Remove makeup and grime with our Oil Cleanser, a blend of skin-loving oils and anti-inflammatory ingredients that washes off cleanly with warm water.
Follow with our mildly foaming Facial Cleanser, a milky wash to remove residue while gently exfoliating without irritating or drying out skin.
Use the Oil Cleanser and Facial Cleanser on their own, or together as part of a two-step cleanse. Save 15% when you purchase our Double Cleanse Bundle.
Spritz face with the Kahina Toning Mist to refine skin tone, plump and calm skin while prepping the skin for oil application. Our Toning Mist is a hydrosol boosted with sodium hyaluronate to draw moisture into skin and allow oils to absorb more readily.
Eyes
Apply one to two drops of Kahina Eye Serum onto fingertip and dab onto the delicate skin of the eye area to brighten and depuff. Sodium Hyaluronate and peptides build collagen and draw moisture into the skin.
For drier skin, layer the Kahina Eye Cream over the Eye Serum to moisturize skin and minimize fine lines and wrinkles. Sea Fennel extract energizes and rejuvenates the skin.
Brighten:
Apply one to two pumps of Kahina Brightening Serum to skin prior to oil application to improve dullness, minimize dark spots and to even out the complexion. Studies have shown that the active ingredients in Brightening Serum, Sea Daffodil and Japanese Seaweed reduce dark spots by up to 60% and inhibit melanin production up to 90%, preventing future discoloration from occurring.
Follow with the Kahina Facial Lotion, a simple, unscented emulsion to nourish skin and protect the skin barrier.
For drier, more mature skin, replace the Facial Lotion with the Kahina Face Cream, rich in resveratrol and polyphenols from red wine grapes, to build collagen, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improve skin tone and texture.
One to two times per week, apply our Antioxidant Mask in a layer covering the skin of the face and neck and let rest for approximately 5 minutes before massaging into skin. The fine grains of Rhassoul Clay along with AHA in lactic acid will gently exfoliate and brighten skin while Argan Oil replenishes lost moisture
At night, after cleansing and applying oils, use the Kahina Moisture Mask as a sleeping mask to plump and deeply moisturize skin while reducing redness. Aveeno plumps skin while Poria Cocos mushroom extract reduces redness and brightens skin.
To achieve the ultimate in glowing, plumped skin we recommend using the Kahina Moisture Mask following exfoliation with the Antioxidant Mask.
]]>
|
One of the first brands on our shelves was Kahina. It occurred to us, recently, that many people may not realize what a pioneering brand it is. Dara thought she’d share a recent conversation with Kahina’s founder, Katharine L’Heureux, about her journey — and what inspires her ever-forward-thinking mind these days.
Check out their conversation below. Katharine is a genuine pioneer, and we are so proud at Ayla to be one of Kahina’s longtime partners.
Dara: Kahina is one of the few brands that’s been with us since the early days; since you founded the business in 2008-2009, you’ve been committed to healthy ingredients, sustainable approaches to packaging, and mindful sourcing. This was about a decade before those became the standards that most brands in our world strive for — I think you were even the first brand that I saw using Miron glass! What led you to commit to these practices then, and what has it been like to see the world of beauty evolve to catch up with you?
KATHARINE: I was first introduced to argan oil in 2007 while on vacation in Morocco, and was impressed by its purity and efficacy. It made a real difference in my skin, unlike the traditional luxury skincare products I had been using. The idea that a pure oil could transform my skin was an epiphany.
I started importing the oil to the US in 2008 and began learning more about the oil’s production and the social and economic impact it has on the indigenous women of Morocco. At the time, industrial agriculture was becoming more prevalent in Morocco, representing a major shift from the small, organic family farms that had always existed there, and globalism was causing a shift away from artisanal crafts and traditional farming techniques leading to a loss of opportunity for rural women.
In seeking the highest quality oil, I became dedicated to preserving the proper harvesting and production of the oil, both for the environmental impact on Morocco and for its impact on the Berber women of Morocco who do the work of extracting it.
When I decided to expand the business by introducing new formulas based on Argan Oil in 2009, which are made in the US, it was a no-brainer that the products would be organic. The only products I knew of at the time using Argan Oil contained chemical preservatives. My thinking was, “Why would you take this beautiful, pure oil and contaminate it?”
