You are on page 1of 40

BLACK ALLURE

HOW STUDENTS AT BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY MAINTAINED THEIR FIGURE

thest
1
MAY 2018

issue

Akur
SMASH Yaak
YOUR KEEPING IT

BODY
REAL IN LIFE, LOVE
AND IN THE GYM

GOALS WILLPOWER
NUTRIENT CYCLING:
ENGAGED

11
THE MOST EFFECTIVE
EATING PLAN EVER? THE SECRET TO
SELF-CONTROL

BLACK ALLURE HOT-TOPICS


YOUR FAVOURITE
CELEBRITIES BIGGEST
HEALTH SCANDALS
STRESSED-HAIR
SOLUTIONS
HARDER.
FASTER.
STRONGER.
No
Whey!
WHY WE’RE ALL FALLING
FOR CROSSFIT THE VEGAN’S GUIDE
TO BUILDING MUSCLE
Find something that matchs
your Melanin in hosiery se-
lection. Nubian Skin, redefin-
ing nude. Collection available
from sizes XS - XXL.
The Sunset Bakers specialises in cakes ranging from
our scrumptious red velvet,
blue velvet, vanilla and chocolate cakes.
As well as our yummy healthy cupcakes.

Instagram: thesunsetbakers
Facebook: The Sunset Bakers
Welcome BLACK ALLURE

advert and article caters


to the African-Caribbean
women. I had the idea of
creating an R&B magazine
tive wear. Our cover
girl Akur Yaak is not
your everyday star
girl but she represents
because I believe that the everyday black
genre best describes me female just like you
and my potential target and me, her beauti-
audience but for the first ful skin tone isn’t a
issue of Black Allure my look you see on the
main focus will be health cover your average
and wellbeing as they say magazine but here at
health is wealth and the Black Allure our aim
is the most fundamen- is to give a platform
tal thing in live. Fitness to young black girls
I envisioned Black Allure
and wellbeing also is the on the rise no matter
18 months ago, when I was
current position I am in the direction they aim
preparing myself to embark
life having lost almost 20 to take in life. Inter-
my final year of university –
stones since January, this viewing with Akur
magazines have always been
issue will be a guide full of Yaak was delightful h
my best friends throughout my
content directing young She’s such a laugh and
life – I love flicking through
girls how to not only lose interviewing her was
all the pages reading about my
weight or gain weight but so refreshing.
favourite celebrities and all the
be confident within their I hope you enjoy let
girly columns magazines con-
self and find inner peace. me know what you
tain. Having the skills and right
The pages are packed with think at @Black-
connections I knew I wanted
elements from the coolest allure_.
to create my own magazine for
work outs that do not
young black girls out there like
require gym membership
me, I want young black females
to be able to pick up a magazine
and feel like their best friend is
- how to a Barbie on the
budget and look fly whilst
Tunila
Tunila Alves / Editor
Follow me on twitter @blackallure_
on the gym with the latest ac-
talking to them – ensuring very
NEVER MISS AN ISSUE
Follow Black Allure offical twitter page
BLACK ALLURE
Features May 2018 Beauty
11 Black Girls From The 73 Top 10
Hood Are Real Trendset- 80 Secret behind Lipo
ters 82 Put a Stop to your Acne
Live It Up!
17 The Importance Of 84 Best match for Melanin 128 FreshTips forthe
Pharrell - Frontin tones. Farmers' Market
20 Lyriqe Interview 86 Pastel 133 Feel betterwith less stuff
135 Step out into the
Hot & Heathly Love, Lust & Nature
27 Sistahintheraw inter- Other Stuff
view
32 Balanced meals
90 Top 5 Romance
Novels
Game Pla n
guidance 94Agony Aunt
137 20 Things to this
35 Birmingham stu- 96 "I am HIV Postive" month
dents on living healthy 100 Putting my Career 144 Design an Enviroment
40 Caribbean chicken over Starting a Family for Sucess
& dumpling soup 103 Sex Q&A 148 Keeping up with
44 Celebrity Fitness Good Habits
Buzz Features
51 Body News 108 BennyBangzInter-

win it!
56 I have Diebetes and view In Every Issue
it Sucks” 111 Break through acts 15 It's a Black Allure World
115 Aspiring Talent 34 From the Editor THIS TOPSHOP BAG,

Fashion Fearless Con- 36 Religion FILLED WITH THE SEA-


SONS LATEST BEAUTY
60 Spring/Summer look 201 Black Allure Quiz: Are PRODUCTS, COULD BE

book buys
fessions YOURS!
120 Confessions you underPressure? ENTER FOR YOUR
CHANCE TO WIN AT
64 Finds under £25 124 Life the Army BLACKALLURE.COM/
TOPSHOPBAG2018.

treat
yourself!
GO TO
BLACKALLURE.
CO.UK/LIVEI-
TUP2018 AND
ENTER FOR A
CHANCE TO WIN
£10,000!
BLACK GIRLS
FROM THE HOOD
ARE THE REAL
TRENDSETTERS
Story By
Black Allure
Black Excellence

The following is an ode to black girls


who grew up in the ghetto. Black
girls who stay in the beauty supply
and seek refuge in the nail salon.
Black girls who lay their edges with
the utmost precision. Black girls who
were carefree before it became an
aesthetic. I write this to acknowledge
you, to acknowledge us.

