Beauty /

Nia Long Protective Twist Braids: Photo of The Day

Nia Long showcased her new summer hairstyle. We all remember the days of mom braiding our hair for the warmer months.

It was a protective style and you knew better than to sweat out your braids when playing outside with your favorite cousin!

That reason alone is why this picture gives us “all the feels” and her perfectly laid edges are icing on the cake.  Nia Long will always be a 90’s favorite and epic actress for our time!

Ladies, what’s your favorite protective hairstyle?

Photo Credit: Instagram

Fashion /

YUIMA NAKAZATO Couture Fall Winter 2019 Fashion Show: Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week

Yuima Nakazato has been striving to realize a future vision for humanity in which “Eventually, each and every garment will be unique and different”.

His quest for the pursuit of this radical idea, this democratization of haute couture, began in 2016.  Upon rendezvous with Spiber and THE EUGENE studio, the journey begins anew.

Fashion, science, and art a trio of disparate elements that speak to a shared spirit, to a belief in the potential of realizing a future full of hope.

The fusion of these three domains by Yuima Nakazato, Spiber, and THE EUGENE Studio leads to a journey expanded in scope and rife with possibilities.

Entertainment /

ESSENCE ANNOUNCES 2020 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES TO SPEAK AT THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY ESSENCE FESTIVAL IN NEW ORLEANS

Today ESSENCE Communications, Inc. announced that the 2019 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola will host exclusive keynote conversations with five of the leading Democratic contenders in the 2020 Presidential race, including Senator Cory Booker, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Senator Kamala Harris, Former Representative Beto O’Rourke and Senator Elizabeth Warren.  These live ‘Presidential Spotlight’ segments will take place on Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7, 2019, on the ESSENCE Power Stage at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA.  Following the candidates’ remarks, a question-and answer session with each will be led by Rev. Al Sharpton, CEO of ESSENCE Michelle Ebanks and founder and chair of Essence Ventures Richelieu Dennis and will be aired on MSNBC’s PoliticsNation with Al Sharpton.

Attracting an audience of 500,000-plus attendees over July 4th weekend and a total economic impact of roughly $4 billion over 25 years, the ESSENCE Festival has created a “home” for Black communities as the world’s largest cultural, entertainment and empowerment experience.  Beyond its ongoing coverage of key civic participation and political news, ESSENCE utilizes its Festival platform to go even deeper in its delivery of engagement and content that informs, enlightens and provides an open forum to discuss the issues of most importance to Black women, who represent a critical voting bloc wielding increased electoral influence.

“As we look towards the 2020 Presidential election, the importance of Black women and their decisive role in the pathway to victory is undeniable,” said Michelle Ebanks, Chief Executive Officer of ESSENCE Communications.  “We are thrilled to offer an opportunity at our 25th Anniversary ESSENCE Festival for our community to hear directly from some of the top candidates in the 2020 Presidential field as they discuss issues that matter most to our community – and how their individual visions and policies align with those issues.  As the largest annual gathering of Black women in the country, the ESSENCE Festival is a powerful platform to engage this critically influential and diverse segment of voters, who have had historically high turnout in recent years.  It is more clear today than ever that engaging with Black women in a meaningful way isn’t optional.  It is necessary.”

Each candidate will appear individually to outline his or her platform, addressing a live audience from the Power Stage at the ESSENCE Festival’s daytime experience.  Candidates will then field questions generated directly from the ESSENCE community, which includes more than 24 million Black women.   The ‘Presidential Spotlight’ segments will take place throughout the day, with each candidate appearing for 20 minutes:

Saturday, July 6:

  • Kamala Harris at 11:18am – 11:38am CT
  • Cory Booker at 1:05pm – 1:25pm CT
  • Elizabeth Warren at 2:52pm – 3:12pm CT
  • Beto O’Rourke at 4:04pm – 4:24pm CT

Sunday, July 7:

  1. Pete Buttigieg at 11:00am – 11:20am CT

Attendance is free and open to the public at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.   For more information, download the ESSENCE Festival app or visit essence.com/festival.

