As the founder of Australian fashion label Albus Lumen, Marina Afonina believes in sun, salt and slow living as the ultimate beauty salves. A purveyor of less is more, she’s a big believer in how beauty makes her feel – simple skincare, great brows and a midday nap.
How do you define beauty?
Beauty for me comes from self-love, care and confidence.
What’s your earliest beauty-related memory?
I grew up in Russia where self-care and presentation are very important. Culturally it’s in our DNA to look after our skin from an early age. Sauna was also part of my weekly routine... it still is now. It does wonders for my skin.
Who or what was your earliest beauty influence?
My Mother of course, my number one muse. She’s in her late 60s and looks amazing. She never stops finding new ways to look after her skin, inside and out.
Has she inspired your approach?
Every day. She’s inspired my balanced approach to food, affinity with getting out in nature and just having a generally positive attitude. Only now in my late 40s do I truly see it’s important to take care of your thoughts. A positive outset makes you look young and fresh, 100 per cent.
Do you remember the first time you felt beautiful?
Probably memories of us as a family going to Black Sea – weeks of pure sun, swimming and fresh fruit. That’s the kind of thing that makes me happy.
What is it you love about the ocean – how does it make you feel?
I am totally sun dependent. Vitamin D is the number one factor when it comes to my happiness. Saltwater does absolute wonders. It has healing powers.
What’s your beauty philosophy now?
My approach is quite simple. I don't like to complicate things. Plenty of rest, minimised stress, hydration, fresh air, sun, moisturising, cleansing, sauna, swimming… Nothing over the top.
How do you feel about growing old?
I’m not scared to grow old. I’m happy to embrace it. I’ve never been that person who’s weird about sharing my age. As long as I’m doing what I love and being true to myself, I’m happy.
How do you feel about cosmetic procedures?
Totally fine. Everyone should be able to choose and do what they want and what makes them feel better. I have no judgment.
How has your relationship with your reflection changed over the years?
I absolutely love my age now – maybe that comes from growth and wisdom, other parts of growing up. I have full synergy at the moment.
Tell me about your brand, Albus Lumen – how do you want women to feel in themselves when they’re wearing your clothes?
Confident and beautiful. We are all very different and I love to see how people express themselves through clothes.
Whose beauty do you admire most and why?
Do you have a beauty icon? Probably some usual suspects from the old world: Grace Kelly, Monica Bellucci, Sophia Loren, Bridget Bardot, Jackie Onassis.
What catches your attention when you look at someone you think is beautiful?
Energy.
What kind of beauty look do you feel the most comfortable in?
No makeup and clean skin. But I love a good brow.
What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
Cleanse and moisturise my face.
And the last thing you do before you go to bed?
Put a rich moisturiser on my face and hands.
Do you need much sleep?
Seven hours is ideal for me.
What skincare products do you swear by?
Karpati Soothing Marine Repair Serum. All products by Eva Karpati are my absolute favourites. Plus Byredo La Tulipe hand cream, Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant and Sisley Paris Black Rose Mask.
And makeup?
I don't love makeup, but I get rosacea from time to time so love a touch of foundation around my nose and chin. Favourites include La Mer and Sisley Paris.
What’s your favourite lipstick?
Lipstick is a commitment, but I love red if I’m in the mood.
What kind of mood?
Being an introvert, I don’t like standing out – I think this is why I like to keep my look minimal. But sometimes you just need a little something. Red adds instant glamour.
What’s your signature scent?
I am obsessed with perfume, candles, anything that has a nice smell. I even sometimes wear perfume to bed. Smells have this sense of escape and imagination. I don't have a signature but my favourites are Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady, Frederic Malle Eau de Magnolia, Le Labo Fleur D’Oranger 27 and Byredo La Tulipe.
What rituals help you to channel confidence?
Clean skin, perfectly slick hair, manicured hands and feet. I like The Beauty Chef Flora Fix Balm on my cuticles.
What's the most unusual beauty habit you have?
Maybe day naps?
What is the strangest thing you’ve done in the name of wellness?
I am not that adventurous. I do appreciate a good ingestible supplement though – The Beauty Chef Glow is a really good one for gut and skin health.
Do you have a wellness vice?
Exercising. I’m a bit lazy though, sometimes it's a struggle…
And the last product you bought because you were influenced, and did you like it?
I bought an eyebrow pencil as I love a good eyebrow, but I’m hopeless when it comes to application so I ended up getting a brow mist from Amy Jean. I love it! It’s so natural but gives me some shape and definition.
What film do you think has the greatest beauty moments?
I grew up on old French and Italian movies with natural untouched beauty — La Piscine with Romy Schnider, Jane Birkin and Alan Delon, La Dolce Vita with Anita Ekberg and Marcello Mastroianni. All the classics.
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