Raya Goonetilleke on Wellness, Self-Care, and The Products She Recommends for any Budget!
You may have seen my friend Raya Goonetilleke on our “Style-Swap Q&A” YouTube video (WATCH HERE if you haven’t). That was such a fun video to film, and thank you for making it my first video to get above 1,000 views! While we discussed all things fashion, our lives in New York City, and where we find personal style inspiration, you might not have known that Raya is the queen of all thing’s beauty, skincare, and wellness! I miss my best friend, since we haven’t seen each other over this COVID-19 isolation period, and wanted to include her in some more fun content!
We all could use a bit more wellness right about now. There is so much unknown and anxiety around this current situation, and I don’t think there has been a more important time to focus on self-care. I had Raya share what she finds to be the importance of self-care, how her routine has changed since being isolated inside, and some of the beauty and wellness products she can’t live without!
Q:
Welcome to The Luxury Choyce! I’m so excited to be doing something with you on my channels again. Let’s first just point out the obvious and ask the most crucial question… How are you doing with all this social isolation?!
A:
Thanks for letting me takeover, I am so excited about this! I have been doing okay. I am really blessed to have a safe place to be in during this time and the best company (my boyfriend)! But mentally, it is taking a little bit of a toll. I’m still getting used to this lifestyle.
Q:
It’s definitely a “new normal” for everyone. I know wellness is a big part of your life, so how have you seen your wellness routine change?
A:
It is so weird because I find myself being lazier with my skincare but more on top of my wellness game. I’ve been taking a lot of vitamin C through my Wellness Formula pills and CareOf vitamins. I’ve also been drinking a lot of collagen! So that means more smoothies, more water, and even... more oranges! So weird, but I have been loving oranges during this quarantine!
Q:
What is the value of prioritizing wellness and self-care products into your daily routine?
A:
I think the value of prioritizing this comes from how you feel every day when you wake up. If your body feels good and your skin, nails, and hair look great and healthy, then that’s one less thing to stress over. But overall, it’s important because you’re investing in yourself, and doing small things can add to your value as a functioning human being!
Q:
Any advice you would give to someone who is finding they have extra time and wants to kickstart their wellness routine?
A:
It all starts with research. Do this before buying anything, and make sure to look from two perspectives. First, from a personal perspective through testimonials and reviews. Second, from a more scientific perspective. Looking up certain ingredients and their pros and cons is something I do before trying any new product. For example, a lot of the products I wanted to get recently included “green tea extract.” After some research, I found out can be detrimental to the health of your liver! So now, I actively look for products without it.
Q:
“Beauty” and “Grooming” are such gendered terms, and I really think most products are entirely unisex. I know your boyfriend Abhi has gotten more into wellness and skincare since you’ve been together, so what are some products you are both loving?
A:
So funny, because my boyfriend Abhi never used anything before we started dating. We both LOVE the Aesop Parsley Seed facial cleanser, Necessaire Body Wash, Glossier Priming Moisturizer (Rich), Aquaphor Lip Repair, and Necessaire Body Lotion (Abhi especially loves this one). Abhi has also been drinking Vital Proteins Collagen every day. He drinks it with just water at this point.
Q:
80% of TheLuxuryChoyce readers are men, but definitely don’t want to discriminate! I also want to give female readers a little something too, so what products are currently in your everyday makeup routine?
A:
Maybelline Fit Me Foundation, Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick, ELF Eyelash Curler, Covergirl LashBlast, Marc Jacobs Concealer, Urban Decay 24/7 Waterline Eye Pencil, Kat Von D Tattoo Liner. I also can’t live without my Mac Fix Plus Setting Spray.
Q:
As a young professional, I know that these kinds of products can really add up. What are some more budget-friendly products that are still effective and worth the buy?
A:
I absolutely love The Ordinary, Inkey List, and VERSED for skincare. They have the most affordable products ever! I use Chia Seed Oil from the Ordinary, Inkey List Eye Cream, and an amazing VERSED Cleansing Balm (they also have great unisex skincare)! As for makeup, the affordable brands I love are Wet n Wild, ELF, ColourPop, and Morphe Cosmetics.
Q:
I happen to know you just did a good amount of online Sephora shopping... what was in that order?
A:
I LOVE THIS QUESTION! My little recent Sephora haul was: Inkey List Vitamin B, C & E Moisturizer ($5), Inkey List Collagen Booster ($10.99), Sephora Collection Mini Face Roller Set ($10), Organic Cotton Pads ($4), and the Summer Fridays Super Amino Gel Cleanser ($38) which was my splurge purchase! I’m super excited to change up my skincare routine once my other products run out!
