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 actor and star of Queen Charlotte, India Amarteifio.
What does Black beauty mean to you?
To me, it’s about dissolving Eurocentricity as the only beauty standard, and really viewing and seeing the strengths that come with being a Black or brown person – especially in society today. Strengths are not things to be feared or colloquialised. They are what make us ‘us’, and we should be proud of them.
Favourite beauty treatment?
I love a full-body Thai massage. I treat myself once a month now, because I was getting headaches. And it has helped! I feel Zen and really connected to my body afterwards.
Any recs for places for aesthetic procedures?
Adonia Clinic in London. It’s a great place for everyone and inclusive of Black and brown skin. Having darker skin means that some treatments can cause scarring or damage pigmentation, but they really know what they’re doing there.
Favourite scent?
It’s dependent on my mood. Jo Malone London’s Grapefruit Cologne is really uplifting and amplifies my mood. But if I’m feeling a bit more sombre in the evening, I’ll wear the brand’s English Oak and Hazelnut, which is more masculine.
What’s your wash-day routine?
At the moment, I have my hair in micro braids, so from beginning to end, it’s a really easy 40 minutes. But if I have my hair out in its Afro, it’s about a six-hour process. Combing takes about half an hour, then it’s washing, conditioning, brushing product through, washing out, hair gel and more. It’s a long process. So, I love wearing my hair out, but I’m also enjoying this shortened time maintaining the braids.
Go-to hair salon or hairdresser?
Nia at The Curl Bar London. It’s great for any type of curly hair – from the coarsest to the coiliest. It’s nice to be among people who look like you. It feels like a safe space.
Have you had any bad hair experiences?
More bad than good, because I lived in communities without access to people who knew how to treat textured hair. The same goes for movie sets: there aren’t enough people who know how to style it. That makes you feel othered and self-conscious. The last thing you want to be worrying about when you’re filming or working is your hair. It should all be effortless. It is, however, getting better because people are speaking about it.
Skincare product you can’t live without?
I love Medik8 Hydr8 B5 serum. My dry skin drinks it up! I also use a red-light therapy machine twice a week. It’s great for acne and has transformed my skin.
Your biggest beauty splurge?
My hair. Getting it done is expensive, but I only do it twice a year.
Cheapest beauty obsession?
Drinking water!
Makeup mishap memories?
I had an audition once when I was about 13, and the night before, I decided it would be a great idea to pluck all of my eyebrows off. My mum had to draw them back in with Sharpies! It took years for them to grow back – I’d never do that again.
Your beauty bag wouldn’t be the same without…
A travel-sized Jo Malone London Pomegranate Noir perfume. It’s great to take with me on the go.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
