In New York, there are millions of brow studios that you can simply walk into to get the job done. But what sets Jasmine Imani’s boutique studio, Imani Imani — located in the heart of Soho — apart? Her warmth, which makes you feel right at home, coupled with her knack for perfecting your brow shape and a lash lift that’ll have you looking like you’re wearing mascara 24/7. “I love helping people pause and treat themselves,” she says. “I also love that the lash and brow treatments we give simplify your beauty routines for you. I am all about beauty ease.”
The Los Angeles– and Chicago-raised entrepreneur has plenty of experience successfully running businesses, so it’s no surprise she’s doing the same with her own. “After high school, I was my mom’s assistant. She ran a public-relations firm in Hollywood. From there, I ran a computer-software company with a family member,” she says. Later on, she entered the world of fashion; she launched her own lingerie business, worked as the head women’s buyer for Karmaloop, and became the digital e-comm creative director for Forever 21, among other endeavors, before moving into beauty. “Ultimately, I became very bored. I quit my job and went to an esthetician school and started Jas Imani Beauty.”
Between raising her child and growing her platform, self-care is everything to her. “I look at my self-care like it is spiritual, medical — the science of me and my well being. I have a clear understanding that I can love on others better if I love on myself first,” she says. “I love being in that space. I want others to see that in themselves; that’s why I took the leap into beauty service.”
Below, Imani discusses the beauty routines that keep her grounded.
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A.M. Routine
I oil cleanse, and I love removing any tension from sleeping by gua sha–ing. I also oil pull or use some kind of herbal mouth wash. From there, I lay on my PEMF mat from Healthwave (my mat has red lights and is filled with crystals) and meditate. This can range from 15 to 45 minutes. Then I take morning supplements, which change according to seasons or what my body is feeling.
For my skin, I love maple-water essence, vitamin C from Saint Jane, moisturizer from Dieux or Augustine Bader, and Ultra Violette sunscreen. Most days I don’t wear makeup, but when I do, I use the tinted moisturizer by Saie, a little blush from Sunnies Face, the brow pencil from Hourglass or Anastasia, and a clear keratin mascara.
If my hair is in braids, I use the Camille Rose Mint Condition Braid + Scalp Spray. If my hair is out, right now I’m into Cécred products. When it comes to my body care, I am loving Soft Service buffing bar and lotion along with Aesop Body Balm in geranium. And my friend Mary makes a homemade rose-essence spray that I spray all over my body. I get stopped about it constantly. I like to treat my body like my face and layer it on: exfoliate, hydrate, and moisturize.
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P.M. Routine
To wind down in the evening, I love peppermint tea with lots of lemon, honey, and shilajit resin. I then have nighttime supplements; the most consistent is collagen and Fatty 15.
Then, I wash with Epi Logic Clean Reveal face wash; I will start with an oil cleanse if I have makeup on. I switch between Skinmedica Retinol and U Beauty Serum for topicals, then I go for a moisturizer and eye cream.
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On the Beauty Item She’s Noticed a Difference From
My maple-water essence is like a glass of water for your skin, and it’s so needed in New York. I don’t travel without it. Also Violette Fr Boum-Boum Milk: I have one on my counter and one in my purse at all times. I like to feel moisturized, and even with no makeup, hydrated skin wins.
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On Rest
My pillow helps me sleep on my back so comfortably. Sleeping on your face causes hair loss and wrinkles. It’s also better on your organs to sleep on your back. Scent helps me calm down, so I spray my pillow with the same rosewater I use on my body. If I don’t get good sleep, it ruins my day.
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On Movement
I love Pilates, especially chair and reformer. The Fit In in Brooklyn and NYP in Manhattan see me weekly. I realized a while ago that I am not a lover of fast-paced cardio. I like slow, very hard workouts like weight training and Pilates. Getting my body moving consistently has been life- and mood-changing. It is under my self-care. When you feel good, you move differently, you think more clearly, and your body does reward the hard work on the inside.
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