Who is Sasha Plavsic? We chat to the woman behind the ILIA Beauty empire

ILIA Beauty was founded in 2011 by Sasha Plavsic, who pioneered 'clean makeup' after struggling with skin issues. Now her home-grown, award-winning brand has over a million followers on Instagram and is stocked in global behemoths such as Sephora. Here we meet the entrepreneur to find out what makes her tick, from music in the morning to her favourite foods.

What sound would you like to wake up to?

Tropical birds.

What gets you dancing?

Bad Bunny is definitely bringing out the dance moves in our home lately.

Which singer or song do you never tire of hearing and why?

California Dreamin’ by Bobby Womack. I spent so many years there and still visit often. The song has soul and makes me smile.

Which smell takes you back to childhood?

The smell of my mom’s Chanel N°19 perfume. It’s green, exotic, fresh and sharp in its top notes. These days, I prefer green notes in perfume and I believe it’s because of the association.

Describe a dish that’s always stayed with you.

I have Serbian heritage and there’s a traditional dish from the region, called Ćevapi. It’s a spicy sausage that’s hard to put into words unless you’ve tried it yourself, and one of those flavours that really stays with you after the first bite.

What is the taste of spring?

Fresh and floral.

Olive or a twist?

Twist.

What is a dish you love to cook for yourself?

A friend recently passed along her smash burger recipe and it was a hit.

What is your go-to dinner party dish?

For a dinner party, it’s all about effortless cooking like citrus-and-herb-marinated chicken on the grill. It’s simple, loved by everyone and perfectly suited to relaxed, al fresco evenings.

Silk or cashmere?

Silk in the summer and cashmere in the winter.

Marble or wood?

Wood.

Do you have a favourite piece of furniture at home?

I really love our yellow [Ligne Roset] Togo couch, which I bought a couple of years ago. It’s cosy and always makes me smile with its pop of colour.

What is the first thing you see in the morning?

My dog, at the foot of my bed.

Describe the view from where you are right now.

Serene. I’m in my living room in Vancouver on a rainy day with a fire going.

Is there a view you can’t quite forget?

The landscape on New Zealand’s North Island. It’s slightly tropical and full of colour. It’s been over 12 years since I’ve been, and I still remember it like it was yesterday.

What sound do you wake up to?

My alarm clock in the morning.