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 content creator, comedian and disability activist, Fats Timbo, who talked us through her top picks in beauty...
What does Black beauty mean to you?
Black beauty is confidence, culture and owning who we are unapologetically. It’s about celebrating our features, our skin and our hair in all its versatility. We’ve always set the trends and it’s amazing to see more of us taking up space in the beauty industry, redefining standards on our own terms.
Favourite skin treatment?
A hydrating facial! I love anything that gives my skin that fresh, dewy glow and keeps it feeling soft and plump.
Any aesthetic clinic recs?
I’d recommend SF Aesthetics – they really know how to work with Black skin and features. No matter where you go, check their portfolio, read reviews and ask how they prevent hyperpigmentation and scarring. Not every clinic is trained to handle melanated skin properly, so do your research!
What’s your wash-day routine?
Wash day is serious business. I start with SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Shampoo when my hair needs extra nourishment. Then I apply Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Cream to keep my hair moisturised and strong. After that, my hairdresser or my mum cornrows my hair and I finish with Magic Hair Grease.
Go-to hair salon?
I go to Afro Queen Beauty Hairs Salon in Gravesend – they always take great care of my hair. When I did the big chop, I regretted it. It was a shock at first, but the upside was that my hair grew back so thick and healthy.
Skincare product you can’t live without?
Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer with SPF30 – it’s lightweight, hydrating and it doesn’t leave that grey cast on my skin.
Fenty Beauty Hydra Vizor Invisible SPF 30 Moisturiser 50ml
Your biggest beauty splurge?
Definitely a Hydra Facial – it was a luxury, but my skin felt brand new afterwards. Cheapest beauty obsession? Those £1 lip glosses from the hair shop! You know the ones – they give your lips that perfect shine.
Makeup mishap memories?
There was a time when I was out here wearing foundation that was either too light or way too warm for my skin tone. And let’s not forget those early 2010s concealer brows, either – my forehead had a whole halo!
Your makeup bag wouldn’t be the same without…
My Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Powder in Cinnamon Bun – it sets my makeup and gives that smooth, airbrushed finish. Game-changer!
Main Character Energy by Fats Timbo (Blink) is out now
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.
