Esteemed Screenwriter & Producer Mara Brock Akil on the Beauty of Aging

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“I have the great, and often rare, privilege of having a job that makes me smile every single day,” says Mara Brock Akil. “I’m a storyteller by nature, so to have the opportunity to craft story after story about the depths and layers of humanity is a feeling that will never be lost on me.”

Akil’s gamechanging shows — Girlfriends, The Game, Being Mary Jane, Moesha — have helped generations of viewers to feel seen and validated. “I made my dream job come to fruition, but it never feels like work,” says the screenwriter and television producer, who inked an overall deal with Netflix. “It just feels like what I was born to do.”

When she’s not busy producing, writing and directing, the mother of two is pouring her energy into In the Land of Mara, Akil’s recently launched digital destination which serves as a platform for the creative to document her own thoughts, feelings and experiences which she has channeled through her onscreen characters in the past. And now that Akil is heading up her own production company, Story27, fans can expect even more touching story lines to come out. “I want my stories to ignite the spirit. To push the industry in a more inclusive direction,” she says. “To help the next generations find their voice and know that there will be a place for them to be creative in the future.”

Balancing motherhood, businesses and writing, Akil understands the importance of self-preservation and joy. “I feel most beautiful when I’m happy,” she says. “Everything is more beautiful when you’re in the headspace of happiness.” Below, she shares her go-to beauty regimens, wellness rituals and sources of inspiration.

“Everything is more beautiful when you’re in the headspace of happiness.”

RI:
Who, or what, has helped you find confidence in life?
MA:
I had to have trust in myself throughout this entire journey. You can be told you’re beautiful without actually believing it yourself. I don’t think I felt “beautiful” in a deeper, non-surface-level way until I turned 40. From there, I had to reflect on my past and what I had dealt with in my life up to that point to begin the healing process. Confidence came after that, but it’s taken work to get to where I am today.
RI:
What’s something about yourself that you’ve learned to love?
MA:
My gray hair. Though, I wouldn’t say I saw it as a flaw, per se; I saw it as a taboo, a societal marker that I was “aging.” I’m a much happier person now that I’m not running from myself and who I am during this stage of my life. I’m having fun trying new styles in this period of acceptance. It’s much less exhausting when I just accept who I am and have fun celebrating it.
RI:
How has embracing the grays been an important piece of your evolution and overall confidence?
MA:
I learned to embrace my gray hair so I could continue living my life in the way I wanted without agonizing over my appearance. In the long run, I saved money, I saved time, and I learned how to be more experimental with my look. I entered a new stage in my life of exploration and learning new ways to keep everything on the cutting edge. It’s been an exciting experience thus far.

RI:
Who had the biggest beauty influence on you growing up and why?
MA:
My mother. She was a constant influence in my life on so many levels. She is the one who taught me — albeit inadvertently, perhaps — that beauty is not just what we see on the outside. Rather, it’s enhanced by the content of our character. I've never forgotten that and try to live my life with her same spirit to embrace that same beauty. Her one ingredient is gratitude.
RI:
What are the self-care/wellness practices you swear by?
MA:
I drink lemon water first thing in the morning, followed by alkaline water and a green tea or a matcha latte, depending on the day. I feel like I start my day off on the right foot when I stick to that routine. I also integrate movement into my week, through practicing yoga, weight training, and have even started tennis lessons, which truthfully have become a new source of joy in my life. I’ll also sneak in a hike here and there when I have time.

“I’m a much happier person now that I’m not running from myself…”

RI:
What is your skincare routine like?
MA:
It’s a fairly simple routine. I like to focus on my skin from the inside out by drinking a ton of water and green tea and getting a good night’s sleep consistently. I try not to wear makeup daily either to be gentler with my skin. In terms of an actual skincare routine, I make sure to always wash my face and use products with quality ingredients to retain an effective regime.
RI:
What is your hair routine like?
MA:
I stick with a wash-condition-and-go routine. I love Vernon Francois’ products to get the job done. I’ll opt for a top knot on day two or three after wash day. The next day, I’ll usually go down the route of a brush out and braid to switch things up. After going for a hat on day five, it’s time to wash and repeat. But to be honest, sometimes I just rock my hair as is. There aren’t enough hours in the day and there are times when I just don’t have the time to do my hair, and that’s okay! Ladies, listen to me — we don’t have to have it “together” all the time. We can be confident as we are, with or without a ten-step hair routine. But on days I want to shine, I call the professionals and treat myself!
RI:
What are your favorite fragrances and why?
MA:
My signature scent is Santa Maria Novella’s Angels of Florence. Everyday, all the time. Candles are where I like to mix it up. Diptyque, Le Labo and [design studio] 108 are on the top of my list. I love anything involving sandalwood with a hint of spice and some depth to it. On the other end of the spectrum, I also gravitate towards scents with rose and currant notes. I’ve spent the greater portion of my life trying new scents on myself and in my home and these are the fragrance families that have stuck with me; I feel an indescribable sense of joy when I catch a whiff.

“I want my stories to ignite the spirit. To push the industry in a more inclusive direction."

RI:
What are things you like to do to keep your stress down?
MA:
I love to journal, especially before bedtime. I can’t turn off the writer within me. I also try to abide by a “no phones” policy to create boundaries in my life and reduce digital stress where I can.
RI:
What beauty industry narrative would you like to see rewritten and why? As a writer yourself, how would you say you’re helping to rewrite the narrative as well?
MA:
There are too many. For women especially, there’s a particular message out there around aging. Gray hair is feared, wrinkles become the enemy, all while we are scrutinized by a narrow lens for the slightest sign of growing older. We can’t wait to grow up when we’re kids and teenagers, but then begin to resent that part of life once we pass an arbitrary age. I refuse to subscribe to the notion that life ends when we hit a certain age. Through each path, I forge forward and each new venture in my life and career, including In the Land of Mara, I’m re-writing the narrative. Everyday I wake up with breath in my body is nothing but a day of endless possibilities to live my heart’s desires.
RI:
How do you define beauty?
MA:
Joy and gratitude.

The Rose Inc Community is filled with inspiring women. Next up, meet actor and activist Asia Jackson.

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Esteemed Screenwriter & Producer Mara Brock Akil on the Beauty of Aging

“Everything is more beautiful when you’re in the headspace of happiness.”

“I’m a much happier person now that I’m not running from myself…”

“I want my stories to ignite the spirit. To push the industry in a more inclusive direction."

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