If you’re a beauty junkie or keep your ear to the streets about the newest and best products on the market, then you’ve certainly heard of GlamGlow. If not, be prepared to meet your new beauty staple.

Known as the holy grail for celebs and the whose who of the beauty industry, GlamGlow is the mud mask of all mud masks. Seriously! Clay-based, it’s fast-acting, delivering instant visible results and camera-ready skin. So, want to address common skin concerns like blemishes, redness, scars, razor bumps, and in-grown hairs? Their potent and innovative mud formula does it all.

But it does come with a quite hefty price tag. At Sephora, the highly coveted SUPERMUD Clearing Treatment will cost you $69 for a 1.7 oz jar. Or you can cop the super tiny 0.5 oz jar for $22, but that will truly only last you for the span of a vacation or so if you’re dedicated to rejuvenating your skin.

Daylight Savings got you down? 😴 Fake an extra hour of sleep and go for #YOUTHMUD! Our original mask treatment contains TEAOXI Green Leaf for brighter, more radiant skin. Glambassador #Regram @foreverflawlyss #HELLOSEXY #GLAMGLOW

A post shared by GLAMGLOW (@glamglow) on Mar 13, 2017 at 9:53am PDT

Thankfully, the folks over at GlamGlow understand that sharing is caring and have launched a Friends & Family Sale, giving fans the opportunity to shop its cult-classic mud masks at a deep discount now through May 1.

The sale, which is officially offering 25 percent off all purchases, is available to all GlamGlow products.

Happy shopping!

The post Here’s How To Get The Very Coveted GlamGlow Masks At A Discount appeared first on MadameNoire.

Starting today @oldladygang Southern Eatery is open at noon Tuesday-Sunday. Stop by for lunch! Thank you @hannah_davanzo for stopping by & making this video.

A post shared by Kandi Burruss (@kandi) on Apr 18, 2017 at 6:55am PDT

If you were wondering if Kandi Burruss’ Old Lady Gang restaurant would ever be ready for patrons, it finally is. During this season 9 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, viewers watched Burruss and her husband Todd Tucker deal with the many ups and downs that business owners, restauranteurs particularly, go through from liquor licenses to not-so-reliable contractors.

But after all the hoopla, their southern eatery, Old Lady Gang, is open for business. Actually, according to Bravo.com, the restaurant had been open since late march. Kandi shared that she decided to keep the details close because she wanted to have a soft-opening to work out all the possible kinks before the general public had their inaugural experience.

“I want to be open for a month before we do a big grand opening, and that’s just because clearly people are just waiting for something negative to say about me,” she said.

Stop by @oldladygang today! 177 Peters St SW Atl Ga. 30313

A post shared by Kandi Burruss (@kandi) on Apr 28, 2017 at 2:55pm PDT

“Everything has to be perfect before we make big announcements,” she continued. “So what I was told, the best thing to do is to do a soft opening, which is just [it’s] open without telling people. And then just let the staff serve people and then we know who we need to fire or keep on.”

Lately, Kandi has been posting various videos showing off that Old Lady Gang is up and running just fine.

If you’re Atlanta-based or happen to be visiting the Peach State, be sure to stop by Old Lady Gang and share your experience with us.

The post Kandi Burruss’ Old Lady Gang Restaurant Is Open For Business appeared first on MadameNoire.

A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce) on Apr 26, 2017 at 2:57pm PDT

While Beyoncé is known for slaying and snatching edges simultaneously without fail, there’s something about pregnant Beyoncé that amps up the dramatics of her flyness to an entirely different level. From her bronzed glow and beautiful protective style of braids to super chic ensembles flaunting her baby bump, we can’t get enough of Queen Bey.

Recently, she slayed in a red, deep v-neck gown with caped sleeves from Halston Heritage that sent the internet into a frenzy. And as fancy as it looked, the price tag was one that members of the Beehive could spare. $237, anyone? Yes, please.

If you’re like us and still eyeing this gown, it’s still available, but hurry because we’re sure it’s bound to sell out fast.

The post That Red Dress Beyoncé Recently Slayed In Isn’t’ As Expensive As You Think appeared first on MadameNoire.

So many mesmerizing ways to activate the fragrance of NEW #MystiqueForever. See them all here: CaressForever.com #ForeverQueen

A post shared by Caress (@caress) on Apr 18, 2016 at 6:29pm PDT

Ladies, your body wash game just got boosted another level thanks to Caress. The beauty brand, known for moisturizing body washes and invigorating soap bars that treat for your skin, their newest launch is expanding its Forever Collection to feature the world’s first collection of body washes with Fragrance Touch Technology.

There’s four body washes total with two flaunting new scents: Enchant Forever, a bergamot and honeysuckle fragrance; Mystique Forever, a bergamot, apple, pink and pepper fragrance; and the original Adore Forever and Love Forever fragrances. As far as the super cool Fragrance Touch Technology, each wash features “Fragrance Release Pearls” that release small bursts of perfume with just a simple touch of the skin for up to 12 hours.

