In the morning I like to keep my routine simple but purposeful. My skincare (and life!) philosophy revolves around finding efficiencies and doing things the best, most effective way.
In the morning I’ll cleanse in the shower with La Roche Posay Toleriane Cleanser, then apply Circumference Vitamin C Serum and U Beauty Super Hydrator before using Gua Sha tools from Ines. I have two of the tools so I can work evenly to massage my lymphatic system to smooth away bleary-eyed puffiness; I’m a big fan of this traditional Chinese technique as they don’t add any extra ingredients to my routine. I had really sensitive skin after being on Oratane years ago and since then I have been so careful about adding anything new to my skin.
I then apply Suntegrity as an SPF, primer and foundation all in one. A beautiful product that I will be wearing all summer.
At night, I wash my face with the same cleanser and then massage in serum, I swap between iS Clinical & Codage and apply a generous dose of the U Beauty Super Hydrator again. I often Gua Sha in the evening too and slather a healthy amount of Aotea’s kawa-kawa balm to my lips, any scars and any bumps. It’s super critical that I have a cleansed face and a clean pillow slip but apart from that, I’m not too fussy.
In the morning I like to keep my routine simple but purposeful. My skincare (and life!) philosophy revolves around finding efficiencies and doing things the best, most effective way
Throughout lockdown, I’ve found more time to try out extended skincare routines, and while I don’t like to add a lot, I have enjoyed experimenting with products that I picked up overseas on my last trip before the pandemic. I started mixing masks from Indian Healing Clay which I bought from Larchmont Beauty Supply in LA. That place is a gem!
Gut health is important to me. I have suffered from gastrointestinal issues in the past, many of which have been related to stress. I was prescribed the LOW FODMAP diet when I was 21 and the elimination process was huge learning about what my system could handle. Now I keep onion and garlic out of my diet, and dairy and gluten to a minimum. I supplement iron, probiotics and fermented foods like kimchi. I also love adding The Beauty Chef & Ashwagandha powders to my smoothie (which I might make once a fortnight if lucky).
I also breathe, do yoga and try to sleep for an extra hour (6 am - 7 am) if I feel stress building, it’s really imperative to keep stress at bay if I want my gut health to stay in balance.
A swim in the sea will help heal everything. I think my Grandma was referring to scars and skin but I believe it helps heal your mental state too.
Miso Salmon, absolutely easy and delicious. It’s a straightforward recipe that always comes out flavorful and tender. You simply blitz miso, mirin, water, oil & ginger until it’s a smooth paste, cover a side of salmon with it and bake in the oven for 12 - 15 minutes at 200 degrees celsius. Perfect for impromptu summer hosting with a green side salad drizzled with lemon and olive oil.
Into the Magic Shop — which is about a neurosurgeon understanding the brain and heart but written like fiction. It’s a favourite book that was gifted to me by Claudia Batten and is rooted in science. Like my skincare, I am big on science-backed processes and knowledge. I now have copies on my desk ready to gift to anyone looking for a recommendation.
Simplicity is complexity resolved. It’s our design ethos at Yu Mei and can be applied to many aspects of life
There are a few, but if there was one product that endures from season to season, trend to trend it would be Kevyn Aucoin, The Volume Mascara. It’s a tubing mascara so completely smudge-proof. Smudged mascara is absolutely the last thing you need to be worrying about.
U Beauty Super Hydrator. I’m not sure what wizardry is going on in that product but I was a steadfast fan of Avene Riche Hydrating Creme before I tried U Beauty and now I’m hooked. It’s packed with hyaluronic acids and has completely diminished any hints of lines that were starting to show, especially around this time of year when the sun can be in full force.
Simplicity is complexity resolved. It’s our design ethos at Yu Mei and can be applied to many aspects of life. Reductive processes or design shouldn’t be adhered to because it is easy, but because they’re the best, most resolved way to do something — be that your skincare routine; or the way you carry everything you need in a day.