2023-10-19 13:56
When you’ve lived somewhere long enough, it can be easy to take things for granted. For example, here’s a slightly embarrassing confession – I’ve lived in Chicago sin… Read More
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Afrobella | A Natural Hair, Beauty, Fashion And Ma Blog
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The acclaimed award winning natural hair, skincare, beauty and lifestyle blog that celebrates women all shades of beautiful. Afrobella covers everything from product reviews to unique insider celebrity, beauty and travel experiences.
2023-10-11 17:54
Raphael Saadiq and Tony! Toni! Toné! are back together and on the road. And from the reviews, this tour is a must-see experience!
The post Raphael Saadiq and Tony! Toni! Toné!… Read More
2023-09-12 16:29
This is the second post in a three-part series about my personal home search efforts, sponsored by Zillow. After years of condos and a history of life in townhouses, the idea of moving into… Read More
2023-08-17 20:46
This post was sponsored by Mielle Organics. In beauty and haircare, innovation is the name of the game. Top brands are continuously exploring new ways to include buzzworthy ingredients. If c… Read More
2023-07-27 19:54
This is the first post in a series on my personal home search efforts, sponsored by Zillow. If we have had casual in-person conversation within the past few years, it’s likely that I h… Read More
2023-05-18 21:19
I have lost so many people I cared about in the last few years. Too many. Close relatives, distant relatives, friends made in Miami, Trinidad, and Chicago. People who knew me as a little gir… Read More
2023-04-19 03:17
A detailed review of Tricoci – the Michigan Avenue salon and spa that’s been beloved in Chicago for 40 years and counting.
The post Chicago Spa Review: My Luxurious Experience at… Read More
2023-03-21 19:11
I’ve been working from home for myself since 2009 and it’s been an ongoing lesson in self-discipline and personal management, for real. You need knowledge of self to keep on this… Read More
2023-03-06 06:18
I’ve been off the scene for a while and haven’t done much travel since 2020, so last week’s experience felt like returning to a dream of an old life in quite a few ways. I… Read More
2022-11-07 15:54
I read a lovely Twitter thread recently from @PulpLibrarian that so beautifully encapsulated what it felt like to go online back in the day. If I had to look back and choose a year that I fi… Read More
2022-09-09 19:49
I was minding my own business browsing Instagram when I noticed I was being tagged repeatedly by Spanish language speaking accounts. When I investigated further, I realized that they were ta… Read More
2022-06-27 19:09
This ongoing pandemic has taught me so many things about life, about the world, and about people. I’m still learning new things. One of the many things I’ve learned is to listen… Read More
2021-09-10 22:01
My 90-day challenge with OMRON is coming to an end, and I’ve discovered a new level of adulting. Regularly measuring my blood pressure is a new way of showing up for myself, and I&rsqu&hell…Read More
2021-08-02 14:21
Figuring out the physical and mental lessons of this OMRON 90-day heart health challenge. Measuring my blood pressure on a consistent basis is an exercise in intentional self-care that I had… Read More
2021-06-17 20:59
OMRON has challenged me to make a 90-day decision to start a journey towards monitoring and improving my blood pressure. I’m ready. I’m doing it for me, and I’m doing it on… Read More
2021-05-20 17:22
When you grow up in the Caribbean, your feelings about tie-dye can be based on some cheesy experiences. I definitely have made and worn some not-so-cute tie-dye pieces in my time. I’ve… Read More
2021-05-14 14:27
This post is sponsored by Brother Growing up in the Caribbean gives you a different perspective on style and fashion, and so much of that has to do with our sewing culture. In my homeland of… Read More
2021-01-04 14:30
For my business, I find it beneficial to outline new year’s resolutions for myself as well as words of the year. Maybe mine can help you. These are the New Year’s resolutions I&r&hell…Read More
2020-12-29 11:06