You hold the power to activate the mesmerizing fragrance of NEW #MystiqueForever again and again, simply by touching your skin

A post shared by Caress (@caress) on Apr 18, 2016 at 6:22pm PDT

To bring the new scents to life, Caress tapped their very own brand ambassador Kat Graham to star in a visual campaign empowering women to activate their inner queen.

“Mystique Forever is my must-wear scent for spring,” said Kat. “It has notes of imperial iris and amber and gives me that boost of confidence as I go about my day.”

And what we love the most is it’s price tag of $3.99. You really can’t beat that deal, right?

The post Get Into Caress’ New Touch-Activated Fragrance Collection appeared first on MadameNoire.

With my very own #Barbie doll, I’m excited to inspire girls to play out their own dreams.https://t.co/N3b8Vi7bLO #YouCanBeAnything #Barbie pic.twitter.com/7YkVScjOuZ

— Gabby Douglas (@gabrielledoug) May 1, 2017

Before the Rio Olympics, the people at Mattel gifted gymnast Gabrielle Douglas with her own Barbie. But that’s just it, it was her’s, one of a kind and not available to the public. But after further consideration, the company has to decided to make it available to the non-Olympic winning gymnasts like you and I.

The Gabby Douglas Barbie comes with her red, white and blue leotard, as well as a set of pink and black Nike warmups.

Speaking of the doll, Douglas told People, “It’s a huge honor. I always dreamed of having my own doll, and I played with Barbie when I was little with my sisters. I really hope people what people take away from the Gabby Barbie doll is to be inspired, to be encouraged to be anything that you want to be. If you have a passion or a goal, set your heart to do whatever you want to do.”

The Barbie is not the only product Douglas has put her name behind. As she’s on a break from gymnastics, she is also pursuing new projects like her recently debuted line of lipsticks from Beauty Bakerie. And if you have children in your house, you may have seen her in her guest role on the Nickelodeon show “Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn.”

When asked if she would compete in the 2020 Tokoyo Olympics, Douglas said, “We’ll see. For me, since I’ve been doing gymnastics since I was six-years-old, I’m 21 now. It’s just a huge decision. I don’t want to make any rash decisions. For me, I’m just taking it day-by-day, and I’ll just take it from there.”

The Gabby Douglas Barbie is now available online for 24.95.

The post Gabby Douglas Got Her Own Barbie Doll & Now You Can Own It Too appeared first on MadameNoire.

People are mad at #KatyPerry for making a joke about #BarackObama @pmwhiphop @pmwhiphop @pmwhiphop @pmwhiphop @pmwhiphop @pmwhiphop

A post shared by PMW HipHop (@pmwhiphop) on Apr 30, 2017 at 6:39pm PDT

Over the weekend, I hard the audio from of a video on social media from my phone. Whoever was speaking, said, “Oh someone says ‘I miss your old black hair. Aww, really. Do you miss Barack Obama as well? Ok. times change. Bye.”

The voice didn’t sound familiar. I just knew it was someone White and assumed it was a layperson, a Trump supporter who was trying to start some foolishness on the internet. But when I asked my sister who that was, she said it was Katy Perry.

“Ugh.”

I was disgusted one because I thought she was better than that and also because I can’t, for the life of me, think about a valid reason to ever say it.

Still, that was as far as I went with it. I rolled my eyes and went on about my business. But later that day, I saw that the internet had a bit of a stronger reaction. They were livid, Katy Perry was declared canceled and quite a few people swore off buying her music in the future.

For example: theblaquemuseIf said: “you can’t equate that she only referred to Obama because he is black and she did that sh*t in a very condescending way then you missed it… it’s a microagression and black people gotta experience that sh*t everyday and yet last week she had goddess braids going down the sides of her head smh I cannot 🙄”

But there are also folks who felt like Black folk were blowing things out of proportion.

Latavia Roberson left a comment on The Jasmine Brand’s posting of the video, saying:

“There’s nothing offensive about it. People try so hard to be a victim lately.”

Someone had a response for Ms. Roberson.

stephnysee @iamlatavia “using the analogy “Do you miss Obama as well?” …”Times changed”? With the current climate of racism from Trump serving as president how can one use such reference to make a joke about that. Not only is it tasteless, it makes light of how times HAVE changed for the worst, building walls, deporting documented citizens back to countries that are in war zones, bombing third world countries…even if you don’t capture the racism in this joke, isn’t it our job as human beings to educate people on how to look at these situations as serious? If we continue to let things slide and defend this ignorance by saying don’t be too sensitive when will people like her ever get it? She should respect the culture and world around her! Times have changed but it’s nothing to joke about. And not for nothing her hair dye job looks horrible she needs to go back to black. #epicfail”

I have to agree.

What do you think about Katy Perry’s comments? Were they offensive or are people blowing them out of proportion?

The post Were You Offended By Katy Perry’s Wack Joke? appeared first on MadameNoire.

