This Creative Director Gave Us The Beauty Routine That Keeps Her Skin On 10
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.
I unapologetically stan for beautiful brown skin. There's nothing in this world that's more delectable than chocolate, and model/creative director Nneka Ibeabuchi has plenty of it.
If you look in the dictionary and search for a definition of "dat glow," you'll probably see a picture of this 25-year-old Los Angeles native who believes that the true key to happiness is being able to wake up and do the things you love. Nneka radiates beauty all the way from her tightly coiled curls to her toes, proving that she's not new to the Melanin Poppin' Gang, she's true to it. As a 13-year-old girl in Nigeria, Nneka would often sneak and experiment with her cousin's makeup, and a little over a decade later, her stunning selfies prove that she's still at it. She told xoNecole, "Back in Nigeria, I would use my older cousin's maybe palettes and bronzer to put all over my face, and I would always get in trouble."
Along with double-washing your face every night and staying up on your apple cider vinegar game, there's a lot we can learn from Nneka about getting our beauty routines all the way together. xoNecole recently caught up with the Nigerian princess, who gave us the tea on how to keep your skin on 10 at all times, and honey, we are taking notes.
My morning routine looks like...
"Typical mornings for me consist of morning prayer, my morning protein and vitamins, masking, reading emails, and surfing the web. I don't eat till 12 noon-ish, breakfast is not included (laughs)."
For my skincare routine...
"My morning and night skin routine are very simple. I do these full steps in the morning if I have the time that day: I wash my face with Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap for one minute. I like this product because it's natural and it doesn't leave your skin dry. I actually wash my face twice; the second soap is Aini Organix Foaming Black Soap. For some reason, I just like to add black soap to my skincare routine because I feel that's the OG!
"I [recently] started using Aztec Secret Clay with apple cider vinegar to mask. My skin was trying to adjust to the west coast weather since I relocated from the east [coast]. I use the mask right after I'm done washing my face. I apply the mask for about 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water, and then cold water to finish it off. I use my toners after masking: Thayers Witch Hazel with Rose Petals and Aini Moroccan Rose Water Toner. Then, I moisturize with Nature Republic Aloe Vera Gel, which I mix with rosehip oil, then I'm set for the day or night."
My go-to makeup look consists of...
"I like a natural glow look. My go-to everyday look consists of a little bit of foundation, concealer for a little highlight, and Ben Nye setting powder for a natural and long-lasting effect. I have full brows, I brush my brows up and fill them out with a little bit of brow powder. Blush, mascara, wing dark eyeliner, and I use rose water to set my face for a long-lasting all day effect."
How I approach beauty from the inside-out...
"Some of the things I do on the inside that make me feel as good as the outside are: prayer, I detox often with apple cider vinegar shots in the morning, and I'm very active. I bike a lot, I love fruits, I don't eat junk food and I eat meat here and there. I love seafood."
What self-care looks like to me...
"Self-care must-haves, I would say, are the things I listed as my morning and night skincare routine. I just gotta have them all, literally. Minus the clay mask."
How I wind down after a long day...
"I take my makeup off as my music is blasting after a long day (music is part of my happiness), take a warm shower, and do my nighttime skincare routine. When my face is masking, I'm responding to emails and also surfing the web. 30 minutes in, I'm having dinner. I brush my teeth after dinner. I don't fall asleep till 11 p.m. sometimes if I'm not so tired, sometimes 10 p.m. "
For more of Nneka, follow her on Instagram.
Featured image by Instagram/AfricanJawn.
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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I Tried Beyoncé's Haircare Line CÉCRED & Here's My Honest Review
Beyoncé is snatching our wallets yet again with her latest business venture CÉCRED. In 2023, the Texas native hinted at a potential haircare line when she posted this photo causing fans to speculate that her next project would be focused on her famous tresses - they were right. Her haircare line Cécred launched on February 20 with her first drop called The Foundation Collection which focuses on haircare first, and I can only assume that a style product line for colored-treated hair will likely follow since Beyoncé is known for slaying various shades of blonde.
As a super fan since the early 2000s, it was only right that I give an honest review of the full line and purchase the Super Fan Bundle (retailed at $265) which includes the full product line of the 8 products, as well as a branded cosmetic bag. If you’re thinking, “Girl that bundle is too pricey for me,” I can assure you that for the value you're getting, the price is quite reasonable. This bundle was an intentional and marketable way to allow consumers to experience every Cécred product.
