The Skincare Rules This Aesthetician Always Follows
In About Face, xoNecole gets the 411 on IGers who give us #skincaregoals on the daily. Here they break down their beauty routines on the inside and out, as well as the highly coveted products that grace their shelves and their skin.
25-year-old Brooklyn-based aesthetician Brenttany Sharraine wants you to be your own skincare goals and has dedicated her entire career to helping women do exactly that. For her, skincare isn't a job, issa lifestyle. "Most days, it doesn't feel like work. Chatting with clients about skincare is something I'd do as a hobby. Skincare has always been something I've been passionate about and the fact that I can share my passions to help people achieve their skin goals is rewarding for me."
In this month's segment of About Face, we chat with Brenttany about all of our burning skincare questions and get the details on the routine that keeps her skin on 10 all damn day.
Brenttany explained that while a full face of makeup used to be her go-to routine, now, this barefaced beauty's beat is all-natural. She told xoNecole, "In my early 20s, I would wear a full face of makeup everyday. No matter where I was going. If I stepped outside, I had on makeup. Now it's the complete opposite. I'd have to be going to an event to get myself to wear foundation. Now, I'm so comfortable in my own skin that I don't feel like I need it. Less is more nowadays."
The beauty professional recently sat down with xoNecole and revealed the secret to a foundation-free slay, and according to her, it's all about the SPF, sis. Keep scrolling for more!
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My most significant beauty lesson...
"The most important lesson I've learned in beauty is wearing SPF for sure. [While] working with a dermatologist, I would see how common skin cancer was and how UV rays were a huge contributor to physical aging. As a teen, I was told black people do not physically age. I beg to differ. Just wear your SPF guys!"
My morning routine looks like...
"My morning starts with waking up to the sun beaming down through my skylight. I'm lucky that I get to work in the evenings most of the time, so I'm in no rush to get up. If I don't have any errands to run that morning, I spend extra time in bed reading any work emails I may have received while sleeping and listening to my favorite podcast, which is currently Dave Ramsey, and writing in my reflection journal."
For my skincare routine in the AM...
"Working in skincare, I'm constantly trying new products and altering my routine. I try and stick with active ingredients throughout. I cleanse with Glytone Mild Gel Cleanser, [and then I] apply Elizavecca Milky Piggy Hyaluronic Acid, SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic Antioxidant Serum, and Supergoop! Superscreen Daily Moisturizer SPF 40."
Brenttany's current skincare rotation
Courtesy of Brenttany
My skincare routine in the PM...
"My nighttime routine is based on what my skin is telling me. In general, I double cleanse with my Glytone Mild Gel Cleanser, then I apply Elizavecca Milky Piggy HA Serum and Kate Somerville Daily Moisturizer with peptides, retinol, and Vitamin C. If my skin looks dull, then I'm exfoliating that night and swapping the Kate Somerville with One Kind's hydrating Dream Cream Moisturizer because it's gentler. I'm exfoliating with The Ordinary 7% Glycolic Toner or Glyderms 10% Glycolic Lotion, depending on how aggressive I want to be that night. My skin is literally glowing by the morning. The following morning, I'll just apply my Hyaluronic Acid serum and Supergoop! SPF moisturizer."
How my routine switches up with the seasons...
"[I use] heavier creams in the fall and winter for the most part. I also like to add in an oil for extra protection from dryness. I'm currently using Murad's Multi-Vitamin Infusion Oil. In the spring and summer, my skin gets more oily so I'm still applying my Hyaluronic acid serum, an antioxidant serum like SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic, but swapping my Supergoop! SPF 40 moisturizer with their SPF setting spray."
My go-to makeup look consists of...
"90% of the time, I don't wear makeup. If anything, I'll just fill my brows in, put on my mascara and put on a clear gloss. I'm currently obsessing over SmashBox Shape Matters Brow Palette, Buxom Big Tease Plumping Mascara and Essence Behind The Scenes Gloss. If I go out, I'll choose between BareMinerals Matte Powder Foundation and Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation paired with Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Contour Kit and setting with Ofras Tinted Translucent Powder."
How I approach beauty from the inside-out...
"A day with nothing to do is super recharging for me. Most of what I do is hands-on so massaging, acupuncture or anything to release tension and promote relaxation, I'm all for. Writing in my journey makes me feel powerful. It allows me to be in control of my thoughts."
