My Morning Routine

Win the Day First Thing

Updated on: November 18, 2022

Michelle Ranavat | founder and CEO of RANAVAT beauty company

She makes one of the most gorgeous hair serums—and now, the most stunning shampoo and conditioner—we’ve ever tried (the shine! the texture! the scent!), so we weren’t surprised that Michelle Ranavat’s hair looks especially lush, healthy, and shiny. She also makes skin care, as it turns out, and her exquisite complexion is a testament to that. Her morning routine emphasizes early-in-the-a.m. triumphs, the power of ritual, and next-level skin- and hair-care ingredients like bakuchiol, saffron, turmeric, and ashwagandha.

After engineering a successful career in pharma and finance and giving birth to two sons (now nine and six), Ranavat leaned on traditional Ayurvedic remedies to heal her changing skin; it was postpartum hair loss that inspired her much-obsessed-over hair serum. “Hair is such a big part of our identity, so losing it was difficult,” she says. “I started to get more serious about taking care of my hair and noticed the difference weekly hair oiling made. That’s how I knew I wanted to create my own supercharged version of a traditional Indian hair oil.”

Ranavat’s celebration of her Indian roots flows through her entire line, which is growing by leaps and bounds: Jasmine-scented just like the now-famous hair oil, her new shampoo and conditioner took three years to perfect. “They’re a natural extension of the hair-care rituals I do every day,” says Ranavat. But the two do more than smell and feel incredible—Ranavat was focused on results. So both the shampoo and conditioner are made with a proprietary bond-strengthening complex that’s clinically proven to strengthen and repair hair. “You can’t change the hair you’re born with, but you can help it reach its full potential by practicing good hair habits, like taking care of your scalp, weekly hair oiling, and treating every day or so with a clean shampoo and conditioner made with nutrient-rich botanicals,” she says.

Naturally, they both figure in her morning routine—which, as she juggles running the business with caring for her two sons, focuses on getting the tough stuff done first. “My mornings are all about getting a few wins in early to make the entire day feel productive,” she says.

Ranavat’s morning routine

7 a.m.

I lie in bed for a few last moments of rest while my husband gets our sons ready for school. I try to win the morning by accomplishing something at the start of the day, so the rest of my day feels good. I head straight for a workout right after I have my coffee.

I almost never have breakfast, but I swear by my JURA espresso machine and Philz hazelnut coffee beans. I pour two shots of espresso over ice and oat milk. When the seasons change, I swear by this turmeric-honey-and-ginger Ayurvedic drink in the morning and evening for a boost.

I energize with a combination of strength training and HIIT workouts. I also love Cody Rigsby on One Peloton if I want a fun, cheeky workout, or Aditi Shah for meditation—she’s an incredible instructor and someone who truly got me through those hard pandemic lockdown times.

8:30 a.m.

After driving my kids to school, I shower and get ready. I shampoo once a week—I start at the nape of my neck and as I scrub the shampoo into my scalp, it foams into a delicate lather that really cleanses and removes buildup. Then I condition my ends, removing the majority of my tangles. When I get out, my hair feels so silky, clean, and nourished; I either air- or towel-dry until my hair is 60 to 70 percent dry, and then I add shine and protection with a few drops of my Mighty Majesty hair serum. The divine jasmine scent makes it double as my perfume. Depending on the day, I let my hair air-dry curly or I section it and give myself a sleek blow-dry.

I also enjoy a nice energizing dry brush session (the Gilded Body marble body brush is so beautiful). I finish off with body oil to keep my skin nice and hydrated during the day.

After I get dressed, I apply my favorite Radiant Rani Brightening Saffron Serum from my line. It makes me look awake and gives me a beautiful glow. The saffron scent is so calming, and it makes the routine feel like a beauty routine and meditation in one.

For days when I wear makeup, I swear by the Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick. I love a natural look, so this stick mixed in with a few drops of my saffron serum creates a second-skin finish. I top the look off with the Super Loaded Tinted Highlighter in Peau de Pêche—the subtle glow is the perfect shade for my skin.

For my eyes, I love a kohl eyeliner. Jillian Dempsey’s glides on and lasts all day. And for lips, I wear the ILIA Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm.

9 a.m.

I typically start the day at home for a few hours of uninterrupted work.

10 a.m.

For a boost of energy, I eat some fruit with an iced matcha or sparkling water.

In the afternoon, I drive to the office. On my way in, I usually call my mom and sisters. They live in Chicago, but we are so close and talk almost every single day.

SHOP CLEAN HAIR CARE

My Morning Routine

Win the Day First Thing

Michelle Ranavat | founder and CEO of RANAVAT beauty company

Ranavat’s morning routine

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