Founder of UAE-based e-commerce site Project bYouty, Amy Wilkinson-Lough talks us through her beauty routine.

Talk us through your morning routine.

I crank or I box – 45 minutes religiously 5 days a week, my routine starts there and by there, I mean my mind, I need to start the day in the most positive mindset. I’m a shower procrastinator, I sing, I plan the day and I lather myself in Bjork and Berries gel during and lotion after and I apologise for none of it. Nothing will give you a better morning glow than a healthy mind, some intention setting, and Ultra Suns tinted SPF 50.

And how about your evening routine?

Emma Hardie Moringa cleansing balm – really massaged in for a good few minutes and then removed with a warm cloth. If it’s a retinol day then Maras Evening Primrose and green tea algae retinol oil, followed by their universal face oil. Alternatively, I keep it simple and go in with the Augustinus Bader Rich Cream.

What are your go-to skincare products?

Mara Universal face oil – it doesn’t matter what time of the day, what my skin’s doing, or why I need it, it just works wonders. Emma Hardie Moringa cleansing balm – it’s a 60-minute facial in a balm, Syrene – Oil to foam cleanser – the perfect second cleanser, if you need it. Votary Super seed oil – packed full of nutrients if you need a heavy-hitting pick me up this is unequivocally it,  Augustinus Bader – The rich cream, eye wateringly expensive I know but worth every dirham honest,  U beauty’s resurfacing compound – by the end of the bottle expect a huge improvement in texture and Ultra Suns – anti-pigmentation factor 50 SPF.

Are you a fan of masks?

Masks were always a no from me until we were testing Syrene as a brand. Their power mask is genuinely some kind of wizardry that the skin calls on in a genuine skin emergency. If you’ve gone too hard on the acids, got caught in the sun, had a bad week then this is your fail-safe – irrespective of skin type.

Amy Project Byouty skincare

How would you describe your relationship with makeup?

Almost nonexistent – give me good skin, a bushy brow, a set of eyelashes and if I’m really going all out a red lip.

What can always be found in your makeup bag?

Eyebrow Queen Brow Fix – there’s absolutely no other go-to if you’re a fan of a good brow! Mac – Ruby Woo (name me a more perfect red), eye drops an absolute must. Barbara Sturm lip balm, which also works wonders as a dewy highlighter (in tiny tiny amounts).

Which fragrances do you love?

I’m a huge fan of men’s fragrance, it hits differently and deeper which feels unexpected on a woman and I like that. Tom Ford Neroli is always in my cabinet, as is the original men’s Dolce & Gabbana.

How do you choose your evening fragrance?

Like anything, it’s all about my mood. A fragrance has in my opinion the ability to be quite a sensual thing, I love getting into a lift behind someone who’s left their scent and imagining what he/she might have looked like.

Talk us through your hair routine.

I’m all about the messy undone look, I’m also guilty of that ‘black one minute, blonde the next’ mentality so I spend most of my time (and money) on trying to repair the damage. I’m loving Masami – a new entirely clean brand I discovered out of Japan, there are only four products in the entire range including a beautiful Mekabu shampoo and conditioner which has done wonders for bringing back the shine. Treatment-wise O Wow has been a gamechanger. I, like many others hyperventilated at the thought of an at-home keratin treatment but it was so simple and I’m genuinely nearing week 3 of not needing to use the straighteners after I’ve used the dryer – that’s a win I’m taking!

What is the most unusual item in your makeup bag?

Again, I’m nothing if I’m not honest – my makeup bag is a corner of the bag I’m using that night.

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