The beauty products that poet Aja Monet uses to the last drop

Photo: Aja Monet

“It’s not just about writing a good poem. It’s about living a good life,” Aja Monet, a surrealist blues poet, says the cut. If you don’t already know, when Monet speaks, you will feel it in your soul. Especially on their latest album, When the poems do what they do, which explores themes such as black joy and the power of love.

“I’ve always been interested in language and music,” says the graduate of Sarah Lawrence and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. “Being from New York, I have also been inspired by people with vibrant energy who tell deep stories.” In addition to reciting poetry, Monet is also the host of Lush’s podcast. The sound bath, It features thought-provoking conversations about how to navigate personal, environmental and social care with guests like Kehlani and Hannibal Buress.

And when she’s not wowing audiences during her Why My Love Tour (which included an incredible Tiny Desk performance), using her platform to speak out against injustice, or reminding listeners of the importance of calm with her podcast remembers, she takes time for her own wellness practices. “It was really important to me to further the discussion about the use of the term self-care,” She shares. “To me, care is care. It doesn’t have to live in the binary. When you take care of yourself, you take care of your community.”

6 – As I get older, I love waking up earlier and earlier. It’s funny because when I was younger I used to look at old people and wonder how they could get up so early. But now I see something so beautiful about watching the world wake up.

6:15 – I try to have a warm drink when I wake up. I drink either green tea or hot water with lime. I know people think that beauty routines are only about the outside, but I think what you do on the inside is important too.

6:30 – I like using it Cetaphil’s gentle skin cleanser for cleaning products because I like to keep it simple. Plus, I like using it Lush’s Cup O’ Coffee facial scrub for peeling.

6:34 – I usually join Ion* skin support spray to protect my skin from toxins.

6:35 – I use this as a moisturizer Tata Harper’s Illuminating Moisturizer and round it all off with EltaMD sun protection.

9 – I love drinking tea in the evening. And then I usually wash my face again with Cetaphil.

9:05 – Then I put this on Exuberant mask of generosity. It cleanses pores, exfoliates and moisturizes the skin with kaolin, peppermint and honey. Sometimes I use that too M-61 PowerGlow Peel and finally apply my moisturizer.

I’m excited about the direction the beauty industry has moved in and is more focused on wellness. I think it should be about how we care for ourselves and how well we care for others.

Anything natural and good for your skin is my preference. Homemade skin care is something I like to do using products from the kitchen etc. They say, “Don’t put anything on your skin that you can’t eat,” so keep it as natural as possible.

I like going to the sauna and going for walks. Fresh air and deep breathing. Meditation and good music. Rest is crucial. Also laughter. Lots of laughter. Inner beauty shines. I enjoy therapy and good conversations with people I love. It is also important for me to spend time with my elders.