Model Imaan Hammam Has 4 Fool-Proof Beauty Secrets To Look More Awake
Can we just take a second to bask in Imaan Hammam's beauty?
The Dutch-Moroccan model can do no wrong in our eyes, but her effortless style and beauty get us riled up every time. You can catch the model traveling the world and doing shows, but if you're like me, the first thing you would ask her is, "How does your skin still look so good?"
Well, she recently chatted with Vogue where she shared her secrets on how to look like you've had a full night's rest, even when you haven't. Here are 4 ways to master your beauty routine, even when you're tired:
*Taking notes, immediately.*
Oils Are Your Friend
Upon watching the tutorial, we immediately see Imaan dive into oils, and she has no shortage of them — argan oil, olive oil, rose oil, and countless others are her oils of choice. Even if you have oily or combination skin, massaging your face with oils keeps you moisturized and your skin hydrated.
She goes in with Chantecaille's Rose de Mai Face Oil and a serum, rubbing the product in with a stainless steel facial massage wand, which by the way is great for helping with inflammation and really pushing that product in!
Of course, she doesn't deny her eyes (where many of us show that we've had a long night), and she applied Kat Burki Rose Hip intense Recovery Eye Serum and Kat Burki Vitamin C Intensive Face Cream to give her skin a brightening effect. If you check out her eye serum of choice, it's a bit expensive but she says it takes all the bags away, and it should girl!
You can either take the plunge and really see how you like this approach, or look for another product that has its active ingredients: DMAE and retinol.
Good Brows Go A Long Way
Y'all know how we say that as long as your brows look good, you can convince people that you have put a lot more time into your beauty regime then you really have? Well, there's some truth to that.
In this video, Imaan brushes her brows up to make look "a little rough," giving you a natural vibe. Just take the spooly and push up, and if you need a bit more umph, feel free to pencil in where you are sparse.
Concealer Is Bae
Vogue
The model dabbles a bit of concealer under her eyes and around her jawline, places where many of us get hyperpigmentation. Instead of dumping a ton of foundation onto your face, use your favorite concealer and wipe it out generously, giving your skin an even and flawless finish with half the product (and without the cakey feels).
Brighten Up With A Bronzer
Just because summer is gone, doesn't mean you can't keep bronzing!
Take your favorite bronzer and do a light sweep on your cheeks. For an added bonus, take a small eyeshadow brush and put some on the bridge of your nose and on your eyelids. The golds in the palette will immediately make you look more awake and sunkissed, and who are we to deny that?!
She also goes in with highlighter, adding it on her chin, right below her eyes, and on her nose. Don't feel compelled to drop mega bank on your highlight and bronzer, either — the drugstore has a ton of great options for you to find your shade and the color you want to pop out in!
To watch Imaan's beauty secrets in full, watch the video below:
Featured image by Jacopo Raule/Getty Images
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Just When This Couple Was Ready To Delete Dating Apps, They Matched & The Rest Is History
How We Met is a series where xoNecole talks love and relationships with real-life couples. We learn how they met, how like turned into love, and how they make their love work.
There was a time when the question, "Does he give you butterflies?” was always associated with happy feelings and positivity. But between love bombing, situationships, stories like Reesa Teesa, and the overwhelming number of bad dating stories, many millennials have become hesitant – even cautious – of feeling chemistry too early. Nevertheless, the truth remains: if intentions are genuine, there’s nothing wrong with acknowledging the spark sooner rather than later.
Frederick and Josephanie Buffington are a beautiful testament of this notion. During our discussion, they humorously walked me through how they connected, their immediate attraction, and how they’ve been able to passionately follow these feelings all the way to the altar. The couple attributes their exciting new marriage to discovering who they were individually and knowing what they desire from partnership prior to meeting. Check out their story below.
How and where did you two meet?
