KRÈME CHATS WITH KEHINDE SMITH. FOUNDER OF MY EXTENSIONZ AND MY LASH EXTENSIONZ
March 05, 2017
Kehinde Smith, and her sister Taiwo Smith, are founders of the international brand My Extensionz, a Virgin hair company, and MyLash Extensionz, which retails beautiful mink lashes. When I got the pleasure to chat with her about how she keeps her melanin glow, it ended with me leaving the conversation speechless and impressed with her incredible work ethic which has led to establishing a successful business, to say the least. Thanks, Kehinde Smith for taking time out from building a beauty empire to chat with me. The sky is just the beginning.
How important is skin care to you?
Skincare is important to me because it is the first thing that people see when they meet you. I know a lot of people may not be blessed with great skin, but I believe if you put in a little time to take care of your skin, healthy skin is achievable.
What is your skin type?
Combination skin
You wear so many hats, how do you keep organized?
First I do not think of myself as a CEO of the company, I treat myself as an employee. Second, I have to give credit to an application I use called Asana. It keeps me organized, disciplined and helps me accomplish my tasks and goals, which is important when running multiple businesses
Take me through your skincare routine AM and PM
In the AM
I take a shower and moisturize my body with coconut oil. For my face, I cleanse with Clinique face wash, and I prefer to let my face air dry because I like the way my skin feels and looks afterwards. Finally, I prefer using natural oils to moisturize my face because for me it leaves my skin supple and with a glow.
In the PM
On an average day, I do not wear makeup. I prefer leaving my skin bare. But on the days, I do wear makeup, I make an effort to take make up off using the same routine that I did in the AM with the exception of moisturizer.
What is your favorite facial treatment and where did you get it?
My favorite facial treatments have been facials from my facialist in Chicago. She comes to my home to offer the treatment. I love her. I have been going to her for the past two years. In Lagos, I have been to the Oasis med spa, and they are pretty good as well.
What is the best skincare advice you have received, and what is the worst?
The best skincare advice would be to use cucumber around the eyes, and the worst would be using toothpaste on a pimple.
What is your current “can't live without” skincare product (if you had to run out of a burning building what product would you pick)?
My Clinique make up remover. It is great!
At the moment, what is your greatest joy?
At the moment, my greatest joy would be establishing my company without a loan or any investor. I started “My Extensionz” with $300 and now we have grown the brand with our own money. We plan on expanding, and hopefully get a VC to invest in our business, but so far, I am proud that we have come this far. Another joy is the ability to create jobs in Lagos, Nigeria; in the current economic climate, it is very difficult for talented individuals to get jobs so I am proud that our company is able to provide that while maintaining quality and standard.
What is beauty to you?
Beauty is your personality. I know it sounds cliché but beauty is what is in the inside, not what you see. The older I have become, the more this reigns true because someone can be really pretty on the outside but has an ugly personality. I strongly believe that if you feel beautiful on the inside, you will be beautiful on the outside. If you walk into a room feeling like the most beautiful girl in the world, people will look at you as the most beautiful girl in the world.
Whose beauty inspires you?
I think Dolapo Sijuwade is a drop dead gorgeous woman, and every time I see her she is always smiling.
What is your favorite facial treatment and where did you get it?
