Beauty / IN THE BAG

Fran Miller of F.Miller Skincare on the power of Gua Sha and the beauty of imperfections

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We love a clean skincare queen, and Fran Miller of her eponymous F.Miller Skincare brand is no exception. Hailing from Canada, the natural beauty pioneer knows a thing or two about what it means to take care of yourself from a holistic approach while running a business at the same time. Here, we speak with Miller on all things F.Miller, restorative Water-Spas, and why Lauren Hutton is her beauty icon.

 

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What is your morning beauty routine?

I start the day with a big glass of warm water with apple cider vinegar while burning incense. After showering, I'll generously spritz the F. Miller Toning Mist, then layer in my serums depending on how my skin is feeling — currently in rotation are Klur's Immersion and Skin Ceuticals C E Ferulic. Once absorbed, I mix 3 drops of F. Miller Face Oil with another spray of Toning Mist, gently blend into an emulsion, and press into my skin to seal everything in. Lastly, a few swipes of F. Miller Eye Oil under my eyes, across cheekbones, and lips. I go makeup-free most days but if I'm leaving the house I'll touch up any redness or spots with the RMS Uncover-Up concealer and add a peachy-pink to my cheeks. I like to do a light brush of matte bronzer on my eyelids and some ILIA Limitless mascara if I'm feeling fancy.

 

What is your night beauty routine?

I take 1-2 min to massage the F. Miller Cleansing Oil into dry skin, releasing any tension from the day, then adding warm water to turn it into a milky lather and rinse away. I like to exfoliate (physical and chemical) 2-3 times a week. I've been testing a new physical exfoliant we currently have in development, I just blend a small amount with the Cleansing Oil when my skin is feeling dull and congested. Then it's the same as the am — Toning Mist + Face Oil + Eye Oil, and an extra layer of F. Miller Lip Balm for overnight protection. In the winter I might seal it all in with a layer of this moisturizing balm I've been making — shea butter, cocoa butter, camellia, hemp, and rose.

Describe what you do for a living? What does a typical day look like for you?

I'm the founder of F. Miller, a consciously-crafted line of botanical skin and hair care essentials. Mornings always start with coffee, emails, and more coffee. Days alternate between formulating in-studio (where everything is currently produced), hours staring at a screen / on calls, visiting our local suppliers, creative shoots... I'm not sure a typical day exists but they're never dull.

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What is the supermarket/ drug store/ chemist beauty product(s) that you use and love?

Batiste Dry Shampoo and Bioderma Sensibio H20.

 

What is your main form of beauty body maintenance? What products do you use on your body?

I love using a dry brush before bathing to stimulate lymphatic drainage, exfoliate, and prevent body breakouts, which I'm prone to. We just released our new bergamot & vetiver Hand & Body Wash so a bottle lives by the sink as well as in the shower. I love to cleanse with that and I'll shave with the F. Miller Shave Oil — pretty much the only thing that prevents bumps and ingrowns for me. I immediately apply the F. Miller Body Oil all over to still-damp skin. I love wearing a scent, even if I'm working from home. My favourites are Bodha's Earth, Sigil's Prima Materia, and WeinerBlut's Freudian Wood.

How do you keep fit/ healthy? Does exercise form a large part of your routine?

I love moving my body and used to be super consistent with pilates and yoga but have been finding it increasingly hard to keep a routine these days. Instead, I've been opting for daily walks, bike rides, restorative stretching, and dancing. The movement-oriented live streams that took over at the height of quarantine have been just the right amount of levity to cut through the stress of the day and leave me happy and energized.

 

What procedures or professional treatments do you have as part of your beauty routine?

I like to schedule in a good facial once or twice a year, usually at the end of winter or summer. I'm bad at making time for it, but I love a spa day.

 

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What do you do when your body needs to recover?

Sleep, sunshine, nature, and a beautiful meal always makes me feel better. A hot bath with magnesium flakes and a pump of Body Oil, herbal tea, a massage. There's also a therapeutic water spa here in Toronto that I love. It's a saltwater—steam—sauna—cold plunge circuit that really rejuvenates.

 

You’re tired or rundown: what is your beauty hack?

A couple of minutes of gua sha massage, continuously running the tool under ice-cold water to calm and depuff. I keep bottles of Eye Oil and Toning Mist in the fridge too for extra cooling hydration. And never underestimate the power of an eyelash curler.

 

What is the one non-negotiable in your beauty routine?

Washing my face before bed, no matter how tired I am.

 

Do you have a beauty icon? Who are they and why?

Lauren Hutton. She's the definition of effortlessness, authenticity, confidence, and energy.

 

What is the best advice on beauty you’ve received?

Embrace your imperfections. Less, but better.

 

What is the best advice on health you’ve received?

Always listen to your body, make time for nourishment, and trust your intuition.

 

What is the one product you can’t live without?

Miller Face Oil — my favourite multi-tasker that soothes, balances, and leaves my skin glowing.

 

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