If you’ve ever wondered how Tracee Ellis Ross seems to glow from the inside out, it’s not just good lighting—or magic. The curly-hair icon has quietly perfected a self-care ritual so thorough it could double as a small spa treatment.
Inspired by her globe-trotting docuseries Solo Traveling, she’s turned in-flight flights of fancy—think compression socks up to your thighs, lymphatic drainage massage, sheet masks and a pocket-sized atomizer—into daily habits that keep her skin lit from within.
In an interview with ELLE, she shares the secrets behind her glow-up.
Solo Flights, Serious Skin Care
Watching Tracee navigate airports with the grace of a queen (and a seriously stocked carry-on) is oddly comforting. Who among us hasn’t felt like a pruney mess by touchdown? She’s adamant: never trust hotel soap. Instead, her bag holds a mini arsenal—lotion, shower gel, an exfoliating mitt, a gua sha tool and a trusty dry brush. That last one is her secret weapon against water retention after long haul flights. A quick swipe before rolling out of bed or mid-air feels silly until you see the results: firmer skin, less puffiness, a spring-in-your-step sensation that’s equal parts relief and delight.
From Curl Care to Full-Body Love
When Tracee launched Pattern Beauty in 2019, her focus was hair—curl-conscious, you know? But even then, she hinted at something bigger. That’s why she skipped naming it Pattern Hair, opting instead for Pattern Beauty—a nod that beauty knows no borders, shapes or textures.
Now, on August 21, she’ll officially launch the body care extension she’s been dreaming of: a lineup that spans a gentle body wash, a dry exfoliating scrub, a lightweight lotion, a richer cream and a silky body oil.
Tracee gravitated toward essential oils for that very reason: oils stay true, without morphing into some synthetic concoction halfway through the day. The fragrance she chose? Think airy floral whispers, gender-neutral warmth, inviting without drowning you in sweetness. It’s the kind of scent you notice but can’t pinpoint—elevated, softly sexy, and universally appealing.
Pool-Day Prep: More Than Sunscreen
Tracee doesn’t pretend that lounging poolside is effortless. She goes full-tilt: dry scrub from toes to neck, shower gel rinse, razor touch-ups and then—here’s a twist—body oil before stepping out of the shower.
Why oil first? Because post-shower pores are like tiny sponges, ready to slurp up every drop of moisture. Once she’s air-dried or gently patted, she seals everything in with lotion, then finishes with sunblock. Hair? It takes a backseat—that skin is the real headline.
Ritual Over Routine
What strikes me about Tracee is her insistence that these aren’t products on autopilot. She wants us to remember who we are while we indulge ourselves.
Scrub, hydrate, adore your skin so that it becomes a visible expression of your soul. It sounds lofty, maybe even aspirational, but I find it refreshingly human. We’re often chasing quick fixes; she’s chasing presence.
A Nightstand Worthy Wind-Down
And when the day finally winds down? Tracee retreats to a good old bath—but not without her crystals. She twirls rose quartz and amethyst around in the water, as if charging herself with whatever vibe she needs. It feels whimsical, but also grounded in intention: a pause, a breath, a moment of ritual magic that reminds her (and us) that self-care isn’t selfish—it’s a declaration of self-worth.
Why This Matters to You (Yes, You)
You don’t have to jet-set across three continents to embrace Tracee’s approach.
The essence is simple: choose products that feel alive (thank you, essential oils), honor your body’s rhythms (dry brushing, anyone?), and build little ceremonies around everyday moments. It’s less about having a marathon routine and more about pausing to say, “I’m here, I matter, and this skin is part of me.”
So next time you’re tempted to skip lotion or slap on that hotel shampoo, think of Tracee fanning herself with compression socks and ask: Am I doing enough to feel this good?
What do you think? Are you ready to spritz, scrub and savor your own skin-loving rituals?
Drop a comment below, share your go-to self-care hack, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more insider tips and celeb-approved secrets.
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