At the Vanity Table With… is a series that dives into a personality’s beauty tips, tricks, non-negotiables, and more. In this edition, Mawar Remy Taavitsainen speaks about why she’ll never skip a lip colour, and why she, like the rest of Malaysia, adores Khairul Aming.
Balancing an active social life and early motherhood can be a tall order. It’s even more so if you’re doing all this away from home. Mawar (@mwrmy on Instagram) splits her time between Kuala Lumpur and Finland, where she currently resides. While she’s obviously in town to celebrate Raya with her family, the beauty enthusiast also takes the opportunity to put in the work by catching up with the city’s beauty scene.
Giving us a look into her routine, it’s clear that she knows what she’s doing. Between the high- and low-end finds, the skin struggles she’s been through, and the rituals she has made part of her regular routine, the 27-year-old is a real beauty enthusiast, through and through. Whether you share her dry skin condition or are looking for first-hand experience for winter travels, she’s bound to have a tip or two for your needs.
Ahead, she shares her beauty opinions, must-haves, and little fun facts that make her Mawar.
Confess a beauty crime that you have committed before
Skipping SPF—my ultimate beauty crime. I’m usually religious about slapping on sunscreen every single day, even when the sun’s playing hide and seek in winter. But I’ve definitely had those chaotic mornings where I rush out the door and realise halfway through the day.
A beauty item you would immediately replace if it’s lost
My Vaseline Lip Therapy in Rose, hands down. It comes in that little round tin, and I swear it’s magic. My lips are forever chapped no matter the weather, and this is the only thing that saves them.
Three items that are on your beauty wish list right now
Right now, I’ve got Basma Blurring Gloss Balm on my radar. I’m a big lippie girl and literally can’t leave the house without something on my lips. Then there’s the Merit Minimalist Complexion Stick because I live for a no-makeup makeup look, and that stick just gets it. And lastly, the Medicube Age-R Booster Pro device—I’m a skincare lover at heart, and I love the idea of giving myself a professional-level facial at home. It just sounds so satisfying.
A person you have the biggest beauty crush on, and why?
Heart Evangelista is my all-time beauty crush. She’s effortlessly put together and so elegant, whether she’s in something casual or full-on couture. Her makeup is always soft and feminine, and she’s a big fan of lashes, which I love because, same! There’s such a sweet, graceful energy to the way she looks and carries herself, and that’s the kind of vibe I truly admire. She’s timeless.
Something you’re gatekeeping right now. Spill.
I don’t usually gatekeep when it comes to beauty, but one ritual I rarely talk about is my weekly hammam routine. It’s been a part of my self-care for years now. A few of my Moroccan friends introduced me to it, and after my first experience, I was obsessed. It became a sacred little ritual for me.
I start with Moroccan black olive soap all over my body, then sit in the sauna for about 20 minutes to let it really sink in. After that, I exfoliate everything off, and I mean everything. It leaves my skin feeling completely renewed. I finish with Lush Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner, and it makes me feel like I just stepped out of a spa.
Even on regular days, I keep the self-care going with L’Occitane’s Almond Shower Oil, Kiehl’s Crème de Corps Body Butter, and seal it all in with Monoi Tiki Tahiti Oil in Vanilla. It’s my way of staying grounded and treating my body with love.
A trend that needs to die
Overconsumption: I admit I’ve been a victim of it, too, and I’m actively trying to be better. I love beauty, but we’ve definitely reached a point where there’s so much pressure to buy every new launch or own ten versions of the same thing. It’s just not sustainable for the planet or our wallets. I’m still learning and doing my best to be more mindful with what I buy, and to focus on intention instead of impulse.
A viral product that does nothing for you
The Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask. I really wanted to love it, but unfortunately, it just didn’t do much for me. My lips didn’t feel as moisturised as I expected, even after leaving it on overnight. It looked cute on my nightstand, though!
A makeup step you will never skip before you head out the door
My nanny used to tell me, “Never leave the house without something on your lips,” and she was so right. Whether it’s a lip balm, lip stain, lipstick, or gloss, I need something on before I head out. She actually got me my first lip gloss when I was 10, and it was from Bobbi Brown. Ever since then, it’s been a non-negotiable part of my routine.
The skincare item that completely transformed your skin for the better
I broke out with acne for the first time, mostly around my chin area, and what really transformed my skin was Adapalene. Once I started using it, my skin just kept getting better. I’m currently off it now since it was prescribed, but honestly, sticking to a good, non-comedogenic moisturiser has also made such a difference for me.
Your trick to achieve the best hair day
My best hair days always come down to four things: Lush Super Milk Conditioning Spray, Ouai Wave Spray, Mjuuk Volume Mousse, and Olaplex Bonding Oil. I usually wash my hair the night before, then while it’s still damp, I start with Super Milk and scrunch it in. Then I add the Wave Spray and work the mousse in close to the roots, but not too close. I let it air dry, pop on a silk bonnet before bed, and by morning, my hair is soft, bouncy, and full of texture. I just smooth out any frizz with a bit of oil, and that’s it. No heat required!
An unexpected beauty hack you always incorporate into your routine
I actually have a couple! When I shampoo, I always double-cleanse my scalp. It makes such a difference in how clean and fresh my hair feels. I also try not to focus too much on the ends when shampooing. On days when I don’t want to irritate my scalp, I’ll skip shampoo altogether and just apply a bit of hair mask to my ends to help prevent split ends.
And for my lips, I do this little trick where I dab some water on them first, then seal it in with my favourite Vaseline lip balm. It keeps them super hydrated.
An underrated perfume you think everyone should give a chance to
AnillO’s Rosy Night perfume smells so good. I’m usually not a fan of florals, especially anything with a hint of rose (which is kind of funny since my name actually means “rose” in Malay). But I first smelled it at a House of Sephora event and completely fell in love. It’s soft, elegant, and just different from your typical rose scent.
The last beauty indulgence you had done
My most recent beauty indulgence was a hair treatment at Cocodry. Their Virgin Hair Treatment is a 10/10. I left the place with my hair looking insanely soft and shiny. I also had a lash extension touch-up at Blushed by Tommy in Bukit Damansara. Tommy’s actually a friend from university—we used to do lashes at her place, and now she has her own store! Major credit to my best friend, Azrina for introducing me to her in the first place.
A song that will always get you in the mood to get ready
There’s no in between for me. It’s either complete silence or I’m blasting my playlist. I’m a big lover of hip hop and rap, so if I had to choose one, anything from City Girls will get me ready real quick.
Brands that check all the boxes for you
I’m a sucker for brands that incorporate skincare into their makeup. Anything that makes me feel like I’m treating my skin while wearing makeup is an instant win. Kosas is one of my current favourites.
Malaysians you look up to
I really look up to Khairul Aming. I love how he’s able to bring Malaysians together through something as simple and beautiful as his recipe videos. On top of that, he’s such a solid entrepreneur. The way he takes care of his team, the way he carries himself—it’s all really inspiring. I admire what he’s built and how much he’s given back to the community. His recipes have also saved me so many times, especially when I’m back in Finland with no idea what to cook but still craving something that screams Malaysian or Asian comfort food.
A mantra that you live by
“This too shall pass.” It’s simple, but it’s helped me push through difficult moments in my life. It also reminds me to be present and appreciate the moment because whether it’s good or bad, everything is temporary, and all that’s left in the end are memories.
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