This Blogger's Skincare Routine Helped Her Kiss Breakouts Goodbye
In About Face, xoNecole gets the 411 on IGers who give us #skincaregoals on the daily. Here they break down their beauty routines on the inside and out, as well as the highly coveted products that grace their shelves and their skin.
Having a great beauty routine is a lot like having a bomb-ass insurance plan—you don't really know how important it is to have one until you need it. At 31, this was a lesson that Rhode Island-based blogger Leniza Evy had to learn the hard way.
I hate to break it to you, but keeping your skin on 10 requires far more than blowing a check at your local beauty store and constantly restocking your endless drawer of sheet masks. In this month's edition of About Face, we sat down with Leniza, who explained that maintaining an effective beauty regimen isn't a hobby--issa lifestyle.
Leniza's perspective on skincare completely changed this year, and she let us in on the budget-friendly regimen that keeps her glow on-go at all times. Although skincare has always been a part of her routine, she explained that she's been forced to level up her methods in a major way.
"For the first time in my life, I'm struggling with my skin, and I'm being forced to start catering to it."
While her skin has absolutely fallen in love with the Drunk Elephant skincare system, she added, the most essential part of her skincare regimen is her diet. "My skincare routine is very simple. Since I didn't know much about skincare until this year, I'm still struggling with finding the right routine that works for me. My skincare comes more from what I eat and drink. Now that I'm older, my diet really plays an important factor in how my skin looks and feels."
In our interview, Leniza opened up about some of her morning routine, her favorite beauty products, and her plan for managing weird breakouts. Here's what we learned:
My morning routine looks like...
"Let me just start by saying that I am not a morning person at all. Mornings are such a struggle for me. Now that I work a 9-to-5, my morning routine has changed a great deal. As soon as I wake up, I'm in a bad mood, even when I was self-employed doing what I loved, but I bring myself back to a good place real quick by practicing gratitude while still in bed. It makes such a big difference in how I feel. I then follow up with my morning shower where I say my daily affirmations out loud while listening to some music. Once I'm ready, I head to work with a banana or spinach smoothie in my hand."
For my skincare routine in the AM...
Courtesy of Leniza Evy
"So I start by washing my face with warm water in the shower. I currently use Drunk Elephant Jelly Cleanser. I really love this product as it leaves my face with a fresh, clean look. I only use my fingertips when applying. Once that's rinsed off, I follow up with one of my favorite products, which is Beija Flor Natural Amazon Antioxidant treatment. I use this product every day. It's definitely my favorite. It leaves my face really smooth with a natural glow that lasts all day. It also helps with my dark spots on my forehead which is currently my main issue."
For my skincare routine in the PM...
"At night I wash my face using Neutrogena's Hydro Boost Hydrating Cleansing Gel. This product leaves my skin the same way as the Drunk Elephant Jelly cleanser, but the Neutrogena one is more pocket-friendly. I also use my Vanity Planet Spin brush three times a week as it truly makes a difference in the appearance of my skin. I finish it off using Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream as my moisturizer. My skin tends to get ashy after using my brush so this helps."
How the seasons change my skin and routine...
"Honestly, my skincare routine does not change according to the season. Besides the dark spots on my forehead, which are the aftermath of these weird pimples I've been getting this year, I don't have any other issues. I'm calling them weird because of the way they look and how often I get them on the same spot. I will be seeing a dermatologist soon as it seems to have gotten worse."
My go-to makeup look consists of...
"I LOVE makeup. I usually switch it up between a natural look consisting of foundation, concealer, light contouring, light highlight, falsies, and lip gloss, or my beat face where I go all out--especially with the contour and eyeshadow. It really depends on how much time I have."
How I approach beauty from the inside out...
"Practicing gratitude and putting healthy food in my body. Don't get me wrong, I love my junk food, but I've accepted that as much as I love junk food, it does affect how I'm feeling emotionally and mentally. Dancing, playing soccer, and crossing things off on my to-do list also makes me feel good and helps me with my anxiety tremendously."
What self-care looks like to me...
"A gratitude journal, a consistent gym schedule, retail therapy, and time to myself where I'm in complete silence."
How her routine switches up during travel...
