For many of us, lip gloss is the first staple in our makeup bag. It was the one thing many of us were allowed to wear until our mothers gave us permission to pass go on anything more than a translucent tint with a smidgen of shine so that people knew it wasn't just Vaseline keeping our lips poppin'.
Eventually, we were able to graduate from Smuckers and those pineapple beauty supply roll-on glosses to anything that wasn't red or labeled "stick." Suffice to say that gloss has held us down from day one, throughout every phase of glo up and it continues to do so. Yet, Lil' Mama failed to mention one magical feature of lip gloss — plumping. Aside from makeup hacks like lining your lips, there are also lip plumper glosses and balms that are said to do the trick as well. Lip plumpers are useful to anyone who may want more full, voluptuous lips.
xoNecole spoke with dermatologists, Doctor Erum Ilyas and America's holistic beauty Doctor Anthony Youn to get the info that you need to know about them before you run out and spend all your hard earned paper buying and trying lip plumpers.
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These type of glosses and balms "create a 'plump' effect by swelling the lips by irritating them with certain ingredients," according to Dr. Erum Ilyas. He gave us the breakdown on how it works, explaining that "the thin skin of the lips is very susceptible to irritation and will swell temporarily in response."
Essentially, they are creating what is referred to as an irritant contact dermatitis to the lips. While these type of irritants work on anyone, the thickness of the skin on one's lips might "require" more layers of application or a more "aggressive" product. The irritants that cause this contact dermatitis vary. Ilyas lists a few of the ingredients (menthol, camphor, and/or caffeine) that may be found in these products due to their ability to vasodilate (or widen the blood vessels of) the skin. However, cinnamon, peppermint, capsaicin, or cayenne pepper (from chili peppers) are more commonly used to achieve the irritation that results in swelling.
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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
Credit: Tiffany Battle
Credit: Teniola
Credit: Ilahi Creary
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