I know I’m not alone in the post-holiday impulse to treat myself. This year I discovered some great products that truly helped me work better, live better, or relax a little more. Here… Read More
2020-12-23 21:41
This is the beginning of a series of pandemic projects I’m going to share with you, my adventures in trying new things and how they turned out. First up, making pasta from scratch… Read More
2020-12-23 21:41
This is the beginning of a series of projects I’m going to share with you, my adventures in trying new things and how they turned out. First up, making pasta from scratch, with th… Read More
2020-12-22 11:56
I realize there are a few things I can do to improve the quality of my sleep. At the very least I can try to improve the likelihood that I get a full night of sleep before going to bed. Sha… Read More
2020-12-14 14:35
This is the time to dig into your inner well of gratitude and find reasons to be proud of the work you do. Then tap into your resourceful side, and envision ways you can pivot your business… Read More
2020-12-01 19:24
So many people are considering starting their own small business. What were the first investments I made when I realized my hobby was becoming a business? Where did some of the entrepreneurs… Read More
2020-10-28 22:56
Walmart Beauty stepped up the entire game when it comes to our hair care needs. If you haven’t checked it out yet, welcome to the Curl Shop. Follow me to find everything your hair need… Read More
2020-09-08 18:13
Now is an interesting time for the retail industry. People are being more cautious about going into physical stores and commercial rent prices remain sky high. It’s a recipe for hard t… Read More
2020-04-28 19:36
Here are some recent books that have been inspiring me that are on my current reading list, all new Caribbean literature -- specifically fiction from & about Trinidad and Tobago. My home… Read More
2020-04-13 13:56
Times are heavy and serious. So here’s a little distraction – a review of water pitchers to consider getting for your home, instead of stocking up on cases of water (which are ge… Read More
2020-03-27 23:10
Trying to make sense of our new normal in a stay-at-home, self-quarantined, dealing with coronavirus world.
I'm depressed, sad and working through a lot right now, but I intend to use this t… Read More
2020-03-02 17:00
I think I first heard the word “fibroids” in the late 80’s or early 90’s. It was when my aunts went to the hospital to have surgery for theirs. I was too young to get… Read More
2020-02-27 13:41
Every brand has them – the best sellers, the tried-and-true items, the products they’ve been making for the longest because the people keep coming back for more. In the biz they… Read More
2020-02-15 23:06
I went to the desert outskirts of Las Vegas to do this unforgettable photo shoot, just me, my husband and my mother-in-law, It was a chilly afternoon, right after Christmas. As you can see i… Read More
2020-02-15 23:06
I went to the desert outskirts of Las Vegas to do this unforgettable photo shoot, just me, my husband and my mother-in-law, It was a chilly afternoon, right after Christmas. As you can see i… Read More
2020-02-11 20:49
In 2009 I moved to Chicago from Miami. Ever since, the number one question most people ask me is “what were you thinking??” The question can come from anyone at any time of year… Read More
2020-01-10 06:49
In years past, I used to make a long list of resolutions and then spend too much time feeling bad about not achieving enough of them. This year, I’m intentionally being gentle with mys… Read More
2019-12-20 15:00
This post is sponsored by Kay Jewelers December is peak holiday season, the time for merriment and gifts. Turns out, this time of year is also a special time for love – according to my… Read More
2019-12-20 04:37
Through the years I’ve done enough quizzes and read enough books to know that I’m more of an introvert than an extrovert. Most of these points apply to me. I can try to tap into… Read More
2019-12-18 18:50
This post is sponsored by MyEyeDr. “When’s the last time you had an eye exam?” My husband asked me this question as I rested my chin on the pre-testing equipment during our… Read More
2019-12-17 13:46
I can’t believe it’s almost here! Are you ready for Christmas yet? It’s ALMOST but not quite too late to get that last minute shopping in. Without further ado, here&rs&hell…Read More
