Tiwa Savage is one of Afrobeats' biggest stars and with such a hectic schedule and being a mom, she managed to take time out of her day to share her skin care routine with fans. Check out her Beauty Secrets with Vogue below:
Tiwa Savage's Skin Care Routine
Vogue/YouTube
The “Somebody’s Son” singer is a big fan of Dr. Barbara Sturm products and revealed that she uses their cleanser, toner, sunscreen, and spot treatment. She also shared that she uses a face cream that was made special for her. “Dr. Barbara takes my blood and she takes the plasma from my blood to make this face cream,” she revealed. “Only for me. Only for Tiwa.”
Vogue/YouTube
When she applies the face cream, she likes to mix it with Dr. Barbara Sturm Sun Drops SPF 50 as protection from the sun. “That’s another misconception with girls my complexion thinking they don’t need to protect their skin from the sun but it is so important. And honestly, when I go out or even when I’m at home, I use it every day,” she said.
The MTV EMA winner’s skin care routine is drastically different than when she was younger. She explained that she would only use black soap and cocoa butter but it wasn’t until the COVID-19 lockdown that she started researching ways to take better care of her skin. She also fell victim to skin bleaching due to the lack of representation she saw as a young girl.
“When I was younger, I moved from Nigeria to the UK, and at that time to be honest there really wasn’t a lot of girls my complexion being represented in the beauty space,” she explained. “I actually tried to bleach my skin. So I was using these products to make you lighter and I remember my mom coming in my room one day and she saw these products and she was so disappointed and just trying to affirm how beautiful my skin was and it was such an emotional time for her.”
Makeup
Vogue/YouTube
When it comes to putting on her face, she said that she doesn’t use foundation, which is something she learned from supermodel Naomi Campbell.
“I spend more time on skin care than I do makeup. For like a couple of years now, I’ve actually stopped using foundation even when I’m performing on stage,” she said. “Even for photo shoots, videos, nothing and this was something that Naomi Campbell told me. She doesn’t use foundation or hardly uses foundation.”
She added, “I was like if it works for Naomi Campbell it’s definitely gonna work for me ‘cause she’s stunning.”
Vogue/YouTube
But she uses a variety of other makeup products and methods. For her eyebrows, she likes to use Huda Beauty Bomb Brows Microshade Pencil and concealer to shape the brow.
“I don’t like anyone doing my eyebrows so even if I have a makeup artist, I still do my eyebrows myself,” she claimed.
Vogue/YouTube
The next step is baking with Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder followed by contouring the nose with MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Sculpt and Shape Contour Palette.
The 42-year-old mom of one also dished on her exciting lipstick collaboration with MAC.
“When this opportunity came up with MAC, I didn’t want to go for what I normally go for so I wanted to do red,” she explained. “I always admired when I see women with red lips. It’s sexy. It’s just bold. It’s confident and I wanted to create a red color that would make me feel like that.
Vogue/YouTube
She applied her lipstick but not without using MAC Cosmetics Lip Pencil in Nightmoth first. Before closing out the video the “Koo Koo Fun” singer encouraged everyone to take time and get to know their skin inside out.
“Nobody else knows your face better than you,” she said. “If you invest the time, in skin care, makeup, I promise you it might seem overwhelming but you’ll get the hang of it.”
Tiwa Savage’s Day-to-Night Beauty Look | Beauty Secrets | Vogue
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Featured image by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for Universal Music Group
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The experience goes beyond a typical college reunion; HBCU Homecoming is a family reunion, a fashion show, a cultural festival, and a week-long turn-up that embodies what it means to be unapologetically Black and educated. For HBCU alumni, the journey back to the yard each year is rooted in a love and pride that’s hard to put into words but impossible to deny.
From statement pieces to tech must-haves, every item represents the intersection of Black pride and HBCU love, ensuring that you show up to the yard in style and with intention. So whether you’re repping your alma mater for the first time since graduation or looking for fresh pieces to express your HBCU pride, these essentials will have you standing out, because, at HBCU Homecoming, it’s not just about showing up—it’s about showing out.
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diarrablu Jant Pants in Alia Noir
High-waisted, wide-legged, and ready to shut down the yard, the Jant Pants by diarrablu bring a whole new meaning to campus chic. Handcrafted in Dakar, Senegal, these free-flowing jacquard pants are perfect for stepping onto the yard with style and ease—making them a must-have for any HBCU alum’s closet.
Silver & Riley Convertible Executive Leather Bag Classic Size in Olive
This all-in-one luxury bag isn’t a bestseller for nothing. The Silver & Riley essential is made of Italian calfskin leather and thoughtfully designed, as it can be worn in four different ways: a shoulder bag, crossbody, a top handle, and a backpack. Chic and elegant, the Convertible Executive Leather bag is “the bag that every woman needs in her collection.”
