The Skincare Rules This Aesthetician Always Follows
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.
25-year-old Brooklyn-based aesthetician Brenttany Sharraine wants you to be your own skincare goals and has dedicated her entire career to helping women do exactly that. For her, skincare isn't a job, issa lifestyle. "Most days, it doesn't feel like work. Chatting with clients about skincare is something I'd do as a hobby. Skincare has always been something I've been passionate about and the fact that I can share my passions to help people achieve their skin goals is rewarding for me."
In this month's segment of About Face, we chat with Brenttany about all of our burning skincare questions and get the details on the routine that keeps her skin on 10 all damn day.
Brenttany explained that while a full face of makeup used to be her go-to routine, now, this barefaced beauty's beat is all-natural. She told xoNecole, "In my early 20s, I would wear a full face of makeup everyday. No matter where I was going. If I stepped outside, I had on makeup. Now it's the complete opposite. I'd have to be going to an event to get myself to wear foundation. Now, I'm so comfortable in my own skin that I don't feel like I need it. Less is more nowadays."
The beauty professional recently sat down with xoNecole and revealed the secret to a foundation-free slay, and according to her, it's all about the SPF, sis. Keep scrolling for more!
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My most significant beauty lesson...
"The most important lesson I've learned in beauty is wearing SPF for sure. [While] working with a dermatologist, I would see how common skin cancer was and how UV rays were a huge contributor to physical aging. As a teen, I was told black people do not physically age. I beg to differ. Just wear your SPF guys!"
My morning routine looks like...
"My morning starts with waking up to the sun beaming down through my skylight. I'm lucky that I get to work in the evenings most of the time, so I'm in no rush to get up. If I don't have any errands to run that morning, I spend extra time in bed reading any work emails I may have received while sleeping and listening to my favorite podcast, which is currently Dave Ramsey, and writing in my reflection journal."
For my skincare routine in the AM...
"Working in skincare, I'm constantly trying new products and altering my routine. I try and stick with active ingredients throughout. I cleanse with Glytone Mild Gel Cleanser, [and then I] apply Elizavecca Milky Piggy Hyaluronic Acid, SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic Antioxidant Serum, and Supergoop! Superscreen Daily Moisturizer SPF 40."
Brenttany's current skincare rotation
Courtesy of Brenttany
My skincare routine in the PM...
"My nighttime routine is based on what my skin is telling me. In general, I double cleanse with my Glytone Mild Gel Cleanser, then I apply Elizavecca Milky Piggy HA Serum and Kate Somerville Daily Moisturizer with peptides, retinol, and Vitamin C. If my skin looks dull, then I'm exfoliating that night and swapping the Kate Somerville with One Kind's hydrating Dream Cream Moisturizer because it's gentler. I'm exfoliating with The Ordinary 7% Glycolic Toner or Glyderms 10% Glycolic Lotion, depending on how aggressive I want to be that night. My skin is literally glowing by the morning. The following morning, I'll just apply my Hyaluronic Acid serum and Supergoop! SPF moisturizer."
How my routine switches up with the seasons...
"[I use] heavier creams in the fall and winter for the most part. I also like to add in an oil for extra protection from dryness. I'm currently using Murad's Multi-Vitamin Infusion Oil. In the spring and summer, my skin gets more oily so I'm still applying my Hyaluronic acid serum, an antioxidant serum like SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic, but swapping my Supergoop! SPF 40 moisturizer with their SPF setting spray."
My go-to makeup look consists of...
"90% of the time, I don't wear makeup. If anything, I'll just fill my brows in, put on my mascara and put on a clear gloss. I'm currently obsessing over SmashBox Shape Matters Brow Palette, Buxom Big Tease Plumping Mascara and Essence Behind The Scenes Gloss. If I go out, I'll choose between BareMinerals Matte Powder Foundation and Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation paired with Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Contour Kit and setting with Ofras Tinted Translucent Powder."
How I approach beauty from the inside-out...
"A day with nothing to do is super recharging for me. Most of what I do is hands-on so massaging, acupuncture or anything to release tension and promote relaxation, I'm all for. Writing in my journey makes me feel powerful. It allows me to be in control of my thoughts."
