The essentials list: Actress Taraji P. Henson shares her holy grail beauty products
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While she is best known for her acting roles and gracing red carpets and magazine covers, Oscar-nominated Taraji P. Henson was actually very close to choosing a different occupation altogether. “I missed cosmetology school by one year as a teen and my side hustle in college was doing $20 roller sets and $20 acrylic full-set nails,” she says. “I guess you could say I was destined to have a beauty brand, so TPH is my baby and my empire.”
Launched in 2020, TPH by Taraji offers everything from shampoos and curl enhancers to body scrubs and lotions. “I started TPH because I saw a need to change the narrative around how we care for ourselves,” says Henson. “I wanted to create a brand where you could indulge in self-care from your scalp to your toes while giving the consumer luxury products at affordable prices.” (Available at Target and Walmart, among other retailers, the majority of the collection comes in at under 15 bucks.)
And we get why consumers are clamoring to get their hands on Henson’s goods. Pricing aside, she’s the ultimate spokeswoman, thanks to that amazing hair and incredible skin — a reminder, folks, she’s 53 years old, not 23! Henson attributes a lot of this to making healthy choices. “Drink lots of water, always wash your makeup off, keep skin moisturized (especially when flying), protect your hair — especially your edges — and get lots of rest,” she says. “I take the preventative approach to beauty. The more I take care of myself now, my hope is for less problems in the future.”
Speaking of self-care, at-home spa days are her favorite way to pamper herself. “My house was just remodeled, so I really enjoy my new spa bathroom,” she says. “I can take self-care to another level in my own home, which I always look forward to.”
Below, Henson shares some of her favorite beauty and skin care products, including her go-to red lipstick.
TPH By Taraji Master Cleanse Scalp Shampoo
“I love how refreshing this product is for the scalp; [it does] everything needed to keep it clean and balanced throughout the week,” says Henson. “There are ingredients in there like witch hazel water, which I grew up with. The tri-touch applicator reaches the scalp and areas you can’t get to with just your fingers — healthy hair starts at the scalp — and I call this my secret sauce!” Working to dissolve scalp buildup, this shampoo can also be used on wigs, weaves and extensions. For damaged hair, Henson recommends her brand's So Lengthy Shampoo ($10), which helps strengthen hair and is formulated with ingredients like biotin and black castor oil.
Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette
“The best highlighter and blush is Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette,” says Henson. Available in two shades, this palette’s colors can be worn solo or blended on the face or eyes.
Benefit Hoola Matte Bronzer
Henson is full of hot beauty tips, including this one: “Hoola bronzers are my favorite because I use them as eye shadows and contour.” You heard it here first.
Lancôme Lash Idole Mascara
What’s Henson’s go-to mascara for red carpets and everyday looks? “I must have my Lancôme," she says. Her favorite is the Lash Idole, which is lightweight and delivers feathery, soft lashes. Did we mention it has more than 15,000 positive reviews? Done and done.
The Lip Bar Vegan Matte Liquid Lipstick
Known for rocking many a red carpet with a bold lip, Henson is (finally!) sharing the secret to her look. “My favorite lip product would be a red matte lipstick — red is just a sexy lip color! — particularly the Lip Bar’s Bawse Lady,” she says. Available in more than a dozen hues, this matte liquid lipstick is also vegan, not to mention BIPOC founded.
Body by TPH Calm Down Hydrating Daily Body Lotion
Part of her nighttime wellness routine, this hydrating lotion is infused with ceramides, which have a calming effect on the skin. “Sometimes winding down and resting my mind at night is a challenge for me, so I cannot go to bed without lathering my skin with The Calm Down from Body by TPH,” says Henson. “It not only moisturizes, but the hints of ylang-ylang and palo santo calm my nerves and my mind so that I can have a restful sleep.”
Natura Bissé Diamond Extreme Ice-Lift
We’ll take pretty much any skin care advice Henson is willing to dish, because, have you seen her skin?! When it comes to masks, her top pick is the Diamond Extreme Ice-Lift by Natura Bissé. “I love how it goes on as a gel and dries into a mask that grabs all the dirt from my pores,” she says. The peel-off mask should be worn for at least 20 minutes and is known to brighten and even skin tone while also reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, thanks to ingredients like marine DNA.
Dr. Diamond's Metacine Instafacial Collection
“Another must for me is Dr. Diamond’s Metacine Plasma + Emulsion, which supports collagen production and aids in firmer, brighter and more radiant skin,” says Henson. Suitable for all skin types, this skin care duo from celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Diamond is an at-home version of the doctor’s much-lauded Instafacial, which uses platelet-rich plasma (PRP) derived from your blood to deliver otherworldly results. Great news: This collection requires zero needles!
$550 at Dr. Diamond's Metacine
Sisley Paris Sisleÿa L'integral Anti-Age Coffret Prestige Set
“My favorite skin care tool is the Sisley eye cream and roller,” says Henson. “When I use it, my skin feels awakened and tightened up instantly.” Comprising three of Sisleÿa’s cult-favorite L'Integral creams — the Anti-Age, the Firming Concentrated Serum and the Eye and Lip Contour Cream — this set is certainly a splurge, but one Henson says actually delivers results.
$1,135 at Nordstrom
$820 at Bluemercury
Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
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