I’m a Louboutin assistant who became a beauty founder—here's the two-step routine that helps me appear as if I've had eight hours of sleep.

I’m a Louboutin assistant who became a beauty founder—here's the two-step routine that helps me appear as if I've had eight hours of sleep.

      We’ve all experienced it: it’s late at night, you’re drained, and all you yearn for is to fall into a peaceful slumber. The last thing on your mind is removing your full makeup and following an intricate skincare routine—even the most dedicated beauty enthusiasts would agree. This was a common scenario for Anastasiya Van Elswyk when she relocated to Paris to kickstart her career as a PR and communications assistant for Louboutin. Surrounded by red carpets, celebrity clients, and high fashion, life was certainly glamorous, but the demanding nature of fashion PR took a toll on her complexion. With constant travel, relentless work during Fashion Weeks, and minimal sleep, her skin experienced breakouts, irritation, and lackluster appearance. "After every fashion week or major event, I’d glance in the mirror and think, wow, my face really endured a lot," she shares. "That unmistakable ‘tired-but-trying’ look hits differently when you’re amidst the most stunning people in the world daily. It’s a humbling experience, to say the least. Not the Paris dream I envisioned." This prompted Van Elswyk to shift her focus from trendy skincare products and attractive packaging to developing a straightforward, yet effective routine that could accommodate her beautifully hectic lifestyle. This principle of fewer products with superior formulations inspired her brand, Rest Religion.

      "Rest Religion is for individuals who don’t want skincare to feel like a part-time job," she explains. "After a long day, the last thing I want to do is wash my face and stress over skincare. Thus, simplicity was crucial for me." With only two products, it simplifies the process of establishing an effective routine that you can maintain, regardless of how hectic life becomes. Below, Van Elswyk discusses everything from her departure from Louboutin to the development of her brand. Read on for our comprehensive, candid interview.

      What was your experience like at Louboutin? What led you to decide to switch gears and create your own brand? Working at Louboutin was genuinely a dream come true. I adored the brand, the people, the creativity. It’s an iconic realm, and being part of it influenced me in numerous ways. Collaborating directly with the teams behind some iconic looks worn by Zendaya, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and Beyoncé was an unparalleled experience. Witnessing your work come alive on a red carpet or concert stage provides an exhilaration that's hard to match. I will always be passionate about fashion, but PR in this industry is inherently intense. Your calendar is packed with events, red carpets, and last-minute tasks. In 2021, I began formulating Rest Religion to address my own skincare challenges. As I learned more, I realized those challenges were far more prevalent than I had anticipated. That's when Rest Religion became a priority for me since I could see how much women needed skincare that felt supportive rather than burdensome. Rest Religion became my way of taking beauty off the red carpet and integrating it into everyday life.

      What inspired the creation of Rest Religion? Did any particular elements influence you during the brand’s development? The concept for Rest Religion didn’t appear overnight. It was a combination of disillusionment with the skincare industry, growing skepticism, personal skincare struggles, and inadequate sleep. While pursuing my master’s in fashion and luxury management, I worked on a skincare project for a major corporation and was explicitly told that innovation wasn’t the focus—new marketing was. This revelation made me aware of the heavy burden placed on consumers to understand what genuinely works in an industry where trends evolve quicker than science. Meanwhile, my life was becoming increasingly demanding, and the less time I had for self-care, the more my skin sought real support. I didn’t want skincare that required self-discipline or felt like a chore—I desired something efficient, effective, and rooted in science. What connected everything was the gap between genuine consumer needs and what wellness culture was promoting. Skincare had started to feel performative with excessive steps and rules. Rest Religion became my stand against performative wellness trends.

      Can you explain the relationship between the ingredients in the serum and moisturizer and how they help you create the illusion of having had a full night's sleep? The premise was always about supporting the skin as sleep does. When you get quality sleep, your skin rejuvenates, reduces inflammation, restores hydration, and appears more even and plump. Our formulas were designed around those very processes. The Retinal Skin Restoring Serum ($89) emphasizes repair and renewal. It includes over a dozen clinically proven ingredients like retinal, peptides, and NAD+ precursors to promote cell turnover, enhance texture, and diminish visible signs of stress such as redness and uneven tone. It’s formulated to work with the skin’s natural nighttime repair cycle—especially for those of us who don’t always get ideal sleep. The Ultimate Glow Moisturizer ($68) focuses on restoration. With over 20 barrier-supporting ingredients, including ceramides

I’m a Louboutin assistant who became a beauty founder—here's the two-step routine that helps me appear as if I've had eight hours of sleep. I’m a Louboutin assistant who became a beauty founder—here's the two-step routine that helps me appear as if I've had eight hours of sleep. I’m a Louboutin assistant who became a beauty founder—here's the two-step routine that helps me appear as if I've had eight hours of sleep. I’m a Louboutin assistant who became a beauty founder—here's the two-step routine that helps me appear as if I've had eight hours of sleep. I’m a Louboutin assistant who became a beauty founder—here's the two-step routine that helps me appear as if I've had eight hours of sleep. I’m a Louboutin assistant who became a beauty founder—here's the two-step routine that helps me appear as if I've had eight hours of sleep. I’m a Louboutin assistant who became a beauty founder—here's the two-step routine that helps me appear as if I've had eight hours of sleep. I’m a Louboutin assistant who became a beauty founder—here's the two-step routine that helps me appear as if I've had eight hours of sleep. I’m a Louboutin assistant who became a beauty founder—here's the two-step routine that helps me appear as if I've had eight hours of sleep. I’m a Louboutin assistant who became a beauty founder—here's the two-step routine that helps me appear as if I've had eight hours of sleep. I’m a Louboutin assistant who became a beauty founder—here's the two-step routine that helps me appear as if I've had eight hours of sleep. I’m a Louboutin assistant who became a beauty founder—here's the two-step routine that helps me appear as if I've had eight hours of sleep. I’m a Louboutin assistant who became a beauty founder—here's the two-step routine that helps me appear as if I've had eight hours of sleep.

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I’m a Louboutin assistant who became a beauty founder—here's the two-step routine that helps me appear as if I've had eight hours of sleep.

In our discussion with Anastasiya Van Elswyk, the founder of Rest Religion, we explore a range of topics, including her departure from the luxury fashion industry and the creation of her prosperous skincare brand.