Lupita Nyong’o is known as a successful and versatile actress, with accolades including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for 12 Years a Slave, a New York Film Critics Award for Best Actress in Us, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance in Black Panther. Beyond her acting prowess, she is admired for her radiant skin and commitment to a healthy lifestyle. This article delves into Lupita Nyong’o's secrets to maintaining her glowing skin, her approach to weight loss, and her holistic fitness routine.
Lupita's Skincare Philosophy: Simplicity and Natural Oils
Lupita has always been a fan of beauty. In a 2014 interview with Glamour, she shared how, as a teen, she petitioned for girls to wear makeup at her all-boys high school. She believes makeup can boost confidence and should be a personal choice.
When it comes to skincare, Lupita's philosophy is rooted in simplicity. She emphasizes the importance of a consistent routine, telling Vogue Japan that her essential tips are to “sleep, hydrate, exercise, moisturize.” She keeps her skincare routine simple; otherwise, she frankly would not bother! In a 2018 interview with Elle, she shared, “I keep my skin-care routine simple; otherwise I wouldn’t do it. Face wash, toner, then natural oils-such as calendula-before moisturizer. Calendula is very, very soothing and really good for healing my skin when it’s had a lot of sun exposure.”
Even while globetrotting, Lupita sticks to her simple routine, telling Vogue Japan that "sunscreen, a swipe of mascara, and a good sheer lip is best when you’re on the go.”
The Power of Oils
Lupita is a big fan of oils. She prefers to use an oil-based makeup remover, especially avocado oil, because of her dry complexion. “I have a very dry complexion, so I use avocado oil to wipe off my makeup. It’s gentle and doesn’t strip my skin,” she told Elle.
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In a 2015 Vogue interview, Lupita shared her favorite cleanser and emphasized the importance of maintaining natural oils for dry skin. She uses John Masters cleanser, which she likes because it's not too foamy. She explained, "I want that soapy feeling, but I don't like it when it's too overwhelmingly soapy because then I don't trust that it's actually doing anything. I cleanse before bed, and I don't cleanse in the morning-natural oils are so important because I have dry skin. I want them to last throughout the day. That's when you need moisture the most."
Favorite PM Serum
Another product she loves to use during her bedtime routine is the Lancôme Génifique serum. "I use Lancôme Génifique serum, which is a great hydrator, and you can use it before bed. You can also use it before makeup and on makeup, which is nice…I also apply it after a long flight when my skin is dry.”
Home Remedy: Garlic for Zits
Lupita shared a unique beauty trick she learned from her mother: using garlic on zits. "The best beauty trick my mother taught me was to use garlic on zits-it dries them out. You want to do it at night so that you don't walk around smelling like garlic all day…nobody would want to be your friend," Lupita shared.
Minimal Makeup, Bold Red
Despite her advocacy for makeup in high school, Lupita admits she doesn’t wear much of it. “Makeup isn't something I've worn a lot of in my life,” she told Glamour. However, when she does, she often opts for a classic red lip and nail. “If I am going out with friends, I love a classic red lip and a red nail,” she told Vogue. She sees makeup as a form of adornment and enjoys experimenting with it for events. “I am very experimental. For me, makeup is not a mask, it is not a shield-it is an adornment. I have fun with it. I have all these events and things, and for me it's a chance to play, a chance to have fun. It's a spectacle, so why not embrace it for what it is?”
She also loves a jet black mascara. “Right now the makeup product I’m loving is Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara. It’s really, really black, and that’s great for me because I’m dark. Oftentimes, mascaras are on the grayer side, so the contrast isn’t as sharp against my skin”, the actress shared with Elle.
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Haircare Simplicity
When it comes to haircare, Lupita sticks to her mantra of keeping things simple. "The first time I cut all my hair off was when I was 19. I just got fed up going to the salon every week. I'd had enough! On a whim, it was off. It's low-maintenance,” she shared with Glamour. Regardless of its length, Lupita ensures her scalp and hair are hydrated, using Vernon Francois Scalp Nourishment Braids and Locs Spray. “I use [it] to add moisture and oil back to my scalp. My hair drinks it up,” the actress told Elle.
The Importance of Self-Care
While new to meditation, Lupita is already a huge fan. “I’ve been interested in meditation for a long time, but I’ve only now started in earnest. I do it on my own, without an app or anything."
Lupita's Holistic Diet: Embracing Flavor and Tradition
Lupita Nyong’o's holistic diet is another cornerstone of her healthy lifestyle. She incorporates a variety of flavorful and traditional foods into her meals, reflecting her Kenyan heritage and her love for nutritious ingredients.
Kenyan Staples
Pilau, a dish originating from India but popular in Kenya, is one of Lupita’s favorite meals. She also enjoys pineapple juice, a tropical and refreshing drink packed with manganese and vitamin C, perfect for a quick energy boost. Plantains, an African staple similar to bananas but more versatile, are another key component of her diet. Lupita enjoys plantains, sweet potatoes, and blueberries for breakfast.
Flavorful Main Courses and Snacks
Lupita favors flavorful, aromatic foods like fish curry cooked with coconut milk and cilantro. She prefers the whole fish, showcasing her culinary expertise. For snacks, she often reaches for cashews, which are high in protein and healthy fats, ideal for a busy lifestyle. She enjoys seasoning them with curry or cinnamon sugar.
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Refreshments and Treats
To unwind, Lupita enjoys lemongrass tea. She also has a fondness for salt and vinegar chips and sorbet, demonstrating that even health-conscious individuals can enjoy occasional treats.
