Nicky Kinnaird Talks Beauty

Nicky Kinnaird believes that beauty empowers. And she is passionate about helping women around the world empower themselves through an educated beauty regimen that helps them put their best face forward.

Kinnaird is the figurehead behind the burgeoning beauty empire, Space NK, founded in Covent Garden, London in 1993. And on a recent visit to one of her newly opened apothecaries, Space NK of New Canaan, she graciously agreed to sit down for a chat about skin care, cosmetics and the chemistry of confidence.

“My mother was always into fine fragrances and skin care,” explains Kinnaird. “And from the age of six onward, my family would spend about three months out of the year in Spain, in the Valencia region. It was there I was surrounded by scents and oils. The bathroom became a place of refuge. I was always into my mother’s lotions and potions. And she was always wondering where her fine bath oils were going to.”

Despite Kinnaird’s status as global beauty authority, she is incredibly down-to-earth. Her beauty -- and she is beautiful -- is easy and natural. Her skin just glows. Of course, I want to know her secret. But she’s not falling for something so easy.

“I want to deliver lifestyle appropriate skincare solutions,” she says. “Whether you’re into clean, green organics, or the latest chemical solutions, the important thing is working out what’s important to you, and what your skin needs now. Skin changes over time and space. Someone who sits in an office five days a week doesn’t have the same skin care needs as a ski instructor or someone who is outdoors most days.”

Since Kinnaird lives on the other side of The Pond, you’re not likely to bump into her strolling the streets of Fairfield County. Luckily for you, Kinnaird is happy to list her personal favorites from the Space NK collection. “I could go on and name every product in the store,” she says. That’s probably because she discovers and researches many products personally. “I’m just obsessed,” she laughs when I tell her she’s almost like a chemist.

But I’d be remiss in my duties as Fashion Editor if I didn’t make it out of that interview with a must-have list of empowering beauty products from Kinnaird. Here’s her highlights for what’s right for right now:

 

-- Clarisonic skincare brush – “This product has revolutionized skincare,” says Kinnaird. If that’s not a recommendation, I don’t know what is.

-- Hampton Sun sunless tanning gel – “It’s a sunless tanner that’s klutz proof,” says Kinnaird.

-- Cane and Austin retexturizing pads – “ There’s just an extraordinary difference in tone and texture with these pads.”

-- Soleil Terrybly Hydra Bronzing Tinted Syrum – “It’s just a no brainer; it’s that good.”

 

What are your midsummer skincare must haves?

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