PERFECT SKIN

The Perfect Skin

BREUNA WASHIGNTON

DO YOU EVER LOOK AT A PHOTO OF A girl on Instagram or even in a magazine and wonder, “wow, how do I get my skin to look that perfect?” I used to do that all the time! Taking out the obvious factor that editing is involved, there is a way to achieve that beautiful dewy skin using 5 products!

To start, you want to go in with your primer and foundation. Making sure your skin is moisturized and primed is the ideal base to start your journey to achieve that “perfect skin.” After that you want to add your concealer. I recommend using a concealer with good coverage but not to bright. Once you apply that, if you do like a brighter concealer under your eyes, you can dab a small amount on the inside of your under eye and blend out. Next, you will go in with your blush, here is the trick! Take your blush and apply it on the apples of your cheek and then dust the blush over the bridge of your nose. This gives the illusion of being sun kissed! Last but not least, you add some highlighter to your cheek bones, nose, upper lip, then dust the remaining on your chin and forehead, this will give you the dewy look you crave!

Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone! Try new trendy looks and different ways to create these looks, makeup is fun and a chance for you to be creative! Your face is your canvas, sit down and find your style!

YearThe of transformation Our feature story is about 27 year old transgender beauty queen and fashion designer Kataluna Enriquez, who is paving the way to modernize the fashion and beauty industry through inclusivity. INFECTA sat down with Kataluna to share her

by LISA OPIE / Photos By Franz Orban

INFECTA: Tell us about what it was like growing up, the challenges that you faced as a child knowing that you are a woman when others would refuse to accept/were not as open minded to support you:

KATALUNA: I have been asked this question so many times and every time I still struggle to answer this question. Not because of having to share my story, but because of having to explain the unique way I navigated and viewed life. I’ve always had a deep connection and understanding of myself.

The world was never boy or girl, white or black, big or small. I have always embraced the difference and complexity of life. However, I was taught to hate and to shame anything that did not conform to the standards of the world, including myself. I grew up angry at myself and the world, constantly praying to god to end my life and asking why I was different. Normally kids at that time were asking for nintendo64, but I was asking for answers in life. Somehow at a young age I found a way to live two separate lives, where one is a body and one is a soul. I was a different person at home, and a different person in school or outside. I would literally always pack clothes to change to in school and change back before I head home. There were also times when I stayed in my friend’s house for days because I wasn’t accepted in my own home. This went on for years until I was able to support myself after high school. By the time I was 21 I had experienced all 6 types of adversities.

I: How did you find the courage to start transitioning? Do you have any advice or information that would be helpful and will serve as a resource to educate and inform our readers//how we can support transgenders as they come out and start transitioning?

K: When you are constantly bullied or discriminated against, sometimes you will become numb to that feeling. I got to a point where I realized that regardless of how much I “normalized” myself that somehow someone would always have something to say negatively. When I had accepted the idea that I have no control of anything else except my own peace, was when I allowed my soul to flourish and embrace its blessings. People often simply jump to the conclusion that to be trans is all about changing your body or identity. It is →

a lot more complex and truthfully harsher than that. People don’t realize that transitioning is a journey of life that the built structure in our system does not support. Meaning until we are recognized and given the same human rights, we would have to keep fighting daily to live our authentic lives. For those who want to support trans folks like myself, I think simply showing up, creating a space where we can be visible and amplifying our voices are some of the ways that can help.

To me it was never about wanting to feel beautiful or the thought of transforming physically.

I: You are one of the most beautiful women like, ever. What are some of your secrets to being so gorgeous?

K: you are the sweetest ! I have to be 100% honest and confess I had some minimal work done. I guess you can also thank my doctor for that. One of the most important routines that I do is to always remove any make up and wash my face with a gentle cleanser every night. I also eat fresh greens for one of my meals of the day. However, one of the rarest and beautiful routines anyone should do that we don’t talk about often is practicing kindness. Kindness to yourself and others around you. When you have a kind spirit, you generate a positive light that shines out and impacts people within. No man or woman can ever say anything ugly about a kind person.

I: We have to know about your dating lifespill everything:

K: I haven’t been lucky with my dating life. I was in an abusive and toxic relationship for years. It took a lot of time for me to heal and learn from that experience. However, those experiences had led me to a journey of developing deep understanding and passion for vulnerability and mental health. I am currently single and waiting for my prince charming. He is out there stuck somewhere or in quarantine.

I: When did you start competing in beauty pageants and how did you get started?

K: I started competing in beauty pageants in 2015. At that time, I was competing only in Transgender pageants. I had no knowledge of the pageant world at that time. It was simply me and my best friend trying to curl my hair with no mirrors. The most unforgettable moment for me was my → JANUARY 2021 | 25

wardrobe malfunction during my introduction. I was wearing a long white cape that got caught and pretty much revealed my top. I was pretty sure I was never going to compete after that. However it was brought to me that I was 1 point away from making it to top 10. I was shocked, but thrilled. I then invested and studied more for future competitions. I was able to compete in numerous Transgender competitions internationally including the miss universe of the trans world, Miss International Queen in 2018 where I was a representative of our country. After competing in all the biggest competitions in the trans community, I felt like I had a bigger purpose and the journey had just started. Now I am currently competing in the Miss USA system, with hopes to be the first trans woman to compete on the miss USA stage.

I: Have you faced any discrimination or challenges competing as a transgender woman and how did you handle them?