Renowned Women's Intuition Cotton Graphic T-Shirt
Renowned
Renowned’s Women’s Intuition Cotton Graphic T-shirt features a bold graphic print inspired by the power and essence of women’s intuition. With its striking design, this all-cotton tee is a vibrant thing, making it a statement piece that celebrates feminine energy.
Mifland Million M Mesh Crop Shirt
Talk about bold, the Million M Mesh Crop Shirt combines edgy style with comfort, featuring Mifland’s signature print on a semi-see-through mesh fabric. Show up and show out in sophisticated flair.
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Melanin Is Life Melanated & Educated - I Love My HBCU Hoodie
Show off your HBCU love with this piece that represents everything you gained from your alma mater: a top-tier education, a community that lifts you up, and a deep sense of esteem for yourself and your culture. Wear it loud and proud, because being melanated and educated isn’t just a flex—it’s a legacy.
HBCU Culture Spelmanite Sweatshirt in Navy
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HBCU Culture Howard Is The Culture T-Shirt
Rock the ultimate flex by showcasing your Howard U love with HBCU Culture’s Howard Is The Culture t-shirt. This unisex tee offers a comfortable, relaxed fit that’s perfect for celebrating your HBCU spirit without sacrificing style or comfort.
DungeonForward FAMU - Strike Bucket - Reversible
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Anker iPhone 16 Portable Charger, Nano Power Bank
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Wisdom Frame 14 Square Sunglasses
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Coco and Breezy Eyewear Fortune in Gray Turquoise
The Fortune Glasses in Grey Turquoise is a bold statement piece to any Homecoming weekend ‘fit that “embody our fearless and outspoken DNA.” With their color and edgy design, these frames by Coco and Breezy are perfect for anyone looking to stand out and express their unapologetic confidence.
Howard U Lapel Pin
Rep your Bison pride wherever you go with this Howard U Lapel Pin from Pretty AmbVision. Whether adding it to your jacket, shirt, or bag, this pin is the perfect way to showcase your love for your alma mater while rocking your HBCU love with honor and distinction.
Mifland Standard Rucksack Mini
The Standard Rucksack is designed to evolve like that HBCU pride—getting richer, bolder, and better with time. Durable, stylish, and built to last, this Rucksack by Mifland is a timeless piece equipped with versatile carrying options and fully adjustable back straps for ultimate comfort.
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Slip Pure Silk Sleep Mask in Pink
Keeping it cute starts with beauty sleep. This luxurious silk mask is an essential for a reason. If protecting your skin and waking up refreshed is your priority, look no further than this Homecoming essential.
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Loop Experience Plus Earplugs High Fidelity Hearing Protection
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Black Girl Magic Glass Cup
Sip in style and celebrate your melanin with the Black Girl Magic Glass Cup. Perfect for morning coffee, your favorite iced drink, or showing off your HBCU pride on the yard—this cup is all about keeping it cute while radiating your endless supply of Black Girl Magic.
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Black Girl Sunscreen SPF 30
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54 Thrones Ivorian Cocoa + Ghanaian Coconut Beauty Butter
Stay glowing from the tailgate to the after-party with the 54 Thrones Ivorian Cocoa + Ghanaian Coconut Beauty Butter. Infused with African-sourced ingredients, this rich, multi-purpose butter is the answer to keeping your skin soft and radiant through all the festivities all Homecoming long.
Saie Glossybounce Hydrating Lip Oil
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Featured image by Visual Vic/Getty Images
As someone who keeps my own 4a-4b hair blown out pretty much year-round (more on that in a sec), I’ve never really given the weather motivator a ton of thought. However, now that I think about it, the method behind their madness actually makes a lot of sense because cooler temperatures can result in having a longer-lasting blowout, which ultimately means less heat damage (since you don’t have to apply heat as often), which is always a good thing.
That’s why, now that we are officially in the season of autumn (yay!), if you happen to rock your curls and coils in their unstretched state most of the time and you’d like to do something different for a while, here is why wearing a blowout is a marvelous option to consider.
Why Autumn Is Awesome for Blowouts
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One of the best reasons why autumn and blowouts are such a match made in heaven is something that I already addressed in the intro: although there is humidity virtually all of the time (especially in certain climates), oftentimes there is less when it’s colder outside (or, at the very least, your head sweats less) which means that you don’t have to deal with as much shrinkage — which again, means that your blowouts will last so much longer than they would during the late-spring and summertime.
