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You’re Reading the Best Beauty Blog!

April 24, 2008 by afrobella 95 Comments

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…According to you guys and the Glam Network, that is! That’s right, bellas — thanks to your support, yours truly won the title of Best in Beauty in this year’s Glam Network Awards! And a big ol’ photo of me is the front page photo on the slide show! Wow, wow, wow.

Thank you all so much for voting for me. Honored isn’t the word. I am so excited and proud and… hang on a second. I am tempted to get all teary eyed Sally Field “you like me, you really like me,” here, but Mama Bella reminded me that they play off over-long speeches at the Oscars. So I’ll save the fabulous dramatics and keep it short and sweet.

In August 2006, I dreamed up a blog that captured the essence of the kind of magazine I wanted to read, the kind that wasn’t at the store shelves. Something that was primarily about beauty, but didn’t make me feel like I wasn’t just as precious, delicate and gorgeous as the models of the opposite race, size, and hair texture as me. Afrobella started out with the intention of being a pure beauty blog with not much beyond product reviews and musings about natural black beauty, but along the way it evolved into so much more than that. Afrobella is an outlet for everything I care deeply about — beauty, hair, music, fashion, politics, whatever. The variety of topics has led to my exclusion in certain circles, but that’s OK. It’s also led to some wonderful ongoing opportunities, like the honor of participating in the blogger’s round table on NPR’s News and Notes. (I’ll be on again this upcoming Monday, April 28)! It’s been a wonderful ride, and the lesson I’ve learned is to follow my heart, and never limit myself.

It is such a pleasure and a privilege to be able to write about my obsessions and musings, to share my Caribbean culture, to put my thoughts about being a naturally beautiful black woman out there, and to participate in the exchange of ideas with so many of you all over the world. You make my life so rich and wonderful. I have so many big dreams for this blog and for myself as a writer — my mother always said, “Thursday’s child has far to go.” I’m on my way! Thank you all so very, very much for making one of them come true, and thank you to everyone at the Glam Network for your continued support.

My prize for winning is a Flip video camera, so I hope to start making some makeup and hair videos on YouTube soon.

Click here to see the slide show of this year’s Glam Network Award winners, which includes one of my first blog inspirations Beauty Addict, Hollyscoop, Popbytes, the amazing YourCause.com, and In Case You Didn’t Know.

YAY!!! I love you guys!! Thank you so, so much.

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Filed Under: Issues Tagged With: Becoming AfroBella, Randomness, Worth a Click

« … But Is It Worth It?
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. nyc/caribbean ragazza

    April 24, 2008 at 1:26 am

    Congrats!!! As a fellow natural caribbean girl I “heart” this blog.

    Reply
  2. homeinkabul

    April 24, 2008 at 1:32 am

    You really deserve the honor! Congrats!

    Reply
  3. heyhey

    April 24, 2008 at 3:12 am

    That’s awesome! Big congrats!

    Reply
  4. Nichelle

    April 24, 2008 at 2:38 am

    Congraulations Bella!

    Reply
  5. sungoddess

    April 24, 2008 at 5:25 am

    Congrats Bella… hope this means you make some money. 😀

    Reply
  6. Diana

    April 24, 2008 at 6:24 am

    I never had a doubt in my mind that you would not win. 🙂
    Congrats and keep up the great work.

    Reply
  7. Mrs.Mckinzie

    April 24, 2008 at 7:17 am

    Congrats Afrobella! I can’t wait for those You Tube videos.

    Reply
  8. Latasha

    April 24, 2008 at 7:20 am

    Congrats:)) Keep up the good work.

    Reply
  9. bella

    April 24, 2008 at 7:59 am

    Sungoddess — me too!!! LOL!

    But the money sometimes takes a backseat to just being able to express myself and communicate with the world. Thank you all so much for your kind wishes, votes, and love. I really appreciate all of you!!

    Reply
  10. islandgirl550

    April 24, 2008 at 8:08 am

    Ohhhhh Bella! Congrats! You inspired me to start blogging. Kept doing what you’re doing. Now many print will follow your lead and do spots on natural black hair.

