Here at The Cosmo Black Beauty Hub we absolutely do not gatekeep, so when we get a chance to quiz some of our favourite Black women about their go-to beauty products tips and treatments we don't hold back– after all, that's how our Little Black Beauty Book Franchise was born. All the tea on our favourite star's life in beauty, served hot.
This week we caught up with multi-award-winning content creator and author, Stephanie Yeboah...
What does Black beauty mean to you?
Black Beauty to me means finding power in the ways in which we express our culture and heritage. It is - to me - the root from which all beauty thrives.
Favourite skin/beauty treatment?
My favourite skin treatment is the City Cleanse Facial, which I do at the SkinWork clinic in Soho. It’s an intense facial that incorporates microdermabrasion, LED lighting, a pore extraction and a lactic facial peel, and I always leave with my skin feeling tight and glowy.
Any recs for places for aesthetic procedures?
I would recommend The London Lip Clinic for The Perfect Peel. Dr Shah has been doing this treatment long before it became popular and is well versed on the correct way to undergo the treatment. He’s incredibly knowledgeable, and the treatments are always thorough.
What’s you wash-day routine?
My wash day routine consists of a pre-wash protein bond treatment, using the Curlsmith Bond Curl Rehab Salve, followed by a shampoo and condition using the Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture and Shine Shampoo and the Moisture and Shine Conditioner. For styling, I use The Ordinary Multi Peptide Serum for hair density, and follow with the Keracare CurlEssense Moisturising Leave-in Conditioner.
Go-to hair salon?
I love Maison Hair in Tulse Hill, South London as they are wonderful at working with natural hair, as well as giving you the best advice on how to maintain natural hair health.
Have you had any bad hair experiences and if so how did that feel?
When I was seven, my Mum - after watching Coming to America - took it upon herself to give me a curly perm treatment at home, with disastrous results. I absolutely hated it and was bullied at school for it! I ended up relaxing my hair after, which made my hair health even weaker. It was a bad time all around and I remember feeling incredibly insecure about my short, weak strands.
Skincare product you can’t live without?
An easy one for me; HYALURONIC ACID! In particular, the Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid. My skin absolutely drinks this up and feels so plump and healthy.
Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum 50ml
Body treatment you love?
It’s always going to be a deep tissue massage for me as I have the biggest back knots known to man - exacerbated by my time at the gym, so it’s always a lovely treat for me to get an intense massage!
Your biggest beauty splurge?
Definitely the Ziip Halo Microcurrent face massager. Using it three times a week has definitely made a difference to my face with regards to how tight and snatched my face feels, as well as the reduction in my laughter lines!
Cheapest beauty obsession?
My cheapest beauty obsession are the NYX lip liners. I will continue to rave about how wonderful they are for the cost - the quality of the liners are insane and they last all day!
Makeup mishap memories?
I used to wear a lot of warm-based red lipsticks before knowing about skin undertones and knowing that my skin needed a cool-based tone, and when I look back on the photos, I cringe. I looked awful!
Your makeup bag wouldn’t be the same without…
NYX Epic Ink Eyeliner!
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
