We’re at the point where people don’t care about the bog-standard idea of beauty any more.

I’m not trying to fit into that mould any more, so that opens up a whole world of space, of creativity. There’s still lots of work to do, and just because there’s a huge amount of representation now, it doesn’t mean we should take our foot off the gas. It’s different now compared with when I was growing up, in that adolescent phase of finding yourself, becoming comfortable with the way you look and feeling beautiful. A lot of people that didn’t feel represented are now empowered to go and create platforms that support and represent them. I can easily find brands that support and represent Black women and plus-sized women – that makes me feel seen.

I want to feel beautiful without ruining the planet and excluding people…

The beauty industry needs to push the parameters of what is considered beautiful. It may seem like a small change but I’d like it to not be so heavily categorised. It feels like we have brands marketed at women and others that may cater for men – why can’t they make a shop that has amazing products where everyone feels welcomed, and then we’ll all go and buy it?

I call the lady that does my braids Auntie Lillian.

I’ve never had neater braids. She did them for my first couple of press shots and I hadn’t really had braids before that. I felt amazing, and having so much length was exciting me so much that the hair flick on stage was gassing me! She’s amazing, and is the only person I know who’s been able to give me braids that sit at the top of my bum in only a couple of hours – it’s unheard of. I don’t get a lot of beauty treatments done professionally, so the thought of sitting somewhere for too long makes me uncomfortable – either I’m just not consistent or I do a lot of stuff DIY. But there is a little nail shop in Nottingham city centre called Unique Nails where I’ll often go if I’ve got a show, because they have the best designs and I can be in and out quickly.

How I dress depends on my mood, so I like to switch up my makeup…

If I’ve got 15 minutes to get ready, I’m slapping on MAC Ruby Woo lipstick, lots of mascara, fluffing up my hair and putting in some gold earrings – most probably hoops. I’ll always normally throw a trenchcoat on top too, because I feel like a long coat protects me from anything. If I was stuck in the same clothes and was going from day to night, I’d pop my contact lenses in and apply some red lipstick. I love red lipstick in the day, but it always feels like the quickest way to switch it up for the evening.

My first beauty purchase would definitely have been something for lips…

It would either have been a humble pot of Vaseline or a high-shine lipgloss rollerball from Upton Park market. It might be a bit controversial but I still use and buy both of them! Never underestimate those two, because you can seriously create a look with some Vaseline by using it as a highlighter or an eyegloss.

R&B hair moisturiser from Lush is my most repurchased beauty item.

I think they’ve changed the name to Revive but for me, it’s still the same. It seriously locks in moisture, is great for doing a twist-out, and whenever I’ve used it people will always say my hair smells nice when I walk past them, which I love.

Lush wasn’t a shop that I associated with having products for my type of hair…

I discovered it by going to get a gift for someone else. I knew they had products that said “Afro” but I didn’t trust them. There was a Black girl working there and she said: “I know what you’re thinking, but trust me, sis, this is the one.” She was right! I like how it’s thick. Whether it’s face or body, I like all of my moisturisers to feel luxurious. I want it to sink in, but I want you to know that I’ve got moisturiser on and that’s the same with my hair products. It lasts a long time so I keep going back for more.

Lead image by: Nina Manadhar