Total. Having self-awareness about what works or doesn’t work for you is key. Do you have a favorite beauty ritual after a long day on set?
My favorite is a bathtub. I need a bath, I need a bath! [Laughs] I’ll do my skincare routine, and on nights when I’m wearing a mask, it’s great to put on in the bath. I poured a good oil in and only really ended up doing that. It’s actually a huge part of my day. I also like mine some Epsom salt.
Okay, let’s say you had a day off and you could spend the day taking care of yourself. What will your schedule be like?
Okay, so I woke up and probably did something bad: just scrolled on Instagram for a minute because I’m not too old to admit I’m addicted like everyone else. [laughs]. I will also drink some fresh celery juice because it is really good for the gut and regulates things in the body. Maybe I’ll wait 15 minutes or half an hour, and then I’ll have a cup of tea (usually earl gray with a bit of almond milk because it’s delicious), and then make some breakfast. I really like to eat oats in the morning — it’s just a very tasty and hearty breakfast. I usually add veggie milk, blueberries, cinnamon, some banana and just make it really delicious.
I always love to exercise in the morning, be it jogging, going to the gym or doing yoga, or whatever. I love Netflix and TV and streaming and all that, but I’m also a huge fan of just sitting in silence and enjoying my own life. I can be quite an introvert, so actually, some quiet and alone time is pretty much essential for me to recharge and get back into the world or get back to work. Maybe I’ll read a script I’ve been asked to read, call up my closest friends or family and check in with them and see how they go.
And then for dinner, it changes daily, but last night my mom and I made a really good cabbage soup and we ate it with delicious avocado toast. I love cooking vegan Caribbean food — rice and peas, bananas, steamed vegetables, sometimes I make curry chickpeas. I like cooking; There’s something about cooking that really works for me.
Switch gears a bit, but out of all the characters you’ve played, which beauty aesthetic do you enjoy the most?
Ooh, that’s a difficulty. I think my character in Army of Thieves just because I had to fiddle with my hair and makeup so much. But, I think there’s also something very classic and natural about my Missandei character in Game of Thrones. She has cute little braids in the front, [and] just its simplicity and beauty. I always associate that with her, and it’s like giving me warm fluffs. I love how in later seasons they upgraded her braid condition, which is really cool.
We also have to talk about your curls because they’re beautiful, and I know you’ve been very open to embracing your natural texture. Can you share some of your best perm secrets?
Hydration is Key. Also, brush your hair when it’s wet and if you can untangle it with your fingers first that’s even better. Some brushes are better than others, so use a brush that’s gentle on your hair and take your time to avoid breakage. Another tip is that you can condition your wet hair with a good conditioner — something that holds it in a bit — or you can even mix a hold with a curling gel while it’s wet. Finally, if you can avoid the heat and let the curls dry naturally and let them expand over the coming days of your wash cycle, then cool, but if you must dry with heat, use diffuser and keep it on low setting!
