Suman Jalaf

Famous for her artistic microblading technique, Brow Queen Suman Jalaf tends to the arches of practically everyone in London from the comfort of her newly opened Beauty Atelier in Knightsbridge. When she does make time for herself, lazy Sunday lunches, lots of masking and a detoxifying soak in the tub feature highly on her to–do list.

suman jalaf sunday sessions

The Wind Down

I begin my beauty routine at my own pace and Sunday allows me the time to take care of all the small things that the busy working week simply doesn’t allow for; it’s also my only non-work day. I do start a Sunday off scrolling through my iPhone, not just to see what’s going on in the world but also to catch up with my loved ones. After I’m finished with that, it begins with a long lazy yawn and an extremely slow departure from my favourite side of the bed, before heading out for some ‘me time’ at a Pilates reformer session. I like to get rid of any tension in my body and to loosen up any tightness after a long week of sitting in same position for work. Then I call my deep tissue masseuse Michal Senkyr who’s phenomenal and really works in deep with all the knots that have built up. This also involves cupping and some acupuncture. I really enjoy this me time and it is SO needed before I go back to a more repetitive lifestyle again.

My Sunday usually entails a trip to a fun lunch in a country pub to eat a good Sunday roast shared with family and friends and the most important individual in my life, my one year old pomchi, Coco (she definitely has the Chanel attitude to match)! Me and little madam are frequent visitors of dog-friendly Bistro pubs in Chelsea, as well as the Essex countryside. After a hearty lunch enjoyed with a glass of wine (or two), a country walk usually ensues in order to burn off some of the puddings and let Coco stretch her legs. Before I know it, it time to jump in my car and drive back to town. My drive back allows me to float through the busy London streets listening to the sound of everyone from Coldplay, Sting, Aaliyah and sometimes Bollywood and beyond. My eclectic taste carries on throughout the rest of my Sunday, and is reflected in my mood, the weather and my evening plans. As soon as I’m back home, I burn Diptyque Baies to help me wind down.

suman jalaf sunday sessions

The Routine

I like to take more time on a Sunday to really take care of my hair. After my morning coffee, I have a shower and use my favourite hair regime products from Oribe, starting with the Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo. I love this shampoo, it leaves my hair feeling cleansed and hydrated, restoring it to its original health through the use of age-old healing oils, so that not only does it feel healthier, but it looks glossier and more lustrous than ever. Then I apply the Signature Moisture Mask, it totally transforms my hair and smells lush! As Oribe is a luxury because it’s quite expensive, I use it to spoil myself on Sundays.

I think it’s so important to start with a good facial wash to prep my face for the rest of my regime, my favourite which I actually use every day is the Colbert MD Balance Purifying Cleanser. Because I use it so regularly, I really notice how fresh my complexion looks afterwards and it leaves the skin clean and prepped for a good moisturiser. My holy grail moisturiser is the Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream and I apply it religiously Monday to Sunday, AM to PM. I also make sure I use my Foreo Luna 2 Facial Cleansing Brush to wash my face on Sundays, this device is so innovative and I definitely notice a difference in my pores after I use it. Whilst taking into account the costs of the products I choose to use, I consider my skincare to be a long term investment where the  benefits will be physical, tangible and emotional, long-term.

suman jalaf sunday sessions

I’m a big fan of masks and find them really therapeutic, and on Sundays I actually have time to do them. Depending on my mood, I mix up and change which masks I’m using. One of my absolute staples when I’m feeling slightly dry is the Dr Sebagh Deep Exfoliating Mask as it’s not too harsh but still resurfaces my skin. If my skin is being problematic then I also use the Chantecaille Detox Clay Mask, I love the black clay as it draws out all the impurities. If I’ve done a mask I sometimes tend to follow it up with a facial oil before bed to help bring some nourishment back to my skin. The Sisley Black Rose Precious Facial Oil is super luxurious and leaves my skin feeling soft and supple in the morning.

Bedtime

Once I’m home from my Sunday lunch my favourite part of my day begins “bathy-bath time” (a saying from my childhood!). I usually take this time to relax and enjoy a long soak in a warm tub with a handful of the Herbivore Detox Bath Salts, the lavender makes my bathroom smell incredible! In the bath I use the Ameliorate Smoothing Body Exfoliant to wash away dry skin and once I’m all dry I tend to moisturise my body with the REN Clean Skincare Neroli Grapefruit Body Cream which leaves me feeling so smooth. The length of my soak depends on whether I am staying in or heading out for a date. Sundays give me the flexibility to enjoy my own company or the company of others.

Bedtime on a Sunday for me means catching up with everyone’s best friend … Netflix! When I’m finished with that I read through my emails, make sure my alarm is set and have my fennel herbal tea. This is the time where I make sure my phone is on silent, as it’s my time to unwind before the busy week ahead. Before bed I wash my face and apply my Lancer Lash Serum Intense and Sisley Confort Extreme Lip Balm. Oh, and I tend to spray the Clean Reserve Warm Cotton Eau de Parfum Travel Spray on my duvet as I love a good smelling Egyptian cotton all over me. Mmm, snuggle and… zzz.

suman jalaf sunday sessions

Monday Morning

My working week begins with an 8.30am start on Monday whilst desperately avoiding the snooze button. I head for the kitchen and take my daily dose of apple cider vinegar water. Then I check my schedule and pick my outfit for the day before heading to the shower. I tend to use the Malin+Goetz Sage Body Wash on a Monday morning to wake me up, and I usually use the By Terry Baume de Rose Lip Scrub to exfoliate my lips. I’m a self-confessed lip balm collector and am obsessed with all different types of lip balms! For skincare, I start with the Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Peel…such an incredible product and it only takes minutes to do. I throw my hair up into a pony tail for work after using the Ouai Hair Oil so that it is kept out of my face to concentrate on my work, and last but not least I have a quick check before I leave my apartment so that I’m ready to take on the brows of London…

suman jalaf sunday sessions