Welcome to Take the Edge Off, a series that breaks down the beauty and self-care routines of influencers, CEOs, experts, and celebrities. Find out how they unwind and decompress while taking a closer look at the holy-grail essentials they’re currently raving about.
With the massive success of Refy’s viral products, it might be easy to chalk up the TikTok-famous beauty brand as another industry flash in the pan. And while Refy has more than three million likes and over 230,000 followers on the social platform alone, cofounder and creative director Jess Hunt says the brand aims to build a long-lasting community that prioritizes a simplified approach to beauty.
Hunt began her career as a model and content creator before pivoting to launch Refy with business partner Jenna Meek in 2020. “At the very beginning, before Refy started, I was very well known for having these big, bushy brows. And I didn’t feel like there was a product on the market that provided that look and held your brows in place all day,” she tells Bazaar. “I was actually using two different gels and three kinds of brushes just to get my brows to stay in place.” After Hunt explained that brow styling process to her soon-to-be partner during a photo shoot, they used their lunch break to concept early product renderings of what is now known as Refy’s best-selling Brow Sculpt.
Originally, it was just meant to be this amazing product that was going to change your life. And we launched with that, then kind of realized that there was a real gap in the market for beauty that was simplified, made you feel like your most confident self, and fixed all the problems in your makeup routine,” Hunt says. “And that’s what Refy aims to do: just make you feel really good.”
Along with Brow Sculpt, Refy has over 25 beauty offerings across makeup and skincare and has even launched a limited-edition fashion and lifestyle collection. “It was just kind of there to simplify your routine, and it’s turned into this big, crazy brand,” the cofounder explains. “I think TikTok’s had a huge role to play in that, and social in general. It’s crazy to be on this journey and grateful that people love the brand.” To extend its range of no-frills beauty staples, Refy recently released its tinted Skin Trio SPF 50, Blur and Hydrate Primer, and makeup-locking Face Setter mist, and has many more buzzy innovations to come.
Bazaar caught up with Hunt to learn more about the beauty and wellness favorites (in addition to Refy bestsellers) she has woven into her regular routine. Along with diving into a page-turning thriller and lighting a stick of Kate Moss–approved incense, read on for a breakdown of how else the cofounder and creative director finds her center.
What are you reading or listening to these days?
I love the Skinny Confidential podcast; that’s a go-to for me. It’s just an easy listen, makes me feel good. And in the U.K., we have Smooth Radio, which is a bit like a middle-aged person’s radio station—they mainly play classics and good-vibes music. I like to put that on in the morning and wake up with that. Makes me feel like a bit of a grandma, but I enjoy it.
I’m also going to Mallorca for a week and have packed so many books: The one thing that makes me switch off is reading. I’m a bit of a psycho—I love thriller books. An author that I love is Sherri Lapena. She’s written some really good ones, and she’s incredible. One of the last books I read on holiday is called The Silent Patient, and it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read if you’re into that kind of thing. The twists were just never-ending, it was so good.
What are some of your go-to bath or shower products?
I don’t really have a go-to brand, but I love having baths at the moment with Epsom salt. I pour in so much—like two bags full. It just makes you feel incredible, like all the toxins are draining from your body, and the baths are also supposed to be good for lymphatic drainage. I also love using Elemis’s Aching Muscle Super Soak. I like to exercise, but I can’t go for a massage every single week, and I feel that this does help to relieve the ache a little bit.
Elemis Aching Muscle Super Soak
Philip Kingsley No Scent No Colour Gentle Shampoo
Philip Kingsley No Scent No Colour Gentle Conditioner
Hello Klean Shower Filter
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Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Hair Oil
Le Labo Body Thé Noir 29 Shower Gel
I also love Philip Kingsley for my hair. Their No Scent No Colour Gentle Shampoo and conditioner—basically, there are no bad things in it. I can already see the difference in my hair [after using it]; it’s been insane. I don’t know about you guys over there, but here in London, the water is so harsh. Around a year ago, I bought this filter that attaches to my shower called Hello Klean, and it’s brilliant. My hair is so soft, my skin is so smooth, and it makes such a difference. I also love using Le Labo’s Thé Noir 29 body gel and Olaplex’s No. 7 Hair Bonding Oil, which is brilliant as well.
What beauty or self-care products do you use on a regular basis to help combat Zoom fatigue?
