Who’s on your beauty inspo Pinterest board? No, seriously, because we know you have one (there’s no shame in this game – beauty envy is a real thing). Jennifer Lawrence? Kate Moss? Kylie Jenner? We’re pretty sure the answer is check, check and check, and luckily the force behind their much-loved eye looks (yep, those ones you can’t stop pinning), just happens to be on our Rolodex.
If you haven’t caught on already, we’re talking about Nina Leykind, aka one-half of the husband and wife duo behind eye make-up specialist brand, Eyeko. “I made it my mission to create the perfect mascara, working on every aspect,” she tells us, “from the squeeze tube to ensure there’s no waste, to the really long-lasting conditioning formulas and hand-finished bristle brushes that give you dramatic effects, packed with botanicals that give you long-term lash care.”
What with our less is more approach to beauty, mascara is pretty much the key component in our beauty arsenal. Add that to the fact that we’re always on the hunt for niche brands that absolutely nail one key thing and, well, it was only a matter of time before we sat down and quizzed Nina on all things mascara and the key products that take up real estate on her vanity. Herein, she reveals all and for the record, if you haven’t already jumped on the Eyeko train, now’s officially the time.
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CAREER
I’ve always had a creative streak and have a degree in fine art. I actually fell into the beauty industry via my husband Max. He started 90’s brand Hard Candy in LA with his school friends and I was PR-ing the brand via my PR agency. When Hard Candy sold to LVMH in 1998 we launched a dot com that evolved into the beauty brand Eyeko. I got the bug and started a number of beauty ventures including the first light up lip-gloss called Liparazzi in 2006 inspired by my friend Emma Bunton. Max and I refreshed Eyeko in 2011 as single-minded beauty brand focused on eyes and specifically mascara. We re-invented mascara by packaging it in a zero-waste squeeze tube to ensure it never dries out and set about educating consumers that one size doesn’t fit all, coining the term “mascara wardrobing” for using more then one mascara to create you’re ideal lash look.
As a founder and creative director at a niche brand like Eyeko, my role encompasses anything and everything. Currently I’m so excited about our bespoke concept and launching more image counters globally following on from the success of our exclusive launch in Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge in April. A/W 15 sees us launch in Saks 5th Avenue in New York as well as Lane Crawford in Hong Kong. Watch this space!
SKINCARE
The number one skincare rule I live by is exfoliating. It’s so important to start from a young age. I always encourage my twelve year-old daughter to use her Konac sponge to keep her skin clean and clear. Most people skip toner but I love it. We have been making most of our products in South Korea and Japan for years so with my skincare I more influenced by multi-level skincare so I will cleanse, exfoliate, tone, add serum, moisturiser, primer and tinted moisturiser every morning without fail. Now that I’m over 40, I always use products with Vitamin C or glycolic acids to renew and smooth my complexion.
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HAIR & MAKE-UP
Mascara is everything to me. I literally feel naked without it! My years spent in the beauty industry have basically been one long mascara mission. When I was younger I used to hate the feeling of wearing it as it always left my lashes feeling crisp. With Eyeko we use botanical blends that leave lashes feeling so soft and malleable that you almost forget you’re even wearing it. I can’t live without Eyeko Brow Gel, Lash Curlers or Black Magic Mascara too – they’re my make-up trifecta. I like a peachy cheek and lip combo so wear Bobbi Brown Calypso Coral Cheek Colour and Crème de la Mer lip balm teamed with various pink balms and colour picked up in Asia like Peripera Tint Water. My three ultimate pieces in my make-up bag (besides mascara, of course) is Eyeko Me & My Shadow Waterproof Liner in topaz to brighten my eyes, Eyeko Eye Do Liquid Eyeliner to add an instant cat eye if I’m going from desk to disco and some Chanel Blotting Papers to minimise my shiny T-Zone.
I’m excited to have recently met the team at Jo Hansford who treated me to some great colour care products – I love the grapefruit scented Everyday Shampoo. I’m a big fan of Frederic Fekkai Brilliant Glossing range and Kerastase products too. I love using Moroccan Oil to run through the ends of my hair before blow-drying. Otherwise, I’m quite low maintenance. I get Brazilian keratin treatments to minimise drying time as I love blow drys but hate drying my own hair! I have a local salon that I go to but George Northwood has promised me a do at his salon although I’m worried he’ll convince me to chop it all off and opt for a lob a la Alexa! I hate having my hair cut! I’m quite happy to have wispy ends. I colour my own hair using Nice ‘n’ Easy Root Touch Up!
I have weekly mani pedis and after years of wearing every colour under the sun and tons of nail art, I’m now strictly neutral and use OPI Passion on my fingers and toes! I go to Candi’s Nails on Boundary Road, which is round the corner from where I live. Massages are a big part of my routine too and are just so important for all round well-being. My back is so knotted and tight so I try and go once a month. More often then not, I have them done when I’m abroad but in London I like the Como Shambala Spa at The Metropolitan and Cowshed.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
I don’t follow health fads or quick fixes. I do love a green juice though when I’ve been feeling run down and Vitamin B12 to pep me up. I agree with Gizzi Erskine who promotes healthy eating over fear of wheat, dairy and carbs. As a mother it’s important for me to promote nutritional awareness and that involves lots of veggies, lean protein and of course carbs for energy. A little of what you fancy does you good! I don’t deprive myself of anything as I have a sweet tooth and love champagne but of course with age your metabolism slows down. Where before I could eat what I wanted and lots of it, now I’m forced to exert some restraint.
It’s important to be mindful about what you put in your body and that’s something I’m working on. A recent trip to Coco Island in the Maldives was very inspiring as they have a delicious holistic menu combined with daily yoga and swimming, which left me feeling refreshed and slimmer without consciously ‘dieting’ or trying to lose weight. Like most women, I’m always trying to lose that last 10 pounds of ‘baby weight’ even though my children are 8 and 12!
I’m not a fan of going to the gym, that’s for sure. I’m not a fan of going to the gym that’s for sure. I love walking and recently downloaded the Withings walking app where you have to do 10,000 steps a day and can connect with friends and family to see who’s winning each week. It gets very competitive! Max and I train with an ex-boxer who comes to our house and we spar in the garden, which is my absolute favourite as its an all round work-out but so much fun and a good way of releasing a weeks worth of pent up work tension!
Fitting in time to stay healthy and get rest bite is such a challenge even if you’re a stay-at-home mum, student, or whatever. As women we always seem to be multi-tasking and caring for others before ourselves. I always advocate taking simple steps like just making sure you get outside and walk about everyday, wear a slick of mascara, have clean hair and treat yourself to the odd mani pedi and a glass of champagne. It works for me.
Photographs by David Nyanzi exclusively for The Lifestyle Edit, with art direction by Naomi Mdudu.