HOW TO DEAL WITH MASK-NE

ASK NURSE RAMINA HOW TO DEAL WITH Ramina: MASK-NE

BY: RAMINA ASHFAQUE, RN

Since masks are now part of our daily outfit, how do we keep our skin fresh and acne free?

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC wears cloth masks, which are intended to trap the droplets that are released when the wearer talks, sneezes, or coughs. But what’ happening underneath? Well, our masks can cause irritation from the continuous friction which can cause our skin to breakdown. When we’re breathing under these tightly fitted masks, our breath that’s trapped beneath makes our skin warm and moist which can cause our pores to get clogged, and then boom, pimples.

So, how do we combat this problem?

First things first, your skin care routine. You should be using a fragrance free gentle cleanser (I like the Vanicream gentle facial cleanser) and a good moisturizer with ingredients such as hyaluronic acid ( I use the CeraVe moisturizer, and the Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Dew Drops) which helps promote skin cell regeneration by extra hydration and barrier protection to the skin. At night I also like to add BioOil to the mix, which keeps skin soft and smooth while enhancing recovery from damage to the skin barrier.

Unfortunately, makeup is one of the biggest causes of mask-ne. The trapped makeup underneath our masks lead to clogged pores and breakouts. So if you are having this issue, it is recommended to avoid makeup where possible.

Oftentimes people are wearing the same mask over and over again, which can cause more acne, so you should keep a rotation of masks and wash them after every use with a gentle fragrance free detergent.

Because of the Pandemic, we are probably going to be wearing masks for a long time. The right skin care routine can help lessen mask-ne!

MAJORITY OF SEPHORA’S CONsumers, and makeup fanatics are in the millennial and gen-z space. This demographic’s interests are influenced by social media and the ongoing issues in our world today. Hence why the beauty space has grown tremendously through influencers and beauty gurus having platforms on YouTube and TikTok.

Another popular interest is in sustainability, how we can better protect our planet and our wellbeing. One of the first mainstream trends in environmentally conscious consumption was in organic food. Over time, the demand also expanded to fashion and beauty products.

Sephora is the leading player in luxury makeup, and can set the standard for beauty. This parallels Whole Foods’ influence on most other grocery stores to have organic sections and labels. It currently has a “Clean at Sephora” category

SEPHORA’S “Good For”

PROGRAM

BY ELIZABETH TRAN

for products that did not contain controversial ingredients like sulfates, parabens, and phthalates. They require brands to conduct audits on all their products to not include anything in their “formulated without” list, including products in the future. They have now started to expand its sustainability practices with the “Good For” program. It was announced September 2020 but I was only able to find it presently in Greek and Spanish. It is to be determined when they will add this to the USA. This new labeling takes it a step further with over a thousand products that are vegan, natural, use less packaging, and can be recycled. The categories are listed below. GOOD FOR YOU Similar to Sephora’s Clean category, these products are at least 90% natural with a maximum 1% synthetic perfume.

GOOD FOR A BETTER PLANET These beauty products are responsibly-sourced and / or have eco-designer packaging to reduce your carbon footprint.

GOOD FOR VEGAN These products do not contain ingredients of animal origin, including but not limited to beeswax, honey, silk, milk, gelatin, and keratin. GOOD FOR RECYCLING Sephora will actually recycle your emptied containers - this includes perfume, glass, and plastic containers. They will become secondary materials for packaging in the future.

According to the press release on LVMH’s website, Sephora’s “We Care For Good” program has also been revamped to provide transparent information on Sephora’s beauty products’ composition, packaging, and environmental efforts. We are not sure when this will be implemented in the USA, especially when competitor Ulta already has an existing “Conscious Beauty” section.

In order to avoid greenwashing, which is misleading marketing efforts on sustainability, I believe Sephora should be held accountable by a larger green beauty entity. Especially with recycling the makeup containers, given they come from different brands that use varying plastics. However, the shift in major players to become more sustainable brings hope to the environmental movement overall.

� Love LoveIs

by LISA OPIE / Photos By Franz Orban

OUR 25 YEAR OLD COVER STAR KARISELLE SNOW DECIDED to take full advantage of being on Season 8 of MTV’s reality dating show, Are You The One? by leaving the show with a massive social media following, a successful YouTube Channel, and even the title of Miss New Jersey United States. As a bisexual beauty queen, Kariselle is using this opportunity to promote her advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community.

INFECTA: What’s been your most fearless career move?

KARISELLE: Definitely pursuing TV! I was previously in a toxic work environment that I thought I would be stuck doing forever. One day I just had enough and quit without a back up plan, applied to a TV show, and the odds were in my favor! I was on a plane a month later to start filming.

I: Spill the tea on your dating life right now:

K: I am an old fashioned hopeless romantic, so I will not settle down until I know I’ve found the one! I did have a special lady in my life for a period of 2020, but ultimately I’m just focused on myself. →

I: As a sagittarius, your sign doesn’t disappoint. After spending time with you on set today we’ve definitely noticed that you’re the life of the party!