I feel like one big thing is skin prep. I like to make sure my skin is super hydrated and really fresh. Refy is doing some big things in the skin category right now, so having fresh, glowing skin is a must for me. I also love applying Refy’s lip gloss when I’m sitting between meetings. And one thing about me is that I’m a drinks girl. I’m not going to show you my background right now, but I have one, two, three drinks around me—I like to have options. I love my electrolytes and water to stay hydrated.
Refy Lip Gloss
Do you have a favorite hand sanitizer, soap, or cream right now?
I love Aēsop’s products; I have them by all my sinks. Right now, I’m using their Resurrection hand cream and keep a mini one in my handbag. I also got this hand sanitizer the other day that I’m obsessed with, called Haan. It’s really nice and just super easy to take out with me, so I love that.
Aēsop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm
Haan Hydrating Hand Sanitizer Spray With Aloe Vera (3-Pack)
Do you ever light a candle or stick of incense to decompress? If so, what are some of your favorites?
Yes! I love Diptyque. I have their candles all over my apartment—in the living room, bathroom, and kitchen. They just smell so good. I think my all-time fave has to be Roses—I love that scent. I also recently bought incense from Cosmoss, Kate Moss’s brand, that smells calm and relaxing—I’ve been using it in the evening.
Diptyque Roses Classic Candle
Cosmoss Incense Sticks (Set of 30)
Are you into bold makeup, no makeup, or no-makeup makeup right now?
My makeup style has always been no makeup, but I feel like I’m getting more into no-makeup makeup right now—I’m really leaning into that and loving it, especially in summer. I’ve always loved that fresh skin look, and I think it’s having such a moment this season. And as I’ve said, Refy is doing some gorgeous things in the skin space this summer, so the timing is perfect. But yeah, I just like that low-maintenance, five to 10 minutes in the morning and good to go, but I look like I’ve had so much sleep. I look well, look like I’ve been in the sun. That’s my go-to.
What was the last beauty product you put on today?
The last thing I applied was the Refy Skin Essentials Kit, and I actually wore it this week to a wedding. I applied my makeup midday and—this is crazy for me because I’m a grandma—I took my makeup off at four in the morning the next day, and it was still on.
Refy Skin Essentials Set
What’s the last fitness class you streamed or attended in person?
This morning I went to Pilates. I love Pilates—it’s one of my favorite things. I went to a reformer class in London called Heartcore, and it’s great. Each class is an hour, so they’re quite long, but they do one half of the body at a time, and the second half always seems to go faster. But I really enjoy it, and it’s a good workout.
What’s one piece of self-care advice you’d give our readers?
Movement is huge for me, so I try and plan in a little throughout my day. As I mentioned, I did a workout class this morning that set me up with a really good mindset for the day—I always feel good when I move my body in the morning. I have a break in between our call and another one, so I’m going to go for a quick walk just around the block to get some fresh air. It’s actually sunny in London for once—who would’ve thought? I feel like movement doesn’t need to be a long gym session, just fitting it in where you can. Also, magnesium has changed my life. I don’t know if everybody needs this, but I was always that person who could never fall asleep, and since I started taking it in January, my sleep has been amazing. I’m way more productive, I have deeper sleep, and I’m more rested. It’s just so good, especially when you have a busy schedule and are trying to prioritize sleep a lot more.
And the last thing I’d say is just fueling myself really well in a world where it’s so easy to just pick up things here and there or you’re too busy. I’ve made it a priority to give my body what it needs. I did something crazy earlier this year called hair mineral testing. You basically just cut some of your hair off and send it to this lab, and they tell you the mineral levels in your body—it’s insane. For the longest time, I’d say “I’m so tired,” and my blood tests would say everything was normal, but the minerals in my body were on the ground, essentially. It’s things you don’t realize [you’re missing], like magnesium and sodium, and doing that has been a game changer.
That’s one thing I’m loving right now. Everyone’s prioritizing wellness and sleep and actually fueling their bodies, whereas before, it was like, you need to work the latest, party the hardest, and be the skinniest. People are realizing what they actually need.
Tiffany Dodson is currently the associate beauty commerce editor at Harper’s Bazaar, where she specializes in trend forecasting, building relationships with major and emerging brands, and crafting shopping stories—from holiday gift guides to product road tests. Tiffany’s work has previously been featured in outlets like SELF, Bustle, and Teen Vogue, and she’s been quoted as a commerce and beauty expert in publications and platforms like The Business of Fashion and NPR’s Life Kit podcast.