Monica Beas needs to be your ‘go to’ girl for brows, lashes, makeup and all your skincare needs! Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Monica works as an Aesthitician and Makeup & Lash Artist. She’s not only a pro at helping women feel beautiful and pampered, but she also has a refreshing and life-giving spirit.
I first met Monica at church in San Diego about 10 years ago and I remember how perfect her brows and makeup always looked. But beyond the surface, I got to see what an incredibly kind, beautiful, and authentic person she is. I love this girl and value her expertise so I’m incredibly honored to introduce my first Glean & Glow Stories Guest, Monica! Read on below for my interview:
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1. What inspired or got you excited about skincare and beauty? I think my first inspiration to skincare and beauty was my mother. When I was little I would always watch her getting ready in the mornings, putting on all her face creams and applying her makeup. When I got into my preteen years I began developing acne. I had big bushy eyebrows and a mustache (according to the kids at school). I was VERY self-conscious and I believed that I was ugly. When I turned 13 I began experimenting with makeup. I learned how to cover up my problematic skin and I also tweezed my eyebrows. This was life changing! People began looking at me differently, all of a sudden the same people that were calling me ugly were now saying I was pretty. I discovered the power of beauty. Eventually people started asking me to do their makeup and eyebrows. That was how I got started working on other people.
2. What’s your skin type like? My skin type is combination because I use products that make me a lot less oily but definitely leans more towards the oily side.
3. What’s your morning beauty routine like? And night? My morning routine consists of washing my face, applying a vitamin c antioxidant serum, moisturizer, eye cream and an SPF. In the evening I wash my face and put on a face cream or lotion depending on how much moisture I need that day, and an eye cream or oil. I also use a Retinol (cosmedix refine) at least 1-2x a week and I’ve been using one since I was a teen. I think this helps the most with skin texture and fine lines.
4. What ingredients do you specifically look for when buying anti-aging products? I look for antioxidants, vitamins, peptides, epidermal growth factors, amino acids, AHA’s, and hyaluronic acid.
6. What are your three MUST HAVE skin care treatments or products? If I did nothing else and only did 3 things (which I do sometimes to let my skin rest) is: cleanse with my Cosmedix Benefit Clean, moisturize with my Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream, and protect my skin with SkinCeuticals physical sunscreen spf 50. These products do change but those 3 steps always remain necessary for optimum skin health.
7. Can you share any helpful tips or advice on ways to help achieve and maintain healthy skin in your 30s? There’s several parts to having healthy skin. The first is what you do to it on the exterior such as: being consistent with your skin care routine, regular exfoliation (but not everyday, I prefer chemical exfoliants to physical ones), hydrating your skin with proper moisturizer, wear a spf 30-50 on a daily basis. The other part is how you care for yourself, your lifestyle. Eat/drink clean and healthy foods and beverages, regular exercise, rest, eliminate stress. Be very gentle with your skin. Less is more when it comes to products, don’t overdo it. Lastly getting facial treatments like seasonal facials, unless your skin requires it more frequently because you’re working on some issue with it.
8.What are your top three self-care practices? My top 3 self-care practices are: spending time in the bible/prayer and personal-development books, taking care of my appearance by having a good skin care routine and doing my makeup, and working out regularly.
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I hope you found Monica’s skincare tips and advice helpful! Follow her on insta or check out the links below!
Instagram: @myskinbymonica | Blog: http://myskinbymonica.com | Work: https://www.bodylinesdayspa.com