"I don't switch up my skincare routine that much when I travel, but I usually [don't] travel without my Spin Brush. Depending on the weather, I might use a product with a higher SPF. As far as beauty, the majority of the time I travel with a protective hairstyle, and I wear more makeup as I tend to take more pictures."
For more Leniza, follow her on Instagram @Leniza_Evy!
Shop Leniza's Beauty Staples:
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Featured image by Instagram/@Leniza_Evy.
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.
Meet The Designer Behind This Megan Thee Stallion "Hiss" Video Look
When Megan Thee Stallion dropped “Hiss,” a shift happened. From the audacious lyrics to the striking visuals, there was no doubt that the song and video would go viral. The opening of the video shows the H-town hottie rocking a barely there Shibari red dress, showing off her voluptuous frame. It was a sexy moment created by Timeekah Murphy of Alani Taylor. The designer exclusively tells us how the opportunity came about and what it was like seeing her design on Megan for the first time.
Timeekah Murphy
Photo courtesy
xoNecole: How did the opportunity to create such an iconic look for Megan Thee Stallion's "Hiss" video come about?
Timeekah Murphy: The opportunity came from a DM from celebrity stylist Zerina Akers. She asked for a unique Shibari piece for Megan, and I needed to get it done in two days. So, of course, I did everything in my power to make it happen. I've always wanted to design for Megan, so this was an awesome opportunity for me.
xoN: What was that initial feeling of seeing the dress on her for the first time?
TM: I was shocked because, at first, I thought it hadn't been used. I saw Megan's last video and thought, damn, maybe it didn't fit. So, to see it on such an amazing video was breathtaking. I was beyond excited to finally say I designed for her.
xoN: Did you meet her? If so, how was that moment?
TM: I didn't meet Megan during the shoot, but during my time in LA, I got the opportunity to meet her at LA Pride with Tiffany Haddish, Common, and EJ King (stylist). Megan is such an amazing person, so it made it even better to know that my designs were going to be worn by her. I was shocked because, at first, I thought it hadn't been used. I saw Megan's last video and thought, damn, maybe it didn't fit. So, to see it on such an amazing video was breathtaking. I was beyond excited to finally say I designed for her.
"I was shocked because, at first, I thought it hadn't been used. I saw Megan's last video and thought, damn, maybe it didn't fit. So, to see it on such an amazing video was breathtaking. I was beyond excited to finally say I designed for her."
Photo courtesy
xoN: Walk us through the creation of the dress. How did you come up with the look, and how long did it take to make it?
TM: I was the co-designer for a brand called Deviant in 2018-2020, and we used to make custom Shibari pieces. That's how Zerina knew me. So I'm very familiar with making these types of pieces. We made plenty for Beyoncé, Cardi B, Tiffany Haddish, Tyra Banks, and so many others. So Zerina knew exactly what she wanted.
To get it done, it took me a day and a half. It's very intricate and time-consuming, so I spent about six hours making it then I sent an image of it to Zerina, and she didn't approve the first one, so I had to start from scratch again after getting my guidance and understanding of what was needed. The next day, I went to The Lab and created another version, and she approved it. I had to get it shipped overnight so that she would get it in time and fast forward to seeing it on the big screen.
xoN: What's next for you?
TM: Everything. The sky is not my limit, so the Alani Taylor brand is expanding into so many different avenues. We are getting involved in the community more, offering sewing classes to the youth. I've opened up a store for my brand in Atlanta and now preparing for fall/winter Fashion Week.
Megan Thee Stallion "Hiss" video/ YouTube
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Dating Apps Are Out, Meeting People IRL Is In — And Here’s How To Do It.
Whoever coined the phrase, “If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it,” certainly was not referring to the state of our dating scene. Whether online or in real life, you don't have to go far to hear the grievances of singles calling for the immediate repair of all leaks, cracks, and fractures in the dating pool.
No matter the state you live in, your age, how much you earn for a living, or if you’re a chronic app dater, there’s a general consensus that something (anything) must be done to restore the hope of singles looking for long-term, fulfilling relationships. And as many of us hold on to the hope for an unexpected cross-encounter with our next love story, others are leaning on the side of giving up completely. But before throwing in the towel, it might be time to make a few adjustments.