You are right that luxury organic skincare did not exist as a category then, and there were no similar brands to Kahina on my radar at the time, but I wanted to create something that looked and felt different from what was being sold. And I felt that if I was going to put something out into the world, it would not contribute to the waste and exploitation of labor and environmental resources that were/are customary in the industry. It was born of respect for the customer, the environment, and the people who grow and harvest our raw materials. I am thrilled that these practices have become the standards for customers today.
Dara: What aspects of the beauty world today do you think could use further evolution?
KATHARINE: As the natural, organic, clean (or whatever you want to call it) industry has grown, a lot of money has flowed into the category and I fear that many of the core principles have become diluted. There is a lot of misleading information and customers are understandably confused.
I maintain my belief that the category is about so much more than beauty. The conversation also touches on issues of land preservation and uses, labor, environmental protection, as well as consumer health. So many people have rushed into the category solely to cash out, without adhering to the basic core principles of the natural beauty category — including transparency of ingredients. The resulting confusion and lack of accountability can be a turnoff to consumers.
Dara: I’d love to hear what you find interesting in the world right now — a pioneer is always a pioneer. What are some things (people, places, products, ideas, trends) that inspire you these days?
KATHARINE:
Dara: What else would you like everyone to know about Kahina?
KATHARINE: Although we have been in business for 15 years, we are still a very small, family-owned and operated business. We are the ones responding to your emails and filling your orders. It is very personal to us.
We are not interested in following trends and jumping on the latest ingredient bandwagon in skincare. We believe in our products and stand by our belief in a simple, effective skincare routine.
Our simple, yet effective line of skincare is all you need to moisturize, hydrate, exfoliate, stimulate circulation, strengthen the skin barrier, and boost collagen. We do not follow fads or trends and will only release new products when we think one will be a valuable addition to our line. We do not believe in seasonal products or gendered products. We carefully consider the impact on the environment of each product that we introduce.
Kahina Giving Beauty is a family owned and operated business based out of New York City. Our team, Katharine, James and Grace, want to thank all of you who have been part of this journey with us, and welcome all you who are just discovering Kahina Giving Beauty.
]]>
Summer is here at last! We are ready for spending lots of time outdoors gardening, swimming and hiking as well as just laying back and soaking up the summer sun (with SPF, of course). It's a time when we don't want to spend too much time fussing with our skincare. But the combination of summer's heat and humidity (or dry heat depending on your climate), water and sunscreen call for some special care. Deep cleansing followed by lightweight moisture is important now. For those in drier climates or who spend a lot of time in the water (like yours truly), more moisture is key. Beyond physically protecting your skin from the harmful UV rays, there is more you can do to make sure you are protecting your skin at the cellular level from the aging and cancer causing effects of the sun.
1) Make sure to thoroughly remove pore clogging buildup from sunscreen with a thorough cleanse each evening using our Oil Cleanser followed by a second cleanse with our Facial Cleanser. The Oil Cleanser will effectively remove oil buildup from SPF and makeup. The Facial Cleanser will gently and thoroughly cleanse any remaining product or debris. Both products have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects and are ideal for dry and/or sensitive skin.
2.) Spritz face with our Toning Mist to refine skin tone, plump and calm skin while prepping the skin for oil application (a must). With a base of aloe vera, our Toning Mist works wonders for relieving skin after too much time in the sun. Spray it on throughout the day at your computer or by the beach to revitalize and refresh. Since the Toning Mist is a hydrosol boosted with sodium hyaluronate, it will allow the application of oils to absorb more readily into skin.
