Jorja Smith Shares Her Nighttime Skincare Routine For That Summer Glow
UK singer Jorja Smith began her career on SoundCloud with her debut track "Blue Lights." After being featured on Drake's "Get It Together," listeners were tracking down the vocalist behind the captivating voice. The 21-year-old blew up and crossed over musically.
In addition to her warm vocals, Jorja has enviable skin that's smooth like butter and absent of any discernible flaws. It's one of the reasons her comments on social media are always bombarded with fans wanting her to drop her skincare routine.
In Vogue's 'Beauty Secrets' series, Jorja finally shared her essential tips for giving your skin some TLC before heading to bed to wake up glowing! Here is her six-step nighttime skincare routine:
1. Cleanse: Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water
Walgreens
First things first, remove your makeup with one of Jorja's staple skincare products: Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water. No matter how tired you are ladies, follow Jorja's advice and never go to bed with makeup.
2. Wash: L'Oreal Paris Pure-Clay Cleanser
Walmart
Then, she washes her face with L'Oreal Paris Pure Clay Cleanser.
3. Exfoliate: Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Night Pads
Walgreens
On clean and freshly washed skin, she follows up by exfoliating with Nip + Fab Glycolic Fix Night Pads.
4. Moisturize: Malin + Goetz Recovery Treatment Oil
Bloomingdale's
Three drops of Malin + Goetz Recovery Treatment Oil helps the songstress wake up with glowy, moisturized skin.
5. Depuff: The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
Ulta
After moisturizing, she then rubs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution under her eyes. Eye bags be gone! Tip: Use your ring fingers to avoid getting the serum in your eyes.
6. Seal Moisture: Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream
The Body Shop
The big finale is Body Shop Vitamin E Moisture Cream that accommodates all skin types, a little Jamaican Castor Oil for growth of her lashes and brows, and a spritz of Decleor mist. Bonus tip: Don't forget to stay hydrated.
Now, your skin will be on 10! Watch the full video below:
Jorja Smith Gets Ready for Bed | Beauty Secrets | Vogue
Featured image via VOGUE/YouTube
Laterras R. Whitfield On What He Wants In A 'Future Wifey' & Redefining Masculinity
In this week's episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker chopped it up with Laterras R. Whitfield, host of the Dear Future Wifey podcast, for a raw and revealing conversation about personal growth, faith, and the search for love in a way that resonates.
Laterras Whitfield Believes Men Should Pursue, Not Persuade
“Let me know you exist, and I’ll do the rest”
Whitfield is a big advocate of a man’s role in going confidently for the woman he wants. “Men should pursue, not persuade, and women should present, not pursue,” he said. He’s open to meeting women on social media but isn’t a fan of bold approaches. “Don’t shoot your shot at me. … Let me know you exist, and I’ll do the rest.”
His ideal woman?
“She has to be a woman of God… I judge a woman by how her friends see her… and most importantly, how she treats my kids.”
Infidelity, Redemption, and the Power of Self-Control
“Being disciplined is the most beautiful thing you can offer”
Once unfaithful in his previous marriage, Whitfield has since transformed his perspective on masculinity. “Being disciplined is the most beautiful thing you can offer. That’s what true masculinity is to me now.” He has also committed to abstinence, choosing self-control as a defining trait of manhood.
Whitfield’s journey is one of redemption, purpose, and faith—something that speaks to women who value emotional intelligence, accountability, and the power of transformation.
Rewriting the Narrative Around Black Masculinity
What masculinity, legacy, and healing mean to Whitfield today
“My dad taught me what not to be [as a man] and my mom taught me what she needed [in a man],” Whitfield said. While his father wasn’t abusive, he wasn’t emotionally or affectionately present. “Since I didn’t see it, I never got it either… I would look at my dad and say, ‘I want to be a better father.’ ”
Adoption had always been on his spirit, influenced by TV shows like Different Strokes and Punky Brewster. This mindset led him to take in his nephew as his son after a powerful dream confirmed what he already felt in his heart.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by xoNecole/YouTube
Being a Black woman in this world means being your biggest advocate, no matter who is standing beside you or not. There is something about a Black woman and her power of manifestation that can’t be taught, only felt. It’s something that’s been passed down from our ancestors, from generation to generation, and something that is always within us. Some call it Black Girl Magic, but some haven’t been able to define the unique gifts we possess.
