Winnie Harlow Gives Us The Details On How She Attained The Perfect Beat For Fashion Week
New York Fashion Week has arrived and melanin is in full effect. From Janelle Monae's electric performance at Ralph Lauren's Fall 2019 show and the Zendaya x Tommy Hilfiger collab at The Apollo, to the colorful creatives and spectators who lined the streets of New York this past week, fearless Black fashionistas set the city on fire with style and beauty trends that we'll be rocking all damn season.
Among the celebrities spotted at NYFW this year was our favorite Canadian-Jamaican supermodel and certified baddie, Winnie Harlow. The now 25-year old model made her debut on the catwalk in 2014 after being handpicked by Tyra Banks to participate as a contestant on the 21st season of America's Next Top Model and has since made her mark in the industry as a trailblazer, collaborating with industry giants like KKW Beauty, Steve Madden, and Victoria's Secret.
Our melanin is as beautiful as it is complicated, which is especially true for Winnie, who was diagnosed with vitiligo at only four years old. After enduring years of teasing and name calling, the model finally found her own light and makes it a point to continuously bless the industry with her glow.
Winnie recently sat down with Vogue and gave up all the details on how to slay the evening like a supermodel, including but not limited to the beauty tips and makeup products that kept her camera-ready all week long. While Winnie says she can whip up a mean beat any day of the week, the model shared that Fashion Week can make her beauty routine especially difficult. In the video, she explained:
"I really feel like my skin breaks out the most around Fashion Week. Um, and that's because of course, we have to create looks, we gotta do runway and all that and your skin isn't made for makeup. But prep the skin and prepare it for war pretty much is what I like to think of it as."
She also dropped this piece of advice for ladies, like myself, who have spent a lot of time, energy, and phone data searching for the perfect foundation: stop it, sis. According to Winnie, two is always better than one, and that's also her motto when it comes to choosing a foundation that matches her skin tone effortlessly.
"I feel like everyone has a really high expectation for foundations and makeup brands. I feel like makeup brands today are doing a really good job, but I don't think it's like super possible to put one shade on your face and just be like, it's perfect."
Using a combination of products from her latest collaboration with KKW Beauty and other cult favorites, Winnie gave us the recipe for the perfect beat and we have all of the ingredients.
For a better glimpse into Winnie's beauty routine for Fashion Week, scroll below:
DIY Makuka Honey + Aztec Clay + Apple Cider Vinegar Mask
Vogue/YouTube
"I tend to use my Clarisonic like every other day. I don't want to over-exfoliate my skin. So now I'm going to go in with a mask and I like to do this mask twice a month. I kind of eyeball it whenever I mix this mask. My goal is to create a paste-like consistency like this, so it doesn't drip everywhere because apple cider vinegar stinks."
NIVEA Q10 plus Anti-Wrinkle Night Care ($9.75)
Vogue/YouTube
"We're out [of this], but I have enough for today and I feel like I really like using a night cream in the day because I don't use like an eye cream or anything like that."
MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot ($12.97)
Vogue/YouTube
"I'm going to go on top with my magic weapon, this Mac Pro Longwear Paint Pot, and it's kind of like a concealer but not, I feel like this is like professional feeder makeup-type consistency. So I'm going to take a brush that looks kind of like a cat's paw to get a whole lot of product on here and I'm going to go ahead and dab that on top. I use this because I really want the makeup to stay."
KKW x Winnie Eyeshadow Pallette ($49)
Vogue/YouTube
"I had this amazing idea and I brought it to Kim and she was so excited that she was like, 'You know what? Let's hold off on that idea because it's gonna take a really long with production, everything. I'm so excited to work with you. I just want to like work on something right now that like we can get out this year.' And I was like, 'Ah, amazing. Perfect. I like that. Let's do that.' So she was like, 'Cool, let's, let's figure out what you want to create. What do you want to do?' And I was like, 'I really want to do an eye palette.' So Kim and I collaborated. I think we did really well on this palette."
FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna Sun Stalk'R Instant Warmth Bronzer x Caramel Cutie ($30)
Vogue/YouTube
"Now I'm going to warm up my skin with this mineralized skin finish who I also like to warm up with this Fenty Beauty Caramel Cutie."
KKW Beauty x Winnie Highlighter Duo ($26)
Vogue/YouTube
"I wanted to be chocolate girl-friendly. So I made this beautiful golden bronzy highlight and this like iridescent, almost pink. And then I'm going to go in with that top shade and I'm going to highlight my nose."
Charlotte's Tilbury Lip Pencil - Foxy Brown ($22.00)
Vogue/YouTube
"So for my signature lip, I either use 'Chestnut' by Mac or I use 'Foxy Brown' by Charlotte Tilbury."