K: They say do what you love and I love to party! So after being in the right place at the right time, I somehow managed to make that happen. You’ll see me anywhere from being a live model in costume, leading the DJ booth at a birthday party, or at a club in NYC showing visitors why it’s the greatest city in the world!

I: We stalked your Instagram and gagged when we saw your Harley Quinn cosplay look. Tell us about your cosplay hobby:

K: A big part of my job is dressing in costume sometimes, and my first regular costume appearances were actually as Elsa from Frozen! I’ve always been a lowkey lover of DC comics, so when the new blonde Harley came out I decided to give it a try just for fun at first. Long story short, it turned into lots of comic conventions, cosplay photoshoots, and hours of YouTube tutorials.

I: Any crazy beauty tips or stories from your cosplay career?

K: Cosplay is by far the coolest community I’ve personally been a part of. One year, I had to attend New York Comic Con all by myself, because my friend had a conflict last minute. I didn’t know anyone, and somehow ended up leaving with so many new friends who instantly included me! I even ran into someone by himself dressed as The Joker, so we stuck together most of the time taking pictures with cosplay fans! I still don’t know what he ACTUALLY looks like to this day.

I: As a survivor of domestic violence, tell us how you overcame this dark past and please share any advice that you have for victims of domestic violence:

K: I always say that “abuse is a sober addiction.” It’s so much harder to get out of than people think. After my abuser was arrested, I had time to really focus on detaching and building a new life for myself. I was able to overcome this dark past by volunteering, and becoming certified as a Domestic Violence Advocate in the state of New Jersey. My best advice to anyone who was a victim is that helping is healing. The best way to heal from the past is to help others.

I: Tell us about being a bisexual celebrity and being a part of the LGBTQ+ community with such a large fan base:

K: There’s no bigger loyalty than that of the gays! I was really →

anxious at first about being so public with my sexuality, but I am so happy that I did. The amount of love and support I’ve gained is so fulfilling, and I am proud to give others like me someone to relate to.

I: Speaking of the gays, tell us about your advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community:

K: Having a platform in the LGBTQ+ community makes me feel a sense of responsibility to not only spread awareness, but give back. Especially as a “femme” I often vocalize the struggles of being taken seriously in my sexuality which so many others feel as well. Being so passionate about domestic violence and LGBTQ+ issues, I actually combined the two and started my own chapter at The Pride Center of New Jersey. I host a domestic violence support group specifically for those who identify as LGBTQ+.

I: Do you have any exciting projects you’re working on right now?

K: Guess you’ll just have to wait and see!

CREDITS: PHOTOGRAPHY: Franz Orban MAKEUP AND HAIR: Lisa Opie PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Ramina Ashfaque STYLING: Karo Delglobbo

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Flavio Iryoda WARDROBE: COVER: Juan Carlos Pinera ORANGE NEON DRESS: Pink Apple Dresses

RED GLITTER SLEEVE DRESS: Pink Apple Dresses BLACK GOWN: La Casa Hermosa

THE INFECTA QUESTIONAIRE:

YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH: Camila Cabello ARE YOU A CAT OR DOG PERSON? Cats ?ZODIAC SIGN: Sagittarius sun, Scorpio moon, Leo rising. THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE: Bold, Flirty, Rock N Rollish I KNOW IT’S A LITTLE WEIRD BUT: I’m obsessed with astrology IT’S REALLY UNATTRACTIVE WHEN SOMEONE: Gossips YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF: My personality WHICH CITY ARE YOU DYING TO VISIT: Paris. IF YOU HAD $5,000 TO BLOW, YOU WOULD SPEND IT ON…

A Louis Vuitton bag

THE BEST ACCESSORY A WOMAN CAN WEAR IS Confidence...

BY JOANNA TRAILOV

FEELING CONFIDENT COMES FROM UNDERSTANDING OURSELVES AND taking the time to know who we are and how we feel about the life in which we are living..When we feel secure and have experience in faith we can naturally unleash an energy of confidence that is intoxicating, sexy, beautiful, and powerful. A confidence that attracts the kind of attention that feels supported by love and good vibrations. Confidence is an inner beauty that radiates and illuminates our truth. The Goddess that is within us all is confident, not because she is perfect, but rather because she is not. For as she finds herself in the rapture of life, lessons are learned, boundaries are made, and a hunger for more is always desired. The faith in knowing that she is thy creator, and through this confidence within she accepts her imperfections, and embraces them as unique qualities that teach her,and therefore makes her whole. The truth that you see in her confidence comes from a place of knowing she has the ability to change the world and light up the darkest spaces. Take time to love yourself, to heal as needed, feed your vessel with high vibrations, and discover yourself daily...For the Goddess within awaits you, your confidence will unleash her inner beauty and give you a glow that upholds the measure of time...Gifting you the magic that authentically shines.