Les questions beauté de mes amis

All the beauty questions friends + fam have sent my way this past month, and my best advice and answers to them.

I’m trying to think of a way to start this article without making it too personal or like I’m tooting my own horn, but sometimes, inspiration just doesn’t strike, and honestly I could use the self-pat on the back in these times of hardship, so bare with me. If I can think of one constant thing in my life since my teenage years, it’s the fact that I’ve always LOVED when friends and family come to me with beauty questions. There just really are fewer things that make me happy as receiving a random mid-day text message for an eye cream or mascara recommendation or asking about the latest buzzing beauty treatment.

I’ve actually found that not only are my friends super aware, they also have a tendency to ask similar questions at the same time. And just like a bunch of my teachers used to say in vaguely recallable uni classes, if someone’s raising their hand, there’s a fair chance that a few people might have the same question. 

So because sharing is caring, here are all the beauty questions my friends have asked me in the past month, and what my answers have been to them, for you.

Alexa, 25 - “What do you think about microblading for eyebrows?”

I’m so lucky I get to call Alexa a friend. Not only is she an absolute over-achiever (dazzling career in sales, entrepreneur, fitness nut), she also knows exactly what she wants, including (but not limited to) cool beauty treatments. 

Her polish-italian genes have gifted her with *chef’s kiss* skin and legs for days, but also *really* fine hair allover, which is why I wasn’t surprised when she brought microblading up. This technique, similar to tattooing, allows for pigment to be temporarily deposited on targeted zones of the face, to mimic the look of hair. 

Since I can’t speak from personal experience, my thoughts about microblading rely solely on what Ι’ve compiled and gathered while going around, coming in contact on one side with professionals who administer the service, and on the other, people who’ve had it done. My opinion and answer to her? Definitely do it, but make sure you’re going to someone who knows exactly what they’re doing. Not only is microblading a cosmetic procedure involving needles, skin and blood, it’s a form of art in the same way makeup is, with the added stake that it is much longer lasting.  

Because I never do anything half-assed (that’s a total lie, but rarely when it comes to my friends or beauty), I did go ahead and dig up the best of the best clinics for her brow needs. @Lacliniquedc has beautiful results that I’ve seen both on social media but also in real life, on one of my sister’s best friends. It’s where I’d go if I’d finally decide on biting the bullet and spending the approximate 500$ to get perfect “woke-up-like-this” brows. The brows / faces these pros touch are beautifully enhanced, not completely changed.

So please, Alexa, let me know if you finally decide on going, and for the love of god, I won’t repeat it again, wear some damn sunscreen.

Victor, 22 - “The skin in and in-between my eyebrows is peeling. What do I buy?”

Vic is my baby cousin and the exact male version of me. Before he grew a full foot taller than me when he hit 12, we were identical twins. We’re lucky we were practically raised together and we’re even pandemic roomies now (!) :-)

Pretty obvious to say, we see each other every day. With the colder months setting in, and our lovely co-owners / upstairs neighbours excessively blasting heat, his poor skin went exactly like mine : flakey flakey lemon peely. I try to never offer advice when it’s unsolicited (for beauty but also generally) so I didn’t say when I noticed the dry spot appearing at the exact same time as mine, but was so glad when he reached out a few days later asking for help. 

His exact question was “What do I buy?”, to which I precisely answered “You don’t buy anything, please, I own more stuff than I could ever use on my whole face and body in a lifetime, let me get something for you” before disappearing in the bathroom to mix him a special batch of my homemade, dirt cheap miracle hydrating serum, rich in occlusive, moisturizing ingredients. I have also suggested that he starts using a humidifier knowing very well there are absolutely zero chances this 22 y.o. literal caveman might even consider it. But I’ve done my full job and my conscience is at peace. 

Vic, please officially let me and our readers know how that stuff’s working for you. Also come upstairs, I made cookies.

Ariane, 22 - “YO - did you try the new NYX Brow Glue?”

I feel like I owe Ariane a full blog post. She’s one of the only beauty freaks I know in ~ReAl LifE~ and there never goes a social gathering where we don’t zone out for 30+ mins talking exclusively beauty news, drama, launches, etc. These days, obviously most of our beauty ramble goes on by text and DMs, but we still catch up often-ish to discuss our best beauty finds. 

This month, when Ariane asked if I had tried the new NYX Cosmetics Brow Glue, I answered “nope” but immediately ran to her beauty counter to get my own. The Brow Glue was a launch I had heard about and was already excited about while I was still working for l’Oréal, but had totally forgotten about. Promising a full 16H of wear time, and a way to hold your brows in shape to fake a brow lamination look, I wanted to be in on the scoop. 

My thoughts? A HUGE wow. This stuff is no joke and its name couldn’t be more accurate. Thanks to my mediterranean genes, my brows are thick and coarse and it’s really hard to have them stay in place, but this stuff worked amazing, and it’s become a part of my daily (very short) makeup routine. I never doubt but man, this girl knows what’s she’s talking about.

My one complain :  I’m usually a fan of tinted brow gel because it saves me a step. Unfortunately, this only comes in clear, which is more than ok if I pair it with a pencil, but definitely has me wishing and waiting for more.

I mentioned it before but I’ll say it again : There really isn’t anything that makes me happy as answering your beauty questions. Whether you’re a friend, an acquaintance, or we only say “hello” to each other on social, I love to talk, exchange, and share beauty, and would love to do it with you too. So this is my official hurray, ask away!