Kristina Stojanoski
We sat down with Kristina Stojanoski and got to know a bit more about the young entrepreneur who founded KIWA Studio, a brand focused on sustainability and ethical products.
Find our conversation with Kristina below!
Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to start KIWA?
I’m a 23 year old Macedonian-American living in Metro-Detroit. I have an eclectic style and a deep passion for skincare. Growing up my friends and family used to ask me for advice on which skincare products would be right for them. I myself also struggled with acne prone skin. I used to use so many different products on my face until one day I came up with the idea to use less products when it came to my skincare routine. And use ones that were formulated with quality and gentle ingredients that wouldn’t harm my skin. This helped tremendously.
In 2018 I became diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. It turned my life around 180. I began to value those around me so much in the way that I was so grateful to have such amazing people supporting me and caring for me. For once in my life I felt extremely vulnerable. To me, starting KIWA stemmed from my love for skincare and having a sense of community. I wanted to create a space where I could bring people together to enjoy affordable, clean, and sustainable skincare products. It is really so rewarding to see people enjoy our masques and facial oil as well as sharing it with the people around them.
We love that KIWA focuses on sustainability and ethical practices, why was this important to you?
As a small business especially, we see closely how much waste is created when it comes to packaging and creating products. We have always made it our goal since the start to be a low waste brand. This also makes it that much more fun, I love seeing how people reuse their jars and bottles once they’ve finished our products. We also have a refill program on our website in which you can order our products without the jar and the mask comes in a recycled Kraft zipper bag in which you can refill your jar with.
What is your current skincare routine?
My current skincare routine is one that I try to keep as simple as possible. If I’m wearing makeup that day I’ll use micellar water on a reusable bamboo cloth, next I like to wash with a gentle cleanser to help remove makeup and debris off my skin. I then like to use some sort of toner or hyaluronic acid to add some moisture back into my skin. Lastly, I’ll finish off with a light yet moisturizing cream that will keep my skin hydrated all through the night.
Outside of work, what is keeping you grounded or interested lately?
Recently I’ve been very into playing the guitar and reading. Both of these acts make me feel at peace and give me a sense of purpose. When it comes to reading I mostly enjoy fiction, I love a good story that makes me feel like I’m inside the book.
What are you looking forward to this fall?
I’m really looking forward to the changing of the leaves and autumn baking! I love autumn baked goods, especially anything with cinnamon or pumpkin. I’ve recently removed gluten from my diet so it’s been fun to play around with new gluten free recipes!
*Kristina wears the Misty Frayed Flare in Dark Denim