3.) One of our most active products, Kahina Brightening Serum works to regulate melanin production and reduce hyperpigmentation, meaning fewer dark spots and discoloration later as a result of time enjoying the sun now. Massage a couple pumps of this lightweight emulsion into skin prior to oil application so that the active ingredients, Sea Daffodil and Japanese Seaweed, can easily penetrate the skin surface. Studies have shown Sea Daffodil to reduce dark spots by up to 60% and Japanese Seaweed has been shown to inhibit melanin production up to 90% to prevent future discoloration
4.) We are firm believers in a less is more philosophy approach in the summertime. Keep moisturizing simple with lightweight, easily absorbed, yet nourishing Argan Oil. Massage two to three drops into skin of face and body, or mix it with the Brightening Serum. This multipurpose wonder is perfect for the summer months, especially when traveling. Run through hair to protect before getting in the water at the pool or ocean. After massaging argan oil onto your face, run any excess through the ends of tresses to tame frizz. Use as a body moisturizer and to condition nail cuticles. Mix it with your foundation to give skin a radiant, sun-kissed glow.
5.) When extra nourishment and repair is needed, especially needed after a day in the sun, apply our Face Cream to soften skin and seal in moisture and/or our calming Moisture Mask used overnight as a sleeping mask. This multi-tasker is so much more than just a moisturizing mask. It brightens, calms and boosts collagen. At Kahina we've nicknamed it the EVERYTHING Mask. Use it at night and wake up with plump, soft skin and a brighter complexion.
]]>Recent innovations have led skincare aficionados to serums and creams that feature collagen as an ingredient - and most recently, ingestible powders and supplements.
Is mixing a scoop of collagen powder into your morning coffee or tea going to produce collagen in the body - and make you look and feel younger? The jury is definitely still out on this. A lot of MDs say that collagen powders don’t do anything to help build collagen in the body. We don't see any harm in using this type of collagen supplement, but we wanted to offer some thoughts and possible alternatives.
When you see collagen listed as an ingredient in powders, supplements - and even skincare - it almost always comes from animal sources: beef, pork, and fish. Marine collagen, which is in so many skincare products and sounds oh so innocent, actually comes from fish scales! The problem with this, even for meat eaters, is that we don’t necessarily know if the animals this collagen is obtained from are being treated in an ethical manner, how they are raised, or what they are fed.
Team Kahina has a few ways to get our “fix” and give our bodies the boost they need to produce more collagen. Our favorite way is of course, through high quality plant-based skincare ingredients applied topically. Rather than including collagen as an actual ingredient in our products, we have worked with our team of experienced chemists and researchers to find the latest ways to boost collagen in the skin.
One such ingredient is a potent marine microalgae sustainably produced using the latest in green farming technology. This microalgae provides a rich source of bio-available carotenoids, essential fatty acids, and sterols with proven anti-wrinkle activity, that encourage the skin to produce collagen. Unlike the marine collagen that you often see in skincare, this unique collagen building ingredient is 100% plant based. We were so excited about this new breakthrough ingredient that we reformulated one of Kahina’s star products to include it - our Restorative Serum.
Our customer favorite Restorative Serum already had an impressive roster of ingredients including collagen-building Vitamin C rich Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil and this new active takes it to the next level. “Snatched” jawline, here we come!!
The area which tends to show age first is around the eyes. Both our Eye Serum and Eye Cream contain Hexapeptide 11, a plant-based form of collagen that features a unique lineup of amino acids that encourage collagen production. It isn’t a common skincare ingredient but it is powerful. We love to layer the Eye Cream over the Eye Serum for a one-two punch to help improve the look of dark circles (the Eye Serum gets raves from customers fighting the war on undereye circles!) and fine lines and wrinkles.
Kahina Antioxidant Mask is a fantastic way to treat yourself to a weekly or bi-weekly home facial that helps to decongest pores and provide gentle exfoliation. Even fans of this super popular mask may not know that the Rhassoul Clay responsible for much of the magic of this product contains a large volume of silica - a substance the body needs to make collagen. Silica is actually also found in many foods like bananas and leafy greens.
And speaking of food (a favorite subject here at Kahina HQ), we love to compliment our skincare routines by adding collagen rich foods to our diets. All of the most collagen rich foods are things we already love and that nourish us in many other ways including:
Here’s a smoothie recipe we love that features some of our favorite collagen producing foods. We can’t promise it will firm your jawline (though drinking through a straw may help tone the area) - but it tastes great and will definitely help your skin look its best. We don’t usually measure exactly, so feel free to play around with the amounts to get it to your liking. If you have other recipes to share featuring collagen boosting foods please drop a comment - we’d love to try them!