There are two things it’s pretty safe to bet are on the resolution list of most Black millennials these days: get healthier and support more Black businesses. Both goals are easier said than done, but during a weekend trip to Philly I found out it’s not as hard as you might think to kill those two birds with one stone in the city of Brotherly Love.

From Northern City to the Historic District, I found a few groundbreaking Black-owned businesses that are making fitness and healthy eating accessible and affordable for the community, as well as a number of other restaurants and spas that are taking the guilt out of eating out and self-pampering. Here’s a look at my wellness weekend.

I arrived in Philly around 7:45 pm Friday after a quick Amtrak train ride from New York City on the Acela Express. I checked into my room at the Logan Hotel which had an amazing view of the Swann Memorial Fountain in Logan Circle and then my friend and I made our way to Square 1682 which was just a 15 minute walk from the hotel.

Square 1682

Located in downtown Philly’s Rittenhouse Square, Square 1682 is Philadelphia’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)-certified green eatery and bar. Before you do anything, I suggest you ask for Kito, a server who makes it his business to make sure patrons feel more than welcome at the establishment. He’ll also give you an amazing rundown of the menu, which you might need when faced with choosing between Braised Pork Cheeks, Grilled Baby Octopus, and Barruta. My suggestion: The Bacon-wrapped Dates are a must, along with the winter salad which is made up of baby kale, quinoa, baby beets, whipped goat cheese, and a blood orange vinaigrette. Both dishes go nicely with a Pimm’s Cup or Aviation Cocktail from the bar.

When it comes to dessert, Uriah is your man. The pastry chef made a delicious sampling of treats for us to choose from which included cheesecake, a gluten-free bittersweet chocolate cake, cheesecake, macaroons, and raspberry and mango sorbets. The only thing that stopped me from completely devouring that chocolate cake, which tasted amazing with the sorbet, was the fact that I was already three cocktails in and we had two workouts planned the next day. My girl fell in love with the cheesecake.

Urban Farmer

Inside of The Logan Hotel is Urban Farmer, a “rural chic” steakhouse that prepares cuisine with fresh, local ingredients. Because we had a 10 am workout scheduled I wanted to keep my breakfast light so I opted for the house-made granola with yogurt which was easily one of my better breakfast choices of 2017 — not just because it was healthy but because it tasted so good. The granola was sweet and crunchy and had an earthy freshness to it that the store-bought granola I usually eat just doesn’t compare to, and the yogurt was light with just the right balance of sweetness and tartness to really complement the almonds and cinnamon in the granola as well as the strawberries and blueberries. It was also extremely filling but not heavy on my stomach.

Grey Dolphin 

Our day of wellness began at Grey Dolphin, an African American-owned boutique fitness studio in the Northern Liberties section of Philly. The facility offers classes of no more than 6 to 8 people to ensure a one-on-one personalized experience which was exactly what I needed for the barre class we took with Becca.

Barre is a workout centered on flexibility, balance, and strength training that involves multiple reps of movements with a small range of motion, using the barre for balance and correct posture. Your quads, glutes, and hamstrings will most definitely feel the burn from various forms of Pliés and Pulses, and despite the small movements, you will break a swear! If barre’s not your thing, opt for a yoga, kickboxing, or circuit training class at one of Grey Dolphin’s Philadelphia or Brooklyn locations.

Stripp’d Juice

After a challenging morning workout, my friend and I headed over to Stripp’d, a Black-owned juice bar in the Historic District of town, for a post-workout drink.

Like Urban Farmer, Stripp’d only uses local produce and ingredients for its menu items, all of which are organically grown and non-GMO. Jala at Ya Boy is the juice that caught my eye — and my taste buds. The beverage is made from Tuscan kale, apple, grapefruit, lemon, orange, and jalapeno which gave it a nice kick. And we fueled up on the bar’s chipotle guacamole toast served on brioche before heading to our next workout. I suggest you do the same as soon as possible.

Push U Training

If anyone in Philadelphia tells you they can’t afford to get fit, they’re lying — or they just haven’t heard about Push U Training yet.

Started by Troy Hayward, Justin Taylor, Meagan Ruddy, and Joseph Opare, Push U is well on its way to achieving its vision of becoming a staple in the community for health and fitness, offering affordable personal training for as low as $30/session as well as group fitness classes for as little as $15.

While in town, we took a kickboxing class that was free for the community and was followed by a free nutrition class. The owners are truly making it possible for everyone to have the tools they need to be their healthiest and they also partner with other local Black business owners to recycle the Black dollar every chance they get. Oh, and don’t let the price trick you into thinking the quality isn’t there. Kickboxing kicked by butt.

3000 BC Wellmed Spa

After a workout, there’s nothing better than a massage (except maybe a protein shake, but you can get that on your own) and that’s exactly what we had at 3000 BC Wellmed Spa in Germantown. I don’t know much about massages, except that I need to get them more often, but I’d advise you to ask for Marquis when booking. He applied the perfect amount of pressure to relieve the tension in my upper back and alleviate the tightness in my hamstrings from that barre workout earlier in the day. You’ll definitely leave 3000 BV feeling like a new woman after an hour with him inside this tranquil facility.