What self-care is to me...
"Satin eye masks and pillowcases. I feel like a princess whenever I go to bed and wake up!"
How I do skincare when I travel...
"I keep it simple when I travel-––so my cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF are all I bring in travel-size containers. I would also bring my makeup faves like brow and face powder, mascara and a gloss in my carry-on. I feel like the less time I spend on getting ready, the more time I spend enjoying the trip!"
For more of Brenttany, follow her on Instagram @brenttany!
Featured image via Brenttany/Instagram
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic plastic surgical procedures, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, and on average, it may run you close to $ 4,000. While many people are still turning to surgery to get the look they want, there are many alternatives that are noninvasive and overall safer that are starting to get some shine. Like a lot of people during the pandemic, I had put on a few extra pounds, and I was looking at all the different methods that can help me look and feel great.
I don’t remember how I ran across it, but I began researching laser lipo, and before I knew it, I had booked my first appointment of many. I entered the medispa and was taken to a room and told to lie down. Then, I had lasers placed on top of my stomach for about 30 minutes, and I was done. While it sounds simple, it can take multiple sessions to get the desired look you want. That was a couple of years ago. However, I decided to try it again. This time with a different practitioner and a few add-ons, including wood therapy, cavitation, skin tightening, and vacuum therapy. Let’s dig deeper.
What Is Laser Lipo?
Laser lipo is a non-invasive procedure that penetrates through the skin and shrinks the fat. Not only is it simpler than regular lipo, but it’s also less expensive. Tammy Bell of Sculpted By Bella Beauty Bar, where she offers these noninvasive services, tells us why more people are turning to laser lipo.
“It’s noninvasive. You don’t have no downtime at all, unlike lipo and the different surgeries you have downtime with that,” she says. “You get results. It’s a little slower than regular lipo, but you get results that you want.” Because everyone’s body is different, the results may vary. However, Tammy says it’s also based on lifestyle habits such as what you’re eating and how active you are.
Laser lipo is just one of the many noninvasive services to choose from. See more below.
Wood Therapy
Microgen Images/ Science Photo Library/ Getty Images
If you follow Tracee Ellis Ross on Instagram or TikTok, then you probably saw the video of her using wooden tools to sculpt her body. This method is called wood therapy, and let me tell you, it’s not for the faint of heart. In my experience, it’s a weird sensation and a little painful. However, they say beauty is pain.
Tammy breaks down what wood therapy is. “It actually breaks up the fat, and it contours your body. It moves the fat through your lymphatic system,” she explains.
Skin Tightening
Another treatment is skin tightening. As we get older, our skin loses elasticity, and this service targets sagging skin for a tighter appearance. “The heat actually helps tighten the skin,” Tammy says about the skin-tightening tool that is used during the service. “It helps build collagen for your skin to tighten.”
Cavitation
Cavitation liquifies the fat, and it’s the only service out of this list that can’t be done on your face. “With the cavitation and all that stuff, if you notice, I always come in, and then I go down because you have your lymph nodes for your lymphatic system for it to drain,” she says, explaining the technique she does when using the tools on the body.
“That’s why it’s important for you to drink a lot of water ‘cause you (the fat) have to either come out in your sweat or your urine.”
Vacuum Therapy
Vacuum therapy involves suction cups that lift the skin. While I’ve only used it on my stomach, Healthline reports that many people are using it to get a butt lift. “Vacuum therapy moves the fat, and if you want to get a butt lift, you push the fat up,” Tammy says.
Costs
Costs vary per service and per practitioner. However, I spent around $400 and got all the aforementioned services done within five appointments.
Results
Body sculpting results
Photo courtesy of London Alexaundria
My target areas were my back, stomach, and arms, and I am satisfied with the results I received in such a short amount of time. You can get these services done separately and get good results, but I decided to try them all together as a part of a package. Just like they will tell you after getting regular lipo, for lasting results, you must make sure to keep a healthy lifestyle.
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Feature image by Delmaine Donson/ Getty Images