K: Absolutely. Competing as the only Transwoman in a Cisgendered competition was exciting but also nerve racking. I had many moments where I had to walk away and fake a smile. For example, from my understanding I was the only contestant who had to do additional screenings and proofs during my application. I was also the only contestant who was not given a roomie or pair during the competition. There were also moments when I would hear other contestants saying that I shouldn’t be in the competition. It was hurtful and I could honestly say I would have broke-down if I did not prepare myself mentally prior to the competition week. I also had dealt with a lot more tougher battles in life than I had faced during the competition. If anything, those moments only ignited more fire in me to continue and remember my purpose. It’s always important to remember that everyone and anyone will always have an opinion and it is up to you if you would choose to listen to theirs or yours.

I: Tell us about your involvement with the Transgender Health and Wellness Center:

K: Besides my fashion career, I also currently manage one of our Health Center Facilities for Trans individuals in the Inland Empire, Southern California. We provide the necessary and essential care such as Hormone Therapy, Voice Therapy, Hair Removal, Mental Health and many more for the Trans community. Our organization also works along with our city council and members to educate organizations and workplaces to practice sensitivity, inclusivity and provide help for the entire LGBTQIA and especially our youth. Many children suffer and fall into victims of abuse because of the lack of proper guidance, support or simply being disowned by their family. As a child, I grew up with no support and any representations of the LGBTQIA community. I had to battle many journeys alone and often felt lost and unwanted. For that very reason, I continue to provide services and help to prevent my experiences to foster and re-lived by anyone else, especially the youth. → | JANUARY 2021

I: YOU ARE A VERY TALENTED DESIGNER WITH EXTRAORDINARY WORK. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED AS A DESIGNER AND WHAT IS YOUR INSPIRATION ← BEHIND YOUR WORK?

K: Thank you. I had always adored my sisters toys as a child and secretly played with them. I was never gifted anything that was considered feminine or “girl toys” and so I always had to make my own. I used to cut my socks to make tiny dresses for the dolls. I have always been creative at a young age. I graduated high school with a background in multimedia and a scholarship for advanced or college level arts. I then went to college for Fashion Design. I started my red carpet or pageant gowns collection, KatalunaKouture after my first pageant experience. I had no knowledge of the pageant industry and didn’t have the funds for a team or a wardrobe that fit my budget and body type. I had a dream and wasn’t going to let any obstacle stop me from achieving them. I then began making my own gowns that I would use for events and competitions. Now I am able to dress myself and help other women feel empowered and beautiful in dresses that are custom to their body and personality. Until this day, I had never worn a dress made by anyone else in all the beauty pageants I have done.

I: Our 2021 issue is about transformation. What are you looking forward to this year? Are there any exciting projects you are working on we can share?

K: I am constantly working on expanding my career, knowledge and true self. The pandemic has taught me that time will always run. Time is precious, I believe that we should all live our lives constantly wondering and growing the way we believe is best for ourselves and not by a specific structure. We should use out time to live a life of quality, filled with experiences, connections and knowledge. In the end, we all end the same way. The only difference is that we all had lived differently. I will be competing again this year and continue my career in fashion, media and health care. There are so many that I would like to share, but legally not allowed to. But when the time comes, You will definitely know.

The questionnaire: ?YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH: Nadech Kugimiya ARE YOU A CAT OR DOG PERSON? Dog person ZODIAC SIGN: Taurus THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE: Daring, romantic, boujee I KNOW IT’S A LITTLE WEIRD BUT: I always dream about being chased by a t-rex in slow motion smiling like I’m running somewhere on a tropical beach. IT’S REALLY UNATTRACTIVE WHEN A GUY: Think he knows it all. True power is one who is willing to be vulnerable and learn. YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF: I don’t let anything stop me from reaching my goals. I am a goaldigger. WHICH CITY ARE YOU DYING TO VISIT: Every city with good food and romantic settings IF YOU HAD $5,000 TO BLOW, YOU WOULD SPEND IT ON… A trip all over the world, and all continents. Learning about culture and languages.

Wings to GODDESS NUTRITION Fly

BY JOANNA TRAILOV

WHAT ARE YOU FEEDING TOday? Has the taste for adventure been ignited? Has the thirst for passion and love been quenched? Feed your senses with inspiring environments and emotionally available people. Allow these mindful moments to evoke your inner beauty. Awaken to all possibilities that expels creativity and inspiration. Take time for yourself and do what makes you feel good, for it is in those moments we are most authentic and thriving.

I often find the efforts of seduction to be the most liberating. So the question is… “when was the last time you were seduced or romanced by love, empowered by faith, or released by forgiveness? Take some personal inventory and notice what feels best, with whom, or where. These are your vessels from your creations in which you can rely on most to uplift and feel your personal best. I invite you to expand in loving yourself in ways that feed your emotions and dreams. I invite you to be the seducer within your own life and find ways daily to romance the things you love. Daydream and visualize what you wish for and feed your vortex with an endless supply of vision and purpose. You are the creator and YOU decide and therefore create the life in which you are living. Wanna live your best life? Create it! Get into the action of being and allow this action to unfold and prosper. Take a deep breath in,and relax... melt into this very moment as you exhale...begin to acknowledge what comes up or thru. Clear your mind of doubt or worry and transmute it into a space of personal power. Hold this space as long as needed. When you feel ready write a list of actions you can do right now to exhilarate your internal wellness. From this moment on, you now have a plan of action. This plan is your all access pass to those liberations, seducers, and romance. A playground of dreams that soothes with self love and awareness of your deepest desires.