Anastasia MacKay’s Journey: From Amsterdam to Beauty Icon
Anastasia MacKay’s story is one of resilience and innovation. Born to parents from Suriname, a former Dutch colony in South America, Anastasia was raised in Amsterdam. She started her career in performing arts and transitioned into professional dancing. Eventually, she found herself drawn to the world of modeling. Her first major campaign, almost 13 years ago, was with Dr. Miracle’s haircare brand. This pivotal moment not only marked her entry into the beauty industry but also paved the way for her move to the United States, where she signed with a prestigious modeling agency. Since then, she has worked with renowned brands such as Maybelline and MAC.
Addressing Hair Challenges in the Beauty Industry
While her modeling career offered exciting opportunities, it also came with challenges, particularly regarding her hair. Early on, her hair was chemically relaxed and cut short for campaigns, reflecting a standard of “manageability” that was common in the beauty industry. Like many women, she grew up believing that relaxed hair was easier to handle. It wasn’t until her early twenties, inspired by the early influencers of YouTube, that she began to embrace her natural texture.
Anastasia discovered products like Shea Moisture that helped her transition to natural hair. Gradually, her signature big, curly hair became a hallmark of her identity. Despite this, the industry often required her to straighten her hair for jobs, underscoring the challenges faced by models with textured hair.
Turning Adversity into Innovation
During the COVID-19 pandemic, with work slowing down, Anastasia saw an opportunity to focus on restoring her hair’s health. She experimented with various products and techniques, navigating an overwhelming beauty market that often lacked aesthetically appealing and modern options for textured hair. Her experiences highlighted a gap in the market, prompting her to launch Lobie, a brand dedicated to elevating the textured hair care market. The name “Lobie,” meaning “love” in Surinamese, reflects her commitment to creating products that cater to diverse hair types while celebrating cultural heritage.
Anastasia’s Skincare Essentials
Anastasia MacKay believes in keeping her skincare routine simple yet effective. For cleansing, she relies on Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Enzyme Cleanser, which gently exfoliates while maintaining skin health. To hydrate, she uses the iS Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum, paired with Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Darker Skin Tones Face Cream. For sun protection, she swears by Shiseido’s Ultimate Sun Protector, which provides a radiant glow while protecting against harmful UV rays.
On days when heavy makeup is required for work, she removes it with Eve Lom’s balm cleanser, a product she appreciates for its soothing muslin cloth. To address seasonal skin texture issues, she turns to Biologique Recherche’s Masque Vivant, a treatment she credits with delivering immediate results.
Simple Hair Care for Textured Hair
Anastasia’s hair routine reflects her minimalist approach. Her curls, a combination of 4A and 4B textures, have undergone significant changes due to postpartum hair loss. To care for her hair, she developed her own products over the course of two and a half years, including the Lobie Peptide Leave-In Mask. She uses it to achieve sleek styles or manage her curls after washing and conditioning weekly. For detangling, she trusts the S-heart-S hairbrush.
Her Beauty Philosophy
Anastasia prefers a natural look when she’s not working. She enhances her features with products like Saie’s Glowy Gel, Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Brow Freeze, and Shiseido’s eyelash curler. Her go-to lipstick is Lancôme’s Love to Shine, which she also uses as blush.
A Signature Fragrance
Fragrance plays a pivotal role in her beauty routine. Her favorite scent is Battito d’Ali by Profumum Roma, a blend of sweet and masculine notes that embodies her confident, versatile style.
Final Thoughts
Anastasia MacKay continues to inspire as a model, entrepreneur, and beauty innovator, redefining standards for textured hair and empowering others through her journey. Her work has not only changed the way the beauty industry approaches textured hair, but she has also become a symbol of self-love, resilience, and authenticity.
By launching her own brand, Lobie, she has created a platform where individuals with textured hair feel seen and celebrated. Anastasia’s dedication to highlighting the beauty of natural curls and educating the public about proper hair care continues to break down barriers in an industry that often overlooks these hair types. She is a trailblazer for future generations, encouraging others to embrace their unique features, pursue their passions, and challenge beauty norms.
Through her multifaceted career and ongoing advocacy, Anastasia has truly become a role model for those seeking confidence, empowerment, and change in both the beauty world and beyond.