Being Black and Fashionable All Year Long —Colors & Curves with Erika
Hey Queens hey,
In the words of Tupac Shakur, “ Some say the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice, I say the darker the flesh then the deeper the roots.” Today is Thursday, February 28, 2019 , and for some of you today is the last day of Black History Month. For me, it just means that February is over and tomorrow is March 1st because black history, black excellence, black creations, black growth, black advancements, black culture, black input, black inventions, black stories, black struggles, and black existence NEVER end. They are 24/7 for 365 days a year. So if you thought, check, yep, I did that - um NAH!
So for this month’s blog piece, I want to share and promote some black/African/African American products, brands, designers, and fashions that I or people close to me like to use or that I researched.
Scroll over to see more!
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
“Rihanna was inspired to create Fenty Beauty after years of experimenting with the best-of-the-best in beauty—and still seeing a void in the industry for products that performed across all skin types and tones. She launched a makeup line “so that women everywhere would be included,” focusing on a wide range of traditionally hard-to-match skin tones, creating formulas that work for all skin types, and pinpointing universal shades.”
Buy here.
Like lipstick, black people are of many shades. As a black women, I never felt comfortable using lipstick. I couldn't find one that matched uneven skin tone AND stayed on all day. I use venti stunna lip paint - unveil by Rihanna because it was made for people like me in mind!
- Elizabeth L.
2. Cantu
Although this is not a black owned product/business, it is a brand that is highly used by black people, and has helped my friend and her daughter feel better about taking care of their hair.
I realized how uncomfortable I was with my hair when I was trying to make my daughter, Lydia comfortable with her hair, and embracing her unique beauty. But using Cantu has really helped us learn how to manage our hair and develop a deeper bond.
- Marta T. and Lydia B.
“Cantu’s here, and we’re designing products specifically with you and your hair’s versatility in mind. Our collection of award-winning products is inspired by your beautifully textured hair in order to help you achieve any look you desire. It’s our mission to celebrate you in all your glory. Your hair, your skin, your light, and your beauty are all uniquely you. Own it. Love it. Live it.”
Buy here.
4. Being U
“beingU™ is focused on providing high-quality lingerie for women of all skin tones with a particularly strong focus on black women and other women of colour. We offer an inclusive lingerie solution to women in colours and styles that are specially designed to flatter their skin tone and body shape.”
Buy here.
5. Grass-Fields
“Grass Fields offer premium quality, unique, hand-made African fashion. It is our mission at Grass-fields to provide you with beautiful, ethical contemporary African clothing sourced from Cameroon, Nigeria and Benin.”
Buy here.
6. The Wrap Life
For me, one black owned business I like to shop from is The Wrap Life . The Wrap Life provides a variety of head wraps, demi head wraps, and turbanettes in an array of colors and patterns. Plus, they offer tutorials on how to create different wrap styles. It’s a win win! And, usually when I wear my headwrap and I look in the mirror, I find myself telling myself, “ooh girl, you - BOUJEE, BLACK, and WRAPPED! Yas queen!
Buy here.
7. Nubian Skin
“A nude bra and skin tone hosiery are the basics of every woman’s wardrobe, at least in theory. For many women of colour, finding suitable skin-tone hosiery and lingerie has not been an option. Frustrated by the lack of skin-tone choices to go with her ever-expanding wardrobe, Nubian Skin founder, Ade Hassan, decided it was time for ‘a different kind of nude’.”
Buy here.
I hope you find something that peaks your interests. And, if you have a suggestion of a product or brand hit me up. As always, I hope you have a Colorful & Curvy day.
XOXO,
Erika