COME L'ORO

I have a complicated relationship with routines; something about them has never quite felt right. On one hand, there’s a silent pressure to have one in order to be deemed “productive enough” yet an underlying, pervasive social expectation persists that we must simultaneously rebel against routines as an act of resistance in the name of “self-care.” So, how can this be—can these ideas actually coexist?

My routine and very way of life—like so many others—has recently become one of increased isolation and disconnection. From the rituals it took losing to realize how much I valued them, to the friends I rarely saw face-to-face but somehow would give anything to road trip to now, it’s been interesting to realize how much I miss having the option be both the performer and the participant in rituals like these. Examples include (but are not limited to) going out for coffee, driving to see a friend in another state or town, and simply being able to sit in a movie theater to see that film no one else in your immediate vicinity would appreciate or nerd out with you about—to sit all alone in the dark with just the actors and your thoughts. 

Where do the small joys our routines used to give us go from here? Well, I jotted down some ideas of what I’ve come to value most during this time. It goes:

The small act of putting pen to paper and writing in a notebook

Picking up a forgotten book (or three—I read multiple things at once quite chaotically)

Lighting a candle (extra points for the crackling wood wick kind)

Going for a daily walk outside, even if it’s just for five minutes

Sending a video or audio message back and forth with friends, so you can hear and/or see one another (trust me, it’s so much better than texting or emailing)

Doing a sheet face mask and scaring my boyfriend (Friday the 13th vibes)

Through putting these small rituals—that have become so much more lately—into perspective, I’ve realized that in spite of the world’s temporary shutdown and the subsequent death of the many facets of our previously beloved ways of life, a sort of renaissance has happened; we are finally prioritizing and normalizing restfulness and slowing down. We’ve been forced to pause and have come to remember what it feels like to connect with a routine not as a way to prove ourselves worthy or monetarily-productive, but instead as a necessary mechanism that yields joy and inner-wellbeing. 

Introducing a new series at Come L’Oro where we sit down (virtually) with inspiring, creative people and discuss skincare, travel, and overall routine. Today’s interview features Aesop Consultant and world traveler Koko Alexander.

I've known Koko for about two years and met him while living in Portland, Oregon. We quickly became close friends given his incredibly warm energy that is palpable from the moment you encounter him. He has recently gotten more serious about skincare, so between his world travels (check out his recent trips to Europe on Instagram), I caught up with him for a moment to ask about his everyday products and inspiration. 

Read our interview below where we discuss beauty, style, and Koko’s love of SPF.

What do you do and what are you passionate about?

I work at Aesop as a Consultant which has been quite rewarding in many ways, because I help people feel like their best selves. When I’m not finding skincare solutions for others, I love to entertain friends and family through cooking, which has always been a passion of mine. Being able to bring people together through food really helps me understand the people close to me on a deeper level.

Do you have a skincare/beauty routine? If so, what does it consist of?

My current skincare routine consists of a light, gentle cleanse in the morning followed by an astringent toner since I tend to be oilier in my T-Zone. Once I’ve done that, I layer on a lightweight Vitamin-C serum and finish it off with and moisturizer with SPF- oh, and an eye serum! For my night routine, I use a more thorough cleanser to wash away the day’s stress, followed by a hydrating anti-oxidant toner. Then, I seal the deal with a Vitamin-C gel.

Where do you live and how does the environment factor into your beauty routine?

I live in Portland, Oregon where the majority of the year caters to rain and occasionally some sun, with sporadic moments of outstanding heat. Being outdoors is the norm here and widely encouraged, which means my routine has to be geared towards protection from UV rays and pollutants.

Name three people who inspire your routine and overall style.

Angela Bassett, Jada Pinkett Smith, a bunch of individuals that I’ve admired through social media that are not noticed within the mainstream, and everyday people.

You can travel anywhere in the world. Where do you go and what products do you take with you?

I would most definitely travel to Morocco and would have to bring my SPF moisturizer, eye serum, Vitamin-C serum, and a good hydrating mask.