Frederick: Well, I’m a Southern gentleman from Arkansas. It’s not really my thing to get into dating apps and stuff like that. But after being in Atlanta for a while and talking to a friend from the area, she explained why she deals with them, and it made sense to me. So I gave it a try, and it failed about eighteen times (laughs). But when I was on the verge of hanging it up, a pretty little thing popped up on my screen.
Josephanie: I actually got on the app that day to delete it. I was like, I’m done with this, and I don’t want to do this anymore. But I saw him and was like, let’s wait a second. And he sent me a message, we matched, and the same day he called me. We ended up talking on the phone for like seven hours, and that was like it for us.
"I actually got on the app that day to delete it. I was like, I’m done with this, and I don’t want to do this anymore. But I saw him and was like, let’s wait a second. And he sent me a message, we matched, and the same day he called me. We ended up talking on the phone for like seven hours, and that was like it for us."
Were you attracted instantly, or did it develop over time?
Josephanie: No. Nah, I’m just kidding – I was always attracted to him.
Frederick: Yeah, she has always been this fine.
xovelshee/ Instagram
Walk me through the courtship. Did y'all ever have that awkward “what are we convo, and who initiated it?
Josephanie: No, we didn’t have that conversation. Because it went so fast, after date three, we decided we were doing this.
Frederick: By then we had talked about life goals and everything enough that we realized if we went different ways, we would be stupid.
And what made you want to commit to a relationship with one another? How did you know it was special?
Josephanie: Because it went so fast. It was like a whirlwind, and usually, I steer clear of those. But this was fun, intense, and energy-filled. So I was like, let’s just ride this wave and see where it takes us.
Frederick: Yeah, and we ended up here. I’m really picky about everything. For me, it was like 2-3 weeks in when I realized she wasn’t getting on my nerves, so I knew it was something there. It sounds funny, but I’m serious. Like, I used to get to a point in dating where I’d start thinking a woman breathed funny or just something random would turn me off. This was different. I was just enjoying it. And still, no matter who I’m in the presence of or who approaches me, I just don’t see anything trumping this.
"It was like a whirlwind, and usually, I steer clear of those. But this was fun, intense, and energy-filled. So I was like, let’s just ride this wave and see where it takes us."
xovelshee/ Instagram
Speaking of time, what do you do to keep the relationship spicy?
Josephanie: That’s all me. (laughs)
Frederick: That’s where her career as a sex therapist comes in. (laughs).
I love that approach. I’m curious what did you two learn in your single season?
Josephanie: I got to know myself and put emphasis on my intrinsic value. It’s not about 'what I’m bringing to the table.' It’s about who I am as an individual, and what my value is, and where my value lies. That’s not about what I’m doing but who I am.
Frederick: Yeah, I figured out who I was before I got with her, too. Outside of social media and what your friends/family think, it’s important to figure out what you like because, ultimately, you’re going to have to live with that decision. So know who you are and let them know who you are. During my single season, I took the time to really know myself and I focused on what I like. Again, I’m picky. So, I had to figure out what I really liked before I drove someone else crazy. And then she was patient with me, so I ended up making a good choice (laughs).
xovelshee/ Instagram
What was the biggest challenge that you had to overcome together?
Josephanie: I recently had surgery. So, I had 64 fibroids, a major abdominal myomectomy. I couldn’t do anything for myself, and he was there 24/7. I was in the hospital for 5 to 6 days, and he slept on the floor the whole time.
Fredrick: And those floor mats were not there for everybody. Her mother was there too – shoutout to her mother. That was definitely something very challenging that we got through together.
Finally, what’s your favorite thing about each other?
Frederick: Her booty. No, I’m just playing. I’ll give it to you in order: her confidence, intelligence, humor, and then the booty and smile.
Josephanie: My favorite thing about him is that he is the epitome of Black boy joy. He’s always laughing, he’s always smiling. There’s always jokes. His personality radiates. You can’t help but want to be in his presence.
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Feature image by T Fash Images