Vashtie Kola is a director, DJ, artist, designer and style icon. With so many titles under her belt, we can’t help but wonder how the Trinidadian beauty has the time to look so flawless. Lucky for us, she decided to spill her beauty secrets, as she shared go-to products for her skin, hair, and makeup, as well as how she keeps her curls healthy and under control during the winter.
“My go-to products for everything are always health-conscious, non-carcinogenic, vegan and cruelty free,” she says, “things that are important to me since I keep a vegan/raw diet and am a huge animal lover. I like to utilize the site www.ewg.org/skindeep to find out which products are good for you. Because keeping healthy on the inside is just as important as staying beautiful on the outside.”
On Hair Care
“For hair, I use Hugo & Debra Naturals Smooth and Defining Shampoo and Conditioner in Coconut. My family is from Trinidad, and coconut-scented anything always wins my island heart. For styling, I use Beautiful Curls Leave-In Conditioner for Wavy to Curly Hair. I love it because it keeps my curls looking shiny and healthy.”
On Skin Care
“For skin, I wash with Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Castille Soap. I like the added chill the peppermint gives my skin. Makes me feel extra clean. I moisturize with Almond Oil by Now Foods, which keeps my ashiness in check. And anyone who knows me, knows I need that.
“For my face, I wash with Dr. Alkaitis Organic Purifying Facial Cleanser. Dr. Alkaitis is an organic and raw line of skincare that I am obsessed with, so clean and simple, you could eat it. If we are what we wear (and eat) then that is a relief. I follow with Luzern Laboratories Vita-O2 Glacial Toner and their Serum Absolut Radiance Skin Brightening Serum. This serum is hydroquinone-free and perfect for the woes of brown skin suffering from hyper-pigmentation.
“For around the eye, I use Dr. Alkaitis Organic Eye Creme and then finish with Dr. Alkaitis Organic Nourishing Treatment Oil during the day. At night, I will switch to Luzern Laboratories Force De Vie Pure Oxygen Creme Lux. I love Luzern Laboratories because, as well as being organic and free of toxins, it is also focused on anti-aging. And who couldn’t use a little of that?
“For my weekly masks, I use Dr. Alkaitis Organic Enzyme Exfoliating Mask followed by their Organic Cellular Repair Mask. They are amazing because they repair and exfoliate the skin using their basic ingredients of fruit and oats. One of the masks literally looks like a blueberry concoction on the face: beautifully purple and blue. I finish with Luzern Laboratories System O2 Infuse Mask, which leaves my face feeling clean, fresh and supple.”
On Her Favorite Makeup Products
“For makeup, I like to keep it simple. I use a powder foundation by Afterglow Cosmetics in the color Fawn. I smudge a little black eyeliner by Rejuva Minerals, and my under eye concealer is #44 by RMS Beauty. For lips, I keep them moist thanks to RMS Beauty Lip and Skin Balm in Simply Vanilla. I love these lines of makeup, because I believe whatever you put on your skin should nourish it, and all their ingredients are clean and healthy.”
On Keeping Her Curls Healthy in Harsh Weather
“The winter can take its toll on hair and skin, so to preserve my curls I do homemade hair masks. I keep it simple with an olive oil and coconut oil mask. Beauty blogger Michelle Phan has a great recipe.”
—DaMonica Boone
