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
Despite Washington and Asomugha choosing to live a relatively private life for the most part by not sharing images of their family on social media and occasionally attending events together. The rare glimpses they provide to the public showcase that Washington and Asomugha have much in common regarding essential topics.
For example, Washington is highly involved in politics and encourages others to participate by spreading information about various issues and how everyone would be affected.
As for Asomugha, the 41-year-old officially founded the Asomugha Foundation in 2010, years after doing other charity work in Nigeria. According to its site, the organization was created to help "disadvantaged youth and women by providing educational opportunities and mentorship."
Washington's public remarks regarding her relationship with Asomugha and their family may be rare, but when she does speak about their family, it's all positive.
Kerry On Why She Keeps Her Relationship Private
Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Bronx Children's Museum
In March 2016, the UnPrisioned actress revealed during a discussion panel at SXSW Festival that one of the reasons why she is adamant about remaining private about her union with Asomugha is because she doesn't want the public to make any narratives regarding her marriage.
At the time, it was reported that Washington and the former NFL player were experiencing marital troubles and were allegedly planning on getting a divorce. Washington would shut down those allegations by saying she hasn't and will not share any information about her private life.
"Social media has actually been great for [other celebrities'] relationships with the weeklies or the gossip sites because people say things and they say, 'That's not true!' So I'm thinking in some ways, it's been great because people are able to maintain their voice," she explained.
"It's a little different for me because I don't talk about my personal life. That means not only did I not tell you when I was getting married, it also means if somebody has rumors about what's going on in my marriage, I don't refute them, because I don't talk about my personal life."
Kerry On How She Met Nnamdi And What A Normal Day Looks Like for Their Family
Fast forward to October 2018, the Scandal star gave insight into how she met Asomugha and their family life. During an interview with Marie Claire, Washington shared that she and Asomugha met in 2009 while she was working on the Broadway play Race.
The mother of two told the publication that her life has "completely transformed" since their encounter. "The last time I did theater, it completely transformed my life. That's where I met my husband. I love being with my family. My days off look like homework, reading, and watching stuff. Just hanging out, doing things we love to do," she stated.
Kerry On Nnamdi's Accomplishment
Photo by Jeffrey Camarati/Getty Images
But as time progressed, Washington began speaking a little more openly about her man. In October 2022, Washington gushed over Asomugha and his Netflix project, The Good Nurse, which came out around the same time her film, The School for Good and Evil, was released. While talking to Entertainment Tonight, the star expressed how "proud" she was of her husband.
"I'm really proud of him, I think he's doing amazing work. I'm really excited for his film, The Good Nurse," she said. "It's really exciting to both have really important films at Netflix right now, we feel really blessed.”
Kerry On Why Nnamdi Is Her Soulmate
Washington shared how her love with Asomugha goes beyond the surface after spending over a decade together.
In a March 2023 interview with Marie Claire, Washington explained that she and Asomugha are perfectly aligned because she's allowed to be her authentic self with him.
"I'm in my immediate truth with [him]," Washington said. "Those mirrors are important because they help me get back to myself."
Kerry On The Couple's Upcoming 10-Year Wedding Anniversary
Photo by Bruce Glikas/Getty Images
That same month, Washington expressed that in addition to the many years the couple has been together, and their personal and professional accomplishments, she still finds Asomugha "incredible."
Washington shared this revelation while promoting her latest project, UnPrisioned, in an Entertainment Tonight interview.
"I do have an incredible husband," the actress told ET host Kevin Frazier as she disclosed little to no details about their upcoming plans for their tenth wedding anniversary. "Do you remember how secret my wedding was? How private and secretive it was? That's how the anniversary is gonna be too!"
Kerry On Why She Thinks Nnamdi And Their Children Are A Gift From God
Washington's love and admiration for Asomugha and their family grow increasingly each day, so much so that she uses it as inspiration to share positive messages with her fans.
The 46-year-old revealed during a panel with Al Sharpton at National Action Network Convention on April 12 that she sees her husband and their children as "proof" that God exists and loves her because of the great joy they bring to her life.
"Well, you've met my husband, my husband's amazing. I got a good one. We have three beautiful children. And I think, you know, when I look at my marriage, and I look at my kids, fundamentally, they are proof of God to me,” she said. "Because I know that God loves me to have put those people in my life. And that sense of like, knowing that God loves me. That, to me, is so much of how I make the decisions about the activism that I do and the content that I make."
Regardless of what the public may think about Washington and Asomugha's private union, they are proving with each moment that love can conquer all.
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Feature image by Arturo Holmes/MG23/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
