More Than Skin-Deep With Kecia Littman

Photo: Courtesy of Kecia Littman

Hawai‘i aesthetician Kecia Littman is on fire. She’s done makeup for movies, including Jason Momoa’s Wrecking Crew; recently launched her first makeup line; and won the 2026 Mrs. Elite United USA pageant in Atlanta.

What was your biggest takeaway from winning Mrs. Elite United USA? 

I found my platform and mission, which was to help women navigate through grief. I lost my mom in 2021. Finding resources and community spaces to connect, there weren’t many options. I started with a small retreat at the beginning of 2026. We talk about internal and external beauty. They’re feeling like they don’t really have time to be energized through a daily ritual like just putting on moisturizer. I break it down and help them with baby steps. I work with a therapist to help them through whatever might be triggering.

You started a line of tinted lip oils recently. What was behind that?

I launched Lei Wai Beauty in May in honor of my mom. She was supporting me in creating my brand, but she passed away. It all fell into place when I talked about who I am and serving others. I wanted something that’s good on the skin and moisturizing. The base oil has kukui nut and macadamia nut. It’s almost like a skin care that has a tint to it, very sheer pigments that you can use with a fair to a darker skin tone. It’s​​ cruelty-free and vegan, and good for you.

But as a Native Hawaiian, you don’t get a lot of support in finance or investment. That is a hard truth. So to have the financing support of [nonprofit Indigenous business incubator] Kūkolu, of being in a cohort that supports Indigenous women and know that you can plant your seed here and be grounded in Hawai‘i and create a business as your legacy, that’s huge. It shows you should keep dreaming and not let go of that passion. You just have to go for it.

@kecialittman, hileiwai.com

Mari Taketa is the dining editor of HONOLULU Magazine and editor of Frolic Hawai‘i.