#SKINBABE: Giuliana Cortese
#SkinBabe Giuliana Cortese, The Spirit Sister
Each #SkinBabe will help us share confidence, gain confidence and inspire confidence!
This week's #SkinBabe is a one of those women you meet in person and instantly are drawn to - Giuliana Cortese, The Spirit Sister. I met Giuliana nearly 3 years ago when my cousin Andrew (Big Andrew now since I have Baby Andrew! HA!) started dating her. Giuliana is warm, gracious, stunningly beautiful and smart. You realize that it's #brainsandbeauty the moment you start talking with her. Giuliana went to Georgetown for undergrad and has a master’s degree in spiritual psychology. She's also a Kundalini yoga & meditation teacher. #namaste
When Giuliana is not working at her 9-5 job in digital communications in DC, she's blogging as The Spirit Sister. Giuliana is passionate about personal growth, philosophy & psychology - and she believes in order for people to truly achieve success in life we must SLOW DOWN, especially women. Giuliana (like many of us) tends to have multiple projects going on at once ... which we all know translates to stress and the first thing affected is your skin, #SkinBabe!
#SkinBabe Giuliana Cortese views skincare as an opportunity for relaxation, even with her puppy Leni!
Giuliana reminds all of us that skincare can and should be viewed as a relaxation moment during your busy day. Giuliana is a firm believer in organic and all-natural products and she lists several below that I've never even heard of! Giuliana also recognizes that nourishing our skin is incredibly important if you want to age gracefully.
#SkinBabe Giuliana Cortese shares her favorite products with us and encourages all of us to slow down and connect with our own energy each and everyday. Skincare can help us do that! As The Spirit Sister says, "Let Your Mind Rest, Girl. Love yourself more and create your dream life." Start with a better skincare routine TODAY, #SkinBabe!
#SkinBabe Giuliana Cortese shares some of her favorite products with us!
#SkinBabe, be sure to read all of Giuliana's skincare knowledge as she shares detailed skincare tips & tricks, favorite products & CONFIDENCE!
What Does #SkinBabe mean to You?
To me, #SkinBabe is a way to honor and love yourself. It may sound cheesy, but my skincare routine is what gets me up in the mornings. It's become my sacred time; where I intentionally create a pause to take care of myself. My routine doesn't take longer than a few minutes, but I've started to stretch it out as long as I can!
Why Do You Like Skincare, #SkinBabe?
Skincare is relatively new for me because I literally used to splash water on my face and run out the door. That was my routine (or lack thereof) for years. I started up with skincare as a simple way to take care of myself, better. My mind is constantly on the move and I wanted a physical practice to ground me. Skincare has become that daily ritual. I fell in love with skincare when I saw how much my skin responded to a little TLC! No more dryness? Radiant, dewy glow? Sold. I go make-up free most days, so skincare counts as my daily beauty routine, too. Keeping my skin clean, fresh and protected helps me feel confident and ready to take on the day.
What's Your Biggest MUST DO for Your Skin, #SkinBabe?
1) Moisturizer with SPF. Hands down. Fun Fact: I recently learned that SPF 30 is enough to protect your skin from sunburn. Anything above 30 contains more chemicals that can have an adverse effect on your skin. If you want to make sure your products are safe, check out this website.
2) Water > Coffee. My boyfriend (Nicole's cousin, Andrew!) is going to laugh when he reads this answer. I used to seriously neglect my water intake (less than one water bottle a day) and relied on caffeine to get by. Yet, I couldn't understand why my skin was so dry and I would get spontaneous breakouts. *Facepalm* When I decreased my coffee intake & increased my water consumption, I completely turned the beat around. And my skin has never felt better. It's tough for me to start drinking water as soon as I get up in the morning, so I trick myself into it by mixing in lemon juice and apple cider vinegar.
#SkinBabe Giuliana Cortese uses straight up coconut oil to take off her make-up after a shoot - a little messy but leaves her skin feeling awesome!
What's Your Current Face Routine, #SkinBabe?
Woo! Love this question because I recently switched up my routine recently.
