Photo:Dan King
Dan King
Aja Naomi Kingis always one to share the spotlight. It’s part of the actress, activist and L’Oréal Paris brand ambassador’s DNA. Last year, she helped chooseL’Oréal Paris’s Women of Worthnational honorees, an experience so upliftingshe’s back for a second year— L’Oréal Paris’ 18th — to help recognize and amplify the women leading various meaningful causes around the U.S.“These women areextraordinary,” King told PEOPLE exclusively of the “wonderful human beings” being honored. “I am utterly grateful to have the opportunity to help others learn about these causes, how they can support and get involved to amplify these organizations.”King shares that ahead of the event, “the last thing I’ll do during touch-ups is look at the women’s videos atWomenofWorth.com. I love hearing their voices and passion.” Scroll through for an inside look at how else King prepped for the special evening.
Aja Naomi Kingis always one to share the spotlight. It’s part of the actress, activist and L’Oréal Paris brand ambassador’s DNA. Last year, she helped chooseL’Oréal Paris’s Women of Worthnational honorees, an experience so upliftingshe’s back for a second year— L’Oréal Paris’ 18th — to help recognize and amplify the women leading various meaningful causes around the U.S.
“These women areextraordinary,” King told PEOPLE exclusively of the “wonderful human beings” being honored. “I am utterly grateful to have the opportunity to help others learn about these causes, how they can support and get involved to amplify these organizations.”
King shares that ahead of the event, “the last thing I’ll do during touch-ups is look at the women’s videos atWomenofWorth.com. I love hearing their voices and passion.” Scroll through for an inside look at how else King prepped for the special evening.
01of 11All About That BaseAja Naomi King gets ready for L’Oréal Paris’s Women of Worth event.Dan King"The most important thing is skin," says King. “As long as I have all my skincare products on — including L’Oréal Paris' Revitalift serum to make sure my skin is looking supple and perfect — then everywhere we go from there is going to be perfection. Another must-have:L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder.”
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Aja Naomi King gets ready for L’Oréal Paris’s Women of Worth event.Dan King
“The most important thing is skin,” says King. “As long as I have all my skincare products on — including L’Oréal Paris' Revitalift serum to make sure my skin is looking supple and perfect — then everywhere we go from there is going to be perfection. Another must-have:L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder.”
02of 11The Eyes Have ItAja Naomi King gets ready for L’Oréal Paris’s Women of Worth event.Dan KingKing says when it comes to working with her makeup artistJoanna Simkin, “we like to experiment together, but I really let her take the lead.““She gets really inspired in the moment with me. Of course, I send her inspiration in advance so she has some ideas, but we really like to riff and improvise and see what comes up for us.”
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King says when it comes to working with her makeup artistJoanna Simkin, “we like to experiment together, but I really let her take the lead.”
“She gets really inspired in the moment with me. Of course, I send her inspiration in advance so she has some ideas, but we really like to riff and improvise and see what comes up for us.”
03of 11Lip ServiceAja Naomi King gets ready for L’Oréal Paris’s Women of Worth event.Dan KingKing touches up her lips withL’Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick. The brand ambassador since 2017previously told PEOPLEthat growing up watching her mom, aunts and grandma carve out time for their self-care has empowered her to do the same.
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King touches up her lips withL’Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick. The brand ambassador since 2017previously told PEOPLEthat growing up watching her mom, aunts and grandma carve out time for their self-care has empowered her to do the same.
04of 11Lady in RedAja Naomi King gets ready for L’Oréal Paris’s Women of Worth event.Dan KingKing sums up her dress in one word: “gorgeous!““I love working with my styling team [Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald], they just have impeccable taste. They know I don’t like trying on a lot of things, so they pull spectacular options, and we go from there. I am really excited about this dress this evening and I don’t think I’ve worn anything like this either.”
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King sums up her dress in one word: “gorgeous!”
“I love working with my styling team [Wayman Bannerman and Micah McDonald], they just have impeccable taste. They know I don’t like trying on a lot of things, so they pull spectacular options, and we go from there. I am really excited about this dress this evening and I don’t think I’ve worn anything like this either.”
05of 11Squad GoalsAja Naomi King gets ready for L’Oréal Paris’s Women of Worth event.Dan King"My hair, makeup and styling teams are my friends, so it’s a vibe,” says sims, with hairstylistRandy Stodghilland the rest of her glam crew. “We just have fun together, playing music (Beyoncé!) and enjoying putting the look together. And I don’t mind having a little glass of bubbly with me. It just makes me feel festive.”
