There’s never a time I don’t leave a blob or smudge that I have to clean up, but I’ve come to terms with it.

For stylist, designer and creative director Anaita Shroff Adajania, self-care isn’t all high-tech tools, jade rollers and expensive creams. Instead, it’s a spritz of fragrance inside her mask (“it makes me happy all day!”) or taking the time to stretch and breathe in the AM. “Beauty doesn’t always need effort, but looking after your skin and body is important. It comes from the inside out—by being healthy, by doing yoga, by thinking happy things. And combining this with the best moisturiser that works for you,” she says. “For me, beauty is about realness and uniqueness. But on the other hand, I’m a big fan of editorial beauty, and especially of makeup and hair artists that can transform a face,” she says. Anaita spoke to Foxtale about the beauty product she wishes she could create, her quick and dirty makeup routine and the advice she wished she had heeded earlier.

I think about __ a lot.

Positivity. I want to really make my environment more happy, more positive and more open for growth for people. I like to help people find their joy, whether personally or in the work space. I think about exercise a lot, but it ends there. I think about it, but don’t really do it. I discovered yoga in lockdown and it was a game-changer, but it takes a bit of a backseat now that I have a full day of work. I am working on finding that balance.

What is your AM skincare routine?

When I wake up, I lay in bed and breathe a little so I can wake up slowly before picking up my phone. It is not ideal, but in my work, you have to keep checking up on last minute details—will the model come on time? Is someone sick or is the shoot time pushed back?

I drink hot water through the day—I have given up caffeine and it’s been better for my skin and sleep and I feel more balanced. I wish I could say I use a jade roller every morning, but I don’t do that. After washing my face with water, I use the Sunday Riley CEO serum, which makes my skin feel amazing. I apply the Dermaceutic Nourishing Hydrating Cream to the parts of my skin that are feeling dry, and then I use the Heliocare 360 Sunscreen, which is slightly pigmented and translucent, when I know I am going to be out in the sun.

What makeup are you wearing before you head out for the day?

My makeup is very basic. I like the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick for coverage anywhere I need it. If it’s a long day out, I like to use a strobe cream under that. Then, I use the MUD eyeshadow palette—I just use the shades I like and apply it to my lids with my fingers without even looking in the mirror. I’ll use a soft brown eye pencil—like the Estee Lauder Stay in Place Eye Pencil in Coffee or the Kiko Milano Kajal—and then, aftering curling my lashes, I use a brown mascara on my lashes.

My favourite product is the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow, which I use to sculpt my jawline, cheekbones and sides of the nose. But I am haphazard. It takes 2 mins to do this whole thing. With mascara, there’s never a time I don’t leave a blob or smudge that I have to clean up, but I’ve come to terms with it and it’s a part of it.

What part of your beauty routine makes you happy?

Before I leave home, I use a fragrance spray on my mask. Right now I am loving the Skin Pantry Lavender Spray as well as the Tiger Shoes Mask Spray. The perfume I am loving right now Jo Malone Jasmine Sambac & Marigold Cologne Intense. It makes me feel happy. Fragrance is so important to me.

Instagram is a treasure trove for the newest products and trends. What are you obsessing over right now?

Fun manicures. I like neons, where every tip is a different colour. But my beauty inspiration comes from the people I work with—I am so fortunate to work with the best makeup artists and hairstylists in the world. I see them do a bold eye, and I try it. I know everything won’t suit me, but I’m happy to try it anyway.

If you had to create a beauty product (that doesn’t exist yet!) what would it be?

I hate touching up my roots, so I would love a shampoo or a product that just makes your hair all even after one wash, and makes it so that your hair dries naturally into a bouncy blow dry. Good hair is such a mood lifter—it just makes me feel better.

What is the skincare advice you wish you had listened to?

I used to never take my makeup off as a teenager and just sleep with my mascara, eyeliner and just work that into my look the morning after. And when I did take off my makeup, I was really harsh—scrubbing or using a random moisturiser to take it all off, which messed up the thin skin under my eyes. I’d definitely change that if I could. Plus, don’t try everything you see. Have skin heroes, and take their advice. Reach out to dermatologists and find the routine that really works for you.

Want to know more about the products Anaita uses and how you can incorporate them into your routine? Click on the WhatsApp icon to contact us!