The Beauty Products Aesthetician Sarah Akram Uses to the Last Drop
It doesn’t get much chicer than aesthetician Sarah Akram: Not only is she the founder of luxury skin-care brand and spa Sarah Akram Skincare, the Washington, D.C.–based facialist is a Dior Beauty skin-care expert and ambassador approved by the likes of Harper’s Bazaar, Rachel Zegler, and more. “I love connecting with people of all backgrounds and enjoy helping my clients look and feel their best,” Akram tells the Cut.
Her career in aesthetics is, in large part, thanks to a job she took to pay her way through college at George Mason University, where she studied economics. “I worked reception at a prominent plastic surgeon’s office,” she explains. “They took note of my work ethic and drive and asked me if I would be interested in going to aesthetics school to ultimately work for them as an aesthetician, all while getting my degree from university.” Akram — whose first job was serving as a shampoo girl at age 14 — says, “I got lucky. That early mentorship really hooked me on aesthetics.”
Ultimately, between seeing “favorite” clients like Sheryl Lee Ralph, staying grounded means spending quality time with her family, doing red-light-therapy face masks, and more. At the end of the day, “self-care is the bedrock of how I am able to show up for my family and my two beautiful children,” she shares. “It also helps me show up for my staff and clients.”
Below, Akram goes into detail about her daily wellness and beauty practices.
A.M. Routine
My mornings consist of a shower — the last five minutes of which is a cold rinse — my single cup of coffee for the day (splash of oat milk), and an anti-oxidant smoothie. For my skin, I start with Fablerune Rose Clay & Lavender Facial Cleanser and Karam MD Quench Vitamin C Serum, followed by Environ’s Defence Cream and finished off with an SPF like Tizo’s physical block SPF.
Makeup-wise, I am absolutely in love with the Diorshow Brow Styler. It has been an absolute game changer for me. For hair, I’m a Pureology girl. I love its vegan and zero-sulfate shampoos and conditioners. Finally, for body care, I like the body products by Saltair. My client Iskra Lawrence sent me some test products a while back, and I’ve been obsessed ever since. I love the body washes because they’re cruelty-, paraben-, and gluten-free.
P.M. Routine
My evenings are 100 percent focused on my kids: reading, puzzles, board games, etc. Lately, we’ve been having fun with karaoke (Moana and Encanto songs are in full rotation) and Magna-Tiles castle creations. I feel the most centered when I focus on quality time with the family.
Nighttime self-care includes Dior Prestige La Mousse Micellaire Face Cleanser and Le Baume de Minuit. For my body, I use Biologique Recherche’s MSR-H Creme. I finish off with the red-light LED therapy mask from Omnilux.
On the Beauty Item From Which She’s Noticed a Difference
Clé de Peau concealer SPF 27 covers my under-eye dark circles and leaves a smooth, flawless finish on my face.
Cle de Peau Concealer SPF 27
On Rest
Two things are important: First, putting the phone down an hour before I go to bed. Second, a white-noise machine. A friend got me a Loftie clock; it has a huge library of white noises and nature sounds that help calm my brain and get better rest.
On Movement
My day job is pretty physical, so that is a bonus, but I do a lot of walking with my young ones daily in the morning. I stroll my kids to and from our local coffee shop, which consists of steep hills. I use this time to connect with my children and center my thoughts around other business and personal endeavors. More important, I’m four months removed from having my second child, so I try not to obsess on my body bounce back. It’s this mind-set that makes me feel good in my body.