KRÈME CHATS WITH DENOLA GREY . MEDIA PRESENTER, STYLE BLOGGER, FASHION CONSULTANT AND FASHION WRITER
October 31, 2016
Three words that pop in my mind when I think of Denola Grey, Fearless .Sincere. Eccentric in the sweetest way possible. He is fearless because he expresses himself without apology , sincere because what you see is what you get and wonderfully eccentric because he marches to the beat of his own drum which makes him a leader. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to chat skincare routines and a little about fashion and I have to say he left an amazing impression on me that I will not quickly forget. Thanks Denola Grey .
How important is skincare to you?
Skincare is very important. As someone who is in the media, you have a lot of cameras on your face. I don’t like using make up on my face as a guy period, and just don’t like the way it feels. The better my skin is, the less cover I have to put on and in turn it makes shooting easier for me. It also makes editing my pictures easier because the photographers don’t have to spend so much time airbrushing (laughs).
What is your skin type?
Combination (normal and sensitive).
Have you ever had problem skin?
Well, my allergy count is three times the normal amount. So, for example on average the normal allergy count is in the hundreds, my allergy count is 330. So even extreme heat can cause my eyes to swell shut. I even have an alcohol aggravated skin lesion, which I get when I drink. Other than that, I had the usual pimples on the fore head and hyperpigmentation on one side of my face, but this has cleared now thanks to the peel I received recently.
What peel did you get and at what clinic?
I got two mild chemical peels at Bel Fiore medical Lekki, Lagos. I was prescribed home care, which consists of a peel boost and pigmentation serum plus SPF50. You have great skin, what kind of products do you use for your skincare on a regular basis?
Before the peel, I used all vitamin c products. I use clean and clear vitamin c morning burst face wash, which I let air dry. And every other day I use body shop microdermabrasion exfoliant on my face, neck and lips. After every face wash I let my face air dry. I use body shop oil free vitamin c moisturizer with an SPF 30.
After the peel, how has your routine changed?
In the morning, I use my Clean and Clear face wash, and then I use La Melle pigmentation serum, then finally use an SPF 50 face cream for sun protection.
In the PM, I would use my peel booster and La Melle pigmentation serum and go to sleep.
Now when I am shooting I have to go an extra mile. I shoot about 8 episodes a day so they put a lot of makeup on me. So, first I use baby wipes to take off the heavy makeup and then I wash my face with the Clean and Clear morning burst, followed by apple cider vinegar as a toner, just to remove any impurities. Then I proceed with my normal routine.
Do you use SPF?
Yes I use SPF 60 by Mesoesthetics
Do you think there is anything else you should do and you don’t?
Well, I don’t think so. By default, I am light skin, and I do accept the fact that I will get tan because I live in a country with year around summer weather. My goal would be to take care of my skin so it’s at a state where I don’t have to use make up when I am on camera.
Do you think men feel comfortable talking about their skincare regime?
Of course not! I think it’s a Nigerian thing. It is a patriarchal society where things like skincare “cosmetic related thing” are attributed to femininity. I do know that things are changing with people getting more comfortable with metrosexuality; men now talk about skincare for example, and men refer to beard bumps as annoying and talk about what they use. In Nigeria, beards are trendy now so you have men using brands like the bearded genius oils and balms on their beard, even though they feel because it’s a beard it’s more manly. Some feel like having rough skin makes them more manly, and would prefer to keep that because it is a manly thing to do than take care of their skin. I think it’s so silly (laughs).
When I get dressed in the morning I think…
I don’t think anything, it’s more like a feeling. If I am having a great day, I find that my adventurous side comes out a bit more so I would take more risk with fashion. But if I am feeling kinda blah on the day, I will just go to my old faithful which is my shirt, pants, waistcoat, bow ties and shoes. The most treasured item of clothing in my closet is…
Probably my shoes…. all my shoes
Up and coming designers you are excited about….
Not up and coming but they are so high fashion that I know a lot of people don’t know about them. Lately I have been putting a belt over my blazer or shirts and it’s because I love Haider Ackermann and Brioni. Their collection for 2017, they incorporated of a lot of belts into men’s look and I am really excited about that because its bringing form back into men’s wear. What a lot of people don’t realize is in the 20’s to the 40’s a lot of men belted suits because it accentuated their frame, giving them a v shape. This trend went away, but it’s coming back in a new edgy and fun way so I am excited about that.
Also, Nigerian brands like Orange culture, that are quirky and play on the edge of androgyny make it easier for people like me to indulge in their fashion cravings.
If you had an extra hour in a day what would you do?
Hmm, don’t know what I would do. Probably just chill. But I am a bit of a workaholic so I probably wouldn’t rest for long before I get bored.
Never be caught dead wearing….
Crocs; they are the Mondays of shoes.
What is beauty to you?
Being your best self whatever that may look like to you, that is beauty. It could be having flawless skin, or taking care of yourself and you know people who take care of themselves love themselves and self-love is beautiful.
Which woman do you find beautiful?
I think black women in general are beautiful period; personally, I think Rihanna is gorgeous. Everything about her, from her cupids bow on her lips, her eyes and her attitude is fantastic.
In Nigeria, I think Dodos Uvieghara is very pretty. She is a makeup artist and blogger.
There are a lot of beautiful women on the continent, like Bonang Matheba is gorgeous, super model Malian Nicholas is absolutely beautiful. Our celebrities like Rita Dominic, Genevieve, Toke Makinwa are all gorgeous. Bolanle Olukani, she is beautiful, she has an amazing smile and they all have one thing in common; confidence and they serve it all up.
Skincare tip to readers…
After you wash your face let it air dry don’t use a towel.
