In one, of my many parallel lives, I am a Magazine Beauty Editor. My inspiration is Mikki Taylor, Essence’s beauty editor during its heyday.
I spent many an hour of my youth, poring over pictures and my friend R trying to recreate them on my face.
Yet, before and after makeup there is the cleansing routine. I have to hold my hand up and say I have never been able to stick to any such routine consistently. I admire people who have perfected this and can do it even at 3 am in the morning, after a few too many caiparinhas and a dodgy bagel or kebab.
I use babywipes, if they can clean babys**t, then what’s some mascara? This is followed by soap and a flannel (washrag) – a clean one every day. Flannels are a great way to indulge your indecision on what colour towels to get. Though my preference is a pure olive oil bar that I used to get in health food shops in the UK, I’ve settled on Dove because it’s readily available and it’s gentle.
When I do wear a bit more makeup and can be bothered to remove it, my go to products are Bobbi Brown’s Soothing Cleansing Oil, Clinique’s Clarifying Lotion and Take the Day Off (lids, lashes and lips).
Yet cleansing, like beauty, is more than skin deep. While doing my routine, I focus on shedding my mind of the concerns of the day or chanting a litany of thanksgiving.
What’s your cleansing routine?