When someone’s curls are flourishing, or the ’fit is fitting, Black women don’t just compliment each other—we elevate. We exalt. We practically break into praise twerks, full-body hollers that say, “I see you, and you’re killing it!” Put another way, if complimenting were an Olympic sport, Black women would be the Sha’Carri Richardsons of the track—nails did, edges laid, and absolutely smoking the competition with every word of affirmation. One “Okay, skin!” and we’re off the blocks. A “You ate that!” and we’re hitting top speed. We hype each other up with the kind of wind-in-your-hair brilliance that leaves everyone else in the dust. Records broken. Medals secured. And a victory lap dripping in gold.
Honestly, I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve gone about my day, minding my own well-moisturized business, when a Black woman I’ve never met stops mid-stride to vocally admire some aspect of my look. And you best believe I dish it right back, because in a world that too often tries to dim our light, this is how we keep the love (and serotonin) flowing. Our compliment culture is reciprocity as radical joy—we insist on naming each other’s shine, celebrating it, and amplifying it, creating tiny moments of safety with every “Slayyy,” “Yes, sis,” and “You did that!” Gassing each other up is our communal care: part pep talk, part information swap, full-on spiritual uplift.
Just last week, I ran across a busy street—literally risking my life in Manhattan traffic—because I spotted a woman on the other side with an insanely gorgeous Afro. I had to tell her. I had to. Five minutes later, I walked away with not only her entire haircare routine but also a heart full of that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when another Black woman pours into you.
While this is a love language Black women have mastered, trust and believe it’s also one that anyone can adopt. In the meantime, turn the page for a few of the beauty obsessions I’ve been hearing about lately. Call them love notes in product form, because the real secret behind a great glow is adoration of each other.
A leave-in that fights frizz, adds shine, and protects from heat. It’s basically the hair equivalent of having your life together. I work several pumps through damp hair before I blow-dry. It instantly makes everything feel smoother and hydrated. On air-dry days, I rake it through and twist sections to play up my natural texture, letting it do the heavy lifting while I go about looking cute!
It melts on, smooths out your complexion, and leaves a soft matte “I woke up like this” glow. I like to apply it with my fingers for a quick, skin-first finish, or buff it in with a dense brush when I want a little more coverage and polish. It’s the kind of formula that plays well with your skincare underneath, so you can wear it sheer for daytime or build it up in targeted areas for a more perfected, still-natural beat.
A true throw-on-and-go lip with sheer plum-brown shine, cushiony hydration, and cool-girl energy in one swipe. I keep it in my bag and swipe it on without a mirror when I want just enough color to look intentional but still effortless. It’s perfect on bare lips for that soft, lived-in tint, but I also tap it over liner to add dimension and a little glossy bounce without going full glam.
This is a compliment magnet—a soft fig scent, cozy warmth, and that “you smell amazing” reaction every single time. I like to mist it on pulse points (wrists, neck, even behind the knees), so the warmth of my skin slowly blooms that creamy, slightly green fig throughout the day. It wears beautifully on its own, but I’ll sometimes layer it over a simple body lotion to make the scent linger longer!
One layer and suddenly your skin is gleaming, glossy, and glowing like you drink enough water, mind your business, and get eight hours of sleep. I smooth it on right out of the shower while my skin is still damp to lock in moisture, then add a second pass along my collarbones and legs. It also doubles as a glossy highlight on shoulders and collarbone.
The spiral spoolie pulls lashes up and out (no lash curler needed), giving wide-eyed drama that will have folks doing double takes. I wiggle it at the base and roll the wand upward to really grab and lift every single lash, especially those tiny corner ones that I always miss. One coat gives you that flirty, fanned-out effect— but I like to add a second layer while it’s still slightly tacky for extra length and fullness without clumps.
Julee Wilson is Beauty Editor at Large at Cosmopolitan. Previously, Julee was Beauty Director at Cosmo and Global Beauty Director at Essence and has held various editorial positions at Huffington Post and Real Simple. She counts herself lucky AF that she gets to play with beauty products for a living and tell dope stories. And if you’re as obsessed with beauty as she is, make sure to follow her on Instagram for plenty of product recs, natural hair inspo, skincare testing, and Black girl magic shenanigans.
