

Over the past couple of years, the beauty industry has made tremendous strides in becoming inclusive of all shades and I am totally here for it!
For a long time, the beauty industry has failed women of color when it comes to creating products that suit our deep range of shades and varying undertones. It seems like since Fenty Beauty came into the game in 2017, carrying 40 shades of foundation has become an industry standard. Brands have been putting in work to create foundations and other product categories that represent all shades of beauty, particularly the darker end of the spectrum. Though much work is being done, one product that brands have repeatedly missed the mark on is bronzer.
Prime Beauty
I was super excited when I stumbled upon Brownzers by Prime Beauty. These Brownzers are matte (not glittery) bronzers and made with women of color in mind. This is literally a dream come true to women like myself who love the idea of bronzer but struggle to find bronzer shades that are actually deeper than our skin tones. Most popular bronzers on the market don't come in shades that suit Black women and, quite honestly, it's a bit disappointing.
Thanks to these bronzers that make the beauty needs of women of color "primary, not secondary", I'm no longer mixing the brown shadows in my Juvia's Place Warrior palette to create a bronzer that looks good on me. These chocolate girl-friendly bronzers are offered in 3 shades: 'Glow Coast' (light brown), 'Bronzeville' (medium brown) and 'Chocolate Litty' (deep brown) to enhance your melanin. The clever shades names made me even more excited to try them out.
Writer MIKA/xoNecole
Here’s what my makeup looks like before I added bronzer:
Writer MIKA/xoNecole
My makeup looks good, but I know a touch of bronzer would elevate it. Some people may ask why do women of color need bronzer anyway? Bronzer is a great finishing touch to your makeup to give your face a bit of dimension and an overall sun-kissed look.
Over the years, I've become a huge fan of bronzing as opposed to contouring. Think of bronzing as contouring's much more calm "sister". It takes way less effort and precision, yet it gives your face that little extra "life" that it needs.
Here’s what my makeup looked like after applying the 'Bronzeville' bronzer from Prime Beauty:
MIKA/xoNecole
After applying bronzer, my face looks much more complete and warmed up. I actually look and feel like I have a vacation tan. In reality, I'm in 40 degree weather in NYC. 'Bronzeville' is my preferred shade of the three that Prime Beauty offers. However, I can see myself using 'Glow Coast' and 'Chocolate Litty' in the future as well.
Overall, I think the Brownzer's by Prime Beauty are absolutely worth the $21 price tag. Besides the fact that their bronzers come in shades that are flattering on WOC, these bronzers are ideal for any makeup lover; from novice to professional. They apply super smoothly, which makes blending simple. Also, they are buildable, so you can start with a little bit of bronzer on your brush and add more bronzer as needed. FYI: You don't need a lot at all.
Wearing 'Brownsville'; Pictured 'Chocolate Litty'
MIKA/xoNecole
So, if you're in the market for a new bronzer or are looking to try bronzer for the first time, I would highly recommend trying one of the Brownzer's from Prime Beauty. These bronzers will open you up to a makeup category that hasn't met the needs of WOC in the past.
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Featured image by MIKA/xoNecole
'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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There’s caviar, and then there’s Black-owned caviar. With the recent explosion of #CaviarTikTok, this luxury delicacy seems to be everywhere these days. I can’t scroll through my feed without seeing our favorite celebs and influencers diving headfirst into extravagant caviar spreads.
From Rihanna pairing her caviar with chicken nuggets (I wonder if our Fenty queen shares with RZA and Riot Rose or if this is just for mama) to Bethenny Frankel educating us on caviar with her series "Caviar University," there’s just no escaping it.
And let’s not forget the elite king himself, DeAndre Brown, indulging in fried chicken and caviar! From videos with caviar-topped burgers, potato latkes, deviled eggs, and pasta dishes—folks are topping everything with caviar. Yet, I had not come across any Black-owned caviar brands until I discovered Caviar Dream.
My Introduction Into Caviar
I started off eating caviar in undergrad on top of sushi, exploring with a variety of roe and tobiko but as an adult, I knew I was ready to try something a little more refined. The first time I fell in love with caviar was in grad school at a southern Italian restaurant in Flatiron.
I tried an appetizer that featured caviar on bruschetta, served with thick garlic bread and burrata cheese, and from that moment, I was hooked. That has become my favorite way to enjoy caviar next to this filet mignon crostini appetizer that I served recently at a dinner party.
Everything You Need To Know About Caviar Dream
Caviar Dream
Courtesy of Yasmine Jameelah
Caviar Dream is the first nationally distributed Black- and woman-owned caviar business, redefining how people experience caviar. Founded by Kendra Anderson, a Chicago-based chef and sommelier, the company’s mission is to make caviar more accessible and inclusive, breaking down barriers and demystifying this delicacy.
What Caviar I Tried
Caviar Dream Kaluga Hybrid ($105-$420 depending on the ounce)
How I Experienced The Caviar:
For this review, I opted for a more traditional approach by pairing Caviar Dream's Kaluga Hybrid with crème fraîche, blinis, and my favorite Black-owned champagne, Le KOOL Champagne by Robert Kool Bell.
My Caviar Dream spread
Courtesy of Yasmine Jameelah
My Honest Review:
I do not say this lightly - this was by far the best caviar I’ve ever had in my life. It was buttery, had no aftertaste, and truly felt as luxurious as it looked.
Prior to this, my favorite caviar was Imperial Caviar. I’ve tried many brands, from well-known to affordable, while recreating my favorite decadent appetizers at home or enjoying caviar bumps at parties with my friends and they were my favorite until now.
Caviar Dream boasts that chefs are obsessed with this versatile hybrid, which tastes more expensive than it actually is—and they were right. This buttery caviar would pair well with any recipe, especially if you’re looking to impress someone or even treat yourself.
As a Black woman, a business owner, and someone who understands that an extension of financial wellness is circulating our dollars, I recognize the importance of incorporating Black-owned businesses throughout every aspect of my life. From my skincare to my favorite sustainable wine, my bank, and even indulgent experiences like caviar, it matters.
As we celebrate culinary innovation and expand our palates, let’s also take the extra step to support Black-owned businesses while doing it. So the next time you’re tempted by the allure of caviar, order from Caviar Dream—it just might become your new favorite.
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