Working with the energy in your life is essential in creating the life you desire. Mantras, affirmations, and daily testaments have been proven to work in aiding manifestations for centuries, and are powerful ways of co-creating your reality.
Having a money mantra you can repeat to yourself daily that resonates with your unique perspective and financial goals can help you meet your desires with ease and confidence. Each sign of the zodiac has a unique relationship to its finances and some keywords can positively impact you on your financial journey. Remember that a key component to manifesting is putting in the work and backing your intentions with action.
As you are repeating these mantras daily, natural intuitive guidance and insight will begin to come forth on what concrete action to take in addition to the intentions you are putting out there. Connecting to your inner alchemy can create wonders in your life, and will manifest the life of your dreams.
Along with your sun sign, your midheaven sign is your career zone, your success zone, and shows you how you can reach your financial goals in life. When reading your money mantras below, make sure to view your midheaven sign (MC, Medium Coeli) for further insight into aiding in your success story.
This is your reminder that you are a powerful soul, there are divine tools and practices available to you at all times, and that anything in life is possible for you.
ARIES
“The work I do receives instant financial support.”
Aries is a driven soul and is constantly getting itself into new ventures, especially when it comes to business. With Mars being your planetary ruler, you have a gift when it comes to natural drive and energy, and you have what it takes to see your goals through. A good money mantra for you is one that can keep up with your high goals and one that provides a quick return. Remember that patience is key with all manifestations, but using this money mantra can help meet you where you are and provide the more fast returns you are looking for.
TAURUS
“I give and receive freely.
I always have enough.
I always am enough.”
Taurus is the money sign of the zodiac and you are born with more of a gift with money than most. A lot of Tauruses are born into wealth, or the complete opposite which makes them extremely hard-working individuals who strive for this type of financial stability in life. Taurus is one of the most frugal signs of the zodiac, and although you are very giving to your loved ones, you do prefer to have stability more than anything.
However, this energy can do you more harm than good and can keep you in stagnation, feeling like you have to keep everything in, giving you very little breathing room to enjoy what you have accumulated for yourself. For you, having a good flow here and less rigid energy can create space for even more wealth to enter your life.
GEMINI
“My ideas flow effortlessly.
I manifest money through my creative ideas and solutions.”
Gemini is all about the mind, as your planetary ruler is Mercury, the planet of the mind, communication, and business. With your unique gifts in creative ideas, visions, and solutions, you make for a great manifester. All that is needed is putting your good ideas to use and taking concrete steps to back up your intentions. For you, a money mantra that acknowledges how your mind flows and what it can manifest into is key. You are the creative genius of the zodiac and using the power of your mind to manifest is your gift. Repeat this mantra daily, and also remember the intentional action needed to make your dreams come true.
CANCER
“I am grounded.
I am stable.
I have everything I need.”
Cancer is known to be one of the most emotional zodiac signs, and people often forget how business-savvy you truly are. You work hard towards your goals in life because security means everything to you both emotionally and financially. Your home life is your world, and you understand that money typically equates to your dream home. You work to rest peacefully, and a good money mantra for you helps you gain your ground and get back to the present moment when emotions run high. Being ruled by the Moon, finances can tend to fluctuate as the phases of the Moon do, and having a consistent routine or mantra can help balance and ground this energy.
LEO
“I am worthy of financial success and freedom.
I am abundant.”
Financial success for Leo is all about confidence. When you are feeling good, you manifest good, and having a money mantra that reminds you of how worthy you are, does wonders for the Leo soul. With your innate gift of optimism and joy, you shine wherever you go. Putting this energy into your finances can shed light on the prosperity and abundance that is there for you in life, and your money mantra is all about reminding yourself how great you are. No one takes a compliment better than a Leo, and you should be the first one to give yourself that. Use your money mantra daily, and to take this even further, say your money mantra out loud while looking in the mirror.
