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She’s Got Game: Former WNBA player Michelle Reed talks about winning on and off the court

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As a baby growing up in the South Jamaica Houses – also often known as the infamous “40 Projects” in Queens, New York, Michelle Reed didn’t know anyone from her hometown who would change into knowledgeable basketball player. However, that did not stop Reed from fulfilling her dream of doing just that and earning a coveted spot on the Los Angeles Sparks while also becoming the first woman from her area to make it to the WNBA. After receiving a full athletic scholarship to play at Western Kentucky University (WKU), Reed went on to compete with the Sparks and played skilled basketball overseas in Croatia and Finland. While at WKU, Reed earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and business management. Throughout her college profession, the talented defender received quite a few Player of the Week honors and competed in the iconic Sweet 16 tournament.

Reed, now retired from the WNBA, stays an inspiration to basketball fans and beyond. She is a strong motivational speaker and memoirist and starts his own non-profit organization called Dream in Vertical Network. With the ESSENCE staff currently fascinated by all things WNBA (in addition to perennial champions – pun intended – of Black women charting their very own course, we caught up with Reed for an enlightening conversation. Read on to learn about her critical take on criticism) faced by newcomers Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, the controversial ones US Olympic Team decisions, the importance of economic literacy and the value of giving back. Reed, a former “tomboy” turned history maker, also reflects on her skilled basketball profession and the lessons she has learned – and continues to learn – along her impressive journey.

She's Got Game: Former WNBA player Michelle Reed talks about winning on and off the court

ESSENCE.com: How is the WNBA different now than whenever you were in the league? And in what respect is it the same?

MICHELLE REED: Now it’s more visible than before. Whether it’s positive or negative, persons are talking about W. People are beginning to get engaged; It is exciting! It took 28 years. There is rather a lot more brand marketing around W nowadays. What’s the same about it? Well, there are still 144 players. But the plan is so as to add a team to Toronto, so that can change soon too.

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ESSENCE.com: What do you think that about one among the most talked about players in the league? Angel Reese? Do you think that that as a debutant she is criticized too harshly?

CANE: I feel with money and fame comes criticism, there isn’t any way around it. He is a brand new face in the game. And someone must be the catalyst. When it involves branding, sometimes noise is what sells. You have to take a look at it from a branding perspective. There are also individuals who just want to realize followers and attention [social media] sites that simply cause controversy and make it seem greater than it already is. I commend Angel Reese for answering questions professionally and telling the truth.

ESSENCE.com: What about Caitlin Clark?

CANE: [Michael] Jordan went through it [Larry] Byrd went through it, all the greats went through something. It’s just their time. Fortunately, this doesn’t take away from their talent. But mentally it may be exhausting. It’s exhausting for the viewer to listen to a few of the things which might be said about them. Caitlin Clark is an incredible player. She has a protracted road and a protracted profession ahead of her. Many people look as much as her, Reese and all the women of W. I hope this does not end. I hope the adrenaline from all of this continues for a few years to come back since it brings attention to the league and sits its butts off.

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ESSENCE.com: It actually did, and the hype prolonged to varsity. A viral announcement is circulating on the Internet regarding the University of Southern California (USC) game (vs. University of Connecticut) in December – in six whole months! It featured their star and rising sophomore, JuJu Watkins.

CANE: It’s the latest normal, however it’s also money. JuJu is one among the key marketing players of this yr’s college basketball season. That’s why many teams that were in the top rankings need to compete with USC due to her. You’re talking about TV time, you are talking about money for schools and money for players.

This is the a part of the college game that scares me because I don’t need people to get to the point where they play teams for financial gain and forget about the maturity and mental health of the players. This puts pressure on the game. This puts pressure on performance. After all, they’re still there to get an education.

ESSENCE.com: The Summer Olympics are approaching and there was plenty of criticism surrounding the collection of the women’s basketball team. Thinks?

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CANE: I feel they did an incredible job picking the team. I do know there’s plenty of controversy about Caitlin Clark not making the Olympic team, but like everyone else she has to earn her stripes. You cannot do that simply because you are an enormous name and have an achieved college profession. I feel it is a fair alternative. Are there any items missing? Absolutely. There are many players who might have been chosen. I might like to see DeWanna Bonner on the roster because she has been an incredible player throughout her profession and she doesn’t get the recognition I feel she deserves. But I feel [the selected players] we’ll represent our country in a improbable and elegant way. Bring home the gold, USA!

ESSENCE.com: Excellent points. In addition to playing in the WNBA, you have got had a successful basketball profession overseas. Was there anything similar?

