5 mins read
It’s Deeper Than Skin™
It’s Deeper Than Skin™ is a compilation of interviews featuring diverse multicultural individuals each carrying unique aspirations and desires yet bound by a common passion to create a more joyful, diverse and inclusive space for us all. They inspire, empower and help transform the way we think and feel about beauty, culture, ancient traditions, diversity, mental health, societal standards and more. Through these multifaceted lenses, we learn to celebrate our uniqueness and are reminded once again that our beauty is deeper than skin.
As a mom of twins and a health statistician, Kafi @vividlykafi has always had a love affair with beauty, skincare and makeup which has in turn led to a second career as a makeup artist and digital content creator. In this interview, we speak with the multi-talented digital creator about her thoughts and experiences in the make-up and beauty industry and the daily affirmations she lives by.
In this interview, we speak with the multi-talented digital creator about her thoughts and experiences in the make-up and beauty industry.
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Kafi, I am a beauty loving digital creator and a family woman who moved to the USA exactly 5 years ago. I am a wife raising twins in a bi-racial, multicultural, family.
I've always loved beauty, skincare and makeup. My 'on paper' career was a health statistician and strategic planner while my side career was as a makeup artist for local celebrities, brides, formal functions/TV for over 10 years. With my experience in the corporate and beauty world, and life as an immigrant in a multi-ethnic family, I love candidly sharing the parallels of beauty and cultural life on my digital platforms.
Tell us about your skin journey and how would you describe your current state of skin?
Being from the Caribbean, I've always indulged in a hydrating body skin routine. I don't remember ever taking a shower without having body lotions and balms ready to apply straight after. My facial skin however has been through the deepest pits. My skin journey has definitely elevated from the days of applying raw lemon juice, collecting clay at mud volcanoes to make masks and using a scrub made of apricot pits (who shall not be named). All in pursuit of achieving the 'perfect skin'. I even attempted to drink blended raw gum of aloe to achieve their natural glass skin. Yet, it was seeing aestheticians that really helped me on my skin journey, from experiencing chemical burns that compromised my skin to understanding and determining the best suited skincare for me.
What is your current skincare ritual?
After experiencing a pretty bad chemical burn due to over exfoliation, I now take a slow and steady approach to skincare. In the morning, I focus on protection and retaining hydration. Depending on the previous night's skin routine, I will splash my face with water and sometimes use a gentle cleanser. I often use my favourite microcurrent device, a Ziip, which was introduced to me by Farah on her instagram @beamwonder followed by a quick rinse and applying a hydrating toner straight after, eye cream, a hyaluronic acid serum and a soothing/barrier serum if actives were used the previous night. If no actives were used the night before, I use an antioxidant like vitamin c serum. Followed by a moisturizer and SPF to round up my morning skin routine.
At night I double cleanse with a cleansing oil or balm first, followed by a cleanser. I love using a toner before a hydrating serum, alternatively exfoliating or applying a corrective skin treatment (2-3 times a week). Next, I use an eye cream, moisturizer, lip mask, and sleeping mask or oil to finish up my nightly routine.
Which beauty products are non-negotiable essentials in your beauty routine?
Oh boy!! This is a tough one. Sheesh!! A good cleanser, eye cream, moisturizer and lip balm. Is that cheating? I cannot do without any of these. I simply can't.
What inspired you to join the online skincare community?
Before moving to the USA, I would order beauty products that were sending shock waves through the beauty community. I did not have the luxury of returning the items and paid quite a lot for customs and shipping.You can imagine my disappointment when an item turned out to be a “dud”. I decided to use my knowledge and experience to help other beauty lovers save time and money by candidly testing and reviewing beauty products. I also like to include aspects of lifestyle that might help with them making the right decision for them.
Do you have a favourite Sachi Skin product?
Again, this is a difficult question. I'm saying two because I love them both. They are both incredibly effective, and work well on my easily irritated, eczema prone skin. They are the Triphala Pigmentation Corrector and the Ursolic Acid & Retinal Overnight Reform. Just Holy Grails at this point!
You often talk about the stigma of being in an interracial relationship, would you like to share more about your thoughts on this?
There are so many layers here. I'll say one good thing and one bad thing. Good thing is, there is a sense of encouraging others to be free to love who they want to love. The bad thing is the boldness of people who share their unsolicited opinions on what they think about interracial relationships. It is worth living your life for you. My advice is, live your life for you! Do what is right for yourself and let go of the expectations of others.
What are some of your favourite daily affirmations?
A favourite affirmation of mine is:
I am happy
I am love
I share positive energy wherever I go
Growing up, what beauty traditions or customs did you often practice?
Moisturizer has always been part of my life. Particularly for my body, using a body lotion or balm is something I grew up doing. It's part of taking a shower or a bath. It is something I have come to appreciate as its a moment to really care for your entire body. You notice all the little changes as the moisturizer is massaged until it melts away into your skin.
What beauty practice helps you connect with your heritage or cultural upbringing?
Moisturizer! Whether it's hair oil, body butter or face cream, It's something that was shared within my family. Like my grandpa is always recommending Ponds for your face. It's his favorite and he has been using it since he was a child. He is now 93 and his skin looks amazing. To my aunts sharing a new recipe of hand made coconut oils to add to body butters. Moisturizer, as simple as it sounds, really connects me to my family and being from Trinidad & Tobago. It's almost a crime to be ashy!
We love the makeup looks that you feature on your instagram page. Where do you get your makeup inspiration from?
Music, movies and the artistry of makeup inspires me. A mix of the arts, trending makeup and classic looks, all inspire me. I do love soft glam makeup and take interest in seeing trends that are spin offs of old trends. It's interesting recreating some makeup trends to make them less editorial and more wearable for those who have a corporate job or everyday life.
If you could make one change happen in the beauty industry what would it be?
Replacing inequality and performatism with true inclusion and diversity.
Since you made the career switch to becoming a beauty influencer, content creator and strategist what advice would you give for those who would like to become a beauty influencer or content creator but are not sure how to start?
- To just start! Start taking pictures and videos of the beauty products you love and share why you love them. Post it! Don't overthink it.
- Find a community! you will be amazed how many people there are that love what you love. Engage with them!
- Don't compare yourself to anyone. You are uniquely you and that's who can do all the things you want to do!
Can you share one of your goals?
To get back to running 5 miles a day.
Tell us something that people may not know about you?
I have very big feet.
Anything exciting coming up for you in the next few months?
Getting back to travelling!! Albeit conservative, but I'm so excited to get back to travelling.
What is the best makeup advice you've ever received?
It's better to apply a little and build rather than apply a lot to remove.
Let's do some quick fire questions:
Coffee Tea or Neither?
Coffee and Tea.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
My dog snorting at me to go out
What are you currently watching on Netflix?
Friends From College
What is on your current playlist?
Pretty Girl Magic.
Finish the sentence: I feel beautiful when I'm..
Doing sun salutations in the morning sun.
