“From the youngest age, I needed to be a mini Martha Stewart. I’d come dwelling from faculty and make scrapbooks, and I collected stickers and made stationery for myself. In that sense, I at all times knew that I wouldn’t go the usual route when it got here to my future profession, however did I ever assume I might be accountable for making equipment or have a enterprise associated to magnificence? In no way.

CAREER
I based Emi Jay in 2009 after I turned obsessive about styling my hair in center faculty. I wore a uniform to highschool, so the one manner so as to add slightly one thing to your uniform was via hair equipment or jewellery. I had a 14-year-old’s funds, and I couldn’t afford the entire issues that I noticed on exhibits like Gossip Lady, so my mother and I might dye elastics in our kitchen with completely different colours. That’s how it began.

For the primary 5 years of the enterprise, we did every little thing from our home—we have been dyeing every little thing in pots and pans. Then it acquired picked up by a number of magazines, and I feel that as a result of individuals solely knew drugstore elastic hair ties that will snap and damage your hair, they have been excited to see one thing completely different. 2019 is when issues actually modified. We at all times say there was Emi Jay 1.0, and now there’s Emi Jay 2.0.

We have been geared in the direction of a youthful demographic after we began Emi Jay, however now, our age vary is so large. We make merchandise for everybody—infants, toddlers, teenagers, adults, grandmas. There’s no age restrict. I at all times say whether or not you’re shopping for a hair clip out of impulse, otherwise you simply wish to purchase one thing that can make you content, otherwise you merely want one thing to place your hair up, we serve a function for each single a type of desires and wishes, and that’s distinctive as a small enterprise.

SKINCARE
I want I had pores and skin that would deal with each oil and serum, however it could possibly’t. I’ve struggled with pimples since I used to be 14 years outdated, I’m very eczema-prone, and I’ve perioral dermatitis (POD), which I feel was triggered by getting my make-up achieved for a buddy’s birthday in Las Vegas. I’ve handled it since then, which is gross to consider as a result of it in all probability implies that the make-up brushes have been actually soiled—or not less than that’s what my dermatologist instructed me. If I am not cautious, it comes again, so I hold my routine fairly minimal. Every little thing I exploit is fragrance-free, together with my laundry detergent, and I by no means use thick moisturizers.

If I’ve a POD flare-up, the Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protecting Cream is the one factor that calms it. When that occurs, I don’t use astringents like toners or pimples medication, and I keep away from sporting make-up.

Within the morning, I exploit a pea-sized quantity of Farmacy’s Inexperienced Clear Balm with Summer time Fridays’ Heavenly Gua Sha Instrument—the balm provides me a very nice glide. My face swells up so simply; I may actually have a lick of salt, and it’ll puff up like a balloon. I’ve to say I’m not as in step with my gua sha as I needs to be, however I’ve seen individuals’s faces, together with my sister’s, remodel with it. Proper now, I simply do about 5 minutes if I’ve the persistence and the time.

I observe up the balm with First Assist Magnificence’s Face Cleanser. I found it via one other certainly one of my buddies who has struggled with pimples her total life. She was looking for a cleanser that’s not so stripping, and this one’s actually light on the pores and skin. I’m obsessive about it—it’s so underrated. I additionally use FAB’s Extremely Restore Cream on my fingers when it will get slightly bit colder, particularly if I am going to New York through the colder months.

Since I can’t use something too thrilling, I like EltaMD’s AM Remedy Facial Moisturizer within the morning. I’ve been utilizing EltaMD merchandise since I used to be both 14 or 15 years outdated, and so they’re actually nice for acne-prone and delicate pores and skin. I additionally make a degree to place it on my eyes as a result of I don’t use eye cream—I simply haven’t discovered one which I’m obsessive about. Then I seize my EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 and name it a day after that.

For my lips, I at all times have Lucas’ Papaw Ointment on me. It’s one of the best ever—it’s not sticky, it’s unscented, it doesn’t check out my lips like different balms. I used to be utilizing Aquaphor for some time, but it surely triggered my POD.

