DMV vocalist Mycah Chevalier, known as “The Creole Butterfly,” recently returned to the stage of Blues Alley in Washington, D.C., for A Tribute to Angela Bofill. Celebrated for her soulful voice, expressive artistry, and deep connection to jazz, R&B, and soul, Chevalier brought her signature elegance and emotion to an evening honoring one of her greatest vocal influences.
But for an artist, the performance begins long before stepping into the spotlight. Hair, skin, styling, and the right beauty essentials all play a role in creating a stage-ready look, and keeping it together through the final note.
For this edition of The Beauty Bag, we go behind the scenes with Mycah to explore what goes into getting ready for a performance, from her pre-show hair and beauty preparation to the products and tools she keeps close, where she shops for her beauty essentials, and how she cares for her hair and skin after the show.
From beauty-supply aisles to the stage, here’s what’s inside Mycah Chevalier’s Beauty Bag.
How did it feel to be back on the Blues Alley stage? What was going through your mind as you prepared to step in front of the audience again?
It was amazing to be back on that stage doing my own thing. I was super excited and ready to connect with old friends and new ones. They were with me through every song, and did not disappoint.
You returned with a tribute to Angela Bofill, one of your greatest vocal influences. How did honoring her music shape the way you approached this particular performance—and did that make your return to the stage feel even more meaningful?
The Tribute To Angela Bofill had been on my mind for several years, even more so because of her passing. She was truly an amazing vocalist and composer. Her music is timeless and melodic in ways that stir the soul…her music captured my interest at a young age, and remains one of my favorites and biggest creative influences. I wanted to let people know how her music affected my own approach to music, hence adding some of my own originals to the show. It filled my heart because it was like a “full-circle” moment.
Walk us through what your beauty and hair preparation looked like leading up to the show. What did you do the night before and the day of the performance?
First, I hydrate. I try to remember to drink lots of water daily. The night before I had washed, deep conditioned, blew my hair dry, curled, then pin curled my hair. I made sure to put on my satin cap to preserve my hairstyle for the next day. The day of the show, I wrapped my hair up in a satin scarf and finished styling it when I got to the venue.
When you’re preparing for a performance, how do you decide what hairstyle will work best for the show? Are there things you consider that you wouldn’t necessarily think about for an everyday look?
For this particular show, I wanted to make sure I gave a nod to Angela by wearing a flower in my hair, which she was well known for. I also think about movement and what works best with the outfit I’m wearing. She was also quite Bohemian with her own style, like me…so the outfit was easy.
How do you prepare your hair to withstand a full performance, including stage lights, heat, movement, and hours of styling?
I use a wonderful product called Silk Therapy Lite by BioSilk. I also use their Silk Therapy shampoo and conditioner as well. When styling, I try to use products that give moderate hold, but don’t overly dry out my hair. Kenra Perfect Medium Spray 13 is a good one that I use.
What beauty and hair products or tools are actually in your performance bag? What are the things you never want to be caught without backstage?
My curling iron, my flat iron, bobby pins, safety pins, my travel size Silk Therapy Lite, Halls Strawberry Breezers, and my makeup bag.
Does your skincare or makeup preparation change when you’re getting ready for the stage? What do you do to get your skin ready for makeup and stage lighting?
My normal routine involves minimal makeup. Some eyeliner, lip gloss and mascara. I use full makeup for the stage. I use foundation and eye shadow, but still try to keep it natural. I might do a smokey eye and a dramatic lip.
What’s your approach to protecting and maintaining your hair between performances, especially when you’re wearing styles that require heat, products, or manipulation?
I love to wear my natural curls. I do a wash and go, and let it air dry with a leave-in conditioner, and a little of my Silk Therapy. It keeps my hair soft and allows it to stay heat free and healthy. My dream tool though is the RevAir hair dryer system. It can dry and straighten the hair without the heat.
What does your post-performance beauty routine look like? How do you help your skin and hair recover after a night onstage?
I start with a really gentle makeup remover by Clinique(I’m a sensitive skin girlie). Then I wash and moisturize with La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Face Wash and Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream. If I’m keeping the hairstyle for a few days, I’ll pin curl it and wrap it up in a protective bonnet or scarf and I drink lots of water and rest my body and vocal cords.
Where do you typically shop for your hair and beauty products? Do you have a favorite store or different places you go depending on what you’re looking for?
Ulta is my absolute favorite beauty store. I shop in person and online. I love going to their makeup events and trying new products. Some of the hair products I use, I get either online, or at TJ Maxx or Marshalls. They often have products for half the price of the regular stores.
When you’re shopping in your local beauty supply, what catches your eye? Are there particular types of products, accessories, or tools you always look for?
I love natural, “healing” beauty products. Self care products like face masks, satin hair ties and headbands, fun moisturizing lip glosses, yummy body scents and moisturizers…anything that smells delicious.
What are three beauty or beauty-supply products you’re loving right now that you would recommend to someone else?
I definitely recommend OGX Argan Oil of Morocco Weightless Healing Dry Oil. It’s a great, lightweight spray for us curly girls who want to keep the frizz away. Buxom lipgloss because it’s plumping and never sticky and Elf eyeliner in black. These three things stay in my purse.
How can people stay up to date with your music journey and upcoming performances?
You can reach me through my website www.mycahsmusic.com,
Facebook at Mycah Chevalier II, YouTube at Mycah Chevalier, Instagram and Twitter @mycahc. My music is also on all streaming platforms.
