We love a beauty boss mover and shaker! Meet Lara Adekola. This NYC powerhouse has worked for your favorite beauty and fashion brands—all while continuing to make waves in the industry as a beauty editor, social media marketing strategist and model.
We were beyond thrilled to sit down with Lara for a chat about her career journey and, of course, take a peek into her gorgeous Luar Ana bag.
[SEE ALSO: No Peeking: What’s In Beauty And Fashion Entrepreneur Chinaza Moses’ Ankara Tote]
Reflect Beauty: What do you do? How long have you been in the beauty industry and what do you love most about your career?
Lara Adekola: I am a beauty editor and social media marketing strategist. I’ve been in the game for 10 years! It’s been a wild ride. Brands I’ve worked at include Allure, Teen Vogue, The Zoe Report, Fenty Beauty, Hyper Skin, Bergdorfs, and most recently Moda Operandi. I’ve literally worked every angle—from selling cosmetics on the sales floor to modeling and writing for magazines to working alongside founders.
I love that I get to do my passion for a living—write, create content, and learn about beauty. On the social media marketing side, I help brands bring their vision to life on digital platforms. The industry is constantly evolving, which can be scary, but it keeps me on my toes.
Here’s What’s In Lara’s Bag:
Chanel La Creme Riche – Makes me feel boujee and the formula is fantastic—moisturizing but not greasy.
Fenty Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow – It’s my go-to pink lip gloss. Smells yummy and the gorgeous rose nude shade wears well alone, with lip liner, or layered on top of lipstick.
Makeup Forever Lipliner in Dimensional Dark Brown – After years of searching, I finally found the perfect lip liner. It’s a deep ebony that actually shows on my complexion, blendable, and lasts! An absolute must.
Saint Laurent Leather Card Holder – This card case is the ultimate size. It holds essential cards and fits into even the smallest microbags.
Caudalie Beauty Elixir Mist (Mini size) – I use this all year round. It gives a boost of hydration when my skin feels dry but also sets and refreshes makeup.
Altoids Mints – Can’t be caught slipping with bad breath. Gotta stay fresh.
Prada Sunglasses – There’s nothing fiercer than a badass pair of shades to tie an outfit together. I feel like a boss whenever I put them on.
RB: What bag are you currently wearing?
LA: Luar Ana Bag in Espresso. I’m obsessed with the unique silhouette and size. Perfect for day to night.
RB: What are your favorite makeup brands?
LA: Ami Cole, Dior, MAC Cosmetics, Pat McGrath, Nars. Isamaya Beauty is a new brand I discovered and adore.
RB: What are some things about yourself that you find most beautiful?
LA: My melanin, smile, and eyes because they are bold and expressive. I also find my sense of humor, effervescence, and tenacious spirit to be beautiful traits. Life is too short to be stressed out so let’s make the best of it and have fun!
RB: Where do you get your confidence?
LA: I get my confidence from my family and friends. They are the ones who’ve poured into me, loved, and supported me throughout the highs and lows. As silly as it sounds, growing up I wasn’t always proud being Nigerian or having fuller features and dark skin. But at this big age I feel incredibly blessed to come from a rich and beautiful culture that has shaped the woman I am today.
RB: What inspires you each day?
LA: My community inspires me. Living in Brooklyn, New York you’re constantly surrounded by creative, beautiful, brilliant people. TikTok has also become a playground for inspiration – my “For You” page algorithm is on point. It serves fashion, wellness, and beauty content that constantly surprises me! The level of innovation people have is top-tier.
