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.
Natacha John, or Tacha, is a 24-year-old beauty and lifestyle content creator. The DMV native came on my radar after a viral photo of her made its way to my Explore page on Instagram. The rest is history.
Last month, she revealed to her followers that she was officially taking the leap into full-time entrepreneurship, having grown an impressive following of 40,000 followers and counting. As a creative who earns her living by literally doing her. "I get to be myself for a living," she tells xoNecole. "I get to share my interests, exercise my creativity, and connect with women. Those are definitely my favorites parts!"
In the process, she is also putting us on to her favorite beauty finds and it's nothing short of amazing. Although I live for her aesthetic and her thought-provoking questions, I am also an admirer of her glowing, radiant skin. That being said, I had to know what her beauty arsenal consisted of.
Below, Tacha shares with us the products she swears by and how she achieves beauty from the outside in.
My morning routine looks like...
"I'm still trying to establish a consistent morning routine but usually it starts off with taking care of my puppy and straightening up my apartment while I make a cup of tea. Then I'm usually checking emails and reviewing my to-do list for the day. Some mornings, I'll toss in journaling and meditation. Those two things always make me feel level-headed but I'll admit I'm bad at making consistent time for them."
For my skincare routine in the AM...
"I keep it ultra simple in the morning. I don't cleanse, I just rinse my face with water and sometimes, depending on my skins condition, I'll tone either using Goode Skin's two hundred dollar water micellar cleanser or Thayers Witch Hazel. Then I moisturize with a facial oil, like Aura Cacia Jojoba Oil, and top it off with my favorite SPF, La Roche-Posay's Anthelios Clear Skin Sunscreen."
And for my skincare routine in the PM...
"Things are more extensive in the evenings. I always start off by double cleansing. Face wash is the one thing in my routine that I'm constantly switching out but I'm currently enjoying the Farmacy's Clean Bee cleanser and Neutrogena's Hydro Boost cleanser. Once or twice a week, I'll add in exfoliation using Lush's Dark Angels [or their] Herbalism [herbal wash], or Goode Skin's SKINZYME. And follow up with First Aid Beauty's Ultra Repair Liquid Recovery. That's become one of my favorite steps! The liquid recovery goes onto your skin like water and is so soothing and calming, I can't get enough. Then, I moisturize with an oil again. About 2 or 3 times a week I'll apply a face mask, I like Farmacy's Bright On mask."
How I approach skincare on-the-go...
"When I'm on-the-go, I have to have products that I know work for me so if my skin starts to act crazy, I'm ready! You'll usually catch me with a mask that's good for breakouts, either my Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment Mask or Yes to Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Mud Mask. And something that's good for dry/dull skin like my Origins' Drink Up Intensive Overnight Hydrating Mask."
My go-to makeup look consists of...
"I'm a natural makeup kind of girl. On a day-to-day basis, I'll be bare-faced or maybe have on some concealer or tinted moisturizer, blush, and mascara. Lately, I've been reaching for my Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer (in Almond), Glossier Cloud Paint, and my trusty L'Oreal Telescopic mascara. I like to keep things pretty low-maintenance but if I have to be in front of the camera or have an event to attend, I'll go all in."
How I approach beauty from the inside-out...
"Something as small as starting my day with a cup of hot lemon water and half an hour of uninterrupted alone time helps me to feel refreshed and ready to put forth my best self throughout the day. I get pulled in a lot of different directions and it's easy to feel overwhelmed when you're a one woman team, so taking that time to level myself out really helps me to feel more at peace."
What self-care looks like to me...
"To be completely transparent, I don't make a ton of time to unwind. It's something I'm really working on though! Usually I'm working well into the evening, and when I finally unplug, all I have time for is a hot shower before I crawl into bed. But I value that time and make the most with what I have. While I'm getting ready for bed, I usually play a good podcast or Audiobook and add a few drops of essential oil to my shower to make things extra relaxing."
For more of Tacha, follow her on Instagram.
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Featured image via Tacha/Instagram
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As we transition from summer to fall, there’s no need to spend too many coins curating a brand new seasonal wardrobe, especially in this economy. Instead of shopping targeted ads, we interviewed fashion-forward influencers to spark our imagination and gather insight on what they’re already wearing leading into the upcoming season. Keep scrolling to get the scoop on essential items these fashion-forward women are looking forward to wearing this fall.
Helecia Williams, Houston
Comfort
Helecia’s style in three words: “Structured, bold, and explorative.”
Helecia’s outfit inspiration: “I am most interested in comfort as a trend. I am truly enjoying the mix of flats with elevated outfits and the incorporation of street-style elements into the looks. I have seen so much juxtaposition that makes the outfits interesting and intriguing. I love the pairing of fitted caps with [suits] and ballet flats. That mashup is impeccable, and we saw some of that peeking through last fall, and now it's taken on a life of its own.
"As a sneaker lover and comfort sneakers, bringing back flats is just a reimagination of past trends with a fresh twist.”