What self-care is to me...
"Satin eye masks and pillowcases. I feel like a princess whenever I go to bed and wake up!"
How I do skincare when I travel...
"I keep it simple when I travel-––so my cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF are all I bring in travel-size containers. I would also bring my makeup faves like brow and face powder, mascara and a gloss in my carry-on. I feel like the less time I spend on getting ready, the more time I spend enjoying the trip!"
For more of Brenttany, follow her on Instagram @brenttany!
Featured image via Brenttany/Instagram
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
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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Kendrick Lamar And Whitney Alford: A Timeline Of Their Decades-Long Relationship
Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford are one of those couples who like to live their lives outside of the public eye. Unlike many celebrity couples, we don’t really hear a lot of details about their relationship in blogs and social media except for when Kendrick raps about it. Whitney has even been featured on many of her fiancé’s songs, but it was his last album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, where he was the most vulnerable.
Outside of supporting her Pulitzer Prize-winning man, Whitney is also a licensed esthetician and makeup artist. The couple share two beautiful children together and seem to enjoy their privacy. From high school sweethearts to starting a family, here is a timeline of Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford’s relationship.
2001-2005?: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Meet
Whitney Alford and Kendrick Lamar at 2016 Key to the City Ceremony
Photo by Johnny Nunez/Getty Images
Kendrick and Whitney met in high school. However, there’s not a lot of details about what year. The two attended Centennial High School, which is located in Compton, CA, and began dating shortly after becoming friends.
2009: Kendrick Lamar Raps About Whitney
In his 2009 self-titled EP, Kendrick rapped about Whitney in the songs “She Needs Me” and “Determined.” He highlighted how he can’t live without her in “She Needs Me” and shared how she’s been his rock in “Determined.”
2014: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford’s First Public Appearance as a Couple
56th Grammy Awards with Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford
Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS
Whitney stepped out with Kendrick for the first time at the 56th Grammy Awards. Kendrick was nominated for seven awards, including Best Rap Album for Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.
2015: Kendrick Calls Whitney His Best Friend
Talking to Billboard in January, the Compton rapper opened up about his love for Whitney. “I wouldn’t even call her my girl,” he said. “That’s my best friend. I don’t even like the term that society has put in the world as far as being a companion — she’s somebody I can tell my fears to.”
Whitney Appears on Kendrick’s "To Pimp a Butterfly" Album
In March 2015, Kendrick dropped his highly anticipated third album, To Pimp a Butterfly, andWhitney provided backup vocals for songs “King Kunta” and “Wesley’s Theory.”
Kendrick Confirms Engagement to Whitney Alford
Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford at 2015 BET Awards
Photo by Johnny Nunez/BET/Getty Images for BET
During a The Breakfast Club interview, the Grammy award-winning artist confirmed that he and his high school sweetheart were engaged. “Yeah, definitely,” he said. “I’m loyal to the soul.”
2019: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Welcome Their First Child
It was reported that the couple had their first child in July 2019. While her name wasn’t revealed at the time, fans later suggested that he mentioned her name in his song “Mr. Morale,” which is off of his fifth album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers. He rapped, “Uzi, your father's in deep meditation.”
2022: Kendrick Lamar and Whitney Alford Welcomes Their Second Child
The couple quietly welcomed a second child, a baby boy named Enoch and they made the big reveal on the cover of the Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers album. The cover features Kendrick holding Uzi while Whitney holds Enoch. Kendrick also mentioned Enoch’s name in his song “Mr. Morale” when he rapped, “Enoch, your father's just detoxed.”
Whitney Reflects on Working With Kendrick on "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers"
In May, the makeup artist reflected on working with Kendrick on the album, which she helped narrate, and thanked him in an Instagram post. “Sometimes the mirror is a harsh critic. Shit can get real ugly. Im proud of the work we’ve done individually and as a family. Honored to be a part of this album @kendricklamar. Thank you for your transparency. Healing can begin…,” she wrote.
Whitney Appears in Kendrick's "Count Me Out" Music Video
Whitney also appeared in her beau’s “Count Me Out” music video and shared a snippet on her Instagram page in December.
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Feature image by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for NARAS