CANE: [Laughs.] For me it was all the pieces, especially my stay in Croatia. I used to be mostly in a rustic where English was not a second language. I only had two people to speak with in training and matches, one was an assistant coach and the other was a teammate. I needed to learn trivia about essential terms in the language, similar to , so as to communicate a minimum of just a little with others because I did not have a translator.

ESSENCE.com: Wow! What things did you learn from playing in the WNBA that you simply use in your life today?

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CANE: You must keep your spine strong. It only takes one conversation for somebody to interrupt your spirit or construct it up. It’s like someone telling me, “Oh, your jump shot is weak and you’ll never be a good shooter.” I can let this occur, or it may make me work harder, or it may break me down and make me need to quit. The idea is to be strong enough to disregard the noise and push through. I’m the sort of person in case you tell me I can not do something, I’ll show you that I can.

But many individuals will not be built that way. Some people will take words to heart and start looking down on themselves and disparaging their true abilities, when in actual fact they’re very talented, but they’ve someone of their ear who desires to see them fail. Ultimately, what we imagine is true. I do not care how hard you’re employed, how good you might be, or how much you should grow, it’s about your confidence and commitment to change into the best version of yourself.

ESSENCE.com: You’re a private finance junkie. What do you think that about Angel Reese investing in the Washington women’s soccer team, Power FC and athletes providing multiple streams of income?

CANE: Once you have got a chance to take a position, do your homework and if it aligns together with your goals, take it. She looks like a sensible young lady who is sweet together with her money. It’s good to have good people in your ear to offer you business advice. This is something I wish I had once I played. What I do know about money now’s that I sat down and got here to the conclusion that I’m ignorant in lots of areas and I spend money on careless things which might be more of a liability than an asset.

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Financial literacy needs to be an ongoing conversation at home and in schools. I’m surprised this is not a part of the core curriculum. If we do not do our homework, we’ll all the time be behind the eight ball.

ESSENCE.com: Can you share any suggestions for aspiring WNBA players?

CANE: 1) Don’t stop learning. Stretch. Read the book. If you have got a mentor or someone you admire, discover what they read. 2) Be an advocate on your community. Use your gifts for good. There should all the time be an act of giving, from giving time to giving information. Stay in the spirit of giving because your blessings will flow tenfold, especially in case you give from a very good place. 3) Don’t surrender. No matter how difficult life gets. There will likely be great days and there will likely be terrible days. Keep fighting it. Remember that each lesson is a blessing and you may learn something from it.

Things don’t occur simply because you are unlucky. Things occur because you may learn something about yourself from them, whether or not they are lessons in relationships, whether or not they are lessons from the information you feed yourself, or whether or not they are lessons about your profession decisions. To change into knowledgeable basketball player, you need to first commit to what it takes to change into what it takes to be knowledgeable basketball player, and then [work on] player. The person develops before the player.

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Celebrity Coverage

The approved expert looks to try the Beyoncé “Cowboy Carter” trip – Essence

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Beyoncé had a busy yr. During the 67th annual Grammy Award she was the first black woman in history who won the best album of the village yr of the yr. Now he goes to his 32-stop (and naturally, Brings Cécted on the road).

As an official cosmetic brand of the route, the hair care brand Beyoncé Cécred will host windows at stadiums across the country, but there’s one query: what beauty do you seem like?

From wild ponies to rustic eye makeup and jeans manicure, cosmetics experts break the best appearance of beauty during the trip below.

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Hair

“The appearance of Cowboy Carter hair can be described as a mixture of durable and without efforts”, a brand of Wella professionals and a hair stylist Dereq Clark Essence says. Think: Tornel waves with a sunny tone embedded in the ranch. “He is not very refined and stylized,” he says. By throwing approved cowboy accessories, akin to hats, bandans and rustic hairpins, Clark predicts the revival of natural, without effort of styles.

Classic cowboy hair: “This appearance is perfectly combined with a stylish cowboy hat,” he says. “The key is to create volume in the roots while maintaining the length.”

How-to: Start with clean, dry hair. Use a volumetric mole, such Wella Professionals Eimi Extra Volume Mussse At the roots and pull your hair the other way up. After this lift, barely pull the sides and let the length fall naturally. For a pleasant natural gloss and gloss, which it recommends Wella Professionals Ultimate smooth wonderful oil serum To smooth your hair and epidermis. The hat will do the rest, adding talent, while keeping the hair perfectly on the spot.

