50 Responses to “What are your favorite lifestyle & beauty websites/magazines?”

1. 

   Jordan 30 July 2010 at 1:15 pm Permalink

   Who cares if she’s white? It doesn’t make a difference if she can dress people she can dress people.

   I love Karen’s blog. http://www.wheredidugetthat.com

   Reply
2. 

   kaikou 30 July 2010 at 1:26 pm Permalink

   I love Allure magazine and Yahoo Shine.

   I never read Essence and never will probably.

   Reply
3. 

   Kasalina 30 July 2010 at 1:29 pm Permalink

   I dig the Cherry Blossom Girl.

   Reply
4. 

   vonnie 30 July 2010 at 1:32 pm Permalink

   I shake my head at the decision simply because there AREN’T as many prominent blacks in fashion which is the whole point of us having to make our “own” magazines such as Ebony and Essence, THEN just turn around and hire someone not black? Were there NO qualified blacks for the job? Already barely can get into a more “white” magazine, now can’t even assume that a black one will hire you either! Are the editors at Latina magazine non-latina? black people are always the first to try and be kumbaya and open arms when the same isn’t said for other “special interest groups” NOR the “mainstream”.

   http://socialitedreams.wordpress.com

   Reply
5. 

   DanKini 30 July 2010 at 1:44 pm Permalink

   I’m not knocking this chick, but the same thing happened with the network BET……hmmmm. Never have been a huge fan of Essence.

   I love clutch- it reminds me of Suede magazine which I loved
   clutchmagonline.com

   Reply
6. 

   Kasalina 30 July 2010 at 1:48 pm Permalink

   She Breathes is fantastic too.

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7. 

   b. 30 July 2010 at 2:13 pm Permalink

   I heard about this today on the radio and my first thought was “maybe she won’t end up mired in a lot of sterotypes since she is NOT from the ‘community’.” I was thinking specifically about hair in this regard. Who knows…since she doesn’t have some of the preconceptions that come with growing up as a Black woman, yet having the #1 target audience being Black women, maybe she’ll consider natural hair on equal footing as relaxed/weaved hair. Some of you know just as well as I do that some of the most ardent supporters of natural hair has been NON-Black people.

   Reply
8. 

   BrownSugahChild 30 July 2010 at 2:34 pm Permalink

   Besides bglhonline.com, i love me some
   http://www.lovebscott.com
   clutchmagazine.com
   and, http://www.honeymagazine.com

   Reply
9. 

   A Simple Thing 30 July 2010 at 2:49 pm Permalink

   Most of the mainstream magazines that aren’t directed towards ‘black’ interests employ black people.

   I have no problem whatsoever with them employing her.

   Then again, I don’t even read Essence because the relaxer adverts wind me up and the articles never seem to apply to me *shrug*

   Reply
10. 

    copelli 30 July 2010 at 3:01 pm Permalink

    I don’t think the angst and anger over this decision is about this white woman’s qualifications.

    It’s about marginalization.

    Essence was the only magazine out there…Staffed by us, for us. Even after being bought up by Time Inc., the staff remained one of black women.

    Essence has been the lone magazine where we can see ourselves represented throughout its pages. Where the makeup, hair and fashion tips were coming from (and tested by) women who looked like us. Where we could read health articles relevant to OUR health issues and articles about goings-on in the black community that NOBODY else even bothers to write about.

    Someone name me ONE mainstream magazine that currently does this for black women every month?

    So some black women feel betrayed, that now a white woman has been introduced into the mix. Why Essence? While white women have numerous choices..Elle, Vogue, Cosmo, Self , Glamour and the list goes on….
    In this day & age with all these educated, fashionable black women out here, they couldn’t find a Black woman qualified for this position?

    Why do “they” now have to interject themselves into our ONE publication?

    I am just sayin’….this is how some sistas feel.

    Luckily there are alot of young, fresh, fashionista sistas out there doing their thing online.

    Clumpsofmascara
    Apricot tea
    Wheredidugetthat
    omowrites
    clutchmagazine
    hellobeautiful
    Vogue.IT (vogue black)
    AdoreDaily
    Moptop Maven
    Chicchocolate dc

    Reply
11. 