WANNA Photograph by Keith Major


May 2018 BLACKALLURE / 11
Black Allure
Black Excellence

I O
was seven years old when I handle any hair that came out of ften times, the show stopping
realized that I lived in the place. My most prized possession? hairstyles and outfits that
projects. I went to a school An airbrushed tee that bestowed are celebrated in the hood
that had decaying ceilings my nickname, a faux Louie V are seen as violations in the eyes of
with mould exposed on every purse (yes that rainbow coloured principals, employers and likemind-
surface. On the way home, I would one) in addition to my extensive ed individuals who have suspended
pass multimillion dollar houses collection of Chinese slippers from or isolated black girls for rightfully
only to enter a building with pests the pound store. My desire to show expressing themselves. On the flip
and addicts circling the corridor. up and show out was fulfilled every side, it is seen as editorial or high
Most of my friends grew up in time I left my house and onto the fashion and renamed something
similar spaces with “ghetto” names indivisible catwalk in the projects. more palatable when women from
that ended with anna, aqua or isha. I witnessed creativity and innova- privileged backgrounds get a hold
By nature we adapted familiar at- tion at every stop as I admired the of them. Boxer braids, mini buns or
titudes and behaviours. We would men and women who were their true,
rather Bo Derek inspired cornrows
spend our days and nights on the authentic selves without interruption.
We didn’t have a lot but little did I
(as the leader of the ‘Kultural (no
block revealing family secrets and error) Appropriation Brigade’ calls
reciting Destiny’s Child whilst know what we had was something
much bigger — influence. it) are purposely being mislabelled to
fighting over who was going to be

F
diminish the contributions of black
Beyoncé or Kelly or who could rap rom the endz to the runway, I’ve women. Various blogs are complicit
a Lil’ Kim or Missy verse without witnessed the endless looks that
when it comes to celebrating women
screwing up. They hung firmly have been created and/or influ-
for their “streetwear” inspired #lewks
onto our braids that touted intri- enced by black women in the
ripped from black women in the
cate and complex designs. ghetto being stripped down and sold
to the highest bidder in an effort to
ghetto. These women are applaud-
Despite our low economic status, ed immensely on social media for
stretching a pound was something erase its origin. What was once billed “breaking boundaries” when wearing
we did best. We over compen- as ratchet, has been widely appropri-
sated in every aspect, especially ated by those who comfortably watch oversized tees/hoodies, or dresses
when it came to self-expression from the sidelines and regurgitated complimented with some Jordan’s
into some watered down, Instagram but the hood done did that. Where’s
and creativity. My mother’s long the street style features on us? Where
Baddieaesthetic. Nameplate jewel-
acrylic nails curled at the ends are the collaborations? The endorse-
ry, nail art and colourful, synthetic
and were always decked in gems, ments?
wigs has cemented itself into pop

T
charms and jewels with the flyest
culture without our identities being his is successfully illustrated
patterns. I would watch her get portrayed positively and certainly
dressed every morning as she slid without reparations. A quick YouTube throughout the phrase “soft
each gold ring onto her fingers. ghetto” that has gained notorie-
search reveals pages upon pages of ty on Tumblr, which actively removes
I worshipped her gaudy beauty women offering tutorials on how to women who pioneered ghetto fabu-
practices that included sliding gold achieve the following look in an effort
caps onto her teeth mixed with lous creations/trends. The individuals
to capitalize on the ghetto’s liveli-
the heavy usage of black gel to get hood. Cheap clothing, risqué poses who engage in this community often
her finger waves and baby hair have the words, ratchet or ghett0 in
(most notably the hood squat) and an
just right. Bottles of Pink Lotion their usernames and safely navigate
increased use of slang is often used to
and Blue Magicresided beside her appeal to viewers and almost always in a space they redesigned to suit
bamboo earrings that proudly is met with praise while black girls
their appropriated agenda. The fol-
showcased her name. I idolized the who reside in the ghetto are often met lowing is used as a way to consume
use of her bold lipstick choices and with resistance from the very women and participate in the hood without
eyelashes that Dancehall Queens who emulate them. In so many words, actively belonging to it.
would envy. Sooner The sounds of our the ghetto has been
than later I adopted the beads and bubbles repackaged and cu-
essential stylings of the
bounced in this rated to appeal to the
masses whilst replac-
ghetto. I always stayed
poetic harmony ing black femmes and
with some sparkly, one
pound .99 lip-gloss and
whenever we w ould dark skinned women
Double Dutch.
a fine tooth comb to play with those who look
racially ambiguous.

