The skincare community is vast and complex -- because people are vast and complex! Ohlolly talks with some of our favorite skincare enthusiasts and beauty influencers about the ins, outs, ups and downs in the beauty industry. We discuss their skincare journeys, change in the industry, and of course, their beauty tips and tricks.
First up, we're talking to Christina from @Christinahello. Christina is a skincare enthusiast from Vancouver, Canada. She tackles brands and their newest items, highlighting the best and most affordable in K-beauty on her blog.
Hi, Christina! Let's start with you telling us a little about yourself.
Hello! My name is Christina and I am from the great North Canada. (No, we don’t say “eh” after every sentence, but I do find myself saying it more than I’d like to admit!).
I’m a bubble tea lover & dog hoarder. I like the outdoors and have recently found a love of fishing (because I can eat it!). I am in my late 20’s with very dry skin, battling the cold Canadian weather with hydrating skincare products!
How would you describe your skincare journey?
I am a self-proclaimed skincare enthusiast who got into the Korean cosmetic scene by a happy accident. It all started when I was a sophomore in high school and I noticed weird bumps all over my forehead. The sales lady at Clinique introduced me to the three step method (cleansing, toning, and moisturizing).
Down the line, I was introduced to Memebox, a Korean company that was offering all these amazing brands I’d never heard of and all these ingredients I’d never used at affordable prices. From there, I went down the K-beauty rabbit hole and now I offer advice on finding the best Asian skincare products for the most affordable price.
What’s your relationship like with the skincare community?
I love the online skincare community. There are so many resources accessible these days, and there is so much that affects the skin (skin type, hormone levels and environment to name a few), so hearing other people’s tips & tricks is very interesting to me. There are even Facebook groups where people can share selfies of their naked face and ask for advice on how to fix issues, so you have all these strangers helping out with recommendations. I just love it, it's amazing.
What’s your take on the term “Skincare Influencer?”
Many people see the more glamorous side of being an “influencer,” but it’s important to remember the reason why we do it. I’m not a dermatologist, but I love sharing information and experiences, and I want to help people save and spend money on products that will actually work.
How have you seen the industry change?
Over the past six years, I‘ve witnessed the internet world come to be. "Influencer” wasn’t even a word back in the late 2000’s. Things were simpler back then; everyone did it for fun and no one knew it could turn into a career.
These days, there is so much drama. People behind monitors need to remember these are still human beings on the other side. On the bright side, K-beauty has taken over the world! The cosmetic world is overlapping and the Western world has had to become more innovative just to keep up, which is always good for us consumers.
Has anyone influenced your interest in the skincare/beauty industry?
Michelle Phan was a huge influence during the beginning of the Youtube age. I remember seeing an old clip of Tyra Banks showing how to conceal and use foundation on her talk show and I wrote down everything! I even went to the library to borrow Bobbi Brown and Kevin Aucoin books.
Nowadays, I love watching Robert and James Welsh, Hyram, and Michelle from Lab Muffin Beauty Science (to name a few).
Which brands are you following right now that are inspiring to you?
I’ve followed Cosrx since their early years and it’s so inspiring to see them as a smaller indie brand grow to international fame! Purito is inspiring because of their dedication towards a cleaner earth. Deciem is another brand that is super inspiring, pioneering affordable prices and skincare education.
Do you have a tried & true favorite product?
Yes, of course I do! Here are my tried and true products:
Aritaum Ginger Sugar Overnight Lip Mask
Cosrx:
Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Oil-free Ultra Moisturizing Lotion (with Birch Sap)
Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask
Full Fit Propolis Light Ampoule
One Step Moisture Up Pads
(Yes, I have a slight Cosrx bias!)
Sioris Time is Running Out Mist
HaruHaru WONDER Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner
Missha All-Around Safe Block Essence Sun Milk & Time Revolution Night Repair Ampoule (They've updated their formulation.)
Do you have any too-good-not-to-share skincare hacks (could be for travel, daily routine, anything…)?
I’ve recently found if I gently use an Italian towel to cleanse my face, the dry flakey skin instantly goes away and my skin is beautifully radiant and glowy again. I also love using my Makeon Light Therapy and face cooler (it stays cool longer than a jade roller). PS. Visit Christina's site for info on this and more!
How have you been taking care of yourself these past few months? What does an ideal day of self-care look like?
My day-to-day skincare routine is relatively simple. I cleanse my face in the shower, then use some sort of toner. Essences and serums are a must with my dry skin, followed by a moisturizer. During the winter time, I add in a facial oil to seal everything in. I don’t have one set routine since I’m a blogger. But it’s typically a routine consisting of 5-6 products, nothing too crazy ;)
Thanks for talking with us Christina! And for the record, a 5-6 product routine sounds just great to us, too.
For more conversations Beyond the Beauty, sign up for our newsletter here, and don’t miss our next conversation with Keelyn at Wwmebeauty.
All photos courtesy of @Christinahello.