Charlotte Tilbury Super Pigmented Gloss ($22)
Vogue/YouTube
"Then I take this Charlotte Tilbury's super pigmented gloss, and I used this. I'll either use this or it lipstick, but I use this to kind of blend the color of the liner into my lips while kind of creating this gradient."
Mascara
Vogue/YouTube
"So last but not least, mascara. When comes it to putting mascara on your top lash, when you have lashes on, it's more important to get them on your actual lashes so then you can blend them in with your falsies."
The Finished Product
Vogue/YouTube
Check out the full video below!
Winnie Harlow's Afterparty Beauty Look — Just in Time for Fashion Week | Beauty Secrets | Voguewww.youtube.com
Featured image by Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock.com
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.
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.
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Not too long ago, while in an interview, someone asked me for a top complaint that I hear husbands say (first) and then wives state (second) as it relates to what goes down (or doesn’t go down) in the bedroom.
Ladies first: when it comes to women, I think what comes up more than anything might surprise some: it’s boredom. A lot of wives want there to be more spontaneity instead of taking the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach from their partner. As for men? I mean, would anyone be shocked to hear that they wished their wife would initiate sex more often?
I’m telling you, over frequency, technique, and even dressing up more for bed (and yes, those things also come up quite a bit), hands down, what I hear that more men want is for their partner to show them that they are desired by taking the initial steps to make copulation happen…more often.
And so, since I’m all about doing whatever I can to reduce dissatisfaction and frustration in the bedroom department, let’s explore this very topic today — from a few angles. For starters, what it truly means to be a sexual initiator; two, why it’s so vitally important to be a sexual initiator, and three, why it could literally change the entire tone, energy, and outcome of your sex life with your partner — if you’d simply be open to initiating sex more often than you (probably already) do.
What It Means to Initiate Something. LITERALLY.
Giphy
I’m word-literal — there’s no secret about that. So, when it comes to the topic of initiating sex, let’s start with what the word means. To initiate is “to begin, set going, or originate” and “to introduce into the knowledge of some art or subject.” Some synonyms for initiate include begin, open, set up, trigger, admit, introduce, and invest. And when it comes to all of the meanings of these words, between men and women, when it comes to sex specifically, guess who does it more? Men. BY A LONG SHOT TOO: a whopping 60 percent.
When it comes to why a lot of women are so comfortable with men initiating intimacy, many think that, just like men should pursue them for a relationship, it is also “the man’s role” to pursue sex in the bedroom; they literally think that it makes them look desperate or needy for them to be the initiator — yes, even as a wife. What in the world?
Listen, when two people sign up to be each other’s exclusive sex partner until death parts them, it means they are both saying that they desire each other so much that they are willing to make that kind of commitment — and so, there should be no “I don’t want to appear this way or that” when it comes to sexual activity.
So, with all of that ridiculous overthinking out of the way, that should make you want to “set up” some sex plans, “admit” to some sexual fantasies that you may have, and “introduce” some new ideas to your partner; especially since that’s exactly what so many men wish that their lady would do, to begin with.
So, with all of this said, if you’re someone who is hung up on not initiating, first spend some time really processing what the word means. Because when two people are eager to begin sex and invest in each other sexually, that is the recipe for a truly satisfying experience…over and over and over again.
C’mon. Who Doesn’t Want to Feel Wanted?
GiphyI remember once reading an article that said our brain processes rejection the same way that it does physical pain, and y’all, I don’t know about you, but if something is physically hurting me, my natural inclination is to get away from it. Along these lines, when it comes to relationships since research has proven that rejection can lead to things like jealousy, shame, anxiety, loneliness, and guilt — yes, it makes all of the common sense in the world that you would want to do all that you can to make your partner feel wanted…both in and outside of the bedroom because, just like no one wants to deal with physical pain, no one wants to keep dealing with rejection and all of the fallout that comes with it…either.
Actually, when it comes to this particular point, I think that an article that I once read on Psychology Today’s site said it best: “Not only does being needed help define your role in a relationship, but being needed can also influence how satisfied you feel in a relationship.” And before some of you say that “sex is not a need” — the hell you say? I mean, the only purpose of your clitoris is to provide sexual stimulation, so that alone should make us all deem sex (and sexual fulfillment) as pretty damn important.
Plus, by definition, a need is something that is deemed as being essential while also being something that is extremely necessary, and anyone who thinks that a romantic relationship doesn’t need physical intimacy? That’s someone who really needs to remain single because one of the top things that makes a relationship more than a friendship is there is intimacy that’s involved.
Besides, who doesn’t want to feel wanted by their partner — and I do mean, in every way? And when you make the decision to be in an exclusive relationship with someone else, you are declaring that they are someone who pleases you to the point where you don’t need to look for anyone else to do it; and, if that is indeed what you are saying, it doesn’t make sense that you wouldn’t initiate sex with them sometimes (and I do mean more than on their birthday).
