As women of color, our skin is our armour to a cold and cruel world. Our skin is the veil that so honestly projects who we are and has the power to define how we feel about ourselves. Black girls and their skin have a special relationship, one that if properly nurtured, can help empower us to create black girl magic every day.
Some of our favorite sorceresses including Kerry Washington, Missy Elliott, and Kelly Rowland have been opening up about how they keep their skin all the way together, and we're taking notes. Former Scandal star, Kerry Washington just gave Glamour the low-down about how she maintains her scandal-worthy beauty and we are here for it. When asked about her routine in a game of 20-ish Beauty Questions she said:
"Daily fish oil supplements, because omega fatty acids work."
This beauty hack can be found at your local pharmacy or Walmart for less than $10 and can work wonders for your hair, nails, and skin. The 42-year-old mother of two has also been candid about her battle with eczema, a common skin condition that's symptoms include rashes, small blisters, and thickened plaques of skin, and says that working with a nutritionist and drinking plenty of water has helped her manage her dermatitis.
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Kerry said that she's had eczema since she was 8 years old and had to learn that beauty works from the inside out. She told InStyle in 2014:
"I actually had terrible eczema growing up and had to learn how to manage it. I work with a nutritionist because, to me, beauty is an inside-out thing. I take fish oil pills, drink lots of water, and try not to eat dairy. Those things have really helped my skin."
Among fish oil pills and making changes to her diet, Kerry says that moisturizer and hydration are the keys to keeping your face on fleek. She told Allure that one of the most important lessons that she learned from her mother was to drink enough water.
"Hydration, hydration, hydration. I believe drinking a ton of water is vital to health and wellness. It's so important to have hydration on the inside, but also finding products that can really lock in moisture on the outside. It's all about working internally and externally toward the same goal."
As for her daily routine outside of her glamorous work life, our favorite fixer sticks to concealer and moisturizer.
"And I'd never, ever skip moisturizer—no way—it's too critical. I'm a little bit obsessed with Neutrogena Norwegian Hand Cream. It actually makes my manicure last an extra week. And then hyaluronic acid for my face is everything. I love Neutrogena's new serum. And there's a new Hydroboost gel with SPF in it, which is great, especially during spring and summer."
Kerry said that one of her golden beauty rules was to work internally and externally toward the same goal. Due to stress and changes in the environment, maintaining a proper skincare routine can be hard on a sister, but Kerry reminds us that it's important to work from the inside-out.
Not only is it important that we get the right beauty products, but it's extremely important that you're taking good care of the machinery that helps you operate. Trying out vitamins and supplements could turn your beauty routine from I can't handle this to It's handled.
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While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Do Essences Actually Work? What I Wish More Beauty Brands Explained
The idea of using it seems relaxing at times. How beauty gurus gently place essence on their skin looks like a relaxing experience. Still, no one ever explains what it truly does. Even most essence products typically don’t define their purpose. They usually highlight a key ingredient to draw consumers, like me, to purchase the product. This has often tempted me, but I couldn't point out its purpose.
These are the moments I wish essence products were more transparent than the item itself.
Why I Chose The Ordinary's Multi-Active Delivery Essence
The Ordinary has always been on my radar to try. Their products are affordable, and if I’m being honest, someone on my For You page is always raving about them. When they came out with an essence, I knew it was perfect timing. I received the item to find its purpose, and the number one detail I’ve always looked for.
Labeled at the front of the bottle, Multi-Active Delivery Essence states that it is a hydrating essence that helps prime the skin for better skincare penetration. It’s a small detail that allowed me to understand its intention and put it to the test fully.
How To Use The Ordinary’s Hydrating Essence For Glowing Skin
I applied the essence before skincare, as recommended. According to their website, the hydrating essence is supposed to provide intense moisture. They compare it to their Niacinamide 10% Zinc 1% product. This sets the foundation for hydration to last longer on the skin and for skincare products to penetrate deeply, allowing the skin to have a brighter, luminous appearance.
My Skin After: A Natural Glow and Long-Lasting Hydration
Once I applied the essence to my skin, I began using my skincare. I figured mixing my serums with the product would be an excellent way for them to penetrate deeper, as promised in the descriptions. Once my serums had settled in, I followed up with a moisturizer to lock everything in and SPF to add some protection. I noticed my skin lay more smoothly. It was clear that incorporating the essence and letting things settle helped to create a natural glow.
Throughout the day, I monitored how my skin would react. As someone with dry skin, I sometimes have to reapply sunscreen or moisturizer to keep the hydration flowing. I didn’t feel the need to reapply since I had used the essence earlier that day. My skin maintained hydration, creating a luminous glow throughout the day.
This was a perfect situation for me, since long-lasting hydration can sometimes be a challenge for me.
Final Thoughts: Is This Essence Worth It for Dry Skin Types?
This product works perfectly for dry to standard skin types. However, I’m unsure if the experience will be as pleasurable for those with oily skin. The level of hydration that increases over time can become overwhelming for oily skin and might even lead to a breakout or two.
If you want to try it, I say go for it! The gift of beauty is that there is no limit to what you can play with.
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