British-Nigerian actress Genoveva Umeh’s new headshot series feels like a celebration of Black heritage and style. Known for Netflix hits like Blood Sisters and Far From Home, Genoveva brings that same energy to the frame; her deep, glowing skin and confident expression steal the spotlight. Every element of her look speaks proudly of her heritage: the warm light kissing her brown skin reminds us, as one beauty writer dreams, that “showing up with melanated skin is … celebrated”. In these images, African beauty is the headline.
Genoveva’s makeup is warm and understated. Her skin looks luminous – the kind of effortless glow you get when your skincare routine really works. In interviews, she mentions using a gentle cleanser, sunscreen and targeted serums to protect her pigment and even out tone. The result? A face that seems to radiate from within. There’s no heavy contour or cakey powder here, just sheer foundation and a touch of highlight that let her natural beauty shine. The overall effect is a soft glam look: eyes are subtly defined (think bronze eyeshadow or tightlining), cheeks are fresh with a peachy glow, and lips have a hint of nude gloss. It’s the kind of makeup that frames her face without competing with it, so her melanin richness stays front and center. As Cosmopolitan notes about the future of Black beauty, owning our natural glow is self-care and Genoveva is proof. In her hands (and on her face), skincare and makeup become art.
Genoveva’s hairstyle turns heads. Her hair is swept up into sectioned bubble ponytails; thick twists or extensions tied with bands to create big puffs along the length of each ponytail. This look is modern and playful, a fresh spin on classic braids and Afropuffs. In fact, beauty magazines celebrate the “bubble pony” as a “fresh protective style” that adds fun texture and interest to textured hair. Each bubble acts like a soft sphere of hair, giving her ponytail a sculptural, avant-garde feel. Because the bubbles are uniform and round, the silhouette feels almost architectural, like wearable art. And yet it’s clearly rooted in black hair traditions of braiding and creativity. The style even has a fun nickname in natural hair circles: one stylist called a version an “Afro Barbie Ball Ponytail”. In Genoveva’s case, the twist is bold and proud: the look honors the versatility of African hair. Cosmo describes dream Afrofuturist hair as “sculptural… that doubles as a mood and a crown”, and Genoveva’s bubble-braid rig is every bit the regal statement it feels like.
The color of her outfit amps up the joy of the images. She wears a bold yellow tank top, and it flatters her skin in the most radiant way. Yellow on deep skin creates a wow effect; it highlights the warm undertones of her brown complexion. As fashion blogger MimiBlaque explains, “yellow does not wash out darker skin; it actually enhances it”. In other words, her golden top makes her glow even brighter. The hue is cheerful and optimistic, reminding us of sunshine, honey, and golden sunsets,all imagery that complements rich coffee-colored skin.
Genoveva’s look is part of a larger story of pride. She’s part of a generation of young Black creatives who see no divide between style and identity. Every element of these headshots nods to cultural resonance: from the braids (a natural hair tradition) to the color palette (earthy golds and browns), it’s clear that African heritage is front and center. In fact, this kind of confident representation aligns with the new beauty narrative. As one editor writes about the future of Black beauty, it’s a place “where showing up with melanated skin is normal, expected, and celebrated.” Genoveva lives that ethos.
Beyond the styling, her poise is warm and empowering. Her gentle smile and steady gaze feel inviting as if she’s sharing an inside secret: Black is beautiful, and beautiful is her. It’s hard not to feel lifted watching her. For the reader/viewer, these photos double as an affirmation. They say: in our textures, our shades, our styles, we find strength.
By pairing glowing, natural makeup with a striking yellow top and her iconic bubble-braid crown, she uplifts her own image and the image of an entire community. This editorial feels like a warm embrace of melanin-rich style; a reminder that African beauty shines in every hue, every texture, every form. And when Genoveva beams that glow, it lights the way for others to follow.