Jhené Aiko Dishes On Her Favorite Wintertime Beauty Products
The weather did not come to play with us this winter, and we're just getting started. Unless you live in a tropical or desert oasis, the forecast for the next few months can include a high chance of dry, malnourished skin if you aren't careful.
But never fear, Jhené Aiko is here with a list of skincare hacks that will help you weather the cold with confidence. The 31-year-old mother of one recently slid through New York to talk to Refinery29 about her most-coveted wintertime beauty tips, and we are taking notes.
In the past, Jhené has been transparent about her struggles with blemishes and breakouts and says that along with Fraxel treatments and a healthy diet, getting to know her skin better has been a huge part of improving her regimen:
"My skin is not perfect. I deal with breakouts, rashes, and dry skin. Some days, I can have great skin days, and some days, I don't. I just accept it. Now, I enjoy sharing tips. Whenever I find a good product or treatment, I love to share it with people and be open about what I do to help my skin — just in case it can help someone who has skin like me. No one has bad skin, but we all have different temperaments."
Jhené said that she has been able to pass quite a few skincare gems on to her daughter, but 11-year-old Namiko is the one responsible for schooling her on the art of confidence.
"The biggest one I've taught my daughter is to wash her face at night. Not just in the morning, but wash off the day as well because she's starting to get her first breakouts. Also, to not touch her face with her hands. She's taught me to be more confident. My daughter doesn't care what anyone thinks. I'll ask her, 'Are you sure you want to wear your hair like that today?' She'll respond, 'Yeah, I don't care,' which I love. She puts me in my place a lot of times and shows me that she's confident no matter what."
Jhené also dished on four products that keep her wintertime skin on 10 at all times! Scroll below for more details:
Heritage Store Rosewater Spray
Among the staple wintertime products Jhené loves is the Heritage Store Rosewater spray, a vegan, alcohol-free toner and moisturizer that can be used on hair and skin. She explained:
"I always carry my Heritage Store Rosewater Spray."
Lancer Dani Glowing Skin Perfector
"Also, the Lancer Dani Glowing Skin Perfector. You can mix it in with your moisturizer for a glow and it smells great."
LipSmart Ultra Hydrating Lip Treatment
"The Lipsmart Hydrating Solution is the best lip balm I've ever used because it doesn't just sit on your lips — you could put it on in the morning and your lips are soft all day."
Kiehl's Body Lotion
"In the winter, I deal with dry skin, and coconut oil helps me keep it moisturized, along with Kiehl's body lotion."
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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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How A Stay At Switzerland's Luxurious 7132 Hotel Reminded Me To Live The Life I Deserve
Sometimes, as women—especially as single Black women—we simply need to be reminded that we are deserving of living a life we dream of. Even if that means creating it for ourselves. I recently set out on a weeklong trip to Switzerland, a trip I’ve been wanting to take for years, and near the end of my visit, I had an epiphany.
“DeAnna, this is the life you deserve,” I thought to myself as I took in the gorgeous bathroom in my suite at the famous 7132 Hotel and Thermal Spa. It was one of the most luxurious hotels (and bathrooms) I had ever stayed in—and that’s saying a lot for someone who often travels for work.
To help you better understand why this was such a mental awakening for me, I first need to give a bit of my backstory. I’m in my late thirties. I’m an attorneyand a journalist. I own a home and have traveled the world extensively. Essentially, I’ve done everything in life I set out to do. However, when it comes to dating, I struggle. Not because there is anything wrong with me per se, but because my career and “lifestyle” often create problems in my romantic relationships.
View from my hotel room
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I’ve been told everything from, ‘I can’t continue to date you because you seem to choose your career over wanting to settle down and have kids’ by a man after only the second date to ‘Maybe if you just sat down somewhere for a while, I’d actually wife you’ by someone who has honestly never proven themselves to be the settle down type. And these are only a handful of the things I’ve been told over the years.
It’s been frustrating, to say the least, and there have even been seasons where I purposely dimmed my light in hopes that my career wouldn’t push away potential suitors. I know what you’re thinking, “Girl, why would you even consider that? If they’re for you, it won’t matter what you do.” Hey, don’t judge me, but also, I one hundred percent agree.
My hotel bathroom
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That’s why this recent moment in Switzerland was right on time. When I first walked into the hotel to check in, I was blown away by the surrounding beauty. It was a five-star property with one of the world’s most famous thermal bathhouses. Yet, it was something about seeing that 90% of the hotel’s guests were couples, that forced me to sit back for a bit of introspection—while soaking in the thermal spa, of course.
As I went through the mental conversation, there was a battle of sorts. On one hand, I knew that being able to partake in experiences like the one I was having at that moment was important to me. I knew that, at times I actually love being able to dabble in the finer things—after all, I’ve worked hard to be able to afford them. On the other hand, and sadly, I knew that sometimes being a single Black woman that publicly showcases her “luxurious” habits can intimidate men and even scare them off from pursuing you under the guise of them feeling like they “can’t do anything for you, because you have everything.”
My hotel room
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So, what is a girl to do?
Do I minimize/hide the life and experiences that I have? Do I play down the hard work I’ve put in to get where I am professionally? Or, do I risk being single in exchange for being able to have said life, without backlash?
Luckily, the joy that I felt while being at this property won. There was something about taking a full day to simply pamper myself at the bathhouse and in my in-room steam shower and soaker tub, indulging in cuisine from a 2-star Michelin restaurant and doing all of this while surrounded by an amazing group of Black women that reminded me—this is certainly the life I was meant to live and that I deserve. Even if it means that right now, I’ll just have to provide it for myself until the right partner comes along. And honestly, I’m okay with that.
Restaurant at 7132 hotel
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