This Is How Actress Kat Graham Achieves Flawless Skin
I'm not a skincare aficionado by any means, but as I enter my late twenties, I am becoming more and more aware of how important it is to develop a skincare routine with tiers and layers and to partake in that routine religiously. Skincare is genetics meet preparation, after all. Here on xoNecole, we talk everything from the right way to layer skincare products to the best hyperpigmentation products on the market. So as I look for more tips and tricks to add to my ritual in Operation Flawless Skin, there's no wonder actress Kat Graham is on my beauty radar.
Most known for her starring role in the CW hit The Vampire Diaries, the 29-year-old does a little of everything, from singing and dancing to modeling and acting. Recently, the starlet took The Cut behind the scenes of her getting ready for the Dior show during Paris Fashion Week, all the while filling us in on her biggest beauty and wellness secrets. Check them out below.
Kat Graham On Her Beauty & Wellness Routine During The Day
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Juicing has been all the rage as of late. In addition to the many benefits juicing does for the body, it also has an amazing effect on the skin. For those who struggle with acne or other skin problems, detoxing the body through juicing might be just what the doctor ordered. Kat loves juicing and makes sure to get some aloe into her diet as well:
"When I have a big day where I might have a lot of press, I'll juice during the day. There's a lot of really great juices that really bring out your skin. I didn't juice all day today, I snuck in a few French fries, but I did drink a lot of aloe as well."
Just as important as taking care of your skin on the inside is taking care of your skin on the outside. Kat reiterates that eating well and drinking copious amounts of water day in and day out are fundamental to her approach to skincare:
"You've got to eat well. A lot of people think they're going to have great skin just through topicals, and sure, there are plenty of products that can get you to a really great place. But if you're not eating well, if you're not drinking enough water, if you're leading a stressful life, if you're smoking, if you're sponsoring your bad habits, your stress and anger will show and it will manifest into a pimple, or redness, or an extra wrinkle you don't want. How you treat your body and deal with the world is huge."
And don't let the melanin fool you, protecting the skin is still of the utmost importance to Kat. She said:
"I have to protect my skin even though I'm a black woman because I will still get a lot of sunspots and freckles if I don't take care of my skin. I like a lot of drugstore products, to be honest. I mean I like SK-II and Laura Mercier, as far as fancier things, but I really love argan oil on my hair or my cheekbones for an event."
Kat Graham On Her Nighttime Routine
Kat might have to be dolled up for her day job, but at night, she prefers to let her skin breathe ASAP and removing her makeup is the ultimate first step of her nighttime routine:
"It consists usually of taking off my makeup and then kind of locking in some moisturizer. I'm a pretty big fan of Neutrogena and Aveeno wipes, but I've noticed that sometimes I need a little bit more because a lot of the makeup I wear is long-lasting from being on set or at a photo shoot or an event. After the makeup remover wipes, I usually go and use the Dior Hydra Life makeup remover. It's insane, I don't know what's in it but it's pure magic to me. I thought I lost it once and haven't felt that kind of panic in a while."
Sleep is also a big necessity for her in terms of maintaining her state of mind and her flawless skin. And since she starts her days at the crack of dawn, the earlier, the better:
"If I had my way I'd be in bed by 9 p.m. I'm not a night person at all. After 9, I'm pretty useless. I'll honestly go to bed around 10:30 p.m. I get up at 5:30 a.m. every day, no matter what."
"I love a good charcoal face mask, and I'll do that the night before a big event. When I'm jet-lagged I use a little lavender oil under my nose and it makes me sleep like a baby."
To read her feature on The Cut in full, click here.
Featured image by Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
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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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The difficulties of dating go without saying. We live in a generation where women are expected to abide by innumerable unwritten dating rules, including what and what not to ask on the first few dates. So we deprive ourselves of precious time talking about things that don’t even matter. Well, I want a soft life, and closed mouths don’t get fed.
