seats at the table. Valeisha Butterfield has started a fund for jobless Black women. Arian Simone is leading in media with fearless conviction. We are pouring into each other in ways the world rarely sees but always feels.
So yes, we are in the midst of societal warfare. Yes, we are being tested. Yes, we are facing economic strain, political targeting, and public scrutiny. But even war cannot dim a light that is divinely ours.
And we are still shining.
And we are still softening.
And we are still creating.
And we are still It.
That is the quiet magic of Black womanhood, our ability to hold both truth and triumph in the same breath, to say yes, and to life’s contradictions.
It is no coincidence that this year, as SheaMoisture embraces the message “Yes, And,” they stand beside us as partners in celebrating this class of It Girls. Because that phrase, those two simple words, capture the very essence of this moment.
Yes, we are tired. And we are still rising.
Yes, we are questioned. And we are the answer.
Yes, we are bruised. And we are still beautiful.
This year’s It Girl 100 is more than a list. It is a love letter to every Black woman who dares to live out loud in a world that would rather she whisper. This year’s class is living proof of “Yes, And,” women who are finding ways to thrive and to heal, to build and to rest, to lead and to love, all at once.
It is proof that our joy is not naive, our success not accidental. It is the reminder that our light has never needed permission.
So without further ado, we celebrate the It Girl 100 Class of 2025–2026.
We celebrate the millions of us who keep doing it with grace, grit, and glory.
Because despite it all, we still shine.
Because we are still her.
Because we are still IT, girl.
Meet all 100 women shaping culture in the It Girl 100 Class of 2025. View the complete list of honorees here.
Featured image by xoStaff
It’s not like it has to be a bad thing. In fact, studies say that somewhere around 15 percent of engaged couples actually met through a friend. All I’m saying is, before you entertain someone’s “I’ve got someone I want you to meet” invitation, it would benefit you to interview them first — for the sake of all parties involved.
The questions that I recommend asking? The following six are what I think can get everyone on the same page, so that there is more pleasure than regret from the hook-up attempt.
1. Why Are They So Invested?
GiphyTwo things that I recently watched over again are the series Survivor’s Remorse (the writing is so damn good) and a movie called Trapped in Temptation (both are currently on Tubi). Something that both of them made me think about is the fact that motive reveals a lot when it comes to why people say and do the things that they do.
When it comes to the movie, specifically, without giving the film away — let me just say that, if you are in a relationship, be really careful about listening to individuals who try to talk you out of maintaining it. More times than not, the motive is shady as hell. And honestly, sometimes people who are close to obsessed with you being in one deserve a bit of side-eye too.
Now, if it’s someone who loves all things love, they are in love and they want you to experience something similar — that’s sweet. Just make sure that they are approaching the set up from a healthy space. What I mean by that is they don’t see singleness as some sort of relational handicap or they aren’t trying to override what you want for your life as if they somehow know better (there are so many ways to be a control freak, y’all).
Hmph. Now that I think about it — make sure that the set-up crew isn’t trying to use you to “save” some male friend or relative of theirs. I say that because I once knew a mother whose son had — count ‘em — 10 kids and she was FOREVER trying to get me to date him. Girl, that wasn’t for me. She was looking for a Holy Ghost Jr. for that child of hers. I’ll pass. HARD PASS.
Bottom line with this one — if someone wants to set you up with someone else, the first thing to ask is why? Make sure to really listen to what their answer is. Then pay attention to if your mind, body and spirit are at peace with their answer(s).
2. Do They Know What You Want?
GiphyI don’t know about y’all, but the people (and let’s be honest, by far, it’s usually women) who have tried to set me up with someone? They didn’t even know what my preferences or type was. Hell, they didn’t even know my thoughts or timeline as it relates to being in a serious relationship were either. And what that boils down to is they were trying to hook me up based on their agenda, not mine — and that usually meant that the guys who they came up with? Yeah…I was good on them. LOL.
Yeah, if someone wants to hook you up, you definitely should ask them if they know what you are looking for in a guy when it comes to his looks, personality, passions, spirituality, relational desires and goals, location, etc. Because, indeed, what is the point in going out with someone who is fine as hell and yet, you want kids and he doesn’t (or vice versa) or who has a great personality yet he isn’t even in the same ballpark of your spiritual beliefs?
If your friend really wants to help you out, valuing your time should come with that — and that means bringing someone into your life who complements your lifestyle. No wiggle room here.
