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 Maya Smith, founder of hair brand, The Doux, to explore her Little Black Beauty Book...
What does Black beauty mean to you?
Black beauty, for me, is about the freedom to define ourselves on our own terms and the power to show up fully as we are. It’s a celebration of Black people as the blueprint for many of the beauty standards the world continues to follow, whether they’re credited or not.
Favourite skin/beauty treatment?
I love a good enzyme facial or dermaplaning session. I travel a lot and wear makeup often for events, so anything that gives me that smooth, fresh canvas without being too invasive is a win.
Any recs for places for aesthetic procedures?
Dr. Jing Jing Harris of Pretty Faces [in Georgia, US] is one of the best in the game. She understands Black skin on a clinical and cultural level.
What’s your wash-day routine?
I keep it professional, but simple. I start with The Doux PRESS REWIND Retention Shampoo from The Doux to soften and strengthen. Then, I follow up with the FAST FORWARD Intense Repair Conditioner, which is the second step of our bonding treatment. I skip leave-ins, and style with MOUSSE DEF Texture Foam or CRAZYSEXYCURL Honey Setting Foam, depending on the hold I want for the day.
Go-to hair salon/hairdresser?
Me! Here in Atlanta, I'm the Licensed Cosmetologist and Lead Educator of our Doux Gang Pro Team, all licensed and trained in textured hair. If I’m not behind the chair myself, I trust my circle—stylists who actually understand hair health beyond trends.
Have you had any bad hair experiences and if so how did that feel?
Absolutely. When I was younger, I had heat damage from a stylist who didn’t know how to properly silk press natural hair. It made me feel erased — like my texture wasn’t worth preserving. That experience is part of why I created The Doux in the first place.
Skincare product you can’t live without?
Dr. Jing Jing's So² Nice to See You Sulfur Cleansing Complex is my favourite. It's a one-stop cleanser that keeps me blemish-free and doesn't irritate my skin and actually delivers results. My skin loves consistency, and this gives me just that.
Body treatment you love?
I’m a sucker for a full-body steam and scrub at a Korean spa or a good lymphatic drainage massage. It’s functional and indulgent.
Your biggest beauty splurge?
Custom fragrance layering at Maison Francis Kurkdjian. It’s a luxury, but scent is such a big part of my personal presence. I want to walk into a room and leave a memory.
Cheapest beauty obsession?
Rosewater spray. You can get a good one for under a tenner and it refreshes, hydrates, and resets makeup like magic.
Makeup mishap memories?
The dark brown lipliner with the clear gloss centre. Ironically, it's back on trend these days.
Your makeup bag wouldn’t be the same without…
Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Soothing Serum Skin Tint. It’s the perfect balance between radiant and real, and the texture is flawless.
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.