Tusled braids: “The braids are not only practical, but they can also be very stylish,” he says, suggesting that you just are leaning into raw, tonal hair colours. “This appearance gives adventure at climate.”

How-to: After parting with Cécred tail farewellTake a part of the hair on either side and wrap it loosely. Leave several facial fragments to get additional softness. Protect the braids at the back or allow them to hang over their arms to get a boho turn. Using Virus restoring the edge and drops of cécred hair AND Nourishing hair oilFinish the edges, scalp and braids with healthy hydration.

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Wild West pony: This appearance is a “classic pony, but Tom is a large invoice key,” says Clark.

How-to: Start with the splash of texturing as Wella Professionals EiMI Sugar Lift Sugar Spray To add sand to your hair. Collect your hair right into a high ponytail, but gently stretch the hair crown to create volume against protecting them. Wrap a small section of the hair around the base of the pony to get a elegant finish. You may even add a handkerchief around the base to get much more fun.

Makeup

“Cowboy Carter as makeup is brave, stuffy and powerful,” says a star makeup artist Year. “He taps a classic western grit with glam.” Think: smoked pad, deep shades of earthy, radiant brown skin and a bit rebellious edge. “It is the fashion cowboy that meets the southern girl,” he says.

At the Yeik stadium, it provides soft matte finishes, daring eyelashes and metallic accents, akin to gold and silver to catch the stage lights. “Western fashion is about statement, so this makeup reflects: dramatic eyes, sunny skin and strong moments of lips,” he says.

Bronzed Smokey Eye & Nude Lip:

How-to: Start with brown eye shadow mixed with crushing, deep brown smoke along the eyelash and pop gloss lines on the lid. Connect it with a bare lip and soft contour to concentrate on your eyes. More natural, but warm appearance, the make -up artist of the glory Salo banks She says that this look is her most suitable option. “My absolute favorite is golden brown, shadows of gold and amber,” he says. Meanwhile, a makeup celebrity Wendi Tolkin San George He says that Smokey Eye will be done with silver shine, as a substitute of bronze, which is well connected with the cowboy denim Beyoncé.

Monochrome berries:

How-to: Use the wealthy tones of berries on the cheeks, lips and eyes to get a fresh but romantic western atmosphere. “It gives a rode-glam without being too exaggerated,” says Yeika, recommending cream products for a refined finish. Based on the appearance, Banks suggests a bushy brow for the moment of “uncontrollable, wild, free and nervous”, while artificial freckles add unexpected details.

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Graphic Liner + Bold Lip:

How-to: A pointy wing or double liner in deep brown or black will be connected to a thickened red or oxblood lip to give a drama cowgirl. “This is a nod to the fearless form of Beyoncé and southern heritage,” says Yeika. According to Banks, the characteristic stain of red or coral lips also gives “the appearance of a vintage rodeo”. To achieve this, Tolkin San George recommends products akin to Mac retro matte lipstick In the historic shade of “Ruby Woo” and with the help of eyelash glue for sticking dhinstones on the face and eyes, supplemented with full eyelashes.

Nails

“I would describe my nails as a” black cowgirl order “, says nails Gayaya Haug. Imaging the white basic color with blue and red accents, he suggests the decorativeness of Lassos, hats, shoes, belts, horseshoe, cow print – all Western things. Oh, and “a variety of jewels”. “I’d join many pearls and flashy gems to give the western atmosphere of pop,” says a haug, crowned with a famous sash.

Silver/golden decorations with turquoise:

How-to: Silver and golden accents are at all times added to western nails and typically go to the turquoise background. The best way to get a turquoise stone is to select the best turquoise color, add some wigl lines and a few mixing them into turquoise, after which add more final black lines upstairs to add a further detailed layer.

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Jean Nails:

How-to: Jean Nails is totally Kowboja Carter, especially since she cooperated with Levi’s. I’d select darker blue in denim color, I added in the middle a painfully blue airbrush or powder to give a dimension in a denim style, after which added lines around the nail outline for the seam. If you wish to really go crazy, you’ll be able to stick pieces of real nail jeans to make them look realistic. And as well as, you’ll be able to even fold them.

Nail star:

How-to: Finally, to make the perfect nail stars, which for my part are so coded cowboy, you wish to pull the nail brush and draw a 5 -point star, after which fill it. They are so funny, but they require a variety of patience.


