‘I think, like many people now post-2020, I’ve been focusing at lot on self-love,’ says Jessie Reyez as we join her in her East London Hotel suite the night before her third opening performance touring alongside megastar Billie Eilish. ‘I suffered an injury a few years ago, so since then I’ve been working towards getting my body back to its best.’
It's a process that the soulful Canadian songstress explains has been foundational for her musical journey thus far. 'I used to smoke a lot of weed back in the day, but for the sake of my career, I decided to stop, at least until I reached a specific goal with my music. So, I knew I needed another outlet, which ultimately lead to me prioritising my bodily wellness.'
Reyez’s holistic steps towards wellness consist of 'mantras and meditation, things that get me back into the moment,' explains the31-year-old musician. 'Being on tour and exploring new places can be disruptive, so with each new city I wake up heavy on the gratitude; the gracias adios.'
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This grounded approach to internal wellness equally has an impact on Reyez's pre-show routine. ‘For shoots and music videos I love make-up artists like Toronto-based Alison Sharp,' she tells ELLE UK. 'But, when I'm on tour with a smaller budget, my routine is usually about 90% concealer.' The Grammy-nominated songwriter’s favourite being drugstore options. 'I always say I'm not mad at Rimmel or Maybelline - I find that the concealers that are slightly thinner in consistency always blend better. There can sometimes be the assumption that high end make-up is automatically better, but I find that it can be too thick for my skin and crease.'
For a show-proof make-up look the performer says she sticks to a formula of 'mascara, concealer, and lipstick, and every now and then I'll do eyeliner, when I feel like I'm looking extra tired. For the lips I like to keep it quite neutral, no statement reds for me as I tend to bump the mic when singing and get super sweaty.'
Haircare for the curly-haired star is equally as paired back a ritual. 'My hair is curly so I'm fully into conditioners. After shampooing my roots, I'll try to detangle, then go in with a conditioner both in and out of the shower, before an air dry. Then I’ll leave about four days between washes just to let it breathe.'
As for her pre-show body care, aromatherapy is key. ‘I love it. I use lavender before bed, then in the morning I apply a few drops of peppermint on my wrist. It’s like an espresso, helping to pump me up for the day when I’m feeling sleepy before a show. I’m also really loving Orange Blossom at the moment.’ This love and appreciation for the power of essential oil ties directly into Reyez's favourite post-shower product – Aveeno’s Daily Moisturising Lotion scented with, of course, lavender. ‘They don’t sell this everywhere, which means I have to stock up whenever I'm even remotely near a store that sells it.'
A result of constantly travelling as part of Billie Eilish's 'Happier Than Ever' world tour, whilst also working on her own new album, 'YESSIE', Reyez has come to cherish her down time. 'With touring, you're travelling a lot, so I'll usually have a book on me - right now I'm reading 'Becoming Supernatural' by Joe Dispenza, and I loved reading Eckhart Tolle’s 'The Power Of Now'. I know there’s a lot of people that feel like self-help books are filled with cliché and cheese but I love them, and I think re-aligning my mind along with my body is vital for my creativity.'
No matter where she's performing in the world, Reyez is all about maintaining her mental and physical health. 'I’ll always research yoga classes in the area, get on Google and see what’s out there, but in the case that I don't find anything, shout out to YouTube, because having 10-15 minutes quick flow yoga (with a towel rather than a mat because I like travelling light) is still a way I can make sure I'm looking out for myself as another form of self-love.'
A concept the singer has come to appreciate the importance of over the past few years. 'I believe people have begun to consider self-love as this thing synonymous with overindulgence, but ultimately it’s really about taking space for yourself, be that via a bath or ten minutes meditating.' Throughout the creation of 'YESSIE 'and whilst on tour, Reyez journalled to keep her mental health in check. 'Though I prefer affirmations said out loud and in the mirror, as opposed to written ones, unless it's like a specific goal,' she says. 'Also I keep a lyric book with me always - both of these things help keep my mind right and feed into my overall wellness. It’s about balance – you can’t have one without the other.'
Jessie Reyez 'YESSIE' is available from 16 September
