What did you do before you started a career in entertainment.
I used to be in HR, and after 1 year and 3 months, I decided to leave to pursue my dreams. I went to the New York Film Academy, and thereafter I went back to Nigeria. I got a job as a production manager on a TV series, and shortly after that I started my current job with Ebonylife TV as a tv host.
What is your skin type?
Combination (normal and oily)
How important is skincare to you?
Skincare is very important. I didn’t realize this starting out; I was the type to use wipes to take off my make up after a long shoot day, and I would do nothing else and sleep off. Lately, I have realized it is important. Yes, there is make up. Yes, there is foundation. It’s easy to do all that, but if your skin is messed up underneath, it shows! So, I decided to pay more attention to it and build some sort of routine. When and why did you start a skincare routine? Recently I had a bad case of black heads. I believe I was reacting to something, so I went to a dermatologist for treatment. She took out all the black heads, and let me tell you it was long and painful. I shed a few tears (laughs). So since then I decided to pay close attention and start a routine.
Being in the public eye and on camera do you feel pressure to have flawless skin or beauty in general?
I am going to be honest with you, there can be some pressure sometimes. When interviewing on the red carpet, I marvel at how flawless they look. They always appear tv ready and their skin is flawless. However, I am very good at not letting the pressure get to me. It comes with the industry, but I have found a way to shut it down and do the best that I can and I not stress.
Take me through your skincare routine AM and PM
AM
CLEANSE: Himalaya brightening facial cleanser
TONER: Neutrogena black head cleansing toner
MOISTURIZER: Neutrogena moisturizer with SPF 30
PM
My PM routine is pretty much the same as my AM routine, but every two to three days I use a mask called Himalayan clay mask.
Do you use SPF?
Yes, it is so important. Recently, I went on vacation and I was exposed to the sun a lot. I did not apply SPF and I came back with a burnt nose, burnt forehead, and discolored shoulders; it was a lot. I am still trying to recover from all of that, so SPF is very important (laughs) .
You are packing for a short trip, you can only fit one skincare item in your bag what would it be?
It has to be my Himalayan brightening cleanser. At least I know my skin will always be clean
If you could walk the runway to any song what would it be?
It definitely has to be a Beyoncé song. Hmmmm, I will go with Run the world.
Favorite African female designer you would walk the run way for…
It would have to be my friend Fablane by Derin. She doesn’t do runway shows yet, but I feel she is on her way.
What comes to mind when I say the following…
…Indulgence
Ice cream (laughs)
…Holiday
Beaches
What are you excited about this very moment?
Cake! (laughs) I am looking at a piece of cake and ice cream this very moment.
Best skincare advice, and from who…
I was watching tv some years ago and a skincare expert was on. She said it was better to let your skin air dry after your shower because it would help with anti-aging, and I kind of held on to that tip.
Which woman embodies African beauty to you?
That’s hard because there are so many I would have to say more than one. I think Mo Abudu is an embodiment of African beauty. There is a blogger that I love, Fisayo Longe, she is young and so beautiful. She is very true to her style but very minimal.
Advice to a young girl wanting to start out in the entertainment industry.
Be very bold, confident, and go for whatever it is you want, because when you start out it may seem very daunting and it may feel small in this big world but that is not the case. Finally, be true to yourself and stay true to who you were when you started.
