Tracee Ellis Ross Is All About Self-Care: ‘It’s All About Me'

Tracee Ellis Ross On How She Wakes Up In the Morning

“This is going to sound strange but I use my tongue scraper before I drink any water or eat. Then I like to have a glass of lemon water and take my supplements. I will also usually go and work out, and beforehand will try and eat something – you’re supposed to eat a little sugar, like apple sauce or something, and then take a protein shake after. I’m not a coffee drinker, so I don’t have a major morning routine, nor do I have kids or a dog right now – so it’s all about me.”

Tracee On Her Wellness Routine

“I meditate. I haven’t been as diligent recently because the pandemic messed with my routine, but I am very much one of those people. I also do Gyrotonics and Gyrokinesis – it’s sort of a connection to the body. I really believe that staying connected to my body is where I gain a sense of wholeness for myself.”

Tracee On Rituals That Help Her to Relax and Switch Off

“My biggest is a bath – I love them. I will take a bath at 5:30 in the morning, before work. I put magnesium flakes in because I work out so much. A really hot bath is a great gentle start to the day, and I also do this thing where I stand up in the bath and do a full cold rinse with the shower. It’s really good for you.”

Tracee On Her Secret to a Life Well-Lived

“Joy, as much laughter as possible, good sleep. [Being around] as many trees as possible and eating as much whole and beautiful food and you can. Friends and family. Oh, and beautiful clothes!”

Tracee Ellis Ross On Her Own Hair Routine

“For me, personally, I don’t wear any make-up on my skin. It’s usually earrings, lipstick, and hair – they are my best accessories. I believe for both my skin and hair that it’s all about hydration, hydration, hydration – I focus on the water I put in [my body] and the moisture that I put onto my skin and my hair.”

“I wash my hair maybe once a week, but because I work out so much I do a co-wash. I’m really big on deep conditioning so I will pick one of the conditioners and fill my hair with it. Often I’ll put on the moisture mask and do house chores. My hair routine is pretty simple: I wash, condition, and use the Pattern shower brush, which is my favorite. It creates the curls, then I use our leave-in conditioner and either let it air dry or diffuse it – I like it when it gets really fluffy and big. I often make it even bigger once it’s dry by using our hair pick and really getting into the root of the hair.”

“My hair is usually best on day one, so I leave it out, and then that night, before bed, I brush it out with a paddle brush and put a little bit of our Jojoba Oil in my hair. I don’t sleep with a cap or anything on. Then towards the rest of the week, I either braid or slick back – I love a slicked-back look. I think it’s so elegant. I travel and work out in a slicked-back look, and use the styling cream in the front so it gets nice and shiny, like satin.”

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