In the ultimate quest for inner beauty and outer glow, Marie Claire asks our favorite trailblazers to share intel on finding balance in their busy lives. Read it all here, in Beauty Inside Out.
Back in 1999, a 25-year-old Toni Ko got her first taste of entrepreneurship, launching NYX Cosmetics with seed money from her mother. In 2014, she sold it to L'Oréal for a cool $500 million. She hasn't slowed down since, going on to create a sunglasses company, a venture firm focused on investment in female-led businesses, and, most recently, Bespoke Beauty Brands, a beauty incubator working with high profile influencers including Kim Chi_Chic and designer Jason Wu. But don't get us wrong—Ko knows how to put herself first. "For my emotional sanity, I limit the amount of time I spend watching the news or checking my news apps. I take hot baths often, and I have strategically placed healing crystals throughout my home," she says. "Most importantly, the best self-care practice is keeping a clean and organized space around me." Ahead, Ko's personal picks for beauty and balance, including her go-to recipe for an energizing juice.
Inner Beauty
Pacifica Persian Rose perfume
"I absolutely love this fragrance. I buy dozens of bottles at a time—seriously! I wear the perfume on myself and use the body spray as a linen spray. I get compliments on the scent all the time."
Therapeutic scalp oil
"This feel-good mix nourishes me, body and soul. I like to blend it myself: three parts castor oil, one part coconut oil, and a few drops each of lavender oil and lemongrass oil. I put these into a tube with a needle-nose (a diner-style ketchup bottle is a great option too), massage it onto my scalp and leave for 30 to 40 minutes or even overnight. I shampoo and style as usual."
Outer Glow
Jason Wu Beauty Hot Fluff Lipstick in Apple Pie
"This color gives me a gorgeous healthy glow without looking like I'm wearing a ton of makeup."
January Labs' Retexturizing Night Cream
"I've been using this night cream with lactic acid and it's done wonders for my skin—it looks brighter and my pores feel tighter."
Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Shampoo and Conditioner
"This regime doesn't weigh down my hair but leaves it moisturized enough so I can easily comb through it when still wet."
Dyson Airwrap
"Hands down, this incredibly versatile hair styling tool is my favorite thing—no explanation needed!"
Recipe for Success: Toni Ko's Energy Juice
I juice every morning to boost my immune system, help remove toxins, and feel energized to take on the day.
Just Juice and Enjoy!
- Gather, rinse, and chop the following produce for juicing, leaving skin on unless specified: 1/2 apple, 1/2 grapefruit (peeled), 1 or 2 medium carrots, 2 celery sticks, 1/2 medium or large beet, a handful each of kale and spinach, a small bunch of parsley, 1/4 lemon, a little ginger to taste.
2. Combine in a juicer and serve slightly chilled.
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