My Beauty World: Sabrina Elba
My Beauty World: Sabrina Elba

My Beauty World: Sabrina Elba

Sabrina Elba is the woman behind the A-list beauty brand everyone’s talking about. Founded with her husband Idris, S’ABLE Labs designs vegan skincare products to minimise signs of ageing and boost glow all at once. Known for her honest approach to beauty, Sabrina’s time in the modelling industry means she’s tried and tested some of the best products and treatments over the years – which is why we asked her to tell us more about her daily routine.
By Rebecca Hull
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Image: @SABRINAELBA

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

@SABRINAELBA

REPEAT BUYS

“Even though I’ve managed to create my dream products, there are still a few items I buy on repeat. That includes a Beautyblender – I’m a bit strange because I like to use it dry. It removes excess make-up I don’t want sat on my skin and keeps everything looking fresh and smooth. I also swear by Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Face Mask. It comes in a jar – which I prefer for recycling – and I love that they have a version dedicated to darker skin tones. Another repeat buy is Aman’s Nourishing Sacred Heart Balm. I use it as a body butter and it gives my skin a great glow – perfect before the red carpet. Finally, I won’t ever be without our S’ABLE Labs Baobab Moisturiser. It absorbs fast and is full of radiance-boosting ingredients. Plus, it provides a great base for make-up.”

HAIR ESSENTIALS

“Nothing rivals Shu Uemura’s Urban Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner – my hair drinks it all up and feels so soft afterwards. I also love Oribe’s Signature Moisture Mask. My curls can get really dry, especially after continuous days of heat styling, so keeping my hair hydrated is key.”

SKINCARE TIPS

“Everyone should use a face mask once a week if they can. It’s a great way of nourishing and hydrating skin at speed. I am using our S’ABLE Labs Qasil Exfoliating Mask right now. It gets rid of trapped dirt from your pores and brightens dullness. That’s all thanks to ingredients like quasil and turmeric which are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. I also swear by double cleansing – it’s the best way to get rid of all your make-up. Finally, you’ve heard it before, but applying SPF daily is always important.”

FIRST BEAUTY MEMORY

“When I was growing up, I always watched my mum mixing ingredients in her skincare, including Qasil (a Somalian beauty staple) with turmeric to create what she called a ‘super mask’ at home. She would wear it all day – even when doing her chores. The combination of the ingredients worked so well to brighten and hydrate skin without causing any irritation. It was, of course, a big source of inspiration for the brand and our mask."

BROW GROOMING

“For good brows, the trick is maintenance. I regularly trim and tidy mine, getting rid of strays to ensure I have a good shape. Doing this often means you need less make-up, particularly if you get them tinted. I swear by brow henna and get it done regularly with @SophiaBrows. She’s the best.”

RULES TO FOLLOW

“I am a big believer in using only non-comedogenic products, so I never clog up my skin or cause it to break out. I also like to support vegan and cruelty-free brands like Hourglass and Sunday Riley. Finally, I always stick to a consistent skincare routine – it’s been engrained in me to do so throughout my career as a model. It’s important not to jump from product to product – give it time to work and see how it interacts with your skin before moving on to the next thing.”

MAKE-UP MISTAKES

“Make-up is subjective and there shouldn’t be any rules or ‘mistakes’ to avoid. That said, wearing the wrong shade of foundation is pretty bad – but I think a lot of this comes down to brands still not catering to all skin tones. There’s been progress, but hopefully more brands will continue to expand their shade ranges.”

ADVICE & INSPIRATION

“My mum has always been someone I go to for advice; she’s my skincare guru. She’s always taken good care of her skin, but at the same time has been a big advocate of using less and buying better. For more general inspiration, I am still a fan of holding a print magazine and flicking through it. They’re always full of ideas.”

BEAUTY SHOPPING

“I love to browse the beauty selection on Violet Grey. I always trust the curation and have found some great products on there that I now use on rotation. That includes Medik8’s Night Ritual Vitamin A Cream and the brand MERIT – I love its Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick.”

FIRST BEAUTY FIND

“It was probably the Cover Girl mascara in the orange tube. I used to love that."

MAKE-UP BAG STAPLES

“I’m never without my Armani Luminous Silk Foundation, and I swear by Chanel’s blushers. To keep my brows tidy, I rely on Charlotte Tilbury’s Brow Cheat and REFY’s Brow Sculpt. You’ll always find Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrush Flawless Bronzer in my bag, too.”

DESERT ISLAND PRODUCTS

“If I could take two products with me, it would be a sunscreen and a lip balm. I’m using the brand CAY SKIN right now and really enjoying the silky texture. I find it really protects my skin and keeps it feeling hydrated.”

GO-TO MOTTO

“It’s important we all embrace the fact that no one is perfect. It’s also important to feel confident in your own skin and to be proud of who you are and what you have to offer.”

Follow @Sable.Labs & @SabrinaElba for more information.

@SABRINAELBA

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