Mj Rodriguez Credits Her Flawless Skin To Hydration & Coconut Oil
Mj Rodriguez has been giving us all of our lives since she emerged on our screens as the ever-so-fabbbulous Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista in Pose, in 2018. Since, she has captured the hearts of many all over the world, from LGBTQ advocates, to everyone in between. The beloved series officially came to a heart-wrenching end, after three seasons of tackling homelessness, sex work, the rejection that the trans community deals with on a daily basis and combined it with heart and dance to captivate millions around the world weekly.
Well, fortunately, the breakout star has been making her promo rounds for the final season of the show, and decided to stop by Harper's BAZAAR for their 'Go to Bed With Me' segment, a segment where celebs show off their bedtime nighttime routines. And after years of caked makeup and fast-paced entertaining, knowing and maintaining her skin is key. So, grab your notebook, sis!
Here's all the tea on Mj Rodriguez's nighttime skincare routine!
Here's what you'll need:
CeraVe Hydrating Cream-to-Foam Cleanser ($16.99)
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream ($32)
Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment ($50)
Masqueology 24k Gold Under Eye Gel ($15)
Harper’s BAZAAR/YouTube
After popping on the screen with an already fresh face, she briefs us on a quick intro to get us started.
"My skincare routine consists of, I would say, maybe five to six steps. I usually have long days on set, long days on end. I spend 18 hours, 20 hours on set so that means that makeup is on this face forever and I don't like when makeup is on my face forever. It does me dirty. Literally. So, yeah, it's definitely self-care."
Step One: Facial cleansing
Harper's BAZAAR/YouTube
"The first product I use at night before I just come in and drop all my clothes, is this amazing product. It's hydrating. It's clean and foam cleanser, and it's also a makeup remover. My boyfriend got me on to it. It's great for makeup removal and also just make sure your skin is soft after it's done."
Step Two: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Harper's BAZAAR/YouTube
"The next product I'm going to be using, is my favorite skincare product. I love them so much, and they've shown me so much love. I use Kiehl's Ultra facial cream because it's hydrating at night, it just replenishes my skin after washing my face. It's sometimes a little dry afterward so I just want to make sure it's hydrated."
She also advises us to not use so much product!
"A lot of people overuse their products, I try my best not to because I want to save and also you don't usually need that much."
Step Three: Tackle those bags under your eyes, sis!
Harper's BAZAAR/YouTube
"This is Kiehl's creamy eye treatment with avocado. I have a big, big insecurity about the bags that are under my eyes. I've had them for a long time. And when I say a long time, ever since birth, so I always try to take care of my bags when I get a chance to. I love them though! Yes, I'm insecure but I still do love everything about my face."
She continues:
"Next I'm going to be sharing my 24K under eye gels. Now, I use these in the morning and at night. If I was stranded on a desert island and I had only one product that I could use, it would definitely be these eye patches right here."
Harper's BAZAAR/YouTube
Mj then goes on to emphasize the importance of using coconut oil for all purposes, something she says she learned from her grandmother, Ms Rosalie Davis.
"[This product], I think everyone should use when they wake up in the morning, when they go out on the beach, or when they going to sleep. Yes, baby. You probably thought that I don't use coconut oil, but honey, I am Black, I am Afro-Latina, and it is important that we use coconut oil."
After a quick demonstration, she finishes off her routine with Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate, and all is done!
Watch the full video below:
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Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
This post is in partnership with BET+.
Kingdom Business is back for its second season, with even more sermons, songs, and serpents. The series picks up where it left off, with actress Serayah as Rbel caught between the stripper pole and the pulpit. With the first lady of the church working desperately against her, Rbel must find a way to live her dreams and honor her friend while figuring out her faith in the process.
Season one served a collection plate of rivalry, deceit, and revenge –– among many other tribulations. Between the 28-year-old’s acting, conviction, and harmonious voice, here are a few reasons why season two of Kingdom Business is a must-watch.
If the Spirit Doesn’t Move You, Serayah’s Singing Voice Will
Rbel, formally known as Rebecca Belle, is a stripper whose life forcibly takes a turn after suffering a tragedy. Through her quest to find the truth, Rbel finds herself at odds with the head of a local church, First Kingdom’s Denita Jordan, played by the legendary Yolanda Adams. Rbel unknowingly emerges as what a faithful Christian embodies: a perfectly imperfect human who works every day to try their best while leaning on God. Although struggling with her faith, each ballad sung by Rbel can be felt, as the lyrics relate to personal struggles we all endure in different ways. Gospel songs hit differently when your life is in shambles, and chile, Serayah is singing new life into folks.