2019-12-09 15:12
There are plenty of stores I barely remember visiting for the first time. But I will never forget the first time I stepped into a Cost Plus World Market. I was absolutely amazed by the range… Read More
2019-12-08 19:27
OK, that isn’t all I want – I have a whole Amazon Wishlist! But I just love that Amazon tapped THE Mariah Carey to curate her own holiday shopping list! Click here to check… Read More
2019-11-27 04:14
Apparently National Pumpkin Day was on October 26th and I totally missed that. I personally celebrate my love of all things pumpkin much closer to Thanksgiving. I love the pumpkin pies, cake… Read More
2019-11-25 20:46
I’ve shared my top kitchen items a few times, and around this time of year I start thinking about sharing more of this kind of information. Why? Because right around now, I’m coo… Read More
2019-11-06 18:57
As with everything in life, my style has evolved over time. Now I am so much more discerning with my fabric choices. I know the general shape and cut of the clothes that look the most effort… Read More
2019-10-17 20:09
Ever since I turned 40 this year, I’ve been noticing an uptick in targeted advertising. Now I’m inundated with ads about bladder protection, bladder control, urinary incontinence… Read More
2019-09-27 17:45
August 13th marked 13 years of Afrobella.com. Back on August 13, 2006, a really good friend encouraged me to consider blogging. We stayed up all night drinking wine and talking about what my… Read More
2019-08-13 22:00
For years, my lipstick loving life was all about color. The bolder and brighter, the better. Hello, when given the opportunity to come up with my own color I devised All Of My Purple Life. I… Read More
2019-07-30 14:41
Lately it’s been too hot for cooking. It’s summer, it’s predicted to be a steamy week. When it’s this time of year, we love to eat light and cook less. It’s all… Read More
2019-07-12 00:54
My experience with facials goes back a long way. Back in high school when my teenage hormones caused my skin to wild out, my mom started sending me for regular facials at a popular chain of… Read More
2019-06-06 18:05
I knew I had an unusual sleep pattern, and it was becoming a problem that affected my days. I knew I had a propensity to stay up later than normal. I knew my cats were easily able to rouse m… Read More
2019-05-09 11:26
This post is sponsored by Grove Collaborative Ever since I started doing my own laundry, it’s been a big heavy pain. Literally. When I didn’t have my own washer and dryer, it was… Read More
2019-04-27 23:35
As of May 2019, it will officially be a decade we’ve been living in Chicago. That’s right – it was May 2009 that my husband and I packed up our lives in Miami and mo… Read More
2019-04-08 15:41
Dr. Yaba Blay is a woman I admire on several levels. You know the kind of woman who achieves all the things, inspires others, somehow keeps multiple plates spinning and looks gorgeous and un… Read More
2019-02-13 12:58
Vegas has had many variations of the same reputation – a place for debauchery and decadence, gambling and drinking and secrets best laughed about later. The ultimate bachelorette/brida… Read More
2019-02-12 22:59
I love a good animal print. Snakeskin, giraffe, zebra, cheetah and leopard — I love them all, bring them on! For me animal prints aren’t a trend that vacillates with seasons &mda&hell…Read More
2019-02-06 15:38
If you ask any professional makeup artist or informed makeup enthusiast for a list of the top celebrity makeup artists, his name would be at the top of the list. Sir John Barnett has earned… Read More
2019-01-17 17:53
2019 is well underway and I’m just now finding my feet. I haven’t posted on this blog since November 2018 and I apologize. Life has been a rollercoaster and I’m holding on… Read More
2018-11-15 13:29
Children’s books are such a fascinating area of Black literature right now. So many new books, new authors, new opportunities – it’s beautiful to behold and so inspiring! A… Read More
2018-10-12 16:37
It never fails to happen around this time of year. I open a drawer or step foot into my closet and just feel this tidal wave of “meh” wash over my spirit. That “I-have-noth… Read More
2018-09-24 21:53
