How Black Lives Matter Activists Use Beauty Rituals for Healing and Resistance
Discover how Black Lives Matter organizers turn beauty routines into acts of self-care and empowerment amid activism.
In the midst of tireless organizing and advocacy, activists fighting for racial justice face relentless demands on their time, energy, and emotional wellbeing. For many Black Lives Matter (BLM) organizers, beauty routines have become vital sources of grounding, healing, and even resistance—rituals that honor both the movement and their humanity. This article delves into the self-care and beauty practices of several BLM activists, exploring how these routines provide solace, confidence, and the strength to keep fighting.
Balance in the Midst of Chaos: Beauty as Self-Preservation
Activism is both empowering and exhausting. The relentless pace, public scrutiny, and daily stressors take a toll on organizers’ mental and physical health. Amid the chaos, many activists have turned to intentional beauty routines not out of vanity, but as acts of survival and self-preservation.
Long hours at protests, relentless meetings, and pressure from social media can erode one’s composure and internal peace. Beauty care, in this context, becomes a ritual of reclaiming oneself when the activist identity threatens to subsume the individual. As one organizer put it, “I’m more than just an activist—I’m also a human, and I don’t think I could do this work if I wasn’t together myself.”
Meet the Activists: Voices and Routines
- Nialah Edari – Freedom March NYC
- Kimberly – Community Organizer, Mother
- Cherish – Founder, The Descendants
Nialah Edari: Striving for Clarity Beneath the Mask
For Nialah Edari, co-founder of Freedom March NYC, activism is a calling—but one that came with unexpected physical effects during the pandemic. Long protests under a mask led to persistent maskne (mask-related acne), with painful cystic breakouts undermining her confidence and interfering with her advocacy, especially on camera.
After standard acne treatments failed, Nialah met with dermatologist Dr. Elyse Love. Together, they established a simple, restorative skincare routine:
- Cetaphil Cleanser – for gentle, effective cleansing
- Topicals Faded Cream – to lighten acne scars and even skin tone
- Daily Sunscreen (SPF 30+) – protecting skin while protesting outdoors
Regular bi-monthly facials at Skindelush, combined with adhering to her dermatologist’s regimen, transformed her skin and allowed her to reclaim comfort in her own appearance. This practice, she shared, also provided essential “mental space” amid the demands of protest logistics, press interviews, fundraising, and politics.
Crucially, these moments of self-care help her strike a balance that keeps her grounded. “When I’m taking care of myself, I feel more grounded,” she says. “It’s about honoring my humanity, not just my activism.”
Kimberly: The Power of Rituals Against Trauma
As a young mother and community organizer, Kimberly confronts not only attacks from police and critics, but also the persistent fear for her children in a world where Black lives remain targeted. She copes with the stress and scrutiny by immersing herself in a 10-step Korean beauty (K-beauty) skincare routine at the end of each day.
What others are reading
- Innisfree Hydrating Cleansing Foam
- Toners and exfoliators
- Essences and serums
- Moisturizer and SPF during the day
- Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask – her “holy grail” lip care
These twenty minutes of focus are carved for herself alone, a reset that helps her “find clarity and prepare to fight again.” For Kimberly, the ritual is not mere pampering. “I’m doing it because I don’t want to be Eric Garner’s mother or Trayvon Martin’s mother,” she explains, referencing the mothers of Black men killed by police violence. “I don’t want to have to martyr my children for this movement.” Beauty, then, becomes a defense against exhaustion and grief, a means of preserving the strength the movement requires.
Cherish: Glam, Grief, and Protest Tips
At just 18, Cherish leads The Descendants, an organization devoted to Black liberation. She loves sharing makeup tips—like blending eyeshadow first for a seamless look, moisturizing before foundation for a smooth finish, and, for protest safety, skipping mascara entirely. “The chemicals in tear gas will stick to mascara—it’ll be over for you then,” she warns, recounting how friends have been hit by police mace at rallies.
For Cherish, beauty rituals also serve as outlets for grief and connection. She organized vigils in Harlem, lighting candles for Breonna Taylor, and created moments of reflection—burning sage, weeping openly, and allowing herself space to process collective trauma. “Breonna Taylor could’ve been any one of us,” she reflects. Such rituals offer catharsis and solidarity beyond mere aesthetics.
