Beauty, for me, is about staying close to what’s already there. Not fixing, not fighting. I don’t believe in chasing youth or erasing time, but in honouring what’s unfolding.
It shifts with the seasons, with emotions, with life. I keep what is there; the texture, the scars, the signs of passage.
My beauty philosophy is about acceptance of what is and what’s to come.
“My skin calms down almost instantly with this. It’s rich in probiotics and really helps support my skin barrier when things feel off.”
“You have to have one!”
“Perfect for tired mornings.”
“I use this after taking a bath (with Epsom salts). The texture is silky, and it leaves my skin glowing without ever feeling greasy. I would also recommend the Karmameju dry brush, I use it before showering every day. It helps boost circulation.”
“It’s the first thing I reach for in the morning. It calms, hydrates, and wakes up my skin without overwhelming it.”
I have very sensitive, reactive skin, so my routine is all about calming, hydrating, and supporting the skin barrier.
Morning:
I start with a gentle dermatological bar cleanser (La Roche Posay), which cleans without stripping. Then I mist the Hydrating Floral Essence by Monastery it instantly soothes and preps my skin to absorb what follows. A few drops of Gold, their nourishing oil, help to lock in moisture and reduce redness. I follow with Altar, their probiotic serum, which helps rebalance and strengthen my skin when it’s inflamed. Honestly, Monastery changed my skin’s life!
I also use the Damdam eye serum, which reduces puffiness and hydrates the delicate eye area.
Evening:
I remove makeup with Rose cleansing oil by Monastery. It dissolves everything effortlessly without irritating or drying out my skin. Then I repeat the same morning routine.
When my skin is going through a flare or feels overheated, I switch to a minimal routine: Lipikar AP+M from La Roche Posay, and Avène thermal water spray, they help calm discomfort, relieve itching, and restore balance.
I use a touch of Manasi7 All Over Colour in Chatoyer on my lips, and a pump of Saie Glowy Super Gel in Sunglow to bring light to my skin.
I have a face that already says quite a lot, in a way, and I find that makeup rarely suits me. But these are my go-tos!
For my hair, I use a gentle pharmacy shampoo Klorane with Peony. To detangle, I rinse with raspberry vinegar. I let it air dry, and use a few drops of sweet almond oil to nourish the ends. That’s it.
For me, health and wellness begin with listening.
Living with endometriosis has taught me a lot… on what I can or can’t do!
(I’ve let go of coffee!) So I start most mornings with herbal infusions : nettle for minerals, raspberry leaf for hormonal balance, lemon balm or tulsi for calm, depending on how I feel.
I prepare most of my meals myself, focusing on an anti-inflammatory, vegetarian cuisine. Even cooking for my cats has become part of this gesture of nourishment. (they are meat eaters). Most evenings, I make myself a calming herbal tea with lemon balm, verbena, or something floral in my big teapot.
For the record, I also eat things that don’t exactly fit into the “wellness” box.
I try to move gently with some breathwork here, a bit of yoga there, or just stretching in bed when that’s all I can manage. Sometimes I do vagus nerve work or pelvic floor exercises when I feel bloated or overwhelmed lol It’s not a routine, really more like a toolbox I dip into, depending on the day.
I’m not always consistent, and I’ve made peace with that. Some days I forget everything, or I just don’t have the energy. I try not to turn “motivation” into another pressure!
Fragrance has always marked certain chapters in my life.
Toï Toï Toï by Ormaie (iris, jasmine, and incense) stayed with me through a quiet emotional shift.
Black Lacquer by Tom Ford (plum, oud, and patchouli) I discovered by chance at the airport this past winter, and I love wearing it from time to time.
I briefly owned The Apartment by Abel (musk, magnolia, and sandalwood) for exactly one hour before my cats knocked it over and shattered the bottle. I’ll never know how it settles on me… a tragic loss!
As for what’s next, I have my eye on Cedar by Abel (cardamom, cedarwood, and vetiver). It might just be my next skin. My next shedding!
Yes! Go gently!
That’s the one beauty tip I truly believe in. Gentle products, gentle hands, gentle pace. Whether it’s skincare, makeup, or the way you look at yourself in the mirror… Especially with sensitive skin, and especially on the days when I feel the most fragile.
FACE
I’ve only had one restorative skin boost at Arakai in Copenhagen, and it was unforgettable. I felt like a newborn!
I have a complicated relationship with being touched, even by people close to me. It’s not easy for me to let someone into that physical space, even when it’s meant with care.
” Ideal for olive-toned skin like mine. When my complexion gets dull from a lack of sun, this brings back that summer warmth instantly. I like Shade “Sunglow.“