Freshen Up Your Look - Vibe Vixen

Beauty Tips: How to Freshen Your Overall Look

Posted by VIXEN on Dec 5, 2012

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Whether for a work conference or a not-so-great extended outing, you’ve been going non-stop. That doesn’t mean you don’t have to look and feel your best.

What most people don’t realize is that long trips are the times that should be taken advantage of when it comes to taking care of your skin. Even though a change of weather, stress or exhaustion, can take a toll on your skin, if you care for it well during these times, it can be considered a little mini rejuvinization.
First and foremost, you can forgo the makeup. Yes. I know you can’t live without it sometimes, but it’s good to give your face a break from all the things that cake up your pores and take forever and a day to put on. This is when you can take the opportunity to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize your face, hands and body.
You can also use this time to reduce puffiness by…

…putting cold compresses or washclothes on your eyes. Let your natural eyelashes breathe and give your nails a break from the polish. Now just because you’re foregoing the makeup, doesn’t mean that you don’t have to pay attention to some parts of your face. Use moisturizing and healing lip balms (like Blistex) that will medicate your lips and give it a little shine. If you feel the need to give yourself a little shine, dust on some bronzer.

If you can, get lots of rest on your trip. The best way to look your best is to be well rested.

And there you have it, Vixens! -Afiya Augustine

Are You an Awkward Black Girl? - Vibe Vixen

Are YOU an Awkward Black Girl?

Posted by VIXEN on Oct 1, 2012

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I will admit it. I am absolutely in love with Issa Rae’s Awkward Black Girl series on YouTube. Not only do I love how hilarious the characters are in the series (like the really dorky one-night stand co-worker), but also I love the idea that we’re finally getting to see a person that I can honestly identify with–an awkward black girl.

I’ve been awkward for most of my life. Of all my friends, I’m always deemed “the quirky one” or “the weird one.” I was never good when it came to approaching my crushes. I usually sent notes with my friends reading something like “Smile, someone likes you” on the outside and “Laugh, it’s not the girl who gave you this note” on the inside, along with my confession of how I really liked him.
Those never ended well…


And as I got older, my awkward only grew with me. My tastes in music varied more than the average teenage black girl from “the hood” of Brooklyn. I wasn’t the girl wearing the latest in fashion and I wasn’t the girl that was the most boisterous in a group of people. And in the boys department, I found myself liking guys who were followed by the pretty harpy who rolled in a crew of mean girls. And it didn’t stop there.

The fact that I was never a person big on being expressive, people would think that I was really shy, really quiet or just apathetic. Many people were confused when I became a cheerleader in college.
“Oh my goodness! I can’t believe it!” That’s the response I would get on my Facebook when people saw the pictures of me online. They couldn’t figure it out because I wasn’t the smiling type. And they were right. The main reason I joined the squad was because of the athleticism. It was the closest thing to gymnastics, which was something I had always wanted to do.

But I digress.

Once I started working, my awkward continued to follow me. I was quiet, only speaking when I needed to. I kept my nose in my work and didn’t bother to join all the cool office people who went out to lunch together. By this time, I acknowledged that I was who I was and there was nothing that I could do to change it.

Then I saw Issa Rae’s Awkward Black Girl, and I laughed. I immediately felt that I wasn’t alone. I found a friend on YouTube, chronicling things that I and other awkward people go through. It wasn’t long before I had friends texting me, “Have you seen ABG on YouTube? I thought of you the moment I saw it.”

And after that, I was more than proud to be an Awkward Black Girl.–Afiya Augustine

Road Trip - Vibe Vixen

Making the Best of a Holiday Road Trip

Posted by VIXEN on Dec 10, 2012

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If you’re road trippin’ with friends or family, there’s always a chance for boredom to set in. You know that feeling: you’ve played every song on Rhi’s Unapologetic at least 6 times, eaten all the snacks from the last pit stop, and you’ve heard every single ‘knock knock’ joke from your little cousin. You’re literally dying. We feel your pain, and we’ve complied a few tips to get you through the toughest road trips. - Afiya Augustine
Play Good Music! Music is the glue that holds people together. Include music that will get you moving in your seat. Not only will it keep you up, it’ll make the drive interesting. Can’t decide which songs to play? Switch off being the DJ, so everyone can get a piece of the action. This way, you’ll hear different types of music, which will hopefully ignite…
Good Conversation. The makings of a good trip are laughs and intense conversations. Start with current events and entertainment news. If you’re with a group of old friends, reminisce about times you guys had before and the stories will pour out.

