The Zoe Report

Khalea Underwood

Bio

Khalea Underwood is Beauty Editor of The Zoe Report. She writes, edits, reports, and conceptualizes features and photoshoots on all things hair, makeup, skincare, nails, and fragrance. You can catch her lurking backstage at New York Fashion Week, picking up tips from artists and assistants or cornering models about their favorite SPF moisturizers. A proud graduate of Howard University, Khalea's bylines have also appeared on Refinery29, Us Weekly, College Candy, MTV, and the New York Daily News. She earned a Webby Awards 2019 nomination for Best Use Of Photography for a Refinery29 feature on the beauty of natural hair. When she's not swatching products or tweaking her four-step skincare routine, she enjoys decorating her new apartment, reading, shopping, and spending time with her family. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter @letsbeKHAlear.

Why You Should Be "Soaping" Your Eyebrows, According To Moschino Spring/Summer 2020

Moschino, in its graffiti-patterned and heavily logo-ed glory, is always a wildcard show during Milan Fashion Week. You don't know what you'll get — which is actually kind of the fun part in watching. So when I descended up the steps of the Palazzo…
By Khalea Underwood

The Genius Prada Ponytail Hack To Try ASAP

For a roving reporter, nailing down who the Prada girl is can prove to be difficult. One season, you'll get sleek and soft. And during another, you'll get beach blonde dye jobs. For Prada's Spring/Summer 2020 beauty look though, lead artists Pat…
By Khalea Underwood

Why Pat McGrath Created 60 — Yes, 60 — Makeup Looks At Marc Jacobs Spring/Summer 2020

Any New York Fashion Week marathoner knows that the black-and-white checkered flag always waves over Marc Jacobs. And any beauty lover knows that the glam is always unexpected — you might get a dye job (35 of them!) or perhaps no makeup-makeup. What…
By Khalea Underwood

Oscar De La Renta's Spring/Summer 2020 Makeup Looks *Very* Different Than Normal

Although most of my fashion week duty is back of house, I always try to stick around to get a sneak peek at Oscar de la Renta — the show always brings a touch of otherworldly glamour to the runway, in an era where everyone is competing to outdo each…
By Khalea Underwood

Tom Ford's Spring/Summer 2020 Beauty Look Was Surprisingly — & Refreshingly — Edgy

Tom Ford is chic. Tom Ford is sexy. Tom Ford is classic. This is well-known. But what I didn't know, right before walking backstage at the Sept. 9 show, is how versatile the brand can get. (I mean, the show was held in a New York City subway,…
By Khalea Underwood

The Grown-Up Way To Wear Glitter, As Seen At NYFW Spring/Summer 2020

Maybe it's my inner three-year-old peeking out, but to me, there's never not an inopportune time for sparkles. Which is why I'm thrilled that glitter eyeshadow looks are trending on the New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2020 runways, and in a very…
By Khalea Underwood

Sorry, Line Designs — French Manicures Are Officially Back In Style

I've got a few fashion month seasons under my belt, and I can tell you firsthand that surprises are abundant — like backstage celebrity sightings (hey, Luka Sabbat) and 35 dye jobs in one day (here's to you, Marc Jacobs). But the trend that's got my…
By Khalea Underwood

The Secret To Pulling Off An Editorial-Worthy Lip Stain, Revealed

There are some of us who are ferociously dedicated to matte lipsticks, living and dying by tried-and-true formulas that refuse to budge, even after a day's worth of speaking and snacking. There are others who only swear by glosses, swiping and…
By Khalea Underwood

This Fall, I’m *Only* Wearing Pieces Outside My Comfort Zone — And These Are My Top Picks

For The Zoe Report's fall fashion issue, TZR editors are sharing the Fall/Winter 2019 pieces they’re most excited to welcome into their wardrobes. Here, beauty editor Khalea Underwood shares her top picks — including the perfect pair of snakeskin…
By Khalea Underwood

How Beauty Editors Pack Their Beauty Products For A Month's Worth Of Travel

It's no secret that effortless style and beauty actually do require some effort — especially when you're running on three hours of sleep, two Nespresso lattes, and one percent phone battery during the middle of fashion week. And that's just New…
By Khalea Underwood