Grooming

My Morning Routine

Corey Stokes,
Stylist and Fashion Editor

Corey Stokes is one of the coolest guys working in fashion today. Making the rounds as HighSnobiety's fashion editor-at-large, you've no doubt seen his street style pics popping up during fashion weeks. He's got his finger on the pulse of men's style, straddling the worlds of streetwear and classic tailoring. He's styled everyone from T-Pain to Liam Payne, as well as magazine editorials and campaigns for such venerable brands as Brooks Brothers. He's also a wildly creative and talented guy—one who worked his way up in such notoriously challenging fields as fashion and media not with "who you know" connections but sheer hard work and innovative ideas. Just a boy from Flint, Michigan made good, jet-setting between New York and Los Angeles and looking damn good while doing it. We caught up with wildly busy Stokes to get some insight into how he balances everything.

Coreyt Stokes on Instagram

Follow Corey on Instagram, @coreytstokes, for style inspiration, street style and his latest work.

Corey Stokes, Stylist and Fashion Editor at HighSnobiety

My Routine

I pretty much wake up between 6:30 and 7 am everyday.

I don't get as much sleep as I should. I try go get as much as possible but I usually end up with five to six hours.

As soon as I wake up, I meditate.

I do it right from my bed, and aim for 15 to 20 minutes of solid meditation. I've been trying to take meditating seriously. My best friend, Tradell, talks so highly about it and has sold me on taking it way more serious. If I don't remember to do it as soon as I wake up, I'll try to take a moment at my desk before getting to the day's tasks.

I've been doing better at sleeping without my phone in bed.

So I'll get up and then check emails and respond immediately to the important messages.

I figure out what I'm going to wear based on what's on the days agenda.

I tend to dress based on what my plans are for the day and if my look needs to transition from day to night. But I feel most comfortable in a hoodie. I always find ways to dress up a hoodie so that it doesn't look too much like I just rolled out of bed—which is the case more times than I want to admit.

I'll then hop in a nice, long shower.

That's where I spend entirely too much time thinking about what needs to be taken care of that day. Besides meditating, it's how I mentally prepare for the day.

I don't do coffee, but I like starting my day with a turmeric latte with oat milk.

I tend to pick mine up from LPQ. I'm not a huge health freak but I do enjoy the benefits of turmeric, specifically regarding your skin.

My go-to breakfast?

You can't beat the simplicity and efficiency of three boiled eggs.

I travel a lot, but I try to keep my routine as close to normal as possible.

It keeps things running smoothly. Though I'll probably have a bigger breakfast than normal because, really, what's better than room service?

I live by my Google Calendar.

Honestly, if it's not on my calendar, then I can guarantee I'm not going. Even lunch or dinner dates need to be included.

It might be because of my job, but I do like trying out new grooming products.

There are few tried-and-true staples I use consistently. Kiehl's avocado eye cream and recovery serum are great. And Malin + Goetz's deodorant is a literal necessity.

Corey Stokes' favorite morning grooming products

Clockwise, from top left

Eucalyptus deodorant,
$14 by Malin + Goetz

Creamy eye treatment,
$48 by Kiehl's

Special hand cream with vitamin E,
$14 by Mario Badescu

Turmeric latte mix,
$16.95 by Nature's Harvest

Meditation app, available for iOS and Android from Headspace

Midnight recovery concentrate,
$49 by Kiehl's

I actually started laser hair removal on my face about a year ago.

So thankfully, that means no shaving for me.