May 2018 BLACKALLURE / 12


Black Allure
Black Excellence

May 2018 BLACKALLURE / 13


Black Allure
Black Excellence

T F M
he ghetto has been commodi- or that very reason, I aking the distinc-
fied for the viewing pleasure of wrote this for the girls tion and specifical-
individuals who mock, laugh who embody every single ly centring black
then copy the hood ‘aesthetic’ sentiment in LL Cool J’s women who grew up in the
without a single contribution to the ‘Round The Way Girl to endz is intentional. it is a
ghetto. The hood’s influence is dis- women who turn heads way to acknowledge the
played in various fashion collections every time they step out. Girls who innovators who broke the
and Instagram profiles that resemble blast their music via. their cellular rules all the while de-fin-
the women who are consistently la- devices on public transportation. ing themselves on their own
belled unkempt and uncouth. Bubble Girls who run into the beauty terms. while black women
coats, big hoop earrings, heavy mon- supply with a headscarf on to get as a whole share several
ograms and diamonds in tooth’s are some pack hair for a quick weave. experi-ences, black women
now a fashion statement for those Girls who were carefree without who reside(d) in the ghetto
who want to show how urban they flowers in their hair. Girls who have endured an egregious
are by channeling a black alter ego for would strut in bedazzled jeans and amount of re-spectability
views and likes. The recent manipu- Baby Phat jackets in their prime. politics at the hands of
lations and lines dedicated to custom Girls who make cheap clothing black women and nbpoc who
designingluxury fashion labels in the from Rainbow or Urban Planet live(d) across the tracks.
form of head scarves, durags, bikinis, look top of the line. I wrote this often times, images of “care-
etc? That’s not new to us. What was for the girls who been slaying lace free black women” and/or
once looked at as tacky is now a staple frontals and long 30’’ weaves with articles/threads displaying
for those who wanna be down. Priv- kool-aid dipped colours with the #black-girlmagic exclude
ilege allows these women to remove nails to match. This is an ode to the those who live in the hood
themselves from the hood yet per- black girls in the hood, the original and portray a controlled
form an appropriated identity all the trendsetters. narrative with an elit-ist
while denying black women’s human- undertone that fails to
ity and spewing anti-blackness in the showcase the women who
process. In addition,
performative blackness
IN OTHER WORDS: EVERYBODY WANNA TAKE grew up on the block.
has allowed non-black FROM THE HOOD BUT NOBODY WANNA BE A
women to succeed while HOOD RAT.
women from the ghetto
are vilified for our existence. To sum it
up, brands and numerous individuals
have successfully gentrified the ghetto
and continue to ignore the geniuses
within it by refusing to pay homage
until being called out via. social me-
dia. Even then, it still falls incredibly
short.

May 2018 BLACKALLURE / 14


Black Allure
Black Excellence

May 2018 BLACKALLURE / 15


Story By
Black Allure
Black Excellence

THE IMPORTANCE OF
“FRONTIN’”
BY PHARRELL

The Story of a young black girl


Let’s talk about it ............
Wanna Drawing by Rikisha West
May 2018 BLACKALLURE / 17
Black Allure
Black Excellence
G
rowing up, representations changed my life all within 4 min- from “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta”
of women with darker skin utes and 11 seconds. While the taking turns on Pharrell’s bed as
in rap/hip hop and R&B video showcases notable people a huge projector displays orange,
videos were reduced to like Pusha T, Lenny Kravitz, Chad pink cotton candy skies that fade
background roles and only oc- Hugo and Shae. Lanisha stole the into a serene blue, with lightning
cupied brief moments of camera show. The camera followed her bolts as he shimmies in a white,
time when oiled up excessively, almost obsessively, documenting tuxedo jacket. However, at the end
scantily clad or aggressively shak- her infectious smile that pulled of the video only Lanisha Cole
ing their ass. My impressionable you magnetically to the screen. remains.
eyes over indulged in the “red When Pharrell exchanges glances

W
bones” that have been flawlessly with Lanisha, he’s star-struck. He hile “Frontin’” has
paraded in music videos and lip leaves his company almost imme- remained a staple for
synced lyrics that cater(ed) to their diately to be in her presence while dark skin girls alike.
existence since the inception of the serenading her effortlessly with In a post-Frontin’ era,
genre. While my brain translated his signature, eclectic croon that Rap/Hip Hop & R&B still has
that I wasn’t pretty enough due to reeks of audible honey. Pharrell work to do. The genre(s) have not
possessing deep, rich black skin leads Lanisha and co., around the steered clear of derogatory lyrics
that most boys couldn’t appreciate crib almost like a housewarm- towards dark skinned women
due to colourism. ing of some sorts until they find and continue to exclude us and
themselves alone, softly caressing reduce our roles in music videos

