At the first Essence panel in BeautyCon™ history, moderated by Kory Jarvis, panelists Theo Turner and Hakeem Holmes shared their men’s beauty secrets. More energy, more time and more money — men are upping their self-care regimen by investing in products and services that keep their skin supple, toned and moisturized. From their must-try men’s beauty secrets to latest skin care obsessions, the panelists discussed the products that give them their glow factor.
In the “His Style, His Salary, His Skincare” panel discussion, industry leaders discussed how men must have more. Black men motivated to take care of themselves invest more energy, more time, and more money in their self-care regimen than generations before. More than just shaving cream and a razor, the BeautyCon™ panel recommended additional skin care products and services to complement their traditional line-up — and remove all the stigma in between.
“I think the biggest misconception is [self-care] is feminine or selfish,” said Holmes, Essence Fest culture curator. “Once men embrace self-care, they will become more comfortable with their beauty.”
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), self-care is linked to improved physical, emotional and mental health. From stress management to healthy skin, self-care for men in the Black community is needed to maintain our natural, inner glow. “It is time for us to stop neglecting ourselves,” Turner said. More than just a beauty trend, men are unlearning the stigma to invest in a long-term commitment to their self-care.
“No woman wants to deal with a man with a dirty nail bed,” said Jarvis. Manicures, a cosmetic treatment to care for your hands and nails have acted as an introduction to men’s beauty secrets. Just like in Poetic Justice, clean fingernails are a symbol of self-care and are attractive to women as it shows their man takes care of their appearance.
“For a long time I didn’t know what self-care was and I had to discover it over time,” Holmes said. He shared how he used to play in his mother’s self-care products, including masks and makeup, to help treat and cover blemishes. Most men did not learn about self-care by experience, but by observing the women in their household. As he grew into his manhood, Hakeem developed his men’s beauty secrets: water, wash, serum.
Self-care regimens can be as easy as water intake. “I only keep water in my house,” he said. With consumption as a direct impact on the health of your skin, Holmes recommended a fridge full of water, followed by Kiehl’s facial cleanser and a vitamin-rich serum. “I’m still trying to get consistent with facials,” he said. “It is really important to invest in the products and if you can, a facial.”
A facial is an additional treatment you can indulge in for optimal self-care. “Men should indulge in facials because you’re working with a professional who can recommend products and give advice on your skin,” Turner continued. Book an once-per-month treatment at the Esthetician for a clinical-grade experience to boost your beauty. “We work hard, we have the Essence, so why wouldn’t we take care of ourselves?”
Visit BeautyCon™ the Essence Fest edition at essence.com for more on the latest Black beauty panel.