19 Questions With Annabelle Mu'azu
Photo courtesy of Annabelle Mu'azu
by The Candidly Team
Annabelle Mu’azu is an art curator, entrepreneur, consultant, and founder of Beautifully Undressed, a destination for a curated selection of unique lingerie brands.
Her love of lingerie inspired her to create Ihuoma, her own luxe lingerie brand that makes some of the prettiest, laciest, and silkiest bras, robes, slips, and “knickers” we’ve ever seen.
We like Annabelle.
So we asked her some personal questions. Her answer to #12 is almost too good.
The Candidly Questionnaire
1. What’s something you really like about yourself?
I’m very young at heart. Having fun is crucial to my overall wellbeing.
2. What is your biggest challenge?
Trying to run a successful of business that is unapologetically about uplifting black women through the power of luxury lingerie.
And breaking down barriers, along with knowing my self-worth as a black woman, are always challenges I’m dealing with.
3. What kitchen or house tool do you use daily that’s changed your life?
My NutriBullet – I can’t go a day without juicing.
4. When do you feel most confident?
When I am wearing my sexiest, most luxurious lingerie, but nobody knows. It’s incredibly empowering and I feel I can take on anything. It’s my raison d’être.
5. Are essential oils anything?
Very much so. I use them in my homemade butter blends — my favorite is lemon myrtle.
6. How do you create boundaries?
Making it clear from the start, especially in business, that I may be “nice and approachable,” but it doesn’t mean you can railroad or underestimate me.
7. How do you dampen self-critical thoughts when they get too loud?
I meditate, take time out in nature, breathe deep, and affirm to myself (in mantra form) that I am worthy.
8. Describe the most “you” outfit of all time.
A long bias cut slip dress – I love this style so much, I’ve designed one for my first collection, Divine Feminine. It can be worn from day to night with ease, and it’s so feminine and empowering and I feel absolutely lush wearing it.
I intend to design a new style for each collection, primarily for myself.
9. What meal can you make the hell out of?
I make a mean Jollof Rice, with Nigerian stew and grilled spicy fish. Lots of seasonal vegetables. I also make a great Thai curry and dahl.
10. What book has made the biggest impact on your life?
I can think of 4 that come to the forefront – I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin, The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, and The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra.
I’ve read them all so many times that each time I read the final words, I’m overcome with emotion, inspiration, and knowledge.
11. Apart from family, what woman do you deeply admire?
My best friend, sister, and artist Obiagelli Okigbo. She is everything to me, and she has been an incredible source of support from my art curating days to now.
I plan to work with her in upcoming collections because her art is so beautiful and spiritual, and I want to create wearable art for women to indulge in.
12. Which Insta account is creating the greatest content and why?
The one account that stands out for me, as it has impacted my business tremendously, is @blackownedeverything, curated by @zerinaakers, Beyonce’s stylist. The day our Oshun Gold Quarter Cup Bra was featured on the platform was really a game changer for us as a brand. For a fledgling brand to be recognized in this way by a groundbreaking platform in the celebration of black brands and creatives, especially at this time, was really momentous.
Aesthetically, the platform is so beautifully curated, and it’s just so wonderfully inspiring to see so many kick-ass black brands doing great things in the world.
13. What quote or phrase has really stayed with you?
“Carpe Diem” is my mantra.
My beloved father lived his life by this ethos. He always said, “never get to a stage in your life where you say that you wish you had tried something. Do it. If you succeed, amazing, but if you fail, still celebrate because you know you tried it and gave it your all — never have regrets.”
14. What’s your most effective form of therapy?
Meditation, meditation, meditation. And yoga. Taking a moment to focus on my breathing is the best therapy. It’s changed my life and I’ve been practicing for 5 years. It centers, grounds, and lifts me when at my lowest.
I love to be in nature, and often meditate while walking.
15. What’s your approach to mending conflict with people you work with?
I try to keep away from conflict, and trust my gut in terms of the people I choose to work with.
Of course, it can go wrong sometimes. However, having clarity about where I stand on the situation is paramount. And if it’s not meant to be, then I am more than happy to walk away.
16. How do you feel about cilantro?
Love it. I have it with everything— salad, curries, grilled vegetables, and fish.
17. Describe your actual bedtime routine.
If I’ve had a heavy or busy day, it starts with a cleansing salt bath and a facial mask. But most days, it’s a soothing shower, moisturize my body with my shea butter mix, followed by the facial routine – cleanse, tone, moisturize. I’ve been using natural products of late; black soap, coconut oil to cleanse, rose water to tone and shea butter to moisturize.
Brush teeth, then I like to read a few chapters of whatever book I’m currently on. Facetime with my daughter, who is now at University in London. Then I meditate and write in my journal before sleeping to soothing sounds of the sea.
18. What’s the best thing you’ve ever read on the internet?
The many uses for Vick’s VapoRub.
19. What’s your relationship with bangs?
I tried them once—disaster, never again. I am more of a braids or boho locs kinda girl.
What is your single favorite:
Wellness product that *actually* works: Incense / sage sticks are always burning in my home.
Lip balm: Shea Butter.
Jeans brand: My fave were a Gap pair, but I also can’t go wrong in Levi’s.
Mascara: Fenty Full Frontal Volume Lift and Curl.
Robe: Ihuoma Asase Ya Chocolate Silk Robe.
Sex Product: Magic Wand.
Last-minute gift: I love to give and receive flowers.
Bra: Divine Feminine Longline Bra.
Shampoo: Vernon Francois Pure-Fro Shampoo.
Comfortable shoes: Yeezy or Nike.
Splurge skincare: Ren, Chanel.
Drugstore skincare: L’Oreal.
Everyday bag: My African print bag or Zara Tote.
Guilty pleasure TV show: Modern Family and Blackish.
Drink: Cappuccino, or on a night out, an Espresso Martini.
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