🩶The new year has me naturally reflecting on the end of my twenties coming sooon 🩶 they haven’t been easy! I entered them facing a near death experience. Dealt with grief/heartbreak/loss. But they’ve also been filled with sooo much joy, growth, and many beautiful lessons. Grateful for the journey and how far I’ve come. and this @forbes moment was a dope way to close out the year and decade in NY! A reminder that hard work, resilience, betting on yaself, and God will do it every time. Let’s see what 2025 and the next 10/beyond have in store 🩶 love + blessings to yall 💋 [Polaroids by my mommy at home in the chi lol | b+w image / makeup by @chelseagehr 💌]
Just a girly from the chi working The Chi season finale premiere red carpet in a dress by a designer from the chi 🦋 what a night 🦋 [hair by @slayedinbraids / makeup by @glamsquad / dress by @azeezaofficial ]
Welcome to The Empty Edit, where we leave the extras behind and hold onto what feels good, smells good, and actually works.
This week, we’re grounding ourselves with Tribe & Oak, where self-care feels rooted, warm, and intentional. From rich scents to slow moments that soften the edges of the day, these are the rituals that turn a regular evening into a full-body exhale. Senior Beauty & Fashion Editor Akili King joins us to talk about the beauty of creating space for yourself, even in small ways.
Less chaos. More care. A softer landing every time.
Tap in, reset, and keep what serves you. Shop Tribe & Oak and more at WeLoveUs.Shop.
this wellness retreat with @velocity.black in wine country was everything 🕊️ Soundbath and tea ceremony with @jheneaiko . Workouts. Nourishing meals. Bodywork. Bike rides. Community. Take me back 🕊️ Read about it all: what I’m taking away from it, and how it helped me reset from burnout in the latest #RitualReport on @essence 💻
For our Women’s History Month series #behindthebeauty I interviewed @iambeadixon about her new book and how she’s reclaiming wellness with @thehoneypotco 💌 not just through products (which are amazing) but through creating intentional spaces for wellness and community care. For example, I reflected on this amazing press trip we took last year that included scent making, group vision boarding, and attending an @atlantadream game 💌 the healing vibes continued over the weekend at the HP salon in BK with panels, a writing workshop, etc 💌 more of this pls! 💌
Women’s History Month has me reflecting on the women who inspire me and who have paved the way. These ladies come to mind 💘This story is from our 55th Anniversary issue last year and it celebrates the beauty journeys of (some of the) former ESSENCE beauty/lifestyle Editors. Of course we had to have former Beauty & Fashion Director @blakelawren pen this one as well 🤍 on set felt like a beauty family tree lol. Grateful to you all. (Shot by @mylesloftin 💘)
Welcome to The Ritual Report, where indulgence meets intention.
Sometimes you need a day to relax, and our Senior Beauty and Fashion Editor, Akili King, made rest a ritual.
This time, she steps inside the Dior Spa New York, where luxury and rest meet. Consider this your sign to book the appointment, silence the notifications, and let the world wait.
See more at ESSENCE.com.
Every year, one of award season’s most coveted takeaways isn’t a trophy; it’s the Black Women in Hollywood gift bag.
This year, our senior Beauty & Style Editor, Akili King, breaks down what’s inside Hollywood’s favorite must-have bag.
Take a look inside and discover some of your favorite products that you can own for yourself by visiting WeLoveUs.shop!
