Empire is one of those shows that frequently gets labeled as a “guilty pleasure.” For me, there is no guilt. There is only pleasure. I enjoy Empire for the glamour, the drama, the sizzling intrigue and especially the STYLE. I grew up on a diet of Dynasty, Falcon Crest and Knots Landing; and Empire gives… read all

Winged liner has been a thing for decades now, but it’s absolutely had a resurgence in popularity in 2015. Every celebrity, every young woman you see on the street practically (at least here in Chicago) is rocking thick eyeliner as part of their everyday look. I absolutely love a bold, fierce winged liner and have… read all

When I think of actress Uzo Aduba, I think of transformation. She is a real and rare talent, able to convey all of the complex layers of her character, Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren on Orange Is the New Black. Last year she won the Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. This year,… read all

What a week to be director extraordinare Ava DuVernay! Last Sunday, she attended the Golden Globes looking resplendent in a navy Zac Posen dress. This week wooshed by with a blur of interviews and thinkpieces in the wake of the awards announcements. Ava was nominated for Best Director at the Golden Globes. She was denied… read all

I’ve been hearing from quite a few of my readers lately, that makeup is challenging and intimidating. For those of us who aren’t used to wearing makeup on a day to day basis, when we’re presented with an event where we’re expected to wear makeup it can cause anxiety and stress. I’m here to tell… read all

Since posting the news about Lupita Nyong’o’s new role as the ambassadress of Lancôme, I’ve seen quite a few misconceptions online. Allow me to address them one by one! #1 – Lupita Nyong’o is NOT Lancôme’s first ever woman of color representative. Arlenis Sosa has been a spokesmodel for the brand since 2009. Lupita is their… read all

There are so, so many reasons to love, respect and admire Lupita Nyong’o, but from a beauty perspective she truly makes my heart flutter. Just by being, by wearing her hair the way she wants to and rocking every color in the rainbow, she debunks so many foolish and old school beauty perceptions that still… read all

A little backstory before the post: About a week ago, I was in Los Angeles on an assignment and I had the good fortune of going backstage to a taping of The Queen Latifah Show. I went to visit my friend, celebrity makeup artist and beauty influencer Sam Fine — he’s Queen Latifah’s official makeup… read all

Several years ago, a good friend in the beauty industry told me something that I didn’t quite believe. She said that brown eyeshadow made you look glamorous and wealthy, and took her beauty game up a whole nother level. This good friend is a woman of color with a fabulous, deep chocolate complexion. I didn’t… read all

How does she do it? How does she KEEP doing it? Halle Berry is as radiantly gorgeous as ever. In the words of Luvvie, she looked “..like angels licked her face this morning.” Halle STAYS slaying. BEHOLD. Her patterned, cut out Atelier Versace dress is getting mixed reviews but you know what isn’t getting mixed reviews at… read all