    Marsha 30 July 2010 at 3:36 pm Permalink

    Essence has left me wholly unsatisfied for a while now, but the least I could say was they were hiring Black women primarily to produce the magazine. Now that this one redeeming factor is gone I’m not sure what I can say for it. The advice column from Steve Harvey just isn’t cutting it! I’m letting my subscription lapse this year.

    Reply
12. 

    Carin 30 July 2010 at 3:42 pm Permalink

    Who cares? Maybe she was just better for the job than anyone else they interviewed.

    Reply
13. 

    Nicole 30 July 2010 at 5:09 pm Permalink

    Seventeen Magazine

    Reply
14. 

    Retentiveone 30 July 2010 at 5:48 pm Permalink

    I don’t think about race when reading print magazines. The only black print media publications I have read are Arise (very good but I’m not African so don’t relate all that much) and black hair and beauty (UK hair mag – sub par info). I read the following:

    Vogue Italia
    Vogue Paris
    Harpers UK
    10
    Love Magazine
    iD magazine
    Dazed & Confused

    All fashion/culture magazines – some UK based (where I’m from) I don’t like US magazines on the whole. I have glanced Ebony and Essence but feel they are quite old fashioned and do need someone to bring them up to date and make them relevant.

    I love BGLH to get my fix of black hair & beauty. Moptop Maven is cool for vintage clothing though.

    Reply
15. 

    honeybrown1976 30 July 2010 at 5:50 pm Permalink

    Yeah, I’m a bit disappointed by Essence’s disappointment. But, I can’t say I’m surprised. I haven’t read the magazine regularly since the Susan Taylor days (great stuff!).

    glamour.com
    bglonline.com
    Moptop Maven
    Naturally Obsessed
    Naturally Leslie
    Longhaircareforum.com
    bellasugar.com (and associated sugar sites)

    Reply
16. 

    Sandy 30 July 2010 at 6:00 pm Permalink

    besides bglh,

    Lifestyle:
    1. apartmenttherapy.com

    Sartorial style:
    1. http://www.garancedore.fr/

    Beauty:
    1. http://www.vogue.it/en/vogue-black/black-beauty
    2. ARISE magazine

    I wish I had more beauty options from which to choose, though.

    And just in case someone’s taking a poll, I stopped reading Essence in high school; I’m 35 now.
    It was (and still is) just a little too “You Go Girl” for my taste.

    Reply
17. 

    Squiggly 30 July 2010 at 7:14 pm Permalink

    My comment to the Essence situation is they didn’t search long and hard enough for someone who has more understanding on what we like, need and want. But anywho, I like the internet for all my fashion resources. It beats pounding the pavement and looking up and down Manhattan. Just know your soze and the world opens up!

    Reply
18. 

    aiych 30 July 2010 at 10:17 pm Permalink

    I don’t see what the big deal is. She was contributing to the magazine for several months as a temp employee and there was no ruckus then. While I do understand that black women want somebody who represents them since we are often marginalized, maybe the black community needs to step it up. It’s like when a Morehouse had a white valedictorian and people got mad. But hey, if a non-black person is more qualified, who are we to get mad? How do you know FOR SURE that there were qualified black editors who were available and willing to take the position at that moment?

    I’m just trying to look at it from a different perspective. But really, Essence is already going the “whitewashed” route, so I’m not really that surprised.

    Reply
19. 

    aiych 30 July 2010 at 10:18 pm Permalink

    meanwhile, I’m gonna check out some of these websites listed above :D

    Reply
20. 

    TAKIYAH 30 July 2010 at 10:23 pm Permalink

    Fashion is Fashion! Who cares whats the color of her skin! Come on people!

    Reply
21. 

    teachermrw 30 July 2010 at 11:40 pm Permalink

    Re: ESSENCE: I am of two minds. On the one hand, I can see how a mag like ESSENCE can be a career launching pad for a talented Black woman. On the other, all institutions need to be open to diversity.

    Re: My favorite lifestyle/beauty spots: Real Simple magazine, Clutch Magazine, The Moptop Maven, Renee Rouleau blog.

    Reply
22. 