We’re into the first week of actual fall, and I’m looking back on a summer well enjoyed and well lived. The sunshine months are so fleeting in Chicago, it’s important to ge… Read More
2018-09-17 16:58
This post is sponsored by Fantasia Hair Care I’m a wash and go girl to the core, so I’m always looking for incredibly easy styling products. I love a product that I can easily sl… Read More
2018-09-10 16:23
This post is sponsored by Arivale, but these opinions and experiences are all mine. I do my best to consistently reflect and celebrate self-love and beauty on my own terms, to represent joy… Read More
2018-08-15 21:15
I’ll admit that I wasn’t a daily sunscreen user until my mid twenties. I grew up in Trinidad and Tobago and then went to college in Miami so trust me, I got plenty of regular sun… Read More
2018-08-01 18:06
One of the coolest things about being an OG in the natural hair and beauty space, is that I’ve had the opportunity to truly watch the space evolve. I’ve seen brands come and go… Read More
2018-07-24 18:01
This post is sponsored by Grove Collaborative Having a clean space does so much to boost my mood, my mindset, my spirit. Cleaning is my favorite distraction, an essential part of my well-bei… Read More
2018-07-19 12:45
This post is sponsored by Democracy Jeans Since high school I’ve been what my mom calls a “jeans baby.” I stay in denim. As a plus size woman for my entire adult life, I&rs&hell…Read More
2018-07-16 23:00
Before the retail stores sunk their teeth into the natural hair marketplace, online was the place to get your hair product needs. Back then, the most popular products were for sale via their… Read More
2018-07-03 19:25
I still remember exactly where I was when I heard the news, that awful day that the world lost Aaliyah. I was in college in Miami. Aaliyah was born in 1979, like I was. Her music was undenia… Read More
2018-06-29 20:17
How many times have I seen Coming to America? I don’t know – it’s impossible to count. I’ve seen it so many times that entire scenes have imprinted themselves unto my… Read More
2018-06-22 20:42
Typically when I’m asked “what are your favorite Christmas comedies?” it comes down to a few top picks. Elf is a classic, and there’s a special place in my heart for… Read More
2018-06-19 11:04
Generally speaking as my weekends go, Saturday is for play and Sunday is for prep. Sunday is the day to settle down and gear up for Monday. I use my Sundays to recharge, to reconnect, and to… Read More
2018-06-15 16:19
This post is sponsored by Head & Shoulders For years, I had a flaky scalp but didn’t know what caused it, or how to treat the problem. Was it dandruff or dry scalp? All I knew was… Read More
2018-06-04 16:19
Do you ever just assume that a particular designer or aesthetic just isn’t for you, and therefore you never even give it a try? That’s me, with all things preppy or southern styl… Read More
2018-05-30 19:33
That moment when you encounter a book that’s a true keeper. That moment when you read a book you wish you had as a child, or wish you had written yourself. I felt all of that, the firs… Read More
2018-05-11 19:57
To be honest, I took terrible care of my teeth for far too long. I didn’t floss, I didn’t brush with the proper care. I needed an oral hygiene upgrade but first, I had to burn to… Read More
2018-04-26 15:00
FINALLY. Spring weather has come to Chicago. Hedges and trees are showing tiny green buds and the skies are bright blue again. It does so much for my spirit, just to see reemerging life and… Read More
2018-04-13 21:27
Reportedly it’s spring in Chicago and on some days, it even feels like it! Not at the beginning of this week, however. We kicked off this week with a dusting of snow, much to my surpri… Read More
2018-04-06 12:38
I love cooking and I’ve become quite proficient at making food in general, but baking remains a daunting task for me. There are so many reasons I’ve never quite given it a go &nd&hell…Read More
2018-03-29 15:15
This post is sponsored by Head & Shoulders Me and flakes, we go way back. I started showing signs of white flakes around my hairline when I was a mere tween. I went from being confident… Read More
2018-03-21 18:49
If you follow me on Instagram, you may already know — this weekend I found myself in the midst of the glitziest and most glamorous event I may ever have attended, the Wearable Art Gala… Read More
