

The Under 10-Minute Beauty Routine Alicia Keys Swears By For Sensitive Skin
When she's not going makeup-free, Alicia Keys is wearing an artfully crafted face of "no-makeup makeup"—a 2020 beauty trend that has gracefully made the transition into 2021. The Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter has been long ahead of this movement, but she's finally sharing her minimalistic ways with the world via Allure's YouTube. We watched and took notes for you so you don't have to (although if you have the time, we suggest you do for Alicia's ASMR-like voice). Her ultra stripped-down routine takes an impressive seven minutes and fifty-four seconds and includes just five products—a far cry from the 10-step Korean beauty regimens on TikTok. It makes perfect sense since the 40-year-young mom launched her beauty wellness brand Keys Soulcare at the tail-end of last year with a focus on more natural products that celebrate holistic practices.
Interestingly enough though the Keys Soulcare CEO says her skin didn't always behave.
"I've always had actually a lot of trouble with my skin, so in a lot of ways it's a new experience for me to have skin that feels a little bit more under control," she said before adding, "To be honest, every day is different. Some days are better than others so skincare to me is like a ritual."
She also shared the simple beauty she swore by in her younger years—lip liner. "The lip liner had to be one shade darker than the lipstick...It was all about the lip liner and that was New York all day," she recalled. Now, her updated routine involves skincare and makeup illusions, but more importantly, one that she's made a habit because to her it means "loving on yourself".
Keys Soulcare Reviving Aura Mist ($22)
Allure/YouTube
After she washes up, she uses Keys Soulcare Reviving Aura Mist which has a lovely Rose of Jericho scent. She credits her glow to misting throughout the day. It doubles as a wellness product too, since each bottle has a mantra on it.
Keys Soulcare Skin Transformation Cream ($30)
Allure/YouTube
She wouldn't be a beauty boss if she didn't shamelessly plug more of her Keys Soulcare line, but she boasts that the super-thin formula of her Skin Transformation Cream has been a life-saver for her sensitive skin. The key ingredient is bakuchiol which is like a plant-based version of retinol, meaning it significantly decreases wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. However, unlike retinol, this natural substitute has no potential side effects like scaling and stinging.
Nars The Multiple Tint in Turks & Caicos ($39/ *This shade is discontinued. Sad we know, but you’ll find this product in more shades in the link)
Allure/YouTube
We love a multi-use product for two reasons—it's a budget and time-saver. Alicia does too and uses Nars' The Multiple Tint on cheekbones, the outer edges of her forehead, and even under her eyes to brighten. She said of the application technique:
"Let's give the illusion that we've been in the sun all weekend, even when we haven't."
Diorshow Stylo Waterproof Eyeliner in Matte Blue ($33)
Allure/YouTube
Alicia had another unique technique for applying her favorite Diorshow Stylo Waterproof Eyeliner. She lifts her lids and lines the inside corners of her upper lash line ever so lightly with colors like blue or green to accentuate her eyes.
Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Waterproof in Brun ($32)
Allure/YouTube
And last but least, she showed how she swipes on her Chanel mascara which sums up her whole beauty philosophy. She said:
"I like to kind of go pretty dramatic with mascara..Beauty is complementing your mood. It is an accessory for you to express and be an artist, in the sense of, you know, we all are the artists of our lives and we get to express that how we want. So, you know, however you want to do it is right."
Well said, no?
Alicia Keys' No-Fuss 10 Minute Beauty Routine | Allure
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Featured image by Allure/YouTube
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Jazmine A. Ortiz is a creative born and raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn and currently living in Staten Island, NY. She started in the entertainment industry in 2012 and now works as a Lifestyle Editor where she explores everything from mental health to vegan foodie trends. For more on what she's doing in the digital space follow her on Instagram at @liddle_bitt.
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Reginae Carter Opens Up About Dating And Why She Puts Herself First
Actress, reality star and entrepreneur Reginae Carter has demonstrated that she isn't afraid to speak her mind on a wide range of subjects, including dating and relationships.
In the past, the reason why Carter, the daughter of Dwayne "Lil Wayne" Carter and Toya Johnson-Rushing, has been vocal stems from her numerous high-profile unions—the 24-year-old previously dated rapper YFN Lucci on and off from 2018 to 2021. In recent years, Carter has been romantically linked to YouTuber Armon Warren.
To date, the current status of her relationship with Warren is unclear because Carter has since removed what appears to be all the posts, including the singer, on social media. Despite that, Carter was open to discussing dating and the topic of placeholding when she recently sat down with Revolt's Black Girls Stuff hosts.
According to Goalcast, a placeholder occurs when an individual non-exclusively dates someone for an extended period as they "wait for the one." In the May interview, Carter shared her insights on celebrity relationships and why she refuses to settle.
Reginae On Relationships
During the conversation, Carter shared that many people view placeholding as a way that benefits one person.
The Boxed In star claimed that despite the difference of opinion, she considers it beneficial for both parties in terms of celebrity dating because the couple could be placed holding each other for a come-up.
"Some people are looking at placeholding as if like you know you're benefiting off of them or they benefit off of you. Like, say, many celebrity relationships, I feel like they placehold each other to get up or get on top or clout chase," she said.
However, Carter added how "industry relationships" could be detrimental to the person being used as a placeholder. Carter revealed that the individual being used may feel like their time was wasted.
"It's a lot of industry relationships where they go to the 'it' girls when it's probably like a girl they've been messing with for a long time," she stated. "That girl may feel like, 'Damn, I was placeholding, just for you to go get a more lit b--h.'"
Reginae On Being A Placeholder And Not Settling In Relationships
As the discussion transitioned to if she ever had someone in a placeholder position, Carter said that because she is "a fairy tale lover," the only people she has been romantically linked to are those she considered special.
"I don't think I placehold. I'm like a fairy tale lover, and I just love. So I feel if you ever came close to even getting a place to hold, I guess, you are really something," she explained.
When the topic of men having placeholders out of fear of being alone came up, the Terror Lake Drive star expressed that although she doesn't believe that all "men cheat," she shared that some have placeholders for specific things like sex and companionship because women allow it.
"My opinion is, I feel like not every man cheat. But I feel like every man got a little placeholder that they can call up, and they holding some place," she said. "They might be holding the ‘Oh, I just sleep with you place.' Or they might be holding the wife one, because we allow that. We allow men to do that."
Carter wrapped up the interview by saying that she refuses to be in that predicament because of the amount of love she has for herself, and if it ever happened to her, she would leave.
"If somebody makes us mad or we find out, like 'no baby, you gone, bye.' I know me. I'm not about to keep letting you come... It's too much. I don't play about me.
“So it's like, I know you sleeping around, I'm not about to let you sleep in this bed," she stated.
Reginae Carter on Relationships, Placeholders, and Growth | Black Girl Stuff
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