15 Wellness Essentials Actress Yvonne Orji Swears By
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Welcome to Take the Edge Off, a series that breaks down the beauty and self-care routines of influencers, CEOs, experts, and celebrities. Find out how they unwind and decompress, while taking a closer look at the holy grail essentials they're currently raving about.
From playing Molly Carter on HBO's hit show Insecure to landing her very own comedy special with the network, in addition to a sold-out tour with legend Chris Rock, Emmy-nominated actress and author Yvonne Orji has been relentless in putting her range of talent on full display. After discovering her passion for stand-up in graduate school, Orji abandoned her plans of attending medical school to ultimately pursue her true dream of comedy, which has continued to blossom ever since.
In an effort to help other women realize their own professional dreams, the star has teamed up with retailer T.J. Maxx as a mentor for their Find Your Maxx program (in partnership with non-profit Dress for Success), which aims to provide women with empowerment tools to put themselves first without compromise, and avoid imposter syndrome. Though thousands of interested parties have applied from across the country, only one can walk away with the retailer's prize of $50,000, along with a one-on-one mentorship from Orji herself.
“As someone who is committed to discovering the best version of myself, I’m excited to join the Find Your Maxx with T.J.Maxx campaign, not only to encourage women to support and empower one another, but also for women to embrace their most unapologetic selves,” she says in a statement. "I love that [this campaign] is giving women tangible tools to help them break down the barriers to self-prioritization and let their authenticity shine."
Here, BAZAAR.com catches up with Orji to hear more about her favorite ways to unwind—which includes long Epsom salt-heavy soaks in the tub and lighting an armful of luxury candles—plus, a bevy of the star's other holy-grail go-tos to Take the Edge Off.
What are you reading these days?
I love discovering amazing authors from the continent. Two of my favorites right now are Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi and Nearly All the Men in Lagos are Mad by Damilare Kuku.
What are some of your go-to bath and/or shower products?
I love baths. Sometimes I will soak for two to three hours. I’ll pop in a show, a sermon, or a favorite playlist, and have my journal nearby. My favorite bath salts that I love soaking in are Dr. Teals because my muscles feel like they are always hurting and it not only helps me to relax but, they help my muscles feel better. I also like to use Floramye's Bath Bliss Set. What I love about these is not only do they contain CBD and help to relax my muscles, but there's also the special surprise of a crystal inside them once they're fully dissolved.
What beauty or self-care products do you use on a regular basis to help combat Zoom fatigue?
I prioritize weekly facials, even if it’s as simple as popping on a great face mask. To fight Zoom fatigue, I like using a weighted eye mask at the end of a long day. I also love the Youth Preserve Hydrating Moisturizer and the Sugar Face Polish, both from Fresh. A must have are the shea butters from Nappily Naturals, a black-owned business in Leimert Park in Los Angeles. Their products keep me moisturized and my skin has a glow all day.
Do you have a favorite hand sanitizer, soap, and/or cream right now?
I love anything that allows me to indulge my senses—the tiny hand sanitizers from Bath & Body Works fit in my purse are TSA-approved and they smell delicious. As for soaps, the Sugar Lemon Bath and Shower Gel from Fresh is a favorite. And currently, my favorite cream is Crème de Corps Body Lotion with Cocoa Butter from Kiehl’s.
Do you ever light a candle or stick of incense to decompress? If so, what are some of your favorites?
When I'm home, I like to get in the zone so I'm in a great mindset to prepare for any projects I'm working on. For me, lighting candles and sitting by my fireplace with the “Jazz in the Background” playlist on Spotify is a must! Candles I enjoy include [a few from] Harlem Candle Company, Maison Margiela’s Jazz Club—which is rich and sultry—and Bath & Body Works' Eucalyptus Spearmint. The little things and these peaceful moments really help me tap into my max self, which is a big priority of mine right now.
What was the last beauty product you put on today?
Black Girl Sunscreen.
Are you into bold makeup, no makeup, or no-makeup makeup right now, and why?
No makeup is my favorite, followed by no-makeup makeup.
What's the last fitness class you streamed or attended in person?
The Massy Arias Warrior Program is amazing! I love that she is not the kind of trainer that pushes you for the sake of pushing you. She is really in tune with what each individual body requires and treats the wholistic person in order to help you meet your goals. This makes the workouts fun and attainable.
What's one piece of self-care advice you'd recommend to our readers?
Prioritize your self-care! If you don’t make room for it, it’ll pass you by. For me, self-care is all about tapping into your most authentic self, whether that means taking time for yourself at the end of the day or setting alarms to pause and take deep breaths. Living the life you want for yourself is the biggest way to practice self-care! I’ve learned all of this and so much more from my mentors, including that I can get things done by focusing on my abilities and granting myself grace when needed. And I’m so excited to be able to help mentor others through Find Your Maxx.
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