As cliche as it sounds, beauty to me is really about taking care and nurturing what I already have and for me, this looks like taking the time to understand what my hair, skin, nails & mental health like and doing more of that.
This not only helps me to keep a short rotation of good and effective products that work for me but it also helps me to be kinder to my body from a holistic approach.

This means that, despite having a vast variety of products at my disposal, you will not find a plethora of repetitive products that have gone well past their due date so may be potentially doing me more harm than good in my bathroom cabinets even though, I love taking care of myself and ensuring that I look my best.

Being also incredibly busy (although has its cons) means I only have a small window of opportunity to do what works rather than trying to do and try EVERYTHING that may be trending whether good or bad.

So, as a lover of simple beauty routines using time-tested products, here are my holy grails.

Although like most, I sometimes get a bit oily in my t-zone, my skin is mostly dry so incredibly dry that if I do not moisturise my body, one could easily assume that I bathed in chalk. I've also had a stubborn stubble-like hyperpigmentation shadow on the left side of my face for as long as I can remember which tends to get worse during my monthly cycle so skincare to me is all about deep moisturing and keeping my hyperpigmentation at bay all month long.

In doing so, I have tried many products to help improve my skin's overall texture and retain as much moisture as possible and the below are most of my go-to skincare products that I use daily to keep my skin feeling supple and looking and smooth, clear & youthful.

• Bolden Skincare Kit - This has been a game-changer in my beauty arsenal! The cleanser is gentle enough for my dry skin without stripping my skin of its essential oils while the must-have glycolic acid infused toner and overnight serum in conjunction with the brightening moisturiser have done wonders for evening out my hyperpigmentation. I absolutely LOVE love this set!

• Black Girl Sunscreen SPF30+ - Enough can not be said about this product that is perfect for face and body. I love that it is nourishing for my dry skin without making me look greasy, just the perfect amount of glow to give that plump, delicious, glass-skin like glow. I keep one in my car to top-up and stay protected while on the go because sun safety especially in Australia, is key!

• Ambi Advance Fade Cream - I was really saddened when Ambi discontinued its previous formula due to FDA changes preventing the sale of over the counter hydroquionine sometime last year. And to be completely honest, I was a bit sceptical about how effective the new formula would be at first (as in my experience, new formulas often come with unexpected disappoints) until I read the ingredient list and discovered it contained many of the key ingredients to fade hyperpigmentation so my faith was fully (and immediately) restored so, it was a no brainer to do the switch. I dab this one the MOMENT a spot appears to help limit dark spots turning worse than they normally would and it does the trick so well! I also apply it to old spots to help reduce their appearance.

• The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 - These two ingredients are consistent trend-setters for highly good reasons! If you're a dry skin babe like myself, hyaluronic acid is by far one, if not, the best ingredient to incorporate into your routine for instant, radiant hydration. I especially love using it on flights to help combat the dryness from high altitudes. Niacinamide is also incredibly special too to help even the skin tone and texture for an even complexion.

• The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA, Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% - These are simply must-haves to in combatting hyperpigmentation! I love the various concentrations to help build the skin's tolerance. Plus the compact sizes means I can upkeep their effectiveness during travel.

• The Ordinary Retinol 1% in Squalane - If you're in your 30s and/or simply need an extra boost to REALLY even out your skin tone, retinols are great agents for this. I incorporate these in my nightly routine and really noticed such as a huge difference in my skin's overall texture and radiance.

In my early 20s, I used to model and although I enjoyed playing dress up, I absolutely hated the heavy makeup that was often required to ensure that the targeted looks were visible on camera. Heavy makeup made me look unrecognisable and remembered the first time I got my makeup done professionally for a campaign shoot, I gasped while looking into the mirror for the first time thinking wow, I don't know who this person is! Sidebar, I think the small size of my face also has alot to do with why heavy makeup just doesn't suit me.

Ever since then, I've enjoyed and thrive in simple makeup looks whether it's a causal everyday look for running errands and brunch or a beat for an event, the goal remains the same, to simply enhance my features in the slightest so I still look like myself just better, effortlessly put together. I enjoy looking as though I didn't try through gentle, minimal layers that allows my skin and features to shine through rather than, masking to be someone unrecognisable.

I love Art & Design so styling and taking care of mine and other people's hair is another form of artistic expression that I really enjoy to the degree that I recently became a qualified stylist in London.

Due to my busy lifestyle, my hair goal currently is (and for the past several years) has been to maintain optimum hair health and length while in various protective styles such as braids and wigs and like my skincare and makeup routine, I keep this as simple as possible with the below products that my hair loves due to their quality ingredients and consistent formula that have served me well to have my hair in the best condition its been in in years.

• Aphogee 2 Minute Protein Treatment - I absolutely LOVE this producr so much so that I've been using it since I was 15 years old! It works wonders to restore strength and reduce breakage on both relaxed (chemically straightened) and natural hair.

• Denman D4 Brush - This has also been my go-to detangling and styling brush since I was a teen. I love it's versatility to style both straight and curly styles and it it's uber easy to clean.

• Keracare Siken Seal Serum - This serum is by far one of the best I've ever used for heat styling both my real hair and extensions. I additionally love that the teeniest amount goes a long way.

• Doo Gro Mega Growth Oil - Another oldie but a goodie. The rate at which this oil grows my hair is insane!

• Magic Fingers Studio Braiding Hair - I wore boho braids most of 2023 and also used these for knotless braids on my nieces due to its light weight which limits tension to the hair and scalp when applied correctly.

• SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo, SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Conditioner - The fragrance on these is incredibly delicious. Also love that it deeply cleanses my scalp and hair (even in protective styles) without drying it out while the thick, nutrient-rich conditioner smooths and strengthensmeaning less tangles for the next steps of my routine. Works just as beautiful on my wigs and extensions.