    Raim 30 July 2010 at 11:50 pm Permalink

    I ? KisforKinky.com
    Such a variety on that site.

    Reply
23. 

    Raim 30 July 2010 at 11:51 pm Permalink

    I luv KisforKinky.com
    Such a variety on that site.

    Reply
24. 

    Ari 31 July 2010 at 12:09 am Permalink

    Hmmm. Let’s see, I have quite a few websites and blogs that I love (this one included)as well as Clutch Magazine, which you mentioned. Here are some others.

    Jezebel: (A feminist blog that also features articles about racial issues as well as opening up discussion about a wide range of issues)
    http://jezebel.com/

    Coco & Cream: (The fashion and beauty extension of Clutch Magazine)
    http://cocoandcreme.com/

    The Huffington Post: (A liberal political website that also has a Style and Entertainment section that gives up to date info.)
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

    The Cut: (Great fashion news blog)
    http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/

    Daily Intel: (Great blog that often has a satirical take on political news)
    http://nymag.com/daily/intel/

    The Obama Photo & Video Diary: (Keeps me up to date on almost every single thing President Obama and First Lady Michelle are doing through a plethora of photo’s and video’s)
    http://obamadiary.wordpress.com/

    The Daily Beast: (Another great political website that also reports on fashion and entertainment news)
    http://www.thedailybeast.com/

    The YBF: (My favorite black gossip blog)
    http://theybf.com/

    Mane and Chic: (A great blog that focuses equally on curly/natural hair care and fashion)
    http://maneandchic.blogspot.com/

    Red Carpet Fashion Awards: (Reports on nearly every red carpet event from here to Paris to Japan.)
    http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/

    A Belle in Brooklyn: (A blog by Essence Magazine relationship editor Demitria Lucas. She talks about really interesting issues concerning black women and relationships)
    http://www.abelleinbrooklyn.com/

    Until I Get Married: (Sort of the boy version of A Belle in Brooklyn. Jozen Cummings is a writer and his blog is a personal reflection on relationships. He’s funny and oftentimes makes some really good points about relationships. It’s always nice to get a man’s perspective and he offers it)
    http://untiligetmarried.com/

    The Black Snob: (A political and social issues blog by Danielle Belton. She’s very smart and funny)
    http://blacksnob.com/

    The Root: (A blog started by Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. He has a plethora of black writers that contribute and report on hot button black political and social issues)
    http://www.theroot.com/

    Fashion writer Robin Givhan’s blog: (Brilliant fashion writer Robin Givhan’s blog. At the bottom of her page she offers a list of her latest fashion article for the Washington Post, which are almost always a great read)
    http://www.robingivhan.com/

    Fashion Bananas: (A fashion blogger form the Bronx who has a great sense of style)
    http://www.fashionbananas.com/

    3 Dolls: (A blog started by 3 black women that offer beauty advice and report on hot button issues)
    http://www.3-dolls.com/

    Karla’s Closet: (Another fashion blogger from Cali with a great sense of style)
    http://karlascloset.blogspot.com/

    Jack & Jill Blog:
    http://jakandjil.com/blog/

    Sea of Shoes:
    http://seaofshoes.typepad.com/

    The Adventures of Kesh: (Music artist and fashion designer Kesh’s awsome blog)
    http://www.therealkesh.blogspot.com/

    Moptop Maven: (A blogger with a great sense of style and gives tips on natural hair care as well as yummy recipes)
    http://moptopmaven.blogspot.com/

    nitro:licious:
    http://www.nitrolicious.com/blog/

    Obama Foodrama: (Reports on a lot of what’s going on at the white house, particularly culinary things)
    http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/

    InStyle Magazine’s blog “Whats Right Now”:
    http://news.instyle.com/

    Glamour Magazine’s blog “Slaves to Fashion”:
    http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/

    Foreign Policy.com: (Helps me keep up with foreign policy issues. It’s nice to get an idea of what’s going on outside of our borders as well as the role our country is playing in the world. Foreign policy is a subject most Americans are not knowledgeable on.)
    http://www.foreignpolicy.com/

    Fashion Gone Rogue: (Offers a ton of magazine fashion editorial photo’s without having to actually buy or read all those magazines)
    http://fashiongonerogue.com/

    Reply
25. 

