ÁMEZING NEWS #8: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED, PHARMACY FAVES, & POSTCARDS FROM PARADISE

ÁMEZING UPDATES

My books will be open for the month of August on Sunday, July 30th. August space will be very limited. If you have emailed or reached out in the last 5 weeks, we will get back to you, promise! Please don’t worry. 

When booking online, please keep in mind that our books are only reflective of that 8-week period. So if our books are full, we’re only at capacity for a couple of months, not the rest of the year. It’s flattering when some of you write in thinking that’s the case! More appointments become available every few weeks, so check in as needed until you snag a space. Please don’t be discouraged! You can always email us at bookings@amezskin.com with questions!

ÁMEZING FINDS: EURO PHARMACY EDITION!

Ok, everyone, this is perhaps my favorite topic in the world of skincare products. I actually credit my time living in Paris as the impetus of my beauty career back in 2013. Enough time in French pharmacies looking at skincare products, and I never looked back at the art world. 

Fast forward ten years and my French pharmacy favorites haven’t changed much. The only difference? They’re almost all available in the U.S. now and have amassed wild popularity on social media. GLOBALIZATION! So I guess what I’m saying is…TikTok is ten years late to the party. Don’t get me wrong, these products are popular for a reason and I’m happy they’ve become more accessible, but they’ve been staples in my practice from its onset.  

Is buying beloved French brands in Paris any different than buying them in Los Angeles? 

Yes and no. The main difference is they are a fraction of the price in France. Prepare to get cult favorite products like Avene, La-Roche Posay, NUXE, and Caudalie for what feels like pennies.  

So if you are traveling to France this summer or this year, know that it’s still worthwhile to stock up (or at least try something new) at the pharmacy there. 

The second difference is that the formulations are slightly better, especially when we talk about sunscreens. The EU has different standards and clinical approvals, including better SPF formulations than we have here. This makes purchasing sunscreen a great vacation buy for even the most frugal or minimalist traveler in Europe. 

In Paris, CITY PHARMA is the spot where all the beauty influencers go. For me, it’s home to many of those cherished moments that inspired my professional path, but I was lucky to discover it before it became a viral sensation and content destination. 

If you can get in, it’s still the best, but the lines were extremely long both times I attempted to this trip. I decided to keep it moving, but if you’ve never been, try to stop in right when they open. 

These are my forever faves from the French pharmacies:

1. Avene Cicalfate - Everyone should have this! It’s a protective cream that soothes irritated skin. It can be used as a daily moisturizer or as a hydrating mask too!

2. La Roche-Posay SPF - The EU formulas are slightly better!

3. Biafine -  A great recovery and healing aid. I have experience using this with burns or scrapes. This is a derm favorite and is now available in the U.S. as well. Holly Madison just used this as her lip product while trying Margot Robie’s $1,600 skincare routine on Youtube. She said it was her top product from the whole routine!

4. Embryolisse- The IT French moisturizer in every makeup artist’s kit, many of you probably have this already. Layers beautifully under makeup.

(Find more of my picks on Shop My Shelf!)

Other pharmacy thoughts:

In Italy, I found less “skin care” and more homeopathic medicine. It was really beautiful and inspiring. You see countless over-the-counter medical products with propolis, eucalyptus, honey, arnica, and calendula. It’s a cool and comforting sight. 

In England, I didn’t find the pharmacies as “fun." Maybe because I was completely mesmerized by the iconic department stores like Liberty London, Harrods, and Selfridges (perhaps my favorite). I did stumble upon Ainsworths, a homeopathic pharmacy in London. It’s filled with Bach flower formulas and other homeopathic remedies. Ainsworth felt like a place of study for me, like a live library. I purchased an anti-stress Bach remedy spray and have been carrying it in my bag ever since. 

ÁMEZING QUESTIONS

Real questions from our ÁMEZING community.

Is SPF safe around the eyes? How do I prevent it from burning me when I sweat? 

Great question!! It is safe. My general rule is to not take the SPF too close to the tear ducts because it can cause the eyes to water or even burn. Nobody likes that stinging sensation! I take a pea-sized amount of sunscreen up around the orbital bones and my eyebrows. You shouldn’t have any burning issues when sweating. I also think it is interesting to consider using eye creams that are SPF- based. This Supergoop one comes to mind!

Summer’s not over but my skin is seriously dehydrated. It’s just so hot and dry. What can I do besides drink water and wear sunscreen?

Summer is a time for really looking after our skin and bodies. I mean this in an internal composition kind of way. Yes, continue to wear your sunscreen and drink your water, but also think about your internal hydration. Summer is the season for watermelon, cantaloupe, melon, coconut juice, and water. These are some of the best, easy, and most natural forms of lubricating our tummies and organs. I would also suggest perhaps getting on some type of electrolyte routine, especially if you are an active person. Use ELMNT or Liquid IV. it's important to get those minerals for optimal water absorption because some of us don’t absorb water as well as others. (Watermelon and coconut have tons of electrolytes too.) 

Topically I would say, summer is masking time. Bring out the sheet masks, the purifying clay masks, and the hydrating jelly masks. If you are planning on getting sun and tanning this summer, think of these masks as hydration re-up– kinda the same way you would drink water in between margaritas by the pool. It’s all about the toners and masks!  Pay attention to toners with glycerin to really lock in that moisture and hydrating masks that really bring back that bounce to your skin.

