theSKIN x D'Ara Nazaryan

@ 2024-12-05 12:30:19 -0800

D'Ara Nazaryan welcomed us into her home in Los Angeles to observe her in her element, as she flowed through her morning routine: first skincare, then a cup of tea, and on to arranging florals for her company Aris Floral, as Capri (her joyful pint-sized dog) mirrored her every step. She even gave us a few tips on balancing her creativity with all other facets of her life.


I couldn't help but feel a through line as I asked her about how she balances her creativity with all other facets of her life and watched her so carefully round out her arrangement, wobbly, until the perfect high-reaching stem equilibrates it.

Can you tell us more about your background and what your journey was like coming into your creative self?

I’ve always had a passion for drawing and knew from an early age that art school was where I wanted to be. I studied at Otis College, earning my BFA in Digital Media, and spent many years working as an illustrator and motion graphics artist.

We’re huge fans of Aris Floral, what drew you to florals as an artistic expression?

Almost two years ago, I started to feel a sense of fragmentation. Despite reaching what I believed was the peak of my career, I felt deeply unfulfilled. I wasn’t connecting with my work in the way I wanted to, and my personal life was falling apart. I just needed a chance to reconnect with that childlike creativity I had once felt so naturally. So, I began picking up things from the market I had never worked with before, letting my mind wander as I experimented and let myself be free in the process.

When do you feel most yourself?

When I'm free, I have no one to answer to. I experience this feeling when I'm traveling alone, drifting without a particular destination. It's something I find in solitude, as well as among my closest loved ones.

You’re not only a deeply creative person but you’re running a thriving business. How do you nourish all areas of your life?

It's a delicate balance, one I don’t think I’ll ever fully master—and maybe I’m not meant to. That’s the dance, right? I’ve heard a saying I truly believe: women can have it all, but not all at once. That's how I feel right now. When work is firing on all cylinders, my personal life often takes a hit. I hope that as I grow, I'll be able to rely more on others, so the contrast between work and life isn't so stark. I work in bursts, I recharge in intervals, and I’m still figuring out my rhythm. I work hard so that when it's time to enjoy life, I can do it on my own terms.

Can you walk us through your daily skincare routine?

I’ve been trying to simplify things and not introduce too many new products. However, Facile has made its way into my cabinet. I use the cleanser, then alternate days with Dr. Dennis Gross pads. After that, I apply the calming serum and moisturizer, and always finish with an SPF.

What are your favorite facile products?

I like the exfoliating mask!

What advice would you give to someone who is multidimensional in their creative interests about approaching and embracing them all?

People often ask how you accomplished something, but the truth is, you did it without knowing how from the start. Every day, I had to remind myself to just put one foot in front of the other, even when I had no idea what lay ahead. I knew that the only way forward was to keep moving. I felt that way in the beginning and sometimes even now. The journey is all about taking one step, then another, then another. We want all the answers—how to get from A to B—because we’re afraid of doing it wrong. You can gather information from others about how they did it, or you can dive in, get your hands dirty, and take a chance on something you truly want to achieve for yourself. Every day, I had to remind myself to just put one foot in front of the other, even when I had no idea what lay ahead. I knew that the only way forward was to keep moving.