Lupita's Workout Routine: Strength, Cardio, and Fun
Lupita Nyong’o has got something to prove - in the gym. The Academy Award-winning actress shared an impressive workout video on Thursday, executing 50 glute bridges to the tune of Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé’s Feeling Myself - even taking a moment in between bridges to add in a dance move. Lupita uses exercise for more than just staying in shape.
Glute Bridges and Core Strength
In the workout video, Lupita perfectly demonstrates a glute bridge, which works the hamstrings, lower back, abs, in addition to the glutes. Lupita clearly infuses some fun into her workouts with the help of her favorite music. “Faith in myself is always renewed when the beat drops… #waitforit,” she captioned a recent video, breaking into dance after completing an exercise with dumbbells. In another workout video, set to Ace of Base, she makes weight lifting double as cardio, punching dumbbells to the beat of the music.
Treating Herself
Lupita is a firm believer in treating herself. “When I feel the burn, I smile and it tricks my body into thinking I am fine. And then I am! Lupita revealed to Essence that she sacrificed sweet stuff to get into Black Panther shape. “It was only once we wrapped that I realized I was on a sugar-free diet,” she said “We could have fruit, which is a good sugar, but no fructose or refined sugar. But we could have carbs, which are good when you work out as much as we did, and we weren’t eating less. We actually had to eat smaller meals every three hours. I never got bored. The actress knows the importance of getting her zen on.
Addressing Health Issues
Lupita went on to reveal that she had 30 fibroids and she went into surgery to have them all removed. She also provided some vital information about the condition in hopes of more women speaking out about it, and to encourage more doctors to view it with more concern. "When we reach puberty, we're taught that periods mean pain, and that pain is simply part of being a woman," she added. "We're struggling alone with something that affects most of us. "We need to stop treating this massive issue like a series of unfortunate coincidences.
Overcoming Barriers to Weight Loss: The Psychological Component
It's important to recognize that weight loss is not solely about diet and exercise. Psychological factors play a significant role, and addressing these is crucial for long-term success. A recent national survey revealed that only 10 percent of people believe psychological factors are the most important when it comes to losing weight. Experts, however, argue that without addressing our emotional relationship with food and fitness, we'll never see lasting results.
Diane Robinson, Ph.D., a neuropsychologist and program director of integrative medicine at Orlando Health, explains that “most people focus almost entirely on the physical aspects of weight loss, like diet and exercise. But there is an emotional component to food that the vast majority of people simply overlook, and it can quickly sabotage their efforts."
The key is to identify when we eat to regulate emotions and consciously uncouple from comfort foods. Keeping a food diary to jot down emotions can help. It also helps to identify "I-just-blacked-out-and-ate-five-servings foods" and decide when to enjoy just one.
A-List Advice: Holistic Health Tips from Celebrities
Many celebrities have shared their tips for maintaining physical and emotional health. Here are a few examples:
- Zoe Kravitz: Stressed the need to talk more about body image and eating disorders, reminding us that these are not just white-girl problems.
- Angela Bassett: Stays youthful and healthy by eating clean with lots of veggies and exercising more days than not.
- Ludacris: Inspired to work out religiously by being part of the Fast and Furious franchise, he now works out six days a week.
- Zendaya: Emphasized the beauty of the diversity of our hair.
- Nick Cannon: Encouraged young African-American men to put their egos aside and start seeing doctors regularly.
- Danai Gurira: Stated that you always have 20 minutes to work out.
- Kerry Washington: Relies on Pilates to help tighten her tone.
- Nelly: Does 1,000-1,500 sit ups and push-ups every day.
- Jada Pinkett Smith: Nourishes her body by eating tons of veggies and lean meats.
- Mike Epps: Attributes his buff look to taking boxing classes.
- Zoe Saldana: Believes it’s important to enjoy life and food, then work out, be healthy, and keep that heart strong and healthy.
- Jazmine Sullivan: Expressed that she isn’t pressed about her weight and has learned to love who she is.
- Naomi Campbell: Does yoga 60-90 minutes every day because it makes her “feel better physically and mentally.”
- Andre 3000: Loves veggies so much that when asked what his last meal on Earth would be, he said, “Broccoli.”
- Gabourey Sidibe: Refuses to hide and be ashamed of being obese, daring to be confident and happy regardless of size.
- Lenny Kravitz: Always carries a jump rope with him to get a workout in.
- Halle Berry: Breastfeeds and isn’t dieting, focusing on being “happy and healthy.”
- Terrence J: Shapes his six-pack with his diet, suggesting eating more lean protein and green veggies.
- Brandon Marshall: Committed to breaking down the walls of stigma when it comes to mental illness.
- Alicia Keys: Believes that in order to protect yourself against HIV, you have to educate yourself about the disease.
- Michelle Obama: Incorporated yoga into her workout routine to work on her flexibility and balance.
- 50 Cent: Inspired to start taking care of his body better and working out after getting shot.
- Mary J. Blige: Learned how to swim to keep things fresh in her workouts.
- Omari Hardwick: Playing football taught him to never give up.
- Kevin Hart: Relies on his friends to help motivate him to work out.
- Traci Braxton: Lost 64 pounds after her doctor told her she was pre-diabetic, re-evaluating her diet and starting to work out.
- Barack Obama: Credited first lady Michelle Obama for “scaring him into quitting smoking.”
- Beyoncé: Knows that when it comes losing weight, you have to be realistic, dedicated and possess the right mindset.
- Jamie Foxx: Stays lean and fit by eating high-fiber and high-protein meals.
- Kelly Rowland: Hits the gym hard and doesn’t deny herself the foods she likes, but limits her portions.
- Idris Elba: Loves kick-boxing for cardio.
- Tia Mowry: Stresses the importance of slowing down and de-stressing.