“What’s not said is not understood” is one of my favorite coined mottos. Manifesting my best soft girl life doesn’t include biting my tongue from asking necessary questions and sticking to ego-stroking facts of what a great school he went to or how cute that his first son must share his first name. It includes having a partner who’s ready and willing to not only match my energy but also contribute to my lifestyle. So tell me, how I’m supposed to do that if we’re busy talking about how his favorite thing to do is go to Lakers games? (Like, honestly, who really cares?)
Now, I’m not saying start going into dates, guns blazing, asking about credit scores, and how many kids he wants. But that’s not to say you shouldn’t want to have an idea of his financial setup and goals. The key is subtlety. While I’m no dating expert and quite single, I’ve found myself wasting less time by wording questions in a deliberate way that helps sift through the Prince Charmings and Mr. Right Nows. These are a few I recommend:
“Tell me a red flag about yourself that you think I should know.”
You know how job interviewers ask you to describe your biggest weakness? This is the same idea. It’s an opportunity to show vulnerability and self-awareness. Follow up by asking if he’s actively working on improving. Whatever the response, it’s up to you to decide if it’s alarming enough to either run or stay. But I can’t emphasize this enough: PLEASE don’t take this as a charming challenge of “I can change him.” He’s (fill in the blank) years old. He’s had (fill in the blank) amount of years to change. If he hasn’t, he has no desire to.
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“Do you do your work for the money or because of passion?”
I like this question because it indicates how attached he is to his career. I’ve found men who do what they do because of passion are more willing to sacrifice quality time for work. Passion is admirable, yes, but you’re looking for a romantic partner – not a business consultant. You’ll get an idea of his work-life balance. Is he the type to take time off for a couple’s vacation? Or will you spend your summer Saturdays local because he can’t pull himself away? While the ones who work for money may have more free time, are contrarily miserable and up to start a new career path at some point. The new question is, are you willing to stand beside the financial stall that it might put him through?
“What do you want your ideal household with your partner to look like, responsibility-wise?”
If you want to know if he’s the type to take care of all the bills or expects you to go 50/50, ask this question. It’s worded perfectly for him to answer however he interprets. Whether it defines who pays the bills to who takes out the garbage. However, if he’s not sure how to answer, elaborate by saying, “Do you prefer your partner to have the more traditional role of only taking care of the house, or do you look forward to sharing all of the responsibilities down the middle?” He’ll most likely ask you in turn, and it’s up to you to be as honest about your expectations as you feel at that moment. I gently communicate my preferences even if they differ from his because I don’t want to create false expectations for myself, trying to gain his favor.
“How much of an influence does your family have on your love life?”
We love a family man. It’s the cornerstone of healthy relationships. But for some, there is such a thing as too much family. It’s important to know how close they are so you’ll get an idea of how much their opinions can affect the relationship. Consider the following: Will there be tension if you skip family events? How willing is he to create boundaries necessary for your comfort? Can you rely on him to put his foot down when his sisters are being overprotective?
Then, once we’re in a more comfortable place, I’ll even ask how his family handled the end of his last relationship. His answer can indicate how emotionally involved they were, so listen for hints of them missing her or having complete disdain. (How they talk about her is how they’ll talk about you.)
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“When did you realize you were ready to settle down?”
This question can be scary to answer but only depending on his true intentions. It assumes that you’re both on the same page. Just the thought of a serious relationship will make the biggest serial dater squirm and accidentally admit that he’s not interested in anything serious after all. He may also pull the nonchalant card by reciting the “I’m just vibing” script. *gag* Whereas, a man of intention will straight up say exactly how he knows he’s prepared to enter a committed partnership. Don’t take this as 100% Bible, though. Continue to make sure his actions match his words because there’s nothing worse than being tricked into a situationship based on empty promises.
Really, all we can do is be intentional, learn lessons, and apply those lessons along the way. There’s no foolproof way of dating, so we can’t afford to waste time not asking the right questions. While knowing his zodiac sign is arguably quite important, let’s make sure we’re setting up our futures for everything we deserve and more.
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