Play Games. Okay, we get it. Playing games seems childish, but it keeps a trip alive. Try Taboo, where it’s more mental than physical. If you have space, playing card games is a fun way to pass the time. But, leave your iPads and tablets at home—engaging everyone is what gets the people going.
Eat! The quickest way to ruin a trip is to have hungry and cranky folks around. Having non-perishable items like nuts, fruit, jerky is a great way to save cash on the road, and will keep you energized. Be sure to have water to keep you hydrated for the miles ahead.

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The Rules of a Proper House Guest - Vibe Vixen

The Rules of a Proper Houseguest

Posted by VIXEN on Dec 10, 2012

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When I visit a friend or a family member’s home, I always try to be a great houseguest. Growing up, my mother was a stickler for being courteous, and after having a string of not-so-great guests of our own, I’ve come to learn what hosts appreciate and abhor. Follow these steps and I’ll you’ll always have a place to stay. - Afiya Augustine

Make Arrangements. The first and foremost important thing to do is call ahead. Do not arrive unannounced. Everyone has plans and it’s never good to infringe someone else’s. Make arrangements that are are comfortable for all parties involved.
Don’t Bring Additional Guests. It’s simple: if your friends aren’t invited, don’t’ bring them. Just because you were given the opportunity to stay, doesn’t mean you have the right to include others. It’s rude and selfish. Please don’t be that girl.

Be Tidy. Do make sure to keep your belongings in an orderly fashion. No host likes a guest who treats their home like the bottom of a laundry basket.
Don’t’ Be Judgmental. It’s bad for business. You’re a guest, not  Jesus. So what if they have an annoying cat, or the kitchen could be neater. Keep your comments to yourself.
Don’t Eat Everything. Be considerate when it comes to food and toiletries. No one likes a hog. Even better—offer to help pay for groceries. And if you’re up for it, ask to prepare the meal.
Give a Gift. It’s always nice if you can give a small gift when you arrive or right before leaving. A bottle of wine or flowers are great tokens of appreciation.

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When Do You Know? - New Piece for VibeVixen.com

Check out my new piece for VibeVixen.com

When Do You Know You’re Ready?

Posted by VIXEN on Oct 1, 2012

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There’s a guy you’re attracted to. He’s funny, sharp, well-groomed and (the best part) he’s seemingly into you. You can feel your attraction to him growing after only one conversation. Your body is reacting, giving you all the signals that you want to move things to the next step. Do you?
Most female friends I know would protest a strong “no,” saying that sex with a guy on the first night is a surefire way to demonstrate that you have no form of self-respect. But does it really mean you have no self-respect, or you don’t respect what society expects of women when meeting men?
I remember watching shows like Girlfriends where Joan Clayton (played by Tracee Ellis Ross) would not sleep with a guy she was dating until the three-month mark. Among my inner circle of girlfriends, there were similar proclamations: “I won’t have sex until after the third date” or “I have sex after a month.” While I can acknowledge their choices to reserve sex until a regimented period of time, I always wonder, what exactly are we looking for in this guy before we give up the goods?

The old adage “he’ll never buy the ice cream truck when you’re giving out the popsicles for free” comes to mind when I think of it all and the double-sided stigma that is placed on women in society. If you have sex with a guy right away, you may be looked down upon because you’re not supposed to have sex with a guy you’ve only know for a few minutes. This woman is not looked at as a sexually liberated, empowered woman who knows what she wants and takes charge of a potentially rewarding situation. Oh no. Men are the ones allowed and even rewarded for having sex with multiple women in one day after only one chance encounter.
Is it the fact that we have more to lose than men do? Think about it. If you slept with a guy you had an actual interest in (not just a one-night stand) after a few hours and a pregnancy resulted from that, he would be free to walk away, while you would have to figure out how to rearrange your entire life.
Sure, hormones and alcohol may be tripping up the senses, but I suggest waiting game! If you spend more time learning about your partner, then you may have an idea of where his head was at in the event of something sexual happening between you two. You’d know if he was in it for the long haul or if he was just looking for a new partner for cuffing season. It makes sense to make a guy wait, but at the end of the day, do you still know him enough to spend a night with him? You could sleep with him after three months and then learn that he has two wives in another city of five baby mamas…
At the end of the day, only you can really know when you’re ready to take that step with a guy. If you feel a connection, go for it. But if you want to take your time, you’re within your right to. Vixens, what is your personal deciding factor of when it comes to taking a guy to bed and when do you know that you’ve reached that threshold?–Afiya Augustine