Here at The Cosmopolitan 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 Sabrina Dhowre Elba, UN Goodwill Ambassador and co-founder of S’Able Labs , to explore her Little Black Beauty Book...
What does Black beauty mean to you?
Feeling seen and heard in the space, which is one of the reasons I created S’Able Labs. The beauty landscape was a negative experience for me at first, because I didn’t feel that there were a lot of brands that catered to my skin, tested on my skin, and cared about my skin. So, I didn’t have a positive experience of wellness until I started making my own path.
Favourite skin or beauty treatment?
Lately, it’s an infrared spa. I’ve just been loving everything infrared — we have a wellness lounge near us in Barnes called Glow Life.
Any recs for places for aesthetic procedures?
I haven’t done very explorative when it comes to actual clinical treatments. I just know I’m in the 1% of people who has some bad reaction, so I’ve stayed away from peels. And the one time I did try laser, because I’m so sensitive to heat, I broke out in a bad rash and it was before a special cover. So, I’m slightly terrified.
What’s your wash-day routine?
I love the Ceder Hydrating Shampoo, £29 — it’s just the right amount of hydration I need in a shampoo and it doesn’t leave any residue. And then I use my Redken Acidic Bonding Conditioner, £23, and the Typebee Overnight Boosting Peptide Hair Serum, £43. To dry, I use my Dyson Airwrap, but I do have a request for the brand — I need a smaller round brush attachment!
Your go-to hair salon or hairdresser?
I go to Larry King and Mary Adekoya at Papachichi Style.
Have you had any bad hair experiences?
Yes, when it was me doing it! I’m not good with wigs, I’m not that person — I need professional help when it comes to these things. And even then, I don’t know if it’s the shape of my face or what, but I just don’t pull them off. I can’t.
Skincare product you can’t live without?
Apart from S’Able Labs — sunscreen and La Roche-Posay Cicaplast B5+.
Body treatment you love?
I’m a spray tan girlie! When I do a carpet, I just feel like I always notice my glow if I get a spray tan. At home, I use Caribé.
Your biggest beauty splurge?
I do enjoy a good facial. I love Guendalina, The Skin Sculptor in Notting Hill.
I think she’s reasonably priced, but it’s still a splurge for sure. Hair is always a splurge, too. Glam is always a luxury, but especially if I want to do good braids. For braids, I go to Zuri Hair Studio.
Cheapest beauty obsession?
From the beauty shop, I always get the hair glue. With the red lid. Do you know the one? I use it for a track, like a quick glue in, and it comes out really easy. I’ve gone days with it, because wherever I am, the beauty hairdresser I’ll be like, “Can you glue it in? Quickly” — it will just take five minutes. So that’s a good one.
Your makeup bag wouldn’t be the same without...
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.