Beauty as Resistance: Why Self-Care Matters in Activism
Many activists face a complicated relationship with beauty, especially when society weaponizes appearance against them. Yet, reclaiming beauty rituals can serve as acts of resistance and affirmation, reminding organizers of their inherent worth beyond their capacity for struggle. The routines highlighted above are not strictly about outward transformation—they are shields, tools, and reminders of possibility.
- Grounding Rituals: In the midst of trauma, grounding techniques (skincare, bath rituals, aromatherapy) restore physical and psychological balance.
- Affirmation: Intentional beauty routines counteract narratives that devalue Black skin and bodies, affirming participants’ right to joy, rest, and care.
- Community: Shared beauty tips and self-care stories foster connection among organizers, creating spaces for mutual support and validation.
Top Beauty and Self-Care Practices for Activists
- Gentle, Consistent Skincare: Cleansers, serums, moisturizers, and sunscreen form the backbone of many routines, addressing everything from sensitivity to acne.
- Restorative Facials: Regular professional treatments offer mental reprieve and focused relaxation.
- Strategic Makeup: Tips like avoiding mascara or wearing minimal makeup at protests protect against tear gas and sweating.
- Candles, Sage, and Reflection: Rituals of grief and remembrance, such as lighting candles for lost lives, help activists process collective trauma.
- Journaling and Meditation: Writing and mindfulness exercises offer emotional release and renewed purpose.
Product Highlights: What Activists Use
| Product | Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Cetaphil Cleanser | Facial Wash | Gentle daily cleansing for sensitive skin |
| Topicals Faded Cream | Treatment | Reduces dark spots and acne scarring |
| SPF 30+ Sunscreen | Sun Protection | Shields skin outdoors, especially during rallies |
| Innisfree Hydrating Cleansing Foam | Foam Cleanser | Hydrates and cleanses post-protest |
| Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask | Lip Care | Deep overnight moisture repair |
The Mental Health Connection: Navigating Burnout
The intensity of activism—grief, rage, and hope intermingled—can lead to burnout if not managed with care. Activists interviewed described how beauty routines serve as “anchor points” in their week, providing predictability and calm when the world feels uncertain.
Nialah, for example, prioritizes facials after particularly stressful stretches. Kimberly chooses restorative rituals at the end of each night, ensuring that advocacy doesn’t strip away her individuality or resilience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why are beauty and self-care rituals important for activists?
A: Beauty and self-care provide activists with emotional stability, physical relief, and affirmation of identity, helping preserve wellbeing and capacity for ongoing advocacy.
Q: What tips do activists recommend for skincare during protests?
A: Use gentle cleansers, apply sunscreen, and avoid products like mascara that can interact with irritants (e.g., tear gas). Opt for minimal or waterproof products to withstand sweat and environmental exposure.
Q: How do collective rituals support BLM organizers?
A: Shared rituals—like public vigils, collective reflection, and sharing beauty advice—help build solidarity, break isolation, and foster emotional healing amid sustained activism.
Q: Can beauty routines be acts of resistance?
A: Yes, embracing and celebrating Black beauty defies societal norms that diminish Black identities, turning self-care into a purposeful form of cultural resistance.
Final Thoughts: Nourishing the Body and the Movement
The stories of BLM activists underscore that beauty and self-care are not distractions from justice—they are integral to sustaining it. By prioritizing their wellbeing, activists honor their full selves and create deeper capacity for transformative change. Their routines, grounded in intention and resilience, are living proof that resistance and healing can coexist, each nourishing the other.
References
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a33852612/black-lives-matter-activist-beauty-routine/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8YnDoj8WP8
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqAEysIGwNM
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/beauty-hair/makeup/a35318063/too-faced-makeup-naomi-smith/
- https://www.blackenterprise.com/cosmo-uses-women-color-beauty-trends-that-need-to-die/
- https://www.cosmopolitanme.com/gallery/anti-racism-podcasts-that-deserve-your-attention-this-week
- https://offscreen.com/view/the-cosmopolitan-perspective-pt2
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j80CAaYrAZk
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