As a BIPOC woman, I love the increased representation in the beauty world in terms of entrepreneurs, models, and demographics being served. It is so empowering to know that the industry is finally recognizing that different ethnicities have specific needs. It’s also a chance to learn beauty traditions from around the world, from Korean, Japanese, and Italian to Icelandic and French. One beauty trend we love is Black-owned cruelty-free, organic, and clean beauty. Taraji Henson’s vegan haircare line focuses on the needs of Black hair as well as offering delicious scalp scrub options for all ethnicities. There is, of course, Fenty Beauty by Rihanna—its color makeup range is cruelty-free (although not all vegan), and its skincare range is 100% vegan. But Fenty isn’t the only beauty brand helmed by a fab Black musician. We present to you… Bounty & Full by Kelis.
Yes, that Kelis. (Cue memories of grinding to “Milkshake” in high school—in retrospect, it was a pretty racy song to be playing at a Catholic school dance!) But the Grammy-nominated singer contains multitudes: after dropping that album, she went to the Cordon Bleu to train as a chef, with a special focus as a saucier. She went on to launch a gourmet food line Bounty & Full, which features gourmet sauces and other epicerie goods inspired by her travels and French culinary training. A complement to that line is the Bounty & Full Beauty Apothecary, an organic skin and haircare line handmade in California. (Kelis lives on Bounty Farms outside of LA, growing her own vegetables and berries.)
The line focuses on selecting the most natural and powerful ingredients from around the world, like Nilotica shea butter from Uganda. Expect clarifying masks like the New Face Bundle, which includes delicious-sounding masks like green tea rhassoul clay, Dead Sea clay and sea kelp with natural blue Hawaiian spirulina, and rose kaolin pomegranate clay. For hair, Mushroom Plum Whipped Split End Hair Styling Cream is a standout. Mushrooms are a hero ingredient for hair because they contain copper, which helps iron absorption and promotes healthy hair (and also, gives energy!). Mushrooms prevent graying by promoting melanin, and are also anti-inflammatory. (Hmm, who else wants to start eating mushrooms every day to keep the grays at bay?!)
A key part of Black clean beauty is “glow from within” approach incorporating healthy organic foods. Kelis says she drinks a glass of red wine each night for antioxidant boost. Then she takes a hot, steaming washcloth to wipe her face. She applies Dead Sea Salt Lemongrass Scrub (1–2 times a week) to get rid of any clogged pores in the T zone, using upward circular motions, and lets it sit for a few minutes before wiping off with a hot washcloth. She uses her Skin Food, which contains algae (lifting and tightening) and green tea (fight free radicals)—p.s., this particular product contains royal jelly so it isn’t vegan. She finishes off with her rosehip and turmeric facial oil for “a pack full of vitamin C” to brighten your skin.
I gotta tell you, mushrooms against gray hair is something I haven’t heard before and am dying to try. And her rosehip turmeric oil sounds heavenly. Anyone else intrigued by Kelis’s down-to-earth, farm-to-vanity beauty?
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Photo: Kelis via Instagram
