Ade Hassan
The Journey
Nubian Skin was founded by 33-year-old British-born Ade Hassan, MBE. Her international upbringing across the UK, Nigeria, the Middle East and the USA has given her a global perspective, which continues to influence her today.
After completing her higher education in the US and the UK, Ade entered the corporate world, and worked at various finance and consulting institutions, all the while harboring her entrepreneurial ambitions. Thoughts are different than actions however, and comfortable with a growing pay check and an expanding collection of shoes, the idea was put on hold, until an apt reminder came in the form of a birthday card from a close friend in 2012. ‘It’s time to start living the life you have always imagined’, so she did just that!
In spring 2013 the old business plans were dusted off, domains were bought, and the Nubian Skin journey began. It has not been an easy process, but her dream is coming to fruition. To quote Ade, "My nude isn’t the nude I see in shops. Despite the reality that women of color have the same needs as all women when it comes to lingerie and hosiery (and spend the same of their hard-earned money), the industry simply doesn’t cater to us. So, I thought, it’s time to rethink the definition of nude".
Ade was recently named in the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours list to receive an MBE. The award was made in recognition of Ade’s commitment to her mission to redefine nude through her brand Nubian Skin, and the impact she has consequently made on the fashion industry.
Ade's Skin Care Routine
I love skin care and make up even if I don’t use a ridiculous amount of makeup on a daily basis. I’ve got all sorts of lovely masks, flash masks, cleansers, moisturizers, and some face oils. I think skin care is so much more important than make up.
Right now, I’ve been using Kiehl’s Ultimate Facial Cleanser at night followed by either Dr Hauschka night serum and then Environ face oil capsules OR I might use Ren’s Wake wonderful Night-Time Facial a couple of times a week.
In the morning, I cleanse, sometimes tone, moisturize with Dr Hauschka Revitalising Day Cream and top it off with sunscreen. I try to exfoliate and / or use a mask once a twice a week. Depending on how my skin is feeling it might be an exfoliating, hydrating or cleansing mask.
Makeup-wise, I tend to fill in my brows using the Mayfair Edit collection, which is just amazing. The miracle product from the collection is the brow highlighter – it just makes your eyebrows look so neat and groomed. Then it’s mascara and a bit of lipstick or lip gloss, I’m loving Pat McGrath and Smashbox for lipsticks at the moment. I don’t tend to wear foundation or powder unless I have a special occasion.
I’ve always loved skincare ever since I was little, I think watching my mum instilled that in me. I’m not anywhere close to being a pro at makeup, and I hate the look of being over done, but I do think make up is so much fun, it’s all about that added boost to your day.
