Artist, rapper and MC Jujulipps has been boldly making waves across Aotearoa’s hip-hop scene from the moment she stepped into it.

Listening to the lyrics of her debut single, Hilary Banks, her self-assuredness is immediately evident. “I’m not average, I’m all that / Don’t disagree it’s a goddamn fact”. Since winning the Taite Music Prize Best Independent Debut Award for her first EP Get That Shot in 2021, the Tāmaki Makaurau-based artist has been busy working on a new sound, releasing the singles Game Over and Good Guys, a precursor to her just-released sophomore EP Superstar.

If you’ve ever seen Jujulipps perform live, you’ll know the album is aptly named. She brings her contagious energy to every show, boosting the mood of the whole crowd. With some major festivals already under her belt, including SXSW, Nest Fest and Rhythm and Vines, she’ll play Summer Haze festival in Tauranga later this year, performing on December 30 alongside The Roots, Home Brew, and Soraya LaPread.

The way Jujulipps approaches beauty is as dynamic as her sound. Self-presentation is important, but not as important as full self-expression. Living her life as a woman without limits, with vibrant roots that stretch across the African continent, she embraces bold looks and is her own beauty icon, unapologetically. 

What is your earliest memory of beauty?

My mother, 100%. One of my first memories is of my mother getting me ready in the morning and tying my shoes. I must have been about three-years-old but I remember looking up at her face and just thinking, “Wow, so this is beauty.”

You made a bold entrance into the Aotearoa hip-hop scene in 2021. How has your look evolved since then?

I’m lucky to work in a creative field where I get to experiment with many different looks. I think my style has become more sophisticated since entering womanhood, but it’s ever-changing.  

My stylist Paida and I used to play around a lot with different looks and have impromptu photoshoots. This was such a great time for us to experiment with different styles and vibes. It’s such an honour to have amazing friends like that. 

Working with Paida has been an amazing journey. The effort and care that was put into each look has been one of the foundations that set up how I present myself today - every detail is thought out.

Playing Spark Arena for Synthony this year was a huge moment in my career, and I knew I had to make this look like something else. We went for a more classy approach while still holding true to my African heritage by emphasising the braided hair. I love how versatile this can be.

When I opened for Sudan Archives, my look also played on some more fancy themes, while at the same time incorporating fabrics that move with me, to accentuate dancing and overall movement on stage.

My first-ever music video, Saucy, was 100% a culmination of African heritage with high fashion and alternative elements. All the looks showcased in this video lean heavily on traditional styles that have been modernised and styled according to the character I am trying to portray. The Medusa look will always be one of my favourites that we have worked on so far!

This look was iconic for me, and it’s what marked the whole image for the Get That Shot EP. The long braid (originally used in the Saucy music video) was the perfect element that we wanted to use to create the vibe for the EP, and Crystal did an incredible job with the images to really create an era!

I started working with [designer and stylist] Syndel (@synsynsynsynsyn) on my live performance costumes. These are incredible, intricate crochet pieces that have been made specifically with shows in mind. These have become such a staple of the Jujulipps performance, and I am so grateful to work with such a crazy talented wahine on these outfits.

The Taite Music Awards was an amazing day for my team and I. I worked with my friend Kara (@wunmilli) on the style for the night.

I did my own makeup and styling for the Aotearoa Music Awards earlier this year, and I’m so proud of this look, I definitely will do a few more like these in the next wee while.

Who are your biggest beauty influences? 

When I was younger the beauty influence was probably my mother. I think being in a home that promoted such a strong sense of self has helped me through life quite a lot. 

Now as an adult, I'd just say… myself? I don’t really look to anyone and think “wow I want to achieve something similar” or “this inspires me” because I genuinely think I’m good and perfect how I am – MY version of perfect. This isn’t a conceited statement, it's more that I know I do me best, clearly, because there's only one version of me. I'll just follow that because I know myself better than anyone else. 

What was the first beauty product you fell in love with?

Any vitamin C cream, I had such a problem with scarring when I was younger and when I discovered creams with vitamin C in them it just helped my confidence so much more. 

What’s the first fragrance you ever owned?

Oh my gosh, I think it was Versace Crystal Noir. I was in high school and just graduated from the pink Hello Kitty body spray so Versace really made me feel like a WOMAN.