T
he year is 2003, I lay each other and exchanging kissy all together on a large scale. A few
stretched out on the floor faces on the giant skateboard ramp videos that I’ve watched recently
anxiously awaiting “106 & in the living room. His treatment by Wale, 2 Chainz and Bryson
Park” to return from com- towards her was beautiful and Tiller beautifully highlight dark
mercial break. AJ & Free’s distinct delicate. He wasn’t harsh or called skinned women in all their glory
voices, adorned with the purest her out her name. His affection throughout the visual in lead roles
chemistry even scientists envied, was intentional; it became a real and/or representing our being in
pierce my eardrums as they get life #goal. a positive light. However, while
ready to introduce the New Joint trying to formulate a substantial

M
of the day. The video in question? oments later we are list of rappers/singers who have
“Frontin’ by Pharrell featuring graced with a Jay-Z featured dark skinned women in
Jay-Z. Little did I know, this seem- verse, showing off his lead roles throughout their music
ingly ordinary practice orchestrat- melodic flow that ties videos, the findings were scarce.
ed by the world’s Top VJ’s would in the song titles namesake swim- While this may not seem like a
change my life forever. mingly. A minor detail often over- significant feat, implementing

L
looked by many is that Jay-Z is woman of darker tones is an ode
auren London approach- too serenading a dark skin woman to female Rap/Hip Hop fans who
es the door, real lax and in the video between (2:42-3:03). don’t feel represented and want to
cool as the woman she’s While the woman in question see their likeness being celebrated.
with utters the password: snaps candid photos of Shawn
“Neptunes Presents The Clones”. Carter, up close and personal. This
Suddenly, my heart skips a beat, moment “Do you know what it’s like putting a dark skin girl
I become flustered, my palms leads me to in a video like that? Do you know what you did? Do
are sweaty as I’m captivated by believe the you know? Do you know what you did for life?”
Lanisha Cole’s vibrancy. Donning casting of With Pharrell replying: “Umm.. Darkskin girls are
an orange trucker hat, dark skin, dark skin everything.”
relaxed denim and a tee that reads: women was
“Florida Style”. She was perfect. intentional, Pharrell knew what he I want to thank Pharell Williams
She was the video girl I’ve been was doing. from the bottom of my heart for

T
waiting for. blessing us with the “Frontin’”

H
he video ends with Lauren video 14 years ago and selecting
owever, Lanisha Cole’s London, Lanisha Cole and Lanisha Cole to be in the video
presence in Frontin’ the infamous Mimi Faust that changed

May 2018 BLACKALLURE / 18


Interview By Tunila Alves Photograph by Chris Francis
Black Allure
Music matters

In Black Allure’s Interview R&B singer


Lyriqé she discusses everything from the
British R&B culture to using music as
platform to speak on the mental health.

THANKS TO INNOVATION R&B CUL TURE REIGNS IN THE MIDLANDS


Issa Black Allure interview ............
May 2018 BLACKALLURE / 21
Black Allure
Music matters

L
yriqé: Well, I'm a sing- ferent genres of music that make a everything from mental health
er-songwriter, composer/ song that much more interesting. and dealing with depression. The
producer from Birmingham. Lyrically I always write from a very artist lets us know how impor-
My style of R&B is reminis- personal perspective, I write about tant it is to raise awareness and
cent 90's R&B with elements of how I feel about people, things and speak on the cause
hip hop, neo-soul, trap...whatever situations. It's like therapy. The single "Always" is a track
I'm inspired by at the time really. I wrote as a comfort. I deal with

