The best pedicure I’ve ever had took place at the new tenoverten that opened in Austin a few weeks ago. Sure the polish was flawlessly applied and the space was gorgeous, but what made it most memorable was sitting next to co-founder Nadine Ambramcyk and bonding over motherhood, a shared love for healthy living, and the joys and challenges of being a female entrepreneur. Nadine is one of those women who exudes an effortless sense of style and a confidence in her own skin, so of course I was curious to find out how she starts her day and which products she can’t live without. Click through the slides to get dressed with Nadine Abramcyk…
photographed by belathée
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
My kids are my alarm clock so I wake up to either my son or daughter either rubbing my head gently or more typically jumping on me in a shocking yet playful way. Seeing their faces makes the early wake up time worthwhile however.
What do you eat for breakfast?
I’m not much of a breakfast eater which is a bad habit but I love any kind of liquids in the morning so I start with a tall glass of warm water with fresh squeezed lemons with a pinch of both cayenne pepper. I then am religious about making my Laughing Man coffee with my amazing Chemex coffee vessel and then I go on to make a smoothie with any combination of veggies and fruits from the fridge. I’ve been known to ALWAYS have a drink in hand.
How long does it take you to get ready from start to finish?
It takes me about 15 minutes to get ready. I’ve seriously gotten it down to a science since (having two kids and way less time for myself.)
Each tenoverten polish is named after a street in Downtown Manhattan and embodies the essence of the unique neighborhoods that inspire them. The polishes and nail care are rid of formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, and parabens, making them 8-free.
What’s your favorite getting-ready soundtrack?
I put on Pandora’s Beach House music station. It is mellow and uplifting, a good way to start the day.
Do you workout in the morning?
I work out 4-5 mornings per week. I love it and consider it a necessity for my mental health and love the physical benefits as well. I mix it up between three things: I’m obsessed with Taryn Toomey who teaches “the class”, I take Laurie Cole’s class at Soul Cycle Tribeca and try to fit in a yoga class from Lyon’s Den.
I never leave the house without _____________.
My cell phone.
If you could only put on one item of makeup, what would it be?
My Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil. I’m in love with a natural brow and this gives it a little oomph!
Do you stick to the same makeup and hair routine, or do you like to experiment?
I stick with a very consistent makeup routine which is pretty minimal but am super experimental with my skin care. I am obsessive about discovering products with less toxic ingredients and use of natural ingredients that can be beneficial for long term skin care. I also never leave my house without using SPF and use an SPF 40 from Elta MD daily. As for my hair, I never color but go back and forth between bangs and growing them out. It’s fun to create a new look everyone once in awhile.
Do you have a signature scent?
Le Labo Santal
Healthiest morning habit:
My morning tonic of lemon and cayenne in warm water and dry brushing in the shower.
Worst morning habit:
Instagram troving… such a time suck.
Shower: morning or night?
Always morning.
Daily uniform:
A high waisted pant or jean with a tucked in shirt. I have a few designers that I think suit my style and really stick to buying from their collections each season
What’s your favorite product in your shower?
Rahua shampoo and conditioner. A more natural way to get clean hair.
One word to describe your mornings:
Awakening
