Aliyah’s Interlude on pimple patches and loving her dark skin
Daily Beauty Rituals: The AliyahCore originator and star of Mowalola’s AW23 show reveals the secrets behind her beat.
Beauty
Words: Olive Pometsey
Few influencers have the power to coin their own trends, but Aliyah Bah stands out from the crowd. Where most of the stylish people on your feed pledge allegiance to one #core, the 19-year-old social media phenomenon mashes up a myriad of subcultures to deliver her very own “AliyahCore”, an eclectic, cute-but-tough style that has TikTok in a chokehold. Currently, #aliyahcore has been viewed more than 143 million times on the app.
What’s the vibe? Think Paris Hilton if she’d gone through a cyber goth phase in the early-’00s or Destiny’s Child reimagined for the streets of Harajuku. Furry leg warmers, earmuffs and fishnets on one leg are the hallmarks of Bah’s style, typically amped-up with layered jewellery and “big-ass Moon Boots in hot-ass weather,” as she puts it. As for the make-up, more is always more: glitter, bright pastel eyeshadow, star stickers in the corners of her eyes and children’s plasters across her nose are all part of Bah’s daily beat.
Known to her fans as Aliyah’s Interlude, the TikToker’s appeal has now extended to the IRL fashion world, too. Last month, Bah made her runway debut during London Fashion Week, where she closed Mowalola’s AW23 show in one of her most conservative looks to date: a teeny-tiny leather bikini and knee-high burgundy boots.
But AliyahCore isn’t only about looks; it’s an attitude. “I am the eccentric fashion girlie who really loves herself. Like, I am obsessed with myself!” she told her followers in a recent video. “All of that plays into AliyahCore, too – loving yourself out loud and being able to wear what you want without the fear of being perceived, because you know you’re that girl.” Amen.
So, how does Aliyah Bah keep her self-esteem high and her skin glowing? Well, soundtracking her mornings with Beyoncé sure helps.
The first thing I eat and drink when I wake up is…
I’m not gonna lie, I usually don’t eat breakfast. But the first thing I drink every day is water.
My morning skincare regimen looks like…
I use a Topicals mask for the under eyes because they get rid of my bags so quickly. I don’t use actual skincare in the morning.
The soundtrack to my morning routine is…
Usually Beyoncé’s Renaissance album.
My go-to beauty hack for when I’ve pulled an all-nighter is…
I use the Indie Lee cleanser and the Topicals under eye masks – I’m so obsessed with them.
The product I’ll reach for when I’ve got a pimple is…
The Hello Kitty x Starface pimple patches.
My favourite brand of sunscreen is…
My best kept beauty secret is…
Honestly, having one skincare routine and sticking to it at least once a day.
My favourite feature is my…
I really love my dark complexion.
Because…
The world tried to make me hate myself and it never worked.
My first beauty-related memory is…
Going to the hair salon where my mum worked and seeing all the beautiful women getting their hair done and gossiping.
The best tactic for getting rid of stubborn waterproof mascara is…
Using Indie Lee facial oil and Naturium toner.
I keep my lips moisturised with…
The Mac sugar scrub.
My favourite budget find is…
Cortizone-10 – it’s super cheap but gets rid of a pimple in two days.
My signature scent is…
My top tips for having a good hair day are…
Starting early! Never assume your hair is going to act right because you never know what will happen.
A hair product I can’t go without is…
My evening skincare routine looks like…
The Indie Lee face wash, followed by the Naturium BHA toner, the Indie Lee facial oil and Cortizone-10.
The very last product I apply before going to sleep is…
Cortizone-10 on all my bumps or pimples.
The secret to a good night’s sleep is…
Meditating before going to sleep.
