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.

The Fall Lipstick Trend We’ll Definitely Be Trying, Thanks To Chanel Haute Couture

We always look forward to Chanel's shows, whether we're catching an in-person glimpse at the Grand Palais in Paris or gazing at a virtual presentation from a streaky laptop screen in, say, Flatbush, Brooklyn. And even though fashion week will…
By Khalea Underwood

The Only Plus-Size Leggings That Stay Up All Day

March 15, 2020. It's the last day that I wore an actual pair of jeans — or "hard pants," as Twitter called them. Since New York has been under government-mandated lockdown for the better part of the year, I've had no reason to pull out my favorite…
By Khalea Underwood

The Top Drunk Elephant Products That Our Editors Swear By

As a beauty editor, there's one question that friends, family members, readers, and random revelers at the bar always ask me — does Drunk Elephant actually work? In short: yes. Absolutely, yes. Despite the myriad of skin concerns that plague…
By Khalea Underwood

Kim Kardashian's New Fragrance Is "Exactly What Kris Jenner Smells Like" — EXCLUSIVE

While families across the world are creating different ways to cope with social distancing, the Kardashian-Jenner family is in the same boat, only it's a little bigger. (If you've seen Kim Kardashian West's viral makeup tutorial with a special…
By Khalea Underwood

9 Floral Spring Perfumes That Our Editors Adore

Believe it or not, but it's officially spring. And while our current state of affairs might not allow you to, say, enjoy a mint julep al fresco at your favorite neighborhood cafe, there's no reason to ignore the joyous equinox completely. Today…
By Khalea Underwood

Giambattista Valli Had The Sparkliest Makeup Look From Paris Fashion Week, Hands Down

Spa-fresh skin and subtle hair accessories have been popular throughout fashion month, which is befitting — especially in Paris, where the rain is incessant and the wind is whipping. But at the beauty look at Giambattista Valli Fall/Winter 2020…
By Khalea Underwood

Off-White Just Made A Case For Pink Mascara This Spring

I chuckled to myself after a security guard handed me a branded all-access pass at Off-White Fall/Winter 2020 on Feb. 27. Firstly, because I knew my hypebeast brother would be, well, hype... and would possibly want to sell the flimsy tag on StockX…
By Khalea Underwood

The $7 Hair Gel That Jawara Used In A Multitude Of Ways At Mugler Fall/Winter 2020

The Mugler girl is one who isn't confined to fashion's rigid standards. Let's not forget last season, where a refreshingly diverse cast of models — of all genders and sizes — wore spiky stilettos and mesh inset dresses. But the Mugler girl is also…
By Khalea Underwood

Dior Just Co-Signed This Major Hair Trend For Fall

"It's Maria's world, not a beauty counter," Peter Philips jokingly tells a small group of reporters backstage at Dior Fall/Winter 2020. And walking into the Feb. 25 presentation, held at Paris' Jardin des Tuileries, attendees got a taste of what Ms.…
By Khalea Underwood

Pat McGrath & Guido Palau Created 90 (!) Looks For Marc Jacobs Fall/Winter 2020

You never know what you'll get when you enter the doors of the Park Avenue Armory on the last day of New York Fashion Week — which is Marc Jacobs' show, the finale of the week, to be exact. Last year, Pat McGrath and Guido Palau churned out 60…
By Khalea Underwood

The Surprising Inspiration Behind Rodarte's Fall/Winter 2020 Glam

It always rains at Rodarte, I joked with a publicist before opening my umbrella and stepping into the drizzle — just like I did after leaving the backstage preparations in September 2018. Not that I mind. The gray, moody clouds lend themselves to…
By Khalea Underwood

Proenza Schouler's Fall/Winter 2020 Beauty Look Was One You Can Do Yourself

Day five of New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2020 was rainy, dreary, and cold. Personally, I didn't feel like trying — just brushed up my brows, applied some gloss, and headed to Spring Studios. Proenza Schouler's Fall/Winter 2020 beauty look…
By Khalea Underwood

The Secret To Keeping Your Valentine's Day Date Lip On All Night Long Is This

Valentine's Day is just around the corner — and even if you're spending the evening in the company of girlfriends rather than your one true love, it still calls for a lewk. And pardon the idiom, but Valentine's Day and red lipstick are a match made…
By Khalea Underwood

The Hair Trends At NYFW Are Grungy, Glam, & So Very ‘90s

Most people who observe backstage beauty trends know that Spring/Summer is all about loud and live color, free-flowing curls and waves... basically, anything that reminds you of sunshine and happiness. Not to say that Fall/Winter doesn't evoke those…
By Khalea Underwood

The Easiest Way To Do Fishtail Braids, Courtesy Of NYFW

There are few looks more intimidating than a fishtail braid hairstyle. There are so many pieces! So much weaving! So much criss-crossing! But at New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2020, hairstylists are taking on the challenge by eliminating…
By Khalea Underwood

Yvonne Orji’s Beauty Essentials Include This Top-Rated OPI Shade

If you're at all familiar with HBO's Insecure, then you know Molly — the Type A lawyer with exquisite taste in home decor and high heels, and not-so-exquisite taste in men. Yvonne Orji, who plays the ambitious attorney, isn't as particular as her…
By Khalea Underwood

The Plus-Size Coats That Keep Me Warm — & Stylish — In 20 Degree Weather

I always like to joke that coats are to New York what cars are to where, well, everywhere else. We spend most of our time during the winter shuffling about from point to point, trying our damndest to stay warm and stylish simultaneously. And with a…
By Khalea Underwood

4 Beauty Products That I'll Never Buy Again... For Now, At Least

I wouldn't necessarily call myself a brand loyalist these days — it's impossible to be one as a beauty editor whose literal job description includes trying everything on the market. But I am a creature of habit. I know what I like, know what works…
By Khalea Underwood

All Of The Coolest Updos That Ruled The 2020 SAG Awards

With all due respect to the dresses, jewelry, and sky-high heels, hair is a very important factor on the red carpet. It's the finishing touch for a look, and can make or break how an outfit is executed. But I'd like to believe that at the 26th…
By Khalea Underwood

These Silk-Lined Beanies Will Save Your Hair This Winter

Every fall and winter, people with natural hair often struggle with a few things: for one, cold air tends to be drying, and dryness is the mortal enemy of curly and coily hair. But because the air is drier, that means there's the need to bundle up…
By Khalea Underwood