Duygu Özen on Her Beauty Rituals and Making Peace With Her Body

“When I was younger, I was constantly picking myself apart and punishing my body for not looking the way I thought it should. Everything shifted when I started exercising with a different goal in mind: not to achieve a certain look, but to feel stronger and develop a real connection with my body,” says Duygu Özen. That shift has also reshaped her approach to her routines. She’s moved away from experimenting just for the sake of it and become much more mindful of what her body needs and what she puts on her skin. We asked Duygu about the beauty and wellness rituals that have become part of her life.

What do you look for in your everyday beauty routine?

I’m pretty mindful about what goes into the products I use, so clean, non-toxic formulas are usually my preference. As I’ve learned more about ingredients, I’ve become more selective and naturally gravitated toward products with simpler, more natural formulas. When it comes to skincare, I’m also firmly in the less-is-more camp. With sensitive, combination skin that’s prone to breakouts, keeping my routine simple has worked best.

 

How do you start your day? Are you a breakfast person?

Breakfast has never really been my thing. If I’m working out early, it’s usually just a banana beforehand, followed by a protein-rich meal. On days when I exercise later, the first meal might not happen until the afternoon.

The morning starts with water, then coffee. Since coffee on an empty stomach can be a little rough, I’ve recently started taking L-theanine afterward, which seems to help with the anxiety and heart palpitations it can sometimes cause. Before getting out of bed, there’s also a minute or two spent tuning into my body and coming into the present moment. It’s a small practice I return to throughout the day whenever I need to slow down and reconnect.

You have such a distinctive, avant-garde style. Do you plan your hair and makeup around what you’re wearing, or do you prefer to keep things spontaneous?

I see hair and makeup as part of the look, rather than something that simply completes an outfit. Once I’ve put a look together, I usually let the hair take shape from there. A spiky bun can make the same outfit feel sharper, while loose, straight hair tucked behind the ears gives it a more effortless, playful mood. I enjoy experimenting with my hair when the outfit itself is simple.

I feel the same way about makeup. It can completely change the character of an outfit. I used to have more fun with bold colors and unconventional looks, but these days, I keep my everyday makeup pretty minimal. So more often than not, it’s the hair that helps pull everything together.

 

What are your favorite skincare and makeup products?

I have a handful of skincare staples I’ve been loyal to for years, starting with Lalive Body Oil. Ever since discovering it, I’ve massaged it into my body every day after a shower using Lalive’s lymphatic drainage tool. Since the belly button area absorbs oils so easily, I’m careful about what goes on the skin there. The formula is one I trust, and I haven’t found another body oil that sinks in quite as easily without leaving a greasy, sticky residue. It’s become one of those products I always come back to.

When it comes to my face, La Roche Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Fluide has been my go-to moisturizer for years. There’s always a bottle at home. Finding a moisturizer that works for sensitive, acne-prone, combination skin can be surprisingly difficult, especially when so many formulas seem to solve one problem while triggering another. Whenever my skin reacts to something else, going back to this one helps calm it down quickly.

I’m a huge fan of rose water, and rose is so good for my skin. Pelcare Rose Super-Antioxidant Face Serum has been part of my routine for the past few months and does a beautiful job of soothing my skin. Lalive’s new Nourishing Facial Oil is another one I’ve been trying lately. On gua sha days, Pelcare Green Goddess Soothing Oil and Lalive are the two I reach for most. I’m always on the lookout for face oils that won’t make me break out, so finding one that actually works for my skin is a big deal. The vitamin C in Lalive’s oil has been a pleasant surprise because, unlike some vitamin C products I’ve used in the past, it hasn’t caused any breakouts. When I use it, I don’t even need moisturizer on top. It leaves the skin with a radiant glow. I’ve also been loving Aparpe’s Luminis Micellar Water. It has a toner-like texture, and using it first thing in the morning leaves my skin feeling fresh and clean, with pores that look more refined.

For makeup, Chanel CC Cream has been a year-round staple for years. The SPF is an added bonus. It gives the skin a very natural finish. Pink-toned blush is another essential in my everyday makeup routine. Especially in summer, I love red blushes that give you that fresh, slightly sun-kissed look. My favorites are YSL Couture Blush in No. 2 and 3CE Blush Cushion in #GIRLISHRED. I also use YSL Loveshine lipstick in No. 208 on my cheeks.

What scents make you feel good in everyday life?

Freshly cut grass, rain, a perfectly ripe peach, coffee, sunscreen, freshly baked cookies with lots of vanilla, bergamot tea, a soft floral scent that suddenly drifts past your nose while you’re walking down the street, and that sharp, unmistakable smell in the air right after it snows.

 

What perfume are you wearing these days?

For summer days, Loewe Aire Sutileza is my go-to. It’s light and refreshing, opening with citrus before softening into floral notes. In the evening, Kilian Roses on Ice feels just right. The first time I smelled it, I thought, “This is so me.” It starts almost like a cucumber-heavy gin and tonic, then settles into something warmer and more balanced than the Loewe. It’s definitely one of the perfumes I identify with most. Atelier Rebul’s Hair and Body Mists are a more recent discovery, and they’ve become my choice for days when perfume feels like too much. They’re handy at the beach, where I’d rather not put potentially irritating products on my skin before heading into the sun. Instead, I mist them onto my hair and refresh whenever needed. Pink Guava is the one I reach for most.

Loose hair or a tight bun?

Both. It depends on the look I’m going for and my mood that day. I love a bun with a little personality, whether it’s playful and undone or sleek and tight, but I’m just as happy wearing my hair loose, straight, or slicked back for that wet-look effect.

Do you have a self-care ritual you turn to when you’re tired and need to rest?

