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 presenter and brand founder, Sarah Jane Crawford...
First up, what does beauty mean to you?
Beauty to me is an expression of the different facets of who you are. It allows you to accentuate and embellish things that you love and live your best life in the process.
What’s your favourite skin treatment?
Currently the Facegym Signature Sculpt massage. They use special tools and collagen boosting workouts to tighten, rejuvenate and give genuine results. It’s perfect to get the night before special occasion or a red-carpet event!
Your current wash day routine?
I start with the Super Softening Shampoo and Super Slip Detangling Conditioner from my non-toxic line ‘Clean Curls’. Styling wise I follow up with the 2 In 1 Leave In & Curl and the 4th and final layer is the Clean Curls, Cosmo award-winning Shine & Define Curl Custard. To dry I then either air dry or lightly diffuse with my Dyson hairdryer. To deep condition, once a month or so, I also love the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair mask.
briogeo Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask 236ml
Go-to hair salon?
I love Mancunian Bounce in Manchester. They specialise in an amazing wash and go with curl definition styling. I also enjoy seeing Kim from the Curl Clinic in Leeds when I can. And recently worked with Ashley Lee Hair in Manchester on two big shoots - he’s fab with curls!
Skincare product you can’t live without?
Definitely the Ren Bio Retiniod Youth Serum and I’m also I’m obsessed with Caudalie Resveratol Firming Cashmere Cream.
Biggest splurge?
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream – I have to hide it from my daughters (who are 2 and 4). I love it because it’s super non-toxic, but brilliant for mature skin.
Cheapest beauty obsession
I have a few! Green People’s SPF 30 and the Garnier Organic Lavandin Anti-Age Facial Sleeping Cream are two of my faves.
Green People Scent Free Sun Cream - SPF30 30ml
Makeup mishaps…?
Back in the days we’d use the old school eyebrow pencil or brown eyeliner on the lips to double up as lip liner! Nowadays, brands do some great colours for darker skin tones so we don’t need to do that anymore.
Your makeup bag wouldn’t be the same without…
Fenty beauty! I love their concealers and lip glosses.
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer - Glass Slipper
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.
