South African Grammy-winning star Tyla has opened up about her beauty journey, sharing her thoughts on makeup, confidence, and the influences that shaped her while speaking to i-D Magazine. The singer gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at the aesthetics she loves and the kind of beauty that inspires her today.
Looking back on her childhood, Tyla spoke about the strong women in her life who played a big role in shaping her view of beauty. She said, “I personally always admired my sisters, my aunties… and I learned everything I know from my mother. There was no 100-step routine: any soap, just wash your face. Drench yourself in shea butter at night.”
She also shared a memorable beauty trick from her mom that stood out to her growing up. “She would always have a pixie. I’d watch her slick her hair back with a Sunlight soap bar—” she said. When asked if it really worked like gel, Tyla replied, “Yeah, it would dry down like gel. I don’t know, I feel like she invented that!”
Her mother’s makeup routine also inspired her from a young age. “She’d put foundation on like it was lotion. Eyeliner, always. Always had to have mascara, a red lip. Or black liner on the lip—that was her staple,” Tyla shared. She admitted that she started experimenting early, saying, “I would steal my mum’s mascara and eyeliner, hide it in my bag, and put it on in the school bathroom with my friends.”
When it comes to her natural hair, Tyla said self-love was always encouraged at home. “I don’t think it was a certain age. I always loved my hair, and our parents always loved our hair. They taught us about our history and how important it is to love ourselves,” she explained. She added that doing hair was also a bonding experience with her sisters. “Yes, I know how to cornrow! I was tasked with cornrowing my sisters’ hair, braiding it, putting it in buns—and I loved it.”
Despite this, Tyla admitted she struggled with confidence while growing up. “Definitely my body. You know, South African girls have insane bodies!” she said. She explained that she often felt unsure of herself because of her slim figure. “Growing up, I always felt very slim. I didn’t know what to do with [my body].”
She also spoke about comparing herself to others, especially during her school years. “I would compare it to [other] girls’, especially in primary school, since I went to a predominantly white school. Girls had longer hair than me, or certain hairstyles that I couldn’t do.”
Now, Tyla has reached a place where she embraces her uniqueness and encourages others to do the same. She said, “Don’t get me wrong—I want a big bouncy booty, too! Everybody wants more. We’re human. But not having what you wish for doesn’t mean you’re less than.”
She added that learning to love imperfections has been a big part of her journey. “That girl you’re looking at probably wants something you have. I have this big scar on my arm and I love it. I love my mole. I love imperfection in my art, in the visuals, in my music, in the physical form.”
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