When Tayce made her unforgettable entrance into The Werk Room for RuPaul’s Drag Race UK season two, her iconic look was unmistakably inspired by the legendary Naomi Campbell. “Growing up, I would watch repeated episodes of fashion shows,” reflects the Welsh drag queen in an interview with Cosmopolitan UK. “I vividly remember being just seven years old and seeing Naomi, who is simply amazing.”

“Powerful Black women like Iman and Grace Jones shaped my vision of beauty from a young age; they embody fierce Black beauty and charisma. Watching performances by Beyoncé, Ciara, and Janet Jackson also deeply inspired my aesthetic.” As Tayce discusses her fierce look during her Cosmopolitan October digital cover shoot, she flaunts long waves, pencil-thin eyebrows, and a nostalgic 90s brown lip liner that captures the essence of her inspiration.

Gathered around a table in Kentish Town, London, Tayce is accompanied by fellow Cosmopolitan October digital cover stars AJ Odudu and Leomie Anderson, alongside beauty journalist Vanese Maddix. The atmosphere is vibrant, filled with laughter as they celebrate all things related to Black beauty for Cosmo Beauty Month, showcasing the joy that beauty brings to their lives.

Foundations of Early Beauty Experiences

For Leomie, her initial beauty memories are intricately tied to one significant person: her mother. “She had this favorite lipstick shade that I always believed was her natural lip color,” Leomie recalls. “To me, that was the essence of Black beauty—natural with a vibrant touch.” However, the model’s observation of her mother’s beauty routine extended far beyond the lipstick’s color.

“It wasn’t about covering anything up; my mother applied makeup as a reflection of her personality,” she reminisces. “She taught me that how you feel and what you want to express needs to originate from within. It wasn’t merely a makeup routine; that purple lipstick was always a staple in her beauty arsenal.”

For AJ, growing up in the culturally rich yet complex environment of Lancashire during the ‘90s shaped her perception of beauty. “My mother didn’t wear makeup, and in Blackburn, there were no Black magazines or representation of Black people,” she recalls with a laugh. “The absence of visibility was profound. However, my introduction to beauty came through certain magazines that started to bridge that gap.”

Tayce, too, discovered her connection to Black beauty through various media, finding inspiration in television, films, and fashion runways. “I recall watching Grace Jones in an old film titled Vamp—her character, Katrina, had the most fabulous outfits that captivated me,” she shares. “Moreover, Whitney Houston‘s performance in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella was a monumental influence. It motivated me to step out of my house every single day, ready to embrace my own beauty.”

Today, all three have established themselves as prominent figures in the beauty and entertainment industries, developing their unique beauty rituals that resonate with their identities along the way.

Embracing Our Unique Identities Through Beauty

Whether you dedicate an entire morning to your beauty regimen or simply spare five minutes before heading out, our beauty routines serve as powerful expressions of our personal identities. For AJ, versatility is key to her approach. “In the past, I felt a need to maintain a single signature look to ensure I was recognized,” she explains. “I often faced mix-ups with other Black female presenters, despite our differences. My perspective has transformed significantly since then. I now experiment with colorful makeup and diverse hairstyles—be it braids, straight hair, Afros, or twists. I’m embracing me wholeheartedly and feel empowered to explore playful, experimental beauty looks, confident that my audience will appreciate my authenticity.”

Tayce shares this sentiment, emphasizing the joy of experimentation. “I enjoy stepping outside my comfort zone while exploring new indie and Black-owned beauty businesses,” she states. “It’s all about trying new things and enjoying the process. If a particular look or routine doesn’t resonate with you, there’s no need to conform to anyone else’s standards. Focus on what you want to see in the mirror, not on impressing others.”

Reflecting on a core memory, Tayce recalls, “My first encounter with the beauty world took place in Woolworths or a supermarket during my childhood. I would stand mesmerized in the beauty aisles, swatching every product I could find. I was fortunate to have supportive parents who encouraged my love for makeup, a privilege I cherish. I would often experiment with my mum’s and my nan’s makeup, which ignited my creativity. Beauty is truly an art form.”

Leomie echoes Tayce’s experiences, noting, “Learning how to do my makeup felt like a celebration in itself. When I began my modeling journey, I initially thought that Black individuals didn’t wear makeup because makeup artists would often say, ‘Oh, you don’t need makeup.’”

“Initially, I took those comments as compliments. However, as I observed others who were well-groomed and polished, I wondered, ‘Why do I look like this greasy brown blob?’ As I matured, I realized that this was due to a lack of understanding regarding makeup for my skin tone, insufficient product availability, and a general lack of effort to educate makeup artists.”

“I decided I didn’t want to appear ghostly anymore. Learning to apply my own makeup was liberating and reignited my passion for the industry because I finally felt beautiful. Working alongside Black makeup artists gave me the confidence to explore and discover what I truly loved about beauty.”

Essential Skincare Practices for Radiant Skin

After performing, attending events, and shooting, Tayce prioritizes a meticulous skincare routine to cleanse away makeup and nurture her skin barrier. “I follow a regimen that includes double cleansing, toning, exfoliating, applying sheet masks, using serums, and most importantly, SPF,” she emphasizes, particularly highlighting the necessity of sunscreen during the day. Sunscreen is crucial for all skin types, yet many people of color have been misinformed about the importance of sun protection, leading to a dangerous misconception.

Another shared belief among the trio is the importance of moisturizing. “From a young age, I’ve always valued the ritual of moisturizing,” AJ shares. “Though it seemed trivial back then, it’s a practice I adhere to immediately after showering and right before bed. That ritual embodies self-care for me. We all took a moment to moisturize before the cameras started rolling today!”

“Nobody here is unmoisturized, I can assure you,” Leomie jokes, while Tayce adds, “Absolutely no ashiness allowed!”

Cultural Significance of Haircare in the Black Community

The topic of Black hair has long been intertwined with cultural politics. Recent research from Dove indicates that one in four Black adults have faced workplace discrimination for wearing their hair in natural or protective styles. Activists like Emma Dabiri and Zina Alfa are currently advocating for the UK Equality Act to explicitly include protection against discrimination based on afro and textured hair (you can support their petition here).

Each of our cover stars has worked diligently to cultivate a nurturing relationship with their hair as adults, but they acknowledge that this journey can be challenging. Reflecting on her younger years, Leomie recalls, “On wash days, I would tell my grandma I was running away because I dreaded the process. It was painful and time-consuming.”

“Now, my hair is entirely natural, and I make sure to have it treated every two weeks. I am committed to maintaining the health of my natural hair, although balancing that with work can sometimes be tricky.”

Given their demanding on-camera obligations, our stars’ hair is subjected to significant wear and tear. AJ found solace in allowing her hair to rest during lockdown. “During that time, I would style my hair in pigtails, reverting to my younger self,” she reminisces. “As a child, my mother struggled to do my hair, and we relied on a stretching comb. I would sit between her legs, crying out, ‘Mum, it hurts!’ After enduring all that effort, my hair would typically end up in two little pigtails. Stepping out into the cold, rainy Blackburn climate, I would watch it shrink and think, ‘Was that two hours of torture for this? I hate my hair!’”

“Nevertheless, I wish I could go back in time and embrace my hair, free from the influence of others who labeled it as ‘difficult’ or ‘too rough.’ I want to tell my younger self, ‘Your hair is absolutely fantastic, thank you very much!’”