Anine Bing
WOMAN MADE:
ANINE BING
The minimalistic boho designer reveals her morning routine and why her debut fragrance is the project of her childhood dreams.
- Written By
- Jayme Cyk
Rose has been a beloved scent of Anine Bing’s for quite some time. Exhibit A: As a little girl, she mixed rose petals with water. Ultimately her childhood experiment wasn’t successful, but the ambition was there. Her mother also favored rose, especially the Weleda all-natural rose skincare collection. To this day, Bing still uses Weleda Wild Rose Body Lotion, which sits on her bedside table. But the Danish LA-based designer wanted to go back to her roots to create a signature scent that identified with her and her brand. “My beauty aesthetic is less is more,” notes Bing. “Not too perfect or too done. The same goes with perfume. It should just feel really effortless and easy.”
Naturally, the same goes for the Anine Bing girl when it comes to fashion. Bing, who launched her eponymous line five years ago, wanted to design clothes for women that were relatable and easy to mix and match. “As the brand grew, I thought it would be amazing to have my own scent so when clients walk into the store they can experience what Anine Bing smells like,” she says. The final product evokes a musky Bulgarian rose garden blended with black pepper, packaged in a mini rectangular rollerball. “I wanted to make a beautiful scent that women can relate to,” adds Bing. “It’s not too feminine, not too masculine—just the perfect blend of roses and musk. It’s for the woman on the go, so I decided to do a perfume oil that’s easy to throw in your bag, whether you’re in the office, on an airplane, or at the park with the kids.”
ANINE BEFORE 10AM
01
VIOLET GREY: What is the atmosphere of your bedroom?
ANINE BING: It’s really mellow. My bed is a beige frame with white linens and white curtains. There are crystals, and I have some beautiful candles and a couple of my favorite coffee table books. I want it to be the most peaceful place in the house because that’s where I sleep and spend the whole night.
02
VG: Please describe your bed and your favorite thing about it.
AB: It’s so comfortable, and it’s huge. I had it custom made to be even bigger because my two kids come into my bedroom every night, so I have an extra-big bed with great linens. That’s something I invest in because it really makes a difference. I have huge pillows and I just want it to be a comfy and cozy place for the whole family.
03
VG: What time do you wake up?
AB: I wake up around 6 a.m. The kids used to wake me up around 4:30 or 5 a.m., but now we’re sleeping in a little more. So 6:30 at the latest.
04
VG: How many hours of sleep do you require?
AB: I need at least eight hours of sleep. I go to bed super early every night. If I don’t get my sleep I’m not a good mom, not a good businesswoman, not a good anything.
05
VG: Any bedside beauty essentials?
AB: Next to my bed is the Weleda Wild Rose Body Lotion that I always put on in the morning and before bedtime. My dad used to work for Weleda and my mom always had all the rose products. I always have a Savage Rose candle and water next to my bed because it’s so important to be hydrated in order to have a good sleep. It really makes a difference.
06
VG: Do you drink coffee or tea, eat breakfast?
AB: I always have one cup of coffee. That’s the only cup I have throughout the day. Then I’ll eat oatmeal or cereal—whatever the kids are having, I’ll have the same. It’s always something easy and quick.
07
VG: Do you work out in the a.m.?
AB: No, I don’t have the time for that. Sometimes I’ll go on a hike during the weekends so the kids can come with me, but I haven’t been prioritizing working out since I became a mom. When I’m not at the office I want to be home with them. But at some point, I’m going to start again. It’s important.
08
VG: What is your morning skincare regimen?
AB: I always use a toner on my face. I like Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2 Percent BHA Liquid Exfoliant. For moisturizer I use Sensai’s Cellular Performance Lotion II Moist, and for eye cream either Verso’s Super Eye Serum With Retinol or Paula’s Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment with Peptides & Vitamin C. I also hear Bobbi Brown has a great one, and I’m excited to try it.
09
VG: What makeup and products do you use on a daily basis?
AB: I use a little of the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer to give my complexion a bit of a glow. Then I’ll add some cream blush from La Prairie, the Chanel Le Volume Mascara, and the Fresh Tinted Lip Balm in Sugar Rose. I don’t do too much. Sometimes I’ll add a little cream eyeshadow in a golden tone—I use Bobbi Brown—and that’s about it.
10
VG: What’s your hair situation in the a.m.?
AB: I wash my hair every four or five days. I try not to wash it too often. Sometimes I’ll curl it with a 1-inch curling iron to add a bit of volume. I love dry shampoo to make it messier and not too perfect. When I don’t have time I just put it up in a little bun and call it a day.
11
VG: What’s the first thing you read each morning?
AB: I check my phone and read my emails and text messages.
12
VG: What business do you conduct before 10:00 a.m.?
AB: Since I wake up so early I drop off the kids at school, and I usually have one or two meetings before 10. Then I get back to all the emails that came in from Europe the night before.
13
VG: What time do you head to your office?
AB: I drop off my kids at 8:30, and I head to the office after that.