Krème Chats with Nyanda of R&B group Brick and Lace; recording artist and song creator. In 2007, the R&B duo Brick&Lace released their song "Love is Wicked", which made it on charts worldwide. To say I was obsessed with the song is an understatement, so when I got to chat with Nyanda I was truly over the moon. Thanks a million for making time to chat with me, and most importantly thank you for being so humble, kind, warm and generous.
As a recording artist, shooting videos and photoshoots, how important is skincare to you?
Growing up my mum instilled the importance of skincare in my three sisters and I. She taught us how to take care our skin and we watched her skincare routine, and I have adopted it into my skincare routine. So, I would say It is important to me. I may not be overly meticulous about it sometimes, but I know it is important.
What is your skin type?
I have normal skin type.
Take me through your AM and PM routine
PM
Cleanse: No matter how tired I am, I always make sure I cleanse, and I never wear make up to bed.
Exfoliate: I exfoliate at least once a month, but I try to do it every two weeks. After I exfoliate, I put on a mask as treatment.
Moisturize: I use a night cream to boost collagen and elastin.
AM
Cleanse: I cleanse first thing in the morning
Moisturize: In the AM, I sometimes dont put on a moisturizer because it can get really warm in Florida where I live. But before I put on my make up I will put on a primer.
Do you use SPF?
Yes, I do. Especially on days when I am going to the beach, or when I know I will be out in the sun.
If you could use only one skincare product for the rest of your life what would that be?
I definitely love my Neutrogena removing make up wipes. I love that product; I really do.
What song, other than yours did you wish you wrote?Hmm thats a good question. I really love Man Down by Rihanna; I sing that song sometimes on my set. I love the vibe and the energy of it. Oh, by the way, I am a huge fan of Bruno Mars songs like Locked out of heaven. I am obsessed!
If you were not in music what would you do?
I would definitely be in the creative field, so I would be in film production. I would be either acting, directing, or a script writer. I used to be in the theatre in Jamaica, and I loved it.
If you could sing a duet with anyone living or dead who would that be?
I would love to do a duet with Lauren Hill, Bruno Mars, or Bob Marley.
Musical artist that has influenced you the most
When I was growing up in Jamaica, I used to look up to and love Diana King. I really loved how she had this rude girl flavor about her, but at the same time she was still feminine, sexy and pretty. She could sing, and also flip it and be an awesome DJ. So, I saw myself in her.
Beauty is ....
Beauty comes in knowledge and appreciation of self.
Who is your beauty icon?
Alicia Keys. I think she has tapped into that inner beauty, and it is resonating on the outside.
Best advice for a young girl who wants to be singer
When you have been given a talent, its really not for yourself its a gift that you share with others, and I learned that over time.
First, identify your talent, do it for the right reasons, and hone in on your talent by practicing a lot with what you have been given. The next phase would be to try as much as possible to get exposure by singing in local bars and karaoke, to help build confidence.
When I started singing, I used to sing background, and in fact I sang background for the icon I mentioned earlier, Diana King. I actually got to sing background for a lot of my icons, like Lauren Hill, so its truly about getting in the fraternity of music, being around other musicians, producers, people with like minds and share the same passion, and I think thats really what its about.
What advice can you give younger women about inner beauty (loving the skin they are in) from your experience in life?
It goes back to what I said earlier about beauty; it comes from knowledge and appreciation of ones self, and that takes time. Its definitely a journey; still is even for me. You are born this way, like lady Gaga says (laughs), and God never makes mistakes.
I also think its about finding things that make us happy, and things that feed the soul. If you nourish that, then I believe you will have inner beauty that would resonate outward. You will have a glow, people would love to be around you all the time, you will understand yourself more, and will figure out what you are passionate about.
One skin care tip
There are a lot of tips that I read in blogs like yours, but personally my tip would be proper cleansing of the skin; when your pores are cleansed, you reduce the amount of break outs you have. And, of course, drink a lot of water!
