This Aromatherapist and Clean-Skincare Founder Uses Scents to Guide Her Mornings

What's the first thing you do when you get out of bed in the morning? A well-rounded morning routine sets the tone for the day and gets you prepped—both mentally and physically—before diving into a packed schedule filled with emails, chores, happy hours, workouts, and more. Our series Morning Person profiles those who have mastered the art of the morning routine.

Tune in every Monday morning here and on our Instagram to learn exactly how the pros get it all done before the sun comes up, from their go-to breakfasts to their a.m. workouts.

We know that certain scents can play significant roles in boosting our moods and setting the right tone for the day. For Aba Gyepi-Garbrah, a certified aromatherapist and founder of the holistic skincare company, Aba Love Apothecary, the right essential oil or botanical fragrance is a key component in guiding her throughout her daily routine. 

Keep reading to see the rest of her morning wellness rituals. 

Hi! My name is Aba, and I’m the founder of Aba Love Apothecary. I just moved from Bed-Stuy to North Park Slope, Brooklyn, so while I’m still getting settled, I’ve made sure to at least have my essentials on hand until I get into a steady groove. This is what my morning looks like today.

6:41 A.M.

This is my natural wake-up time, but since my new bedroom has a little less light in my apartment, I hit snooze until about 7 a.m.

7 A.M.

I’m still sleepy, so I do some cat-like wake-up stretches in bed, stuff a couple of pillows behind my back, sit up, and begin my mediation for 17 minutes, timed to my listening album Relax & Meditate from Apple Music. It’s amazing.

7:20 A.M.

Okay, I’m awake! I make my way to the shower. I brush my teeth and sprinkle some Living Libations Mint Condition Mineral Tooth Powder on my toothbrush. 

Then, after I use a copper scraper, I hop in the shower and sprinkle a combination of essential oils for a stimulating steam shower. Today, it’s Eucalyptus and Atlas Cedar. I get them from Enfleurage. It's really a gem in the West Village.

I wash my face with Epilogic Rosehip Gel Cleanser and suds up with my favorite mesh body cloth from Luv Scrub and Nécessaire Body Wash in Sandalwood.

After my shower, I oil up with my Aba Love Apothecary body oil, The Body Tonic. I just use a little right out of the shower so it soaks up faster. I’m feeling super smooth and lovely smelling!

7:45 A.M.

It’s time to primp! I apply Aba Love Apothecary Petal Facial Mist onto a Muji Ecru Cotton Square and wipe off any excess oil. I massage in a couple of drops of our Flower Crown Facial Serum and Petal Facial Mist. (The combination makes it absorb faster.)

Then I follow that with a dab of Supergoop! Superscreen Daily Moisturizer because I gotta protect my melanin! I am usually the queen of shimmer shadow in my signature color, Chic, from Nu Evolution.

Since I’m pretty much holing up in the studio today, I keep it super minimal with makeup. I groom my brows with Revlon Color Stay Pencil in Dark Brown and set with Saie Brow Butter in Tinted. I line my eyelids with black eyeliner and use Glossier Lash Slick on my lashes. I swipe the new Chemistry Deodorant from Kosas, which I love (it works!), and get dressed.

8:30 A.M.

Time to take my morning vitamins and supplements. I take CoQ10, zinc, and vitamin C from Bluebonnet. The brand offers pretty good-quality vegetarian capsules, and I always end up going back to it. I don't even get the upset stomach people usually have with the zinc, which is a plus! I follow that with RenewLife Ultimate Flora Probiotic, which keeps my system happy.

9 A.M.

I head to the kitchen and make breakfast. I never skip it. Today I go for something on the sweeter side: 2% Fage yogurt with dried goji, mulberries, and sliced peaches from last weekend's farmers market haul. I like to hide a teaspoon or so of maple syrup at the bottom of the fruit bowl so it's like a surprise once I get to the bottom of the bowl. I just got this one from Tree Juice, and it is exquisite!

I usually do matcha in the mornings, but today I need coffee. I’m feeling adventurous, so I made some Turkish coffee I pulled out of the freezer from my trip to Egypt last year. 

I add in warm Chobani oat milk with some adaptogens. My favorite add-ins are ashwagandha and fo-Tt powder from an Alive Herbals in Bed-Stuy and Tocos from Sun Potion—amazing for my brain.

I check social media while I have breakfast and eventually begin some studio care by organizing my beakers.

Today will be an "office day,” and I’ll likely be answering emails and calls from my accountant, so I must be calm, focused, and optimistic. Good thing it already smells sweet in the studio. I plug into the Ali & Toumani album from 2010 and get sailing for the day!

Up next: How the Co-Founder of Instagram's Favorite Superfood Latte Brand Starts Her Day