Kiki Nafig—also known as her online persona, Kiko—is undefinable. The Bristol-based makeup artist uses her face to create the trippiest, most unconventional forms of art: whether that be doily-inspired eyelids, or gothic-moss numbers. Named one of Vogue’s “Vogueworld 100,” Kiko is the true antithesis of the bland “no makeup”-makeup trend that’s been flooding our Instagram feeds. She’s finally giving us a dose of creativity, and to simply put it, she’s just having fun creating her avant garde concoctions.
But, who is the girl behind the makeup? When she’s fresh-faced and getting ready for the day, she’s your ordinary gal: she hits the snooze button more than she should, tries her best to be “religious” with her skincare routine, and shaves her “brow tails.” Below, we dig into the upcoming makeup artist’s morning routine.
What’s the first thing you do every morning?
“‘Let there be light!’ (I open my blinds).”
Do you have a morning workout routine?
“Sometimes yoga, but I usually just go for a run in the evening.”
Shower at-night, morning, or both?
“Both!”
Daily alarm time? How many times do you hit snooze?
“8 AM, so I can hit snooze approximately 3478 times.”
If you’re running late, what’s the one thing you have to do?
“Check I’ve got PKW (phone, keys, wallet).”
Favorite breakfast?
“Brunch.”
Weirdest morning beauty habit?
“Shaving my brows tails – so I can aptly create my brow for the day/mood I’m in.”
What does your morning hair-care routine consist of? Go-to products?
“I’m so lazy with my hair and I normally let it do it’s thing—if it needs a boost, I’ll use Batiste dry shampoo.”
How much time do you spend on your skincare routine?
“I’m fairly religious with it although some mornings are a push! My routine is: wash with unscented face wash (currently using Simple’s Refreshing Face Wash, but I’m not super committed to it), tone at night with The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid Toner, then use The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid. I’ll follow up with a few treatment products—Retinol in the PM or Vitamin C—then apply my eye cream (La Roche-Posay’s Hydraphase), and finish off with a moisturizer (currently: Ponds Hydro-Nourishing Cream). When I feel like I need a face oil I’ll use the Anastasia Beverly Hills Hydrating Oil.”
How long do you usually take to get ready for the day?
“I can be ready in 10 minutes or several hours, but I normally give myself an hour so I can get ready calmly.”
What’s the one product you could never leave the house without putting on?
“Deodorant <3”
The first word/thing that popped into your head this morning?
“NEW YOIK!”
Your favorite morning read?
“Do my emails count?”
What’s on your nightstand right now?
“The Secret History by Donna Tartt”
What’s the current ringtone on your alarm?
“The standard one. It would be 1612 by Vulfpeck because that’s a morning BOP, but any song that dares to become my alarm sound is ruined pretty quick.”
Coffee, tea, or go-to morning drink?
“I’m pretty flexible, but if I had to choose it’d be coffee.”
What’s the last thing you did before you headed out the door today?
“Tripped over my own foot.”