What fragrance do you wear now?

In this recession? Whatever I can afford to be completely honest. The lifestyle of luxury left when the standard of living went higher haha. That aside, one of my signature scents is Lancôme Trésor La Nuit – I love that so much and I have been wearing it for years.

What is your ethos when it comes to beauty? 

My ethos is that I am and have always been my version of perfect. It doesn't matter what someone tries to say to me, I'm unshaken in the fact that TO ME I am good enough and I am perfect. I also think that my idea of beauty is a chameleon – I’m still experimenting and trying out different looks. There isn’t one style that I subscribe to, I can change it up as I go and that’s a real freedom. 

Do you follow beauty trends?

I actually don’t haha. Like I never do. How funny I never thought about that. Most of my looks have been cooked up on the spot by myself and my creative team of hair stylists and makeup artists. I just really like to work with my own features and try styles that would suit me best. 

Are there any beauty looks you would love to try that you haven't yet?

There are heaps of makeup looks I want to do (that I don't have the skill for lol) but I'll leave that to the professionals. I'm really good at being a canvas for beauty looks.

I would love to try some more alternative looks – Rico Nasty has been my inspiration for so long and I just love what she does with her makeup and her hair, like graphic eyeliner, studs, mohawks, etc. I’m sure it would be super fun to experiment with these themes. I also want to make sure everything I do is 100% authentic to me, so nothing I ever do will be a copy of someone else’s work (cuz I’m THE SHIT).

Beauty is inextricably tied to youth in our culture. What is your approach to ageing, personally? 

I have an interesting take on all this. I genuinely think 90% of the world suffers from body dysmorphia due to social media and trends right now. We're all starting to look the same (no shade no heat) from the teeth veneers to the facial reconstruction and everyone's filler migrating… I think we kinda need to step back and remember there is beauty in every stage. 

I don't think the sight of wrinkles should be as much of an issue as society has made it. Unfortunately, that's the default at the moment. It’s like being surprised that we breathe, something so natural and inevitable, something so human, yet we are made to feel ashamed about it. Ageing is a natural indication that you've lived a life and I hope to embrace it fully when I'm older. It’s  just a number, it's how you live your life that counts. When we get to the grave no one attending our funerals will care if you looked 50 or 75 or 33 they'll be celebrating life and that's what our focus should be on. 

I’m not opposed at all to getting work done, insecurities are such a difficult thing to juggle and if it helps your confidence GET IT DONE GYAL but we’re never going to reverse anything in terms of age so may as well own the stage you're in. It’s all in the mind anyway, we’re supposed to be in the woods naked around a campfire doing dances and shit but alas humans have a real talent for complicating things.  

What is your most sentimental beauty product and why?

Honestly, the blue Nivea Rich Nourishing Body Lotion lol, I've been consistently applying this since I was like four-years-old. She and I have a bond now. 

What is the most important beauty lesson you’ve learnt?

That you don’t need 100 setting sprays, you just need a perfectly moisturised base – make sure the canvas is prepped before the art goes on. Also, wet your beauty blender with a setting spray, not water. ‍

Do you change anything in your beauty routine for performances or festivals? 

I always try to feel my best for these occasions so exercise is a massive must for me. Taking time for self-care and grounding myself is also really important in order for me to present as my best self.

What beauty item or look makes you feel like your true authentic self?

When Tallulah Mclean (@look.bomb) does a full face of makeup on me or when I'm 100% make-up-free (love a natural moment). 

If you could create or collaborate on your own beauty product, what would it be?

Probably a lip product, I’m Jujulipps so I think that’s appropriate! I also suffer from chapped lips so badly so a product that would rid chapped lips would be first on my list. I also love a glowy skin moment so I'd add in a body bronzer for every complexion. 

On Jujulipps' beauty wish list:

One Size On Till Dawn Setting Spray, $65 – I swear it's so difficult to not ruin a makeup look while on stage, so a good setting spray is always on my list. 

Dabur Amla Hair Oil, $6 – Part of my weekly hair routine for the 4C hair.

La Roche Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF 50+, $30 – Sunscreen is ALWAYS a must.

Lancôme Trésor La Nuit Eau De Parfum, $160 for 75ml

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, $34 

The Ordinary 1% Retinol in Squalane, $19