Bold Braids Made a Powerful Statement at Fashion Week
At New York Fashion Week, actress Novi Brown proved beauty and health can walk hand in hand. For her second season, the Sistas star focused on styles that felt natural, confident, and true to herself.
Her first look featured thick knotless braids, inspired by a braider in Ghana who used Brazilian wool. The sculptural style, created by longtime braider Nene Gibbs, gave Brown both power and elegance. “I wanted that look but with knots on the end,” she shared. The braids carried her through the hectic first half of the week with ease.
Later, Brown switched to a kinky straight blowout—flirty, full, and versatile. She wore it loose or tied up in a bun, keeping a bandana handy for reinforcement. Both hairstyles balanced practicality and statement beauty, showing her thoughtful approach to self-expression.
Soft Glam Took Center Stage With DIY Makeup
While many stars relied on professional makeup artists, Brown decided to take control of her own glam. She prepared her skin with hydrating masks from Neutrogena and collagen-rich Korean sheet masks to keep her complexion glowing.
Using a mix of trusted products—LYS foundation, Fenty Skin Tint, Rare Beauty blush, and Milk bronzer—she created a soft, radiant look. Lips were lined with MAC Chestnut and finished with glossy layers from MAC and Milani. A spritz of LYS setting spray locked it all in place.
Brown also kept it real. “There were three days I opted for barely any makeup—just blush, lipgloss, and mascara,” she admitted. For her, beauty wasn’t about heavy layers. It was about feeling comfortable and fresh in her own skin, even in the heat of fashion week.
Health and Confidence Went Hand in Hand
Beyond beauty, Brown revealed that her true confidence came from within. Leading up to Fashion Week, she embraced what she called a “massive health transformation.” This included vitamin C drips, vitamin D supplements, colonics, and food allergy testing.
“Being healthy makes me feel the most confident ahead of big events,” Brown explained. She emphasized how important vitamin D is for anxiety and depression, especially for Black people. Her honesty offered a powerful reminder that wellness is just as essential as style.
No outfit could outshine how she felt inside. For Brown, true confidence came from inner balance, not just outer glam.
Self-Care and Joy Shaped Her Fashion Week Experience
Amid the chaos of shows, fittings, and appearances, Brown made space for quiet and self-care. She spent time with her mom, leaned on close friends, and even enjoyed a peaceful bike ride around Central Park before the whirlwind began.
She also found joy in music and movement. “I love Apartment Life or other dope DJ sets on YouTube,” she said. Singing off-key, dancing freely, and grabbing a slice of pizza reminded her that beauty is also about joy.
A pre-show massage, moments of silence, and laughter with loved ones kept her grounded. These rituals ensured she showed up not just looking radiant but feeling strong, happy, and ready for the spotlight.