W
I started singing when I was 4. My hat advice do you have anxiety myself and many people
family was always listening to an for R&B singers in the I know have struggled with their
array of different genres of music Midlands, how easy mental health at one time or
growing up so I naturally fell in or hard do you find to another. This song was written
love with it from a very young age reach your audience? with one person in particular in
but R&B and soul music was always My advice to other R&B singers mind but it speaks to so many
what resonated with me. I started would be firstly, stay true to your of the other people in my life,
writing my own songs when I was sound. There's nothing wrong with that I love and care for that I will
about 13 in the back of my school going outside of your comfort zone always be there for them.
workbooks and from then I just but so many people are completely Its so important to let your fans
haven't stopped. switching up their styles to match know who you really are. Music
As we know R&B is predom- new "waves". Make what feels good as we know it has been about
inantly an American culture being to you, your audience can feel your expression and healing from
form the Midlands Lyriqè speaks authenticity, its better to gain a the very beginning , as artists we
on her perspective of how R&B is genuine fan base then one that's shouldn't be afraid to be our-
reflected in the Midlands: I think just there because u sound like selves. Our music helps others
the definition of R&B has changed. everything else that's popping right heal too.
I was born in the 90's when R&B now. Raising awareness for mental
has already begun it's transition I'd also say you need to learn health is so important but par-
into New jack swing. The "R&B" who your audience is, and how to ticularly in ethnic groups its such
our parents listened to, we would market to them. Perform in the a taboo topic. Having anxiety
describe as soul music now. I think right places, not every show is has shown me how hard it is to
that "soul" or more say neo-soul going to be beneficial to you cause maneuver life when you struggle
sound, is very well represented in that may not be your market. Its with something nobody can see.
the Midlands, we have a whole live not hard to reach your audience, Many of our elders don't ac-
scene for it, as well as the new age you just need to know who it is knowledge struggles with mental
"Trap-soul" sound that's taking off your trying to reach. health because they grew up in a

W
here too. It feels like here in the time where those issues weren't
Midlands we really value the nos- here do you see your addressed yet.
talgia of that 90's era, you can hear career in 10 years time? We need to let our youths
the influence in the sound of many I see myself as a self know they are not alone but we
of the Midlands R&B artists today. sufficient artist. Touring, also need to let the youths who
inspiring, investing my money back are not struggling know in this

Y
our Song Trippin gives into the community and my family. new era of technology not to
me Latoya Luckett vibes I I never give myself a specific place overlook the issues we are really
really like that track, what in my head to be in 10 years cause dealing with. There are a lot of
are some of your inspira- my wants and needs change every memes and young kids making
tions and why? single day. All I do know is that I light of serious issues such as
Thank you. Most of my influenc- want to make timeless, real music depression, bi polar, anxiety,
es musically come from all those that touches heart strings around schizophrenia but we need to
genre's I grew up listening to, from the world for lifetimes to come, like let them know that people who
Zimbabwean/South African mu- so many of the greats we look to are really struggling need their
sic to country music. The main today. empathy and their support and
elements are always R&B because their love.
that's what speaks to me but there Lyriqè gets personal in most
are so many cool elements in dif- her your songs, she discusses

May 2018 BLACKALLURE / 22


Black Allure
Music matters

May 2018 BLACKALLURE / 23


Available for purchase at:
chanelcocobrown.com

Your dream body is right around the corner! Sculpt & Curve provides
exercise routines specifically designed to help you develop core strength
and muscle tone to achieve that perfectly toned stomach. With over 50
different exercises, including gym, home and partner workouts, you’re
guaranteed to achieve lasting results. Defined abs is the final step to
achieving the perfect beach body, and this guide will be everything you
need to get there. Next summer is yours! Let’s start.
What’s included?
Detailed workout routines to attack your abs.
Download and access on any device.
Gym, home and partner workouts.
Over 50 unique exercises to sculpt your waist.
Nutrition info and supplement advice.
Annotated muscle diagram.
Video demonstrations.
WHAT YOU EAT IM
YOUR SPIRUTALIT
Article By T
Black Allure
Health & Fitness

Black Allure caught up with


Anita McKenzie from
Sistahintheraw. Heres how our
discussion went.

PACTS
Y
Tunila Alves Photography by Anita
A
May 2018 BLACKALLURE / 27
Black Allure
Health & Fitness
A nita: I believe that you can I was born in London, UK to loved fizzy drinks (sodas), ate
achieve anything you want to Indian and African Jamaican traditional cooked Caribbean
for your life and that no one parents in the 1950’s. My mixed and Indian food, which includ-
can stop you, except YOU. racial and cultural upbringing ed meat, and I loved alcohol,
afforded me a wonderful masala chocolate and cake!
I created Raw Soul Food and Sista-
of food flavours (African Carib- I didn’t realise that my
hintheraw to share my journey to
bean, Indian and English). My body was being starved of
transforming my life through raw
mum was seriously into healthy essential nutrients and in
food, faith, fun fitness and a can-do
‘additions’ to our family diet particular hydration. All those
attitude.
and lifestyle, something that has years of continously consum-
Since then, Raw Soul Food by Sista- rubbed off on me and which ing large amounts of fat, sugar
hintheraw has grown into a dynam- has evolved over my own life and salt, coupled with high
ic community of people who are time. In 2009 I created Raw Soul stress and worry, led to the my
committed to creating the life they Food and Sistahintheraw, which body becoming acidified, in-
have always wanted, by pursuing is a natural progression of my flammatory and clogging up of
their big holistic lifestyle goals. own health journey. my arteries,and hence leading
As a girl child, I had always hypertension.