Another thing that is wonderful about wearing your hair straightened out during the fall is the fact that, although UV rays linger around whenever the sun is out (and the sun does indeed shine during the fall and winter; in fact, I used to go to high school with white girls who would bikini ski in order to get a tan), they aren’t quite as potent, which means that you don’t have to worry about them drying out your strands or stripping your color as much as you would when the weather is warmer.
And so, if you want to wear your hair straight (or straighter), fall can accommodate you without you having to worry about it damaging your locks (or natural curl pattern) in the process.
The Pros of Going with a Blowout Hairstyle
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And just what about blowouts is so wonderful, overall? Well, for me personally, I choose to blow mine out, almost every wash day, for the following reasons:
- I don’t have to worry about tangles and fairy knots as much
- My tresses don’t experience as much damage whenever I style it
- My hair tends to have less frizz
- It can reduce styling time
- My nighttime routine is quicker
- When maintained properly, it can last for several days (easily)
- BONUS: It can keep you encouraged if you’re trying to grow your hair out and you want to see results that it is actually happening
Y’all, definitely one of the best things about being a Black woman is our hair is capable of doing so many different things. When it comes to a blowout, specifically, if you want the length, flow, and manageability of an almost flat-ironed or relaxed look while still having a lot of texture and even dimension, this is the hairstyle that will make that happen for you. I am certainly a witness.
5 Tips for Achieving a Healthy and Long-Lasting Blowout
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A part of the reason why I decided to share three different blowout tutorials throughout this piece is that, while the general concept of a blowout is that you use a blow dryer to stretch out or semi-straighten your hair, there are little “tweaks” that can help to give you the exact results that you want; hopefully, these videos can help you out in that department. However, when it comes to things that everyone should do to achieve a healthy and long(er)-lasting blowout look, here are five tips that have definitely given me the results that I like.
1. Dust your ends. If it’s been months since you’ve stretched out your hair, there’s a high possibility that you will need to at least dust your ends. That process can help to remove split ends or fairy knots and help to even out your hair if there is an ever so slight bit of unevenness. For tips on how to dust your own ends, check out the video here, here, and here.
2. Apply more product than you think you should. When I’m prepping my hair for blowing it out, I apply several things: a leave-in conditioner, a bond spray (check out “Everything You Need To Know About Bond-Building Your Hair”), a thermal protectant (a cream-based one is best if you want to really penetrate your stands), and towards the end of blow drying my hair, I will apply some grapeseed oil and/or a sheen or conditioning spray (Bronner Brothers’ Smooth Sheen is a favorite of mine) to give some extra moisture and shine.
For me, it just seems like the more coated my hair is, the more “weighted” it becomes and more conditioned it is, so that there is less dryness and my locks are easier to style.
3. Use a cream straightener. Speaking of hair products, hands down, one of the best things that you can do is apply a cream straightener to your hair before you blow dry it. Not only will it help to smooth your cuticles, but it can also keep your hair straight for a longer period of time than if you didn’t apply it. As a bonus, a cream straighter can add sheen, softness, and more manageability without permanently altering your curl pattern. If you’ve never used a cream straightener before, Cosmo has several options that you can read about here.
4. Braid your hair at night. Okay, do genetics play a role in hair growth? The speed, yes. However, if you maintain your ends, which ultimately leads to length retention, you can eventually have some serious inches, regardless of what your hair type is. Don’t believe me? In walks, Indigenous Strandz — and if you don’t click on any other article in this piece, click on this one here. Although I’m not sure if she braids or twists her hair in order to keep it stretched, her video does represent the benefits of braiding at night in order to maintain your blowout — especially if you want to keep “touch-up heat” down to a minimum.
Although some people like to simply pin curl or wrap their hair up at night, I find that if you sweat at night or you don’t want a lot of “bumps” in your blowout, braiding (including cornrowing) is best. Also, as Indigenous Strandz mentioned in the link that I provided, because your ends are the oldest parts of your hair, it’s essential that you apply a carrier oil like hemp seed or an essential oil like rosemary (or both) as you’re braiding it up in order to nourish your ends and keep them stronger; that way, there is less of a chance that your hair will break off during your blowout.
5. Keep your bedroom cool. I grew up in a cool home, so keeping my thermostat(s) set to 68 degrees is normal to me. And guess what? It’s what’s also recommended if you want to keep your energy bills down. When it comes to your hair, specifically, this hack can help to keep you from sweating out your blowout at night. Then you can wake up the next day, take down your braids (or pin curls), spray some of the sheen that I mentioned earlier, use a paddle brush on your tresses, and boom — you’re good to go! The perfect blowout, just in time for fall. Fabulous.
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