As beauty CVs go, Sharmadean Reid’s is up there as one of the industry’s coolest.
The former stylist founded WAH Nails as a side hustle in 2009 and it quickly helped shake up the beauty landscape with its millennial voice and innovative salon space. Fast-forward to 2020 and Sharmadean has served up another beauty game-changer. Beautystack is an app that’s set to revolutionise the way we book our wellness – everything from nails to waxes to Reiki – via social media images and peer recommendations.
It’s more than likely the lightbulb moment for Sharmadean’s latest venture came to her while she was 35,000 feet high in the air: “I travel (pre-COVID) quite a lot to America, Jamaica and Europe – usually for work, but holidays usually end up including work too,” says Sharmadean.
“Travel to me is oxygen and inspiration. I feel so inspired when I travel, but most importantly the process of travelling to another country activates different parts of my brain. Almost all of my best ideas have come to me when I’m on a plane.”
From non-negotiable waxes to a nifty Smythson pencil case, this is how Sharmadean Reid does beauty in transit.
What are your must-do beauty rituals before you travel?
I’ll always get a wax and get my nails done. I find that pedicure, nails and hair removal are the most essential because you can’t always get those treatments done the way you want them once you’re away on holiday. They make you feel finished and I’ve always regretted it if I haven’t had those treatments before I travel.
How do you adapt your beauty regime when you travel?
It depends on the climate, but the most obvious one is that I’ll apply far more sunscreen when I’m in warmer climates. My beauty regime is quite minimalist as it is so it stays the same when I travel, but with the addition of more oils. Air-con can really dry out the skin so I find that a great facial oil helps.
Do you prefer to pack travel minis or full-size beauty staples?
Always take tiny sample bottles or decant before you go. You’d be surprised at how little product you actually need when you’re away. My routine is so light already – I only ever put one product on my skin before my make-up – so for me it’s just about choosing what that one product is so I can pack super-light.
Do you have a regular plane beauty routine?
Minis are the way to go. I always travel light and I never check in luggage so I need to be able to fit my beauty haul into my hand luggage.
How do you overcome jet-lag skin/eyes when you land?
As soon as I sit down on the plane, I strip my skin of anything that’s on it using Bioderma micellar. Then I apply an oil – at the moment I’m loving the Ohana CBD Face Oil – which is nice and relaxing for a flight. Finally, I put lip balm on because my lips really dry out on planes. I repeat that routine every couple of hours.
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How do you stay calm when you’re travelling?
I feel most stressed when I’m in an immigration queue at the airport. I’ve had to learn the hard way how to combat the frustration, but now as long as I have water and a good podcast, I don’t see it as a waste of time.
What’s been your favourite country to shop for homegrown beauty products and why?
It’s the UK for sure – I’m always going to support British. It’s such a diverse country where you can pick up second-generation African, Jamaican and Indian products.
What’s been your favourite vacation spa so far?
W Hotel in Koh Samui – the spa there was insane. To be honest, any spa in Asia is amazing – they know how to do spas.
Do you have any DIY at-home skincare remedies that you love?
There are so many incredible small brands that do organic remedies that I like to support rather than make my own. I use brands like Disciple Skincare (disciplelondon.com) and Eléngé (www.elenge.london) as they’re very small scale.
So, what’s your ultimate travel beauty tip?
Always try a beauty treatment locally – it’s a fun, cultural experience, you get to spend an hour with a local (something not many people do while on holiday), and get the gossip of the land.
What products are in your must-pack beauty kit right now?
I like everything small – I even use a tiny Smythson pencil case for my make-up bag! I love Charlotte Tilbury’s Lipstick in Pillow Talk and I’ll also dab a bit on my cheeks for blush. Trish McEvoy’s Highlighter isn’t glittery and comes in a small, transportable tube. For my skincare, I’ve been using Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 in combination with SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic serum and my skin honestly feels amazing right now.
THE PACKING LOWDOWN: QUICKFIRE Q’s
Favourite cosmetics bag?
My Smythson pencil case – I have the green Mara one.
Plane: mist or mask?
Mask.
Travel light or over-packer?
Travel light. I never ever check luggage in, it’s hand luggage only at all times!
Spa facial or massage?
Massage.
Vacation air-dry or blow-dry?
Air-dry.
Skincare wipes, yay or nay?
No.
Any Questions or Tips to add?