The Secret to Healthier, Fuller-Looking Hair? Start With Your Scalp

Since I’m not a haircare expert by any means, I wanted to wait to write a blog like this until I found the perfect knowledgeable person. I met Lucille Miller of LUCi Hair Artistry when I moved into the same suite rental space in Boulder, CO. She came to me with a need for lymphatic drainage information and facial work, and I came to her to pick her brain about how I naturally could improve my hair health. A perfect pairing!

Today we talk about how scalp health is really the root of it all and something that is often overlooked.

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Botanical Skincare 101: Benefits, Greenwashing, and My Favorite Ingredients

I have a special place in my heart for botanical skincare. Floral petals, vibrant herbs, nourishment from the earth, roots dense with minerals- it’s all so lovely! I like simple things that have real abilities to improve our skin health or overall wellness, and it doesn’t hurt that most botanicals are pretty to look at and smell. 🌱

But like most skincare categories, plant-based and botanical skincare products are often hard to navigate, and know exactly what’s best for your skin. Because not all plant-based skincare is created equal, and not all ingredients from the earth are safe or good for your skin. I wrote you this guide that will help you better navigate the world of botanical skincare, or even just understand it a bit better.

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Facial Massage for Collagen, Elastin & Firm-Looking Skin - Video Tutorial Included

Another blog about face massage? Yes! Because facial massage can do so much more than sculpt, depuff, or contour.

scrub me secret: I use red LED therapy, nano-needling treatments, and a peptide serum to keep my collagen and elastin healthy and alive. And that equals firm, youthful-looking skin! But do you know what else I do to keep my collagen and elastin healthy? Face massage 💆‍♀️

When we massage the face, the pressure, direction, rhythm, and type of movement all create different effects in the skin and underlying tissue. Some movements are designed to support lymphatic drainage, while others are used for facial muscle release, circulation, tension relief, or skin vitality.

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How to Preserve Collagen: What Damages + What Actually Helps

Collagen is one of those skincare topics we hear about constantly, but there is still a lot of confusion about what actually helps preserve it and what may be damaging it more quickly. While we can’t stop the natural aging process, there are plenty of realistic ways to support healthy collagen through skincare, treatments, nutrition, and everyday habits.

In this article, I’m breaking down what collagen does for our skin, the biggest causes of collagen damage, and the natural methods I personally use to keep my skin feeling firm, healthy, and radiant. It’s not about extreme routines, and I don’t promise that we will never age; these are just practical ways to take care of the collagen you have and encourage healthy renewal along the way!

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Best Beauty Treatments Before a Wedding, Photoshoot, or Special Event

One of the questions I get asked the most as an esthetician is “What treatments should I get to prep for my special event [wedding, photoshoot, reunion, etc.]?” I created an easy list for you that details what treatments you should get and when.

Don’t stress; you don’t need to get ALL of these treatments. This list is simply to help you figure out your timeline of beauty and skincare services. Pick and choose what looks good for you and your skincare goals.

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Clear Skin All Summer: Acne Tips & Remedies That Help

Clear skin and an even complexion are always the goal, right? But for a lot of people, getting skin to behave properly and to be completely breakout-free is difficult. Factors like hormones, sweat, a humid or polluted environment, and certain skincare/makeup products can cause blackheads and whiteheads and aggravate or worsen cystic acne.

In my 16 years as an esthetician, I have learned that treating acne isn’t one-size-fits-all, BUT there are a few treatment methods and skincare routine tweaks I have found that work to clear breakouts for many people. We’re talking less congestion, less inflamed acne, less irritation, and a healthier complexion!

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Body Treatments That Actually Work for Smooth, Firmer-Looking Skin

We all know I love a good facial massage session, custom facial, nano-infusion, and/or facial LED therapy for treating our neck and up. But what about treatments for our bodies? Which treatments are best for improving the overall texture, clarity, and firmness of the skin on our bodies? Because that skin is just as important…maybe even more so, because the skin on our body is about 97% of all of our total skin, our faces only take up 3%.

This is my effective body treatment list ✨

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What Are Antioxidants? Benefits for Skin & Body Explained

Let’s chat antioxidants! Antioxidants are in a WIDE range of skincare ingredients, as well as in foods we eat. We know that antioxidants are good, as they are advertised as beneficial in many skincare and health products, but do you know what they actually do? And why do we want antioxidants in our skincare? And one last question, what are the best ways to incorporate and use antioxidants into our skincare routine? I’m answering all these questions for you!

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Beauty & Wellness Discoveries - New Things I've Learned & Find Interesting

This was a fun blog to write! I feel like I’ve absorbed a lot of new and interesting information lately via Substack articles, wellness/beauty podcasts, conversations with peers, and other media. I’ve learned about new interesting ingredients, different ways of thinking about the skin and body, and read new studies that made me change my mind about a few topics. Let’s dive in!

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Revisiting Skinimalism: Why Less Skincare Might Be Better

A little less than a year ago, I wrote a blog article on skinimalism: the practice of simplifying your skincare routine by being very intentional about the products you choose and the routines you follow. When you take a step back, think about what your skin really needs and do an audit of all the skincare items you have, you’ll most likely end up purchasing fewer products in the long run and will make less impulsive decisions when it comes to treatments and products. I’ll break down skinimalism in this blog and teach you ways to apply it to your own skincare routine.

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Skincare Devices That WORK and Ones I Don’t Suggest

I often get asked my opinion on the best skincare devices to invest in. I especially get asked about LED devices, like which ones are the best. I love that you all are being mindful and conscious about what you purchase; asking the professionals and doing your research before investing in an item will ensure that you’re making the best choice for your skincare routine.

This is my list of devices I would recommend to my clients and ones I would tell you not to purchase.

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Katherine M StribakosComment
Skincare Routine Order: The Most Important Steps for Clear, Healthy Skin

As an esthetician, I understand that skincare routines and skincare in general can be super confusing. There are SO many products, so many skincare lines, so many people giving information, and so many new things all the time. I know that this can feel defeating and confusing when you’re just trying to have the healthiest, most radiant skin possible. But I’m here to help! I always aim to share digestible, helpful information that makes it easy to implement new products or routines.

This blog is to help you understand and create a high-quality, purposeful, basic skincare routine for yourself that you are happy with (and that your skin is happy with) and a routine that is easy to build upon.

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Katherine M StribakosComment
The Surprising Link Between Daily Movement and Healthy, Youthful Skin

When we talk about daily movement and exercise, it’s often in the sense of heart health, weight loss, and other internal health reasons. And movement IS great for our health, but do you know what it’s also great for? Our skin!

Exercising or just getting your body moving helps your largest organ (your skin) to be healthier by creating natural lymphatic detoxification, circulation + oxygen flow, and structural support. After reading this artilce you’ll be adding daily movement to your skincare routine. Let me break it down for you!

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