Dating Apps Are In Their Flop Era, Making Connections IRL Is Where It's At
Alistair Berg/Getty Images
Many singles agree that spending their leisure time swiping through dating apps is out. What’s in is stepping out of one's comfort zone to make connections in the real world. Scary. We know. But unless you were one of the lucky few to find love on dating apps before its flop era or made a love connection from home during the pandemic, going about your dating life the same way is bound to render the same results: being single with a headache. And we want better for you.
It’s safe to say that constantly meeting strangers off the internet for a chance to find love has lost its charm, leaving singles open to the train, farmer’s market, the gym, or a friend’s house party to be prime real estate for matching up with potential partners.
This shift, as Marissa Nelson, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and BLK’s Relationship and Intimacy Expert tells xoNecole, is due in part to a growing concern about the authenticity of online profiles — in other words: is what you’re seeing, in fact, what you’re getting? “From their profile picture, what they say they do, the height they say they are; it’s this fear of, ‘Am I really talking to who I think I'm speaking to?'” she explains.
On our journey to finding “the one” out in the real world, a common question is, “Where do you find the available singles?” The short answer is, everywhere. The long answer is at the grocery store, on a plane, during happy hours, at work, at a conference, on a solo vacation, or, as Nelson puts it, anywhere you are showing up as your most open and vulnerable self.
“You never know where the connection is going to come from, which is why it's even more important to be receptive, to stay open, be curious, and lean into your vulnerability,” she says. In fact, Nelson encourages singles to release themselves of the rigidity around finding the perfect person at the “perfect” place, because, in essence, there isn’t one. “We have to let go of the constraints that we can only go to singles events to meet people,” she says. “We have to be open to however love shows up.”
"We have to let go of the constraints that we can only go to singles events to meet people. We have to be open to however love shows up."
We all can relate to the fact that the idea of shooting our shot in real life is a lot more exciting than the actual act. The relationship expert explains that one of the greatest hesitations to us putting ourselves out there and taking a chance on love is rooted in the fear of rejection. However, it’s important to keep in mind that “we’ve all been hurt” and most importantly, “we’re all afraid of rejection.”
That’s why Nelson suggests the following strategies to make the first move and find love in your everyday life.
1. Don't close yourself off.
“When you relax your expectations, you start to meet really cool people. Some of those cool people became friends and that makes your life richer because now, you have new friends and great people to hang out with. Even if it wasn't a love match, it can become a significant or meaningful friendship.”
2. Don't let your "type" hold you back.
“We all have a type. And a lot of women will say, ‘I like them tall. I like them like this or that.’ When we’re rigid about who we believe we ought to be with versus being open to people who might be more aligned with our values, we close ourselves off. Sure, you're not going to date somebody that you are absolutely not attracted to. But people have a lot of unwritten rules around who they will allow themselves to get to know, and I challenge people to challenge their rules because that can hold you back from expansive experiences.”
skynesher/Getty Images
3. Make the first move.
“I think that if we can be bold, be brave, and if there's somebody that's good-looking, catches your eye, or just seems like they have a good vibe, we can approach them with curiosity. Ask them how they're doing. Introduce yourself. It doesn't have to lead to all these things; you can just have chemistry and flow from there.”
4. Ask better questions.
“When you meet someone for the first time, asking them ‘What do you do?’ is not the best first question because that only tells you what they do for money, not necessarily what they're passionate about. To get insight into who that person truly is, ask: What are you passionate about in your life right now? What lights you up? What excites you? What are you working towards?”
5. Shift your mindset.
“We've all been hurt. And we can be guarded because we don't want to get hurt again. The brain is a very complex and brilliant system designed to keep us safe, and emotional survival is a real thing. We become super protective, and in that, we come up with a lot of different rules, paradigms, [and] belief systems. The biggest mindset shift is: how can we do our own work to know and believe that we are worthy and deserving of love.”
Whether you’re on a dating app or roaming your local Trader Joe’s, love is everywhere — and the abundance of love is available to us once we remove limiting beliefs that make it feel scarce and out of reach. Vulnerability, shedding our walls, and openness just might be the tweaks we need to snitch up the dating streets and watch it heal for the better.
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Featured image by LeoPatrizi/Getty Images