But what happens if we decided to be intentional about our approach to love? Of course we inherently know we love the people close to us, but intentional love can look a number of ways…

In the case of Codie Elaine Oliver and Tommy Oliver, their intentions led them to create the docuseries and platform Black Love.

The fact that the world now gets a chance to become more familiar with the origins of Whoopi's wonderful intentionality through her memoir feels like a gift. Ahead, we talk about how their love set the tone for Whoopi’s outlook on life, how their memory lives on in her, and we get to touch on the active imagination she still feeds today.

Amber Venz Box is no stranger to working hard to achieve her goals. After all, she and her husband Baxter Box created a multibillion-dollar business with content creator shopping app LTK. As much as the power couple pours into their business, they're also committed to their family of six.

What happens when you face the worst breakup ever? You cry and find a way to revamp your life, according to Mavis from Survival of the Thickest.

The series revolves around her getting acclimated with being single again while juggling her floundering stylist career. She's got a supportive village, but that doesn't mean she's not prone to making mistakes or facing situations worth cackling about outside of her group chat.

From winning multiple beauty awards to garnering genuine praise online, Beyoncé's haircare brand Cécred has passed the public's test and that's why I'm so excited it's finally available at Ulta (watch their cute announcement here)! Whether you've been itching to try the award-winning Hydrating Shampoo or the Restoring Hair & Edge Drops that keep selling out (they're so worth it!), Ulta's made room in over 1,400 locations and online for them!

Want to know what the best podcasts have in common? They're witty, captivating, and make you feel like you're listening to your best friend pontificate about everything from pop culture to first date horror stories. They may even teach you how to relax your mind or get a grip on reality because we know you tend to imagine worst-case scenarios (we do too!).

…we're getting even more vulnerable to share the podcasts we've been listening to so far in 2025.

Even though I'm not single, I swear by solo dates because they give me two things I crave the most: peace and quiet. They've become a luxury because I don't always get to be alone as a bride-to-be and mom…

My solution to the chaos? Taking a trip to a small café or a park where it's just me, my thoughts, and possibly a good Reese Witherspoon book club pick. Sometimes I even book a spa appointment if I'm feeling fancy.

I don't know whether to treat my period acne as guests or annoying pests. I'm familiar with balancing my hormones, but even that seems to be a great mystery when painful breakouts appear on my forehead or chin.

But esthetician Danielle Gronich wants to dispel the idea hormonal acne's impossible to treat. Plus, she's exposing the truth about ingredients that could be causing flareups 👀.

My life wouldn't be complete without searching for the latest beauty finds that are kind to my acne-prone skin. That sounds like an overstatement, but I'm serious. As much as I love skincare products like vitamin C serums, I'm just as obsessed with finding (and wearing) makeup that's brown-girl friendly. Specifically, foundations are the first thing I make a beeline for no matter if I’m shopping online or taking my time to browse Sephora's shelves.

How many times have you heard someone is a toxic person and — aside from therapy speak — what does it mean? According to Michelle English, LCSW, Co-Founder and Executive Clinical Manager at Healthy Life Recovery, "In a therapeutic setting, toxic behavior usually refers to patterns of behavior that regularly cause emotional, mental, or even physical harm to others."

Wondering why people resort to being toxic behavior? English says, "They are frequently the result of unresolved personal issues such as trauma, insecurity, or a lack of self-awareness." 

Viral social media or not, every Sunday some of us get that dreaded feeling before the start of a new work week. There's even an entire Instagram account that accurately describes how we feel when the 'I hope this reaches you well' emails start rolling in on Monday.

While I definitely relate, What if I told you there were things you could do to lessen your anxious thoughts so you can have a productive week? They're not going to solve all of your problems, but they'll put those pesky Sunday thoughts in a bowl of Epsom salt so you can finally relax.

You could be secretly — and unintentionally — self-sabotaging in your day-to-day life in more ways than you know. From your job to your friendships, there are probably a few ways that you're counting yourself out and putting yourself last when you don't have to. And that kind of self-sabotaging behavior? It's seriously bringing you down.

