Immerse yourself in any of the eyebrow skin relaxation formulas, and the silky textures, brilliant colors, beautiful botanical scents and visible results that enhance the glow will immediately catch you. For example, Sublime Balm is a velvety, ultra-hydrating treatment with a deep orange effect that drowns the skin with a warm glow the second it dissolves. Beauté Majestique Cleanser in raspberry color, a multi-task milk gel, also acts as a cleansing scrub and face mask that you can leave for more intense skin detoxification. Although the products themselves are needed to fall in love with the Vancouver-based brand, its founder – who is also a wizard-level formulator – Oyéta Kokoroko (above) is one of the finest, most beautiful and charming skin care gurus we have ever met.
Kokoroko emigrated at five from Togo to Canada. (“Okoko” combines her name and surname; “kokoroko“It means‘ great ’in her hometown of Kabiyè.) She has now opened up a way to experience the brand in person, with her first boutique, L’Atelier Okoko, at Vancouver’s Gallery and an unusual café surrounded by the Gastown neighborhood.” This is a stressful time, ”Kokoroko says. “I wanted to create a space where people could relax, pamper and build their own skin care regimen.” You can get skin consultations and facials (if you book a consultation with Kokoroko herself, she creates a serum right in front of you, tailored to your problems with skin and scents), relax in the herbal tea salon and try all Okoko product, of course. ”We also sell organic supplements and wellness products,” says Kokoroko. ”Face covers are a must, and meeting schedules are designed to avoided the crowds.) The space also functions as Okok’s R&D lab.
Kokoroko’s path to skin care began with her own struggle as an adult with problematic skin (although it’s hard to imagine that her complexion wasn’t always flawless). She began examining the ingredients of the products she used, and eventually returned to school to study aromatherapy, herbal medicine, and product formulations. “I started making my own products at home, and my friends would try and love them,” says Kokoroko. “It was so good to know that I was giving people something made from wonderful ingredients that helped them feel better. I knew I wanted to turn it into a business. “
Exploring the ingredients – and new combinations of them that help firm, smooth and improve the skin – is her favorite part of the job, Kokoroko says. That and the prospect that she could help another woman like herself reach for her dream: “I think a lot about setting an example,” she says. “I am an immigrant and we need more black women who run the business. Anything is possible if you believe in yourself. “
Kokorok’s game plan for healthier-looking lighter skin relies on powerful herbal products at every turn and works in the morning and evening.
“When you clean all the fat, dirt, makeup and dead cells, any serum or moisturizer you apply afterwards penetrates more effectively,” says Kokoroko. “Majestique chemically peels with salicylic acid and papaya enzymes, and physically peels with bamboo powder to make your skin smoother and more radiant. Salicylic acid is also great for skin prone to breakouts. “Apply cleanser to damp skin – a beautiful deep-raspberry-red shade, which comes from a soothing gromwell root extract, becomes a pink petal while the cleanser emulsifies into creamy milk.
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Moisturize with balm or oil (or both)
“I like to smooth the balm over the serum to seal everything, and sometimes I mix it with face oil for an extra moisturizing, creamy effect,” says Kokoroko. The intense color of apricot and its sublime balm comes from burdock, carrot and tomato oils. “It’s beautiful in the summer if you’ve been in the sun all day – it’s incredibly soothing and gives your skin a real glow.” Kokoroko swears by retinol with an alternative bakuchiol in face oils to lighten, firm and smooth lines. GOOPGENES face oil is made from bakuchiol, and has been clinically proven to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, smooth texture and moisturize.
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