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    The season many of us wait all year for is finally here. And with it comes major moments for celebration like 4th of July, The World Cup, Juneteenth, and more. You’re probably perusing Pinterest for everything from hosting tips and tricks, to the beauty looks you want to wear to the function. And we don’t blame you, either. 

    To help you out, Gabrielle Union, who is partnering with Casamigos on their FIFA campaign, took a moment out of her busy schedule to share some of her top tips—between her hosting dos and don’ts for the summer, and looking stylish while doing it—to help you show up as a hostess with the mostest. 

    ESSENCE: What excited you most about working with Casamigos on this FIFA moment?

    Gabrielle Union: I’ve been a big Casamigos fan from the literal beginning. I think I was one of the first people that got some of the first cases of Casamigos. We do these blind tastings at home and Casamigos has consistently placed at the top for many, many years. So if it ain’t broke, we keep riding it with it. And it’s also an amazing company that has a lot of women. It’s really encouraging to work with some great women.

    And speaking of FIFA, a lot of people don’t know that you used to play soccer!

    Union: Yes, soccer took over my life at a certain point because club soccer is year round. I played basketball, soccer, softball, and ran track. My family had no weekends off, no days off. It was sometimes two sports in a day. So yeah, it was very much a major part of my life. So many of my best memories are having crazy antics with my soccer team traveling around the state and regionally. I’m also one of the owners of Angel City Women’s Soccer Club. 

    What is your typical hosting vibe?

    Union: For me, it’s quite laid back. Usually I’m hosting my friends. So there’s a difference if I’m hosting strangers or my friends. So if we’re just hosting for any sort of sporting event, it’s very casual. The food will be buffet style. We’ll have everything out. I’m not making anyone drinks. That is for the birds, especially with friends, because everyone has their own thing when it comes to how they like their cocktails. I was just talking to my husband last night about my margarita taste and, as I’ve gotten older, I don’t like them so sweet. I have a very specific margarita profile and I’m very specific about mixers and not diluting the tequila too much where you can’t really appreciate it. And I’m also very specific about wanting Reposado in my margaritas. But, when hosting, we put all of the options out and then let people make the kind of margarita that they want.

    What about when it comes to hosting for strangers?


    Union: We go all out and we tend to have a theme. It’ll tend to be for a cause. We host these dinners to expose more people of color to the adult beverage industries. And so those are more formal and we have the proper cutlery and these beautiful table settings and we bring in live music and we try to really create a memorable evening. We have certain lighting that we use as well.

    A major thing to remember is the importance of having heat lamps and or throws. If you want to host outside, just make sure that people are warm, because people will leave your house when they get too cold.

    Any tips for hosting in the summer specifically?

    Union: Yes, so we are hosting a big 4th of July party and right now we try to plan so far ahead so we can think of what the backups might be. What is the pivot for bad weather? How quickly can we get a tent? If it’s raining, what are we going to do about the fireworks? Do we have stuff for the kids to do? 

    So, I think it’s just important to think through the pivots and plan as much ahead as possible and just keep it fun. Nothing should be that serious where there’s meltdowns. There’s a solution for everything. Don’t freak out.

    Any beauty tips when it comes to summer hosting and attending summer events?

    Union: Sun protection. That is key for everyone. Growing up, I didn’t think that Black folks needed sun protection and I would just bake and then my skin would peel off in sheets. It took me a while to realize that we burn as well. So, no matter how much melanin that you have, everyone needs sun protection. That’s the biggest thing I can say for beauty. Nothing ages you like sun damage and nothing poses a bigger risk in the summer than a lack of sun protection. So my go-tos are Allies of Skin and Black Girl Sunscreen.

    What’s next for you that you’re most excited about?

    Union: So I have Blame It On Rome that we shot in Rome for Amazon. That’s really exciting. I believe that comes out in 2027. I also shot this movie with Michael Ealy, with Tim Story directing called The Divorce Coach, which was really, really funny. It’s also with Mike Epps, Affion Crockett, Queen Latifah, and it’s very exciting. And then I just came back from South Africa with Michael Ealy also. So anytime I get to work with Mike, I’m going to jump.

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