EXCLUSIVE: Sarah Lahbati On The Slow And Steady Life And An Uncomplicated Beauty Regimen
We took Sarah to Kumu's FYE Channel for the first time for an exclusive interview!
She's a perfectionist and planner by nature.
Life is at its best for Metro Chats guest Sarah Lahbati when she's prepared and organized, which meant that 2020—with all its uncertainties, confusion, and big room for risk—was a tough 12 months for her!
While she was once most comfortable with a plan and with a jampacked schedule, she has now learned to find the beauty in slowing down and being given the gift of time to use as she pleases. It has allowed her to reconnect with her husband Richard Gutierrez and discover new things about their relationship even after more than a decade of being a couple. It also gave her ample time to care for her two young sons Zion and Kai, and bond with them with no time limit. Finally, she got to indulge in self-care in any and all ways she wanted to.
It's a matter of perspective, really. And for Metro Chats guest Sarah Lahbati, she's starting 2021 with her glass half-full, not half-empty.
Check out highlights of our conversation with Metro Chats guests Sarah Lahbati in the gallery below!
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Sarah Lahbati on Metro Chats
Sarah Lahbati on Metro Chats
New year, new hair
For those hoping to learn why Sarah traded in her luscious locks for a short bob this year, there really wasn't much to her decision! She almost always never has time to do her own hair thanks to her jet-setting lifestyle plus work, so she opted for something that was low-maintenance and easy to style on her own. She's also all praises for her go-to hairstylist and a favorite among celebrities, Suyen Salazar. She also says that Elizabeth Debicki, the actress who plays Princess Dianna in "The Crown" was inspiration, too!
Staying connected and staying sane!
If you've noticed Sarah become more active on social media, that's not a random occurrence! Being online has been her way of keeping in touch with those who matter to her, including her dad and many of her BFFs that live abroad, as well as her fans. "It's good to have a device that lets you stay connected," Sarah says. Other than that, it was also her way of staying creative and finding fun in being cooped up at home for months on end. You'll find her experimenting with different OOTDs, styles, and even makeup, and it was a part of her trying to make the best out of a bad situation. If she needed uplifting in her day, this is what she would do.
Going slow and steady
"During the pandemic, I embraced the natural look and growing my hair out, putting coconut oil on my hair, and taking my time doing my skincare. I've really enjoyed just slowing down and doing the little things that before, I would rush into... I know it sounds mababaw, but in doing those things slowly, it gives you sort of a peace of mind despite what's happening. It's a form of self-care," she says.
Uncomplicated beauty
"There's just too many things going on," Sarah jokes as she talks about subscribing to a less complicated beauty routine these days. It definitely fits in better with pandemic life where she's both a working mom and a parent in charge of homeschooling the kids, but one thing she's spent more time on is learning about the ingredients that go into her beauty faves. "You just have to find what works for you and not always listen to the hype," she shares. Right now, her must-have beauty products are Strokes Beauty Lab's lipsticks. She loves combining shades!
Local travels
What's it like to travel these days? Sarah can tell you. In 2020, she and her family saw Batangas, Boracay, and even Amanpulo. "We need to prepare ourselves that it is going to be different. There will be more requirements in terms of swab tests, papers, QR codes, and things you need to fill up. It's doable," she says. In fact, Sarah encourages those who can afford to travel (and stay safe while doing so!) to head to a local destination and support the country's tourism industry. It's suffered so much in the last months that Filipinos who can help bring it back to its feet should do so. "If you organize early, it should be stress-free," Sarah continues.
Early struggles
"As a mom, I want the best for my kids. I'm naturally going to do whatever I can to provide them with good education in the middle of a pandemic. I was definitely trying to be a perfectionist with homeschooling... It was a year where you really learned to slow down and accept the things that are happening," she tells us. Don't sweat the small stuff - that's her mantra for 2020 and something she's carrying over to 2021!
Managing homeschooling
"In the beginning, it was a big adjustment... I became a teacher out of nowhere, and this goes for all the moms!" she starts. Sarah has two sons: Zion and Kai. "We really need to be hands-on and patient, and guide our kids. Because it was a difficult year and it still is... It's important that we stay calm all the time and try to do our best, but also it's not about perfection and how many activities you prepared. I've just realized all these things along the way," she advises other parents in the same situation as her. When a day isn't going so well, Sarah also has something to tell herself and her family to help pick themselves up: "We're extremely lucky and we have a roof over our head, we have food, and laptops for school. It's important to remind ourselves to be grateful and present when things become a little more difficult."
Lessons from 2020
"I look at 2020 where I learned to really slow down and appreciate the little things. I really appreciated that I got to spend so much time with our family... The fact that we were all together at home from March until now, bonded all of us even more. I love that we're even closer now and there's an even deeper connection," she reveals.
Self-care
Yoga, meditation, regular workouts - these were Sarah's forms of self-care in the last few months. Keeping active, and discovering her newfound love for running, have been life-saving for her. "It's been keeping my mind stable and ready for the day. After a run, I feel ready for whatever I need to do," she says. When circumstances finally permit, she'll be happy to go back to diving, too! For different people, it could be different things. You could be the type to like moving, or the type to slow down, but either way, what is important is that you allow yourself some you-time.
Old-school family time
To help lessen the kids' screen time and increase family quality time, Sarah and Richard opted for old-school fun. Think board games and card games like Monopoly and UNO, the same things Sarah herself grew up playing! They've also done a little arts and crafts, some kitchen time, painting, and other physical activities, however simple. "It's nice to teach our kids to actually go around how to play, to talk to people... It's nice to remind ourselves as parents and our kids to have fun as a family or with friends," Sarah reflects.
Travel bucket list
Switzerland is where Sarah wants to head to first when she can go abroad again. Her dad and her best friend are there, and she'd love to see them again. French Polynesia is also on her mind!
Shoots underwater
"We had our fins and we had each other," Sarah jokes about what she had to do to keep her and Richard safe when they had their underwater pre-wedding shoot last year. "I remember it started raining and it got so cold! I could feel that I got stung by little jellyfish. It was an eventful day underwater and we managed to get those beautiful images," Sarah shares. It was Pat Dy's team that achieved this one of a kind pre-nup shoot.
2021 resolutions
She didn't make a New Year's resolution for 2021, just because she doesn't want to expect too much for the year ahead. She wants it to be a better year, but she also wants expectations to be sensible! "I'll continue working towards my goals slowly and the things that I love doing with my family. I just hope for a better year for everyone - for our economy, tourism, schools, for everyone and at the same time, not expect too much. With everything that we went through last year, I think it's good to stay grounded but remain hopeful," Sarah points out. But if there's anything that Sarah wants to carry over to life after 2020 and life ahead, in general, it would be to stay resilient, be patient, and be hopeful.
Photos from @sarahlahbati
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