Like many of us who grew up in the early 2000s, Isla Potini was mesmerised by R’n’B stars like Destiny’s Child and Rihanna – specifically, by their glistening lip gloss. To this day she feels her most beautiful when she’s glossed-up, lathered in cocoa butter and gold jewellery. 

A dancer from an early age, Potini learned about beauty backstage doing her hair and makeup for performances – an emboldened 11-year-old armed with a tube of M.A.C Ruby Woo lipstick and Studio Fix foundation, used down to the very last caramel-and-paint scented drop. 

Her style and skill level has evolved a lot since then, and so too has her proximity to her idols. Potini’s most recent achievement was performing at Rihanna’s Super Bowl Halftime show with The Royal Family dance crew, where she was a principal dancer and choreographer for a decade. Now working freelance, Potini is proud to be performing in TOTO – a mash up of fashion and dance choreographed and created by Vivian Hosking-Aue, which opens the annual Pacific Dance Festival running throughout June Auckland-wide.

Throughout the My Life in Beauty series there’s been a recurring theme of baldness, with Robyn Malcolm and Kristine Crabb both rocking buzz cuts in the past. Unprompted, Potini says this is the one look she wants to try but hasn’t yet. “The day I can comfortably and confidently rock a bald head is the day I know I’ve embraced and learned to love all of me entirely,” she says. At 21, with years of transformation ahead of her, she will surely get there – and look really hot.

What is your earliest memory of beauty?

All the women in my family. Beautiful, strong Polynesian woman. I just remember being a little girl at family gatherings seeing gorgeous dresses, sterling silver and gold jewellery with pretty crystals around their necks and bright red lipstick. I couldn’t wait to dress like my mama, nanas and aunties. 

Who are your biggest beauty influences?

I draw influence from everything, though I think my core style has definitely come from my mum and grandmother. For as long as I can remember nana has always shared her passion for fashion with me and mum, having owned many secondhand clothing stores I learnt about fabrics, textures and styles from a young age. Early 90s is my favourite era for beauty. My icons are Aaliyah, Destiny's Child, Rihanna and TLC. 

What was the first beauty product you fell in love with?

Lip gloss. Being an early 2000s baby meant I was a big victim of $2 Shop palettes and jewellery as a toddler and I loved the lil fluffy heels. When I started dancing I had to learn how to do my own makeup for all of our performances. I remember being 11 and not knowing a thing but we had been gifted products from M.A.C and I was obsessed. There was a lipstick in the shade Ruby Woo, a Studio Fix Foundation and a mascara I used religiously until all the bottles were empty. 

What is your ethos when it comes to beauty? Has this changed over time?

I think for anything beauty to translate it needs belief. Belief in your own individuality and unique taste. When we’re talking beauty in terms of fashion and makeup – they are creative outlets, wearable arts. And art is subjective, so there’s no right or wrong really since it's an expression. Always having that in mind has helped me.

Do you follow any beauty trends?

My taste differs as I go on in my journey. I think the funniest thing has been seeing all the clothes I hated as a kid come back into trend. That happens a lot in the fashion industry so I’m very open minded when it comes to trends and just gravitate towards what I vibe with. My style depends on how I’m feeling and can range anywhere from streetwear to 80s punk to the roaring 20s lol.

Social media these days can be very toxic when it comes to beauty but if you know how to navigate it with security it can also be wonderful and show you styles, items and creativity from everywhere and anywhere. I love the challenge of taking inspiration from a look and fusing it with my own knowledge to create something new and exciting. In terms of makeup, I do love a brown smokey eye and a brown lip liner. My favourite is a Pat McGrath palette. I’m also into long acrylic nails. I like it when people mix different colours or shapes, so it's fun to experiment whenever I go to the nail salon.

Are there any beauty looks you would love to try that you haven't yet?

I really want to shave my head one day. I feel like it’s an empowering experience for a woman since we hold so much of our femininity in our hair. The day I can comfortably and confidently rock a bald head is the day I know I’ve embraced and learned to love all of me entirely. 

How do you want to approach ageing, in terms of beauty? 

Just continue to take care of myself mentally, spiritually and physically. I’ve seen first-hand that beauty doesn’t have to age with the body. Ensuring I continue to keep myself right within and surround myself with the right people, so I always feel beautiful is my priority.

Do you have any beauty must-haves when you’re on stage performing? 

Whenever I perform, I absolutely need a good setting spray and powder. Dancing full out especially under hot lights gets intense sometimes, M.A.C Prep + Prime Fix+ Makeup Setting Spray has been my best friend for years!

What’s the toughest and best beauty lesson you’ve learnt?

That as cliche as it sounds, it really is all from within. I personally feel like being your most authentic self and making an effort to look how you want to look instead of how you feel others might want you to, is what creates a certain glow that we only see in ourselves when we’re in that state. Confidence is the most important accessory.

What beauty item makes you feel like your true authentic self?

I feel like my truest self when I’m lathered in cocoa butter and gold jewellery and have on a tiny little top with big pants and boots. 

If you could create or collaborate on your own beauty product, what would it be?

Definitely a body oil. I think beautiful moisturised and glistening skin completes an outfit and adds to your choice of fragrance.

What’s on your current wish-list?

Rose water, colloidal silver and any Ayurvedic skin care from Organics Out West 

I like to stay close to home and try to utilise holistic local businesses. Organics Out West in Glen Eden is my local and they have amazing natural products if you’re like me and have sensitive skin. 

Fenty Beauty Match Stix Contour Skinstick in Mocha, $65

I have a lot of Fenty Beauty by Rihanna. Check out their Gloss Bombs and Match Stix.  

Pure Fiji sugar scrubs and body oils

They do the best – their sugar scrub lasts all day long. 

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash, $14

I use Neutrogena to cleanse my skin, it does the trick.

Local, sustainable fashion

I’m also a big stan of sustainable fashion so some other local brands that I love are @madebyv.nz for the most amazing custom bags and purses, @kongc0re (beautiful custom and handmade clothing) @oneofn0ne (costume streetwear and clothing brand) and of course my whānau’s store @hipstreetnz in New Lynn for all things vintage/retro clothing and accessories.