
Jhene Aiko Gave Us A Peek Into Her Daytime Makeup Look & It’s So Freakin’ Effortless

Jhene Aiko is the kind of girl that gives you quintessential L.A. vibes — undemanding, carefree, and yet still super put together.
And even though her vocals are really what makes us all swoon, Aiko proves that a smooth and "effortless" look still takes, well, effort.
She spilled her beauty secrets with Vogue, while nonetheless donning a beautiful black kimono and some box braids (with her edges on fleek, y'all). So here's a few things we learned about recreating Jhené's makeup:
First of all, eyebrows are key.
Aiko revealed that it can take her up to 30 minutes to do her eyebrows, which she understands are sisters and not twins. "For me, it's the most important part," she told Vogue as she swiped up throughout the brow with an eyebrow pencil.
Get ya hustle on with the eyeshadows.
Next, she grabbed for her Urban Decay Naked palette, adding some depth to her eyes with a transitional shade just a step or two deeper than her natural skin complexion. Then, she blended "Toasted" and "Hustle" together — both nudes — and swept the shades across her entire crease, as well as underneath the eye.
She took the same pencil for her brows and lined her eyes for some dimension, yasss! Don't be afraid to use the same products in your beauty arsenal to achieve that look you're going for. If you want to play up your eyes, just line them however you feel best. For Jhené, she did a tight line in the inner corner, and then smudged it out on the ends.
Conceal the problems away.
Now, if you thought that celebrities only splurge on expensive beauty products, think again! Jhené reached for that good ole' LA Girl Pro Concealer (which y'all remember was only $3 and a black girl fave) and cleaned up under her eyes. Personal tip, warm up the product on the back of your hand and take a small concealer brush to lightly apply the product.
Oh, and Jhené goes for the beauty blender to blend out her concealer for that au-naturale look.
Go natural with the contour.
She grabs the NARS Sheer Glow (which is a great foundation for building up), and then she dots it on her face and around her eyebrows to clean everything up. So yes, y'all can wear foundation and have it still look completely natural! She then goes in with a bit of contour, and does a pretty chill sculpt. "I like to just follow my natural curves of my face," she said.
Subtle highlights work, too.
Then she took a small, fluffy brush and finished off with her nose, and took her finger and added some highlight definition to the bridge of her nose and under the eyebrow. She went in and set it all with a bit of translucent powder to pull it all together.
She added a collagen-boosting lipgloss, and took a bit of highlight and dabbed it on her cupid's bow (if y'all are trying to get that Rihanna-esque lip, this is a step in the right direction). Finish it off with a little mascara on the edges, and of course, your best pose out the bathroom.
Slay, Jhené! Check out the full step-by-step tutorial below:
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image screenshot/ xoNecole YouTube
7 Spring-Themed Journal Prompts To Help You Bloom Into Your Dream Life
Spring symbolizes a rebirth and this rebirth is usually associated with nature. However, it can also take place in our minds. It can give us a renewed mindset and motivation regarding our goals, especially if the first quarter was rough.
As the sun emerges once more and the flowers start blooming, it’s the best time to reflect and grow into the person you were destined to be. One effective way to nurture your inner growth and embrace the vibrant energy of spring is through journaling.
Journaling is a wellness practice that can unlock creativity, emotions, and mental clarity. While it’s recommended to practice journaling daily or weekly, certain journal prompts can be tailored to suit different situations and times of the year.
Below are 7 journal prompts that can help you reflect and grow this spring.
m-imagephotography/ Getty Images
What intentions do you want to set for the next three months?
Include how you plan to stay aligned with them.
What brings you joy and lightness right now?
Describe how you can create more space for those moments.
What seeds do you want to plant and nurture this season?
andreswd/ Getty Images
What does renewal mean to you?
Include how you can invite more opportunities for renewal in this season.
What personal growth have you experienced over the past few months?
Describe the moments you are most proud of.
Tim Robberts/ Getty Images
Spring is a balance of rain and sunshine. What contrasting emotions or experiences are you navigating right now?
Create solutions for each emotion.
Describe a time you felt truly energized and alive.
What are some things you can do to bring more of that feeling into your daily life?
If you're looking to go deeper into your mindful practice or to journal around a supportive group of individuals, then check out my virtual and in-person Bloom & Flow Spring Journaling Workshop.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by vitapix/ Getty Images