Bar Bombon

Our last stop of the day Saturday was Bar Bombon, an all-vegan Latin restaurant back in downtown Philly inspired by the owner’s Puerto Rican roots.

When I first saw the menu for Bar Bombon, I knew I had to have the yucca frites and I’d figure out the rest later. Thankfully, the menu is based on small bites, so I was able to try nearly one of everything, from the restaurant’s delicious guacamole picante to rice and beans, nachos made with seitan, buffalo cauliflower tacos, and my favorite, a cubano club sandwich. If you’re not vegan, you might be as intimidated by the thought of a sandwich with Blackend chick’n and smoked tempeh as I was, but I promise you’ll love it — I ate it so quickly I forgot to even take a picture. And, if you’re going to treat yourself, I suggest you shake it up with the Puerto Rican punch or save room for the coconut custard or tres leche as dessert. This is a healthy restaurant that will leave you feeling full but not weighed down.

The Parlour Hair & Skin

Our final stop during our wellness weekend was The Parlour in Fishtown where we enjoyed Ayurvedic facials Sunday morning.

I truly didn’t think it could get better than the massage I had the night before, but judging by the time my aesthetician spent extracting all of the blackheads I had, it’s clear I haven’t been showing my face as much love as it needs. But that’s exactly what my skin got during the facial where I was treated to a soothing wash with a cleansing oil made by The Parlour’s owner, using only natural ingredients for cleansing and exfoliating. Because I mentioned some issues with acne scaring, the cleanse was followed by a vitamin C peel to aid in lessening hyperpigmentation, and that was followed by a calming peel of chamomile and lavender before my extraction. I was told I would notice a change in the texture of my skin following the various treatments and that was immediately true. My skin felt smoother without all those clogged pores on the surface and the mask and tinted moisturizer applied at the end left me with a radiant glow. I was also given tips on how to maintain that glow and keep my pores clean in between facials.

By the time I hopped on the train back to New York Sunday night, I felt refreshed rather than filled with dread at the coming work week. It’s amazing what a weekend of treating myself, taking care of myself, and patronizing Black businesses that make it easy to do so can do for the mind and body.

The post Wellness Weekend: How I Supported Black Businesses While Getting Fit In Philly appeared first on MadameNoire.

Tyrese knew the next time he posted on the gram he had to say something we were actually trying to hear.
And today, he’s made an announcement that a good chunk of us will be happy to hear.

See what he had to say in the video clip below.

Sequel to Baby Boy coming soon….. #BabyBoyComingOfAge shout to @johnsingleton

A post shared by TYRESE (@tyrese) on Apr 30, 2017 at 8:17pm PDT

While some folks have been waiting over a decade for this news, others feel like he and Taraji should let the classic they created stand as it is, unaltered.

Honestly, I don’t feel strongly either way. I won’t be devastated if they don’t make a sequel and I know I would gladly see what Jon Singleton and the crew were able to create the second time around. The possibilities are wide open with Yvette and Jody.

What do you think? Are you here for the sequel or should they leave it alone?

Veronica Wells is the culture editor at MadameNoire.com. She is also the author of “Bettah Days.” You can follow her on Facebook and on Instagram and Twitter @VDubShrug.

The post Tyrese Confirms That A Baby Boy Sequel Is In The Works appeared first on MadameNoire.

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Many people who don’t work out blame their lack of activity on a shortage of free time. But we could all get a lot more done in terms of physical fitness if we made the most of the time we have when we do hit the gym or exercise in the home. Instead of just focusing on cardio or weight training for 30 to 45 minutes or an hour, why not find a way to mix your cardio and strength training together for an efficient workout?

Instead of solely hitting machines or hovering in front of the dumbbell racks, hit the floor and work both your muscles and your cardiorespiratory system by doing some circuit training. We put together this special circuit workout for you that works the full body. We recommend doing three sets of each with 30-second breaks in between each (and a full one-minute break after completing all 10 moves) to finish under 45 minutes and to feel like you got in a great workout. If the names of these moves aren’t familiar to you, no worries. We have how-to clips for you to check out for each one. This workout requires a few hand weights and a medicine ball.

Happy sweatin’!

Jumping Jacks

Knees and Toes

Ball Throw Squats

Inchworm

Mountain Climbers

Side Lunges

Ball Chops

Leg Raises

Goblet Squat

Seated Knee Tucks

Break for a minute, get your water, catch your breath and then repeat.

Image via Bigstock 

The post Looking For A Challenge? The Perfect Cardio And Strength Circuit Workout appeared first on MadameNoire.

It’s probably not a stretch to say I have a pimple for every time my best friend — a makeup artist — has told me to clean my makeup brushes. In fact, it was usually when I was complaining to her about a breakout that she dished out this friendly reminder and I dismissed it, being the stubborn Taurus that I am.

