Ray BLK’s 7‑step skincare routine is working wonders
Daily Beauty Rituals: The star of Champion just dropped a banger from the show’s soundtrack. More importantly, she’s also dropped her best beauty tips.
Beauty
Words: Olive Pometsey
Most people will know Ray BLK for her music, be it the confident, reflective R&B of her early releases or the poppier tracks on 2021’s debut album Access Denied. They might also know about the 28-year-old’s industry darling status, the fact she launched her career to critical acclaim, won BBC’s Sound of 2017 and then went on tour with Nicki Minaj. But they probably don’t know that Ray can act – so well, in fact, that she’s even won an Oscar.
Kind of. Back in sixth form, Ray (real name: Rita Ekwere) was awarded her school’s “Oscar” award for her stirring rendition of Rose’s monologue from Fences – you know, the one that Viola Davis won an actual Oscar for in 2017. Because although the South Londoner has dedicated the past near-decade of her life to music, Ray also has proper, serious acting credentials, having studied at Identity School of Acting, the drama school that nurtured talent such as John Boyega and Letitia Wright.
“In 2021, I tried to return to Identity, but I was really struggling with balancing my weekly classes and my live performances,” says Ray of her secret second talent. “Being an artist is so unpredictable, something could come up the same day sometimes. But I was really eager to brush up on my training and start auditioning again.”
It’s handy, then, that her first professional acting gig seamlessly merged both of her passions. Head to BBC iPlayer now and you’ll be able to see Ray in Champion, a sibling rivalry drama set in the cut-throat landscape of the music industry, pitting brother and sister against each other as they each vie to become the bigger star.
“This is a show that we’ve not seen before in the UK, celebrating black British music and culture,” says Ray, whose character Honey is also an aspiring artist and the aforementioned sister’s bestie. And naturally, a TV show about music needed to be soundtracked with bangers, which is why Ray was also brought on as a music executive alongside Ghetts. Together, they ensured that every original song sounded like it could genuinely climb the charts IRL. The evidence: Ray’s new song from the soundtrack My Girl.
“I would receive the scenes that the team wanted to create music around and get an energy for what the character is likely to write about, or the sort of artist they would be,” she explains. But it was getting on the Champion set and tapping back into those old acting skills that really got Ray’s creative juices flowing. “Being asked to make the music in the first place was exciting, but then I fell in love with the script.”
In case you’re worried, Ray’s not hitting pause on music anytime soon. In fact, she’s already back in the studio gearing up for her next project. “I’ve been working on new music which I hope to release soon,” she says. “I went through a lot of growing pains during the pandemic and did what I know best and put it into my music, focusing on my songwriting and making music with soul. I’m excited for people to hear it.”
We’re pretty excited to hear it, too, Ray. But first, we need you to drop the details on your beauty routine. Go on, let’s have a rummage through your bathroom cabinet…
The first thing I eat or drink when I wake up is…
Water. Your digestive system isn’t ready for anything else.
My morning skincare regimen looks like…
A splash of water so I don’t wash off last night’s skin care and some SPF.
The soundtrack to my morning routine is…
Gospel music. You need positive messages to start your day.
My go-to beauty hack for when I’ve pulled an all-nighter is…
Caffeine solution eye serum from The Ordinary.
The product I’ll reach for when I’ve got a pimple is…
Glycolic cleanser on the spot and let it sit. Or The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% masque.
My favourite brand of sunscreen is…
My holy grail skincare product is…
Dr. Barbara Sturm clarifying mask.
Because…
It works INSTANTLY!
My best kept beauty secret is…
Eating vegan. Everything topical is a result of what you put in the inside.
My favourite feature is my…
Eyes.
Because…
That’s how I lure the mandem.
My first beauty-related memory is…
Wearing my sister’s foundation to school at age 12 and looking absolutely caked but feeling a million bucks.
The last life-changing product I discovered was…
Floss. I’m embarrassed to say this is a new addition to my life. Can’t believe how much treasure was getting lost in there!
The best tactic for getting rid of stubborn waterproof mascara is…
Don’t wear it. But panda eyes can slyly be a look.
I keep my lips moisturised with…
Good old saliva when I can’t find my Vaseline.
The bougiest beauty product I own is…
An LED face mask. Save the coins, girlies!
My favourite budget find is…
BLKlisted press on nails that I created. They’re £10, have lots of fun options for designs and lengths and save you money and time at the salon.
The face mask that never lets me down is…
Dr. Barbara Sturm really does make your face instantly smooth and brighter.
My signature scent is…
Prada Paradoxe. It screams I’m rich but without the loudness of an oud.
TikTok made me buy it…
Collagen powder… Still waiting for the results.
My top tips for having a good hair day are…
Co-wash for silkier hair.
A hair product I can’t go without is…
Black castor oil, for all the girls suffering without edges.
My evening skincare routine looks like…
Glycolic wash, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, ascorbic acid, cold-pressed rosehip oil seed oil, vitamin C suspension cream and a moisturiser to end. It’s a lot.
The very last product I apply before going to sleep is…
Vaseline, just in case the man of my dreams wants to pucker up.
The secret to a good night’s kip is…
A silk eye mask. You’ll be out like a light.
