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Women Who Inspire: Meet the Legendary BFFs of Patrick Riley
When future President Barack Obama said, “It’s never hard for me to extol the wonders and beauty of black women,” veteran TV producer Patrick L. Riley was right there. Of course, Barack was looking at wife Michelle, the woman he loves. Meanwhile, Riley was gazing out at a room full of women he loves, including…
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Sole Purpose: Gift Style With a Conscience for the Holidays
Christmas is only two weeks away, and I haven’t done a thing. (Don’t even ask me what to do about Kwanzaa; I’m hoping for some celebratory guidance from my new colleagues here at The Root.) But whatever you’re celebrating this December, these chic shoes from Uwezo add a dash of boho style to your closet…
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Susan Akkad Is Making Beauty More Multicultural—and Knows Black Women Don’t Need to Be ‘Fixed’
“Egyptians believe that they invented beauty,” says Susan Akkad. She’s a woman who would know, given her degree from Harvard in ninth- to 14th-century Arabic literature and diplomacy. For nine years, Akkad has held the position of senior vice president of local and cultural innovation at Estée Lauder, overseeing multiethnic innovation for some 25 brands…
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Hot Flashes: The Cold Truth
Once a month, when you’re suffering from cramping, bloating, moodiness and fatigue, do you imagine menopause as a dream where your menstrual cycle ends? That, like a butterfly, you’re freed from monthly changes forever? Think again, my friend. Estrogen, the hormone that makes a woman a “woman,” controls not only female menstrual cycles and fertility…
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We Gon’ Run This Town … in Fenty x Puma’s Newest Release
While you were sleeping, Fenty x Puma dropped a new take on high-top sneakers, just in time for the weekend. Visually, the Mid-Geo sneakers are like a ballet-meets-basketball-dream-team shoe collab. Day one Fenty fiends know what I’m talking about: prep school style meets new-school sass and cleverly serves both fashion and comfort, under the creative…
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Nailing It, Naturally: How I Do a DIY Mani-Pedi
#BlackGirlTragic: I am ashy. Tip to toe. The reigning Queen of Elephant Skin. Dry winter skin has my hands looking like I’m half eagle; I need a manicure so badly. In short, it’s not a good look. But true confession? Mani-pedis are one of the areas in my beauty routine where I am consistently thrifty…
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The Empire Strikes Black Gold: Team Azzedine Takes the British Fashion Awards
Two weeks ago, in the midst of deep grief, I picked up the phone. It was Naomi—yes, that Naomi—my comrade-in-arms in the supermodel game, and my little sister by way of our adopted father, the recently departed French designer Azzedine Alaïa. “Veronica,” she said, in that throaty British accent that hugs every syllable like a…
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Magnetic Attraction: Glue-Free False Eyelashes
I love lashes. I have been in about every eyelash situation you can imagine; drugstore brands like Andrea “Curl 91” style and Ardell’s “Wispy” model were the gateway products that ignited my lash habit. These days, my habit now involves feeding my lashes daily with Lash Food serum to promote growth and, when time permits,…
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Still Fine: The Glow Up Chats With Legendary Makeup Artist Sam Fine and We Get Our #BrowsOnFleek
Superstar makeup artist Sam Fine and I go back like lips and lipstick; we’ve been working together as model and makeup artist for 25 years. He is one of the premier makeup artists in the industry, and one of the few African-American artists to publish beauty books: Fine Beauty and Fine: The Basics of Beauty.…
