Most of my makeup life, I’ve been obsessed with being matte. I am a black woman with combination oily skin, and I grew up in a humid climate. To be oil free with an all-over matte complexion has been pretty much a lifelong goal. But now the makeup world has gone mad for highlighting,… read all

Shopping for beauty products can be overwhelming. You walk into this bright, gleaming aisle filled with brightly colored products all clamoring for attention. If you’re already a beauty fanatic, you’re probably excited to discover what’s new, hot and special for the store you’re in. If you’re a beauty newbie, you may not know where to… read all

Red carpet makeup requires perfection in general, but there’s one particular item that needs to stay put and remain flawless all night long no matter what — and that’s mascara. Even if there are tears or if it rains, those lashes need to be full, fabulous and smudge-free. For fancy red carpet occasions, by and… read all

We’ve got “alternative facts” in media and politics, and they don’t stop there – I’ve seen quite a few beauty “tips” or “hacks” that I’d definitely categorize as potentially harmful, couched as advice from a beauty or wellness pro. I’ll admit, I’ve had my concerns when I watch these well-edited, ill-advised video clips of beautiful… read all

This post is sponsored by Refinery29 The 4th quarter of the year is a time for reflection and projection. We look back on what we’ve experienced and anticipate future possibilities to come. It’s no different in the beauty space – this is the season for recognizing the developments we have enjoyed and admired the most…. read all

On Instagram, I use the hashtag #IndieBrandLove to highlight and celebrate the independent brands I’ve tried and can vouch for in terms of product quality. And now I’m sharing that spotlight here on Afrobella.com! Get to know some of my favorite independent fashion, beauty, food and cultural brands and let’s show them a little #IndieBrandLove!… read all

Let there be a full disclosure at the beginning of this post – I love Taraji P. Henson. I’ve BEEN loving Taraji P. Henson, at least since Hustle & Flow. She has been out there in Hollywood, grinding since the late 90’s. Through it all she has remained true to herself, a riot, a force… read all

Bellas, as you may know, I go back with the MAC Cosmetics folks for quite some time now. So when they hit me up to let me know a special collection was soon to be released, and asked me if I’d be interested in checking it out early — of course I said YES. Especially… read all

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

Christmas is right around the corner and I am NOT READY! I know I’m not alone. Bellas, I’m here to help you make your Christmas list, OR find the perfect gift for the beauty lover in your life. Here are my tried and tested favorites in makeup products that are gift-ready. I’m talking beautiful packaging and presentation… read all