What color(s) is on Helecia’s fall mood board: “Hands down, red! It's such a bold and bossy color. Now, we see it becoming much more accessible in fashion and realize how easy it is to style and incorporate into a look for that extra pop. It also pairs well with so many other shades and tones. Some of my favorite combos are red and burgundy, red and yellow, and red and brown. Even if you aren't fully convinced that it's the color of the season and still have reservations about it, you can go classic and incorporate it in an accessory or makeup like a red lip.”
Are you bringing anything back from your 2023 fall wardrobe? “I will be returning and recycling all of my 2023 fall wardrobe and just styling it differently or giving it new life. Despite my love for trends, I've curated a wardrobe that I love so I will mix the old in with the new. And not to toot my own horn but a lot of my fashion moments are ahead of the times and still very relevant for this upcoming fall. Expect to see tons of texture, juxtaposition, unexpected color combos, and street style.”
How Helecia is accessorizing this season: “I hate to admit it, but the one trend that has me in a chokehold this fall is bold jewelry, particularly in gold. I've realized that accessories can do wonders, and the Schiaparelli era has me shook. I am a ‘Stan’ of Shop Khoi, a Black-owned jewelry brand that creates some of the most amazing, high-quality fashion jewelry. It just sets off any outfit no matter how simple it may be and easily becomes a conversation piece.”
Courtney Blackwell, New York City
Courtney’s style in three words: “Vintage, oversize, and sexy.”
Courtney’s most anticipated fall fashion items: “The fashion item I am anticipating wearing is vintage leather in all colors!”
Courtney's color picks for fall: “Cherry reds, forest greens, and different shades of gray.”
The trend that has Courtney in a chokehold this season: “Skirts! I’ve never been a skirt girly, well mini skirts girly, but I think I’m going to step it up with the minis this fall.”
Shaniqua Jordan, New York City
Timeless
Shaniqua’s personal styling tip for fall: “I hate to admit it, but the one trend that has me in a chokehold this fall is any oversized outerwear piece, especially oversized blazers. And as basic as it may sound, I can't get enough of them. They instantly elevate any look, and they're so versatile, whether I'm going for a polished vibe or something more casual. Plus, they are perfect for layering as the weather cools down.
"I know most people wouldn't typically opt for suede, but if you've been following my style, you know I'm all about my outerwear. I love adding texture to my looks, even if it's subtle, and a good suede jacket does that for me. The soft texture and rich hues of suede add that cherry on top for any fall look. Whether I'm rocking a bomber style in a jewel tone or a tailored trench in a neutral shade, a suede jacket is one piece I'm looking forward to wearing to elevate my fall wardrobe.”
These colors are all over Shaniqua’s fall mood board: “The colors on my fall mood board are rich earth tones like deep browns and olive greens paired with classic neutrals like camel and cream. I'd like to throw in a pop of butter yellow. I know it might seem more spring-like, but I love how it pairs with deep browns, oxblood, and even grays. It's the perfect way to brighten up those cozy, moody fall vibes. I'm also loving pops of bold jewel tones like emerald and burgundy to add a bit of luxe to the season. These shades give that cozy yet elevated feel I'm always aiming for in my fall wardrobe.”
Shaniqua describes her fall wardrobe in three words: “If I describe my fall wardrobe in three words, they would be chic, layered, and timeless. I love combining unique pieces with a classic touch, creating looks that stand out without trying too hard. It's all about finding that perfect balance between staying true to timeless fashion and adding my own signature flair.”
Are you bringing anything back from your 2023 fall wardrobe? "I am definitely an outfit repeater, so not only will I bring back pieces from my 2023 fall wardrobe, but I also have so many oldies but goodies that I’ll be incorporating into my fall 2024 looks. I think that's what really helps convey my personal style; buying pieces I genuinely love and being able to work them into my style season after season. It's all about longevity and staying true to what I love."
Alasia Allen, Los Angeles
Provocative
Alasia describes her style in three words: “Opulent, sleek, provocative.”
The fashion item Alasia anticipates wearing the most this fall: “I’m really into gloves this season. Whether it’s biker style or long, sleek, leather gloves, they add an interesting take to a fall look.”
The fall colors catching Alasia’s eye: “I’m loving navy or a super deep purple this season so I’ll be adding those into my wardrobe. They’re both so sophisticated and a good alternative to black.”
The fall staple Alaisa plans to bring back from her 2023 wardrobe: “Every year, I wear a shearling coat. It’s timeless, it’s warm, it’s my thing. There’s something very elevating about shearlings that have drawn to me year after year, and that’s what makes them my favorite style of outwear.”
The accessory that has Alasia in a chokehold this season: “Boots. I love a good boot as my go-to accessory for the fall/winter season. My favorites are boots that have a little flair to them and an interesting shape.”
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"I take baths with essential oils. I do acupuncture, cupping, reflexology, and I play my sound bowls with my kids. I make honey, paint, decorate, swim, and design clothes and stages. I have written children's books for my children and design animation. Anything creative makes me happy. I also edit for fun. I genuinely enjoy it."
Following this interview, Beyoncé went viral sharing her entire wash day routine online filled with old and new Cécred products showing off her tresses and her tried and true routine to keep her hair healthy to Cécred's followers. She gave us a voiceover, step-by-step details, and those strands and hair follicles. Okay, Influencer Bey!
