Beauty / IN THE BAG

Fashion buyer, designer and consultant Ilkin Kurt knows where to find the best and brightest

Some people just have the edge - some captivating quality that makes you want to emulate everything they do and wear. Ilkin Kurt is one such woman, and here she shares with RUSSH her beauty favourites and philosophies.

My morning beauty routine is ...
I always turn on the music and drink a glass of water first thing. Then a good stretch session followed by brushing my body. Mornings I like to use gentle cleansers for my face to balance natural pH with amino acid support. Malin+Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser or Goop Luminous Melting Cleanser are the ones I use in rotation. Then jump in hot-cold water. After shower I tend to use The Beauty Chef Probiotic Skin Refiner four times a week. It is a supreme bio-fermented toner, rich of probiotics and lactic acid. Depends my day and mood would use either a moisturiser or face oil. I have started to use Tata Harper Retinoic Nutrient face oil since August, it is simply the best. I use Glossier Daily Sunscreen SPF 35 as it doesn’t give me any break outs. Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment cream is one of the products I swear by. Lastly, I will curl my lashes with Shu Uemura Curler.

My night beauty routine is …
I like to have a mint or mountain tea every night. It calms my body and brain down. Mostly, I don’t wear makeup, even ‘no makeup’ look make up. So, I really don’t need a heavy cleanser. Binu Binu cleansing balm is really amazing. It has hibiscus and rose clay and it is natural. If I need a big cleanse then I use La Mer The Cleansing Oil. Also, Bioderma is good. I love masks and use them generally at night. I currently like by Wishtrend Natural Vitamin Sheet Mask. If I don’t do mask, I either use Embryolisse or Herbivore Pink Cloud Rose Water moisturizer. Herbivore is a beautiful brand I discovered when I was in Seattle, it's light and super nurturing.

My favourite products for body are …
The Beauty Chef Cleanse and Collagen, Binu Binu Korean Scrub soap, Body Mitt to exfoliate, The Daughter of the Land body oils.

My favourite form of exercise is …
Walking. I find walking kind of a meditation. I try to wake up around 6am to do a good walk. Also, Pilates and yoga really helps me to tone, stay energetic & focused.

When my body needs to recover I …
Sleep as much as I need to and make vegetable soup with bone broth.

My favourite detox is ...
Eating just vegetables for a week … I feel a bit weak if I do more than a week as my body definitely requires carbs but I can see the change on my skin right away.

My favourite retox is …
Anything sweet. I would never ever say no to sweets. Any kind. All welcome.

When it comes to beauty I always ...
Think how a smile makes every single person look beautiful and healthy.

My beauty icon is ...
My mom. I always admired Susan Sarandon too, especially the way she aged. Natural and elegant. Recently re-watched The Hunger and she definitely has pure-wow effect.

The best advice on beauty I’ve received is …
Stay natural as much as you can and don’t fight with age.

The best health advice I’ve received is …
Your body needs equal amount of nutrition, rest and exercise. Don’t do any of it extremely. Allow yourself to enjoy. Smile lots. Also, take a bath three to four times a week and use the stairs instead of elevator.

The product I can’t live without is …
A moisturiser, as I spend so much time on airplanes.