- 7 weeks ago
While you push to reach your goals, self-care is essential. As you navigate the ups and downs of the business and life, these panelists will give you some tools to keep your mental, physical and spiritual all the way up!
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LifestyleTranscript
00:00Hello, Essence Fest. How are we doing?
00:13My name is Blake Newby. I am the beauty and style editor here at Essence.
00:18And I have a question for you ladies. What's in your toolbox?
00:21I'm not talking about the screwdriver type of toolbox. I'm talking about your skincare stash.
00:26Well, if you can't answer that question, today I am joined by Rocky of Skin Care Candy, who is going to give us all the answers we need.
00:35So, Rocky, kicking it off. What do we need in our skincare toolbox?
00:40Okay, so in your skincare toolbox, you're going to need a cleanser. You're going to need a scrub, a mask, some serum, a moisturizer, and SPF.
00:51And your moisturizer can have SPF in it already.
00:54And Skin Candy already has some of those things.
00:57Yes.
00:57So, what sets Skin Candy apart from other skincare brands?
01:02Well, it was specifically thought of in mind of colored women, men.
01:08So, great for people that suffer with eczema, acetic skin, hyperpigmentation, dry skin, things like that.
01:16So, it was specifically thought of to, you know, be what it needs to be for colored skin.
01:22And can you talk us through some of the, what are the Skin Candy favorites?
01:26The Candy Bar.
01:28Okay.
01:28The Candy Bar is a favorite in the Candy Scrub.
01:31Because once you take, wipe the scrub off, your skin is left very, very soft and hydrated and glowing.
01:37Everybody wants a natural glow now.
01:39You know, so using the scrub, then the Candy Bar, it will definitely give you that finished look.
01:45And, you know, some people are scared of moisturizing heavily because they're scared that their skin will dry out.
01:50So, what is the proper way for men and women of color to properly cleanse the skin?
01:58Okay.
01:58So, to properly cleanse the skin, normally we all go with washing the skin first.
02:04Right.
02:04I've realized that by exfoliating the skin first and then cleansing the skin, it's allowing your moisturizer, your serum to penetrate better.
02:16So, in return, you have more of a healthier, hydrated look to your skin.
02:20Okay.
02:20As opposed to just cleansing it and then using exfoliant.
02:23So, I would exfoliate first and then cleanse.
02:26And sometimes exfoliating, it gets a bad rep, right?
02:29It does.
02:29You know, like we know all about certain, the microbeads.
02:33Certain microbeads can be harsh depending on what exfoliant you're using.
02:36Yes.
02:37So, what type of exfoliants should black and brown people specifically look out for?
02:43I feel like we should use more things that has like soft polishers in it.
02:47Okay.
02:48Raw sugar because it's going to break, it's not going to be as harsh to the skin and it's something that you can use pretty much three to four times a week.
02:54Okay.
02:55So, those things like that are going to be great.
02:58Enzyme pills.
02:59Okay.
02:59Things like natural fruit, asterisks.
03:01Those are going to be great for men and women of color.
03:05And, you know, the thing is everybody doesn't always want to have a seven-step skincare process.
03:09You know, there are some people that like it straight to the point, short and sweet.
03:13If you had to pick, let's say three steps.
03:17Okay.
03:17What are the three absolute must-haves that you cannot not have in your skincare stage?
03:24Cleanser, a serum, and SPF.
03:26Okay.
03:27Must-have.
03:27Okay.
03:28Because we have the misconception that, you know, color skin.
03:31I was just about to ask you that.
03:32Yep.
03:32Yep.
03:33We don't need protection from the sun because we have all of this melanin in our skin.
03:37But truth be told, we suffer from skin cancer.
03:42Yep.
03:42It affects us in a more dangerous way because we don't get it on the skin.
03:47It comes in our nails, the bottom of our foot.
03:50So, by the time we realize it, it's already in like a stage that's very, very severe.
03:55Right.
03:55You know, so SPF, definitely, we need to be wearing it every single day.
03:59Even if you feel like you don't need it, you need it.
04:02But the issue with SPF oftentimes is that it leaves that unsightly white cast, right?