At night time, I exploit a pump of DHC’s Pore Cleaning Oil. It’s a Korean magnificence model I just lately found on TikTok. Everybody was raving about the way it cleans so deeply and actually works on blackheads. After an extended day, particularly if I’ve been operating round, sweating, and have make-up on, it’s good to make use of one thing that basically will get the entire dust and dirt off. I wish to rub it on my face for about 5 minutes and take away it with heat water. Then I do a pump of Christie Kidd’s Clear Pure Facial Cleanser. I’ve been seeing Christie Kidd since I used to be about 15 years outdated. She’s my pimples fairy godmother and actually helped me clear my pores and skin.

A few my buddies go to Biba de Sousa, a facialist right here in LA, and he or she has a zinc masks that I like to make use of as a spot remedy. Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patches are nice, too, however not essentially for cystic pimples.

On the whole, I’m larger on remedies than I’m on costly skincare. I feel discovering a laser remedy that works on your pores and skin is among the finest investments you may make. I’ve been getting Laser Genesis on and off for about not less than 5 years at Christie Kidd. It helps with pimples marks or any scarring you could have, but it surely additionally helps with tremendous traces and boosting collagen. Simply final week, I had horrible breakouts, after which I did Laser Genesis, and now I solely have one little scar left. It’s magical.

BODY
Each morning and night time with out fail—it doesn’t matter if I’m operating late—I hydrate my total physique, from neck all the way down to my toes. I’ve observed since then that my pores and skin texture is way more bouncy and hydrated.

I exploit Rhode’s Glazing Milk on my neck and chest. It provides you the proper quantity of dewiness with out being oily, and it doesn’t break me out. On my abdomen and legs, I exploit a pump of Oak Necessities Dew Physique Oil. It’s so hydrating with out being uber thick or sticky. I like to combine it with Avène’s XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cream, which helps hold my pores and skin eczema-free. If it’s chilly or dry out, I’ll use a pea-sized quantity of the Augustinus Bader Physique Cream—the worth tag is loopy, however I ration it out—and blend it with Bio-Oil.

Aromasong’s Magnesium Oil was additionally a TikTok discover. I used to take magnesium earlier than I went to mattress, however then I examine individuals utilizing magnesium as an alternative of deodorant, so I began changing my deodorant within the morning with it too. I’ve not had to make use of deodorant in weeks, which is loopy. Truthfully although, I’m the placebo princess. [Laughs]

Once in a while I get a lymphatic therapeutic massage, which is an extravagant remedy. I am going to Detox By Rebecca Beverly Hills. Rebecca Faria, the founder, is superb. I began going to her as a result of I had double foot surgical procedure final yr, and my physician really useful doing lymphatic on my toes so as to drain the swelling. She simply does superb physique work.

MAKEUP
I at all times need my pores and skin to appear to be I simply stepped out of the spa—dewy, clear, and with out a number of pigment.

I at all times use my Emi Jay Popstar Clips in Aura to maintain my hair out of my face as I do my make-up. If I need a minimal daytime look, I’ll use the Kosas Revealer Concealer in 03 W on any spot that wants it. If I’m doing a nighttime look, I observe it up with the Clé de Peau Radiant Fluid Basis with SPF 25 in 020 Ocher. It’s actually dear, however I’ve fallen in love with it. It’s non-comedogenic, it goes on sheer so you possibly can construct the protection you need, and it doesn’t really feel cakey. It’s very near the Armani Luminous Silk Basis, which I used for possibly 10 years of my life. However with that one, that shade matching was by no means fairly proper.

I really like the 001 Common model of the Dior Backstage Glow Face Palette. I particularly love the infant pink shade. It’s a highlighter, however I even use it as eyeshadow or as a blush if I would like one thing fast, or I’ll layer it with my cream-based merchandise. I really like utilizing the bronze shades as eyeshadow, too.

Saie’s Lash Roller [discontinued] is certainly one of my favorites as effectively. I really like that it’s lilac; it’s the cutest. I additionally love, love, love Saie’s Solar Soften Pure Cream Bronzer in Medium Bronze. Then I add Advantage’s Flush Balm Cream Blush in Beverly Hills. It’s the proper dusty rose hue.

