Getting Ready with
Richi Cadrouce
In "Getting Ready with...," we ask our friends to share their routines and this time we visited Richi to talk about skincare and his approach on makeup products. Richi Cadrouce is an Latinx influencer and multidisciplinary artist based in Brooklyn, New York. He started his music project in 2020 exploring gender identity, color, and energy in his music.
Skin type and age (if you’re comfortable sharing):
Combination skin, and I’m 29 years old.
What’s your morning routine?
In the morning, I think about the little things that make me feel thankful before getting into my phone notifications, which is something I’m planning to avoid for at least an hour in the near future. Music is very important in my whole ritual, so I can stay inspired. I’ve been listening to East Frog a lot lately since I’m currently working on a hip-hop song. Then, it’s coffee time—plain and simple, American Coffee!
What is the step-by-step to your skincare routine?
For my skin care, Cardon Exfoliating Toner Wipes are my newest obsession and also my first step. Using their rough side, I get to gently exfoliate my skin while tightening my pores, and manage the oil around my nose and forehead. It has caffeine to balance the pH and PHA, which is a mild exfoliating ingredient.
The next step is washing my face with the CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser. Let’s just say, at this point, I feel the double cleansing in a way, before getting into the Rodan+Fields REVERSE Intensive Brightening Toner—my favorite so far. But every time I try a new one I feel a slight despair at the moment of waiting for it to be absorbed by my skin. In this case, I enjoy the process from start to finish. This toner targets the appearance of skin discoloration, softness, the look of dark spots, and increases the efficacy of the steps that follow. At this point, it’s time for Sunscreen—SunBum Face Lotion SPF 50 to be exact. It’s a very light formula with a glowing-skin look as a result. I’ve discovered that my beauty routine has to be the closest thing to a spa moment.
Exfoliating Toner Wipes — Cardon, Foaming Facial Cleanser — CERAVE and Brightening Toner — Rodan+Fields.
There’s a few other products that I love using 2 or 3 times a week such as the WLDKAT Mushroom+Moss Moisturizing Gel Cream, especially when the weather is just too cold. The Rodan+Fields Targeted Dark Spot Corrector and the Good Molecules — Discoloration Correcting Serum are my favorite products for the dark/red spots around my nose. After 6 or 7 days, I have seen a pretty good improvement. For my tattoos, Green Goo — Tattoo Care Salve makes them look sharp and hydrated. And another weekly favorite will be the Lottie London — Oil Slick Lip Oil to keep my lips soft and looking healthy.
Mushroom+Moss Moisturizing Gel Cream — WLDKAT, Discoloration Correcting Serum — Good Molecules, Face Lotion SPF 50 — SUN BUM and Targeted Dark Spot Corrector — Rodan+Fields.
How do you decide what products you use based on how your skin feels that day (face masks, peeling products, etc.)?
I used to discover new products on Instagram, following beauty/skin care creators but now, tiktok is my Jam! Also, sometimes I get emails from brands to make me try their products, and it’s interesting because I get to share what I really like or whatever works for me.
How do you shop for skincare products?
Mostly the Internet, sometimes Sephora or Ulta Beauty. I’m heading to my Wall-e behavior.
How would you define beauty?
Beauty is a state of mind, it changes and transforms within time. When you learn something new, listen to a new song that moves your soul, or experience a new flavor, your perception of beauty evolves. I grew up thinking that there was only "one type" of beauty in this world, and, when starting to show myself in front of the camera, I discovered that it was not about people approving the way I look anymore. The healing bloomed when I was able to enjoy and feel seen through my own beauty.
How does self care play into your confidence?
Self care helps me understand myself in many ways. When I decide just to go to bed without having my skin care routine, I know, there’s something wrong about my life during those days, so I try to make small changes in order to get to my zen zone again—exercising, biking or just eating some of my favorite desserts while watching an episode of the Kardashians on Hulu.
Self care, for me, works around reactions from different actions and decisions in our lives. Better choices take you to a better lifestyle. But I’m not gonna lie, doing the "wrong thing" makes me feel powerful sometimes. It’s all a balance.
Tattoo Care Salve — Green Goo, Oil Slick Lip Oil — Lottie London and Hand and Nail Cream — Caudalie.
As a performer, you use some makeup products, as we’ve seen on your Instagram. What are your to-go makeup products?
I love wearing a lot of makeup for an Instagram look, but, when performing is a different story. My go-to products are very reduced—a little bit of concealer from Too Faced. It has an amazing finish and you get to use very little product for a great result. For eyebrow gel, I’m currently obsessed with the The Brow Glue from NYX, and for the blush, I don’t have anything specific, one day I’m using Sexy Lipstick Pen MY PERFECT RED from Romanova Makeup—very creamy and easy to apply on your cheeks—then the "ZOMER" tone from the Nikkietutorials X Beautybay palette or just the Peach My Cheeks Melting Powder Blush from Too Faced, which is my favorite so far. With it, you get the right "beach burn" for an affordable price. It feels fresh and calming on your skin as well. And then, if I wanna do something extra, I’m not afraid of any products or materials in order to get a dreamy result. It’s all about exploring—there’s no rules in makeup!
Beauty Elixir — Caudalie
How long does it take for you to get ready head to toe?
I’m very organized (at least, IN MY MIND!) when shopping. I know exactly what I’m going to wear with a new piece, or when, or how. I can be ready in about 25 minutes (including the shower) unless I need to wash my hair. Then I’ll take almost two hours. Curly hair people will get me.
When washing my hair I use just shampoo and conditioner, but then I need to dry it a little bit with a t-shirt (NEVER WITH A TOWEL) before applying the Iles Formula Curls Revive Spray, and then I let it dry naturally or using a diffuser.
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
I’m currently working on my musical project, which has been giving me life since 2020. I’ve been learning so much about music and myself, discovering things I didn’t know I had. I just released my new song RIKIKITA that talks about being in the right moment to feel good about yourself without anyone around.
Also, I just met new producers, and now I’m basically putting together my first EP, which is taking up most of my time because we’re working on very different songs simultaneously.
