The Beauty App That’s Gone Viral & The Secrets Behind Its Founder, Venetia Archer
Venetia Archer’s journey is nothing short of remarkable—shifting from researching Somali piracy to shaking up the beauty industry with Ruuby, her trailblazing on-demand app. After relocating to London from Kenya, she spotted the growing demand for at-home services and knew beauty had to be part of it.
Nearly ten years later, Ruuby is delivering a treatment every six minutes, redefining luxury for the modern age. Here, she shares her lessons in beauty and the treatments to know about.
What’s the best piece of beauty advice you’ve ever received?
Invest in good quality skincare and treatments. Whenever I’m a little more lax, and skip on the cleanse or serum, I really do notice a difference. Regular facials and a good and consistent regime work wonders.
If you could choose just one treatment to have for the rest of your life, what would it be?
It would definitely be the deep tissue massage. There is nothing better for body and mind, and it is one of the only things that really helps me to relax.
What are the top three things you look for when selecting a therapist to carry out a treatment?
I love discovering amazing new therapists who are specialists in their field – whether it be the guru nail artist who can do fabulously intricate designs, or a facialist with a specific technique (my current obsession is the Korean Golki lifting facial – amazing results).
I always look for recommendations from friends, true specialism and experience, and a professional demeanour.
What beauty trend are you currently obsessed with and why?
I love the return of the lipgloss and nude liner. It takes me back to the early 2000s when there would be those cult lip-glosses, like Lancôme juicy tubes. It’s fun and feminine, and I love the idea of building a little collection.
If you could only use three skincare products for the rest of your life, what would they be?
I LOVE the Augustinus Bader facial oil. I use it every evening and notice a real change in my skin quality and hydration. Shu Umemura shampoo and conditioner is the best haircare I’ve ever tried, and I’ve tried a lot. Finally, Medik8 Vitamin C. I only recently started using it and am hooked!
What’s your secret for looking fresh-faced after a long flight?
Avoid the plane food! Eating all of that processed food and salt really doesn’t help things… I also bring lots of moisturiser and ensure I use it regularly during the flight.
What inspired you to set up Ruuby?
In a world where people are busier than ever, I wanted to create a platform that made the booking of treatments a seamless part of our day. So many of our clients are busy working women, or juggling children – and taking an hour or two to go to the salon can be impossible.
Beauty is such an important element in women’s lives, and I wanted to make it more convenient and available.
What’s the last beauty product or treatment you recommended to a friend?
I was recently introduced to the Swedish skincare brand, Mantle, which I absolutely love. They have a Hydra Serum which is infused with jellyfish mucin, and it is one of the best products around for hydration.
What’s one beauty product you swear by? And why
Erborian CC cream. I have used it forever and haven’t found a tinted moisturiser better. It’s super lightweight but gives a really airbrushed finish. I won’t leave the house without it, and I buy it in bulk.
What’s your ultimate skincare splurge- and is it worth it?
An advanced facial, with microneedling and laser. It’s 100% worth it.
What’s the most unconventional beauty tip you’ve tried- and did it work?
I have used all the hair oils in the world – my dream is to have super long hair and hair oils are the answer. There are all these ridiculous hacks online like oiling your hair upside down… and I’ve tried them. (Though I don’t think the upside-down technique works!)
Do you have a guilty pleasure product that you keep repurchasing?
Do beauty treatments count? I don’t go out nearly as often as I used to. Now my dream night is an evening massage in the living room and bed by 9pm.
How do you unwind and pamper after a busy day?
I love a bath and have a big jar of Epsom salts that I pour in. I buy mega packs on Amazon and use a few cups each time.
Are there any makeup products you always keep in your handbag?
Lip gloss and lip liner. I’ve now taken to buying a few of my favourite products each time, as they always seem to go missing. Many of my lipliners are currently located in my daughter’s pencil case.
What’s your top beauty hack for getting ready in a hurry?
Choose a tried and tested outfit, and hair up in a tight bun. Spend the time on doing your eyeliner properly.
What beauty hack, treatment or product instantly makes you feel more confident?
A blow-dry – when in doubt, put on a great outfit and get your hair done.
If you could raid one celebrity’s makeup bag, whose would it be?
Maybe Gwyneth Paltrow. I think she’d have the best stuff.
Do you have a signature scent?
Yes – I rotate between Carnal Flower and Lys Mediterrane by Frederic Malle.
What’s one piece of beauty advice you wish you’d learned sooner?
SPF.
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