Chaotic Cosmetics is a local, LGBTQ-owned makeup business that has grown remarkably over the past few years. This seems to be the product of tireless ambition of its owner, AJ Bellafiore. Chaotic Cosmetics was started in 2018 as a cruelty free, vegan friendly and is a primarily online business. The 29-year-old AJ Bellafiore is a
Retail companies since last May have shown interest in Black-owned businesses amid the ongoing calls for racial and social-economic equality from the Black Lives Matter protests. Companies hearing these demands have rushed to publicize a slew of programs and initiatives to address discrimination. In many instances, these came in the shape of pledges to support
What started as a form of minstrel entertainment in the late 1800s, Drag culture, is now one of the most renowned aspects of the gay community. With the aid of the media, the popularity of drag in the United States has been on a steady incline and is thriving. While Long Island Drag is hot
We can all agree that Long Island is no San Francisco when it comes to celebrating Pride. But local queer activists and residents have been working to uplift Long Island’s LGBTQ community, and to create a safe space for each generation. Active LGBT Network volunteer, Drag icon and Sag Harbor resident Robert Kohnken knows what
Before having the idea to start his brand, 20-year-old Emil DaneIian had been seeing the numbers 444 everywhere for nearly two years. The Stony Brook University health science major decided to go outside the norm for an average college student by using the numbers he saw everywhere and turning them into his own clothing line,
More than a year and a half ago, the hit TV series about troubled teens “Euphoria” premiered on HBO. After receiving major success, it’s highly anticipated season two had to stop production due to the pandemic. HBO has even released two special episodes to hold it’s viewers over until they’re ready to start production again.
Aiden Best, 17, and Eden Boakye, 16, both similar names spelt slightly differently, started a modeling, clothing brand company before even reaching the age of 18 called Vision Kidz. The two are God brothers who live together in the Uniondale/Hempstead area. Vision Kidz didn’t start off as a modeling page on Instagram. It was originally
Long Island bea Black Since the start of the decade, the number of business owners increased by 30% correlating with an increase of the Black population. However, self-employed Black business owners are only a third of what the white self-employed demographic is. Men are also more likely to be self-employed rather than women. According to
On Sept. 3, actress, singer and producer, Selena Gomez launched her cosmetic brand, Rare Beauty, which is exclusive only on the brand’s website and Sephora. The brand’s mission statement promotes uniqueness and supporting customers of all ages, backgrounds, sexual orientations and more. The brand also advocates for mental health with its “Rare Impact” which has
Priscilla Wesson — entrepreneur, self confessed online shopaholic, full-time mother of two lovely daughters and wife — is the brilliant mind behind children’s online clothing store Cozy N Cute Kids Boutique. Where the coronavirus pandemic has sent so many into a tailspin and left a lot of businesses floundering, Wesson launched her business despite COVID-19
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SHADES OF LONG ISLAND is a media outlet dedicated to elevating the consciousness of Long Island through informative reporting and sharing the news, stories and events revolving people of color in our region.