And then one day I gave my brushes a thorough cleaning as recommended and was blown away by just how much product had built up in what I thought was a little time. And then I was just flat out disgusted by the fact that I’d been rubbing all of that over my face for weeks. Now I’m much better about my cleaning regimen and it’s gotten much easier thanks to a variety of products I use from Sephora to keep all of my brushes — for my face and hair — sanitary and in good condition on a daily and weekly basis. Here are a few for you to consider.

Color Switch By Vera Mona Brush Cleaner-$18

If you don’t have a lot of brushes but like to use a lot of different colors, this cleaner is for you. The sponge allows you to switch between colors when you’re applying makeup without doing a full clean. Just swab your brush tip in the sponge in a circular motion to remove one color then apply the next. Don’t forget to clean the sponge from time to time though.

The Cleanse: Daily Brush Cleaner-$8.50

It’s good practice to give your brushes a mild daily cleanse after using which is easy to do with this quick-drying, alcohol-free spray. Just spray directly onto your brush and wipe off the product with a tissue.

Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleaner-$24

When you’re in need of a more thorough cleaning, say once a week, this is an easy route to go. Cinema Secrets’ brush cleaner is a professional grade cleaner that’s “quick drying, rinse free and 99.99 percent antimicrobial disinfectant.” Just pour the cleaner into a shallow dish, dip your brush bristles into the product, remove, and wipe dry on a paper towel or cloth.

Polish Up Silicone Brush Cleansing Pad-$14

If you prefer the soap and water route, use this cleansing pad when you do. The pad fits easily in the palm of the hand and is held steady by a strap for easy cleaning, while the dual textures on the other side ensure all product will be removed from your brushes. Apply soap to the pad, swirl brushes around the grooves, rinse and let dry.

Liquid blendercleanser-$18

I didn’t forget about beautyblender lovers. This cleanser removes residue from the popular sponge without altering its state or compromising its integrity. Just wet your blender, apply a small amount of cleanser, lather, rinse, and repeat if necessary, then let dry.

I didn’t forget about hair brushes (or combs) either. Keep this rake-like cleaner with you whenever you need to remove hair, product buildup from your brushes without a full wash.

The post Everything You Need From Sephora To Keep Your Beauty Tools Clean And Hygienic appeared first on MadameNoire.

I had the chance this afternoon to see the Season 9 Real Housewives of Atlanta reunion specials, which are always entertaining (folks can’t talk behind each other’s backs anymore). One major theme in each episode seemed to be putting Phaedra Parks on blast for things she said (particularly about others and her divorce), as well as things her frick-and-frack friend Porsha Williams said (and didn’t say) throughout the season.

The biggest bombshell of all was that Williams only pushed this whole story about Kandi Burruss wanting to drug her to take her home for a threesome with Todd Tucker because Parks told her that. We won’t know for sure how things play out after that admission until next Sunday’s part four finale, but that doesn’t mean Parks isn’t already trying to clear her name.

In an interview with PEOPLE where Parks talked about all of the positive things she does for the community through her organization, the Phaedra Foundation, she was asked about the accusations against her. She made it seem like, per the usual, she doesn’t have time to spread defamatory statements about people. She has way too many jobs for that.

“It’s funny to think that I have any additional time to be caught up in gossip,” she said. “I have several jobs, as we know, and I have two small children. But I think everyone always has to blame someone.”

You’re probably thinking, “But we saw you, sis!” However, Parks says the footage shows that she has done a lot more than sit around spilling tea about other people’s lives. She takes a jab as if to say that’s more up Burruss’s alley.

“I’m sure the footage speaks for itself,” Parks said. “My every scene is not talking about anyone on the show except for what’s going on in my personal life. Others can’t stop mentioning me. Their whole family mentions me. They’re [sic] whole staff mentions me. It’s just endless mentioning of me!”

Another big topic of the conversation surrounding Parks is the belief that she wants to always appear as the sweet Southern belle but lives anything but a sweet, let alone honest life. It’s more on the scandalous side.

“People are constantly talking about, ‘Oh you’re not this.’ And I’m like, ‘Wow — it’s so many people with this Christian handbook that I have not received,'” she said. “So I’ve been praying that whoever owns the Christian dress code and has the handbook, they just send me a copy. Because I don’t see anywhere in the Bible where it lays out these strict guidelines about laughing and having fun and wearing bathing suits. Where did they get this dress code for being Christian? I thought it was about your hearts.”

She added, “Sometimes, if people don’t have anything concrete, they just attack your character. But my character speaks for itself. Anyone who knows me knows I’m very gracious, I’m very helpful. And a lot of the things I do for people, you never see it on camera. Because that is not my intention to get praise for it. My intention is to be a vessel and be used for the purpose of empowering people.”

