Punctual for our chat, Tika Sumpter greets me on Zoom like we go way back. “Hey, Essence!” she exclaims with a wide smile. I quickly flip through my mental records to see if I’ve interviewed her before. I haven’t. Tika is just everything you want in a Hollywood It-girl: highly accomplished with a down-to-earth familiarity like your favorite big cousin.
After two decades in TV and film, and a more recent venture into children’s books and podcasting, Sumpter is expanding her brand even more. A traditional cosmetics line, like many of her peers, would make plenty sense. After all, her stunning beauty is just as noted as her extensive resume. But instead, she’s digging deeper into her mom bag with Yummy Tummy, a collection of body products formulated specifically for pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.
An extension of Fort Sumpter, the actress’s platform that produces content and products for mothers and kids, Yummy Tummy was born because she felt there weren’t many joyful products on the market for moms. “I wanted [the brand] to not only be something that cares for [moms], but also in caring for themselves, they can care for their children,” she says. “It’s a dual product system.” The mommy-and-me collection has three products, categorized by levels of moisture intensity. The lightweight, fast-absorbing Nurture Oil is a level one product, while the rich Nurture Cream, which supports skin elasticity and reduces the appearance of stretch marks, is a level two product. And last is the Nurture Balm, a level three spot treatment for “tender, cracked, or overworked skin.”
To celebrate Tika Sumpter’s latest launch, Byrdie caught up with the actress, author, and entrepreneur to talk more about the brand, her beauty favorites, and mom life.
The One Body Care Product She Uses Every Day and Night
“I love the oil. I use it on my skin every day and every night. It’s just simple. The rosehip oil and the vitamin E literally heal your skin. Also, the oil absorbs well; it’s not sitting on your skin. It’s not giving you that ‘soul glow’ where you sit and you’re like, ‘Oh, god. I have oil on the couch.'”
The One Way Pregnancy Changed Her Body
“I think of it like the evolution of your body. All the nutrients went to the baby to keep them alive, and it’s sucking you dry, you know? My skin texture changed. A lot of things happen, whether it’s stretch marks or more bumps. Your nipples change, the color of your chest can sometimes change, and your hair can thin. So many changes happen.”
@tikasumpter / instagram
The One Skincare Product She’s Never Without
“Because I have sensitive skin, I use Mario Badescu Gentle Foaming Cleanser. I wash my face with that at night. If I go to shoot a film or something and I don’t have it, I ask them to buy it. My skin has become used to it.”
The One Thing She Does Before Auditions
“James Brown said, ‘If you look good, you feel good.’ I just make sure my skin is glowing, take a great shower, work out in the morning, and am prepared. I’m just myself. That’s it.”
The One Hairstyle She Loves Most
“I love this bob—it’s cute. But I miss my bust-down, straight hair a lot. I’ve been wearing that style for years. I love the way I look in it. I love the way I can wear hats, and it looks cute. And then you can pull it back [into] a ponytail.”
@tikasumpter / instagram
The One Hair Product She’ll Never Stop Using
“The KeraCare Detangling Conditioning Mist. I use it after I take my braids out. After spraying your braids, it’s so easy to comb your hair. It detangles really well. My hair felt like a pillow.”
The One Lipstick Shade She Swears By
“Ruby Woo from MAC Cosmetics! Every time I wear it, every girl is like, ‘What is it?’ It is my go-to red lip. I know it’s sometimes dry, but when I put that thing on, I feel confident.”
The One Beauty Treatment She’ll Splurge On
“A good facial because I don’t go every month—just every quarter. I go to Ayala Abramov. The first time I met her, she was like, ‘How did you find me?’ I go, ‘Instagram ’cause [your facial] looks so good!’ That facial was incredible. The whole thing came to $900, but there was so much care in the treatment, from massage to drainage.”
@tikasumpter / instagram
The One Way Her Daughter Reminds Her Of Herself
“My daughter is going to be nine in October and is so unbothered by drama. She’s such a Libra. She wants everybody to be fair. She’s also at this point where she’s like, ‘Mom, I’m not finished talking. You interrupted me.’ She’s like me in that way. She’s half-and-half. I’m a Gemini, and I call your shade out.”
The One Piece Of Beauty Advice She’d Give To Everyone
“You are worthy right now. It’s not about whether you get this thing or if you do your hair this way. No, you’re worthy right now, where you are at. And the journey of becoming is lifelong. There is no end goal. It changes, it moves, it shifts, it evolves. But in those moments, you are worthy in every step of the way—including right now.”
