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https://www.essence.com/entertainment/the-braxton-family-returns-to-tv/

Courtesy of WE TV By Okla Jones ·Updated July 11, 2024

One of music’s most famous families is returning to television with the all-new reality series, The Braxtons, which is set to premiere on August 9.

In each hour-long episode, the Braxton women reunite for the first time since the loss of their beloved sister, Traci, offering viewers a raw and unfiltered look at the family as they go on an emotional rollercoaster of love, loss, triumph, heartbreak and healing. For eight installments, viewers will see Toni, Towanda, Trina, Tamar and Ms. Evelyn navigate their careers, health challenges and busy personal lives.

The Braxton family’s return to the small screen comes three years after the end of the captivating series, Braxton Family Values, which aired for seven seasons. Fans of the original series can take a trip down memory lane catch-up specials airing Friday, July 26 and Friday, August 2 at 9:30pm, on We TV. The two, one-hour specials recap key moments, storylines and all the love, laughter and drama from Braxton Family Values.

Tara Long, Ri-Karlo Handy, Oji Singletary and Michelle Kongkasuwan for Blink49 and Datari Turner will executive produce The Braxtons alongside Toni Braxton for Intonation Entertainment, Tamar Braxton for Tamar Braxton Productions, Trina, Towanda and Evelyn Braxton. Angela Molloy, SVP Development & Original Production.

The Braxtons premieres Friday, August 9 at 9:30pm ET, airing exclusively on We TV and streaming on ALLBLK.

TOPICS:  reality show Tamar Braxton Toni Braxton we tv

The post WATCH: The Braxton Family Returns To TV With Brand New Reality Show appeared first on Essence.

https://www.essence.com/beauty/face-oils-myth-busting-summer-skincare/

Delmaine Donson / Getty Images By Larry Stansbury ·Updated July 10, 2024

Summer is when we are least likely to consider using a face oil. If anything, we are running away from all products that will make us more oily than desired.

However, we should reconsider before completely breaking up with oils altogether. This crucial skincare step can add a beautiful sun-kissed glow to our flawless tan. Don’t believe us? We’ve got backup!

Holistic esthetician Shani Hillian, renowned for her expertise in skincare, is here to spill the tea on face oils, explain how to use them, and elucidate their benefits.   

Why should I consider using oils for my skin? 

Did you know your skin has a pH balance? According to Hillian, oils are a great way of balancing out the pH of our skin. “Oils are the only element in your skincare routine that will not alter your skin’s pH, whereas anything that contains water will.”

An easy way to tell if your skin’s pH balance is off is by looking for flakiness and redness. Applying oils can regulate your skin and bring comfort to flaky areas. Hillian shares, “the more you use oils, you can expect a lesser chance of a comprised skin barrier.”   

What are the benefits?

“Not only do oils moisturize the skin beautifully, but they are versatile and can act as emollients that add moisture to the skin, as well as occlusives, which lock in the moisture,” Says Hillian.

These two ingredients are included in her wellness skincare brand, In GROOV. Her co-created product, Every Mood, acts as a cleansing oil and face moisturizer to ensure you get all the benefits this product offers. Its emollients can also benefit those struggling with eczema, psoriasis, or ichthyosis.

Which oils should I use?

Everyone has different skin types and needs. Narrowing down an oil that fits everyone would be a dream rather than a reality. Hillian advocates being mindful of the ingredients in oils and researching to see if they would play nice with your skin’s needs.

Generally speaking, she recommends that those with acne-prone skin should not opt for non-comedogenic oils such as milk thistle, prickly pear, argan, and safflower.

As for dry skin, the rules are different. “Dry skin types can opt for more nourishing oils such as argan and rosehip,” she says. Combo and normal skin types can benefit from hemp seed oil, grapefruit, safflower, and sunflower.

If you’re still concerned about what oils to use, making an appointment with a dermatologist or esthetician never hurts. 

