ZEE NXUMALO IS THE NEW FACE OF NIVEA LUMINOUS630 SKIN GLOW
The South African music star talks confidence, growth, her glow and stepping into a new chapter with NIVEA.
Words — TK Photography — TK
HYPE Spotlight × NIVEA Luminous630 Skin Glow
What makes you glow?
#NIVEAGlowCheck
Zee Nxumalo has a lot to celebrate right now. From her rise in South African music to performing on international stages, building a strong community around her and being named one of Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30, the 23-year-old artist is entering a new chapter of her career.
Now, she’s adding another major milestone to the list. Zee Nxumalo has officially been announced as the new face of NIVEA Luminous630 Skin Glow, joining the brand for its latest What Makes You Glow? campaign. But this isn’t just a campaign about skincare. For Zee Nxumalo, the question hits a little differently.
What makes you glow?
Is it achieving something you’ve worked towards for years? Walking onto a stage in front of thousands of people? Seeing your family proud of you? Finding your confidence? Or simply realising how far you’ve come?
For Zee Nxumalo, her glow is connected to the journey. As she steps into this new chapter with NIVEA, she’s also inviting her community to think about what makes them glow. We caught up with Zee Nxumalo to talk about her journey, confidence, beauty, her Glow Check and what comes next.
You’ve had such a big year, especially with being named one of Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30. When you think about everything that has happened, what makes you glow the most?
Honestly, being able to look back and see how far I’ve come. There have been so many moments where I had to believe in myself before anyone else did, so being recognised like this feels really special.
I’m proud of the music and the stages I’ve been able to perform on and everything that’s happening now, but I’m also proud of the person I’m becoming through all of it. I think that’s what makes me glow the most. Knowing that the little girl who had all these dreams is actually starting to see some of them come true.
NIVEA Luminous630 Skin Glow’s new campaign asks, “What Makes You Glow?” What does that question mean to you?
For me, it’s bigger than just how you look. It’s about the things that make you feel good about yourself and make you feel like you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.
It can be your music, your people, achieving something you’ve been working towards, or even just waking up and feeling good in your own skin. I think everyone has something that brings that side of them out, and that’s what I like about the question. And I think when you feel good, it shows. You carry yourself differently, you feel more confident, and even your skin has that glow. For me, taking care of my skin is part of that too. When my skin feels good, I feel good.
You’ve grown a lot since people first discovered your music. When you look at Zee Nxumalo from a few years ago, what do you think has changed?
I think I’m a lot more confident in who I am now. When I started, I was still figuring everything out and learning as I went. I’m still learning, but now I trust myself more and I’m not as scared of making mistakes.
I understand my sound, I understand what I want and I’m much more comfortable taking up space. I think that comes with experience, but also with realising that I don’t have to change who I am to fit into a certain space.
Do you think that confidence is showing up differently in your music now?
Definitely. I think the more confident I’ve become in myself, the more confident I’ve become in my sound too. I’m less afraid to try things, trust my instincts and make the kind of music that feels right to me.
I also think I’m having more fun with it now. I know who Zee Nxumalo is as an artist, but I’m still discovering new sides of myself, and I want people to hear that growth in the music. There’s still so much I want to explore.
What does confidence mean to you now?
Confidence for me is knowing who you are without needing everyone else to validate it. It’s being able to walk into a room and be comfortable being yourself, even when you know everyone is watching.
I’ve also learnt that confidence doesn’t mean you’re never nervous or unsure. Sometimes confidence is just showing up anyway and trusting yourself enough to figure things out along the way.
You’re constantly travelling, performing and getting ready for different moments. What does your skincare routine look like when you’re on the move?
I have to keep it simple because I’m always moving. Between travelling, performing and everything that comes with my schedule, I don’t always have time for a long routine, so I like products that are easy to use and make me feel like my skin is taken care of.
I’m really into keeping my skin looking fresh and hydrated, especially when I’m travelling because your skin can definitely feel the difference. I always, always hydrate. The NIVEA Luminous630 Skin Glow Instant Glow Serum is my glow step, especially when I want my skin looking fresh before I head out. And with how much I travel, SPF is one thing I don’t skip. Whatever country I’m in, the NIVEA Luminous630 Skin Glow Instant Glow Daily Fluid SPF 50+ comes with me. I need the protection, but I still want my skin looking fresh.
Do you have a personal Glow Check moment before you walk out the door?
[Laughs] Definitely. I have to check everything before I leave. The outfit, the hair, the glow, everything. Especially before a performance because once I step out, I need to feel like Zee Nxumalo is ready.
But I think my real Glow Check is also about how I’m feeling. If I feel good, I’m ready. You can have the perfect outfit and everything can look right, but if you’re not feeling yourself, it doesn’t hit the same.
What is something that makes you feel instantly confident?
Music. Definitely music. Put on the right song and my whole energy changes. Sometimes I’ll be getting ready and playing music and by the time I’m done, I already feel like I’m ready to take on whatever is coming.
I also love getting ready with my girls. There’s something about being around people who know you, make you laugh and remind you who you are. That energy definitely gives me confidence.
Your fans have been with you through so many of these moments. What does having a community that genuinely supports you mean?
It means everything to me. iZinja Zami have really been part of this journey with me, from the music to the big moments and everything in between. They celebrate the wins with me and they’re also there when things aren’t perfect.
It’s crazy to think that people who don’t know me personally can feel so connected to my journey. I don’t take that for granted at all. I know how special it is to have people who genuinely want to see you win.
When you hear the word “glow”, do you think about beauty, confidence or something bigger?
I think it’s all of it. Beauty is part of it, but for me glow is really about how you feel. You can see when someone is happy with themselves. You can see when someone is confident and comfortable in who they are.
You can also see when someone has gone through something and come out stronger. That’s a different kind of glow. It comes from within, and I think that’s the kind of glow that lasts.
Is there a moment in your journey where you stopped and thought, “Wow, look how far I’ve come”?
I think there have been a few. Performing in front of big crowds is definitely one of them because I still remember being the girl who was just dreaming about those moments. Then getting recognised by Forbes was another one because you realise that the work you’re doing is being seen beyond just your music.
But sometimes it’s actually the smaller moments that get me. Looking at old videos, remembering where I was when I started and seeing where I am now. Those moments make you stop and think, okay, I’ve really been doing this. And I’m proud of myself for that.
What are you most excited about as you start this new chapter with NIVEA Luminous630 Skin Glow?
I’m excited because it feels like a really natural partnership. NIVEA is a brand that so many of us already know and have grown up with, and I like that this campaign is asking a question that can mean something different to everyone.
I’m excited to bring my own personality into it and hopefully encourage people to think about what makes them feel confident too. And of course, I’m excited to see all the different things we’re going to create together.
Finally, what makes Zee Nxumalo glow?
My journey. My music. My people. The things I’ve achieved and the things I’m still working towards. I think everything I’ve experienced has shaped me in some way, even the difficult moments, and that’s all part of my glow.
I’m grateful for where I am, but I’m also excited because I know I’m not at the end of the story yet. There’s still so much I want to do, so many places I want to go and so much more music I want to make. I’m just getting started.
