As skincare-basics.com, we are pleased to share our first interview with Öykü Çetin (OC). Öykü is an entrepreneur. She is the founder of OC Consultancy, providing all kinds of human resources related consultancy services to global top-notch technology companies, from recruitment to executive coaching. She is 32, mother of two cats, married, lives in the city center of Istanbul, and is a business owner.
Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please note that this post contains affiliate links and any purchase made through such links will result in a small commission for us.
SB: Tell us about the first things you do in the morning.
OC: The first thing I do is having a glass of water to wake up my body. This is how I start preparing my body for a new day. I do at-home stretching exercises for 10-15 minutes, and take a shower to clean my body. I do dry brushing before taking a shower with my special horsehair brush. Brushing skin, especially legs, accelerates the blood flow, heals the cellulitis, and brings a smoother and fuller skin. I brush my skin from bottom to up direction, against gravity, because gravity is the natural cause of all saggings in our skin. Brushing my skin against the gravity direction is an essential part of my daily routine. I also brush my arms as well. It removes the dead skin and keeps the cellulite away from my body.
Then I use shower gel and peeling for body cleansing in the shower. I use Kerastase’s shampoo, and Aveda’s conditioner on my hair. I use body scrap peeling of Yves Rocher before getting out of the shower. I moisturize my body with Body Shop’s Almond Milk Creamy Body Lotion after shower. I also use Aveda’s hair spray on my slightly wet hair to boost its volume.
SB: Your skin looks so fresh! How do you keep your facial skin so bright?
OC: Facial cleaning is very important to me. Throughout the years I experienced many skincare problems because I have a mixed type of facial skin. I tried many different cleansing forms from gels to foams. My dermatologist advised me to go minimal and use fewer products. Upon her suggestion, I started using BioNike’s Triderm, and it became one of my favorite cleansers for the last couple of years. I use this one daily since it is both affordable and effective. Another product that I am obsessed with regarding facial cleansing is Lamer Foaming Cleanser. I use this product occasionally, however, the feeling on my skin left by Lamer is just on another level.
I use Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado for my eyes daily. It keeps my eyes hydrated all day, and immediately heals the tired look of eyebags.
SB: There is a rising interest in sunscreen products these days all over the world. What is your practice in this?
OC: After thoroughly cleansing my face, I apply La Roche 50 Sunscreen Lotion, which has acne-preventative, anti-oxidant, and moisturizing features. Summer, winter, cloudy or sunny, it doesn’t matter, I use La Roche daily, regarding of the season and weather conditions. I only adjust my daily re-appliance frequency based on the environmental conditions. If the weather is too hot and too sunny and I am spending the day outside, I re-apply my sunscreen every two hours. If the weather is too cloudy, I use sunscreen only once in the morning and then use La Roche Effaclar during the day to keep my skin moisturized.
I always try not to be exposed to the sun at noon when the sun is vertical. I go out a little more in the morning and afternoon and try to be inside at noons. I wear long-sleeved and light-weighed clothing to protect my skin from the sun.
SB: Are there any other skincare products you use daily? Such as Vitamin C products, hyaluronic acid, or any other products from the retinol family?
OC: I used to use Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid in my daily routine, however, at some point my skin had irritation and I started seeing my dermatologist’s office more often. I found out that I had over-applied these products more than the optimal amount that I should have used and they started damaging my skin, instead of healing it. Currently, based on my dermatologist’s advice I am on skincare fasting for some products. She always says “less is more”. Currently, I am resting my skin. I think I will continue to use again Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and retinol after summer.
I frequently spray Avene Thermal Water on my face during the day, especially if it is a busy day and I have to be in many places in one day. All these action makes my skin oily and sweatier and this spray refreshes my skin in a second.
SB: What are some essential products that you carry in your bag wherever you go?
OC: As an entrepreneur, I always carry my MacBook and my Muji agenda and pen with me. Even though technology is all around us these days, I am still a huge fan of taking handwritten notes and organizing my calendar in an old-fashioned way. I also use a small pink -my favorite color- card holder instead of a wallet, which is always in my bag, along with my keys and my indispensable non-alcoholic wet wipes to clean my hands during the day.
There are four products that I love that always have a place in my bag. I never go out without these products.
My first must-be-in-my-bag product is Dior’s Lip Glow Oil 006, I would not step out the door without this. I love the color.
The second product is Body Shop’s Strawberry Hand Cream, it keeps my palms and fingers softer and protects them from dryness.
The third product is Aesop’s Ginger Roll. I apply it to my wrists and enjoy this beautiful scent. Smelling this scent feels very good to me.
And the fourth product that always has a place in my bag is not a cosmetic product. It is a pocket mirror that I bought from Japan.
SB: What is your everyday make-up?
OC: Well, there is no everyday make-up for me. Every day, every occasion, every place is important and my make-up needs to be adjusted based on specific details of the day’s agenda, also depending on my image decision. For example, when I go to a business meeting, then it is a more professional day for me and I would not wear red lipstick. I prefer to wear red lipstick when I go out for a date with my husband at night.
The most important thing for make-up is a well-prepared, well-cleaned, well-moisturized, and a well-rested skin.
I use Nars’ Primer for brightening and fresh look on my face. It has a light pink texture, moisturizes, and prepares my face for the make-up. I use Bobbi Brown Eye Base to prep my eye area. This one is full of vitamins, smoothing the area for the upcoming make-up.
My favorite brand is Charlotte Tilbury. My concealer is shade 6, however this tone is a bit darker for me. I use YSL’s Touche Éclat concealer shade 2 more often. My favorite blush is Pinkgasm, it’s a very bright blush, I love it so much! I use Charlotte’s Super Black Mascara frequently, it boosts my lashes immediately. I am a girl who loves pink, I love the tones of pink in the Charlotte’s Palette Pillow Talk series, looks so good on my eyes. My favorite eyeshadow pencil is Colour Chameleon. My lip pencil, and lip maximizer are again in pink tones.
SB: What is your favorite fragrance?
OC: My favorite daily fragrance is Coco Mademoiselle from Chanel. It is a very modern and fresh pinky scent that I love.
SB: What is your night skincare routine?
OC: I always go to bed with a clean face. I remove my makeup with Bioderma for a clean sleep.
Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please note that this post contains affiliate links and any purchase made through such links will result in a small commission for us.
Leave a Reply