Best way to use oils

Social media can be a bit overwhelming when teaching us how to use a beauty product, and face oils are no exception. Many videos tell us how to use oils, and more are opting against those claims.

Hillian keeps things simple by suggesting we use our oils as a first step in our cleansing routine. Adding an oil can moisturize skin and quickly melt away makeup without irritating the skin.

There are also benefits to using the latest beauty trend after our cleansing routine. “Finishing with 2-3 drops in your moisturizer or after to lock in all of the products you applied to minimize transepidermal water loss,” says Hillian. As discussed, water loss and water-based products can lead to a skin imbalance. 

Who should avoid skin oiling?

“Everyone can benefit from face oil; you just have to ensure it is best for your skin needs at that moment,” says Hillian. She also believes in not focusing on where your skin used to be but how it is currently—tackling the skin issues blocking you from your canvas goals. It’s easy to get caught in the past of what once was, but you must let go of who you were to become who you want to be… even if it is just for having healthier skin. 

TOPICS:  oils skincare

The post Everything You Need To Know About Face Oils appeared first on Essence.

https://www.themarysue.com/indian-2-release-date-confirmed/

For Indian acting legend Kamal Haasan, prosthetic makeovers are second nature; he’s done it more times than you can count on your fingers. One of his most memorable transformations was for the 1996 Tamil-language cult vigilante film Indian (Hindustani in Hindi). Now, 28 years later, it’s sequel, Indian 2: Zero Tolerance is here.

What Was Indian About?

Directed by S. Shankar (Sivaji The Boss, Robot), Indian (Hindustani) is a 1996 Tamil-language film starring Kamal Haasan in the dual role of father and son in the city of Chennai. The father, Senapathy,  is a veteran Indian freedom fighter who in his youth was part of the Indian Independence Movement, and continues to believe that he must fight for a better India, against corruption and other social evils. His son, Chandru, is the opposite, is trying to bribe his way to get a job in the local government road transport department.

The post This Cult Indian Vigilante Film Is Getting a Sequel After 28 Years appeared first on The Mary Sue.

https://blackgirlnerds.com/have-you-heard-of-these-inspiring-black-female-pilots-who-made-history/

Man’s desire to fly led them to invent the airplane. When people in the U.S. first took the skies, men were the only ones allowed to soar amongst the clouds. When the first pilot’s license was issued to a white man in 1911, it would be nearly 10 years before a Black woman could receive a pilot’s license. Due to the heroic efforts of certain Black women, the aviation space is no longer limited to society’s ridiculous ideals. 

If you believe that Black women can do anything, including flying a plane, then you should know about these four women who beat the odds and took aviation higher than ever. 

Bessie Coleman

Bessie Coleman was an exceptionally skilled pilot who made history and opened doors for other Black women to take up space in the pilot’s seat. As the first Black woman to earn her pilot’s license, she became known as “Brave Bessie” or “Queen Bess.”

Born on January 26, 1892 in Texas, Coleman’s initial career trajectory didn’t quite lead her to the path of aviation. She began her endeavors by attending the Colored Agricultural and Normal University (now Langston University.) She paid for tuition by saving the money she earned from working with her mom, picking cotton, and doing laundry. Unfortunately, she had to drop out early because she could no longer afford to make payments. 

After her short college career, she lived with her brother and attended beauty school to become a manicurist. When her brother returned from fighting the military during World War I, he brought back stories of adventure. He boasted about women in France who were allowed to fly planes, unlike in the United States. These stories planted a seed in Coleman’s mind that she might take to the skies and fly one day.

With this seemingly audacious dream, she applied to different aviation schools. Unfortunately, she was rejected from flight schools across the country because she was a woman and an African-American. After many rejections, Coleman applied to a flight school in France. After taking French classes to complete the application process, she was finally accepted to the Caudron Brothers’ School of Aviation in Le Crotoy, France. On June 15, 1921, Coleman received her international pilot’s license at the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. Soon after, she returned to the U.S. 