A few of the accusations against her or moments where she’s been confronted during the reunion have literally left Parks without her usually witty and shady comebacks. However, she believes her co-stars need to be less concerned with her and more concerned with helping others.

“These girls always have something to say,” Parks said. “But I want to know what their philanthropic portfolio looks like.”

As for Burruss, who went from Parks’s best friend to frenemy, she is just glad the truth is out. She said learning that Parks was the one who may have started the rumor left her “disgusted.”

“I was shocked, angry, disgusted… I could go on. Even with everything that had happened between me and Phaedra, I still didn’t think Phaedra would go so low as to tell someone that I wanted to drug them,” Burruss said in her Bravo blog today. “Being an attorney, you would think she wouldn’t intentionally spread defamatory false statements about someone. The sad thing was that she didn’t even seem sorry for what she had done. I was thinking, ‘Damn, was there a reason to hate me this much?’ She already assisted Johnnie in helping him to meet an attorney to sue me, and now I find out she was spreading accusations that I want to drug people and take them home! This is too much. I’m so glad the truth finally came out and I’m glad to be able to move on from this. Thank you to everyone who remained #TeamKandi, especially when others were believing the lies!”

Interesting indeed. Where do you stand on these shenanigans?

Image via WENN 

The post Phaedra Parks Defends Herself After RHOA Reunion Bombshells: “My Character Speaks For Itself” appeared first on MadameNoire.

Today is the day that actress Gabourey Sidibe’s book, This Is Just My Face: Try Not to Stare, hits book shelves. In preparation for her publication date, Sidibe did interviews about some of the stories in it. We know that she used to be a phone sex operator named Becky, we know that she talks a lot about her weight and weight loss as well, but two new pieces of information used for stories in her book raised an eyebrow.

In an interview with NPR, Sidibe discussed her thoughts on being identified as “Precious” years after starring as the character in the Lee Daniel’s film of the same name (2009).

Considering she’s had a variety of roles since that time and, you know, has an actual name, Sidibe said it was indeed irritating at times to still be called “Precious.” But she also found it endearing after a while when she found so many young women and even men identified with the character’s struggles.

“Having people call me Precious and having people confuse me for this character was both really scary, frustrating, but also really endearing and powerful,” she said. “People would see the film and then come up to me and say, you know, ‘I was Precious and I was abused by my parents,’ and ‘I was abused by this family member,’ or, you know, ‘I’ve dealt with these issues.’ And these people were 70-year-old white men and [Asian teenagers], just like so many different people from all over the scope of the world. So many different people connected to this struggle because it’s not about race, it’s not about gender, it’s not about sexuality, it’s not about age — it’s not about any of that. It’s about humanity.”

She continued, “And people would say, even when they couldn’t see me as a different person from this character, they would say, ‘This happened to me the same way it happened to you.’ And I didn’t feel like I could say, ‘This didn’t happen to me. This is a character.’ All I could do was give sympathy and push forth strength, in a way. Say, ‘She made it and you can make it too.'”

One very interesting story she also shared in her chat with NPR pertaining to the book is the time Precious director (and Empire creator) Lee Daniels and Vogue’s former editor-at-large, André Leon Talley, were overheard by the star calling her a “fat b—h.” They didn’t seem to mean it maliciously, but it had quite an impact on Sidibe.

“I know that Lee himself has struggled with his weight throughout his entire life,” Sidibe said. “Lee is always on my side. But he also is very much a part of Hollywood, and Hollywood in general is not on my body’s side, you know. And he’s a part of that. Everyone I work with is a part of that.”

She said the comment came during a phone call between Talley and Daniels, both overweight at the time themselves, and they were celebrating the exposure she was receiving not only because of her work but also her size. It’s that kind of attention, being labeled as a spokesperson or such for plus-size women and men, that she hasn’t been crazy about for quite some time.

“I was listening in on the phone call where André Leon Talley was saying that he was going to get my fat black a– on the cover of the magazine, and Lee was excited about it. You know André Leon Talley is fat and black, and Lee was at that time, too, and I think that they saw me as this thing that was closer to them than I was to Hollywood, and they were celebrating that. And it hurt my feelings. It hurt my feelings. But it also was a lesson in this is what they think and this is what they will always think, and there’s no way of being too talented or too pretty or too confident around it. People will still have their opinions.”

“I never got that cover,” she added. “I’m not sure I want it.”

Check out the rest of her interview with NPR, including tidbits about not being able to afford clothes like her co-stars during promo for Precious, as well as why she’s sending the message to people in her book to MYOB: Mind Your Own Body.

Image via WENN 

The post Gabourey Sidibe On Still Being Called “Precious” And The Time Lee Daniels Called Her A “Fat B—h” appeared first on MadameNoire.

Amid rumors that Carmelo Anthony is making an effort to try and win his wife back and sneak liking her recent Instagram pictures, La La Anthony seems to not only be moving on but making major moves by herself. She went to the Power cocktail media event held by the Starz network last week, and on Monday night, she stepped out for the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

The theme is Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art of the In-Between (Kawakubo is the founder of the popular Japanese fashion label). But La La’s theme seemed to be “Unbreakable.” At least, that’s the message she shared about how she’s feeling while showing off her Thai Nguyen Atelier gown on Instagram.

