There are few celebrity faces that we’ve been able to witness evolve through adolescence into adulthood. But since catapulting into stardom at the age of 16, Teyana Taylor has been a fan favorite to behold.
The now 31-year-old stunner, however, is unafraid to share that prescription: neuromodulator, Xeomin, is aiding in helping her maintain her fountain of youth glow. And, with the announcement that she’s the injectable’s latest ambassador, the multi-hyphenate is sharing the many ways it’s improved her day-to-day — even up to how she chooses her hairstyles.
ELLE: What drew you to Xeomin?
I’m a big researcher and because I’m new to injectables, I wanted to make sure that whatever I was using represented me — I’m a less is more kind of girl. So, anything that I try, especially on my face, I want to make sure that it takes the less is more approach as well. That’s Xeomin. Not only is it a smart toxin, but it doesn’t have all those unnecessary ingredients — and it provides me with consistent results. My frown lines, like I call ’em my Chicago Bulls 11s, have cleared right up.
ELLE: It’s said that “Black don’t crack,” but we do know there can be space for improvement sometimes. Why and when did you decide to start improving things on your face?
I’m a Black woman and we naturally have strong features, which I love. But I just wanted to smooth out my 11s a little bit more while still being able to visibly express myself. I wanted people to know whether I was happy, sad, mad, or surprised. I already have a strong face, and then when I would make certain faces, I’d be like, “Yo, it’s getting crazy up in this area.”
But also, just being Black queens, we smile a lot — we have a lot to smile about. Sometimes we’re left with those little laughing lines that just won’t go away after you smile. We don’t need much, but we can always improve.
ELLE: So many celebrities are hesitant to share treatments they may be getting; why did you decide to be so transparent?
I’m super normal — I’m still a woman. At the end of the day, we still all bleed the same. Status and fame doesn’t make you any different from the next young lady, you know? She’s also in the mirror like, “Oh my God, these lines.”
And, of course, I was scared because you see a lot of people in the industry who are frozen — and I knew I didn’t want that look. I wanted to show that you can do this subtly and gracefully. I don’t have anything to hide. I had something I wanted to fix, and I did. It’s natural, and there’s no harm in that.
ELLE: We talk about the body after having a baby, but not so much about the face after having a baby. Has your face changed after having your girls?
Oh yeah, every single time. It changes the first time, and then you have another baby, and it changes even more. I feel like gaining so much weight and then losing, my skin was looser. The injectables just kind of smoothed everything out — especially in my forehead, which now better matches the look of the rest of my face, I feel.
I had these thin, slinky lines develop I would have to wear wigs or super snatched braids to pull back the skin. Xeomin gives me that little snatch back without having to change my hairstyle. However, still being an actress, I’m still able to keep the expressiveness in my face.
No offense to anybody, but seeing people with injectables can kind of scare you — but everything is little by little, and I’m so happy with my results.
ELLE: Since using Xeomin, how has your skincare routine changed?
I’ve literally tried everything to have a smooth appearance on my forehead — shaving, skincare, everything. Now, I look smooth and moisturized all the time. I have on no makeup besides a brow and my lip gloss — and you can see the shine on my forehead. I could never achieve that before. I no longer feel the urge to get up and just be glamourized all day.
I’m such a happy person; I’m a smiler. I have two beautiful daughters and a beautiful husband; there’s no reason not to smile. Now I can do that without worrying about making my smile lines worse.