Kahina Collagen Builder Breakfast Smoothie
½ cup sliced Strawberries
1 cup Frozen cauliflower rice (this is a Vitamin C packed substitute for ice cubes and you don’t taste it!)
Handful of spinach
2 tsp cashew butter
8 oz. Almond or other plant based milk
Splash of vanilla extract
1 tsp raw honey
]]>While we don't really believe in separate product categories for different seasons, or for men and women for that matter, there are some ways you can tweak your KAHINA routine to fit the changing season, which can be especially hard on skin. Our skin is feeling particularly dry and in need of support after this winter (was it especially cold or is that in our imagination?). As we head into warmer weather and more humid conditions, skin can handle a little less moisture and more active ingredients, but for now, our focus is on shedding dead skin cells leftover from winter with gentle exfoliation, stimulating cell regeneration and moisturization. KAHINA's gentle and nourishing line of skincare products are just right for this time of year.
Here's Katharine's Winter to Spring KAHINA routine.
1. First, I shed dull winter layers of skin with KAHINA's exfoliating and detoxifying Antioxidant Mask. This is like my deep spring cleanse for skin. The rhassoul clay in this mask draws impurities from the skin and provides just the right amount of physical exfoliant without harming the protective layer, while AHAs in lactic acid stimulate cell turnover. Skin is supported and moisturized with argan oil, while a heavy dose of antioxidants in pomegranate and acai protect skin again sun exposure. I do this 1 to 2 times per week.
2. Nightly, I use the KAHINA Facial Cleanser, a gentle, anti-inflammatory milky cleanser that doesn't strip skin of natural oils. The lovely light scent of neroli reminds me of spring when the weather outside doesn't feel much like it. If I'm not feeling lazy or have been wearing makeup, I'll do a double cleanse starting with the KAHINA Oil Cleanser.
3. Gently tone and hydrate with the KAHINA Toning Mist, a sodium hyaluronate-infused spray with alfalfa seed extract, which serves as a natural retinol to encourage cell turnover. This really plumps my skin when it is dehydrated to reduce fine lines and shrink pores. It is an important step prior to applying oils so that they don't sit on my skin.
4. Then, I massage 1 - 2 pumps of the KAHINA Brightening Serum into my skin to boost radiance and prevent dark spots from happening as I will be spending more time in the sun soon!
6. I always follow with an oil, and right now I'm loving our newly reformulated Restorative Serum to build collagen, brighten and nourish my skin with active ingredients such as licorice and marshmallow root in a blend of antioxidant rich oils like argan, prickly pear, carrot seed, and seabuckthorn seed. This is one of the first products KAHINA ever introduced, and while the formula has changed over the years, the scent never has. I am addicted to it!
7. After oil application, I massage the KAHINA Face Cream into my skin to deliver moisture and antioxidant rich polyphenols to fight free radicals that cause signs of aging, sealing it in and protecting my skin's barrier with shea butter.
8. My skin is extremely dry right now, so I'm opting for a little extra moisture at night. Before bed, I'll apply a layer of the Moisture Mask or the Lip & Face Balm to leave on overnight (see our post on slugging here).
Through April 4, receive a FREE Antioxidant Mask with your purchase of $100 or more. No code required.
]]>As part of our Powered By Women series in honor of Women's History Month, we sit down with KAHINA's Head of Operations (and daughter of KAHINA's Founder), Grace L'Heureux, aged 28.
Where do you live?
I grew up in NYC and now I live in Brooklyn with my boyfriend and our miniature dachshund, Arnold.
What are your hobbies?
I love to cook and to grow flowers and vegetables.
What does your morning routine look like?
Arnold wakes me up in the morning and I try to do my face routine while he eats. Then we go for a walk before starting work.
Who are your style icons? How would you describe your personal style?
I really try not to shop, so I don’t pay too much attention to trends. I focus on purchasing from sustainable brands when I do and get most of my inspiration from people I see on the subway. I love to read Aja Barber’s Patreon as well as her Instagram for inspiration on playing with silhouettes with what's already in your closet.
Who are some people you admire?
