A Gradual Musical Rise
Ego Ella May describes herself as a slow burner, gradually building a professional career over the past four years. She debuted with Honey for Wounds and Fieldnotes: Complete, which felt especially meaningful after years of steady progress. “You release the music,” May says, “and everything else is just a bonus.”
One such bonus was hearing her songs in TV shows like Insecure and Sex Education. Ego Ella May adores both series, but Insecure struck a special chord. She knew the fifth season would be the last and was determined to place a track in an episode.
Her style blends R&B, soul, and jazz, with an alternative twist. Ego Ella May appreciates every opportunity to expose her genre-bending music to wider audiences. She values the slow climb, believing it makes each milestone feel extra rewarding.
Minimal Daily Routine
When it comes to beauty, May chooses a clean, simple look most days. She prefers minimal effort unless she’s performing or doing a photoshoot. That’s when her makeup artist, Min Sandhu, steps in to create bolder transformations.
Outside of shows, Ego Ella May sticks to basic skincare. She tried complicated products but found her skin reacts poorly. She loves La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Dermo cleanser for its calming, milky texture. It once helped clear her hyperpigmentation and replaced basic body wash on her face. She follows up with Glossier’s Super Bounce serum and Byoma’s gel cream, which feels fresh and leaves her complexion dewy.
She also switched from a heavier sunscreen to Glossier’s Invisible Shield, which feels weightless. For everyday makeup, a dab of concealer and brow maintenance are enough. She uses Anastasia’s Brow Freeze, Glossier Boy Brow, and Brow Flick to define her arches.
Hair Care Habits
Ego Ella May is quite DIY with her hair. She often styles it herself, hating to wait for salon bookings. She watches YouTube tutorials to learn various braiding techniques or new looks.
Still, she goes to First Glance in London for regular trims. For cleansing, she uses Shea Moisture Jamaican black castor oil shampoo once a week. As a pre-poo, she’s been loving Curlsmith’s Bond Curl Rehab Salve, which revitalizes her strands before washing.
Her deep conditioner of choice is Mielle’s babassu oil and mint formula. It leaves her hair fresh and nourished. She recently got a Steampod 3, which makes her hair extra smooth. After styling, she applies Olaplex bonding oil for shine.
Nails, Fragrance, and Finishing Touches
Doing her own nails is a passion for Ego Ella May. She has a nail lamp and loves copying Pinterest tutorials. Her favorite polishes include Télle Moi’s Ada Bloom and Melarich, plus OPI’s I’m Not Really a Waitress.
For perfume, she used to favor Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet but now adores Glossier You in the daytime. At night, Ego Ella May switches to You Rêve, which feels rich and fancy. She enjoys compliments on its warm and sophisticated scent.
“Every little praise is nice,” says Ego Ella May. She believes these personal touches—be it hair, skincare, or fragrance—are all forms of self-expression. Ego Ella May cherishes how they complement her music, adding another layer of authenticity to her image.
As told to Daise Bedolla