So far as lip liner goes, I’m a Charlotte Tilbury Medium Pillow Discuss Lip Liner woman until I die. It’s actually the one lip liner that I exploit as a result of it makes my lips look extra voluptuous. Then I exploit both Summer time Fridays’ Lip Butter Balm in Pink Sugar or Rhode’s Peptide Lip Remedy in Vanilla. I at all times have them in my bag.

Lastly, I’m obsessive about the Uncommon Magnificence Lengthy-Lasting Setting Spray. Lots of the setting sprays I’ve tried will be drying, however Uncommon Magnificence’s is so hydrating. Typically, I even use it like a face mist. I don’t know if you happen to’re purported to, however my sister does as effectively.

HAIR
I’ve a bizarre hybrid of hair—it’s thick and it dries slightly wavy, but it surely will get greasy on the high very simply. I do know everybody says to not, however I wash it each different day. I truly like to change backwards and forwards between manufacturers as a result of I don’t need my hair to get too used to at least one or the opposite. I’ll both use the Milbon Restore Restorative Shampoo and Smoothing Conditioner—my mother heard of the model from her hairstylist—or the Davines OI Shampoo and OI Conditioner.

After that, I exploit Davines OI Anti-Frizz Oil, which is thick and superb. If not, then I’ll seize the Olaplex Nº.7 Bonding Oil, particularly if I’m going to do a blowout or use my Dyson Airwrap. Klorane’s Dry Shampoo with oat milk is nice in between washes.

If I’m going to sleep, I at all times put up my hair with an Emi Jay Candy Desires Scrunchie in Counting Sheep as a result of it’s fabricated from silk. So far as day-to-day kinds go, I at all times work with an Emi Jay Bamboo Paddle Brush or Emi Jay Flat Brush, which is fabricated from bamboo and pure boar bristles—good, uncooked supplies hold your mane good and wholesome. I at all times have an Emi Jay clip on me—I particularly love the Large Effing Clip in Buttercream, Large Effing Clip in Toasted, and Sweetheart Clip in Pink Pixie—and as wanted, I’ll use the Emi Jay Angelstick, our hair smoothing balm. I’ve so many child hairs, and I used to be at all times searching for one thing to tame them, however I didn’t need my hair to be pinned straight and caught to my head. Each product I got here throughout was both too waxy or too oily or too aromatic, so we formulated our personal with tremendous yummy components like murumuru butter, castor oil, shea butter, and vitamin E. Its major function is for flyaways, however you possibly can even apply it to your eyebrows or your cuticles—and it’s unscented. For me, it’s the cherry on high of a easy hair routine.

I do actually, actually minimal highlights with Matt Rez, who’s superb. Right here’s the factor although—I’m allergic to dye, and Matt’s actually affected person as a result of we’ve to ensure that the dye doesn’t contact my scalp, which is tremendous thrilling and enjoyable once you’re sitting there for hours. [Laughs] I do know I’m the final particular person a colorist desires to have of their chair, however we discovered a system that works.

Really, the best way that I found I’m allergic was intense. You understand how at youngsters’ birthday events, they’ve henna tattoos? I acquired a Howdy Kitty henna tattoo on my ankle after I was 5 years outdated, and it gave me a loopy rash. For possibly 10 years, I had a Howdy Kitty scar. However I didn’t assume that being allergic to henna meant that I used to be allergic to all sorts of dye, so I begged, begged, begged my aunt to take me to get my eyelashes tinted when my mother was out of city in center faculty. I awakened in the course of the night time, and my eyes have been swollen shut and leaking. I ended up within the emergency room.

FRAGRANCE
I’m obsessive about Kuumba Made’s Persian Backyard Perfume Oil—I get it at Entire Meals. It has such a heat, yummy odor, but it surely’s additionally not too harsh that it provides me a headache. I get 1,000,000 compliments after I put on it. I largely love pure oils as fragrance, however I do like AERIN’s Amber Musk and One other 13 by Le Labo, too.

For my dwelling, I’m big on Jenni Kayne candles, the cedar candle particularly. Feu de Bois from Diptyque smells like Christmas. It’s a really woodsy scent, however I burn it year-round as a result of I really like Christmas a lot.”

— As instructed to Daise Bedolla

Photographed by Brittany Bravo in Los Angeles on September 30, 2023