To me, it means living your best life. I believe in retox and detox. I think a lot about the fact that we live in such an overcomplicated world, with too much information, too much being told what’s good and bad, that all of it is very confusing. I believe you feel and look your best when you learn to cancel that noise, and focus on what serves you.
What does Beauty mean to you?
On Skincare
It’s pretty much the same in the AM and PM. I use La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser or Lesse Calming Cleanser. I wash and massage my face for about 1 minute. In the AM I would put on Omnilux Contour LED Face Mask for 10-20 mins, while I make coffee, read, etc. After, I spray a water mist. Usually La Roche-Posay Eau Thermale or Lesse Regeneration Mist. Then I apply The Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum, followed by Environ AVST Moisturizer 3. In the AM I use Embryolisse Eclat du Regard under my eyes. It feels SO good! And in the PM, I use Augustinus Bader Eye Cream with TFC8. Every Wednesday AM instead of LED mask, I put on Grace & Stella Under Eye Mask and Lesse Bioactive Face Mask, which I keep in the fridge for that cooling effect. This is my mid-week pick me up. If I know I have an event the next day, I sleep with Biodance Bio Collagen Face Mask.
In Viktorija's Cabinet
“10/10! Clever refillable design, elegant look and the best lip balm. A small everyday luxury.”
“A dear friend introduced me to this cuticle oil. I love that you can use it on the go, it smells so beautifully and is not greasy at all.”
“On a regular day, I barely wear makeup and this is my secret to looking less tired. I use my fingers to add a touch to my eyelids, cupid’s bow and cheekbones.”
“I fell in love with oud when I studied in London. All Arabic women had this intense tray of scent – I was obsessed with it. My clever husband got me my first bottle over a decade ago from a little store in Mayfair. It is still my favorite.”
“If not Kristyn Smith, I would be a mess and would not take care of my skin. She hooked me up on Omnilux a couple of years ago and I use it religiously every day. Sometimes for 20 minutes, just in case!”
On Make-up
Westman Atelier’s Vital Skin Foundation stick in Atelier VI, Face Trace Contour Stick in Truffle, Brow Pencil in Stone and Super Loaded Tinted Highlight in Peau De Santé. Plus Shiseido Eyelash Curler. I use these four products daily to slightly cover dark spots, open up my eyes with a curler, and enhance coutout.
Lately, I started having more fun with an evening look and Cyndle Komarovski, who I look up to a lot when it comes to beauty, gave me some tips for a smoky eye with a statement or neutral lip look, which I love. For that, I use Chanel’s long-lasting eyeliner in noir intense, eyeshadow-liner-khol in electric brown, les 4 ombre eyeshadow in clair-obscur, les beiges eyeshadow in tender and mascara in noir allure. For lips, Chanel’s rouge coco baume in honey bliss for a natural look, rouge allure velvet lipstick in sensuelle or rouge allure laque in rose ambigu for a statement lip.
On Haircare
I have been dyeing my hair for years, which is not great I guess. I used to straighten it too, but I stopped recently and just let it be natural. I wash it every two days and leave it to air dry. When I am in NY, I use Crown Affair shampoo and conditioner, because I find New York city water quite hard. When I’m in Bellport on weekends, I use Sándor which is clean and natural – I find it working well with softer water. I also use Sándor gua sha when I have time and I believe that haircomb is very important – I have been using Mason Pearson haircombs for years.
On Health and Wellness
I don’t have a single philosophy that I subscribe to, but I think retox/ detox is what suits me the most. I live between NY city and a small beach town. That’s a perfect sum up for my retox/ detox routine. In the city, I am on the go, juggling, enjoying social life and what it entails, and on the weekends I hide in nature. I sleep in, read, swim, cook, go for long walks, and take a nap. If I have time, I try to squeeze in an infrared sauna and shiatsu when I am in the city. I drink my supplements, and try to do Tracy Anderson video workout class 2-3 times a week.
On Fragrance
My most loved and precious perfume ever is Majestic Special Oud by Arabian Oud. It is the original, no fluff Middle Eastern oud. It has a touch of oil so it lasts for days. My husband bought it for me when we studied in London in our early twenties. When I wear it, I always think of how lucky I am that he gets me!
I use my heavy deep perfumes like oud, Frederic Malle portrait of a lady, Maison d’Etto Karat EG, in fall and winter. In the summer I go for romantic floral scents, like Serge Lutens fleur d’oranger and Frederic Malle carnal flower. I like switching perfumes as seasons change.
A Beauty Tip you swear by?
Just listen to your body and stay hydrated.
Viktorija's Directory
Esthetician Kristyn Smith at her NY studio “Practise” for the best customized facial and skincare advice.
Kenny at Keisy in East Village for the best shiatsu. It’s not for the weak ones, but he is brilliant at finding all the stress knots and releasing tension. I try to go twice a month. It’s one of those hole-in-the-wall places.
Shibui Spa at Greenwich Hotel for a spa day in NY. The healing birch massage is my go to.
I have been going to Emma Collens at The Blackstones Collective for my cut & color for 7 years. She’s a girl’s girl and truly gets it. All my girlfriends, who I recommended her to, became regulars.
In Paris, I like seeing Luca Bagnara for a lymphatic drainage and sculpting massage. He has his own method and uses these hand carved wood tools that do wonders. On my next trip, I am also excited to visit Anouk Biard for a facial massage and legendary Sophie Carbonari for the ultimate facial.
“Years ago, on vacation, I ran out of my deodorant and used my husband’s Old Spice out of desperation. Now we buy it in pairs. It’s a classic.”