Where do you feel the most yourself?

I feel the most myself when I’m home in my room listening to one of my favorite artists (currently Kllo), organizing my room or planning my meals for the upcoming week.

Introducing a new series at Come L’Oro where we sit down (virtually) with inspiring, creative people and discuss skincare, travel, and overall routine. Today’s interview features Stylist and Associate Art Producer Shani Storey. 

I met Shani about a year ago in Portland, Oregon and was immediately drawn to her eclectic style. She travels often for work and isn’t afraid to change up her looks, and I knew she would have some helpful beauty and skincare tips. 

Read our interview below where we discuss beauty, style, and where Shani feels the most herself. 

What do you do and what are you passionate about?

I currently work full time as an Associate Art Producer at Wieden + Kennedy in Portland, Oregon. While I find many passions within that title, my two main loves are being a freelance fashion stylist and continuing my first love, basketball.

Do you have a skincare/beauty routine? If so, what does it consist of?

I recently started taking my skincare routine more seriously. A few years ago I would sleep in my makeup and workout in a full face of makeup. I didn’t have any type of routine when it came to taking care of my skin/beauty, aside from making sure my baby-hairs were laid. However, it took going through a pretty bad facial breakout for me to get my act together. I now use three main products - Cerave Facial Cleanser, Belif Aqua Bomb moisturizer, and Thayer’s Witch Hazel. I wash my face everyday, along with moisturizing everyday, and I alternate every other day with cleaning my face with witch hazel. 

Where do you live and how does the environment factor into your beauty routine? 

I live in Portland, Oregon. I would say the only factor of the environment that changes my beauty routine is what the weather is like. In the winter I tend to wear more makeup when I am more on the pale side, whereas in summer I like to let my skin breathe from wearing any foundation.

Name three people who inspire your routine and overall style.

Not quite sure about my routine, however overall style: 

@wuzg00d <https://www.instagram.com/wuzg00d/> 

@alealimay <https://www.instagram.com/alealimay/>

@ryandestiny <https://www.instagram.com/ryandestiny/>

You can travel anywhere in the world. Where do you go and what products do you take with you?

I would love to travel anywhere in Europe at the moment. After going to Barcelona a few months ago, I want to travel all of Europe! I would probably take my whole kit with me, but most importantly I would take my Belif Aqua Bomb and my Glossier Boy Brow.

Where do you feel the most yourself?

I feel the most like myself when I am at home getting ready for the day.

We are well into the heat of the summer, which seems like an appropriate time to address an area you have probably always been told to pay attention to but weren’t sure why beyond obvious cosmetic reasons: your lips. Our lips have the most delicate skin on our bodies, and it’s important to keep them hydrated all the time and not just in particularly trying, drying times like summer and winter. The skin on our lips is incredibly sensitive and thin, and additionally, it does not produce its own natural oils. This means that it’s essential to be on top of hydrating this area to avoid irritation and dryness year-round, not just in two of the most taxing times of the year. 

The first thing I look at when deciding on a lip balm is the ingredients— the more naturally-derived the better. I know that this a sudden trend in the beauty world, and everywhere you turn there’s no-paraben, “all-natural” claims. Keep in mind when you’re browsing that “all-natural” is a highly misleading term, and it’s safe to assume that no product on shelves is completely composed of natural ingredients. Everything would go bad almost immediately if that were the case! 

And I’ve digressed… so how do you ensure that you are choosing a healthy, safe lip product? First things first, check out the main ingredients. Think about how when you apply a product topically to your lips you are essentially ingesting it, so it’s important to know what’s going into your body. I generally look for something rich in plant-based oils, shea butter, lanolin, and honey. All of these are ultra-hydrating, naturally-occurring ingredients that I’ve found work effectively for me. 

Take a look below at a breakdown of five of my favorite lip products for use in every season and let me know what you’re using or intrigued to try:

Nuxe Rêve de Miel Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm 

My holy grail, cannot-live-without lip product. I absolutely love this balm, so much so that there’s about five to my name at all times, which includes three stashed in my bathroom, one in my bag, and one by my bed. 

