Julee Wilson

Y’all! There’s no doper feeling than your inbox being blessed with an email titled: “Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s Haircare Brand: CONFIDENTIAL NEWS + INVITE.” Right? And my reaction was definitely as expected—an instantaneous squeal of sheer excitement and disbelief followed by a prompt response legally agreeing to keep everything I hear or experience a secret until…RIGHT NOW!Let’s just say, I was pleasantly surprised by the product selection, how everything felt in my 4b hair, and that Ms. Tina Kno…

Before this country’s recent racial reckoning, so many Black-owned businesses spent years, if not decades, hustling in the shadows. I’ve since personally watched lots of Black-owned beauty brands finally get the love and success they deserve. But one thing hasn’t changed yet: the general misconception that their products are exclusively for Black people. The truth is, these companies still tend to be “othered,” bypassed by those who consider them too niche or who don’t consider them at all. So h…

I get it, the Met Gala is fashion’s biggest night—its Super Bowl even! The head-turning gowns, sickening suits, and statement-making accessories are the stars of the show. But, as your beauty editor-at-large here at Cosmo, I must remind you of fashion’s supporting star…beauty! Makeup, hair, and nails, oh my! And IMO, the best beauty moment at this year’s 2024 Met Gala came courtesy of Zendaya. I mean honestly, this chick can do no wrong. She consistently shows up and shows out! The first thing…

Yup, Rihanna has entered the haircare game, and unsurprisingly, she knows exactly what she’s talking about! If you’ve been keeping up, Fenty Hair is now the fourth major celebrity-founded hair brand to launch this year—right behind Beyonce’s Cecréd, Rita Ora’s TypeBea, and Brooke Shield’s Commence. It’s dizzying, *but* this particular launch feels right for several reasons. First off, RiRi is a certified style icon who has continued to churn out looks—which include headline-grabbing hairstyles—…

One of my greatest joys in life is evangelizing about how Black folk approach beauty (it’s honestly the reason this column exists). Part of that approach is a unique and hard-won love language that anyone can be inspired by: I like to call it “enhancing, not transforming,” and it reflects how the best products make us look like our best selves, not like somebody else entirely. This idea is deeply rooted in Black beauty, which is largely self-referenced: We know we’re gorgeous; we don’t need outs…

There’s a new beauty brand announced every day—and I’ve got the emails to prove it. However, it’s rare when the beauty biz gets to buzz about a relaunch. Once a brand winds down, it’s difficult to stage a triumphant return, but that’s just what Dolce Gabbana has done. The luxury Italian fashion house initially launched its cosmetics collection back in 2009 but later sold that side of the business to Shiseido from 2016 to 2021. Any true beauty buff would tell you that beyond DG’s impressive fra…

Plus, it won’t break the bank!

Bottega Veneta makes a fine fragrances comeback with five chic perfumes to lust over and add to your must-have list.

Why relaunch with one perfume when you can relaunch with five?

Beauty editor-at-large Julee Wilson says we need more fragrances with important stories to tell.