This is her first Met Gala without her estranged husband. The pair attended together in 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

If we’re being honest, this is the most confident we’ve seen the 37-year-old look on the Met Gala red carpet. Why wear your heartbreak when you can wear something as elegant as her Thai Nguyen Atelier gown and look this fabulous?

As for what the future holds, sources close to the couple claim that the likelihood of La La and Carmelo actually getting a divorce is low, even with the rumors of there being a child that he had outside of their marriage. But they are living separately so that she can have her space and he can not only get himself together, but figure out what’s next for his career. Whatever happens, it doesn’t seem to be on her mind — at least not on this particular evening.

Image via Getty and WENN 

The post “Unbreakable” La La Anthony Attends First MET Gala Without Carmelo And Looks Damn Good appeared first on MadameNoire.

He had a cute dog

His apartment was amazing

He had Cable

To make sure your va-jay-jay still worked

He had air conditioning

He lived near your work

He thought you were amazing in bed

He reminded you of your celebrity crush

He had great snacks

He had a sick in-home gym

It didn’t work out with his friend

He accused you of being superficial

To try a new trick you read about

He had a fancy shower

To see if you could

You felt sorry for him

Uber was too expensive at the time

Your mom would hate this person

Your friends thought you were gay

He bought you food when you were drunk

The post Hilarious Reasons You’ve Probably Slept With Somebody appeared first on MadameNoire.

While we, of course, couldn’t keep our eyes off of Serena Williams’ growing baby bump which she debuted for the first time in public at last night’s Met Gala, we’d be lying if we said we weren’t torn between staring at her gorgeous glow and that sleek bob as well.

While most stars rock looks we wouldn’t dare wear in real life on the Met Gala red carpet, Serena’s look, from head to toe, is one we could easily step out the house with on a Tuesday. That’s why we got the details on that fabulous mane and fresh face of hers, created by Unilever Hair Expert Ursula Stephen and L’Oréal Paris Celebrity Makeup Artist Sir John. Here are their step-by-step guides (maternal glow sold separately).

The Hair

“Serena was wearing a classic tonight… Versace! When I saw the sketch, I thought it was so glamorous, and I wanted to make sure her hair didn’t compete with her stunning dress or jewelry,” Ursula said of the choice to give Serena an understated look. “I wanted to push the bar with Serena, but I also wanted her to feel comfortable and gorgeous by giving her a classic, yet chic look to compliment her gown.”

1. To prep, I ran my fingers through Serena’s hair using Suave Professionals Luxe Style Infusion Volumizing Weightless Blow Dry Spray ($4.99) and began blow drying using the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer ($399) (aka my dream dryer!) to prevent heat damage and protect natural shine.
2. Once her hair was completely dry, I used a flat iron to make her hair pin-straight, curving the iron to flip it out slightly at the ends.
3. Next, I brushed her hair back and spritzed it with Dove Style+Care Non-Aerosol Extra Hold Hairspray ($3.99) to enhance her hair’s natural shine. If needed, you can secure the hair behind the ear using bobby pins to avoid any movement.
4. I finished the look by applying Suave Professionals Luxe Style Infusion Anti-Humidity Spray ($3.99) throughout her hair along with a light pomade to her ends for long-lasting hold.

The Face

“We really wanted to go for a fresh, minimalistic look for Serena,” Sir John explained. “She had a gorgeous dress with a bold color, so we opted for matte skin and golden eyes. I really wanted her to look natural and like her best self.”

1. To prep Serena’s skin, I used L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Moisturizer ($17.99) for oily skin to help mattify. Then, for her complexion I applied L’Oréal Paris Infallible Total Cover Foundation ($12.99) with a dampened L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender ($7.99) sponge.
2. Next, I applied Infallible Pro-Matte Powder ($12.99) to give a very matte finish to the foundation look.
3. For contour, I used the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Contour Palette in Deep ($12.99) and for the highlight, I applied L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Liquid Illuminator in Golden ($12.99) to her cheekbones, lightly pressing into the skin for a very subtle glow.
4. For Serena’s brows, I used the L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Kabuki ($12.99).
5. Then for Serena’s eyes, I first used L’Oréal Paris Infallible Eye Paints in Nude Fishnet ($8.99) all over the eye, then pressed L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24HR Eye Shadow in Eternal Sunshine ($8.99) to create a golden lid.
6. I then lined her eyes with L’Oréal Paris Infallible Paints Eyeliner in Black Party ($9.99) and applied generous coats of L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Mascara ($7.99).
7. For Serena’s lips, I used a mix of shades from the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche La Palette Lip in Pink ($16.99).
8. To finish the look, I set Serena’s makeup with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray & Set Makeup Setting Spray ($16.99).

