“At Sky Blue Media, an integrated marketing agency, I partner with talent and brands on everything from speaking engagements to collaborations to campaigns. I’ve worked with brands like Versace, #1000 Black Girl BookVersace celebrated Marley with an Icons dinner. Justina Myles We have a social partnership with Pattern Beauty. She’s the first deaf black woman to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show. She’s amazing.
A few years ago, when my sister Lyric passed away, I took some time off work for spiritual reasons. I moved back to my hometown of Los Angeles. During that time, I came up with the idea to start a foundation at my alma mater, Stanford University, in my sister’s honor. During Lyric’s internship, she noticed that there were systemic barriers that prevented others from getting internships. Most internships are still unpaid, and Lyric would often say to me, “How can you get through the door if you can’t even get there?” So through the Lyric McHenry Community Arts Fellowship, we fund those opportunities. It’s very important to me.
It’s funny to think about it now, but when I was on “EJNYC,” I was on a short reality TV show, which was a spinoff of “The Rich Kids of Beverly Hills.” The show focused on my friends. E.J. JohnsonI never imagined I’d be on the show, but EJ is like a brother to me. I’ve been on it with my sister before. But as you can imagine, it’s a very impersonal space. You’re exposing your life to the world, and it can be uncomfortable, and you feel like people only know you from what they see on screen. I was still in school when the show was on, so I would go to class and everyone would stare at me. It makes me laugh when I look back on it now, but I’m really happy I got to be on it with my friends. I don’t think I’ll be on it again, but I can’t say never.
skin care
I take a shower in the morning, but I never wash my face because the water is too hot. Retrouvé Baume Ultime Body Oil Apply it all over your body while your skin is still slightly damp. Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser. I love Retrouvé Priming PadsLightly exfoliates and Eye Concentrate and Nourishing Face SerumI usually apply it on my cheekbones, but I also apply it on my neck. Don’t forget your neck! Depending on the day, Retrove face oil or Intensive moisturizer Eye Concentrate also works great as a lip balm because it’s so moisturizing and adds shine. I love Retrouvé. My skin is prone to dryness in some areas and I think this brand is really good for the skin. I also love the airless packaging this brand offers. A lot of skin care companies use plastic bottles that let in a lot of light and oxygen, shortening how long their products last. I like to use it at the end of the morning, Heritage Store Rose WaterI’ve been using it since I was a child. It keeps the skin moisturized and has aromatherapy benefits. Topicals Faded Mist I try to put on sunscreen when I feel like my skin needs it. I need to get better at applying sunscreen, but when I do, Neutrogena Clear Face SPF30.
I rarely wear makeup during the day so I don’t feel the need to cleanse at night. Neutrogena makeup remover sheet Before using another Priming Pad To thoroughly remove sweat and dirt from the face. After that, the routine is almost the same as the morning routine. Retrove Dynamic Nourishing Face Cream I apply it to areas that are particularly dry, such as behind my ears. Beautology Lab’s Cryotoning Tools I also use it at night. I put it in the freezer, rinse it off with warm water and massage it into my face. It makes me feel like I’m at a spa. I also use it on my neck and back.
When you need a mask: Activist Manuka Honey Mask and Fenty’s Cookies and Clean Clay MaskThe antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties make the Activist mask super handy when I’m on my period and my chin is a little rough. I can apply it all over my face or spot treat it with a cotton swab. FYI, Fenty masks don’t smell like cookies and cream. It’s not the best smell, but it’s great when I need a deep cleanse. Oh, and I suffer from dry lips. Lip balm It’s always around me, but sometimes, MAC Lip ScrubciousIt’s very gentle yet removes all the dead skin cells.
I get facials twice a month. Stare StudioJami Heidegger, founder of Retrouvé, introduced me to Elizabeth. I had never really been interested in facials before meeting Elizabeth, but I learned so much from her. She’s the only person I trust to touch my face.
compensate
I want to elevate my look with makeup, so before I start, I apply Retrouvé’s Nourishing Face Serum with Rose Water to add a glow to my face. Beauty Blender Bounce Foundation in 3.65It is effective for dark circles under the eyes, and of course, Beauty Blender Tap it in gently. Then Laura Mercier Highlighting Powder in RecklessApply rose gold eyeshadow to your cheekbones and nose, then lightly contour. Tom Ford Soleil Glow BronzerI especially like to apply it on my cheekbones. Chanel Baume Essentiel in DrageesI use it all the time, it’s the perfect shade of pink.
Audrey Hepburn is one of my idols, and thanks to her, the cat eye is my trademark. It’s so chic. MAC Eye Call in Teddychocolate brown, and MAC Brushstroke Liner in Brushed BlackIt’s the best. Eyeliner is often too thick, but this perfectly defines the eyes. It goes on very well. I love it. MAC Big Boost Fiber GelAlso. It’s perfect for feathered eyebrows. I sometimes use false eyelashes when I go to events, but usually I loreal panorama mascaraHonestly, it’s so good that I don’t even need false eyelashes. Oh, I learned this from a makeup artist. Lysa Flowers use Retrove Icon Center I apply it to my eyelids to give them a little shine. It’s really cute. Once that’s done, Milk Hydro Grip Setting Spray.
I always wear the same lip combo:MAC’s M·A·Cximal Lipstick in Twig Twistbrownish pink, on top Squirt Plumping Gloss Stick in excitementthis is my favorite gloss stick ever, it’s so moisturizing and the colors are so fun.
hair
I used to be a model and at one point I had to dye my hair dark black. Then I dyed it ombre blonde so that’s gone now. I’m still trying to get my hair back to its natural color but it’s coming back soon. My hair is very thick and curly with a lot of volume. I wash it maybe 3-4 times a month. Pattern Beauty Curl Cleansing Shampoo and Lightweight conditioner. Leave-in conditioner Basically, it naturally untangles your hair. Once you put it on, you don’t have to do anything else. Fekkai’s Super Power+ Use the repair mask two to three times a month when your hair needs extra care.
I have used moroccan oil hair oil I’ve been using this since I was in middle school. First of all, it smells really nice. My hair gets frizzy sometimes, but this product makes it smooth. Zaire Edge Control It’s the best I’ve ever used. Zaire Edge BrushYes, they are both super easy to style.
When it comes to hair removal, I use Brazilian J Sistersand sometimes I pluck my eyebrows a little bit so I don’t look like a total freak. Damone Roberts is my go-to and the only person I truly trust with my eyebrows.
nail
I’m obsessed with anything chrome, and nails are no exception. Shello Nail Spa I go to the Upper East Side once every three weeks to get my dip nails done. I always use silver chrome because it gives a cool and chic mirror effect to my nails. I also love French tips. I used to do them a lot when I was little, and they’re so cute. Sometimes I also try different colors of tips, like pink or turquoise.
scent
I wore Laura Mercier Vanilla I’m not exaggerating when I say that I’ve been using this perfume since I was in junior high school, and it’s the only one I still use. Many vanilla scents are cheap and overly sweet, but Laura Mercier’s scent is very soft and subtle, but at the same time it stands out. In fact, in addition to perfume, Kiehl’s Creme de KohlThe scent of milk and honey – the combination of the two is perfect.
Meanwhile, Madison Utendahl Burnout Burner “It’s one of my favorite candles. I find it soothing to light after a long day at work. It feels like a reward, letting go of all the emotions I put into the candle (even though I probably put too many emotions into candles throughout the day).”
—Asked by Days Bedla
Photographed by Alexandra Genova in New York on April 20, 2024