    Reply
  11. ceecee

    April 24, 2008 at 8:31 am

    congratulations Bella!!
    You deserve it!!
    Just being curious: what circles have you been excluded from?

    Reply
  12. Marsha

    April 24, 2008 at 8:33 am

    Yay, Bella! Congrats!

    Reply
  13. Candy

    April 24, 2008 at 8:40 am

    Congrats Bella, your brother in Trinidad put me on to your blog and i haven’t missed a day since, your words are truly fascinating and come straight from the heart. Congrats again and God’s blessings to you in all your future endeavours!

    Reply
  14. Yolanda

    April 24, 2008 at 8:42 am

    Bella,

    I am so happy for you and for us! I include “us” because it feels
    you are representative of “us”. I believe that was your intent in starting the blog, having a place where we can celebrate ourselves. You have created(and continue to do so), a most interesting, informative, original and of course fun platform for all women of color.
    I enjoy clicking “afrobella” on my favorites list every morning!!
    Congratulations and much love from one of your biggest fans.

    Love and Light,
    Yolanda

    Reply
  15. pets

    April 24, 2008 at 8:44 am

    Congrats! We here at home all know just how much ability you have & now others are seeing it & recognising it publicly! Do you get a Glam “best blog” sticker for the afrobella site?

    Continue to be true to who you are & where you came from and always remember to thank those that helped you along the way & your star will continue to rise..we love you much..

    Reply
  16. Xica Bahia

    April 24, 2008 at 8:47 am

    Congratulations Bella!
    A very well deserved win.

    Peace & blessings to you.

    Xica Bahia

    Reply
  17. Aziza Ayo

    April 24, 2008 at 8:58 am

    Congratulations Bella!!! You are much loved 🙂

    Reply
  18. Anonymiss

    April 24, 2008 at 9:08 am

    Props!

    Reply
  19. Plastische Chirurgie Rumänien

    April 24, 2008 at 9:12 am

    Congratulation, thats really awesome!

    Reply
  20. terri

    April 24, 2008 at 9:18 am

    rock on

    Reply
  21. Katie

    April 24, 2008 at 9:29 am

    Hooray! You totally deserve it!

    Reply
  22. tycajam

    April 24, 2008 at 9:42 am

    I feel extremely privileged to have stumbled across your site when I did. Congratulatiions!!

    Reply
  23. Los Angelista

    April 24, 2008 at 9:48 am

    Wow, that’s fantastic! Yeah for following your heart and dreams! Congratulations on such a well-deserved award!

    Reply
  24. Patrick Jnr.

    April 24, 2008 at 9:54 am

    Little sister I will be taking a drink for you later in Trotters! Congratulations again, I don’t think you’ll ever stop making me proud!

    Reply
  25. Vivrant Thang

    April 24, 2008 at 9:56 am

    This made me smile this morning. Congrats Bella!!! VERY well deserved. I’ve come across so many that majorly heart your blog. Although I don’t always comment, I’m always stopping in to check out what you’re talmbout *smile* I have so many posts saved for future reference. Keep shining lady!

    Reply
  26. Rockstar Bella

    April 24, 2008 at 9:57 am

    Finally! MY VOTE COUNTS!! yeah!

    Reply
  27. DH

    April 24, 2008 at 10:01 am

    Congrats! You deserve the accollades 🙂

    Reply
  28. Bebroma

    April 24, 2008 at 10:02 am

    Congratulations! You certainly deserve the honor. You are a bright spot in the day of so many!

    Reply
  29. Joy30906

    April 24, 2008 at 10:05 am

    CONGRATS, Bella!!!!! Very well deserved, you know we got your back. Keep up the great work. Best blog ever, the first time I found your blog I read EVERY page in two days. Love it!

    Reply
  30. auragirl

    April 24, 2008 at 10:19 am

    SO HAPPY to be part of the ABSOLUTE AWESOMENESS that is AFROBELLA! As long as you’ll be writing, I’ll be reading! Someday I hope to be able to see Afrobella on the newsstands next to Cosmo, Glamour, Ebony and Essence…it’s so different from anything else out there! I hope you’re working on that—Afrobella in print would be AMAZING!!!! It can be a possibility—NEVER STOP DREAMING! Anyway, CONGRATULATIONS Bella! You are super talented and you deserve all the praise for your blog! I love it! 🙂

    Reply
  31. b.