My mother, of course! I admire what she has created in the green beauty space, and it has been an inspiration to watch her build the company as I have been growing up.
What are some rituals/habits that you incorporate into your own daily life?
Exercise, cooking, my skincare routine, and walking with Arnold are the things that keep me grounded.
What do you like about working with your mother?
I know the products and understand the brand so well, since I was raised with them. I believe in them and what they stand for so I find meaning in the work. It has been wonderful to get to know my mother as a peer and not just as a parent.
What do you want people to take away from Kahina - other than products. What is the one message/feeling you want them to have when they think of the brand?
Effective skincare that feels good to use, and you can feel good about using.
Kahina is a brand that gives back in a meaningful way. Why is this mission important to you?
I hate when brands greenwash by being organic or natural without care for the people who are physically harvesting or making the products. It’s important to me that Kahina supports the cooperative of women who harvest our raw ingredients through their own initiatives.
Who is the Kahina customer? What does she wear, where does she shop, etc.
All of my friends love and use our products and they are women in their 20s and 30s but most of our customers are in the 35 and up age range, so I guess Kahina is for everyone.
What is one (or more) surprising thing/things that no one would guess about you?
I am passionate about cooking. I am gluten-intolerant so that can make it difficult sometimes, but I enjoy the challenge.
Can you share a favorite recipe?
Right now I’m loving Julia Turshen’s recipes and writing. I also love Aran Goyoaga’s books for gluten free bread recipes.
Finally, please tell us what your nighttime routine looks like.
Step 1: Thoroughly clean my face with a double cleanse, starting with the Oil Cleanser and then the Facial Cleanser. I don’t wear a lot of makeup other than lipstick and sometimes mascara but I don't want to go to sleep with sunscreen residue.
Step 2: toning with our Toning Mist to hydrate my skin. The scent also puts me in the bedtime mindset.
Step 3: I use the Eye Serum around my eyes to depuff and strengthen the area. I am starting to be concerned about crow’s feet and am working now to keep them at bay.
Step 3: Brightening Serum. Probably my favorite product. I love the texture and it really helps with redness and to even out my skin. It’s not so much that I notice a difference every time I use it but I really notice when I stop for a little.
Step 4: Oil! This changes depending on the time of year. My favorite is the Prickly Pear Seed Oil but I love the Restorative Serum this time of year when my skin gets really dry.
Step 5: Seal it all in with the Moisture Mask!
]]>
The practice of “slugging”, popularized by K-Beauty, is to apply an occlusive layer of a thick, petroleum-based product over your moisturizer before going to bed. This thick layer then “locks in” moisture and helps bump up the benefits of your moisturizer. The result is soft and dewy skin the following morning. Dermatologists love to recommend the application of a heavy, petroleum based product over moisturizer as a treatment for especially dry areas due to conditions like dermatitis.
We aren’t fans of petroleum jelly products for many reasons, primary among them that petroleum is not a renewable resource. And let’s face it - smearing a petroleum jelly product on your face hardly imparts the most luxurious feeling. At Kahina, we believe that our self-care rituals should feel and smell great while doing the job.
Our Lip and Face Balm is a luxurious, all-natural alternative to petroleum jelly and provides added benefits of ingredients that promote skin health. This restorative balm incorporates shea butter, olive oil, beeswax and mango butter to create a lush, velvety base. When used over your favorite moisturizer, its thick texture functions as an occlusive and really locks in the moisture.
Kahina Lip and Face Balm also includes soothing anti-inflammatory and healing botanicals like calendula. immortelle and blue tansy. Calming essential oils of neroli and geranium will help you drift off to sleep.
Katharine, Kahina’s Founder, has been “slugging” for some time without actually calling it that.
“Whenever I notice my skin is particularly dry, I apply the Lip & Face Balm over whatever products I have on. Typically, it is over one of our pure oils, but I will also layer it over our Face Cream from time to time. Layered over foundation or tinted moisturizer, it eliminates any dry “cakiness” and gives skin a nice glow while working to moisturize and protect. Our Moisture Mask is another way to reap the benefits of slugging without leaving skin greasy. The mask, which leaves a slight film on face, is designed to seal beneficial ingredients meant to calm and brighten - and moisture - in while you sleep.”