I first came across this product while watching Jeanne Damas’s British Vogue interview where she reviewed her favorite pharmacy products. Intrigued, I then proceeded to research Nuxe as a brand. I was immediately attracted to their values and commitment to sustainable, plant-based beauty and decided to pick up a few balms on my trip to Canada that summer. I haven’t been disappointed since.

The consistency of this product is similar to honey as the name suggests. It feels thick and creamy but somehow applies matte. It’s the only lip balm that is so fixed upon application that I can even add lipstick over it like normal. I don’t experience any sliding or running when I put color over the balm, and when I wear a matte lip, I don’t get those annoying flakes of dry skin. 

The thick nature and nourishing properties of Rêve de Miel primarily come from beeswax, shea butter, and sweet almond oil, which also makes it handy as a lip mask for nighttime. I like to pile it on while I sleep to hydrate my lips overnight. 

10/10 for form and function. 

Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm in the shade “Hibiscus” 

There’s no history with this one. It was your classic “let me pop-in to Target real quick” story, which never actually happens, at least in my reality. Probably not needing anything remotely related to beauty or skincare, I went to the beauty and skincare section anyway. I found this tinted balm and decided to give it a go. 

It’s great for those “I’m not gonna even bother with lipstick today” moods. I apply this almost once a day if I want a quick, effective hydration boost and a little natural-looking pop of color. The top three ingredients in this one are coconut oil, vegetable oil, and beeswax. While I’m not keen on the vegetable oil, I justified it because I appreciate their use of shea butter and lanolin as supporting sources of hydration. You have to pick and choose your battles.

Weleda Skin Food Lip Butter 

The texture of this one is not quite a butter but more like an aqueous gel. I’ve used other Weleda products, and I’m a big fan of the entire Skin Food line. I also admire Weleda’s commitment to using plant-based ingredients and taking care of the environment, so I thought I’d give their newest product a try. 

While it is hydrating, it doesn’t stay on your lips for very long. I use it as a quick burst of moisture, but not when I plan on going awhile without reapplying or before I put on lipstick. I’d say it’s helpful to keep in your bag when you’re in a pinch, but not something I’d re-buy. 

Key ingredients: sunflower seed oil, lanolin, beeswax. 

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask in shade “Smashed” 

This is my newest addition to the collection, and I’m obsessed with the sweetness of agave, the thick texture, and the subtle but flattering color. I use this more like a lip gloss rather than a lip mask and can attest that it also looks great over lipstick for extra shine. 

My first impression when I tried this out was “how does it taste so good?” The agave’s sweetness is incredibly palpable but not overpowering, and the olive and castor seed oils give the lips noticeable plumpness. I primarily use this one in situations where I want that noticeable flush of color without sacrificing long-lasting hydration. 

The shade “Smashed” is described as a “sheer candy apple red,” but I find it to be more of a purple-red, berry-like color. It’s a flattering shade regardless, and it noticeably enhances my natural lip color when I wear it alone. I like to layer the lip mask over red and pink-toned lipstick shades and find that it complements them well. 

Flower Beauty Lip Mask in shade "Sangria" 

I love Drew Barrymore. That’s really it, so thanks for reading!

…

I’m joking, of course. While I do really love Drew, I genuinely wanted to support her beauty line and try something functional. I’m not a huge makeup collector, though the rest of her line is beautiful, and knew that realistically I’d probably only get good use out of something like a lip balm. 

I love the tint of the shade “Sangria,” a sheer, glossy violet. It’s not particularly pigmented, but it definitely gives a flattering hint of color and lasts for a decent amount of time. It’s not an absolute must-have, but it works and I do find that my lips stay hydrated for a couple of hours after application. 

Out of all the lip balms I’ve reviewed, this is the only one without predominantly plant-based ingredients, despite Flower Beauty’s claim that this is a coconut and mango butter- derived product. The top three ingredients include polybutene (a thickening agent), petrolatum (like Vaseline), and mineral oil. 

