9 Self-Care Essentials Tennis Star Naomi Osaka Swears By
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Welcome to Take the Edge Off, a monthly series where we break down the beauty and self-care routines of influencers, CEOs, experts, and celebrities to discover how they unwind and decompress, while taking a closer look at the holy grail beauty essentials they're currently raving about.
A tennis superstar who competes against the likes of sports greats like Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka has carved out her own lane as just the third person in history to win all four of her first grand slam titles at the US and Australian Opens. She's also known for using her platform to speak out against racial and social inequity (most notably through a series of face masks displaying names of Black victims of police brutality), and to champion the prioritization of mental health, especially for athletes.
As an advocate for wellness and self-care, Osaka also understands how a person's daily routine directly impacts their physical and mental health, which is part of why she launched her suncare brand, Kinlò, a name meaning "gold" that's representative of her Haitian and Japanese roots, in 2021. Each product in the collection—from sunscreen to body oil—is optimized for melanated skin and formulated by Osaka with the help of top experts like Naana Boakye, founder of Bergen Dermatology in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
In addition to leaving an impact on the beauty industry, Osaka uses Kinlò as a vehicle to educate people of color on the importance of proper sun protection, something she didn't learn until well into adulthood. "For most of my life, I didn't know my skin was at risk," Osaka explains in a brand Instagram post. "I honestly didn't even know the type of care it needed."
To learn more about the essentials that keep the tennis pro feeling centered and inspired, BAZAAR.com chats with Osaka and gets a closer look at some of her most frequented products on and off the court. Plus, she gives us the inside scoop on her go-tos for a healthy breakfast and current hot yoga workout obsession.
What are you reading these days?
I typically only have time to read when I'm on a plane, but I've just started reading Letters to a Young Athlete by Chris Bosh.
What are some of your go-to bath and/or shower products?
I usually take showers just because they're quick and easy after I've been on the court. But lately, I've really enjoyed taking some time to relax in a bath—and I've loved using bath salts. And my favorite thing to do after the bath is apply Kinlò's Coconut Body Oil—it smells so good and helps my skin feel super hydrated. I also love using the brand Tosaryu's Japanese Spa bath flakes that are made with a Japanese aromatic hinoki cypress scent. I love the bath flakes' familiar, soothing Japanese smells and that they come in the form of little wood flakes rather than normal salts. It just adds something different and makes the bath feel more special.
What beauty or self-care products do you use on a regular basis to help combat Zoom fatigue?
I like to keep things simple for my day-to-day makeup as I don't really wear much, but to prep for meetings and interviews, I typically use our Kinlò Golden Rays Sunscreen. It has a slight tint, which gives me a great glow on Zoom. It also helps protect my skin against damage from blue light. So I use that and some of the brand's Hydrating Lip Balm, and I'm set.
Do you have a favorite hand sanitizer, soap, and/or cream right now?
I usually just use whatever's available, but if I had to choose a favorite, it would probably be the EO Organic Hand Sanitizing Spray. They have a couple different scents that both smell really nice: French lavender and peppermint. I don't really like the alcohol smell of most hand sanitizers, so these scents make the product feel more luxurious. I also like that the sanitizer is in spray form instead of being a sticky, goopy formula.
Do you ever light a candle or stick of incense to decompress? If so, what are some of your favorites?
For sure. I've always loved candles—Kinlò actually makes one—but recently, I've gotten into incense too. It really helps me relax and puts me into a meditative state. I'm still trying new scents and haven't really found a favorite yet.
What was the last beauty product you put on today?
It's always our Kinlò Golden Rays Sunscreen.
Are you into bold makeup, no makeup, or no-makeup makeup right now, and why?
I'd say no makeup right now.
What's the last fitness class you streamed or attended in person?
I've actually gotten super into hot yoga lately. I had never tried it until a few months ago, and now I love it. I started out with 60-minute classes, and now I'm doing 90-minute classes—I feel amazing afterwards. I also usually get a post-training massage treatment a few times a week. But in between massages, I always use my Hyperice Hypervolt Go, because it's super lightweight and portable, which makes it easy to carry it wherever I go. It really helps keep my muscles loose and soothed after tough practices and matches.
What's one piece of self-care advice you'd recommend to our readers?
For me, meditation—even if it's just for a few minutes when you wake up—is really helpful to set my intentions for the day and start it with a great mindset. I have a meditation room at my house that has a beautiful view, so I like to sit there for quiet meditation time too. I also wear my Beats headphones a ton, because it's my favorite way to meditate, and totally block out the rest of the world. Even when I'm walking on the court to play a match and I'm listening to music in my headphones, it's still a bit meditative, because all I can hear is the music. It helps me focus and zone in on what I'm about to do.
I also believe what you eat and staying hydrated helps maintain stamina and immunity. To stay healthy, I like starting my day with a bagel or toast, smoked salmon, and homemade smoothie. I use whatever greens I have in the house, add blueberries or strawberries, and BodyArmor Lyte in their coconut water flavor to give it a tropical taste. I also recommend ending the day with a bath using essential oils or a mineral salt, since they're great for relaxing muscles.
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