Isamaya Ffrench isn’t your typical beauty founder — she’s a celebrated makeup artist, creative visionary, and the force behind her eponymous beauty brand, Isamaya. Her approach to beauty is deeply influenced by her professional history, blending artistic expression with skin health, simplicity, and sculptural makeup aesthetics. Rather than chasing endless products, Ffrench emphasizes protection, sensory experience, and creative confidence.
Skin First: Protection Over Overload
Ffrench’s skincare philosophy is rooted in function, resilience, and simplicity. After years of heavy makeup work and frequent shooting, her once easygoing skin has become more sensitive, prompting her to focus on protection and balance rather than aggressive routines.
She starts with professional treatments and expert guidance when needed:
- Visits Dr. Brian Fu for microneedling.
- Sees Jasmina Vico for advanced technologies like lasers and microcurrent devices.
- Works with Dr. Karen Doherty, who uses polynucleotide treatments to boost elasticity, hydration, and overall skin health.
For daily maintenance, Ffrench keeps things lean — she avoids layering ten products, preferring to assess her skin’s moment‑to‑moment needs. At night, she often uses Dr. Idriss’s Soft Wash cleanser, appreciating its gentle but effective formula. In the morning, she skips heavy cleansing and instead uses a Face Halo pad with warm water, followed by biodegradable cleaning cloths she collaborated on that are infused with soothing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
After cleansing, her first skincare step is her own Microbial Gel, formulated to support skin’s microbiome and balance pH — a foundational product in her beauty line.
To protect and improve skin health throughout the day and night, she incorporates:
- Potent‑C Antioxidant Serum for brightening and defense.
- Allskin Med Pigmentation Control Serum to reduce summer hyperpigmentation.
- Dr. Sam’s 10% Azelaic Acid Serum for redness and soothing flare‑ups.
Moisturizers shift depending on how her skin feels — she often turns to brands like Gezeiten for rich hydration, and Young Goose’s Youth Daily V2 cream, which includes NAD+ and spermidine for advanced nourishment. When skin needs an extra refresh, she uses a clear jelly overnight mask that feels cooling and restorative.
Makeup: Sculptural, Skin‑Infused, and Artful
Isamaya’s “usual look” is described as clean, natural, and sculptural — the very inspiration behind her makeup line. She often blends skincare with makeup, starting with Microbial Gel as a primer that feeds beneficial skin bacteria and preps the face.
Instead of traditional foundation, she favors Color Correcting Serums in soft pastel tones — like pistachio for redness and lilac for dullness — which even out the complexion while allowing skin texture to show through. A light touch of concealer is used only if needed.
Her sculpting tools and makeup choices are central to her signature look:
- Sculpting Sticks blend seamlessly with fingers and contain ceramides to remain creamy and flexible.
- Fair and Oak shades help to brighten and lift, especially under eyes and around the mouth.
- A soft sheer highlighter adds glow without heavy shimmer.
For true sculptural effect, she also enjoys a Face Glaze — a multi‑purpose gel that can be used on lids or cheeks for a dewy finish with added hydration from brown algae extract.
Ffrench often wears Lashify lashes, preferring them over traditional strip styles because they provide impact without heavy makeup. When she does reach for liner, she leans toward brown tones for a softer, more natural definition. For bold makeup days, cream shadows from brands like Danessa Myricks offer intense pigment and artistic play.
Lip products are equally considered: metallic lip balms she developed are formulated to be hydrating despite reflective pigments, and her Hyalurolip lip serum helps keep lips supple with hyaluronic acid.
Hair and Fragrance: Textures and Intention
When she wants a change, Ffrench heads to her trusted hairstylist at Bleach London — she’s been seeing Alex Brownsell for years, using a mix of semi‑permanent dyes and color tints to keep her hair vibrant without overprocessing. Now sporting red hair, she washes it only once a week to preserve color and uses scalp serums or oils for nourishment. Products like Act+Acre shampoo and conditioners from Rōz keep hair manageable, while finishing oils help smooth and add luxury without heaviness. A Dyson Airwrap completes her styling for dimension.
Isamaya’s fragrance preferences veer toward the earthy and tobacco‑leaning, steering clear of florals or citrus. She favors unisex scents and cold‑weather blends — including intriguing niche brands that combine intentional “energy” themes with classic perfumery concepts. Incense and home fragrances also play into her sensory environment, offering an atmospheric backdrop to her daily rituals.
A Routine Rooted in Thoughtful Expression
Across skincare, makeup, hair care, and scent, Ffrench’s routine reflects her overarching philosophy: beauty should enhance and express identity, not mask it. She rejects cluttered regimens in favor of purposeful choices, blending artful makeup with skin health and sensory elements that feel both personal and visionary.