Have you tried slugging? We’d love to hear about your favorite ways to use our balms and Moisture Mask!
]]>Just when we thought this serum was impossible to improve upon, it has been amped up with a blend of ultra potent brightening, collagen stimulating and anti-wrinkle actives. The Restorative Serum now features three uniquely targeted ingredients to reduce and regulate pigmentation:
A potent marine microalgae sustainably produced using the latest in green farming technology, provides a rich source of bio-available carotenoids, essential fatty acids, and sterols with proven anti-wrinkle activity resulting in dramatic improvements in skin elasticity, hydration and softness.
]]>AM: How old are you?
KL: 61
AM: And how does it feel to be 61?
KL: While I would prefer that the number was smaller, I feel great. I am healthy and in shape, and generally happy. I have a vibrant life, full of love and joy.
AM: There has been a great deal of talk about not using the term “anti-aging”. How do you feel about this?
KL: I really don’t know what the alternative is – to the word or the act of aging. Aging is a fact of life and we are fortunate if we get to experience it. It is a sad fact of our culture that we don’t value older women. There is much that is positive about getting older and I am encouraged to see more examples of beautiful older women in the media. The key is to embrace aging, while maintaining good health and fitness, including healthy skin.
AM: Should “anti-aging” make a comeback?
KL: As in much of the English language, the word can evolve to fit the times, but I personally don’t feel offended or see a need to change it. I use the word because I think people understand what it means. I haven’t found a better word to replace it.
AM: People have some very strong feelings about plastic surgery and even less invasive treatments like injectables. What are your feelings on the matter - and have you had any “work” done yourself?
KL: Full disclosure: when I was 40-years-old I decided to address heavy eyelids by getting my eyes surgically done. After having the procedure, I felt more awake than before, but I didn’t really love it aesthetically. My eyes didn’t look like my own and I didn’t think that they fit my facial structure. In addition to having my eyes “done”, I have also experimented with botox and filler but haven’t liked the look on me. So, right now, I am allowing myself to age naturally, focusing instead on having healthy, glowing skin.
Everyone should do whatever they please if it is going to make them feel happier and more positively about themselves. If I knew I could have work done, whether surgery or injectables, and it would look great (I’d particularly like to address sagging neck skin), I would be the first in line!
AM: In the past, no one wanted anyone to know about their face lift! Is this attitude outdated? Is honesty the best policy?
KL: It is hard enough navigating being a woman and the more we can honestly share our experiences with each other, whether it’s about work, having children, menopause, or beauty, the better. As in everything else, I think that women can help others make informed decisions by revealing the truth about their actions, whether it’s an aesthetic plastic surgery procedure or something else.
As with Instagram filters and photoshop, women need to be aware that how others present themselves is not always honest or realistic. Measuring oneself against these representations can cause harm to women and girls.
AM: Many of the female founders in the indie beauty space are millennials. How do you feel about being a 61 year old beauty brand founder?
KL: I don’t think about it much, but I think that other women my age trust me. We’ve been sold a lot of “anti-aging miracles” and realize that it comes down to healthy, nourished skin and using products that make us feel good. At Kahina, we are fully transparent about our products and honest with our customers. We have never relied on images of beautiful women to sell our products. Our customer is too savvy and wouldn’t be fooled by that.
AM: What advice would you give to women in your age range?
KL: As our bodies and skin and hair change, be prepared to update your look to accommodate the changes. Don’t be stuck with a style that worked for you in your 30s or 40s. At the same time, don’t succumb to what you think is “appropriate” to the number you are. We can still dress youthfully. It is all about style.
AM: What do you want younger women like your daughter Grace to know about the aging process?
KL: Embrace aging! It is all part of life. To age successfully, it is important to take care of your skin from a young age. Wear sunscreen! That is something I wish I had known when I was a teenager. Develop healthy habits of exercise and eating early on that will keep you looking and feeling young as you progress in years.
AM: How do you feel about preventing the signs of aging while young?
It is never too early to start caring for your skin with high quality skincare, but consistency is important. Find a simple skincare regimen with high quality ingredients and stick with it for six months to see how your skin responds before deciding to try something new.