04:06Mm-hmm.
04:07It leaves us almost that violet hue.
04:08Many of us have experienced it.
04:10Yes.
04:10You know.
04:11So, what are some black skin-friendly SPFs that you love?
04:17Anything with an SPF of 30.
04:19Okay.
04:21We carry some at the candy shop.
04:23Okay.
04:24So, yeah, I mean, if you guys can like stop by the candy shop, I can really like look at your skin and analyze your skin to really tell you what SPF is going to work really well for you.
04:33Okay.
04:34And I know personally, guys, one of my favorite SPFs is Black Girl Sunscreen.
04:39It is made with us in mind.
04:40Clearly, it's black-owned.
04:41Mm-hmm.
04:42And there's no unsightly white cast.
04:43And there is both a matte and a creamy formula for both skin tones.
04:47And kind of keeping, you know, skin is very much, it's sensitive, right?
04:52Yeah.
04:53You don't know, sometimes it needs things, sometimes it doesn't, you know, it's ever-changing.
04:58How would you say that shifting into the summer, skin care changes versus winter and fall skin care?
05:05So, going into the summer, we tend to be a little bit more hydrated or oily, as we should say.
05:12So, you don't need as much moisture applied to the skin.
05:16Okay.
05:17So, opposed to in the wintertime, the air is dry, so which means it pulls all of that from our skin.
05:24So, we, in the wintertime, I like to tell people to, like, pump up the hyaluronic acid serum because that's going to draw moisture from other places to your face.
05:33Okay.
05:34And just making sure you stay moisturized.
05:36Summertime, you want to use a light moisturizer.
05:38Okay.
05:39Wintertime, we normally use things that has just more of a creamy, a heavier base.
05:43So, those would be the different, some of the different skin things, skin care tips that you would take into the different seasons.
05:51And I'm so happy that you mentioned hyaluronic acid because acids in general, there's AHAs, there's BHAs, there's all the acids.
06:00How, what acids, from your experience, are the best for black and brown skin?
06:06Hyaluronic is definitely the best.
06:09Simply because we need the moisture.
06:12Right.
06:12Okay.
06:13Also, it helps to fight lines, fine lines and wrinkles.
06:16It helps with the discoloration that we suffer from with pigmentation.
06:20Yeah.
06:21Also, retinoids.
06:23Okay.
06:23Retinoids are really great for our skin as well.
06:25Okay.
06:25Because those also help with fine lines and wrinkles, dry patch areas.
06:30Okay.
06:31And also, the hyperpigmentation helps with the, we call them age spots, but really, a lot of times, it's sun damage.
06:37And you said age spots.
06:38There's the misconception, not the misconception, because it's true, that black don't crack.
06:43Yeah.
06:43Right.
06:44But what are some things that we can be doing to ensure that it really don't crack?
06:47Okay.
06:48Okay.
06:48Okay.
06:49So, again, the main thing here is going to be hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
06:53Okay.
06:54Using SPF, protecting your skin from the UV rays of the sun.
07:00Again, we're just protected more because of the melanin, but if you're, we can age a lot slower, I would say, by using those things.
07:10And I've just saw that, like, over time.
07:11The environment has changed.
07:13The food has changed.
07:14We have so much more to think about in this generation than our grandparents.
07:18Because a lot of times, I go, well, my grandmother only used this, and my grandmother only used that.
07:22And I'm like, baby, but our diet has changed.
07:25The environment has changed.
07:27So, we do have to take a little bit more time when it comes down to our skin care.
07:32So, just things like that.
07:34And it's so refreshing, you know, just black people with interest in skin care in general.
07:38You know, black people are the lowest percentage of dermatologists in our country.
07:45So, for black people, for you, your interest in skin care, where did that come from?
07:50And what are some ways that other black people who might not know how to helm or shift their interest in skin care into a career like you have, what can they be doing?
08:01Okay.
08:02So, my love really came from my grandmother.
08:05Like, I would watch her really prep her skin, put oils on her skin.
08:10So, I've always been into skin care.
08:12Once I furthered my education and became a licensed esthetician, I realized that I can help people that had issues with skin because I'm a makeup artist at heart as well.
