You’ve probably seen Arif Khan sharing his insider makeup tricks on Space NK’s Instagram, or you might have had a one-on-one consultation with him via Space Live. As the senior pro-artist, Arif is in high demand at the moment. It’ll come as no surprise to anyone that has met Arif that he is a beauty obsessive. What Arif doesn’t know about makeup, probably isn’t worth knowing.
But, what does a beauty obsessive’s bathroom look like and what are the products he genuinely couldn’t live without? We asked Arif for a sneak peek around his bathroom. Not only did he talk us through his beauty stash and reveal his current skincare routine, but in true Arif style, he also shared a handful of his favourite makeup tips and tricks…
My Bathroom Cupboards Are A Minefield
I have so many products that I love to swap in and out of my routine to suit my skin’s needs. Your skin can change from day-to-day and so can it’s needs. That being said, I’m still minimal in my approach and will only have one type of product on-the-go at a time. I’ll use one eye cream, moisturiser, hyaluronic serum, face oil, gel cleanser and so on. Once I finish it I will replace it. Try to keep on top of when you opened your skincare. It has a shelf life from opening and you will see best results if you use it before this time.
My Makeup Stash Is Another Matter
The easiest way I remember what I have is to not collect too much at once. Who needs 10 mascaras on the go, they will only dry out or it will go missing and you won’t even notice. I group my items together so I have a draw full of skincare, another draw for makeup and one for my extra brushes and accessories. I have some draw dividers to stop my makeup from getting messy and I group it by base/complexion, cheeks, eyes and lips. That way I know when something needs replacing.
My bath and body products are kept in a separate box, where only I can find them. They are my treat to myself. I love to unwind with an Aromatherapy Associates bath oil and light one of my favourite Diptyque candles.
My Makeup Brushes Are Grouped
I am a little bit OCD, so my brushes are grouped based on how I would use them. I have three PVC bags of brushes: one for liquid/cream base/complexion brushes, one for face fluffy powder type brushes, and finally one bag for my smaller eyes/lips/detail brushes.
I Could Not Live Without A Brow Gel
If my brows are brushed-up and bushy I feel like I don’t need to wear any makeup. Brows frame your face and a good product can give the appearance of fuller, more lifted brows if used correctly. I use the Hourglass Arch Brow Shaping Gel as it gives me strong holding power even after a long day at work. Brush the gel through brows, going against the direction of growth to apply a good coating. Finish by brushing in the direction of growth to shape the brow. Choose coloured brow gel if you want to add some fullness.
And, Concealer Is My Best Friend
I absolutely love concealer, it makes me look like I’ve had lots of sleep. My favourite is the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Biscuit as its peachy tone really banishes my dark circles. Once I’ve set with a little bit of translucent powder, I feel like I’m ready to take on a new week! Not to mention it’s so tiny to keep in my bag at all times for on-the-go touch-ups.
But I Couldn’t Leave The House Without Mascara
A subtle but wide awake lash look makes you feel instantly brighter and more awake. First, I curl my lashes with the Surratt Relevee Lash Curler as my lashes are super straight. To make sure the curl holds, I finish with eyeko sport mascara. This waterproof formula helps to hold a curl and doesn’t flake, smudge or budge all day.
Primer Is The Product I Recommend Over And Over Again
It is a makeup must-have. A good primer will ensure your makeup lasts longer, it will smooth out your skin, and hydrate or mattify depending on your makeup goal. My go-to’s are Becca Backlight Priming Filter to achieve radiant skin; Kevyn Aucoin Glass Glow Liquid Illuminator for a dewy wet look skin; Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer for water-resistant, humidity-proof priming; and Laura Mercier Blurring Primer for its mattifying powers.
Good Skincare Is The Backbone Of Good Skin Though
My skin is generally combination to oily, so during the day I keep all my products lightweight. I start the day by cleansing with Odacite Black Aura Cleansing Water to keep my pores clean without stripping my skin. In the evenings, I’ll add in a second cleanse with Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel and incorporate Foreo’s Luna Play to remove my makeup, dirt and pollution from the day.
My current eye cream is Chantecaille Stress Repair Concentrate+ as it really nourishes the under eye area. I follow with Dr Dennis Gross Hyaluronic Marine Hydration Booster to feed my skin with hyaluronic acid to treat any dehydration and then slather on Goldfaden Vital Boost, which is a lightweight moisturiser that helps to even out skin tone and boost radiance.
I Target My Skincare Concerns Overnight
I like to target and treat my skincare concerns overnight. Odacite’s Clogged Pores Concentrate Serum is a nighttime essential and really works. I cannot spend a night without it – it’s always in my overnight bag or on my bathroom skincare shelf. I’m also using Ren Overnight Glow Dark Spot Cream at the moment to tackle my pigmentation from breakouts. It’s helping even out my skin tone while I get my beauty sleep.