AM: What are some changes you have made in your beauty regimen as you have gotten older? What do you think are the most important changes women should make?
KL: My skin needs more and more moisture, firming and skin brightening, which is why we reintroduced the Restorative Serum with ingredients that address those concerns. I have never worn a lot of makeup so I haven’t needed to change my use of foundation, but many women need to adjust to wearing less makeup and/or more translucent formulas as it can accentuate wrinkles. I recently cut my hair really short to streamline my beauty regimen. Everything I do now needs to really perform while making me feel good, and true to myself.
AM: Kahina has been around for over a decade. How has Kahina changed in that time? Has getting older been the catalyst for these changes?
KL: I used to feel very competitive and nervous about all the brands that have popped up in the green beauty space since we started. I have relaxed a lot since then. Our customers have proven very loyal to Kahina and I am happy to provide them with the excellent products they have come to expect. I guess I have gotten more chill as I’ve aged.
AM: Who are some women you admire that are Gen X and beyond?
KL: I was devastated at the passing of Joan Didion. As a fifth generation Californian transplanted to New York myself, her clear-eyed views of the state and the country really resonate with me and her words have never rung as true to me as they do now. I have always been a big fan of her pared-down fashion sense as well.
I would add Frances McDormand to my list of women-of-a-certain-age that I admire. She is so brave and authentic in her portrayals of older women, such as in Nomadland.
AM: Lastly (gotta ask this!) - what did you think of “And Just Like That”? There’s been so much talk about the portrayal of aging there - what is your take on it?
KL: These characters perfectly illustrate my previous point about not getting stuck on a style that might have worked on you at an earlier age. They don't seem to have evolved and grown or embraced the valuable life experience that comes with growing older.
]]>
What does your morning routine look like?
I work remotely out of my apartment in Brooklyn, so I am rarely rushed in the morning. My mini dachshund, Arnold, usually wakes me up at around 7:30. My morning skincare routine is simple and quick, partly to make sure I get my sunscreen on before heading outside with him. A rinse with the Facial Cleanser followed with the Brightening Serum and then Prickly Pear Seed Oil. Lastly I put on sunscreen, right now I’m into the Elta MD SPF 46. After we go for a little walk I make myself some coffee and start work.
You have amazing hair. What do you use?
My hair is thick and curly and can be hard to control. It dries out very easily and gets frizzy. Using a little Kahina FEZ Body Serum before gel is a great way to add the right amount of moisture and helps define the texture.
Describe your role at Kahina
I am responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company – processing customer and retail orders, shipping and logistics, communicating with the warehouse, and packaging updates/designing marketing materials.
What is it like working with your mother?
Mostly it’s great. The problem is that we easily get distracted talking about other things we love, like cooking or gardening.
Any other tips you can share?
I like to use the Moisture Mask as a lip conditioner. I love to wear color on my lips, especially during the winter’s dark months, and find that the Moisture Mask helps to keep them from drying out. I love that it’s moisturizing while it also creates a barrier from dry air.
I always use the Antioxidant Mask on Sunday nights. It resets my skin whether I’ve been neglecting it or if it’s just dry from the changing seasons. The rest of the week my routine is pretty simple:
Step 1: Thoroughly clean my face with a double cleanse, starting with the Oil Cleanser and then the Facial Cleanser. I don’t wear a lot of makeup other than lipstick and mascara but I don’t want to go to sleep with sunscreen residue.
Step 2: toning with our Toning Mist to hydrate my skin. The scent also puts me in the bedtime mindset.
Step 3: I use the Eye Serum around my eyes to depuff and strengthen the area. I am starting to be concerned about crow’s feet and am working now to keep them at bay.
Step 3: Brightening Serum. Probably my favorite product. I love the texture and it really helps with redness and to even out my skin. It’s not so much that I notice a difference every time I use it but I really notice when I stop for a little.
Step 4: Oil! This changes depending on the time of year. My favorite is the Prickly Pear Seed Oil but I love the Restorative Serum this time of year when my skin gets really dry.
Step 5: Seal it all in with the Moisture Mask!
Speaking of lipstick, any other favorite beauty products you use?
