In About Face, xoNecole gets the 411 on IGers who give us #skincaregoals on the daily. Here they break down their beauty routines on the inside and out, as well as the highly coveted products that grace their shelves and their skin.
There's a point in every woman's life where she has to go deep-diving into the endless sea of skincare products to find what works best for their routine, but social media marketing maven Destiny Taylor has a beauty tip that will help you save a few coins and keep bad skin at bay.
Less is more, and this is especially true when it comes to your skin, and according to Destiny, bombarding your face with expensive, medical-grade products may be doing your acne more harm than good. She explained, "My most significant beauty lesson was learning that when someone has acne, they don't necessarily need products formulated to treat acne. I've done significant damage to my sensitive skin in the past by using potent salicylic and glycolic acid products."
For this Cali-based creative, skincare isn't a routine, issa lifestyle—one that she aligned with early-on. "My relationship with beauty and skincare strengthened when I entered middle school. Puberty had me feeling myself, and I wanted to look as good on the outside as I felt inside."
As an adult, Destiny has learned that skincare is synonymous with self-care and is intentional AF about boffum. Along with eating healthy and working out, the 24-year-old content creator says that spiritual work is the essence of true beauty. "I used to only feel beautiful when I had a beat face and a bomb outfit. That was how I saw beauty in others, as well. Now, I feel most beautiful when my skin is soft and radiant, and when I feel grounded."
In this month's About Face, we sat down with Destiny to talk more about her favorite skincare products, radical self-care, and how she keeps her beauty in bloom all damn year. Here's what we learned:
My morning routine looks like...
"My typical morning looks like waking up at 5:45am, throwing on some gym clothes, and rushing out the door to pilates. Once I get home, I clean myself up and light some Frankincense. Then I'll grab my journal and express what I need to. I close my morning routine by meditating to some binaural beats until I doze off. My alarm wakes me up at 9am to get ready for work and head into the office quickly."
For my skincare routine in the AM...
"I keep things 'simple' with my morning skincare routine. I quickly cleanse with my Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel––this helps control my breakouts and calms inflammation. I tone with my Nolaskinsentials Witches Brew Toner––it's just a fancy witch hazel that helps control breakouts. I finish by hydrating with my Hydra Face Creme by Nolaskinsentials. I love an ultra-hydrating moisturizer that makes my skin soft and radiant––this gives me that and a little bit more."
For my skincare routine in the PM...
"At night, I use my Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel and Nolaskinsentials Witches Brew Toner and introduce some night-specific products. After cleansing, I exfoliate with my Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, which is one of my favorite products. It brings dull skin to life and eliminates inflammation. I may or may not go in with a mask. Right now, my faves are Nola's Pumpkin Enzyme Mask and Dermalogica's Charcoal Rescue Mask. The charcoal mask actively helps with cell turnover and is my go-to when I have acne scarring. I finish my routine with Nola's Glycolic Night Cream. Glycolic acid and neem oil are listed in the first five ingredients, so it's excellent for clearing acne-prone skin. Oh, and I can't forget my eye cream."
How the seasons change my skin and routine...
"My skin be bringing new energy every season, so I have to go with the flow and cater to it. The main difference between my fall/winter and spring/summer routines is the level of oil control my products offer. I like to be radiant all year long! In the warmer months, I want to use products that will draw out my natural oils because they are usually excessive during that time. In the colder months, I let my oils live since my skin is drier."
My go-to makeup look consists of...
"I wear makeup one to two times per week. I prefer sexy, fresh-faced looks and will add drama with lashes and my lippie from time to time. Brows are essential––they must be soft yet bold. I'll do a concealer, powder foundation, bronzer and highlighting concealer to achieve the perfect base. Plenty of warm gold highlighter. A dab of color on the cheeks, and a soft red gloss on the lips."
How I approach beauty from the inside-out...
"I feel most beautiful inside when I'm kind and helpful to others."
What self-care looks like to me...
"Something that makes me feel sexy––especially for my fellow single ladies! Going to pole dancing classes and dressing in sexy lingerie are my things. Something that makes me feel grounded––sage, incense, a journal, and a personalized alter fulfill this for me. Something that makes me feel alive––giving myself time to explore different interests is essential to me."
For more Destiny, follow her on Instagram @DestinyTaylorxo!
Shop Destiny's Beauty Staples:
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Featured Photo by Instagram/@destinytaylorxo.
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The Insecure creator revealed that she was a part of the 4 AM club. After waking up, she dedicates an hour or hour and a half to exercise. Next, she prepares coffee and engages in what she calls her version of meditation.
"Coffee listening to news, sitting in the dark on the couch, sometimes I'll light a candle and sometimes journaling," she said. Waking up early and adopting a slow morning routine offer numerous benefits. Below, we delve into some of these advantages and provide guidance on how to incorporate them into your daily routine.
Waking Up Early
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Waking up at 4 AM might be too early for some, but waking up early overall has many benefits. As per Healthline, some of these advantages include improved sleep quality, increased energy levels, better skin, and the most evident benefit, accomplishing more tasks. If you begin work at 8 AM, consider waking up at 5 or 6 AM to dedicate time to your mental well-being before diving into the day's demands.
Exercising
There’s no better way to boost endorphins than through exercise. Starting your day with exercise can have a positive impact on your mood, which can, in turn, influence the rest of your day.
One advantage of going to the gym early is fewer people, so you don't have to wait to use your favorite machine. If you prefer at-home workouts, you can turn on a 30 minute workout video from a fitness trainer on YouTube or finally use the walking pad that's been stashed away in the corner.
Meditation
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Meditating involves sitting in silence (unless you're listening to a guided meditation) and being one with yourself. While Issa mentioned enjoying her meditation with coffee and a candle, you can create your own peaceful atmosphere. This could involve lighting sage, sitting with crystals, or using essential oils.
Regardless of the time you have, whether it’s 30 minutes or just five, incorporating meditation into your morning routine can help you begin your day with a tranquil mindset.
Journaling
Journaling can be done anytime of the day, but starting your day with it in the morning can provide clarity. There are several types of journaling that can be beneficial morning practices.
Dream journaling involves writing about your dreams the night before to gain transparency about them. Gratitude journaling involves writing about things you’re grateful for, while mindful journaling allows you to express your thoughts and feelings.
All of these practices can contribute to a successful day. By consistently practicing them, you may notice positive changes in your attitude and overall well-being.
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