Beyoncé's proclamation of self-care and her journey to resting more and prioritizing herself truly echoes the sentiments of Black women all over the world who are yearning for deep rest, and sustainable wellness routines to curate time to pour into themselves and remember that we are much more than the work that we do, we are human beings that deserve to lean into self-preservation.
It's almost impossible to discuss Beyoncé without the acknowledgment of her next-level work ethic, but what does it look like to not just channel her ability to get sh*t done but to do absolutely nothing but care for yourself?
In order to commit to the process, of course, I had to get some Cécred. Their new Hydrating Conditioner, said to instantly strengthen and fortify the hair, was just released, so once I had my hands on that (and cleared my schedule because wash day is just that - a day), I started my day like Beyoncé's with a few additions of my own radical self-care necessities that I think she’d approve of.
The wash day hero has arrived.
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
6:30 a.m. Alexa, play "Church Girl." Daily, I wake up and listen to my church's daily prayer call. My relationship with the church throughout life has been at times..difficult. Growing up a preacher's kid wasn't the easiest experience, but as Bey said - nobody can judge me but me; I was born free.
Actively choosing to heal from church trauma while going to church constantly again at times can stir up some old emotions, but starting my days with prayer never is. It gives me comfort and reminds me that God is with me and that people are praying for me.
7 a.m. I walked my goldendoodle; idk if Queen Bey has pets, but mine is serious about his walks, so we took a stroll together and came home and had breakfast, and I made myself an iced coffee. I use glass can-shaped glasses and straws (it makes the experience more intentional and memorable for me, like I'm at my own personal coffee shop) and sit at my window staring out at the tall buildings in my neighborhood. I usually turn on Girlfriends or Half & Half while preparing for church.
10 a.m. After showering and getting ready for church, I set aside my swim necessities because I knew I'd want to spend some time in the water after service. I've been swimming since I was a little girl. My father taught me how to do it, and it's been my favorite hobby ever since. I put my bag in the living room to remind me when I got home, and headed to church.
11 a.m. I arrive at church and greet my mama, who's also the pastor of the church. She's the first woman in history to be the senior pastor of her church, so it's a beautiful thing to see her living out her dreams. My family is everything to me, and Beyoncé is the ultimate family girl, so what better way to spend Sunday than with your loved ones?
Nothing beats an early afternoon swim.
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
2 p.m. Church is over, and I'm headed to the pool, but before I get into the water, I pretreat my hair before the swim with some water and Cécred Nourishing Hair Oil. As a swimmer, I pride myself on keeping my hair healthy, and in order to protect my hair from being saturated with chlorinated water, I soak my hair in fresh water and apply hair oil to the ends of it. This allows the chlorinated water less of an opportunity to penetrate the hair and cause more damage overall.
3 p.m. During swim time, I love to play music. I swim above and underwater, and I curate a playlist to bring with me filled with soul music and overall music that stills and calms me. I swim for an hour, touch the lights in the pool at each lap, and speak aloud what I want to pray and manifest as I grab hold of them.
Posting up post-swim.
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
4 p.m. Out the pool, and ready for my #CécredWashDay with Cécred's Clarifying Shampoo & Scalp Scrub. I followed up with the Hydrating Shampoo in the spa shower and then applied the new hydrating conditioner! It just launched this month, so I was anxious to try it out in my wash day routine. I'll admit, I don't usually reach for a lightweight conditioner because my hair is pretty thick, that said, I know women IRL who have used Cécred religiously for months, and their hair is growing and flourishing - so we're on board with the entire routine and will report back by winter on my results!
The line-up.
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
After rinsing out the conditioner, I took the wash day a little further, applied the Moisturizing Deep Conditioner, and headed to the sauna. Sauna time allows me to let my body sweat and release toxins, and I get to have the ultimate deep conditioning experience, it's a 2-for-1.
I stay in until the conditioning cap feels hot, and then I go rinse it out, I applied Cécred Moisture Sealing Lotion to lock in all that moisture from the treatment, and their new Restoring Hair & Edge Drops because my edges need some TLC after years of braids and tight ponytails.
Giving my curls the ultimate deep-conditioning experience.
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
5 p.m. I come back upstairs, walk my dog, and do some reading before I have dinner. Since it's Sunday, I head to my aunt's house for dinner. She started getting the family together after church to eat on Sundays, and we don't do it every week, but when she hits the group chat, we show up. She has dogs as well, so I bring my dog with me, and he eats dinner with his cousins.
We eat dinner, dance to music, and catch up on what's going on in each other's lives. We danced to the classics and started off honoring the loss of Frankie Beverly, then played some Michael Jackson, and ended with Sade (who my aunt was named after) and Luther Vandross.
9 p.m. I'm finally home from a beautiful Cécred Self-Care Sunday. My hair is clean, I'm fed (spiritually and physically), and I'm ending the day in bed with a book.
10/10 recommend a #CécredSunday wash day routine with a few of your own recommendations, of course. I can't wait for next week to come, and this time, I might add some more Bey-approved rituals (painting and maybe even a sound bowl.)
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Featured image by Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole