Image Credit: Kelly Serfoss.
We sat down with men's fashion and culture expert Igee Okafor to discuss career and skincare. Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, Igee moved with his family to the United States to further his learning. He is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of BOND OFFICIAL and the men's style blog WWW.VERYIGEEOKAFOR.COM.
How did you decide to pursue men's style and culture as a career?
I'm not sure this was an intentional setup for me. Growing up, I knew I wanted to work in fashion or design in some capacity—it was either that, or I was going to be an entertainer. These fields are part of culture, and the common thread is curiosity and exploration. I wanted to put myself in a position where I could observe and do something impactful with what I had observed.
My first professional exposure came in 2011 when I started writing about men's style on my personal blog. That led to opportunities to write about the same subject for various publications. As I advanced in my writing career, I became more exposed to different facets of the world and what I considered to be men's interests. My curiosity about expanding that definition is why I’m still here today.
Do you have any tips for men to live a healthier lifestyle?
Sleep is very important. Exercise, make an effort to eat in moderation, and carve out time for hobbies and people who make you happy.
Do you have a skincare routine? If so, what is it? When did you become attuned to skincare?
Yes, I do. My routine includes a daily cleanser/exfoliator, a toner, a hyaluronic and vitamin C serum, a moisturizer, and sunscreen.
My interest in skincare really began toward the end of high school when I started breaking out a lot. I wasn’t sure why, so my mother and I started looking into ways to improve my skin. I saw a dermatologist who recommended Accutane, which I was on for a while and found really helpful. From then on, it became all about maintenance. I started experimenting with skincare products to find what worked best for me.
That said, I don’t think everyone needs all these products. I’ve just found that this routine works well for me, and that’s how skincare should be—explore and find what works for you. It could be two products or eight.
Which Jackfir product is your favorite and why?
The Classic Daily Facial Cleanser is great. Removing daily toxins from the skin and then restoring hydration and moisture is the ultimate skincare function for me. The texture of the cleanser feels comforting, and it’s very lightweight.