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“My hair, makeup and styling teams are my friends, so it’s a vibe,” says sims, with hairstylistRandy Stodghilland the rest of her glam crew. “We just have fun together, playing music (Beyoncé!) and enjoying putting the look together. And I don’t mind having a little glass of bubbly with me. It just makes me feel festive.”
06of 11Last LooksAja Naomi King gets ready for L’Oréal Paris’s Women of Worth event.Dan KingKing says everyone on her team “are such artists. They dive into the opportunity to craft something spectacular. It is really exciting to be a part of.” As for this look, it came together in a flash. “I feel like when you surround yourself with the greatest of professionals it always comes together really quickly and really easily so I don’t need a lot of advanced planning.”
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King says everyone on her team “are such artists. They dive into the opportunity to craft something spectacular. It is really exciting to be a part of.” As for this look, it came together in a flash. “I feel like when you surround yourself with the greatest of professionals it always comes together really quickly and really easily so I don’t need a lot of advanced planning.”
07of 11All SmilesAja Naomi King attends L’Oréal Paris’s Women of Worth event.Elyse Jankowski/GettyThe key to feeling yourself, King says, is “to surround yourself with people that know you and understand your style how you like to look, what makes you feel comfortable, special and sexy. Everything comes together so perfectly because the team around you knows you so well. The process becomes magic.”
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Aja Naomi King attends L’Oréal Paris’s Women of Worth event.Elyse Jankowski/Getty
Elyse Jankowski/Getty
The key to feeling yourself, King says, is “to surround yourself with people that know you and understand your style how you like to look, what makes you feel comfortable, special and sexy. Everything comes together so perfectly because the team around you knows you so well. The process becomes magic.”
08of 11The Gang’s All HereAja Naomi King attends L’Oréal Paris’s Women of Worth event with Eva Longoria, Camila Cabello, Andie MacDowell, and Helen Mirren.Gregg DeGuire/WireImageKing strikes a pose with her fellow L’Oréal Paris brand ambassadors (from left):Eva Longoria,Camila Cabello,Andie MacDowellandHelen Mirren.
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Aja Naomi King attends L’Oréal Paris’s Women of Worth event with Eva Longoria, Camila Cabello, Andie MacDowell, and Helen Mirren.Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
King strikes a pose with her fellow L’Oréal Paris brand ambassadors (from left):Eva Longoria,Camila Cabello,Andie MacDowellandHelen Mirren.
09of 11And the Honorees AreAja Naomi King and Mariya Taher attend L’Oréal Paris’s Women of Worth event.Michael SimonKing shares the stage with Mariya Taher ofSahiyo U.S., one of 2023’s 10 honorees joining a network of 170 other women. The founders in this year’s group span across causes, cities and even age. The youngest activist, Shrusti Amula ofRise N Shine Foundation, is in her teens and the oldest, Cass Forkin ofTwilight Wish Foundation, is in her 60s.
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Aja Naomi King and Mariya Taher attend L’Oréal Paris’s Women of Worth event.Michael Simon
Michael Simon
King shares the stage with Mariya Taher ofSahiyo U.S., one of 2023’s 10 honorees joining a network of 170 other women. The founders in this year’s group span across causes, cities and even age. The youngest activist, Shrusti Amula ofRise N Shine Foundation, is in her teens and the oldest, Cass Forkin ofTwilight Wish Foundation, is in her 60s.
10of 11Standing StrongAja Naomi King and Judaline Cassidy attend L’Oréal Paris’s Women of Worth event.Michael SimonKing shares another moment with Judaline Cassidy ofTools & Tiaras. This year’s honorees also include Sophia Kianni ofClimate Cardinals, Estefanía Rebellón ofYes We Can World Foundation, Tonya Sandis ofFree2Luv, Sonia Su ofKits to Heart, Samantha Wettje of16 Strong Project, and Stephanie Woodward ofDisability EmpowHer Network.
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Aja Naomi King and Judaline Cassidy attend L’Oréal Paris’s Women of Worth event.Michael Simon
King shares another moment with Judaline Cassidy ofTools & Tiaras. This year’s honorees also include Sophia Kianni ofClimate Cardinals, Estefanía Rebellón ofYes We Can World Foundation, Tonya Sandis ofFree2Luv, Sonia Su ofKits to Heart, Samantha Wettje of16 Strong Project, and Stephanie Woodward ofDisability EmpowHer Network.
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Aja Naomi King attends L’Oréal Paris’s Women of Worth event.Michael Simon
source: people.com