The post How To Get Serena Williams’ Sleek, Fresh-Faced Met Look appeared first on MadameNoire.

If you paid any attention to the film awards season, then you probably heard about I Am Not Your Negro. The documentary, directed by filmmaker Raoul Peck and produced by Rémi Grellety, Hébert Peck and Raoul is based on pioneering writer James Baldwin’s unfinished book, Remember This House. That project was to be about the lives, work and assassinations of three of Baldwin’s fellow activist friends: Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Peck’s documentary, which was nominated for Best Documentary at this year’s Academy Awards, picks up where Baldwin left off, as his manuscript had only 30 completed pages by the time of his death in 1987. It uses archival footage, as well as Baldwin’s own words (and narration by Samuel L. Jackson), to connect “the past of the Civil Rights movement to the present of #BlackLivesMatter.” It is a timely, beautiful piece of work that you can now own on DVD.

We’re doing a giveaway and offering a few copies of the film. Winners will receive a digital download code for I Am Not Your Negro from FandangoNow (the on-demand video service for Fandango — how convenient!), as well as the accompanying I Am Not Your Negro: Companion Edition book.

All you have to do is follow us on Twitter, and in a tweet, share with us your favorite James Baldwin book using the hashtag #MNGiveaway. You will have until Thursday to do so, and on that day, we’ll randomly select winners.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In the meantime, check out the official trailer for I Am Not Your Negro and a word from director Raoul Peck below.

The post #MNGiveaway: Win A Copy Of The Doc I Am Not Your Negro And Its Companion Edition Book appeared first on MadameNoire.

Last week we talked about the reality of wife guilt for many women who feel like they can’t adequately balance their responsibilities inside and outside of the home. But for singer Fantasia, it’s a no-brainer: She puts her relationship with her husband first.

She made this clear while sharing her mixology skills on Instagram, showing off the drinks she made for herself and husband Kendall Taylor:

“I go harder as a Wife than I do on stage,” she said. “Not only will I cook a perfect meal for the King, but my mix drink game is becoming respectable as well! #Marriage #loyaltyloyaltyloyalty”

It makes sense that she would put her all into this relationship. After all, as she told us last summer, she fasted seven months before God sent her Taylor. The pair have been married since 2015.

“I will say that when I started fasting, it didn’t start off with me saying I was ready for a relationship or ready to get married,” she said. “I just knew that I needed to let go of a lot of things. And so, I married myself and I focused on me and how to love myself again. How to let go of all of the past hurt. Not just relationships but business, family, friends — I wanted to let go of that. I was asking God to send me a certain kind of man when He was ready, in his timing. For so long, everything I did was all me rushing into things…So I asked God when he was ready to send me a strong man, a praying man and a man who was going to build me up because I was a broken woman. After coming off of After Midnight, I met my husband who was fasting at the same time. So for me, I was just like, ‘Wow! Patience.'”

In case you missed it, you can check out that interview below:

The post Fantasia On Her Marriage: “I Go Harder As A Wife Than I Do On Stage” appeared first on MadameNoire.

Rihanna

Janelle Monae

John Legend and Chrissy Teigen

Zendaya Coleman

Maxwell

Tracee Ellis Ross

Kerry Washington

Ruth Negga

Jennifer Lopez

Ty Hunter

The post After The (Met) Gala It’s The After Party appeared first on MadameNoire.

There are three things you can do if you’re a teen girl without a date for senior prom. You can go with a group of friends like you’ve probably done for every other school dance; you can stay home and skip the dance altogether (like I did); or you can take a date few other seniors can top– your Harvard acceptance letter. That’s what Priscilla Samey did.

The senior at Champlin Park High School in Brooklyn Park, MN, tweeted a photo of her kissing her Harvard letter on prom night with the caption: 

Couldn’t find a man to accept me for prom so I took a college that did #Harvard2021 #prom2k17

Couldn’t find a man to accept me for prom so I took a college that did #Harvard2021 #prom2k17 💕🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/vIw2524wXu

— • (@prizxillas) April 30, 2017

Buzzfeed reached out to Priscilla about her date of choice and she told them, “At first I was disappointed but going by myself allowed me to avoid all the competitiveness and expenses that usually go with prom.” She also didn’t have to worry about keeping up with her date all night. “He stayed in the car most of the time,” she joked to BuzzFeed. “He’s shy and also I didn’t want it to get trampled.”

Harvard is actually just one of many top-tier schools Priscilla can attend. As she noted in another tweet, she’s been accepted to Yale, Brown, Princeton, Columbia, University of Pennsylvania, and Cornell as well.

Hi I’m Priscilla Samey and I just got into:
Yale
Princeton
Harvard
Columbia
Brown
University of Pennsylvania
Cornell
Look at what God did

— • (@prizxillas) March 30, 2017

Look at God indeed.

The post Winning! Teen Takes Harvard Acceptance Letter To Prom After Not Being Able To Find A Date appeared first on MadameNoire.