3. Are They Aware of Your Deal-Breakers?
GiphyLast year, I wrote an article for the platform entitled, “Should Bad Sex Actually Be A Relationship Deal-Breaker?” The thing that I think needs to go on record about deal-breakers is they aren’t exactly standards that you have. No, a deal-breaker is something that can’t be worked out even after trying to negotiate or compromise. When it comes to relationships, a deal-breaker might be how long two people should date before becoming exclusive or getting engaged. Another deal-breaker might be if being religious is more important than being spiritual and how that manifests itself (church or no church, etc.). And yes, another deal-breaker may be what each other’s sexual needs and expectations are.
When someone is setting you up, it is imperative that they know about your standards. For instance, for me, I am not interested in dating a divorced person, pretty much ever (I Corinthians 7:10-11). I’ve had friends who have tried to hook me up with that demographic before and it has always been a moot effort. The fact that some of them have gotten frustrated with my convictions has absolutely nothing to do with me. Some have tried to get me to compromise my deal-breakers too — like a long-distance relationship. Is it a firm “naw”? No. However, it’s not really something that I am interested in, so why not just…recommend someone local?
Yeah, if someone thinks that they know you well enough to hook you up, they absolutely should be well-versed in what your deal-breakers are before they do. And if they’ve never asked, all they are doing is assuming — and we know what that typically means. LOL.
4. What Is Their Track Record?
GiphyIt’s kind of wild that we now live in a time when more couples meet online than they do through “old-fashioned ways” like via their friends (although some reports say that Gen Z is getting back to that) — and yet, here we are. Still, if you are willing to let someone play pseudo matchmaker in your life, you are well within your rights to inquire about their track record in that department. Have they hooked others up, successfully, before? Has any of their “Cupid work” caused both people to get exactly what they wanted out of the situation? If/when things went awry, why was that?
I know someone who is constantly trying to hook people up. Thing is, maybe 10-15 percent (no joke) of their efforts have proven to be positive and fruitful — and we’re talking about close to close to two decades of them doing it. Listen, time is too precious to be out here doing stuff ONLY to please other people. That said, if someone wants you to devote some time to one of their grand ideas, you are well within your rights to ask about their past and current success score when it comes to it.
5. Can They Keep Their Own Feelings Out of It?
GiphyWanna know if someone who is offering to do something for you is actually doing it more for themselves? If they try to make it be about them when things don’t go the way they would like, that is a dead ringer. An example? They post a message about you on social media and then question you about why you didn’t do the same thing in return. Another example? They do something for you and then throw it in your face during an argument. Still another example? They set you up with someone, it doesn’t work out, and suddenly you’ve put them in a weird spot. No dear — you put your own self in that position by trying to hook two people up in the first place.
I promise you, it will spare everyone unnecessary energy spent (or even drama experienced) if, before you agree to be hooked up, you get the matchmaker on record stating that they will keep their emotions out of it as much as possible. MEANING — they will do the introductions and then let the chips fall where they may. If they can’t do this, my two cents (save it or spend it) would be to decline the offer. Because all you need is someone texting you about why you haven’t called their cousin back or having an attitude with you when you break up with some guy at their church who they thought was the perfect catch (P.S. These aren’t hypothetical examples — LOL).
6. Will They Respect Your Boundaries? Start to Finish?
GiphyYeah, this final one is a biggie. Just because someone sets you up with another person, that doesn’t automatically or necessarily mean that they should have the right to the details of the dynamic. I don’t care if it’s the first date or the 10th date. I don’t care if you decide to just be sex buddies or to have a full-blown relationship. I don’t care if you stay together or break-up — it’s your relationship which makes it your business. Whatever you share is privileged data.
Yeah, I would say that probably the most challenging thing about being hooked up by someone you know is they have a tendency to think that they are a part of the relationship too — and that is a lie. If things go well beyond a couple of dates, you and the guy should discuss what you will both share with the person who introduced you and then agree to stick to that boundary, no matter what. It’s a great way to protect the dynamic, to keep “outside voices” from influencing the growth and to navigate how you want to move, moving forward.
Someone who hooked you up for the right reasons and knows how to honor limits? They will understand. Will they ask questions? Absolutely. Will they pry? Nah.
___
Should you sit and let someone hook you up? I mean, you never know how your blessing will come. Just make sure that they are prepared for you to do some digging into their mindset before they start sweetly meddling into your love life.
It’s only fair. Hell, and right. LOL.
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Featured image by PeopleImages/Shutterstock