Bridgerton's Emma Naomi reveals the £5 SPF she can't go without and the natural hair tips she swears by

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 actress Emma Naomi, who Bridgerton fans will recognise as Alice Mondrich…

What does Black beauty mean to you?

I think the more that we see of us in all our different forms, and how creative that can be, the more visibility the better. When I was like 11, I wanted to be a supermodel. That is actually true. I used to watch Top Model everyday and there were maybe two or three [Black models], and that was it. I don’t feel like that’s the case anymore, and I hope that that keeps growing.

Favourite beauty treatment?

A facial, but just a very standard facial. I like electric facials, but my favourite brands are gone because of Brexit unfortunately. But I think an electric facial, or Gua Sha facial, or just a natural lifting massage is the best. In my next life, I want to be a facialist. I’ve done quite a lot of qualifications myself on massage and facials, so I can do them myself, but that’s a little bit boring. I usually go to the Eco Skin Clinic in Walthamstow and ask what they think I need.

Related StoryWhat’s your wash-day routine?

I get a lot of my stuff from The Natural Hair Whisperer, so she makes conditioners, shampoos and a pre-poo. So, I do a pre-poo for about 30 minutes, then I clarify, then I do a hair mask. She has hair melts, so you can basically melt it into any conditioner, but I like to use OrganiGrow hair conditioner, and that sits there for like half an hour to 40 minutes, and then all of my styling products are OrganiGrow. It’s Black-owned, she’s from California, she’s a singer but she started noticing her hair falling out maybe 10 or 15 years ago, and so she created this entire line that’s all organic. And it works – my hair does feel thicker, shinier and definitely healthier. I particularly love the smell of the curling custard, but the moisture milk is the thing I use more often.

Go-to hair salon/hairdresser?

To be honest, I don’t really go into salons and I get told off a lot for trimming my own hair. I’ve had a lot of bad experiences, if I’m honest. So, when I took matters into my own hands, I just felt like I could always trust what was going on. I actually had a proper receding hairline, which is probably why I’m so conscious. I’d love to find somebody, but for now, The Natural Hair Whisperer is someone that I know is only concentrating on hair and scalp health and trying to empower all of her clients to look after themselves. I’m more about that side of things.

Have you had any bad hair experiences – if so, how did that feel?

When I was 17, I had this treatment to straighten my hair that’s now illegal, and was always illegal in Europe. It made my hair fall out quite badly, so I had a brutal hairline. I’m not even joking. I had to go to a clinic and have it all restored. I think part of it, and maybe this is why I’m talking about visibility, was me not understanding that my hair is not like European hair. Putting European beauty ideals on my hair damaged my hair and made it fall out. I was not confident at all at that time. I had to wear my hair in certain ways that you couldn’t really see my scalp anymore, and ever since then, it’s been quite sensitive. So I’d rather nourish it now than go into a salon and try a million different things, but I do like braids.

Skincare product you can’t live without?

Sunscreen! My favourite is from the Altruist and another good one is Superdrug’s Solait Kids sunscreen SPF50+.

Body treatment you love?

I do love a deep tissue massage. I like a full body scrub as well, but that’s more of an occasional treat, like when I’m celebrating a birthday.

Your biggest beauty splurge?

Does dental work count? I’ve got bonding on my four, front teeth and I had that done maybe a couple of years ago. My teeth were moving and they were turning inwards and I wasn’t feeling it, you know.

Cheapest beauty obsession?

I like the Patchology gel eye masks. I put them in the fridge and get them out on a day where my face is feeling quite tired.

Makeup mishap memories?

Not since finding this person [celebrity make-up artist Joy Adenuga]! I looked back on some pictures of when I was younger and I had big rainbow, arch eyebrows and they were pencilled. I’m talking like almost McDonald’s M eyebrows – that’s the way they had it in Essex back then!