Stephanie Suganami, widely recognized as Steph Shep, recently connected for an interview with a fresh, makeup-free look, her hair neatly pulled back with a simple black headband. The American actor, entrepreneur, and former executive assistant to Kim Kardashian was eager to delve into the world of beauty and her latest venture.
A Meaningful Partnership with a Heritage Brand
A self-professed skin care enthusiast, Suganami has taken on a significant new role as the ambassador for Tatcha's The Longevity Memory Cream. For her, this position transcends a typical brand endorsement. "To be a skin-care junkie, and also to be a Japanese woman and to get to work with this heritage brand, it’s truly very special," she expressed. She added that the opportunity is "deeply validating to that little girl inside of me that just always wanted to be seen as beautiful as an Asian woman."
Suganami finds the greatest joy in the "ritual and the routine" of her skin care regimen. Her involvement with Tatcha's latest product allowed her to explore the science behind it, including time spent with scientists in Japan learning about the botanically derived Okinawa Cellescence Complex.
Personal Favorites and a "Less-Is-More" Philosophy
As a long-time user of Tatcha, Suganami highlighted two of her staple products: The Rice Polish and The Longevity Serum. She praised the serum for being incredibly hydrating and soft, giving skin a supple appearance. "And then add The Memory Cream on top of that … Those two products together are just like a match made in heaven," she noted.
While she admits to being a gadget enthusiast—citing a red-light panel as her desert island essential—her daily makeup is minimal. She focuses on a solid skin care foundation, complemented by a bit of Refy brow pomade and a brown mascara from Tower 28.
Shifting Focus to Skin Health and Embracing Age
Suganami's approach to beauty has evolved significantly over time. "If anything has changed over the years, it’s wanting more to preserve and build the skin health versus anything else," she explained. She values working with a brand like Tatcha that avoids framing aging as a negative experience.
"That really resonated with me because we shouldn’t be made to feel afraid of that," she said regarding getting older. "Or demonize aging or wrinkles in any way, shape or form. I think it’s taking care of your body and your well-being and your health … It’s not to cover up or to change, but to embrace and maintain."
The featured product, Tatcha's The Longevity Memory Cream, retails for $115 and is available through Tatcha's official channels and at Sephora.