    Nappy Kitchen 31 July 2010 at 12:11 am Permalink

    A modest take on modern fashion:
    http://www.stylecovered.com/

    …and Teen Vogue.

    Reply
26. 

    Ari 31 July 2010 at 12:13 am Permalink

    Hmmm. Let’s see, I have quite a few websites and blogs that I love (this one included)as well as Clutch Magazine, which you mentioned. Here are some others.

    Jezebel: (A feminist blog that also features articles about racial issues as well as opening up discussion about a wide range of issues)
    http://jezebel.com/

    Coco & Cream: (The fashion and beauty extension of Clutch Magazine)
    http://cocoandcreme.com/

    The Huffington Post: (A liberal political website that also has a Style and Entertainment section that gives up to date info.)
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

    The Cut: (Great fashion news blog)
    http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/

    Daily Intel: (Great blog that often has a satirical take on political news)
    http://nymag.com/daily/intel/

    The Obama Photo & Video Diary: (Keeps me up to date on almost every single thing President Obama and First Lady Michelle are doing through a plethora of photo’s and video’s)
    http://obamadiary.wordpress.com/

    Reply
27. 

    Ari 31 July 2010 at 12:14 am Permalink

    And some more….

    The YBF: (My favorite black gossip blog)
    http://theybf.com/

    Mane and Chic: (A great blog that focuses equally on curly/natural hair care and fashion)
    http://maneandchic.blogspot.com/

    Red Carpet Fashion Awards: (Reports on nearly every red carpet event from here to Paris to Japan.)
    http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/

    A Belle in Brooklyn: (A blog by Essence Magazine relationship editor Demitria Lucas. She talks about really interesting issues concerning black women and relationships)
    http://www.abelleinbrooklyn.com/

    Until I Get Married: (Sort of the boy version of A Belle in Brooklyn. Jozen Cummings is a writer and his blog is a personal reflection on relationships. He’s funny and oftentimes makes some really good points about relationships. It’s always nice to get a man’s perspective and he offers it)
    http://untiligetmarried.com/

    Reply
28. 

    Ari 31 July 2010 at 12:15 am Permalink

    And some more…

    The Black Snob: (A political and social issues blog by Danielle Belton. She’s very smart and funny)
    http://blacksnob.com/

    The Root: (A blog started by Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. He has a plethora of black writers that contribute and report on hot button black political and social issues)
    http://www.theroot.com/

    Fashion writer Robin Givhan’s blog: (Brilliant fashion writer Robin Givhan’s blog. At the bottom of her page she offers a list of her latest fashion article for the Washington Post, which are almost always a great read)
    http://www.robingivhan.com/

    Fashion Bananas: (A fashion blogger form the Bronx who has a great sense of style)
    http://www.fashionbananas.com/

    3 Dolls: (A blog started by 3 black women that offer beauty advice and report on hot button issues)
    http://www.3-dolls.com/

    Karla’s Closet: (Another fashion blogger from Cali with a great sense of style)
    http://karlascloset.blogspot.com/

    Jack & Jill Blog:
    http://jakandjil.com/blog/

    Sea of Shoes:
    http://seaofshoes.typepad.com/

    The Adventures of Kesh: (Music artist and fashion designer Kesh’s awsome blog)
    http://www.therealkesh.blogspot.com/

    Moptop Maven: (A blogger with a great sense of style and gives tips on natural hair care as well as yummy recipes)
    http://moptopmaven.blogspot.com/

    Reply
29. 

    Ari 31 July 2010 at 12:17 am Permalink

    And some more…

    nitro:licious:
    http://www.nitrolicious.com/blog/

    Obama Foodrama: (Reports on a lot of what’s going on at the white house, particularly culinary things)
    http://obamafoodorama.blogspot.com/

    InStyle Magazine’s blog “Whats Right Now”:
    http://news.instyle.com/

    Glamour Magazine’s blog “Slaves to Fashion”:
    http://www.glamour.com/fashion/blogs/slaves-to-fashion/

    Foreign Policy.com: (Helps me keep up with foreign policy issues. It’s nice to get an idea of what’s going on outside of our borders as well as the role our country is playing in the world. Foreign policy is a subject most Americans are not knowledgeable on.)
    http://www.foreignpolicy.com/

    Fashion Gone Rogue: (Offers a ton of magazine fashion editorial photo’s without having to actually buy or read all those magazines)
    http://fashiongonerogue.com/

    I hope you guys enjoy some of these as much as I have.

