Adut Akech on her skincare routine, pilates obsession, and listening to afrobeats in the bath

On her pre-bed rituals

I light a candle, I love the candles that make you sleep better. Every night I pray before I sleep, I also play sleeping music and rain sounds. But when I’m really tired I just pray and go to sleep.

On the skincare treatments and tricks she swears by

I’m a big mask lover. I love the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Powerfoil Mask—I use it when I’m travelling, when I’m at home… I’m big on hydration. Luckily for me, 90 per cent of the time I’m working, so [make-up] artists are using rollers and different tools on my face, but I swear by masking. I have a face roller I use once in a while, but I mainly use my fingers on my face. I love face massages and facials that put the hydration back into my skin—especially after travelling.

On her five minute make-up routine

I use a tinted moisturiser or a light foundation, like the Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation and the Pure Color Envy Lip Oil, Estée Lauder has this amazing tinted brow primer, it’s nice and quick to use. I tend to avoid powders as they can irritate my sensitive skin. I usually have lash extensions, so I don’t need anything on them.

On her favourite way to wear her hair

Cornrows all the way back is my absolute go-to. This is my protective hairstyle, it is what keeps my hair healthy, growing and thriving. Sometimes I’ll switch it up and do twists or box braids.

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On her go-to hair products

I use Shea Moisture Shampoos and Conditioners and a lot of Cantu products. I just started using the Shea Butter Tea Tree & Jojoba hair growth treatment. I use products like Blue Magic, I don’t know if it works but I use it! I also love my Jamaican Black Castor Oil. I used to use silk scarves, but I sleep with a bonnet now after my little cousin brought me one—the bonnet is just a different game.

On her biggest beauty regret

Using a lot of different products at the same time—that didn’t do my skin any justice. I also used to pop my spot—anyone reading this, please don’t do it! It will scar your skin. I also regret not wearing sunscreen earlier, I just started wearing sunscreen two years ago. I wish I listened to people who told me to wear sunscreen before. A lot of darker girls think that because our skin is dark we don’t get sunburn, which isn’t true. Even if we don’t see it, we do get sun damage. Wear sunscreen.

On her favourite foundation

My Estée Lauder Sheer Foundation. I like to apply my foundation—and everything really—using my hands. I learned it from my make-up artist, Keita Moore. A little trick is to take a little of my moisturiser with a little of my foundation and apply it like a moisturiser.

On her body routine

I also have very sensitive body skin, so I avoid products with fragrance and those that are too harsh on the skin. I use CeraVe and Cetaphil body lotions and body creams, vitamin E oil, and I’ve also started using the Biossance Squalane + Omega Repair Cream, which is also great for sensitive skin.

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On her go-to shower and bath products

When I’m in the bath I use Epsom salts, lavender essential oils, or anything that makes me feel calm. I also use bubble bath, anything that makes the bath foamy I’ll use. I love the Shea Moisture African Black Soap Body Wash. In the shower, I use the Cetaphil Body Wash and gentle washes that are great for sensitive skin. I always play music—I don’t know who showers or bathes without music—and light candles. I play my Afrobeats playlist from the morning until the night, but if I really want to relax, I play my calming music: no lyrics, just sounds and instruments.

On Pilates

I started doing Pilates recently and I wish I didn’t sleep on it for so long. It puts me in such a great mood. I start my morning doing it so I have a nice long and productive day. It really does good for my mental state when I work out. You don’t sweat as much as you would in the gym, but you’re still doing so much! It’s so fascinating. I’m so excited to go tomorrow—going to the gym never excited me before. I really am becoming a Pilates advocate.

On wellness

I meditate—I don’t think I do it properly, but I meditate. Whatever I’m doing is helping. I write and journal too. I take very long walks, my friends always ask me why I walk so much. I also like taking long drives to the middle of nowhere, I just love it.

On the best beauty tip she has ever received

My mum would tell my sisters and I to stop using so many products! We learned that less is more. I’m really living by that statement now. The less you do, the better. Your body and skin will thank you for it.

On what’s in her beach bag

I have a lot of bikinis, so whatever I’m in the mood to wear that day, whether it is bright, a little more risqué, or covered. My beach towel, face and body sunscreen, body oil, the Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Lip Oil and the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. My favourite fragrance, Valentino Born in Roma Eau de Parfum, is always on me. My water bottle, snacks and phone, and I will definitely take my speakers—who goes to the beach without speakers? Who goes anywhere without speakers?! Everything is covered, hydration, nutrition, skincare, body care… all of it.