One, because you choose them to “fill that role.” Two, because they are the source of your fulfillment in that area. Three, because it’s completely unfair (not to mention totally hypocritical) to expect them to make you feel wanted when you’re not being intentional about making them feel the same way in return. Not to mention the fact that initiating also helps to safeguard your relationship on a lot of levels too.
Since sex is important and rejection is detrimental on so many levels, it’s crucial to make your partner feel sexually wanted and desired by you. One way to definitely do that is to initiate sex.
What Initiating Sex Does for You
GiphySo, what does initiating sex do for the initiator? Something that I tell a lot of my women clients is it helps them to create an atmosphere that puts them in the mood. What I mean by that is, if their husband is perfectly content having sex on the couch during commercials (I’m kind of exaggerating to make a point…kind of…LOL) while they would like some candles, mood music, and rose petals — they can control that if they are the one who initiates.
Another perk that comes with being the initiator is you have more “control” over how the sex goes. The kind of foreplay you want, how fast or slow things go, how intercourse begins — all of this, you have more of a say so in if you’re the one who is initiating intimacy. Why? Well, think about when your bae initiates — doesn’t it seem like you tend to follow his lead more when he’s the one who is first to get the ball rolling?
Oftentimes, when a couple comes to me about being sexually dissatisfied, and I recommend that the one who doesn’t initiate takes more initiative, the one on the receiving end likes the fact that their partner is “running the show” — and the initiator likes “being in charge” more than they thought that they would. As a result, both end up experiencing far more pleasure.
The initiator shows what they want more of while the receiver feels desired in the process. A win/win for everyone.
What Initiating Sex Does for Him
sexy black and white GIFGiphyA couple of weeks ago, while in a session with a client, he was joking about how much he has “too much of a good thing” when it comes to his wife’s libido. Although science says that the fact that men have a higher amount of testosterone in their system, and it is the reason why they typically have a higher sex drive, don’t sleep on a lot of women out there who want to get it in more than their husband does. His wife is one of them. Since she’s a client of mine too (oftentimes, we do our sessions separately), it’s interesting that he’s fine with having sex a couple of times a month while she would like to a couple of times a week.
So, is he denying her when she wants it more often? Nope. The reason why they’re not having more sex is that even though her drive is higher, she still waits for him to initiate. Why? Because she thinks that’s what “the man should do”; not only that but “being wooed” turns her on more.
As I’ve been working on helping them to find a middle ground (because if marriage ain’t about compromise, I don’t know what is), he says that he feels like because he plans a lot of the dates, he wishes that she would initiate more: “I don’t think a lot of women get how hard it is to be a Black man out here. Nothing feels better than knowing that if no one else is thrilled by your presence, your woman is. For us, initiating isn’t just about sex. It’s about feeling wanted as a whole. And when we feel like our woman adores us, there is no greater turn-on.”
I’m not sure what y’all heard, but what it sounds like to me is when we, as women, initiate sex, men feel holistically special and cherished. That makes sense, too, because if we were to put our feet in their shoes, we would probably say the same thing. That’s just one more reason to pull the “gender roles” out of this topic; men and women both want to feel like they are the best thing on the planet by their sex partners. And again, initiating helps us all to feel that way.
What Initiating Ultimately Does for Your Relationship As a Whole
Issa Rae Love GIF by Insecure on HBOGiphyPersonally, I can only imagine how much better sex would be for everyone (who is in a sexual relationship) if people simply initiated copulation whenever they wanted to have it. That way, everyone would feel desired — and what could possibly be wrong with that? Especially if both individuals factored in some of the definitions for initiated that I already shared. Just think about if you rushed home tonight because you read about something that you want to introduce to your man or there’s a fantasy that you have that you want to admit.
The mere conversations alone will help to bring the two of you closer together because, after all, deep intimacy is about minds, bodies, and spirits getting as close as possible…right? And so, yes, by initiating sex, it can bring more closeness and stability to the relationship as a whole.
And what if you initiate and your partner isn’t interested at the time? Or what if you’re shy about initiating due to having a fear of rejection? That’s a fair and legitimate concern. One day, I’ll need to pen an article on how couples should handle situations like that with grace (on both ends) while applying the golden rule of “doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.” For now, I’ll just say that if this is your greatest point of concern, share that with your partner as well.
After all, it’s pretty unrealistic to expect them to always want it when you do (although it’s been my experience and observation that men are almost always far easier to convince…LOL); just know that not wanting sex at the exact moment that you do doesn’t mean that they don’t want you altogether. Besides, oftentimes, a nap or a night of sleep can rectify that issue. Trust me.
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Rihanna was actually once quoted as saying, “To me, sex is power. It’s empowering to do it because you want to do it.” I personally think that’s a great way to bring this to a close. Make your partner feel wonderful, empower yourself, and strengthen your relationship by initiating sex more often. I can’t think of one reason why it’s not a wise move. Can you?
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Featured image by Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty Images