Rest assured that this isn't another article meant to make you feel bad about yourself though. It's more of a friendly nudge for all of us to stop being so mean to ourselves because self-sabotaging isn't exactly rooted in self-love.

When we're looking for new makeup, snacks, and books, we love supporting female, Black-owned businesses. From up and coming shops to brands founded by some of our favorite Selfmade alumni, here are 38 businesses that you can support beyond Black History Month.

We can't believe we finally get to learn more about Violet Sorrengail's journey, but we know you still have burning questions…We're not sharing any spoilers, but we've done a little digging to bring you up to speed because who doesn't want to know what Rebecca Yarros has planned for our favorite heroine?

I read countless phenomenal new books in 2024, so I took great care (and honestly a little bit of anxiety) to write this definitive list of the best books I picked up this year. I cried and cheered with likable characters while fuming at those who took villainy to a new level. Yet through it all, I reclaimed my love for reading and spending time in imaginary worlds.

The period of Thanksgiving through the New Year is when with family, often after not seeing them for several months out of the year. This is usually the time where everyone likes to catch up with each other to see if there's potential news they may have missed. But, this sometimes lead to the inevitable prodding questions that can make us want to crawl under the dinner table.

I didn't know I'd be saying J.Crew and Christopher John Rogers in the same sentence this year, but that's what surprises are all about! I'm always on the hunt for the latest exciting collection as an avid shopper, but this collaboration makes me feel all tingly inside. It's honestly enough to make me question my budgeting goals — it's so freakin' good!

 As it turns out, Nancy Redd wasn't done normalizing bodies and questions bout sexual health — the author and Wirecutter journalist just released The Real Body Manual: Your Visual Guide to Health & Wellness! Not only is it a great resource for those who are looking for answers to more specific health questions, but it's something I continue to revisit on the days my insecurity dampens my mood!

Landing your dream job after crying over bowls of ice cream and a few cocktails feels like hitting the fulfillment lottery. Suddenly, those many nights spent wondering if your career goals would ever materialize seem like a thing of the past. I sympathize with you because I've been there and know what how it feels to wonder if your dreams will ever come true.

My best friends and I always have conversations about who we were in our 20s compared to being in our 30s. Needless to say, considering we're no longer sweating profusely in house parties until 5 a.m. or nursing wild hangovers that left us crouching near toilets the next morning, hilarity often gives way to gratitude. Yeah, we're willing to admit we were fun, hot messes 12 years ago.

Preparing for the arrival of a newborn can be exciting and overwhelming, no matter if you’re a new or seasoned mom. While having a baby shower can be a great way for loved ones to gift items from your registry, it may be stressful when you realize some of the items still have to be cleaned, folded, or assembled. When you get to the nesting phase of pregnancy… well, things can feel a little hectic.

When was the last time you truly listened to yourself when making decisions? It may seem like a silly question, but you’re not alone if sometimes things feel so hectic you can barely hear yourself think. And if you’ve made some decisions you later felt unsure or lousy about? Well, that’s normal too. The thing is that sometimes it’s hard to listen to ourselves when it seems like the opinions of loved ones or even strangers on social media are so loud. But what if you learned to practice intuitive living this year?

As much as I love Halloween and Christmas, the beginning of fall reminds me my favorite holiday is near: Thanksgiving. It’s a time when the family comes together to talk and laugh while eating delicious food. In the past, whenever it was my mom’s turn to host Thanksgiving, I would roll my eyes because I knew we would spend time running around various stores until Thanksgiving day. One year, my mom and I stood in one of the longest lines the night before Thanksgiving because she forgot to pick up the turkey.

Every now and then, I am reminded of how much of an impact giving birth continues to have on my life. I was not thinking about my goals when my water broke, but they were on my mind by the time my vaginal birth was over. As much as I was told to get rest, I was dealing with insomnia in the hospital. Since I could not sleep, I found myself thinking and writing about my goals more than usual.

When I received a positive pregnancy test… I found that my creativity was reignited