The brand messaging surrounding Cécred has been salon-inspired, and rightfully so as an ode to Beyoncé’s upbringing growing up in her mother’s hair salon in Houston. This line is backed by science and licensed cosmetologists showing that she’s done her research and appointed the experts. Cécred's IG feed has been filled with images and videos inside of hair salons including some videos of Ms. Tina herself assisting in the styling of beauty experts who visited Cécred's private salon to have the VIP treatment!
Now, have I seen influencers, consumers, and beauty stylists using the Foundation Collection at home? Yes, but I thought it was best to experience Cécred with my go-to cosmetologist who also happens to be my Auntie Tawana. She has been my educator and go-to for hair knowledge since I was a child and has had a hand in my mom's hair health which has always been goals for me. As a little girl, my Saturdays were spent sitting in her hair salon while my mama got her hair done as I patiently waited reading Jet and ESSENCE, ever so carefully eavesdropping on the conversations of the ladies who were coming for much more than just a beauty routine, but an experience.
I’d fall asleep on the plush couch in the waiting area flipping through magazines while listening to the sultry sounds of Maxwell. And I had my first lesson in breakup empowerment when I heard Sunshine Anderson’s “Heard It All Before.” So there was no other place for me to go than to see her, and because I’m her niece, I was able to visit her private salon in her home that she calls The After Hours where upon arrival I was greeted with my favorite Black-owned sparkling Rosé, candles lit, and my aunt’s breakdown of Cécred.
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
But let me refocus and share my salon experience as I tried Cécred for the first time.
If You’re Wondering…Who is Cécred For?
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
When news of Beyoncé potentially launching a beauty brand hit the internet, there were a bunch of predictions of what and who the line would be marketed towards and if she’d have any wig care products as she’s known for slaying her units! But she went in a totally different direction which I love, and I’m going to tell you why. Critics have questioned if Beyoncé should be venturing into the haircare industry because she is often seen in weaves and wigs, but true Beyoncé fans know that she has healthy hair and that, like many Black women, experiments with various styles.
Cécred was created for all hair types and textures, including straight to coily, virgin, color-treated, chemically processed, and heat-styled. As a Black woman who has worn wigs, had chemically processed hair, heat-styled, natural, and color-treated hair, let me tell you, this was no easy feat! The amount of money I’ve spent on my hair through its various changes just on product alone, forget styling has been astronomical.
Cécred is serving the needs of various hair types in textures and I truly believe that this is going to make Beyoncé a true competitor in the hair industry amongst brands that are comparable such as OUAI and Olaplex. Both competitor brands have similar items at a higher price point and unlike Cécred, their products and brand messaging haven’t always felt inclusive to Black women and other hair types.
Cécred has been tested inclusively and the reviews from various hair types and backgrounds of consumers are allowing the brand to stand out.
I Tried Beyoncé's Haircare Line Cécred: My Honest Review
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
My hair has never felt cleaner and it shined for well over a week following the styling (but the oil should be used sparingly if like me, oil can weigh down your hair.) Immediately when my hair touched the sink, my aunt told me that she saw all the dirt and oils lifting from my hair when she applied the clarifying shampoo. As a girl who loves my curls, I am often judgy when I use any other shampoo and conditioner aside from Pattern, but not this time.
When my aunt guided my hands across my hair, she showed me how my curls weren’t tangled, and how she didn’t need to comb out my curls before applying the moisturizing deep conditioner or the deconstructing treatment mask.
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
She applied each step with care and walked me through the process, and to my surprise, the hair mask wasn’t thick - but through trial and error as a natural girl, I’ve learned that a thick mask doesn’t always equal what’s best for your hair. She styled me with a silk press that left my hair with shine and I can honestly say that each step of the line is needed especially if you are someone who changes up your hair and deals with breakage. If your hair is healthy, you can opt out of the reconstructing treatment mask but I recommend taking the product line to your salon, having a discussion with your stylist on where your hair health needs improvement, and then purchasing based on that.
We know ourselves better than anyone else, but your stylist knows your hair better than you do. I like to lead with their knowledge first and then incorporate what my hair goals are. If you’re a girly who’s committed to hair health and has either the discipline to incorporate each step at home or can bring your products to the salon, Cécred is for you no matter if you’re a silk press or a wash-and-go naturalist.
Give Cécred a try, I’ll be using the line for my hair appointments until it runs out and if I see long-term results, it will be added to the beauty regimen indefinitely.
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Featured image courtesy of CÉCRED