Sydney-based Artist, JD Reforma has a deft hand when it comes to beauty. His beauty routine is full of efficasious products, the best hangover cure and his health advice for keeping fit. The best face mask? He knows it. The cheap but effective beauty products to keep on your top shelf? Keep reading. The best ways to stimulate collagen production? "Sleep and eat ramen."
Here, JD shares the perfect way to spend a weekend, his beauty routine including his favourite supermarket products and why Naomi Campbell is someone we should all look up to.
What is your morning beauty routine?
I have really puffy morning eyes, so I always have a couple of teaspoons in the freezer which I press onto the undersides and lids of my eyes while drinking about a litre of black coffee. About three quarters of my products are from The Ordinary, so first I’ll use their Squalane Cleanser, which I rinse off in the shower; I just pinch my nose and let it wash off – never rub. After I’m dry, I press a few drops of Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2%, followed by NIOD Multi-Molecular Hyaluronic Complex. Wait a few minutes then I use their Natural Moisturing Factors + HA, and lastly La Roche-Posay SPF 50+. I try to wait a few minutes between layers, so I’ll do things like brush my teeth or do my hair.
What is your night beauty routine?
Similar deal as the morning: wash, some Glycolic Acid toner, Vitamin C, HLA. If I’m breaking out, I’ll do a Salicylic Acid mask. If I’m getting ready to go out I use SK-II Facial Treatment Mask, and just spread the excess product onto my chest. It smells like week-old rice, but it makes you look like someone turned a light on inside your body. After all that, I alternate between a Granactive Retinoid Emulsion vs in-Squalane, then moisturiser, followed by SK-II R.N.A. Power Eye Cream. And a bit of EVOO for the hair.
Describe what you do for a living? What does a typical day look like for you?
I’m an artist, I spend a lot of time in libraries, reading, writing and planning; or just looking around galleries, thinking about lunch. But if I’m preparing for an exhibition I’m either on foot in some industrial suburb looking for materials or in the studio from 8am – 8pm. I also work in comms so that’s mostly a lot of reading, writing, content planning.
What is the supermarket/ drug store/ chemist beauty product(s) that you use and love?
I’ve used Neutrogena’s Oil Free Moisturiser since I was about 13; it’s really light so I use it on hot days or nights when I don’t feel like wearing my regular moisturiser. Never gets old.
What is your main form of beauty body maintenance? What products do you use on your body?
I have Keratosis, so to manage that I use CeraVe’s SA (Salicylic Acid) cleanser and cream all over my body and that keeps my skin smooth. If I’m going out, I use Fenty Fairy Bomb right after moisturising, which is the funniest product I own because it looks like a rose gold Furby.
How do you keep fit/ healthy? Does exercise form a large part of your routine?
20 laps or 10km runs, 5 days a week.
What cosmetic procedures/ professional treatments do you have as part of your beauty routine?
None at the moment, but I appreciate how normalised, or at least de-stigmatised, it’s become. So many of my friends have had touch ups, I wouldn’t say no to a bit of botox down the track.
What do you do when your body needs to recover?
Two things essential for collagen production: sleep and eat ramen.
You’re tired/ hungover/ rundown: what is your beauty hack?
I’m obsessed with aspirin. Good for migraines, hangovers, and spots, all of which I get regularly.
What is the one non-negotiable in your beauty routine?
Vitamin C is my all-time MVP.
Do you have a beauty icon? Who are they and why?
Naomi Campbell is everyone’s beauty and health (!) icon, right? Obviously, she’s magnificent, but she also exemplifies positive change both in her personal life and behaviours and in the social justice issues for which she advocates. I like the way she uses her platform to foreground the work and achievements of people of colour, which she balances really well with being a high-key germaphobe – a perfect citizen of the moment.
What is the best advice on beauty you’ve received?
Don’t fuck with lip balm, just stay hydrated.
What is the best advice on health you’ve received?
Consume less sugar; and subscribe to updates from NSW Health.
What is the one product you can’t live without?
Yesterday it was my Kevyn Aucoin Precision Brow Pencil, but today it’s my Dettol Instant Hand Sanitiser. You can get little 20mL keychains in every second corner store for only $89.
