Behind the Routine with Monica Adubofour

by AJANI with MONICA ADUBOFOUR

Monica is a California girl by way of Ghana.  Her interests include spending too much money on handbags and finding small ways to make the world a better place.  Here's what's behind her routine.

What's the first beauty product you remember purchasing on your own?
Monica:  A  LANCOME JUICY TUBE LIPGLOSS. Apologies for the yelling but those things were my life. I bought my first with a Macy's gift card at 12 and it kicked off a yearlong obsession with collecting every 'flavor' they had. They were my first foray into high end lipgloss (followed closely by MAC lipglass) and applying the gloss was this whole ritual for me. I googled it recently and they still make them so I may need to snag a couple for old time's sake.

Who was your beauty icon growing up?
Monica:   While I do recall being totally obsessed with  Brandy and Whitney's makeup looks in their 1997 rendition of Cinderella,  I'm not sure I had one. I was and still am obsessed with fashion so I was far more interested in getting inspired by what the cool girls were wearing on TV and in Seventeen/Teen People/Teen Vogue etc., so that I could gather ideas for my collections. Young Moni was sure she was destined to show at NYFW. 

Do you wear makeup regularly?  If so, how old were you when you started doing so?
Monica: I do. I've gotten even more excited about it as so many options for women of color have arrived on the scene over the past few years. I started dancing competitively at around 11 and I distinctly remember the day I went with my mom and sister to the MAC counter to get  stage makeup. I'd practice makeup application using those products and it moved beyond the stage into my every day life when I started high school.

When did you first see yourself as beautiful?
Monica: Maybe like...last week? In all seriousness it wasn't until after I graduated college. I've gained immense amounts of confidence in myself and none of that confidence stems from being beautiful in the physical sense. Once I reached a place of inner beauty and self acceptance it was so much easier to love and appreciate the person I saw in the mirror. I can confidently say "I am beautiful." and believe it today. Four years ago I doubt I could've.  

Has your idea of beauty changed as you've gotten older?
Monica: Oh, fa sho! I place so much more value on who I am as a person. I think true beauty stems from how I treat others and what I've accomplished. I'm not discounting outer beauty but I think it only gets you so far. A bomb lipstick can help, but who cares if you're a terrible person? It's also wonderful that society's definition of what's beautiful has widened-in my opinion.  Growing up I very rarely saw people who looked like me celebrated for their beauty. I've very purposefully filled my life and my instagram feed with amazing women who reflect the beauty in diversity. I'm so thankful spaces like that can exist.

What's the one product you can't live without?
Monica:  I cannot pick just one. If I had to pick a category of products it'd be moisturizer. I'm the driest person out so I'd last about 10 minutes without it. 

Please walk me through the products I'm looking at and describe what they do and how you were introduced to them.  Please describe your morning and evening routine. 

Monica: 

• skincare (night)
  • Bioderma hydrabio micellar water: I use this to remove my makeup at the end of the day. It's gentle, doesn't strip my skin and magically has all my makeup off in two cotton rounds. Beautylish.com's  e-commerce boutique is the truth.  They offer a great selection of skincare and makeup brands from all over the world. Plus, since their distribution center is based here in the bay, I'll have everything I ordered in like, two days. 
  • Peter Thomas Roth Irish Moor Mud Cleansing Gel: I use this to cleanse after I've removed my makeup. It's the perfect daily cleanser to decongest pores, very lightly exfoliate and generally maintain skin without being harsh. While I might switch it up and use something stronger when I have a breakout, I always return to my good pal Pete.   
  • Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle Turbo Toner:  I've been using this toner for 3 years and I'm convinced it's helped my burgeoning smile lines to chill out. Now that I'm squarely in my mid-20s I use it every night and thoroughly enjoy the fact that it has 18 anti-aging neuropeptides and subtly sparkles in the bottle. 
  • The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%:  I love The Ordinary and will shout that from the rooftops at anyone who will listen. Their products are a super low cost and effective gift to this world. I use this serum 4 days a week  about 10 minutes after I tone to exfoliate and brighten. It's honestly the reason why I'm happy to go all over town without makeup. 
  • Mario Badescu Caviar Night Cream: Mario is my boo. For someone as dry as I am finding this night cream (and all others within the line formulated for dry skin) was a huge blessing. I wake up dewy and ready to take on the day.
  • Mario Badescu Glycolic Eye Cream: Again, this is super moisturizing. It's the first eye cream I ever purchased and I always return to it.
• skincare (day) 
  • Years ago I found that my pores would open up and refuse to fully vanish if I washed my face in the morning so all I do now is tone with Bioderma hydrabio to clear them and prep my skin for makeup.
  • not pictured: I'll also slather on a couple drops of The Ordinary's  hyaluronic acid  2% and B5 to help keep my skin moisturized. Hyaluronic acid works by  drawing moisture to the skin and holding it there- it's honestly a miracle.
• makeup
  • I start by spraying my face with Mario Badescu Facial Spray to add some moisture. I carry one of these in my work bag, and have one in like, every room in my house so I can quickly refresh my skin in case it gets parched. 
  • I then prime with a dab of It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores  focusing on areas where my pores are more pronounced like my cheeks.
  • I'll then slather on a bunch of MAC Prep and Prime Face Protect SPF 50 I am INSANE about SPF  because I use acids on my face (which may thin skin) so frequently. This one is light and doesn't leave me feeling itchy or looking gray.
  • Next is concealer. I've been on the hunt for the perfect shade that's brightening without being over the top, ashy or too subtle for years. Since I've yet to find it I mix different shades of Bobbi Brown Instant Full Cover Concealer (one of my favorite formulas in the world, thicc with two c's) and Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer  to achieve the look I want. I'll dab it on with my finger and go back over it with a Beauty Blender. 
  • I'll set that with the makeup forever loose powder and buff it out after I've put foundation on.
  • Fenty Pro Filter foundation is life. I will spend a long day fighting the patriarchy and look nearly flawless when I get home. Also great for looking like you tried when you arrive at a post work tinder date. I spray my face again with Mario after my foundation is done. 
  • I've been using the NYX eyebrow pencil since you (Simone) introduced me to another product in their brow line when eyebrows became a thing in college. So cheap and so good. I've probably had like 15 of these 
  • Laura Mercier Face illuminator powder is the perfect highlight for day because it gets you poppin without looking extra. No individual sparkles, just a lit from within matte glow. I've also never seen such a perfect bronze-y gold anywhere 
  • I finish off with Diorshow mascara on top and bottom lashes, spritz once more with Mario. Finally I'll douse my face in a healthy splash of CoverFX illuminating setting spray to give them dewy realness.