

Mary J. Blige has really been getting into her bag lately, and we have been cheering it on. She has not only been booked, but the Queen is busy to the max. In just the past few months, the music icon has been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2019 BET Awards, starred in Netflix projects, launched her own production company Blue Butterfly Productions, and signed a deal with Lionsgate Studios. And really, she's just getting started.
Known for her sultry vocals and classic R&B tunes, Mary isn't just a celebrity to many of us who grew up on her. She was the friend and homegirl next door, always keeping it real and working hard to surpass the next milestone in her life. And as she's grown and endured in the public eye, particularly from a tumultuous divorce with her ex-husband, Mary is walking through the fire and proving her testimonial mantra of being just fine, fine, fine, fine, fine, fine oooh.
She tells xoNecole. "That is the story of my life. I've been falling since I've been touring. Then I rise again and then I fall. Being in the public eye, people get to see you rise and fall so you have a responsibility to the little girls out there and I am very mindful of that."
"When you fall hard in public, people are watching to see how you come out of it. That is a time to be an example and a time to be a role model. Tragedy and triumph."
Nowadays, Mary is onto the next triumph of her life, signing on to be the face of MAC's new Love Me lipstick campaign. In commemoration of her seminal My Life album (which is 25 this year!), the songstress teamed up with the beauty brand for a limited-edition argan oil-infused lipstick, "French Silk", on Maccosmetics.com.
The campaign is filled with nudes and peachy tones, and the collection felt like a no-brainer to the Oscar-nominated actress. "With my Love Me nude lipstick in 'French Silk', it's all about me loving me and finding love for myself," she shares with xoNecole about her new signature nude.
"I am being a little selfish these days in loving me and taking care of me and the lipstick is definitely that– it's a nude that makes me feel confident and is my comfort zone and my signature look now."
This selfishness — as she calls it — really is just an intention to guard her time and energy. And while she may be serving us looks on the red carpet, or conquering the latest thing in Hollywood, loving herself and self-care is of the utmost importance. Her foundation remains grounded, even from the moment she wakes up. "I start my day loving myself," she says. "When I wake up in the morning, when my eyes open, I thank God for my life."
And her self-care doesn't stop there — Mary J. admits to spending at least thirty minutes meditating, reading, and praying before jumping into her day. "I demand the time to rest and be quiet," she says. "I keep myself spiritually grounded. Also, massages are important. Drink a lot of water. Stay positive."
While you may think that you have to have a lot of money in order to be Mary J. fabulous, she names "the gym and the way you eat" as her biggest beauty investments. She continued, "Whether it's the right meats and foods or not, you have to be right inside. It's easier to do more things when you are at your healthiest."
So even though Mary J's new collaboration with MAC is a step in the beauty direction, she goes to prove that life is truly cyclical. And that no matter what age, you can live life on your own terms.
To cop Mary J. Blige's new MAC x MJB collaboration, click here.
Featured image via Instagram/Mary J. Blige
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Feature image screenshot/ xoNecole YouTube
Swipe Right For Sisterhood: Reginae Carter Talks Teaming Up With BLK To Make Friendships Front & Center
You know the vibes: dating apps aren’t just for finding romance anymore—at least not for Gen Z! As young people continue to redefine connection, BLK, the leading dating app for Black singles, is shaking things up with the launch of Social Mode. The new feature allows users to toggle between dating and platonic connections. Yep, you read that right—friendship is now just as easy to find as love.
To kick off this game-changing launch, BLK teamed up with TV personality and socialite Reginae Carter for the ultimate Girls’ Night In, proving that sisterhood is just as important as romance. The exclusive event was a celebration of the new feature and the power of Black women coming together to uplift one another.
“Your circle is everything,” Reginae shares with a smile, and she’s not wrong. She’s all about creating spaces where we can come together, let our hair down, and vibe with like-minded women. “We deserve spaces to meet, uplift, and vibe with each other. BLK is making that happen,” she adds.
A New Era for Friendships—Social Mode Is Here!
Gen Z is all about building meaningful connections, whether it’s with a date or a new brunch buddy. That’s why Social Mode is such a big deal. Research shows that 65% of Gen Z values friendships just as much as romantic relationships. With BLK’s new feature, users can easily toggle between “Dating” and “Social,” opening up a world of platonic connections—no swiping right required.
Bahja Rodriguez, Reginae Carter, Breaunna Womack, Lourdes Rodriguez and Zonnique Pullins attend OMG Girlz "Make A Scene" Single Release & Video Viewing Party at Trap City Cafe on March 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia
Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage
Reginae Carter Hosts the Ultimate Girls’ Night In—Powered by BLK Social Mode
What better way to show Social Mode in action than with an exclusive Girls’ Night In, hosted by Reginae? The event brought together top influencers, tastemakers, and press for a night of luxury, self-care, and real talk about love, sex, and relationships. From tarot readings to perfume-making and signature cocktails, the evening embodied the “soft life” vibe that many Black women are embracing in 2025—peaceful, intentional, and full of joy.
Guests mingled, laughed, and bonded over the importance of finding a tribe that supports you. It wasn’t just about fun (although there was plenty of that!)—it was about creating a circle of inspiring, strong women. “We need to stick together. We need to be each other’s village,” Reginae says, emphasizing the power of community over competition.
Sisterhood: The Real MVP
For Reginae, it’s all about friendship—and not just the surface-level kind. “We need friends who keep it real with us. The ones who can tell us when we’re right, when we’re wrong, and when we need to calm down,” she says. As someone who navigates the spotlight, she’s got the best of both worlds: friends who understand the grind and those who can give her an honest, grounded perspective.
Her advice for building strong, intentional friendships? “Be confident in yourself and know your worth,” she explains. “Also, hurt people hurt people, so make sure you’re coming from a good place when you’re building relationships. It’s not always about being nice—sometimes it’s about being real.”
Reginae couldn’t have summed it up better: “When you have the right circle, the right tribe, everything just feels easier. And that’s exactly what BLK is giving us—space to connect, laugh, and grow with each other.”
To learn more about BLK’s Social Mode, download or update the BLK app in the App Store or Google Play Store today. Who knows? You might just find your new bestie or your next brunch crew.
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Feature image by Prince Williams/WireImage