Hi there!
My name is Han Na, which is pronounced like Hanna. I am 24 years old and am currently a PhD student at the University of Michigan. I was born in South Korea and immigrated to Detroit, Michigan when I was four years old. I spent my childhood at the dry cleaners my parents work at, which developed my sense of identity and style. I lived outside in the suburbs of Detroit until I moved to Ann Arbor for college. After graduation, I moved to the east coast where I spent time working in Washington D.C., Baltimore, and finally settled in New York City for over a year. In NYC I worked at a tech start-up with two of my college peers, while also modeling with the btwn agency as a way to understand the fashion industry and to represent a different standard of beauty. I get excited when I see boundaries being pushed in the fashion industry and how the norm needs to be questioned. Even though I miss my life in the Big Apple, I know what I am doing now will only help enhance and broaden the conversation of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all settings.
My Instagram is @hanspacena.
First thing you do when you wake up/go to bed?
My mornings are usually a routine of coffee, checking the calendar for today, and playing some music. Did I mention coffee?
Before going to bed, I check my calendar for what is happening tomorrow, watch some vlogs, and take melatonin if I can't fall asleep.
Any ritual health/beauty/wellness routine or products?
My mother instilled a beauty routine in me since I was in middle school. I never grew up having acne or pimples, which I am very grateful for. I make sure I wash my face twice a day, once in the morning and before I go to bed. Also, brush your teeth twice a day! I used to have a nine-step routine when I lived in NYC because I would occasionally get dry and/or oily skin from the air. Since I've moved back to the midwest, I've cut down to a four-step routine. The facewash for both morning and night is COSRX Low-pH Good Morning Gel. I use Lush's Eau Roma Water Toner, The Face Shop Rice & Ceramide Moisturizing Emulsion, Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum, and COSRX Oil-Free Moisturizing Lotion. I tend to use a heavier and thicker lotion when the weather gets colder. Oh! Also, Glossier's Balm Dotcom is on 24/7.
Favorite feature on yourself and why?
I wish I groomed and take care of my eyebrows more, but my mother said I have my grandfather's eyebrows and they're called the "tiger brows" because the ends curve like a tiger's tail. I supposed that's one way I'm connected to him and my family tree.
What do you do to stay healthy?
As for mental health, it's making sure that I am okay. I always make sure my mental health is a priority and if it's not, how do you suppose to go along with your day? I make time to call friends and talk about these issues, even if it's in the middle of the night. As for physical health, I try to stay hydrated and eat food that makes me feel good and not put me in a food coma. I tend to walk a lot - from my apartment to my classrooms, so staying active has always been a daily routine.
Any cultural tips/tricks you've learned from family and/or friends?
There are so many! I think what my mother taught me best about makeup and skincare routine is that "less is more". My makeup routine never exceeds more than 10 minutes and as I grow older, I have been using fewer products on my face. My mother barely uses any makeup and is glowing - I think it's the constitnecy throughout the years that led to that glow.
How do you choose beauty products?
I tend to stick with beauty products that I am familiar with. I had eczema when I was a child, so I tried to stay away from products that are fragranced. I look for moisture in most of them, because my skin tends to be on the dryer side. I also have a friend who works at Glossier and sends me products, which I have been using as my makeup on the daily. Glossier's stretch concealer saves me time and energy - using it as a foundation and concealer.
What is your ethnic background?
I would consider myself a first-generation Korean-American.
How do your ethnicity and identity intersect and affect your beauty preferences (or grievances)?
I am awfully loyal to Korean skincare products. I don't think I would ever use anything else - besides Lush's Toner.
If you were to create the perfect beauty/wellness product for yourself, what would it be?
A cream that lasts on your face for over 12 hours - where you can feel, smell, and touch it. I love the glossy look, but just a cream product