Chineye Otabil walked into the Aegis Global Women's Retreat this October and did something that felt both unexpected and completely necessary. She put skincare and self-care at the center of a leadership conversation. The retreat ran from October 29 to November 1, 2025, at The Tawny in the United Kingdom, and her masterclass was one of the sessions that left women talking.
Otabil is the founder of Chiniella Beauty and Varda Beauty, and she has spent over a decade working with women leaders, creatives, and changemakers. Her session covered practical ground: skincare routines built for busy mornings, makeup looks that move from boardroom to gala, and solutions designed with diverse skin needs in mind. But the deeper point she kept returning to was this: how you show up is part of your power.
She pushed back on the idea that caring for your appearance is somehow less serious than the "real work" of leadership. In her words, "When you invest a few minutes each day to care for your skin, to highlight your features, and to step into your day with confidence, you are not just enhancing your beauty, you are reinforcing your leadership." It is a reframe that many women in that room clearly needed to hear.
Otabil closed her session by asking women leaders to think about self-care as part of the legacy they are building, a model for younger women, daughters, and the next generation of leaders watching them closely. The masterclass was sponsored by UK-based brand Eloise Beauty and Varda Beauty products.
If you want to catch more from the session, her social platforms are the place to start.
Originally published by Bella Naija Beauty.