    Reply
30. 

    Ari 31 July 2010 at 12:18 am Permalink

    And some more…

    3 Dolls: (A blog started by 3 black women that offer beauty advice and report on hot button issues)
    http://www.3-dolls.com/

    Karla’s Closet: (Another fashion blogger from Cali with a great sense of style)
    http://karlascloset.blogspot.com/

    Jack & Jill Blog:
    http://jakandjil.com/blog/

    Sea of Shoes:
    http://seaofshoes.typepad.com/

    The Adventures of Kesh: (Music artist and fashion designer Kesh’s awsome blog)
    http://www.therealkesh.blogspot.com/

    Moptop Maven: (A blogger with a great sense of style and gives tips on natural hair care as well as yummy recipes)
    http://moptopmaven.blogspot.com/

    Reply
31. 

    Ari 31 July 2010 at 12:19 am Permalink

    oooops! Sorry for all the repeats.

    Reply
32. 

    honeybrown1976 31 July 2010 at 12:38 am Permalink

    ^Yeah, that’s the reasoning for the virtual non-existence of editors of color. Fashion is fashion, right? Who cares about the color of skin?

    Reply
33. 

    AmberBrown 31 July 2010 at 4:37 am Permalink

    There are plenty of intelligent and fashionable black women out there who could do this job. Especially since Essence isn’t coming out with groundbreaking stuff anyway. You’re fooling yourself if you think the only person capable of maintaining Essence’s idea of “fashion” is a white woman. I think the magazine hired her to stir up controversy, appease the part of society (black and white) that’s fabricating the myth of “reverse-racism” and raise their flagging readership. But it’s all #kanyeshrug in the end because, to me, they were never a bastion of black womanhood anyway lol.

    I looooove Moptop Maven’s blog! I visit everyday in the hopes that she’s updated.

    Reply
34. 

    April 31 July 2010 at 12:00 pm Permalink

    My favorite beauty and lifestyle website is naturalbeautywellness.blogspot.com. It is great!!

    Reply
35. 

    Mishara 31 July 2010 at 12:45 pm Permalink

    I love “Young Fat and Fabulous” (hot plus size fashion blog, none of that terrible lane bryant fashion stuff)

    For everyday life I also adore Afrobella. This blog focuses on a million topics:Animal adoptions to AIDS outreach. Nail polish to carribean music. Love the diversity.

    Reply
36. 

    Mishara 31 July 2010 at 12:48 pm Permalink

    Btw Ari, I don’t mind your repeats. Your lists gave me great ideas. And I like that foriegn policy was one of your issues of interests. I focus more on cultural anthropology but I dig your ideas nonetheless.

    Reply
37. 

    Betty Chambers 31 July 2010 at 1:47 pm Permalink

    I am anxiously waiting for Time-Warner to replace the editor-in-chief Angela Burt with a white woman.

    Reply
38. 

    cherbear 31 July 2010 at 2:00 pm Permalink

    I don’t see a problem with hiring a white woman. Essence needs some new “zip” anyway. The magazine is very numb and boring. I haven’t read it in years.

    I like reading glamour, clutch and of course bglh.

    Reply
39. 

    Squiggly 31 July 2010 at 4:20 pm Permalink

    Well put AmberBrown…some black girlz really take offense to women that stick up for us about being able to remain on boards, community orgs that were supposed to help black women get the real deal advice not the norm spoon fed bobble head dribble! To bad So Sad…they will sell out like the record industry for crossover money!

    Reply
40. 

    Squiggly 31 July 2010 at 4:39 pm Permalink

    Furthermore, Black women are a tough crowd of women to please, we’re particular and the minute something changes we go to the next thing or create oursevles. My hope for our future as more of us dive into this world of selling products and share ideas is that we do it for ourselves and not become capitalist corporated exploited talking bobble heads. Let’s not make trash is all i’m saying, keep it pure, clean, simple and real with the community you’re trying to serve.