Behind every iconic cover are iconic glam teams 💄 🩵 The Heavenly Hands 🩵 Is a piece from our 55th Anniversary issue that celebrates the makeup and hair artists, both passed on and those still with us, behind memorable @essence covers and moments throughout the mag’s history 🩵 I meant to post this during BHM, but let’s be honest, everyday is BHM 🩵 In a time where our history is constantly being threatened to be pushed aside/erased, I feel it important to do our best to preserve our stories. 🩵Thank you to incredible folks like @iammikkitaylor@iamsusanltaylor@reaannsilva@samfinebeauty (hi chi town 😉) @sirjohn@keys_rebelle@fairweatherfacestbk@khamitkinks@ashuntasheriff@ellinlavar #SandraMartin @ursulastephen@lacyredway@raisaflowers 🩵 for sharing those stories with me. And with all of us. 🩵 [ty to @itsnandibby and team for shaping a great issue🩵 design by @so.lit ]
![The new year has me naturally reflecting on the end of my twenties coming sooon they haven’t been easy! I entered them facing a near death experience. Dealt with grief/heartbreak/loss. But they’ve also been filled with sooo much joy, growth, and many beautiful lessons. Grateful for the journey and how far I’ve come. and this @forbes moment was a dope way to close out the year and decade in NY! A reminder that hard work, resilience, betting on yaself, and God will do it every time. Let’s see what 2025 and the next 10/beyond have in store love + blessings to yall [Polaroids by my mommy at home in the chi lol | b+w image / makeup by @chelseagehr ]](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6716281411284610264911_0_1acb15a5fbab1beee988aac57ffe18c8.jpg?o=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&h=d55982608669ea58fcf0e02d1f1f8952)
![Just a girly from the chi working The Chi season finale premiere red carpet in a dress by a designer from the chi what a night [hair by @slayedinbraids / makeup by @glamsquad / dress by @azeezaofficial ]](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6727426861473234452324_0_013e4bbd96b7f3da1c854dcd43d8554e.jpg?o=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&h=4214893f2cb26a05d5e8f4fe48e99abc)
![31, I hope you are sweet [ @__carolyne__ ]](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6739524944423134212318_0_e60cfb751e9f5ee663447c4554642d02.jpg?o=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&h=96631a4136391aaec1b591abaafe8ef4)
![Always a good day when @ursulastephen does your wash n go using @fentyhair of course [ @diggzy ]](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6747612020684763506734_0_c15fb3875061586bb991287852d9edd8.jpg?o=aHR0cHM6Ly9zY29udGVudC1sZ2EzLTMuY2RuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS92L3Q1MS44Mjc4Ny0xNS82Njk3MDIzOTdfMTg1ODMwMzY0OTUwMjY0OTRfOTAzMjgwNDEzNDA1NDA2NzI2NF9uLmpwZz9zdHA9YzAuMjE1LjE0NDAuMTQ0MGFfZHN0LWpwZ19lMzVfczY0MHg2NDBfc2gyLjA4X3R0NiZfbmNfaHQ9c2NvbnRlbnQtbGdhMy0zLmNkbmluc3RhZ3JhbS5jb20mX25jX2NhdD0xMDImX25jX29jPVE2Y1oyZ0hGZnNfNFFGbk56ZFl0U3JfS004SXdTS2ktdXFKMzBHZjZISzQ5UGI4WGx1aURIV3ViN29pb3VTaFJhT2Y1ZVNSVXNCUmxGYTJkSE1lVlluQjhBcFhqJl9uY19vaGM9MVR6aHVuekp5YThRN2tOdndGb0JOTlAmX25jX2dpZD1NQVB6UDFUUXlTZ2pkQWl4bHBJZ2dnJmVkbT1BUFU4OUZBQkFBQUEmY2NiPTctNSZvaD0wMF9BZjdOYUk1TlY3TEFFbHdON1JjQVltaFM4SmpnS0FNTkJuOE1LM29DTGFwYXZnJm9lPTZBMEU2QzM0Jl9uY19zaWQ9YmMwYzJj&h=72d0168d475daba51ad5b69e38e1980b)
![Behind every iconic cover are iconic glam teams The Heavenly Hands Is a piece from our 55th Anniversary issue that celebrates the makeup and hair artists, both passed on and those still with us, behind memorable @essence covers and moments throughout the mag’s history I meant to post this during BHM, but let’s be honest, everyday is BHM In a time where our history is constantly being threatened to be pushed aside/erased, I feel it important to do our best to preserve our stories. Thank you to incredible folks like @iammikkitaylor @iamsusanltaylor @reaannsilva @samfinebeauty (hi chi town ) @sirjohn @keys_rebelle @fairweatherfacestbk @khamitkinks @ashuntasheriff @ellinlavar #SandraMartin @ursulastephen @lacyredway @raisaflowers for sharing those stories with me. And with all of us. [ty to @itsnandibby and team for shaping a great issue design by @so.lit ]](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6742602722601016274855_0_c3d60800a21efc7ee1fc20bdf79eb572.jpg?o=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&h=e6f262c8ccdb41bfb2f6ea22d3a7e7fa)