Serayah is a Formidable Opponent to The Yolanda Adams
As one of the best-selling gospel artists of all time, it’s no easy task to take on the role of a person on the opposing side of greatness. Serayah’s Rbel does an excellent job meeting Jordan at her level while shining through her solos. Throughout season one, Rbel emerges as a top streaming artist, an accomplishment that begets something of a holy war.
Serayah’s Acting Range is Engaging
As a former stripper trying to make a name for herself in the gospel industry, you can imagine the struggles that could come with it. Rbel goes through a range of emotions, all understandable and relatable. Despite several crises of faith, Serayah ensures Rbel delivers a humbling performance that makes the audience root for her redemption.
The Kingdom Business Soundtrack is Everything
Streaming now on Spotify, Tidal, and Apple Music, the Kingdom Business: Season 1 soundtrack is one you’d want to add to your playlist for high and low times. Aside from four soul-soothing songs from Serayah, the soundtrack also features singles from co-star/Hamilton’s Chaundre-Hall Broomfield, gospel artist Chandler Moore, and legend Yolanda Adams.
Serayah’s Rbel Makes You Root For Her
With First Kingdom beginning to crumble under the pressure of lies, infidelity, and deception, Rbel’s window to take that top spot seems wide open; however, the end of season one showed us the Spirit had other plans. Whether you believe or not, Serayah’s Rbel makes you want to see her win. Who doesn’t love a good underdog with a laid 22” bust down? Whether she seeks Him or not, God is proving to be on Rbel’s side. But is it enough to turn everything around for her? Will Rbel lean on faith or fear?
With secrets coming to light, success within reach, and the devastating conclusion of season one, you don’t want to miss season two––especially with more guest collaborations. Kingdom Business returns to BET+ on Nov 2.
BET+ Original | Kingdom Business | S2 Official Traileryoutu.be
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Nia Long On Her Final Decision To Leave Ime Udoka: 'Loving Myself Was Bigger And More Important Than Saving Anybody'
Jeezy has been pulling out all the stops for the promo of his new album I Might Forgive…But I Don’t Forget. The iconic rapper tapped legendary actress Nia Long for an intimate conversation about love, trauma, and the Black family. The discussion provided insight into the “All There” rapper’s childhood, strained relationship with his mother, who has since passed, and his career mishaps. He also briefly spoke on his decision to file for divorce from Jeannie Mai, saying that he feels “saddened,” “disappointed,” and “uneasy” about it. However, he believes that God is leading him on a different path.
Throughout the conversation, Nia also opened up about her life experiences, including her relationship with her father, her sons, and her ex-fiancé Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka.
“You know I had a really public breakup recently. It was a wake-up call for me in the sense that, like ok, you’re gonna do this on your own, and you’re gonna be fine, and you’re not gonna worry about what anyone thinks and has to say ‘cause the relationship was rocky for a very long time,” she said. “I don’t believe that another person can break anyone up like, I just don’t buy that.
When Ime was the Boston Celtics head coach, he was caught having an affair with a staffer and was suspended for the 2022-2023 season. This suspension ultimately led to his firing. However, the cheating scandal led to the public rallying behind The Best Man actress, which the mother of two revealed she was “shocked” by.
“I had to realize for myself that anything that happened in the…last year and a half of my life, that shit didn’t have nothing to do with me,” she expressed. “It didn’t have nothing to do with me. I was not embarrassed. The way that Black people stood up for me and the way that Black women were like, ‘Oh no, you don’t do that to her,’ I was shocked because I didn’t realize that what I had done or what I’ve done in my career had so much impact.”
While she did admit that things between her and Ime had been “rocky” for a long time, she was trying her best to make things work. But she soon learned that choosing herself was the best option. “I think my older son saw me trying to keep the family together, but I had to come to a place where loving myself was bigger and more important than saving anybody.”
While time has passed and both parties have seemed to move on with their lives, we all have our down days. Jeezy checked in with Nia to see how she’s truly feeling since the breakup and the scandal that followed. “I think I’m exactly where I need to be, which is some days I’m like totally good, and other days I’m like, oh God, this feels like so much work. And other days, it feels like women shouldn’t have to be this strong,” she said, tearing up. “I don’t want to be this strong sometimes.”
The former couple were together for 13 years and share a 12-year-old son together. Nia also has a 22-year-old son from a previous relationship.
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