Marsai Martin Shares How Her Television Co-Stars Helped Her Develop A Self-Care Routine
Actress Marsai Martin recalls the valuable tips she received from mentors Tracee Ellis Ross and Jenifer Lewis during their collaboration on the acclaimed sitcom black-ish, and how their advice has profoundly transformed her life.
The 18-year-old has been involved in the entertainment industry for over a decade after starring in various commercials and television shows. Martin became a household name in 2014 when she portrayed the role of Diane Johnson in black-ish.
The series, which ended in 2022 after eight seasons, followed Andre Johnson (Anthony Anderson), a family man that struggles with his cultural identity as he and his wife, Bo Johnson (Tracee Ellis Ross), raise their children, Andre Jr. (Marcus Scribner), Zoey (Yara Shahidi), Jack (Miles Brown), and Diane Johnson in a predominantly white neighborhood.
Over the years, as Martin grew up on the set, Ross and Lewis showed the star the importance of self-care and not being afraid to express herself. Those tips were a massive inspiration behind why Martin partnered with Clinique, a skincare and cosmetic brand. In a recent interview with People magazine, the Little alum opened up about the advice she received from Ross and Lewis about beauty and the lesson she's learned.
Marsai On The Advice Her black-ish Co-Stars Gave Her
In the July discussion, Martin revealed that growing up on set with Ross and Lewis helped her realize why it was essential to care for oneself, internally and externally, and how it could contribute to one's confidence.
"I always followed their routines when it comes to their own beauty inside and out," she told the publication. "I was lucky enough to be around amazing and empowering women who cared about their skin and who exuded nothing but confidence."
Further into the interview, Martin also shared she thought it was hilarious to see Lewis' skincare regimen and Ross use items like "gua sha tools and infrared light" to maintain her youthful appearance because she didn't have to go the extremes to get ready. Still, Martin was inspired to create her own routine over time when she came of age.
"It was hilarious because I would see everybody have their makeup and skincare done, and I was the only one with Chapstick and eyebrow gel," she said. "Being able to watch them for so long, I already knew what I wanted when it was finally my time to be able to express myself creatively in that way. Every time I was in the hair and makeup trailer, they had some type of scientific tools."
Martin wrapped up her statement by saying that despite the differences in the women's skincare routine, one particular thing that Ross and Lewis taught her was "protecting" one's skin the "best way" possible.
Marsai On The Lessons She's Learned Over The Years
As the topic shifted to her partnership with Clinique and the lessons she had learned since developing her regimen, Martin disclosed that taking care of oneself is as fundamental as finding one's voice and having the confidence to live purposefully.
"Nothing is more of a priority than your voice and the way that you look at life, meaning nobody can take away your point of view," she explained. "Always remember what you want first — just like we talk about skincare and our beauty routines. Using our voices, speaking our minds and being able to find our confidence aligns with all of that."
Martin added that taking the time to get to know oneself and incorporating a self-care routine could help eliminate the pressures of social media because, with that knowledge, it is impossible to have a clouded judgment that could "blur" what an individual may genuinely want out of life.
"I think as young girls grow up in this world of social media and having so many other voices consuming our own mind to where it kind of blurs the lines of what we really want, it is truly important to remember what you want first and where you come from," she said.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Strength Of A Woman Festival & Summit
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.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
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
Courtesy
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
Courtesy
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
Courtesy
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
Courtesy
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image courtesy