Meet Model and Mental Health Activist Adwoa Aboah - The Gloss Magazine

Meet Model and Mental Health Activist Adwoa Aboah

Model and mental health activist Adwoa Aboah and Rimmel London are perfectly aligned in advocating freedom of self-expression and a belief in the liberating power of make-up …

My first Vogue cover was momentous. Working with Pat McGrath, Guido Palau, Edward Enninful and Steven Meisel – the energy of that creative combination was incredible,” Adwoa Aboah tells me via Zoom. Who can forget the 1970’s-inspired image which showed Aboah wearing a silk turban by Marc Jacobs as well as lots of glittery blue eyeshadow? On our call, she’s wearing a tie-dyed sweater and a bright smile, looking every inch the cool Londoner she is. I love her green eyeshadow – it’s Rimmel of course; Wonder’Cloud Cool Mint to be precise.

For Aboah is joining Kate Moss, Georgia May Jagger, Cara Delevingne and Rita Ora – some of the other trailblazing women who have been the face of Rimmel London. Aboah’s credentials could not be more appropriate.

Having started her modelling career at the age of 18 and landing that iconic first Vogue cover at the age of 22, Aboah is more than just a striking face. Her ability to inspire open discussions about mental health and feminist issues is what sets her apart. As the founder of Gurls Talk, a community-led non-profit promoting the wellbeing of adolescent girls and young women, it’s a place where women can share, listen and support each other via weekly podcast episodes, live events, and an online community.

When I suggest Gurls Talk was ahead of the trend in destigmatising mental health conversations, and that she is a role model for women Aboah deflects the compliment. “I am such a fan girl on Gurls Talk,” she says. “Fortunately I have been lucky to speak to many of my own role models: Nadia Nadine the Afghan-Danish footballer is now a friend, actress, poet and playwright Michaela Coel, Janaya Future Khan, international ambassador for Black Lives Matter and author Bernardine Evaristo – so many inspiring women.”

It’s easy to warm to her infectious honesty, which seems perfectly aligned to Rimmel’s new campaign ethos “true to you” celebrating individuality and authenticity. Aboah admits: “Being yourself isn’t always that easy to do – and in the past I’ve really struggled with it.”

If depression, drug addiction and a suicide attempt are part of her past, Aboah describes herself as, highly sensitive, empathetic, anxious bordering on neurotic, open, honest, with a tendency to grumpiness. Resilient and loyal.”

Being yourself isn’t always that easy to do – and in the past I’ve really struggled with it.”

She discusses her self care strategies openly: “I’ve undergone a lot of therapy in my time and you can often forget the tools, but I when I do, I always make sure I reach out for help. What works for me is not spending too much time on my phone and not being too hard on myself.” She clarifies that by meaning, “Not feeling bad if I don’t want to ‘seize the day’. What’s most important is making sure I only surround myself with people who love me unconditionally. Although I am prone to anxiety, I am a bit more relaxed and that calmer energy has been as a result of lockdown.”

Apart from a brief spell in Scotland, she’s spent most of lockdown in London, though that’s not to say she hasn’t been working. Aboah created the #CreativeTogether initiative to connect people and combat some of the anxiety surrounding the lockdown. She also mentions a recent photoshoot for AnOther Magazine with photographer Jack Davison she enjoyed, especially its “different perception and approach”. Aboah admits she prefers to shoot with new people and work with up and coming talent.

Off camera she has a low maintenance approach to beauty. “Of course I’ve enjoyed being made up by so many famous make-up artists and I am always up for the challenge, but I also put value on looking myself – lip liner and brushed eyebrows are my main focus. I want to look fresh and fun and not too grown up.”

Rimmel products have always had a place in her routine. “For me Rimmel is very nostalgic: it has followed me through my youth and has always been accessible.” Staples she uses from the brand are the Exaggerate Automatic Lip Liner in Addiction, often on its own; the Lasting Radiance Concealer in Fawn; the Natural Bronzer in Sun Glow and the Wonder’ful Brow Clear Brow Styling Gel. She tells me to watch out for the new Wonder’Extension Mascara, and also the new Wonder’Cloud Eyeshadow available in six colours – foggy beige, honey drop, spiced petal, truffle haze, chilled peach, misty mauve. Both land in July.

As for her other her go-to products, Aboah says she alternates “between Escentric Molecules 01 and a diptyque perfume. I use an Aesop deodorant and skincare products by Medico, Zo [by Zein Obagi] Loops as well as Sisley. I do love a face mask.”

And for fashion? “My look is slightly androgynous and not that girlie. At home I’m always in layers as I seem to be cold rife. My failsafe combo is cosy sweaters and a good pair of jeans. For going ‘out out’ I’m still casual but I do appreciate good tailoring. I take risks with colour and pattern. I want to be sexy but, again, not too grown up. I also feel like I should get my body out for as long as I can!”

What is she most looking forward to, now that restrictions are lifting? “I can’t wait to get into a crowded, sweaty room and just dance.” As they say, you can take the girl out of London, but not London out of the girl …

Wonder’Extension Mascara, the new lash extension mascara in Very Brown or Very Black, €12.99, will be in pharmacies and department stores nationwide from July 27; www.rimmellondon.com.

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