I
dreamed of ‘ministering’ to One summer when the
am here to help you transform
people, by helping and support- headaches were particularly
your life through the raw and
ing them wherever I could. My troublesome, I sought out con-
living foods lifestyle approach,
life took on that quality, with sultations from three different
to eat more consciously, nour-
people often seeking me out and health practitioners and they
ish yourself from the inside,
‘opening up’ their hearts. all independently gave me the
raise your energy vibration
Things changed as I grew same diagnosis. I had to start
and to help attract more of
older, the giving part of me, that on medication immediately,
life’s wonderful gifts.
always wanted to help and sup- or I was surely going to have
port people, became a stronger a stroke. As you can image,
I offer raw and living food demon-
driving force and those around this shocked and terrified me.
strations, workshops, seminars and
me knew that they could call I was in my early forties and
master classes for organisations,
on me at anytime and that for had been hypertensive for a
groups and individuals; healthy
family and friends, I would drop while without even knowing.
eating and lifestyle courses, talks
whatever I was doing to ‘be Thats why high blood pressure
and presentations, plus one-to-
there’ for them. is often referred to as the silent
one wholistic raw and living food
At this point, I mostly put killer.
lifestyle guidance.
others needs before my own, I decided to seek some

I
which is easy to do when you’re inner guidance and took myself
am a certified Hippocrates
a mother of three children and into stillness through medita-
Health Educator, Certified
nurturing a family’s needs. I tion. I was eventually able to
Raw Food Teacher and
enjoyed it though and derived a begin pinpointing my essential
an NHS trained Healthy Eating
huge sense of fulfilment from it. life priorities, one of which
Teacher.
When I discovered in a rou- was to live long enough to see
I also have certifications in Sun-
tine blood pressure check that my grandchildren, when they
fired Raw Food, Plant-based
my BP was sky-high, my life had came, to grow up. I was not
Nutrition, Nutrition and Health,
to eventually change. I remem- ready to have my life cut short
Transformative Mediation, Com-
ber the doctor telling me that I by a stroke or heart attack.
munications, Zen Mediation
was “way too young to have a In the end, I decided to
Teaching, Interfaith spiritual
bp of that high”. I didn’t really accept the medication and to
Counselling and Intercultural
understand the implications do more research, which even-
Therapy. I am an ordained Inter-
at the time. All the symptoms tually led me to auryveda and
faith Minister and teacher with the
were there, the headaches etc. raw food nutrition. Since then,
One Spirit Interfaith Foundation.
And in hindsight, I can see that I have followed an on-going
my lifestyle was quite unhealthy holistic path to wellness, joy
back then. I didn’t drink water, and contentment.

May 2018 BLACKALLURE / 28


BOLO DOCE
BY ERICA
Choosing balance
How to make your lunch time lit? We’ve
prepared balanced healthy recipes

INGREDIENTS bagel + tomatoes +


sautéed mushrooms +
1 chicken breast
40g mushrooms sautéed sweet potato POWER
20g tomatoes noodles (used my @ BUILDING
1/2 avocado kitchenaidusa spiralizer
40g sweet potao attachment cooked in
2 tsp feta cheese ghee in the skillet for 15
2 tsp spices mins) topped with feta
METHOD and spices
1 piece of chicken (baked
at 400F for 30 mins
season to taste) + 1/2
avocado with Trader
Joe’s everything but the

UBER
INGREDIENTS steak seasoning roasted
NUTRITIOUS
2 turkey burgers at 400F for 35 mins) +
40g brussel roasted carrots (400F
2 carrots for about 45 mins with
1/2 avocado Trader Joe’s everything
40g potao seasoning) + turmeric
2 tsp turmeric cauliflower (400F for 35
40g cauliflower mins with turmeric)

METHOD
2 @rachaelsgoodeats tur-
key burgers + 1/2 avocado
+ roasted Brussel sprouts
(400F for 40 mins) + pota-
toes (I used @primalpalate

May 2018 BLACKALLURE / 32


Black Allure
Health & Fitness

E AT
S M A RT
FAT
BURNING
INGREDIENTS utes on medium heat) +
roasted Brussels (cooked
G 50g shrimps
40g brussels at 425 for about 25 mins
20g tomatoes and then broiled to get
1/2 avocado a nice crisp) + tomatoes
40g zoodles + 1/2 avocado + zoodles
2 tsp garlic ghee cooked in garlic ghee
for about 5 mins on
METHOD low-medium heat
Sautéed shrimp (cooked topped with feta and red
in @primalpalate new pepper flakes
bae seasoning and @
fourthandheart garlic
ghee for about 10 min-