(For more summer products, I’ve discussed this before on Tierney’s podcast Tierney Talks. Give it a listen if you haven’t!)

What makeup products are you using lately? Any fun lip or eye stuff? 

Well, we know I’m a SAIE girl through and through… basically 80% of my makeup routine consists of their products. But I made some pretty great purchases at Selfridges in London. Let me just say, I could probably spend a full week there. Not in London, in Selfridges! THE BEAUTY section is my true heaven. Keep in mind, this was my first time in London and I felt like a kid in a candy store. WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL? 

Getting to your question, I really love Isamaya Ffrench and I made it to her counter. It was so fun to see her products IRL, especially her dick lipsticks. I didn’t purchase one because it's quite heavy, so I opted for her LIPLACQ in black veil. It’s this gorgeous black shimmery lip serum gloss that is sheer, but also very buildable if you want an intense, shimmery black. I’m also a huge fan of the Tresluce Metallic Liquid Shadows. They're so easy to use and the pigments payoff is vibrant and strong.

What’s the most affordable skincare or makeup product you use the most frequently? 

The most affordable is probably going to be Heritage Store Rosewater toner. (I like the formulas with and without glycerin). I’ll always talk about this product and recommend it to everyone. I also love the Avene Eau Thermale Spring Water, it’s so damn refreshing and great for under and over makeup. Makeup-wise….a product I think is of great value is the SAIE Beauty Super Glowy Gel. It makes every glisten and glow. I like to use it as a primer. Sometimes I get lazy and use it as my “makeup”– it's that good! The bottle is in glass (we love eco-friendly vessels…. and they have a recycling program). It retails at $28 bucks and lasts a good six months. You can’t beat it.

What’s your advice for wedding skin prep? 

Interesting topic here… Look out for a deep dive into this in next month’s newsletter! The real answer to this question is that it looks so different for everyone. Trust me, I have worked with a wide array of clients who have very different goals and expectations. I guess the first step is figuring out what exactly your goals and expectations are. 

Speaking to the skin side of things, I’d have to consider time and budget before developing a plan. If you have the time and money, I like to advise people getting married to start caring for their skin 6-8 months before their wedding date. That way, we can work together once a month to keep your skin healthy and on track for the big day. 

I have a lot of clients who do this with me, and a lot who wouldn’t have the time or resources to engage in such intensive preparation. In general, I don’t love the cultural narrative of looking your “absolute best” on your wedding day. It feels like yet another unhealthy beauty standard and a double-edged sword. Spend money on treatments that make you feel good and cared for MENTALLY and physically instead of these temporary beauty bandaids to make you feel “more snatched”... It's all an industry…remember that. 

Be you… in your skin…in your body on your beautiful day. And be present! 

It’s my first year as an esthetician. What was your journey like combining holistic and medical techniques? What do you see as the biggest benefits of each approach? How do you integrate both approaches into your practice?

First off, congrats!! That is so exciting. What a fun time to be in. My approach has really changed as I’ve grown, both personally and professionally. When I started, I was a hardcore naturalist. I still identify as such, but I think I have become a lot more open-minded from the time when I was very deep in “clean or green beauty.” I found it to be limiting and actually rooted in racist ideals that would often only cater to the elite. The green beauty boom in 2015/2016 wasn’t actually inclusive… So that’s when I started to pay attention to science-forward lines that offered more corrective work for a broader audience of different skin tones, races, and ethnicities. 

I think it’s possible to combine both worlds and that is where I like to work and live. I’ve done this by including various product options, both clean and clinical, with inclusivity, efficacy, and individual client needs in mind. I love keeping up with the latest procedures that medical spas and dermatologists for example are excited about. It’s all about continuous education in both the holistic and medical spheres. 

What educational books and continuing education courses do you recommend for new esti grads? 

Find a topic or niche treatment that really speaks to you. But honestly, if you are intrigued by it all, take all of the courses, learn all of the things. I’m definitely this kind of student. I have always been interested in bodily systems, so I’ve taken extended courses on cranial-sacral techniques and lymphatic drainage. Cecily Braden based out of San Francisco is someone who is so resourceful and knowledgeable, she always has great online courses if you can’t make them in person.

Comment your questions on this post! I’ll save them to answer next time!

ÁMEZING FRIENDS

Your response to the Sephora campaign is amazing! ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW. I've been so incredibly touched and grateful and honestly amused (IN THE MOST HEARTWARMING WAY) at everyone sending me the images. Working with Sephora – WHAT AN ACTUAL ACTUAL DREAM. The hilarious thing is I’ve been out of the country and haven’t seen any of the images in person yet, so the texts and DMs have honestly gassed me up. 

I just got to New York for a little pit stop (to lessen the severity of the jet lag) and just had my first run-in with a poster. I teared up a bit. I know it’s not a magazine cover, I never imagined seeing myself on the streets or at the FREAKIN BEVERLY CENTER. It’s national baby! It’s just wild. I could go on and on about what this means for me, coming from where I come from but I’ll save that for a future memoir... 

This should be a nudge to lean into things far and new – you never know where things will take you.

The editor of Ámezing News is Tierney Finster.