Because of her accomplishments abroad, when she returned home, she gave speeches and performed air tricks for theaters, schools, and churches. Her goal was to earn enough money to buy her own plane. While giving speeches and putting on shows, she refused to perform in front of a segregated audience. Because she spoke out against inequality, Coleman became known as a daring pilot and an advocate for equality. 

Eventually, she saved enough money to buy her first plane, Jenny—JN-4, with an OX-5 engine. Coleman spent most of her career performing dangerous air tricks and touring the country, giving flight lessons. She inspired numerous women to fly and pursue their dreams despite obstacles. Even after her tragic death during a plane mishap on April 30, 1926, she left a legacy for many others in and out of the aviation space. 

Willa Brown

Since Coleman showed the world that Black women could become pilots, soon after, Willa Brown followed in Coleman’s footsteps. 

Born in Glasgow, Kentucky, Brown was the first woman to receive a pilot’s license in the United States. After achieving significant success in 1938, she set her sights even higher. She became the first African American Officer in the Civil Air Patrol. 

After earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, things began to take off when she moved to Chicago and started working with Cornelius Coffey, an influential Black aviator. Together, they shaped the lives and careers of over 200 pilots when they opened the Coffey School of Aeronautics. Some of their students became Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.

Like most influential Black women, Brown continuously broke stereotypes and interrupted the status quo. She consistently advocated for civil rights and inclusion for Black Americans within the military and aviation sectors. She dedicated her time and energy to ensuring Black pilots were accepted into the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) and later the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Brown died on July 18, 1992, and she made the world a fairer and equal place. 

Shawna Rochelle Kimbrell 

Since a young age, Shawna Rochelle Kimbrell knew she wanted a career in aviation. Born on April 20, 1976, in Lafayette, Indiana, she began chasing after her dream by earning her commission as an officer in 1998 from the U.S. Air Force Academy. 

After that, she got her undergraduate pilot training and specialized in flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon. She began breaking barriers when, in 2000, she became the first African-American Woman to complete the Air Force’s undergraduate pilot training for fighter jets. 

As someone who is up for a challenge, she has flown missions during Operation Northern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and many more important missions.

Like her fellow trailblazers, Kimbrell also made it her mission to advocate for others and speak out against racial and gender barriers. Since she retired from the United States Air Force, she has been focused on supporting the next generation. She teaches physical education and is the director of culture, climate, and diversity with the athletic department at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado.

Zoey Williams

From a young age, Zoey Williams couldn’t keep her feet on the ground. Born in Ontario, Canada, and the daughter of pilot Captain Orrett Williams, her childhood consisted of living abroad and traveling to Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Europe. Her worldly experiences helped motivate her to pursue a career in aviation. 

At 15, Williams embarked on a journey to become a certified flight instructor and received her pilot’s license at age 16. Throughout her schooling, she dedicated herself to advancing her career and knowledge as a pilot. Over the years, she has earned an Advanced Diploma in Aviation Flight Management, a Bachelor’s in Aeronautics and Aviation Management, and a Master’s in Business Administration specializing in Aviation and International Business. Additionally, she has worked as an airport ramp worker, college flight instructor, and air pilot. 

Williams’ career has been nothing short of exceptional. However, it was her historic achievements that truly set her apart. She made history as the first Black woman pilot at Air Canada and the first Officer on a Boeing 777, paving the way for future generations and inspiring change in the aviation industry.

More than just an accomplished pilot, Zoey is a community leader. Her diverse worldview and experiences have inspired her to support others in her community. She is on the Board of Directors for Urban Pilots Network and actively volunteers with underserved communities. 

Reading through this list, perhaps some names are familiar, or you may have learned something new. These women show everyone what is possible through dedication and hard work. If you ever doubt that something is possible, check your history; a Black woman probably has already done it.