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Coachella Victoria Monét’s hair was a golden dream that comes to life – essence

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Coachella Victoria Monét's hair was a golden dream

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella

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Victoria Monét gave us all of the energy of the goddess, which we could advise during her performance Coachella 2025 – and yes, the vocals were fire, the choreography was tight, but let’s take a moment to discuss these hair. Floating, soft and glowing, as if it were kissed by the desert sun, the looks of Monét was a pure festival fantasy. Master after magic? Hairstilist Detard Washingtonwho used something spiritual, effective and undeniably feminine.

“We were inspired by the goddess of the desert’s energy and the charm of the festival,” says Washington Essence. “We wanted something soft, luxurious and radiant that would flow with the desert wind and are still a bold statement.” And yes. Hair danced with every move – it never overwhelm, all the time strengthening. “The appearance celebrates the natural beauty and power of Victoria, while covering these dreamy, golden-hour vibrations,” he adds.

To revive this vision, Washington began with a moisturizing vacation to keep the monét silky bands, after which a chic explosion with DREAM ARTYLE PRO. Then appeared waves-created from one inch curling wand and directed for perfection for a soft, experienced consistency. “The art is that the curls will position themselves and cool before their feat,” he advises. “In this way you get this effort, a condemned look.” And seal the contract? Color wow dream coat For a glow resistant to moisture and light-weight gloss fog to catch the sunshine on every bend.

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For anyone who wants to recreate the view, Washington suggests ranging from the silk press or blowjob to get smoothness. “Use a small barrel, wrap your hair from your face and don’t touch them until it’s fun. It’s the key,” he says. Then finish with a light oil or shiny spray to direct your personal moment of the primary character.

But other than glam there’s a real artistry in constructing a look that can handle all this. “I absolutely love the thrill associated with creating something that not only looks breathtaking in the light of the headlights, but also withstands the heat, movement and energy of the full performance,” says Washington. “It’s about hitting the perfect balance between beauty and durability.”

What in regards to the monét itself? “Her spirit is as beautiful as she looks,” she says with a smile. “She is grounded, creative and trusted in this process. She knows who she is, and this confidence makes my work so funny.”

Monét was not enough – she crossed. And thanks to the touch of Washington, her hair was together with her, blowing within the wind like a love letter to black beauty, craftsmanship and desert divinity.

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Is the key to increased makeup less powder? Sir John says yes – essence

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Is the key to increased makeup less powder? Sir John says so

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In the latest BeautyCon In November last 12 months, a willing crowd gathered to watch the makeup of celebrities Sir John performs a master class. When he constructed the appearance called “dopamine glow”, he talked about his favorite suggestions and wonder opinions. In particular, one got stuck. His powder attitude versus cream aroused curiosity amongst beauty lovers and inspired the essence for further diving.

According to global makeup, Over Matte’s head is an expensive. When his live demonstration occurred, he offered reliable suggestions for the audience to add to his arsenal, akin to the use of front adhesive to attract eyebrows for this laminated appearance or erythema to the temples to carve the face. Although particularly this appearance was favored by the ultra glow, radiant and colourful aesthetics (recalling happiness by name), his sentiments in all appearances still stand.

Not a furnace, rarely reaches for powder bronzers and erythema over their creamy and liquid counterparts, and only the powder sets the T zones. All this makes a devil, a hotter appearance, which, he claims, is the key to the rhythm on the face of the next level. “If you can, choose a powder. For me it’s a bit in 2016 – it’s just my opinion,” he added barely. He balanced the level of honesty and humor in his open conversation with current beauties and explained his justification.

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As an artist who created the most radiant and effective look Industry starsSir John definitely improved his methods. Reaching for cream products and scaling on the powder layers helps to stop the appearance of too “cake”. The hydrated appearance makes the skin look more flexible and brings out the heat, dimension and lifetime of the face. With spring in full bloom, plainly there is no such thing as a higher time to activate this recommendation, because we hand over dry winter to make a generally behed, vigorous season.

There will at all times be time and place for powder, but the advantages of cream and liquid makeup products are abundant. First of all, they’re very mixed, which could be helpful for beginners or heavy applications. Formulas offer versatility while working with other products and are excellent options to use for a gradient color effect, akin to a trend Blush at sunset The technique that overtook the channels last 12 months. Creamy and liquid formulas melt into the remainder of the face to get a naturally appealing look. On the other hand, the appearance that is just too matted could seem flattened or one -dimensional, and in such cases with excessive powder, drying. For this reason, products based on cream and liquid for individuals with a dryer are also really useful.

According to Sir JohnThe head look achieved thanks to moisturizing products create a more premium finish. “Radiant Skin has more gloss and looks more elevated, more expensive,” he confirms. If the artist approved by Beyoncé supported him, it’s price a try.

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