AM Routine
Cleanse: I cleanse with a natural daily cleanser & moisturizer combo by Josh Rosebrook called the Herbal Infusion Oil: Facial Cleanser & Moisturizer. Since the facial cleanser has a bit of oil, I soak a small towel in cold water and press it on my face to fully cleanse.
Apply Dermagel (most days): I apply Tammy Fender Clarifying Dermagel to areas where my skin has some scarring. This is a miracle product for acne and scarring. If you apply it to any affected area, within a day or two the situation clears up. I usually let this dry for a few seconds before moving onto the toner.
Tone: I spray my face with Herbivore's Jasmine Green Tea Balancing Toner - which is awesome for balancing out the skin.
Oil: I apply a small amount of oil all over my face - Laurel Whole Plant Organics Facial Serum: Anti-Inflammatory.
Moisturize: To moisturize, I use Aveeno's Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with SPF. Recently, I've switched over to Ursa Major's Daily Defense Lotion with SPF as the natural option, but Aveeno is definitely a favorite.
Apply eye gel: I LOVE applying Tammy Fender's Awakening Eye Gel. It's my favorite part and really ties my whole routine together.
PM Routine
- Natural make-up remover: Coconut Oil (specifically Conscious Coconut Organic Coconut Oil from local DC business, Nourish + Refine)
- Then, the AM Routine is repeated!
I also love my "miracle worker" for dry lips, Henné Organics Luxury Lip Balm. I'm convinced I was born with chapped lips and this stuff seriously works. No dryness and no need to constantly re-apply! I can put it on once a day and have totally hydrated lips.
#SkinBabe Giuliana Cortese hosts Self Care Workshops and 1:1 Self Love Coaching.
What skincare procedures or injectables do you use, #SkinBabe?
This is kind of a trick answer, but FOOD! As I get older, I notice that certain foods affect my skin immediately. If I eat a bag of chips or something with a lot of sugar or salt, the first place I feel it is my face. I've been super interested in the best foods for skin health and just started reading "Eat Beautiful" by Wendy Rowe. My go-to skin care supplement right now is collagen. I put collagen protein powder in my smoothies in the morning to strengthen my skin, hair & nails! I'm just starting to explore the relationship between what we put in our body and how it affects our skin, so I plan to share more in the future!
What's a Product You Can't Live Without, #SkinBabe?
Splurge: Tammy Fender's Awakening Eye Gel. I feel like I'm instantly transported into spa-mode when I put this on my face. I immediately relax. I love Tammy Fender's products in general because they're all natural. This one specifically contains antioxidants & omega-3s for moisture/skin protection along with elderflower & green myrtle to help with puffiness and skin de-congestion. She also includes the emotional & spiritual benefits of her products. This one is to help with “visualizing the good from within.” Yum.
Save: I've always been a fan of Aveeno's Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with SPF! I love how light it is on my skin and you can pick it up at any drugstore.
#SkinBabe Giuliana Cortese went to Georgetown for undergrad and has a master’s degree in spiritual psychology. She's also a Kundalini yoga & meditation teacher.
Who's Your Favorite #SkinBabe?
I have few! First, my mom! She’s always prioritized her skincare routine and taught me and my sister that it’s a really important way to take care of yourself. I’m glad I’m finally listening!
I also want to tip my hat to Becky Waddell and the awesome women at Take Care Shop in Washington, DC. I go in there all the time and ask a million questions. They've really helped launch me into the world of natural skincare and I don't think I can ever go back!
And, finally, I recently met Jennifer Brodeur at a skincare masterclass event and absolutely love what she teaches. She’s full of wisdom on how to get glowing skin from within, so her main focus is on evaluating what we’re putting in our bodies as opposed to stacking up on products. #LessIsMore
Thanks #SkinBabe, Giuliana Cortese! 💋
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It's Skincare then Make-Up!
"I like giving my eyes a little pop, which is where most of my focus goes when I do my makeup. BUT, if I don't have time to use my liquid liner or pencil, I'll often use black eyeshadow as liner. It does the job and it gives it a naturally smoky kind of look. Plus, I don't feel like I have as much on my face."
#SkinBabe Giuliana Cortese shows us her make-up bag! Giuliana's favorite brand is RMS.