Like chemists in a lab, I remember trying products of all textures in my best friend’s bathroom. 

“This one,” she said as she dropped a honey-like gel into her opened palm. “Is like a barrier between your skin and pollution. It traps everything.” 

She warmed it up between her hands and pressed it into her skin. I was mesmerized — I had truly never interacted with skincare in this way before. 

The honey-like gel was Aesop’s B Triple C Balancing Gel, a brand and product with a cult following I soon found out. As I researched the brand and its product range, I began to fall deeper into curiosity. It seemed to be a perfect marriage of prescriptive skincare and thought-provoking art, and it showed me that a methodical approach to beauty does not have to be so sterile. 

It can be intimidating when you first approach Aesop. Sleek, uniform bottles and jars line the walls of their shops almost like an art piece that you are not allowed to touch or interact with. The experience may seem otherworldly until you encounter the centerpiece of every space, the basin, which is where engagement with the product is encouraged through experimentation and demonstration. 

Though the price tag is not initially inviting either, I soon found out that everything has a specialized purpose in the skincare ecosystem. Not every product is justifiable for the cost either, and that’s the beauty of it to me. I can honestly count on one hand the products that I am willing to invest in, and it’s different for everyone depending on their skin characteristics and lifestyle factors, such as dryness, oiliness, environment, travel, etc. Put simply, what I think is worth the cost may not be worth it to others, but the freedom to choose where and how you invest in your personal care is priceless.

Researching further, I found that each Aesop space has its own unique design and is meant to weave into the fabric of its host location. This is timely, as gentrification sweeps through more and more corners of cities, causing cultural erasure and pushing out the very essence of a place — its people. It’s admirable and relatively unheard of for a corporate company to work locally within the community to make their presence a non-intrusive collaboration, and Aesop does it thoughtfully and with care. 

Aesop also features and supports the arts, something that is embedded in their brand ethos. They feature quotes from literary figures on product jars and the shop’s reusable canvas bags, as well as employing local artists to design and furnish their retail spaces. One of my favorites to date is their collaboration with Luca Guadanigno, wherein the Italian filmmaker and screenwriter partnered with the brand to design their first store in Rome and paid homage to its ancient and sacred history. Their monthly emailed Ledger is also worth a subscribe and further supports the ways in which intelligent, creative touches can exist non-superficially in retail.

It’s an interesting thought that everyone can be an experimenter of different formulations, as creatively or as regimented as they would like to be. Everyone is ultimately their own expert of their skin, and I admire a brand that empowers that notion and encourages thoughtful consumption. I’ll link my essential Aesop products below, and I’d love to hear about your thoughts, as well as any products you have or are curious about trialing. 

My essential Aesop products:

-B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel 

A lightweight, aloe-based moisturizing and balancing gel with the added benefits of vitamins B and C to protect and repair the skin. It made my skin so smooth that I stopped wearing foundation and heavy makeup, which condensed my makeup routine significantly and saved me $.

-Camellia Nut Facial Hydrating Cream

Great for dry skin and absorbs quickly so it doesn’t feel like a cream is sitting on top of your face. Soothes irritated skin and smells like sandalwood.

-Parsley Seed Eye Serum

I had never used an eye product I liked before this one. It’s aloe-based and soothes puffiness, plus has the added benefits of concentrated antioxidant and vitamin content. Especially great if you are in a warm, humid, or polluted environment.

-Herbal Deodorant Roll-On

The first natural deodorant that has worked well for me and not caused irritation or strange stains on my clothes. Smells clean and herbaceous like sage. Alcohol and aluminum free. 

-Redemption Body Scrub 

This scrub is the best one I’ve used for my dry, sensitive skin type. Small pieces of bamboo are the exfoliating agent, rather than plastic beads. It’s better for the environment and provides an even, non-irritating exfoliation. It smells “clean” in the woodsy sense, like pine and spruce.

Images by Victoria Roccaforte and Erika Nathanielsz.