    April 24, 2008 at 10:19 am

    This makes a great day better! Many congratulations and blessings to you, Afrobella 😀

    Reply
  32. kia

    April 24, 2008 at 10:20 am

    congrats bella! you rock!

    Reply
  33. AmiJane

    April 24, 2008 at 10:28 am

    Awesome! You definitely received the recognition you deserve! You inspire me in so many ways. Keep it up Bella!

    Reply
  34. T

    April 24, 2008 at 10:39 am

    Congratulations!

    Reply
  35. elle

    April 24, 2008 at 10:55 am

    I am soo happy for you!!! I’m a recent convert from another beauty blog for women of color. You inspired me to start wearing my hair natural and stop wasting my money at a Dominican salon each week and just embrace my curls. I love your *honest* commentary and the fact that you review stuff that doesn’t end up in a magazine ad the next month (i.e you just don’t review new products that you got in the mail yesterday from a pr person).

    Bella, keep up the good work on blogging about beauty, the islands, and pop culture in general!!

    Reply
  36. nolagirl

    April 24, 2008 at 11:27 am

    A person I voted for won something?!…. There’s hope that it can still happen!
    Congrats bella! I think I am as excited as you are!

    Reply
  37. Styleis20/20

    April 24, 2008 at 11:32 am

    Congrats Bella! JOB WELL DONE!

    Reply
  38. warrior11209

    April 24, 2008 at 11:34 am

    A well deserved CONGRATULATIONS to you!! I am so proud of you and this site- and to think I found this site by accident. Can’t wait for the You Tube videos!! You are beautiful(as always) in the photo on the GlamNetwork site. Yippeee for Afrobella.

    Reply
  39. Michelle

    April 24, 2008 at 12:09 pm

    Congratulations, Bella. You so deserve it. You put your heart and soul into your blog and it shows.

    Reply
  40. misstwists

    April 24, 2008 at 12:14 pm

    Hey Afrobella!

    Congratulations 🙂 You deserve it!

    Reply
  41. Candy

    April 24, 2008 at 12:19 pm

    YAY!!!!!!!!!!! Bella!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Congrats!

    Reply
  42. Miss Maxine

    April 24, 2008 at 12:19 pm

    Congratulations! I love your blog and it’s great to see it get the recognition it deserves!

    Reply
  43. afrobella

    April 24, 2008 at 12:23 pm

    I’m doing a little happy dance under my desk at work, reading all of your comments. You guys are the BEST. Love to everyone!!

    Reply
  44. ondolady

    April 24, 2008 at 12:48 pm

    Congratulations on your award, it is very well deserved.

    Reply
  45. BKBajan

    April 24, 2008 at 1:04 pm

    CONGRATULATIONS!! Well deserved!! while you are doing your happy dance at your desk, imagine a soca song and spin some pooch!

    Reply
  46. Raina

    April 24, 2008 at 1:19 pm

    congratulations, Bellaaaaaa!!!! you so deserve this award – all us babybellas are uber-grateful for your site….where else could we learn about the ish you’re serving up?? looks like you’ll be out of “here” sooner than later…hurrah!

    Reply
  47. Jacquie

    April 24, 2008 at 1:20 pm

    Go Bella Go!! Congratulations! Your blog is the ONLY blog I MUST check daily.
    Thanks for all the time and effort you put into your blog. We appreciate you Bella. 🙂

    Reply
  48. Roxy

    April 24, 2008 at 1:37 pm

    Awwww …. you’re fantastic, Bella! Well deserved … xo

    Reply
  49. Joi

    April 24, 2008 at 1:44 pm

    Congrats. I’m so happy for you. I love this site. Its been six months since I’ve had a relaxer. I’ve been wearing different braids styles to let the perm grow out. Yesterday when I took out my braids and washed my hair I had the biggest fro’ I was literally afraid. I almost went out and got a perm but I thought of this site and got some cornrows instead.

