BEAUTY

"PRETTY" SIMPLE THE TRICK TO TURNING BACK THE CLOCK

WRITTEN BY MADISON OBERMEYER

Seven months of quarantine can feel like a circus, and you’re stuck in the house of mirrors. Managing work-fromhome schedules, online schooling, and gosh-dang-it-you-deserve-it selfcare has forced us to not only turn to our screens for solace, but to literally any and every semi-reflective surface in our homes.

It’s a simple equation: stress + lack of sleep + boredom = staring at the newly formed wrinkles on your forehead in a badly lit bathroom at 2 a.m. on a weeknight. Ladies and gentlemen, here’s the good news: you can turn the clock back with a little confidence, a lot of moisturizer, and a product that will keep your skin healthy for years!

We spoke with The Pretty Bar’s Gina Victoria, owner and master artist, to get the answers on pandemic primping. “Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve been into beauty,” Victoria says. “Hair, makeup, nails—everything. I started because I was looking for a hobby and to make some additional income, but once I began to gain clients and gain traction, I was like, ‘Okay, I really could turn this into a passion.’” Victoria now has a team of five makeup artists and estheticians in addition to herself.

At The Pretty Bar, youthful exuberance starts with the artists and estheticians and ends with the client. Victoria says when hiring, she looked for applicants with an upbeat personality. “I find that when you can engage with a client, you can make them feel good even before they have a seat,” Victoria says. “We’ll greet the client and say, ‘Hey, beautiful! How are you doing?’ and it’s that very first point of contact that makes the client feel comfortable.”

Welcome Change with Confidence

The first step to turning back the clock? Embrace change (even in the form of fine lines) confidently.

“Oftentimes, the client will have a lot of insecurities and things they want to cover up, but when you welcome these with confidence it reflects back onto them,” says Victoria. “My beauty philosophy is more about feeling good inwardly so it reflects outwardly—take care of your skin, make sure your beauty regimen incorporates skincare with the makeup. It all comes together.”

Ready, beautiful? It’s time to get into the nitty-gritty. (Surprise, no surprise—it’s all about hydration.)

Look for Hydrating Products

Victoria recommends you look for makeup products that are water-based or have hydrating ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or ceramides.

“What happens is when you dry your skin out, it promotes the look of fine lines and wrinkles,” Victoria explains. “When you add that hydration back into your makeup routine—whether it’s a foundation, a primer, or a setting spray—over time it helps lessen the appearance of wrinkles.”

Always Use a Moisturizer

In addition to products with hydrating ingredients, it’s best to go straight to the source, Victoria says. For example, always use a moisturizer or a primer underneath your foundation.

Embrace the Multi-step Routine

SPF will always be the star of the show. Preventing sun damage and age spots will be key in helping keep that youthful appearance. Victoria recommends applying an SPF separately instead of looking for a foundation with SPF built in.

“You can never have too much SPF,” Victoria says. “Over time, it will start to wear off, so if you have layers, it’ll be more preventive.”

Not quite ready to hit the ground running, makeup brushes in hand? The Pretty Bar offers lessons for makeup novices, aficionados who can’t quite nail that winged eyeliner, and wishful estheticians alike.

“Teaching people how to apply makeup builds confidence,” Victoria says. “Sometimes we have people wanting to learn how to do makeup for a job interview. If you look good, you feel good, and you go in there with confidence and get the job. We live in a world where we’re constantly taking selfies and posting on social media, and if you stay ready for that spotlight by learning the basics of a minimal routine, it can help you nail an everyday look. And there you’ve got it—you’ve got your spark!”

Goodbye, botox. Hello, blush, bushy brows, and bee-stung lips! With this new makeup (and confidence) routine in your lineup, you can turn back the clock and execute your everyday balancing acts gracefully and confidently.

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