HUNGER
CURBING
INGREDIENTS used @primalpalate steak
2 turkey burgers seasoning roasted at 400F
40g brussel for 35 mins) + roasted
3 peppers zucchini + roasted pep-
1/2 avocado pers + chopped tomatoes
50g quinoa
2 tsp spices
40g zucchini
1 tomatoes
METHOD
2 @rachaelsgoodeats
turkey burgers + 1/2
avocado + roasted
Brussel sprouts (400F
for 40 mins) + quinoa (I

May 2018 BLACKALLURE / 33


HEALTH IS WEALT
A CONCEPT .....
LET'S TALK
Black Allure
Health & Fitness

HOW STUDENTS AT
BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY
MAINTAINED THEIR FIGURE

TH

Article By Tunila Alves Photography by Mtbc May 2018 BLACKALLURE / 35


Black Allure
Health & Fitness

I
’m not too shy to walk university halls have gyms which ensure you are getting enough
around university campus is just as good and free it you hap- sleep even if it means you have
in my crop top, says Afya, pen not to have one ask a friend. irregular sleeping patterns just en-
which is the ideal attitude The student unions have many sure that you are getting enough
that Black Allure celebrates – the sports and activates that you can sleep each day. Redbull may give
body positive imagine Jennifer, join, if you happen to be someone you energy but it cannot replace
Afya and Tunila want to strive for. that like me and not into sports your sleep or do the wonders to
‘I’m my body’s keeper says Afya’. … walking and jogging is free and your body a mind like sleep does.

A
comes at no costs (the girls break
The media students posed for out in laughter). fya: when it comes to

A
a photoshoot with Black Allure eating bread, pasta, and
were we sat down and discussed fya: yes, I agree with that cereals don’t be afraid
everything from dealing with point it is not have be a – eat in moderation,
final year deadlines, balancing gruelling gym session for they can be part of a healthy diet.
their loves life’s and maintaining you stay fit. You just have Avoiding them completely can
healthy and stressed free whilst to simply get your heart racing have a negative impact on your
balancing university and part and walking or riding a bike does metabolism. Just keep in mind
time jobs. the job. Everyone is aware that that dessert should be a treat, not
university can be a stressful place a habit. Make sure you fuel up on
Jennifer admits to being out par- so regular exercise is not only nutrient-rich foods with plenty
tying last night till the early hours good for the body but the mind of fibre – whole grains, lentils,
of the morning but she still made is well, it helps reduce tensions it spinach, broccoli, beans, and
to Digbeth this morning in time helps your focus on other things zucchini, among others. I tend to
for the Black Allure photoshoot. rather than worries and concerns. use Pinterest recipes to get excited
A sign that the girls keep the So regular walks at university is about eating healthy. Avoid mid-
delicate balance between having crucial, there free apps available night snacking, ordering pizza at
fun and still being professional a that can control how many steps two in the morning, or grabbing a
trick that will come in handy in you make you have a goal each greasy bite after a night out with–
her future media career. day mine 2,500 steps a day. this can cause serious unhealthy
weight gain. Stress can also have

T
unila’s confident perso- Jennifer: COOK YOUR OWN an effect on how you eat, so try
na defiantly was capture MEAL LADIES!!! No one is to avoid unhealthy and excessive
through the camera, she around so get your mater chef on snacking when you are bored or
gives credit to the gym for girls this a good time to put your worried about something
her new found confident. I believe skills into practice all the food
it’s very healthy to find can activ- you like to eat make them your-
ity and distraction that involves self. As students we need are carbs
being up on the move I’m not however this does not mean we
really into any particular sports should be having pasta bake every
but the gym and I are best friend. night – to much pasta, bread, rice
For students in first year or third and cereals are filling but they
year if your trying to get in shape don’t feed our bodies all the right
or just have an overall healthy nutrients. Try having wholegrain
lifestyle. This does not mean you carbs, just because someone is not
have to spending money on gym putting food in front of you does
memberships, personal trainers not mean you should be skipping
or picking out all the expensive meals, make sure you are having
‘organic’ items when you go for three regular meals a day. Don’t
your grocery shopping. Simply do not believe the hype people live Check out the podcasts on
with what is within your means, I claiming eating healthy is expen- @blackallures twitter page for
have a part-time job which means sive that do the truth at all buy more disscussions which effect
I have spare money to splash veg is less expensive than buying young black females living in the
on gym memberships, but most Tesco meal deals every day. Also U.K

May 2018 BLACKALLURE / 36


Black Allure
Health & Fitness

May 2018 BLACKALLURE / 37


Black Allure
Hot Topics

Your Favourit
Michael B, Jordan
If you need some inspiration to get in top-performance
shape, look no further than supervillain Erik Killmon-
Diet Ch
ger — better known as actor Michael B. Jordan.
During a Tuesday appearance on Ellen, Jordan, who
plays Killmonger in the upcoming Black Panther film,
shared a few key pieces of advice for getting into su-
pervillain shape, which apparently included plenty of
cardio as he walked back and forth to the bathroom all
day.
Jordan explained to host Ellen DeGeneres that he drank
a gallon of water every day as he trained for the role.
“Do you know how often you have to use the bathroom
when you’re drinking a gallon, especially in the mid-
dle of the night?” Jordan joked, according to E! News.
“You’re trying to sleep; you’ve got to wake up and use
the bathroom. You’re like, ‘Oh, my God. I’m just going
to hold it.’ It just doesn’t quite work out.”

