'My name is Daniel Kong [@theblackren] and I currently live in Hong Kong. I work on fashion and luxury projects as a marketing freelancer, essentially creating and mashing together great words and images to convey the best of what a brand represents. My past clients include Lane Crawford and Joyce Boutique, Monocle Magazine and Bloomberg Businessweek's Chinese edition. My clients span all over the globe, so from New York, to London, to Seoul, to right here in Hong Kong, the variety keeps me happy and challenged all the time. I love hoarding beautiful magazines and books—coffee table books in particular are my weakness. And outside of fashion and design, I love my yoga routine. I went to an ashram last year and it has changed my outlook on life for the better.
When I was really young I swam competitively and would train up to seven times per week. Because the chlorine kept drying my skin, my mother told me to use all of these lotions and potions. I’m lucky in that Mum is a skin clinician, and since she has been in the business for a long time she knows what suits me. Later on she would occasionally spoil me with facial and micro-dermabrasion treatments. Now that I think about it, what kind of normal boy would have that?
My beauty philosophy has always been the same: use products that suit your skin type, and stick to what you know works best. Oh, and never go to bed before cleaning your skin. Sometimes products are hyped up because of all the grand marketing, but really by the end of the day you need to know if the product suits you. I’ve never bought a product based purely on the name. Where possible, I always test before buying.
Every morning and evening ends with with a bottle of Bioderma cleanser to both freshen up my face and clean away any leftover impurities from the day. For my eyes, I stick to either liquid or gel eyeliners. If liquid, I use either Innisfree Powerproof Pen Lineror Cyber Colors Super Stay Black Tip Liner. They are both super black, super fine, and super smudge- and water-proof—absolutely necessary in Hong Kong’s humid weather. I like doing a subtle graphic upside-down cat-eye with these two. Otherwise, if it's a pencil, I use either an Innisfree gel liner in No. 8 Burgundy [discontinued] or a Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner in Chocolate Truffle and smudge.
When I’m on long-haul flights and in need of a pick-me-up, I rely on Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Moisturizer for men. I used a sample when I was flying through Seoul a few months ago and was hooked instantly. I also rely on a Acqua di Parma’s Colonia shower gel and the Jan Marini C-esta Cleansing Gel when in the shower. For my hair, I use the John Frieda Luxurious Volume Root Booster Blow Dry Lotion, and the accompanying hairspray for extra lift and hold. And as I leave the house, I usually put a spritz of Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum, or Loewe’s 7 if it's a warm summer evening. I’d like to think the extra scent brings good luck.
My main beauty inspiration is my mother. She has taught me not only which products to apply on my skin, but has continually encouraged me to take care of myself. I think this is why my skin is always very good and why I get compliments from people (especially women). Your skin is essentially a reflection of the state of your body’s internal health, so if you want radiant skin you have to treat yourself well both inside and outside! Oh, and get good quality sleep. It’s my favorite form of make-up, and best of all it's free!”
—as told to ITG
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