Article from Black Hairstyles and Trends Magazine

ROUND THE WAY GIRL....

Gabrielle Union is a refreshing addition to the growing list of Hollywood's
beautiful black bombshells.  Starring in films like Bring It On and The
Brothers and gracing the pages of the hippest magazines is only the
beginning for the silver screen's newest "it girl".  This sexy,
sophisticated, and down to earth sista continues to make her presence known.
Gabrielle is very conscious of the roles she accepts, opting to decline the
stereotypical parts that Hollywood continually reserves for Black actors.
Making the decision to be selective with the characters she takes allows her
to audition for more diverse roles and has earned her a spot along side Nia
Long, Sanaa Latham and a slew of other respected black actors.

As Gabrielle grows in the film industry, she carves her own path, taking
nothing away from our long-time favorites who include the likes of Halle
Berry, Jada Pinkett, Vivica Fox and Angela Bassett.  Instead she brings her
own style.  We asked, Have you ever felt the strain of competition with
other highly visible black actresses?  With humility as her most appealing
quality, Gabrielle confidently explains that she believes, "We each bring
something unique and special to the table; we all have our own styles so I
really don't believe we take anything away from each other.  I think
everyone is doing their own thing and doing it very well."  Talking to
Gabrielle feels almost like reminiscing with an old friend from high school.
Her cool, laid-back, humble demeanor is both intriguing and engaging.

While Gabrielle's star power is growing at lightning speed, she has stayed
true to who she is.  In her own words, "my lifestyle has pretty much stayed
the same."  Just recently things began to get chaotic for her when she
nabbed roles in two movies while putting the finishing touches on her spring
wedding.  Abandon and Welcome to Collinwood(where she stars opposite George
Clooney) is being shot out of the country, so she had to be literally
whisked away from the set for her wedding.  When asked about the
difficulties of maintaining a "Hollywood" image, she explains that Hollywood
has not swayed her to be overly glamorous, which has been disappointing to
some and perplexing to others.  Refusing to yield to the expectations of her
being all glammed out and glittered down from head to toe, Gabrielle stays
true to self, routinely sporting her favorite pair of jeans with a
fashionable bodice top.

GABRIELLE ON FASHION

Although she is not into the designer labels, she has been treated very well
by some of today's top designers.  Donatella Versace(who designed the
beautiful gown she wore at the premiere for Savoy magazine), Tommy Hilfiger
and Karl Kani are some of the designers that have taken notice early on.
And since Bring It On, more people have offered to dress her but Gabrielle's
memory is long.  She refuses to wear the clothing of designers who didn't
service her before her popularity.  "I just can't get around the fact that a
year ago you didn't even want to help me into the dressing room of your
store," she says.  Looking back  on her younger years, Gabrielle thinks
about the days when she would see the celebrities wearing things she could
never afford and tries her best to shy away from creating unrealistic images
for her fans to emulate.  Words of wisdom:  "The fastest way to play
yourself is to spend $5,000 on a dress...I'd rather take $5,000 and invest
it than spend it on an outfit; save for a rainy day or prepare for a family
crisis or something."

GABRIELLE ON HAIR
"Hair is a very personal thing for black women.  There is no shame in my
game when it comes to my hairstyling.  I have no secrets.  I remember
growing up reading Ebony and Jet magazine and wanting to look like the women
who filled those pages.  It could be very discouraging to think that it is
all unattainable so I try to be as open and honest as I can."  Gabrielle has
been trying to rid her hair of chemicals for the past six months.  Over the
years, the relaxers and perms have taken a toll on her hair so she is
working to get it back to its natural state.  Currently Gabrielle's natural
hair is shoulder length.  She wears a weave to add volume and length while
her relaxer grows out.  She conditions and trims about 1/2 inch off each
time she gets her weave redone.

Working on several projects makes it difficult to maintain consistency with
a hair stylist.  Luckily Gabrielle has had the privilege of working with
celebrity stylist Kim Kimble on her last two projects.  Kim Kimble boasts an
extensive celebrity clientele that includes the likes of Angela Bassett.
Kim who is committed to maintaining healthy hair is just what Gabrielle
ordered.

GABRIELLE ON LOVE AND ROMANCE
All is well in the romance department for Gabrielle who recently married pro
football player Chris Howard.  Chris noticed her across the lanes of a
bowling alley while she was hanging out with some of her girlfriends.  He
didn't know she was an actor when they first met.  They have been dating for
two years and were married on May 5th.
Staying a couple in the public eye is a challenge for most, especially when
your fiancé is a sexy siren heating up the movie screen.  Gabrielle assures
me that their relationship is unaffected by the media.  "When I'm with him
I'm Chris' wife; we have a great sense of normalcy, he is the standout."  I
asked her how Chris feels about her being paired with some of the most
sought after black actors like Morris Chestnut.  She maintains that he keeps
it all in perspective and checks his ego and pride at the door.

GABRIELLE'S FACT SHEET:

GABRIELLE ON MAKE UP...
My make up artist is also my best friend, Stacy Gibson.  "She keeps me
looking and feeling beautiful."

DAILY BEAUTY REGIME
-Daily-RCMA foundation
-MAC blush in raisin
--Kheils products
-MAC concealer
-Maybelline great lash mascara
-Favorite Hair Product-AVEDA

HER PHILOSOPHY ON FASHION
Keep it logical and traditional.

FASHION WEAKNESS
Earl Jeans because they really fit the curves of a black woman's body.

WORDS SHE USES TO DESCRIBE HERSELF
-Competitive
-Classy
-Strong
-Outspoken
-Intelligent

(there is also a pic of her and Chris in this magazine)
Edited to add: Beyonce is on the cover and the article is page 25

Thanks to Shannalou_99