2018-03-02 12:43
Big respect to the beauty and hair vloggers out there, shining a light on the range of our beautiful skintones and hair textures and body types on YouTube! I have nothing but admiration for… Read More
2018-02-23 13:20
This post is sponsored by Ancestry. Wow. Can I just tell you guys how much I LOVED doing this giveaway? This was truly such a pleasure and so heartwarming and touching to read all of your co… Read More
2018-02-17 12:52
This post was sponsored by GOLD BOND® Ultimate Radiance Renewal™ but all thoughts and opinions are my own. Growing up in Trinidad and then living in Miami didn’t prepar… Read More
2018-02-16 17:42
This post is sponsored by Ancestry When my mother-in-law gifted me with a DNA kit from Ancestry some years ago, I was intrigued but skeptical. My mother-in-law comes from a family that&rsquo&hell…Read More
2018-02-16 17:42
This post is sponsored by Ancestry When my mother-in-law gifted me with a DNA kit from Ancestry some years ago, I was intrigued but skeptical. My mother-in-law comes from a family that&rsquo&hell…Read More
2018-02-12 12:35
What do you wear on a special date night? It truly depends on the location and theme, right? For the most part date nights to us mean comfy jeans and a sweater. But every now and then, we li… Read More
2018-02-09 19:16
Really happy and honored to share that this month I’m being celebrated by popular daytime program The Real, as one of their Black Girl Trailblazers. Click here to watch! I… Read More
2018-02-08 16:05
This post is in partnership with @properties Moving from a place like Miami to Chicago, you get used to the standard reaction. That reaction is “OMG WHY?” Why would we pack up al… Read More
2018-02-05 13:19
I’m pretty much at the point where I buy stamps once a year — and that’s in February, just in time for the Black Heritage stamps. I buy a whole sheet and I let go of them s… Read More
2018-01-31 14:20
This post is in partnership with Downy! If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the 17 years of Valentine’s Day with my husband, it’s that you don’t need to break… Read More
2018-01-29 15:45
The weather in Chicago is being described as “seasonally cool,” which basically translates to freezing cold with snow and/or ice on the ground so watch out because everything is… Read More
2018-01-17 23:24
Winter is here and it’s bleak enough as it is. How about some COLOR in our lives? Every winter I try to find a few key pieces that add extra oomph to my wardrobe, items that allow me t… Read More
2018-01-16 22:03
One of the best things about my career is that I get to discover so much that’s new and exciting in the beauty world. I love indie beauty brands so much, and I love seeing up and comin… Read More
2018-01-04 22:35
In many ways, 2017 was a challenging year for me. I know I’m far from alone in that fact but now that I can truly look back on the year that was, I realize the levels of trials and tri… Read More
2018-01-03 16:43
I partnered with Downy on this post! 12 months of a whole lot has just passed us by. There’s a LOT I want to move on from, so part of my annual new year’s ritual is to CLEAN AND… Read More
2017-12-19 01:24
This post was sponsored by Olay, but these experiences are all mine! I’ve been living in Chicago since 2009 and at this point I’ve seen my share of winters. Some have been mild… Read More
2017-12-18 21:47
I’ve been a fan of Australian-based fashion brand City Chic Online for years now — their aesthetic tends to be unique, interesting and sometimes a bit edgy. Plus, the clothe… Read More
2017-12-14 06:55
This month kicked off on a high note when I announced that I curated a limited edition beauty box for We Are ONYX! I’m honored to have had the opportunity to collaborate with one of my… Read More
2017-12-13 04:11
During the holiday season you can totally rack up discount deals at major retailers, but you know indie brands have my heart. Especially the ones that celebrate our beauty at their core esse… Read More
2017-12-03 19:32
I’ve been a fan of the We Are ONYX box since 2013, and I love the space they have carved out for themselves in the subscription box space. To me, they are amongst the very best in cate… Read More
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