

In About Face, xoNecole gets the 411 on IGers who give us #skincaregoals on the daily. Here they break down their beauty routines on the inside and out, as well as the highly coveted products that grace their shelves and their skin.
I unapologetically stan for beautiful brown skin. There's nothing in this world that's more delectable than chocolate, and model/creative director Nneka Ibeabuchi has plenty of it.
If you look in the dictionary and search for a definition of "dat glow," you'll probably see a picture of this 25-year-old Los Angeles native who believes that the true key to happiness is being able to wake up and do the things you love. Nneka radiates beauty all the way from her tightly coiled curls to her toes, proving that she's not new to the Melanin Poppin' Gang, she's true to it. As a 13-year-old girl in Nigeria, Nneka would often sneak and experiment with her cousin's makeup, and a little over a decade later, her stunning selfies prove that she's still at it. She told xoNecole, "Back in Nigeria, I would use my older cousin's maybe palettes and bronzer to put all over my face, and I would always get in trouble."
Along with double-washing your face every night and staying up on your apple cider vinegar game, there's a lot we can learn from Nneka about getting our beauty routines all the way together. xoNecole recently caught up with the Nigerian princess, who gave us the tea on how to keep your skin on 10 at all times, and honey, we are taking notes.
My morning routine looks like...
"Typical mornings for me consist of morning prayer, my morning protein and vitamins, masking, reading emails, and surfing the web. I don't eat till 12 noon-ish, breakfast is not included (laughs)."
For my skincare routine...
"My morning and night skin routine are very simple. I do these full steps in the morning if I have the time that day: I wash my face with Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap for one minute. I like this product because it's natural and it doesn't leave your skin dry. I actually wash my face twice; the second soap is Aini Organix Foaming Black Soap. For some reason, I just like to add black soap to my skincare routine because I feel that's the OG!
"I [recently] started using Aztec Secret Clay with apple cider vinegar to mask. My skin was trying to adjust to the west coast weather since I relocated from the east [coast]. I use the mask right after I'm done washing my face. I apply the mask for about 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water, and then cold water to finish it off. I use my toners after masking: Thayers Witch Hazel with Rose Petals and Aini Moroccan Rose Water Toner. Then, I moisturize with Nature Republic Aloe Vera Gel, which I mix with rosehip oil, then I'm set for the day or night."
My go-to makeup look consists of...
"I like a natural glow look. My go-to everyday look consists of a little bit of foundation, concealer for a little highlight, and Ben Nye setting powder for a natural and long-lasting effect. I have full brows, I brush my brows up and fill them out with a little bit of brow powder. Blush, mascara, wing dark eyeliner, and I use rose water to set my face for a long-lasting all day effect."
How I approach beauty from the inside-out...
"Some of the things I do on the inside that make me feel as good as the outside are: prayer, I detox often with apple cider vinegar shots in the morning, and I'm very active. I bike a lot, I love fruits, I don't eat junk food and I eat meat here and there. I love seafood."
What self-care looks like to me...
"Self-care must-haves, I would say, are the things I listed as my morning and night skincare routine. I just gotta have them all, literally. Minus the clay mask."
How I wind down after a long day...
"I take my makeup off as my music is blasting after a long day (music is part of my happiness), take a warm shower, and do my nighttime skincare routine. When my face is masking, I'm responding to emails and also surfing the web. 30 minutes in, I'm having dinner. I brush my teeth after dinner. I don't fall asleep till 11 p.m. sometimes if I'm not so tired, sometimes 10 p.m. "
For more of Nneka, follow her on Instagram.
Featured image by Instagram/AfricanJawn.
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image screenshot/ xoNecole YouTube
Swipe Right For Sisterhood: Reginae Carter Talks Teaming Up With BLK To Make Friendships Front & Center
You know the vibes: dating apps aren’t just for finding romance anymore—at least not for Gen Z! As young people continue to redefine connection, BLK, the leading dating app for Black singles, is shaking things up with the launch of Social Mode. The new feature allows users to toggle between dating and platonic connections. Yep, you read that right—friendship is now just as easy to find as love.
To kick off this game-changing launch, BLK teamed up with TV personality and socialite Reginae Carter for the ultimate Girls’ Night In, proving that sisterhood is just as important as romance. The exclusive event was a celebration of the new feature and the power of Black women coming together to uplift one another.
“Your circle is everything,” Reginae shares with a smile, and she’s not wrong. She’s all about creating spaces where we can come together, let our hair down, and vibe with like-minded women. “We deserve spaces to meet, uplift, and vibe with each other. BLK is making that happen,” she adds.
A New Era for Friendships—Social Mode Is Here!
Gen Z is all about building meaningful connections, whether it’s with a date or a new brunch buddy. That’s why Social Mode is such a big deal. Research shows that 65% of Gen Z values friendships just as much as romantic relationships. With BLK’s new feature, users can easily toggle between “Dating” and “Social,” opening up a world of platonic connections—no swiping right required.
Bahja Rodriguez, Reginae Carter, Breaunna Womack, Lourdes Rodriguez and Zonnique Pullins attend OMG Girlz "Make A Scene" Single Release & Video Viewing Party at Trap City Cafe on March 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia
Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage
Reginae Carter Hosts the Ultimate Girls’ Night In—Powered by BLK Social Mode
What better way to show Social Mode in action than with an exclusive Girls’ Night In, hosted by Reginae? The event brought together top influencers, tastemakers, and press for a night of luxury, self-care, and real talk about love, sex, and relationships. From tarot readings to perfume-making and signature cocktails, the evening embodied the “soft life” vibe that many Black women are embracing in 2025—peaceful, intentional, and full of joy.
Guests mingled, laughed, and bonded over the importance of finding a tribe that supports you. It wasn’t just about fun (although there was plenty of that!)—it was about creating a circle of inspiring, strong women. “We need to stick together. We need to be each other’s village,” Reginae says, emphasizing the power of community over competition.
Sisterhood: The Real MVP
For Reginae, it’s all about friendship—and not just the surface-level kind. “We need friends who keep it real with us. The ones who can tell us when we’re right, when we’re wrong, and when we need to calm down,” she says. As someone who navigates the spotlight, she’s got the best of both worlds: friends who understand the grind and those who can give her an honest, grounded perspective.
Her advice for building strong, intentional friendships? “Be confident in yourself and know your worth,” she explains. “Also, hurt people hurt people, so make sure you’re coming from a good place when you’re building relationships. It’s not always about being nice—sometimes it’s about being real.”
Reginae couldn’t have summed it up better: “When you have the right circle, the right tribe, everything just feels easier. And that’s exactly what BLK is giving us—space to connect, laugh, and grow with each other.”
To learn more about BLK’s Social Mode, download or update the BLK app in the App Store or Google Play Store today. Who knows? You might just find your new bestie or your next brunch crew.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Prince Williams/WireImage