Founder of beauty and wellness platform OKTA, Alia Al Khafajy shares her beauty routine.
Talk us through your morning routine.
In the morning the first thing I’ll do is start oil pulling with organic coconut oil; and then move on to some back stretches to open up my muscles from sleep. I’m currently using the Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser in the morning because I love the freshness from the strawberry seed extract first thing in the morning. Occasionally, I’ll skip the cleanser and just use warm water and a damp face towel. I’ll start with eye cream/serum, so I go in with the Oio Lab All in-eye-&lid contour serum, which is light gel consistency, I like to mix this with the Indie Lee Restorative eye-cream. I like to keep my routine minimal and so currently I’m using the Kai repair balm from Khus+Khus and gently massage that into my skin, final AM step – sunscreen. I alternate between the Indie Lee SPF primer and the Suntegrity Impeccable skin.
How does your evening routine differ?
In the evenings I like to give myself more time. It’s sort of like my sacred evening ritual that I prioritise over anything! In my mind it’s washing off the day. I begin with cleansing my face, and here I love using the Indie Lee cleansing balm. The texture of the balm is so soothing and calming to the skin creating a sensory feel. On a dry face I massage a dallop size onto my massaging it in for a couple of minutes. Although I don’t wear makeup this really helps breakdown anything that’s on the face. The way I like to take it off is by using a warm wet face towel and wipe it all off. It always leaves my skin feeling plump and supple. I have a full hair and body shower and that’s where the ritual continues. I’m currently using the Corpus Body wash in scent Third Rose. Once a week after the shower I’ll add the Indie Lee AHA Exfoliating solution. I repeat the eye and face routine with the same products but in the evening I Gua Sha after applying the Kai repair balm.
What are your go-to skincare products?
I do have some staple favourites which I keep going back to. It includes the Indie Lee brightening cleanser, and a new addition is the Indie Lee cleansing balm. I would also have to add in here the Khus+Khus milk cleanser. As I love face mists, my top two Indie Lee coq10 toner, and the Khus+Khus Especial K toning mist. Overall, the Khus+Khus The Fix potion is my new go-to for the face, as I prefer balms and face oils over cream. I also love using Oio Lab’s serums as they are light yet super enriching and hydrating to the skin. For the body, the most jars I’ve gone through are the Khus+Khus Rasa Restorative and the Indie Lee coconut citrus body scrub.
Are you a fan of masks?
I am – but in all honesty, I don’t use them often enough.
How would you describe your approach to makeup?
I like to occasionally play around with make-up for certain looks or to reflect a mood. But overall, I’d say very minimalistic. I’m intrigued by makeup and looks; however, I like to keep it quite natural.
What can always be found in your makeup bag?
Lip balm and Oio lab melting blush – for the just in case moments to dab on some flush to the cheeks, lips and lid and a 15ml Abel Eau de Parfum.
Which fragrance is your favourite currently?
For fragrances, the current number one is Black Anise, followed by equal positions between Pause and Cyan Nori, Golden Neroli and Nurture – all from Abel. The ABEL room sprays are even more long lasting.
How do you choose your evening fragrance?
I always go with my mood and what I’m feeling in the moment. So, with fragrances that mood element is even more enhanced. I tend to go for more sensual scents in the evening for example Black Anise is perfect and I love to wear after burning some Bukhoor – the combination is perfect!
Talk us through your hair routine.
Contrary to popular opinion – I like to wash my hair every day! My routine is super simple, I use a gentle hydrating shampoo and conditioner every day. Twice a week whilst in the shower I’ll add a hair mask to the conditioner.
What is the most unusual item in your makeup bag?
An all-purpose oil or balm like the Indie Lee squalene oil to use it for anything that would need hydration on the go. Especially if I need something of my hands and I keep losing my hand creams.
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