I’m obsessed with Kosas lipsticks and FitGlow Beauty gloss. Kosas Fringe is what I wear at night and FitGlow Beauty Koi is my go to during the day. I also dab it on my eyelids and cheeks.
]]>
Kahina products are high quality formulations with ingredients that work and form a simple, uncomplicated daily routine. My hope is that they can help in ways beyond improving skin (although that is still our primary purpose): by simplifying our beauty rituals; grounding us emotionally with beautiful fragrances that connect us to nature; and by creating experiences that connect us to a specific place. Our fair trade argan and prickly pear seed oil-based products connect people across the world through beauty rituals that make a tangible difference in women’s lives, both the women who use our products and those who work to produce the ingredients. Our packaging brings the Berber women of rural Morocco who produce our oils, who are mostly illiterate, to life by featuring their signatures and graphic marks on our logo.
]]>Game Changer "I started using this oil around mid March and I am just starting to see these suttle improvements in my skin. Firstly, not sure if anyone else saw the same but, my skin has plumped up and that includes the slight hollows under my eyes. I use this oil under my eyes, upper lid and all over my face. I had started using this expensive skin care February 1 but didn’t see much difference until I added this oil in my daily routine before the moisturizer. I think one of the previous reviewers said the same that this oil makes your skin care work better. I agree 100%. In my opinion, this oil plumps up your skin so lesser fine lines, I have a beautiful glow now and it does moisturize my dry skin. Love love love this oil, for me it’s worth the cost." The Oily Skin Dilemma "For years I have tried many high-end major skin care products and niche brand products, mostly creams and the occasional oil-free. Despite claims, my face was annoyingly oily two hours after applying the products. I tried serums and matte primers and the oiliness appeared three hours after application! I saw a piece on argan oil and prickly pear seed oil and decided to give it a try. I did a lot of research to find what is considered the best, and that is how how discovered Kahina. The philosophy, the sourcing and the commitment to workers complemented the product quality. So I ordered both products about three weeks ago. I am a 66-year old male who is always mistaken for a 50 year-old, and I know it is because I have pampered my skin. In just three weeks I noticed 1) pigmentation is evening out; 2) there is a brightness to the skin I have not seen before; 3) it is too soon to assess the effect on aging skin, but I'm guessing it will be remarkable given what has happened already; and 4) my face is matte almost the entire day and only shows oiliness in the evening, and not to the extent of the past. It's amazing how oil handles oil without the residue and the dryness, all claims we have heard before. This is just the first time that. for me, the claims are true."100% Organic Made in Morocco]]>
Take it from an expert: "I’m Berber, making me able to recognize authentic products from back home in a heart beat, I can finally say that after all those years I’ve lived in the u.s. I can finally get my beauty products at kahina without having to stuff my suitcase when I head home. I absolutely recommend all of their products, feels and reminds me of home. A million thanks for your great products." - verified customer review of our Moroccan Rose Water]]>
First, start with our Antioxidant Mask, which contains AHA in the form of lactic acid and the grains of Rhassoul Clay to resurface skin and shed old, dead skin cells, while accelerating collagen production and drawing impurities from the pores.
Apply a thick layer of the Antioxidant Mask to your face and neck and leave on for up to 15 minutes. Then massage any excess into skin to allow the grains of the rhassoul clay to remove the superficial layer of skin.
Rinse off any excess mask and cleanse with the KAHINA Facial Cleanser, with Papaya Enzymes, a chemical exfoliant to rid skin of dead cells and allowing salicylic acid, also known as BHA, from Willowbark Extract to soften skin and loosen the cohesion between skin cells, preventing pore clogging blockages within the follicle.
Simply massage a couple pumps of the Kahina Facial Cleanser into skin and rinse with warm water.
Post-cleanse, spritz with our Toning Mist, to incorporate additional BHAs from Aspen Bark extract as well as Sodium Hyaluronate to draw moisture into the skin.
Finish with our Restorative Serum, and allow vitamins C and A from Seabuckthorn Oil, Carrot Seed Oil and Pomegranate to further increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen production, while nourishing, rebalancing and repairing with Argan Oil and Prickly Pear Seed Oil.
]]>