For me, it’s about feeling healthy in my skin, and knowing what that means for me. Beauty is Joy for me. It’s less about what feels digestible or relatable but more a feeling you’re
sincere to within yourself.
I’ve learned less is more, and with these things, it’s less about what I put on my skin and more about what I avoid. I keep what is on my face to a minimum and see my beauty routine as more of
what I’m putting in my body and how I care for it.
In Sonya's File
‘I love how light and matte it is.’
‘When I get to my destination the first thing I do is unpack, hide my suitcase and light the burning papers. The scent makes wherever I am at that moment feel like home.’
“I’ll wear this if I go out.’
‘I love this before I go out.’
‘If i’m feeling like a bit of colour this is always in my handbag.’
What does Beauty mean to you?
On Skincare
A few years ago I transitioned my routine to clean beauty products and it’s made all the difference for my sensitive skin. Julie Lindh’s facial oil and eye cream are really delicate and amazing. I keep it pretty simple and apply both morning and night and I’ll do Julie’s Hyaluronic Sheet mask with rose serum once a week.
On Make-up
Daytime it’s Supergoop’s SPF 40 Unseen Sunscreen (I love how light and matte it is), Laura Mercier finishing translucent powder and NARS orgasm blush before I step out. In the evenings I’ll apply mascara, Sisley le phyto lip gloss or Olio e Osso’s no 3 lip tint if I’m feeling a bit of color.
On Health and Wellness
My curatorial projects have me traveling often so I always keep a bottle of Wellness Formula supplements with me while on the go. They sell it at most stores like Whole Foods and it’s proven my secret weapon while on the go (that and sleep!) I regularly see an integrative health doctor who works with nutrition response testing to prescribe me a combination of homeopathic remedies and nutrients to maintain balance which I take daily. I love trying new types of exercise and have recently begun fencing lessons which I’m enjoying. I do a combo of that and yoga. It’s been fun to learn a totally different technique and way of movement.
On Rituals
I begin my day with lemon water before my morning coffee. I try to do 5 minutes or so of breathwork after that. It really sharpens my mind to get ready for the day. I do short concentrated 15 min workouts daily which Skyting is great for. I travel a lot and like that you can do these from anywhere while on the go.
I live by the Union Square Greenmarket and my visits throughout the week have become a grounding ritual and source of inspiration. As much as visiting galleries, museums, and artist studios are a part of my inspiration and the creativity that fuels my work, the market also for me has this sense of wonder, discovery, and pleasure, but also a practice of well-being.
On Fragrance
I wear orange blossom in the spring/ summer and a tobacco based scent in the fall/ winter. I’m Persian and there’s definitely a bit of a cultural obsession with orange blossom for us. We add its extract to our drinking water and sweeten our desserts with it. I would bathe in it if I could.
When I was working at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice I discovered Santa Maria Novella’s jewel of a shop before they’d yet opened locations in the U.S. Their Armenian burning papers became a staple of mine. I’m often on the road for work and always keep them on hand. When I get to my destination the first thing I do is unpack, hide my suitcase and light the burning papers. The scent makes wherever I am at that moment feel like home.
Some people don’t kiss and tell. I apply that philosophy to the perfume I’m wearing. It’s something so intimate and personal. I’ve always been drawn to the scent of tobacco. The perfume I’ve worn for years I got a former boyfriend while visiting a perfumier in Mexico where they crafted the scent from centuries old tobacco vines. I liked it so much I began wearing it myself. The scent makes me feel strong and sexy. Like wearing a good power suit.
Your Beauty Secrets
Drinking lots of water! It sounds silly but hydration makes such a difference – and it’s free.
Sonya's Directory
Sara Hilow in Milan-My friend Elena introduced me to her salon during our annual visit for Salone del Mobile and it was a game changer. An added treat are her hair products she produces in house. I use Sara’s defining mousse daily and always stock up on it when in town.
Vitamin C Serum from Olly & Dave Skincare in LA. They’re a Korean owned business in the heart of Ktown and have the best skincare products from Seoul.
Sarah Chapman in London- I was born in in London but it’s a city I’ve only just begun to rediscover through a recent show I worked on with Frieze at their Cork Street gallery my wonderful friend Selvi directs. Sarah’s facials were a pleasant discovery and now a go to.
‘Santa Maria Novella is a jewel of a shop.’