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Adwoa Aboah On The 5 Bold Beauty Resolutions She's Embracing This Summer

'I'm really excited to do a proper make-up look, whether it’s lips or eyes - something not so sensible.'

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adwoa aboah beauty resolutions
Rimmel London

Bringing her signature buzzcut, barefaced freckles and, most importantly, candid conversations about mental health to the forefront of the modelling industry, it's no surprise that one million Instagram followers look to Gurls Talk founder and Rimmel's new Global Brand Activist, Adwoa Aboah, for all things inspiration and empowerment.

When she's not stomping her way down Fendi's Couture runway with pals Cara and Kate, covering herself top-to-toe in Swarovski crystals for her latest campaign, or fronting ELLE UK's September cover, Aboah is speaking to A-list guests about everything from sobriety to self identity and crashing the system one acne neutral selfie at a time.

Who better then to lead us out of a total post-pandemic beauty rut and into a summer of self confidence and sass? ELLE UK caught up with the actor, activist and model to find out her five bold beauty resolutions for living life after lockdown on her own terms...

1. Better You, Not Better Body

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'One of the many detrimental aspects of lockdown was this sudden panic because you haven’t seen people in so long. You start questioning things like, "Should I be a better, more interesting person now? Should I come out of this like a new and improved human with an amazing body and totally different wardrobe?" It’s a lot of pressure and I do feel it sometimes. But, I get wanting to feel your best because we’ve all been sat on the sofa and we’ve all been by ourselves in our own heads. It’s quite easy to start being mean and toxic to yourself about your appearance - I do it all the time.

'It doesn’t have to necessarily be your "summer" body but why not come out of this feeling better and calmer? I feel different, I feel like I know myself even more. '

2. Ease Your Way Back To Party Make-Up

'I’ve been gradually moving back into make-up. On the days when you’re really not feeling great, a little bit of enhancement goes a long way - a bit of colour on my cheeks, little things like that. But, I'm really excited to do a "proper" make-up look, whether it’s lips or a good eye - something not so sensible. I’m loving the idea of doing a lot of black eyeliner in the waterline, like how I wore it when I was a teenager, I want to bring that back.

'It’s ok if you don’t want to go to every single party when we’re allowed to. Everyone keeps talking about going to the club and I’m like, "I didn’t even go to the club before this". I’m really content seeing my friends, having dinner and having a dance, or even just staying at home. Life’s too short to do things you don’t want to do.'

3. F**k Acne!

‘F**k acne! It is what it is, there’s nothing I can really do about it but it’s also really annoying and exhausting. The past couple of months have been quite stressful so my skin has flared up. But, it’s also not about having perfect skin either, because what does that even mean?

'When we went back into lockdown I had more time on my hands and I was being highly self critical. So I get why we want to run and get the facials, feel good and make an effort, not just for everyone else but for ourselves.

'The way I view my appearance has changed massively because I’ve had the privilege of having some calm. Moving forward, I really want to retain that as much as possible. Before I was working too much - I was on a plane too much. Feeling fulfilled in other areas of my life and just being content with simplicity has changed the way I approach my appearance.’

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4. Respect Your Hair

'I have a new respect for my hair since growing it - you won't find me cutting it off post-lockdown. I’ve been pretty savage and strict about my routine, there’s no straightening going on!

'I’ve been growing it for just under a year and it’s grown so much but it went through so many awkward phases. At one point my barber said I looked like Nelson Mandela… Then it went a bit fluffy, so I looked a bit like a baby, then it was sort of neither short nor long so I couldn’t tie it up but couldn’t wear it down, and then it went through a really great phase and looked amazing. I don’t think I would have grown it if I hadn’t been locked up in my house!'

5. Do It Your Way

'I know myself pretty well now, but when my career took off and I was thrust into this world with events, I was wearing all these different outfits and feeling like I had to look good all the time. Now, I really just want to do it my way. For me, it’s not about always looking sexy, rather having my own take on a look and not trying to be a sheep and do what everyone else is doing. It’s the same with my Instagram, I just want to follow my gut and stick to what feels honest and truthful because I know I’m always proud of that.'

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