    Reply
  50. Wes

    April 24, 2008 at 1:45 pm

    I’m new to this whole blogging era, but Bella I must say you have truly been an inspiration to me… You’re like my big sister!!! lol… Keep up the good work and make sure you stay ‘Afrobellicious’!!

    Reply
  51. Kymberli

    April 24, 2008 at 2:24 pm

    CONGRAT!!!! YAY, BELLA, YAY!!!

    Reply
  52. MCat

    April 24, 2008 at 3:39 pm

    Congrats!

    Reply
  53. Ayosi

    April 24, 2008 at 3:47 pm

    Roooooollllll it gal, “ya smart and ya pretty”

    Yea Bella!

    Reply
  54. tanya

    April 24, 2008 at 4:07 pm

    we love you too, bella. congratulations! the people have spoken!

    Reply
  55. Sass

    April 24, 2008 at 4:12 pm

    OMG you truly deserve it! CONGRATULATIONS!!

    Reply
  56. the M

    April 24, 2008 at 4:41 pm

    WHOoOooOOoOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

    Go AfroBella!!!

    Congratulations! I love love love your blog. Its my go to guide for everything!!!

    keep up the amazing working lady!
    xoxoxoxox

    Reply
  57. BigHeadGurl

    April 24, 2008 at 5:34 pm

    CONGRATS!! you deserve this and so much more. You go bella!

    Reply
  58. Calming.Corners

    April 24, 2008 at 5:41 pm

    Congrats Bella!!! You deserve it!!! Much success to you!!!

    Reply
  59. berrybrowne

    April 24, 2008 at 5:43 pm

    congratulations bella! you’re the only beauty blog i actually bookmark, so i think they are 100% right:-)

    Reply
  60. NiaSoul01

    April 24, 2008 at 5:56 pm

    You go girl! I’m so happy for you!

    Reply
  61. Exquisitely Black

    April 24, 2008 at 7:15 pm

    Congrats from a new reader who loves your blog!

    Reply
  62. CaterFly

    April 24, 2008 at 7:43 pm

    Congrats! I think this marks the first time that I’ve actually voted for someone and they won! Yay! =)

    Reply
  63. CaterFly

    April 24, 2008 at 7:48 pm

    1 down, 1 to go. Now, if only we can vote Obama into office…

    Reply
  64. Sabrina97

    April 24, 2008 at 10:00 pm

    Congratulations Bella! You do deserve all of the good things that have come from this blog… the spirit of the sisters (and brothers) that look to you for advice, the release you get from sharing your views with the world, and yes, even the freebies you get because a company wants you to blog about their product! 😀 You done good girl!

    Reply
  65. Dad

    April 24, 2008 at 10:05 pm

    Well done.Keep going

    Reply
  66. Dad

    April 24, 2008 at 10:07 pm

    Well done.Keep going and doing your way. The best is still to come, I am sure about that.

    Reply
  67. trini4christ

    April 24, 2008 at 11:07 pm

    Congrats beautiful Bella! You definitely deserve the recognition. Thanks to you, I am experimenting more and loving my natural hair. Please keep doing what you love.

    Reply
  68. Eminar

    April 24, 2008 at 11:52 pm

    Congratulations, Bella! You truly are the best ! !

    Reply
  69. p1tey1

    April 25, 2008 at 1:15 am

    Congratulations Bella!!! This is my favorite blog by far.

    Reply
  70. SolShine7

    April 25, 2008 at 1:26 am

    Congrats! Keep doing what you’re doing.

    Reply
  71. pam

    April 25, 2008 at 1:46 am

    Girl you deserve it again and again. You inspire, teach and give us so much knowledge on so many subjects and levels.

    Girl go on and run for Senate!!! Need someone to help keep people CUTE…

    Congrats and much love
    Pam

    Reply
  72. Hannah

    April 25, 2008 at 4:19 am

    Congratulations and thanks for having this blog in the first place. This blog speaks to me not because we’re the same on the outside, but because we’re the same on the inside–even though the models in magazines are white, I feel they marginalize me as well, and I don’t even want to try and model myself after what is supposed to be ideal. I love to read the beauty posts (even though I have to modify some of them a bit when I try them!) along with the posts about music, politics, and life. Your site makes me realise that I can care about my looks and also care about my whole self, and what’s going on in the world. Unlike traditional beauty magazines, your site helps me feel like a person who is worthwhile beyond hair, makeup, and men. Thanks again, and your award is well-deserved.