Ne-Yo
Singer Ne-Yo has gone completely vegan after watching
food documentary What the Health. The Let Me Love
You hitmaker will no longer be eating meat or dairy
products thanks to the 2017 film, and he has asked fans to
help him with recipes now that his diet has changed.
“Thanks to the ‘What the Health’ documentary, I have
gone vegan. Completely vegan,” he announced in a video
he posted on Facebook on Sunday. “I need y’all to send
me some vegan recipes and stuff that I can actually eat
‘cause I’m in the grocery store, lost.”

May 2018 BLACKALLURE / 44


Black Allure
Hot Topics

te Celebrities
hoices Ashanti
R&B princess Ashanti definitely has been looking like
a whole meal never mind the snack on her instagram
page.Flauting her curves on the beach which leave
many wondering how she does it. Here, she gives tips
on how she achieved her rock hard body.
Ashanti’s diet is based on portion control, where man-
aging weight is achieved by understanding the correct
serving size and the calories that come with it. Ashanti
admits she easily gains weight, and that is the reason
why she tries to stay away from too much ice cream
when she can.
She also does regular gym workouts to stay in shape and
keep fit. Her exercise routine includes dance classes,bik-
ing, boxing, running and cardio exercises several times
a week

Beyoncé
Has announced that she’s goingvegan lifestyle as she
prepares to headline Coachella festival, which is taking
place in April in California.
The pop star will be following a vegan diet formulated
by the 22 Days Nutrition meal planner, a programme
that she co-founded with her husband Jay Z and celeb-
rity trainer Marco Borges that was based on Borges’s
book The 22-Day Revolution.
May 2018 BLACKALLURE / 45
Black Allure
Fashion

Inspir6edcabytwthaelks
A/W1
The tomboy retro edgy
look, is the hottest trend this
autum. Work a print or go all Choker
£4
out in head-to-to-toe retro. Accessorize

Faux fur Clutch


£8.99 Dress
£25.99
WHAT’S
Matalan
Prettylittlethings

FRESH
NOW Necklace

Fashion
£16
Matalan
Heels
£22.99
Public desire

Urban
Power!
Crop Top
£20
RiverIsland

From toasted pastel shades Ripped Jeans


£39
to sugary colours, these are UniTard
RiverIsland
perfect for A/W16 £15
Prettylittlethings Leather Jacket
£50
Rihanna is smokin’ Topshop
Ashanti rocking in her camo crop
edgy leggings top
with a black
leather jacket.

Camo Top
£15
Bershka

Bag
Shorts £210
Rita Ora rocking £20 Burberry
the Tomboy look H&M
C-Millian like no other.
pretty in her Jumpsuit Trainers
unitard £27 £300
Revolt Micheal Kors

May 2018 BLACKALLURE / 60


Black Allure
Beauty
2 Natural Hair
Masque
penetrates hair shaft to trans-
form dry, brittle hair through

1
an intensely moisturizing
botanical blend of Coconut
Kinky Curly, & Shea Butter to deliver
The ultimate hydrat-

3
ing deep treatment!

Hair Mayonnaise

BLACK ALLURE 4 Camille Rose

LOVES soften and


moisturize dry, mois-
ture-craving hair

BEAUTY
5 Honey & Sage
100% natural humectant-based
deep treatment for delivering

top 10
maximum moisture to dry, damaged hair.

DIRECTOR’S

6 Deep Treatment
Masque
8 Green tea & carrort
hair mask
Enriched with biotin,
green tea, and carrot oil, this
SheaMoisture Raw product will immediately begin
Shea Butter Deep Treatment to repair and restore dry and
Masque is perfect for tran- damaged strands. Curls Ecstasty Tea Hair Con-

10
sitioning chemically treated
hair to natural. ditioner
This heat activated deep

7
Asian hair tea condi-
jojOba Deep Con- tioner will transform
ditioner dry
Fortified to balance the hair’s
moisture level, resulting in
stronger, healthier more man-
ageable hair. Excellent for all
textures and hair types

9
Mixed Chicks Deep
Conditioner
Give your hair the
pefect glow.

May 2018 BLACKALLURE / 73


THE K LABEL X IAMDDB

theklabel.com

You might also like