Rajee Narinesin is an eternal optimist.
Welcome to Beauty Around the Clock, Marie Claire's weekly peek into the daily lives of the most influential women in their respective industries. Have you ever wondered how these women do it all in a day?
Fans of E.'s Botched may recognize Rajee Narinesin (open in new tab) from their favorite episodes, but this activist, actress, and writer has much more to say. She received disfiguring injections on the black market disguised as medical silicone and gained attention when her transformation was televised, but she used the ordeal to champion the trans community, of which she has been a pillar for decades. Here, she shares her self-care rituals, makeup routine, and why it is so important to maintain beauty during a pandemic.
"Depending on my schedule, I get up between 5:00 and 7:00 a.m. and stop by the kitchen to make a cup of water to make coffee. I drink one cup first, while going about my morning routine."
"I have breakfast and watch Good Morning America while I do my makeup. I like crispy turkey bacon, a bagel or toast with a little cream cheese on it, a pineapple, and a bottle of very cold water".
"I soak in a hot bath every morning. I call it my 'pavilion' because it is somewhere between a bath and a shower. I soak in the bath, lather soap from head to toe and use a pumice stone for my feet. Then I rinse off in the shower and take care of my skin: scrub my skin with a facial cleanser, use astringent, and finally apply moisturizer.
"Every morning, wash and condition your hair. Once naturally dry, spray Bonfi Natural Oil Spray (open in new tab), comb through hair, and apply a bit of clear adhesive to the top of the head to blend the hair piece, hair unit, or wig into the natural hair."
"First, I camouflage my dark circles with an orange cover-up stick. My mother has a few dark circles, and my father, who is of South Asian descent, also has dark circles. I am proud to be multiracial and proud of the way I look, but if I don't cover up my dark circles, people will think I'm tired. I then mix two foundation colors (opens in a new tab) and apply them to get the complexion that suits me best, then set with Wet n' Wild pressed powder. I use L.A. Colors for blush, Earth Brown for eyeshadow, and black mascara (opens in a new tab). Sometimes I wear false eyelashes, sometimes I don't. Lipstick is always Wet n Wild Hot Red (opens in new tab) or Burnt Cherry. now my face is ready for the world. I always joke that here in South Florida it's so humid that if I'm not in the air conditioning, my face will have puddles of makeup on the ground"
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"This time last year, I had many appearances scheduled, including hosting two LGBTQ Pride festivals. However, due to the lockdown, all were cancelled. Appearance has always been important to me at events and public appearances, but it wasn't until COVID-19 started that I realized how important beauty regimens are to me personally. Even if I don't leave the house or see anyone, I find myself continuing my daily routine. I find that doing so lifts my spirits and makes me feel better."
"In November of 2011, word spread about my black market injection debacle and overnight I was thrown into the media world. Since then I have been featured on 35 television shows around the world and spent three seasons on reality television. One of the great benefits I gained from that was the ability to work on a global level. I have volunteered with the Red Cross and United Way since high school. But I have been an activist in the LGBTQ community for 23 years now. Here in South Florida, I work with the Ariana Center and TransInclusive and am the official outreach advocate for TransSocial, a wonderful organization for trans people by trans people. I also co-host two online shows, Trans Gurus and My Southern Exposure."
"I absolutely love a perfume cream called Pierre La Touche (opens in new tab) and I always get compliments on my scent. On a recent trip to the market, one of the employees came out from the back and walked over to me and said she recognized me from all the way in the back."
"I love a perfume cream called Pierre La Touche (tab opens). [I also like to do light yoga. For me, self-care is mainly focused on spirituality. Sometimes throughout the day, I will stop what I am doing for a few minutes to pray or meditate. I also use motivational videos from leading spiritual experts such as Louise Hay, Deepak Chopra, and Rev. Michael Bernard Beckwith. He also attends Sunday services at spiritual centers online."
"Baby oil. I apply it daily all over my body from the neck down. I guess I am a baby at heart." [Lena Horne, Raquel Welch, Sophia Loren, Dorothy Dandridge, etc. But lately, Halle Berry, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Lupita Nyongo, Angelina Jolie, Rihanna, and Demi Lovato come to mind."
"Movie stars or spiritual gurus."
"My taste in music is very diverse. It really depends on my mood. I like Bruno Mars, Selena, Chaka Khan, Shakira, Prince Royce, and Hindi prayer music."
"I usually like movie stars and spiritual gurus.
"I'm usually tired so I make it quick. I wash my face, moisturize, then brush and floss my teeth. The last thing I do before I go to sleep is a little embarrassing, but somehow it relaxes me; I used to have filaments around my nose when I was in my 20s, but now I have very little. It's very satisfying to look at and relaxing."
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