The ESSENCE Festival is sponsored by Coca-Cola, AT&T, Disney, Ford, McDonald’s, State Farm and Walmart.  The ESSENCE Festival is produced by ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Fashion /

FW19′ Denim with a Wild Side: Kut from The Kloth

The Fashion-forward, influencer-loved women driven brand, Kut from the Kloth, is making headlines this fall with rock star flares, printed denim, and textured jackets. This fall and winter are all about the details, and the newest pieces from Kut from the Kloth cover the trends on every fashionista’s must-have list. An online clothing boutique beloved for blending high-fashion trends with laid-back coastal flavor, Kut from the Kloth makes couture-inspired fashion both accessible and affordable. This fall, heat things up with sherpa or quilted poplin jackets as well as a variety of printed denim in camo, leopard, cheetah, and plaids.

Layers of moody blues, browns, and neutrals create a solid backdrop for shocking pops of animal print and plaid. Denim goes winter wild in an exciting variety of prints to suit every trendsetter. Jeans in flattering flare fit pair with matching denim jackets that follow the laws of the jungle in bold camouflage and whispers of washed-out leopard prints. Dare to wear the colorful Connie high-rise skinny style, featuring a juicy pop of plaid? Unleash your inner rock star with the return of Kut from the Kloth’s popular Kelsey high-rise kick flare.

The essential winter jacket gets a swoon-worthy update with a wide array of textures. Experience luxurious Sherpa, tencel, faux suede, vegan leather, corduroy, flannel, and quilted poplin. Flannel, corduroy and baby soft, 100% animal-free vegan leather give a nod to traditional wintertime warmth. When it comes to details, expect the unexpected – colorful plaid cuff linings, princess seams, patch pockets and detachable printed or color fur collars pump up the volume on a classic jean jacket. Fan-fav denim, like the Reese straight-leg, features exposed buttons, velvet accents and frayed hems, perfect for winter layering.

Exclusive this season is Kut from the Kloth’s new fur range made from 100% animal-free materials, and vegan faux furs you can cozy up to both in fun prints and solids.  Also an exclusive is the Ellie flare that is an ultra slim, sexy fit. It is designed in rich fabrics of denim and color washes. Flares are a must-have trend for fall and Kut From The Kloth has lots of options in different lengths, washes, color, corduroy, hem treatments and details with fringe and cargo pockets.

The all-new Kut from the Kloth fall collection launches in August on KutfromtheKloth.com.  Warm up to the season’s biggest and boldest trends in vintage washes and pops of color. Earn points toward future purchases with every order and enjoy free ground delivery within the US, with free returns and exchanges within 30 days. Follow @KutFromTheKloth on Instagram for tips on styling their cool weather fall essentials.

About Kut from the Kloth:

Embodying the spirit of California, Kut from the Kloth is a vibrant, contemporary lifestyle brand.  With innovative fabrics, a flawless fit and sophisticated style, the KUT collection is designed with your busy life in mind, so you can confidently go from day to play. Our premium quality denim is as diverse as you, “kut” for your body at a great price and made with the best value and quality. We are passionate about creating exclusive LA-inspired, fashion-forward looks that are made with love just for you. This year we celebrate you: strong, beautiful and confident. The garments we design are for women, by women. Thank you for inspiring us to deliver the best product possible. #InspireMore Get styling ideas @kutfromthekloth on Instagram.

Accessories /

COMMON, DAPPER DAN, JUNE AMBROSE AND MORE TO SPEAK AT ESSENCE FASHION HOUSE

The 25th Anniversary ESSENCE Festival is set to debut the ESSENCE Fashion House, a premier destination focusing on owning our style, culture, and impact.  Happening Friday, July 5th through Sunday, July 8th at Gallier Hall in New Orleans, fashionistas will experience a cutting-edge curation of runway shows, trunk shows, and pop up shops brought to you by household names and rising Black designers.

Attendees will hear from fashion industry icons Bevy Smith, Common, Dapper Dan, Ebonee Davis, Ethan Miller, Joan Smalls, June Ambrose, Karl Kani, Misa Hylton Brim, Quincy Brown, April Walker, Zerina Akers, Ade Samuels and more.

Follow the fashion fast-lane down to New Orleans as models rule the runway in exquisite pieces during a fashion week style designer showcase, shop an extensive collection of runway-worthy apparel and accessories plus get to know the creators behind the design and reinvent your very own look with new wardrobe staples for the upcoming season!

