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 sat down with singer-songwriter Joyce Cisse, better known as Flowerovlove, who filled us in on her beauty regime, including the £4 product she cannot live without and how she keeps her iconic afro in tip-top shape.
What does Black beauty mean to you?
Well, Black Beauty immediately just takes me to the incredible Black women who have graced this earth before us, like Diana Ross, Grace Jones, Minnie Riperton – all those beautiful women. They are what has been displayed of Black beauty. But Black beauty to me means family, it means motherhood, it means Africa, and it’s so funny, it also means like the smell of cocoa butter.
Hair wash day routine
Crazy thing, I don’t actually wash my hair [very often]. I let her bathe in the natural oils, but I do wash my hair. I won’t say how many times in a year because it sounds bad, but I actually don't use shampoo. I don't believe in shampoo. I'm like a “crazy”, herbal girl: very holistic and spiritual. So, I wash my hair with rosemary and hibiscus water that I prepare myself. Wash day for me is really fun because it's when I finally get to release the stress and the tension from my head, because our hair holds so much energy and stress. Hair is a story for me, which is why I don't wash it very often, because I like to hold that energy.
Go-to hair salon/hairdresser?
So, the last time I had my hair done was probably about 10 years ago. I just don't do well with hairdressers. I don't like people all up in my hair and in my space, even on shoots sometimes. There was a man who was booked to do my hair once, and I was like, ‘Okay, nothing much I can really do about this’ because it was a pretty big shoot. But I just really don't f**k with people touching my hair like that.
Have you had any bad hair experiences – if so, how did that feel?
For sure, that's why I don't go [to the salon]. But probably the worst experience that I ever had was this hairdresser just combing through my hair so aggressively when I had a lot of knots in it. I'll never forget this. I turned around and slapped her. I can't lie, it's not one of my brightest moments. So, that was probably my worst hair moment. I also used to get my hair straightened when I was a kid, because my family didn't really know how to upkeep the hair, but now I know how to upkeep it.
Skincare product you can’t live without?
Coconut oil – 100% natural. It’s under £5 and the only thing I use.
Body treatment you love?
I love a lymphatic drainage massage. Everyone needs to get one once in their life if they haven’t done it. You’ll be like, ‘Wow, I didn't even know I needed that. It’s life-changing. I do it maybe two or three times a year. I should do it more often, but it’s just because of my schedule. I go to do this great lady (@empressarmy), and she’s not pricey as well.
Your biggest beauty splurge?
I do love the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer. I also bought a head massage for hair growth. I have no idea where it's from, but that was probably my biggest splurge.
Cheapest beauty obsession?
Definitely Black Jamaican castor oil on the eyebrows and eyelashes – for sure! I have such long lashes because of that.
Your makeup bag wouldn’t be the same without…
My Glossier lip liner. I love a lip liner.
Grace Henry is Cosmopolitan UK’s Acting Entertainment and Lifestyle Director. She oversees the Entertainment and Lifestyle strategy across print, digital and video. Grace joined Cosmo in March 2025, after working as the Online Entertainment and Factual Editor at Radio Times. As a journalist for almost a decade, Grace has interviewed the likes of Caitlyn Jenner, Eva Longoria, Morgan Freeman, Sylvester Stallone and more. Grace loves all things reality TV, and when she’s not interviewing a big celeb you can find her binging old episodes of The Real Housewives, with Atlanta and Potomac being her top two faves from the franchise. She also loves a female-led drama series – think OITNB and Sex and The City – and is a sucker for a true crime doc!