Doing nothing. That’s actually one of the most important things I’ve learned about self-care lately. We’re so used to staying busy and filling every quiet moment that we forget to check in with ourselves. Even rest can start to feel like another thing we need to actively practice. But when your body and mind need a break, they usually let you know. When it’s time to rest, we don’t need a routine for it. Just being present is enough.

Is there a hair or makeup look you’d like to try?

I love messy makeup that almost feels like a statement against perfection. Lipstick blurred out with the fingers, eyeshadow applied and smudged by hand, stone tones, cool pinks… I’d also love to get better at creating different kinds of spiky buns. I’m always tempted to put my hair up on hot summer days, so it would be nice to make that habit feel a little less ordinary.

 

What are the summer beauty essentials you always have in your beach bag?

Sunscreen, of course. This year, La Roche Posay’s Anthelios line has been my choice for the face, and I’ve been really happy with it. For the body, there’s Lalive Mineral Filter Sunscreen. I usually avoid sunbathing and getting tan, but this summer I decided to let myself get a little more color, so Lalive Tanning Oil has been in the rotation too. Lancaster Sun Beauty Nude Skin Sensation also comes along for reapplication after swimming. The spray makes it easy to use on the go. My hair is naturally wavy and a little unruly, so a Tangle Teezer is another beach-bag essential. Without a good brush after swimming, the tangles get out of control. The newest addition is Lalive Natural Face Mist, a nice one to have by the pool or at the beach. Keeping it in an ice bucket and misting it over the skin between sunbathing sessions is such an easy way to cool down and feel refreshed.

Do you get professional skincare treatments regularly?

Not really. I’ve found that my skin does better when I don’t get facials too often. I’ll go in when my skin actually needs it, and I usually opt for something soothing, like ozone therapy. Honestly, though, it’s been so long that I can’t even remember the last time I had a facial.

 

Where do you usually shop for beauty?

I’m much less of an impulse shopper these days. I usually have a specific product in mind, do my research, and then figure out where I want to buy it, so I don’t really have a go-to beauty destination. I recently fell for COMMUNITÉ’s beauty and wellness selection and can already see myself spending more time there. Beymen Beauty Studio is another favorite for browsing brands like Isamaya, Westman Atelier, and Grown Alchemist, which I’d been waiting to see in Turkey, as well as picking up a new fragrance. I also have a habit of asking friends who travel to Asia to bring me back a few beauty finds.

What does beauty mean to you? Has your perspective on beauty changed over the years?

It’s changed more than I ever expected. When I was younger, I was constantly picking myself apart and punishing my body for not looking the way I thought it should. Everything shifted when I started exercising with a different goal in mind: not to achieve a certain look, but to feel stronger and develop a real connection with my body. I used to push myself through pain because I was chasing an image. Now I work out without any particular ideal in mind. For the first three or four months, I didn’t even listen to music. I wanted to be fully present, to understand the mind-muscle connection and really feel every muscle and every part of my body as it worked. Over time, exercise became almost meditative. I learned to listen to my body, understand it, appreciate it, and feel at home in it. That changed the way I see beauty, too. To me, beauty is now about health, awareness, and self-love. It’s also taught me to appreciate the beauty in different people and situations. And I’m grateful for that.

Have you ever tried a beauty trend or product after seeing it on TikTok?

Not really. I’m barely on TikTok, so I don’t really follow the beauty trends and products making the rounds there. Every now and then, something will pique my interest and I’ll look into it, but I’ve never actually gone out and bought anything because of TikTok. There is one product I’ve had my eye on, though: Asarai Australian Red Clay Mask. I’d love to try it if I ever come across it.

How do you nurture your creativity? Who are your favorite people and platforms to follow on social media?

I used to be much more intentional about seeking out things that would inspire me creatively. Over time, though, I realized that my best ideas tend to come when I stop trying to force them and simply let my mind be quiet. These days, I just follow and enjoy whatever interests me. Instagram is where I spend most of my time, with Pinterest coming in next. Emerging designers, independent magazines, and people working across art, design, and architecture are what I find most inspiring. Lara Violetta, Veneda Carter, topblrrfc (Dina), orientalismania (Valentine Newsha Valero), Dry Clean Only Magazine, and interiors.stuff (Asena Ak) are a few of the accounts I love following.

Who inspires your style and beauty choices?

Lara Violetta, Renata Kats, Tuba Avalon, Savannah Hudson, Veneda Carter, Michèle Lamy, and Kristen McMenamy.

 

Have you ever had a beauty mishap?

In my early twenties, I started experimenting with way too many skincare products, mostly out of curiosity. My skin was perfectly fine, yet I was using anti-aging serums, eye creams, and chemical peels I’d ordered from abroad when a cleanser and moisturizer would have been more than enough. Skincare had basically become a hobby. I’d browse Paula’s Choice, pick out the highest-rated products, and get excited about trying them. Eventually, all that experimenting took a serious toll on my skin barrier. By my mid-twenties, I was dealing with perioral dermatitis and acne, and I think my skin type changed along the way, too. That experience made me realize how much more I needed to learn about cosmetics. These days, harsh ingredients make me much more cautious, and I don’t stray from less is more.

 

 

What’s your favorite flaw?

My under-eyes. I don’t think discoloration or hollowness needs to be covered unless it genuinely bothers you. I’ve never been a fan of that two-dimensional look, so heavy concealer is a no for me. Instead, I’ll use a small amount of something lightweight and subtly brightening, like YSL Touche Éclat or Lancôme Serum Concealer. Sometimes, I skip concealer altogether and take whatever complexion product I’m wearing just slightly under the eyes, stopping before the lash line to soften the difference in tone. Leaving the under-eye area natural feels much more dimensional, real, and cool to me.