To purchase tickets and for more information visit:  https://www.essence.com/festival/fashionhouse/

Celebrity /

ESSENCE FESTIVAL PRESENTS THE GLOBAL BLACK ECONOMIC FORUM

Today’s most seasoned business moguls and inspiring entrepreneurs will gather at the first Annual Global Black Economic Forum, taking place Friday, July 5th and Saturday, July 6th at the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) in New Orleans during the 25th Anniversary ESSENCE Festival.  The mission of the highly anticipated event will be to illuminate the road ahead towards building economic empowerment and generational wealth within the Black diaspora globally. Sponsors of the Global Black Economic Forum are Disney, Facebook, and Walmart.

“ESSENCE® is proud to announce the Global Black Economic Forum, set to empower and ignite Black entrepreneurs and business executives everywhere,” said ESSENCE Chief Executive Officer Michelle Ebanks. “With the inception of this forum, we are bringing together the best and the brightest to sit before our community and have a much-needed discussion on leveraging globalization trends and building generational wealth within our communities.”

Event highlights include panel discussions with today’s leading cultural, societal and economic voices to address the state of the Black economy; conversations with today’s most innovative globalization and technology leaders; networking among corporate executives, business moguls, venture capitalists and more. Global Economic Forum speakers scheduled to attend include: Founder and President of the National Action Network Reverend Al Sharpton, Mayor of Gary, Indiana Karen Freeman Wilson, President and Founder of The Raben Group Robert Raben, Chief Executive of CHASE consumer banking Thasunda Duckett, Co-Founder of Andreessen Horowitz Ben Horowitz, Founder of LISNR Rodney Williams, Director and Producer Sidra Smith, President of the National Urban League Marc. H Morial, Managing Director of Double Impact at Bain Capital Greg Shell, Chief Executive Officer of Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson and more. Topics will span from roundtables with CEO’s, global leadership throughout the diaspora, leveraging our culture for economic advantage, criminal justice reform, political policies to drive economic change and more.

This event is one you don’t want to miss! To purchase tickets or for more information, visit essencefestival.com/gbef.

Beauty /

Nanacoco Professional Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes

Excited to share the newest launch from makeup brand, Nanacoco Professional: Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes—a gentle wipe that removes 99.9% of all waterproof makeup, oil, and impurities while brightening and moisturizing skin.

Perfect for all skin types, the remover contains extracts of lotus, peach flower, green tea, and rose. Alcohol-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free and, like all Nanacoco products, cruelty-free, these wipes are guaranteed to wipe the day away.

Beauty /

KINDri: NEW Celebrity Favorite, Cruelty-Free Beauty Brand

Robin McDonald is the celebrity esthetician, actress, writer and extreme cactus enthusiast behind KINDri. Embodying the holistic lifestyle of the Southwest, you’ll find her formulas are infused with the potent plant-based components of the southwest like organic prickly pear cactus seed oil, apple stem cell, aloe vera, avocado, and citrus.

Discover the LA-based brand and creator/founder that Charlize Theron considers her “go to”. Robin McDonald’s passion and care for the wellness of the skin is evident in KINDri’s mantra which is to not only be kind to your skin but the earth as well.

Summer must-haves:

Cactus & Rose Illuminating Face Oil – Your skin will glow! Hydrating Organic Prickly Pear Seed (cactus) Oil, reparative 4% Apple Stem Cell and the anti-inflammatory properties of Rose Essential Oil make up this potent serum.

Quench – A lightweight drink of water for the skin. Contains Organically Grown Aloe Vera, Citrus and Eucalyptus to clarify, soothe and calm a normal to the oily complexion.

Desert Dew Facial Mist – Hydrating Cactus and Rose Floral Waters are infused with uplifting cucumber Seed and Organic Witch Hazel to refresh and balance any skin type.

Avocado Smoothie – A powerful blend of 2% Organic Apple Stem Cell and potent Organic Prickly Pear Seed (cactus) Oil naturally increases cellular rejuvenation.  Our newly reformulated extra rich day to night cream defends skin against harsh environmental conditions in the day, soothes and revitalizes while you sleep and has a fresh, clean aroma.

For more information, visit https://www.kindri.com/.

 

Celebrity /

Ciara Wilson New Pixie Haircut: Photo of The Day

Ciara has stepped into her own and has a new haircut to prove it!  She was seen attending the ACE Awards wearing high-waisted trousers and diamante top.

The Beauty Marks singer accepted the Style Icon Award.

Photo Credit:  Instagram