    I’ve just gotten to the point in my life where I am tired of mainstream telling me what’s good for me to eat, wear, and thinking i’m some militant female because I got “good hair”. I am also tired of people who think I should mute my opinion if its not that brainwashed kumbaya blog/talk/etcc… My main wish for Black women is for us to be free atleast with each other to express oursevles in how we do, and on that note i’m out!

    Reply
41. 

    Leonie UK 1 August 2010 at 5:01 am Permalink

    Living in the UK I found Essence magazine doing a disservice to their international fans a long time agao. I use to buy the magazine regliousily every month, but for the past 3yrs I’ve sorted it to 2 sometimes 3 a year. Prefering to be in WHSmith all day and read then spend £2.99!!! I do vist the website now and again, and find myself just wanting to strangle everyone. Funny enough since the website got going, my crush for Essence fizzled out. I attended the Music event last year in New Orleans. I knew without a doubt that I would not be subscribing every again, after the first day of events.

    My women magazines consist of Bust,Red UK, Pride and New African Women. I find that most womens magazines are really tacky, and not geared towards any real type of women, in real I mean YOU,ME AND SHE lol. To be honest I prefer Mens magazines.

    Thank the lord for bloggers and good website like…I dont now…THIS ONE lo, and give it up to youtube, the real network of events.

    Reply
42. 

    CO 1 August 2010 at 12:11 pm Permalink

    I know this is very irrelevant to the conversation at hand, but I am interested in the picture that goes along with this article. What site or magazine did you pull it from and was there a picture of the front of the dress? Thanks

    Reply
43. 

    Nina 1 August 2010 at 6:48 pm Permalink

    To be honest, I have been disappointed by Essence for a long time, for being out of touch and constantly missing opportunities to empower and uplift black women in a substantial way. There were glimmers of positivity here and there every now and then…but the magazine seemed scared to give the kinds of financial, social and health advice that could change lives. It’s a magazine targeting the population that is most at risk for HIV infection and instead of an annual issue about HIV or health and safety (for the faint of heart), there’s…little to nothing on HIV? Instead, they opted to dedicate magazines to Diddy & Kim Porter or recycle the same five women for the cover and the same five tired stories for every issue. And then they stole my favorite blogger for their website, Tia Williams (Shake Your Beauty).

    A small part of me wonders if Essence is making a genuine effort to regroup and if they are genuinely trying to build a strong team to save what appears to be a failing magazine. If Tia Williams was hired as the Fashion Director, I might actually give the magazine another try. Whatever the intentions/motive behind the hiring of the new Fashion Director, I wish her and Essence luck, but I won’t be reading. Not because she’s white, but because the magazine is…weak.

    Reply
44. 

    DontChange4Me 1 August 2010 at 9:43 pm Permalink

    Well alright now Squiggly

    Reply
45. 

    Azariah 1 August 2010 at 10:41 pm Permalink

    i miss suede very much :(

    Reply
46. 

    DianeChristina 2 August 2010 at 11:44 am Permalink

    I get my fashion ideas from the streets/subways of NYC. If I see something I like or a certain fab people are wearing. I’ll bite off a style. I also like Victoria’s Secret. They often have great styles of clothes. I don’t really follow too much for any other publication.

    Reply
47. 

    Maureen 3 August 2010 at 4:57 pm Permalink

    I love msvintagevirgin.blogspot.com. Very quirky and unique style!

    Reply
48. 

    ShugAvery 4 August 2010 at 7:33 pm Permalink

    I miss MisBehave magazine. Is there anything out there even close?

    Reply
49. 

    Maureen 5 August 2010 at 4:04 am Permalink

    Don’t forget Solange’s My Damn Blog. Major style inspiration :)

    Reply
50. 

    Neti Pot Danger 25 January 2012 at 12:03 pm Permalink

    I cling on to listening in the direction of rumor speak about obtaining boundless internet dependent grant programs so i’ve been looking for near to for the best internet site to obtain one. Could you reveal to me please, especially where could i arrive around some?

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