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 jazz musician Ego Ella May who gave us her high street haircare top picks and confessed her relatable makeup mishap…
What does Black beauty mean to you?
Black beauty means THE BLUEPRINT. I firmly believe we are the original influencers of global beauty and fashion trends.
Favourite beauty treatment?
Just a good moisturiser is enough for me! I’m a simple girl. Also, lip balm. No one likes cracked lips!
What’s your washday routine?
I wash my hair once a week and use the L’Oréal Curl Expression shampoo, Garnier Hair Food mask as my conditioner, Shea Butter Honey Intense Hydration Mask as my deep conditioner that I use alongside a steam cap, then I blow-dry using the Tresemmé heat protectant and finish with Palmer’s Bonding Oil to seal everything in.
L’Oréal Professionnel Curl Expression
Garnier Ultimate Blends Hair Food, Banana 3-in-1 Dry Hair Mask Treatment, 400ml
Palmer’s Coconut Oil Formula Amino Bonding Complex Bonding Healing Oil 118ml
Go-to hair salon?
First Glance in Brockley, but I usually just go for a trim. They are very good in there!
Have you had any bad hair experiences and if so, how did that feel?
When I used to relax my hair (thankfully 15 years ago), my edges fell off! It felt mortifying, of course, but with proper care and time I’ve managed to grow them back 😊
Skincare product you can’t live without?
Salicylic acid! Keeps my spots at bay.
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Body treatment you love?
A massage. So relaxing and feels indulgent.
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Your biggest beauty splurge?
I don’t spend a lot on beauty products. You’ll find me in the Black hair shop getting all the cheap deals.
Make-up mishap memories?
Wearing too much blusher!
Your make-up bag wouldn’t be the same without…
Velvet Jazz lipstick by Lisa Eldridge.
Lisa Eldridge Beauty True Velvet Lip Colour
Ego’s sophomore album Good Intentions is out now. Click here for tour dates
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.