VIRGO
“I relax, I let go, my finances are in perfect flow.
I am open to receiving money.”
Virgo knows how to create and manifest, being a Mercury-ruled earth sign. Virgo’s make some of the best manifesters, as your energy is one of harvest and what comes about through positive intentions, hard work, and dedication. However, you can be way too hard on yourself at times and be your own biggest critic. A good money mantra for you reminds you to let go, and open up to receive. Your money mantra is here to remind you that you don’t always have to work so hard to receive and that sometimes it’s just about opening up and allowing something to just be given to you freely. Remember that you don’t have to do anything to be worthy of abundance, abundance is your birthright.
LIBRA
“I love what I do.
I am successful in all areas of life.”
Libras when it comes to money are all about what you can do and have with money itself. You want to accumulate wealth so you can live the lavish life of your dreams, but you also wouldn’t mind if someone else was doing the money-making for you. For you to get in the zone of financial wealth, all areas of your life need to be going smoothly for you; especially love, as when your relationships are going well, you feel well on all levels. Your money mantra is about covering all the bases so that you can manifest your goals feeling like you are not leaving out the other important matters of your life as well. Balance is everything for a Libra, and your money mantra puts you into this perspective.
SCORPIO
“I am a money magnet.
I attract abundance with ease.”
Scorpio is the ruler of the 8th house which is the house of shared finances, inheritances, taxes, and debts. You have an eye for what is going to benefit you financially or not, and your analytical mind is constantly running the numbers. This is why you will find a lot of Scorpios working in banks, accounting, or dealing with data. A good money mantra for your passionate soul acknowledges your need for abundance and empowerment but also highlights the magnetic power you exude. You have a way of luring people or energy to you, and you can use this gift in attracting money and financial wealth into your life as well.
SAGITTARIUS
“I manage my finances well,
I am a lucky soul.”
Sagittarius tends to find themselves in the right place, at the right time. Through your optimism and adventurous energy, you attract opportunities for yourself effortlessly in life. For you, your money mantra is all about recognizing your unique gifts of manifestation, but also about grounding this energy so that you always feel like you have enough. You will book a vacation without much thought to it, which can be fun for the soul but may dampen your financial returns in the long run. Balance is everything for you financially, and your money mantra should especially be repeated before making any big purchases or spending on impulse.
CAPRICORN
“I am a success, and I have the Midas Touch.
Everything I do turns to gold.”
A Capricorn looks at their bank balance the first thing when they wake up. You are not one to beat around the bush when it comes to money, and you also aren’t afraid to ask for what you deserve. Being ruled by the 10th house, the house of success, career goals, and prosperity--you have high ideals in life and this is especially true for you financially. You want to be the best at everything you do, and everything you touch turns to gold. Your money mantra puts you into that energy of knowing how valuable you are, and the fact that everyone wishes they had a Capricorn on their team to get things done and elevate financially.
AQUARIUS
“The opportunities for me in life are endless.
Wealth constantly flows into my life.”
Aquariuses are aspirational and inspiring souls. You were born with expansive goals and visions for the world, and you have a gift for connecting with the right people who help you get there. A money mantra for you that opens up channels of wealth and prosperity serves you well, and you have a unique way of making things happen for yourself. Aquariuses often surprise people with what their financial world looks like, as they aren’t one to boast. Your money mantra is all about attracting endless opportunities into your life, and being the successful soul you are. Repeat your money mantra while going about your day to help you focus on what you are attracting and focusing on.
PISCES
“I am grounded in the present moment.
The universe has my back, and always provides for me.”
Pisces manifest from the heart. Being ruled by Neptune, the planet of fantasy, and Jupiter, the planet of success, means that your dreams in life do often come true for you. Why? Because you don’t stop thinking of them. You tend to live in your own world of fantasy, which can be a very good thing when it comes to manifesting. You know there is a force greater than anything out there, and you often rely on this benevolent energy to support you when needed. Your money mantra will help you ground your desires in the present moment, where the universe can meet you halfway.
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Featured image by Thought Catalog on Unsplash
Originally published on August 22, 2022