Inside Niche Beauty

Anne Zimmermann is a beauty connoisseur at heart. In her new role as Co-Managing Director at Niche Beauty (a position she took on alongside Steven Mattwig in January of this year), she not only plans to make Niche Beauty a global success with its strictly selective, strictly luxurious portfolio, but also to inspire, share and empower. Come on closer and meet her behind the scenes. 

 

What does your morning routine look like?

Quiet mornings are my ultimate luxury and I truly try to stick to a steady routine. As per a well-established wellness trend I start most of my days with a glass of warm lemon water that goes hand-in-hand with The Nue Co.’s Nootro Focus supplement, designed to heighten mental clarity and sharpen the focus. If time allows, I’ll go for a 30 minute run, hop in the shower and treat myself to some extra T.L.C. I love Aesop’s Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser and Oribe’s Gold Lust Repair & Restore shampoo and conditioner duo. After that I’ll always (And I mean always!) use Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Anti-Aging Body Cream that soaks in quickly, leaving my skin totally nourished and supple. When I’m done getting ready I make myself a big cup of oat milk coffee that keeps me company while I open the mailbox and start answering emails. 

 

What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?

Never underestimate the therapeutic power of a glass of red wine in a company of good friends, I say. When in Düsseldorf, you’ll find me at Prinzinger by Saittavini or at Bar Olio. If I’m in Hamburg, I’ll grab a salad at Henriks, a Spicy Salmon Roll at Jin Gui in Tortue hotel or a plate of dim sum at Uzwei. But if I’m in the mood for a quiet evening, I’ll fill my tub to the rim and turn on some music. I recently got into Eagles and their Hotel California, which is so melodic, relaxing and a forever classic. I’ll also light a luxurious scented candle (Byredo’s Bibliothèque is my favorite) and then have a calming cup of tea - I am currently obsessed with WelleCo’s Sleep Welle Calming Tea, it’s so soothing. Trust me, you sleep like a baby after this at-home treatment! 

 

What’s on your bathroom top shelf?

Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Enzyme Cleanser and Deep Hydrating Face Mask - both are fully responsible for that glow on my face. I also can’t live without U Beauty’s The Super Hydrator - never has my skin been more deeply moisturized and overall happy. Makeup-wise I’m a proud Westman Atelier addict. I’ll always have the brand’s Super Loaded Tinted Highlight on hand, but I also love their Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer that gives a perfect summer glow. And last but not least: a red lipstick that became my signature. I’m currently into Olivia Palermo Beauty’s Matte Lipstick in shade Runway Rouge - it’s rich in texture and lasts a day.

And while we’re at it: a couple of years ago, when I was in Los Angeles, I had a brow treatment with Anastasia of Anastasia Beverly Hills and I never looked back. I use her Brow Wiz every day, it’s incredible!

 

What does luxury mean to you?

At Niche Beauty we don’t understand luxury in a dictionary-type of way. Luxury is to be able to only choose the best. Be it the cleanest, the most effective, the most tried, tested and approved brands and products on the market, or the latest trends you were unable to find anywhere else. I guess what I’m trying to say is that without personality, there can be no luxury. Hence I think luxury must always come from character and is, well, curated - something we take very seriously at Niche Beauty. 

 

What does self-care mean to you?

Taking the time for things that bring me joy. Moving my body (I love Studio Lagree and am a regular at FitBodyLab in Düsseldorf, which is absolutely the best), allowing time to rest properly, treating myself to a massage and sauna in The Fontenay in Hamburg, traveling. I love travel, there’s nothing more inspiring than a trip into the unknown. 

 

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live and why?

This might come as a surprise to some, but I love living in Germany. It’s logistically convenient; you can hop on a plane after work on Friday, spend the weekend in Rome and be back at your office desk by Monday morning. Still, if I didn’t live between Düsseldorf and Hamburg, I’d probably be in the South of France. Everything about their culture and lifestyle, their food, the way they approach joie de vivre, inspires me. 

 

What is your favorite travel destination in the summer?

I love the feeling of sun on my skin so it’s always going to be the South of France. And St. Barth as well as the Maldives in the Winter (I know, I know, cliché, but it’s just so beautiful). 

 

An ungrateful question, but what’s your one desert island product?

Goop’s Goopglow 15% Glycolic Overnight Glow Peel - it works like magic. You just wake up with a bright, even complexion. But if I’m on an actual desert island, I’ll also want to have a bikini on hand (laughs).  

 

 

What’s your favorite TikTok trend?

That’s an easy one - Glazed Donut Skin, made famous by Hailey Bieber. It feels very healthy and natural. For those wondering: the trend is about applying an extra dose of moisturizer before going to bed to wake up with glassy, youthful skin. One can also apply a highlighter on the cheekbones, the bridge of the nose and the corners of the eyes for an extra boost in radiance. 

 

What’s on your bucket list for 2023?

The obvious one: we’ll be working really hard to make Niche Beauty Nr. 1 online destination for the world’s most luxurious, well-curated beauty products and brands. And apart from that: hiking in Bhutan in the Eastern Himalayas.