Beauty Guru Nicky Gelin: If you’re an Instagram beauty fan, you can’t miss the golden haloed hair of influencer Nicky Gelin, known for her flawless style and natural approach to glamor. An advertising account executive by day, the Jamaican native has also built a loyal following online, sharing her adventures on her blog, Nicky Says Yolo, and her natural hair and make-up routines with partner and fellow Yardie Audia Tolloch on their popular Youtube beauty channel, 2 Fro Chicks, where both advocate for women to embrace their natural beauty. Nicky also champions this self-empowerment message IRL, mentoring young women through the Young Women with Purpose Foundation. We spoke more with the ever chic lady about her beauty and fashion favorites, from her natural hair essentials to her favorite style era.
Favorite hair product right now: I love using Totalee Hair for my shampoo and conditioner. They’re filled with natural ingredients and are free of harsh chemicals. Then I use the Raining Aloe moisturizing cream to style my hair. It’s so rich with shea butter. I also love Tropic Isle Living Jamaican Black Castor Oil to promote hair growth. I use twice a month, massaging it into my scalp.
Favorite hair routine: I’m a two-strand twist girl, with flexi rods at the end for that extra definition.
Favorite Beauty DIY: Making my own shea butter hair and body cream. I get my shea butter from Amazon, and add a little extra virgin olive oil, tea tree oil, vitamin E and coconut oil, and microwave it together. When you let it set, it comes out creamy, light and delicious.
Favorite skin product: Kreyol Essence is amazing. I use their Haitian moringa oil on my face every day.
Favorite skin routine: I love papaya soap to cleanse with a facial rag. It detoxes my face as well. Then I use witch hazel to tone cause it’s mild. After that I use the Kreyol Essence oil on my face and neck.
Favorite make-up product: Oh dear, I have a whole bunch! But if I had to pick one, it would be my girl, Milani. I recently discovered their new combined contour/highlight stick. That’s the best.
Favorite thing to wear: Palazzo pants are my go-to. I particularly love this Tracey Reece one I have in burnt orange.
Favorite recent purchase: I enjoy thrifting, and I just found this silk eclectic top with a beautiful print featuring Japanese women. It captured my eye because it was so colorful.
Favorite desert island style essential: I’m the kind of girl who would wear boots to the beach, so I would have to bring my Jeffrey Campbell boots.
Favorite fashion decade: I’m a big high-waisted pants person. Even my swimsuits are high-waisted It’s just a really flattering silhouette. So I guess that means I’d be right at home in the seventies.
Favorite style icon: Tracey Ellis Ross girl! She captured my heart ever since she played Joan on the show “Girlfriends.” I just love the fact that she’s carefree, and is not afraid to take risks. She’ll wear sneakers with a fancy dress, and mix all sorts of unexpected shapes and colors together. She’s just an icon.
Favorite Selfie spot: I would have to say the Wynwood Walls and their amazing murals.
Favorite Jamaican: Right now it’s Chronixx. I’m stuck on his tune “Majesty.”
Favorite Charity? The Young Women with Purpose Foundation would be the one. It’s an organization that offers scholarships to high school senior girls of color.
