3 minute read
BEAUTY TALK: ROSIE HUNTINGTON-WHITELEY How
the hype man
SOCI A L M ED I A SENSATI O N A N D N E W YSL B E AUT Y A M BA SSA DO R RI CK EY TH O M PSO N IS CEL EB R ATI N G TH E B EG I N N I N G O F H IS “G ROW N A N D SE X Y ER A”
Advertisement
Beloved for his candor, Rickey Thompson keeps his 5.3 million-plus Instagram followers coming back thanks to contagious viral videos that are full of laughter, dancing, sass, and style. After fi rst making a splash on Vine as a teenager in 2013, the content creator now showcases his talents on YouTube and TikTok in addition to Instagram. Thompson’s feel-good infl uence has landed him major fashion and beauty campaigns, the latest as one of the new faces of YSL Beauty’s Nu Collection. Here, he shares his secret to unapologetic confi dence and radiant skin.
Starting Point
My earliest beauty memory was when I was 14 and started to get into my personal skin-care journey. I used to watch YouTube tutorials on how to get a natural glow or keep my skin clear. I was like, “Wow, there is a lot that goes into this whole beauty thing!” Now I’ve learned that the secret to keeping my glow is to drink a lot of water, use sunscreen daily, heavily moisturize, and not stress.
Bold Moves
I’m 25, and I want to feel that. So I told myself that I really want to go for this grown and sexy era of my life. I was like, “You know what? Let’s just shave my hair off and see what it looks like.” I dyed it a diff erent color, which is stepping out of my comfort zone, but I love it so much. It’s brought me this newfound confi dence. When I get my hair cut, I always feel my hottest. [laughs]
RICKEY’S FAVORITES
1 Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40, $34; supergoop.com. 2 Summer Fridays CC Me Vitamin C Serum, $64; summerfridays.com. 3 Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser, $36; youthtothepeople.com. 4 YSL Beauty Nu Bare Look Tint No. 19, $38; yslbeautyus.com. 5 Ole Henriksen Cold Plunge Pore Remedy Moisturizer, $46; sephora.com.
4
5
3 1
2
Rise & Shine
I change up my routine, but my mornings [typically consist of] going for a workout followed by eating something healthy like an acai bowl or avocado toast. Then I take a shower and start my day with a brainstorm.
Make It Happen
Ever since I was young, I told myself that one day I would work with YSL Beauty. I fi nally manifested that and became part of their latest Nu Collection. My go-to product is the YSL Beauty Nu Bare Look Tint because it’s very natural and light. It is fi tting that the products I am obsessed with showcase diversity; I think that is what the beauty world needs today. Why should beauty be held to one standard? We need more openness.
Fashion Fantasy
My mood-booster is retail therapy. If I’m feeling low about myself, I buy outfi ts that will make me feel amazing. I love dressing myself in my imagination and building it around a scenario. I picture when I am going to wear that outfi t, and it always comes true.
Glam Goals
My ultimate beauty crush is Rihanna. I love that woman and everything she does. I could not stop staring at her [2021] Met Gala look. After she arrived on the carpet, no one else mattered to me.
Real Talk
Authenticity is key. There is always going to be someone who doesn’t like you, but ignore that. When I started showcasing my life online and got a lot of positive feedback, it gave me confi dence. By just being me, more people enjoy what I do. I don’t have to try so hard or follow somebody else’s life; I can just be myself. I’m always unapologetically me, and I never hide it.
