How This Beauty Founder's A.M. Self-Care Rituals Help Set the Tone for Her Day

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 you dive 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 week 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.

There’s an underlying theme to Christina Funke Tegbe’s morning routine. Whether she has a few hours to dedicate to her a.m. self-care practices or is working with much less time, she always manages to prioritize them (and adjusts her routine accordingly). Inspired by her philosophy for self-care and her own Nigerian heritage, Funke Tegbe founded 54 Thrones, a clean beauty brand that celebrates and honors African beauty rituals. Its name represents Africa’s 54 countries.

We caught up with the busy entrepreneur to see how she starts her workday mornings. Keep scrolling to see how Funke Tegbe’s self-care rituals help set the tone for the rest of the day.

6 A.M.

I'll usually wake up around this time and start my day by reading in bed for about half an hour. I love philosophy books, and my current read is Stillness Is the Key by Ryan Holiday.

7 A.M.

Once I get out of bed, I begin my morning skincare routine. After brushing my teeth, I wash my face with either the 54 Thrones Alata Samina Black Soap Detox Bar or Adwera Turmeric Glow Bar, depending on how my skin is feeling.

After that, I'll use our 54 Thrones Osun African Beauty Hydrating Mist, which acts as a toner, followed by 54 Thrones Aja Nourishing Face Oil. 

7:30 A.M.

Following my skincare routine, I'll try to do a morning stretch or an at-home yoga class, depending on how much time I have.

8 A.M.

After I work out, I'll usually get dressed and head to the kitchen to eat breakfast and take my vitamins and supplements. This includes an iron pill and a vegetable supplement, such as 8Greens Daily Greens Gummies, followed by either a Daily Harvest smoothie, juice, or oatmeal.

I don’t drink caffeine in the morning but choose to hydrate well with water to kick-start my day. People do not believe me when I tell them that I don't drink coffee!

8:45 A.M.

On my way to work, I'll typically listen to a business podcast, one that I especially love is How I Built This With Guy Raz.

9 A.M.

Once I get into the office, I like to get a good vibe going, either with Afrobeats or meditation sounds, depending on what we are working on that day.

We just moved into a new space, and I have been loving decorating it. Hey Botany is one of my favorite local, Black-owned brands for the plants I have throughout the office.

9:30 A.M.

After checking my emails and catching up on anything that has rolled over from the day before, I like to engage with my community either by going on Instagram Live or by responding to comments on our social media accounts. Speaking with the 54 Thrones consumers always inspires me and sets a positive tone for the rest of my day.

Up next, How This Best-Selling Novelist Starts Her Workday During a Press Tour