    Reply
  73. tip

    April 25, 2008 at 8:48 am

    Congrat, this is absolutely wonderful!

    I just discovered your site this year and I love it. Keep it up!

    Reply
  74. Tamara

    April 25, 2008 at 10:39 am

    You deserve this award! Congratulations!!!!!

    Reply
  75. Anita Grant

    April 25, 2008 at 10:38 am

    Congrats!
    Well deserved!
    Brilliant – absolutely – BRILLIANT NEWS!!!
    All the best, dearheart!
    Anita

    Reply
  76. Danielle J

    April 25, 2008 at 11:46 am

    All the best! You’ve earned it. 🙂

    Reply
  77. Left Brain

    April 25, 2008 at 6:59 pm

    Congratulations!! I knew you could do it.

    Reply
  78. Anaylli

    April 27, 2008 at 11:52 am

    Congrats!!! I knew you’d take the top spot!
    You deserve it, keep up the good work :o)

    Reply
  79. Anya

    April 27, 2008 at 2:11 pm

    Congratulations – you put Miami beauty on the map every day!

    Reply
  80. LBellatrix

    April 27, 2008 at 2:54 pm

    I am SOOOO late on this but…CONGRATULATIONS! I’m always happy when someone takes her passion and makes it work — for her and for other people. WTG Bella!

    Reply
  81. Naturally DevaSTing

    April 28, 2008 at 6:49 pm

    See what happens when I stay away for a couple of days, all sorts of wonderful happens!!! Like all the rest of the bellas have duly noted, Congrats, Congrats, Congrats, it couldn’t have gone to a more deserving bella!!!! To my Caribbean sista, you make me/us all very proud because you have given us a voice to our dreams, our loves, our dislikes, and most importantly our beauty!!!!

    All that is left to say really is to for everyone to put their lighta inna di air ’cause “big tings a gwan” for you!!!!!

    Reply
  82. Arlene

    April 30, 2008 at 12:28 pm

    Congratulations!!! This is very much deserved! I love reading your tips and inspirations. Keep up the great work! High-fives, Arlene

    Reply
  83. Kelly

    May 5, 2008 at 2:08 pm

    I wanted to personally invite you to join Gilt Groupe http://www.gilt.com (Invite only online site providing members access to Men’s and women’s coveted fashion & luxury lifestyle brands- up to 70% off- exclusively online) as I just found out about it and it’s my new obsession. Love your site, love theirs, so thought I would make the intro…

    Gilt Groupe is an invite only site, so their members are friends who refer friends who friends, but there is no fee associated with joining. You guys can send this link out though http://www.gilt.com/ggvip which brings you straight to a registration page!

    They are have some great sales this week (all at 12pm EST)…Tuesday 5.6 Malo and Wednesday 5.7 Natori.
    Happy Shopping!!

    Reply
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  85. sandrar

    September 10, 2009 at 9:17 am

    Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. 🙂 Cheers! Sandra. R.

    Reply
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    September 11, 2009 at 1:20 pm

    Hi,

    I work on Tyra Banks’ publicity team. We would love to have a contact at afrobella.com to whom we can send updates on Tyra’s beauty-related projects. Please let me know who the best contact would be.

    All best,
    Hannah

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Trackbacks

  1. » Link Up Massive: Weekly Round-up (April 20-25) @ I Come From Foreign says:
    April 25, 2008 at 6:02 pm

    […] this chick when I grow up. An old college friend and fellow writer/ blogger/ editor takes home the Best Beauty Blog from Glam Network. Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers […]

    Reply
  2. Rock the Bells Rocked | afrobella says:
    August 4, 2008 at 12:30 pm

    […] I was the happiest bella, I swear. I got both performances on my Flip Video Camera, the one I won in this year’s Glam Network Awards, and I was so excited like YES!!! I will upload these on YouTube […]

    Reply

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