08:21Okay.
08:22So, I would just tell anybody, you know, make an appointment with a professional esthetician.
08:28Go and experience it.
08:29I know back then it wasn't something that we really did because we just knew to just take care of our skin on our own.
08:36But, again, time has changed.
08:38And I feel like everyone should book an appointment with a professional esthetician.
08:42Okay.
08:43Because they're going to analyze the skin, tell you some things you need.
08:46And then once you do that, you'll really see the improvement in your skin.
08:50And we were talking backstage about facials.
08:52Yeah.
08:52So, everybody doesn't want to go out.
08:55Facials can get pricey.
08:56Yes.
08:57As we know.
08:57Yes.
08:57You know, facials also involve most of the time leaving our house.
09:01Yes.
09:01What are the makings of a wonderful at-home facial?
09:04Okay.
09:04So, at-home facial is going to be you using a proper cleanser.
09:10Okay.
09:10So, that's what going to your esthetician is going to come in handy.
09:13Okay.
09:13Okay.
09:13Okay.
09:14So, you want to use your cleanser first.
09:16Then you want to use your scrub.
09:18Or, again, I say scrub first, then cleanse.
09:20Okay.
09:20But you want to have your scrub because that's going to sloth off the skin, allowing those products to penetrate.
09:26It's going to keep the skin looking nice, fresh, and hydrated.
09:29Okay.
09:29Then you want to use your moisturizer.
09:31And your moisturizer can have an SPF in it.
09:33Okay.
09:33So, if you can take 15 minutes a day, maybe two or three times out the week.
09:38Okay.
09:38To do that, you will be amazed at how beautiful your skin can start to transition into.
09:45And another little thing really quick.
09:46I like to tell people, like, we kind of think that facials or something is, like, a luxury.
09:51Right.
09:51It's only needed, like, maybe four times a year.
09:54Yeah, yeah.
09:54No.
09:55Like, if you're able to afford a facial at least twice a month or once a month, I highly, highly recommend it.
10:02And speaking of at-home facials, the steamers, the at-home facial steamers have really become a thing.
10:07Yeah.
10:07They're all over TikTok, all over Twitter.
10:08So, what do you think about the at-home facial steaming, and when is it appropriate to use such a tool?
10:14Okay.
10:14So, with the steaming, it can be a good thing and a bad thing.
10:18Okay.
10:19Because you can't over-steam, which in return, it will dry your skin out.
10:23Okay.
10:23Okay.
10:24If you are, if you have magnetic skin, I don't recommend the steaming.
10:28Steaming.
10:28Okay.
10:29Especially if you're not going to take a tool and do extraction.
10:32You know what I mean?
10:33Because really, the steam is just for someone that has overly dry skin.
10:36Okay.
10:37Or if you're getting ready to get into the extraction phase of a facial, you need to soften up that follicle.
10:42Okay.
10:43You know?
10:44So, if, I feel like you just have to know what's best for your skin.
10:48Right.
10:48Because everyone doesn't need to be steaming their face.
10:52And everyone, so she mentioned extractions.
10:54So, if you've ever watched Dr. Pimple Popper, then you're very familiar with what extractions are.
10:58It's basically whenever you, you extract the blackhead, a pimple, a zit, whatever it may be.
11:03And I'm so happy that you mentioned extractions because I ruined my skin years ago by doing my own extractions.
11:09Right?
11:09Yes.
11:09When is it time to extract?
11:12When is it time to leave it alone?
11:14Okay.
11:15So, extractions, if you can go in with it and it comes out, perfectly fine.
11:20But if it's something that's underneath the skin, you know, sometimes you like pick and push and pick.
11:25You're bruising the skin.
11:27Okay.
11:27So, at that point, it's not ready to be extracted.
11:30Okay.
11:30You have to wait until it creates a head so that it can come out.
11:33Other than that, you will go to your esthetician and she can lance it.
11:36She will make a small little prick and she will be able to extract it that way.
11:39Okay.
11:40But then there's other things that needs to follow that.
11:42So, I don't recommend anyone kind of like breaking the skin.
11:45Okay.
11:45So, try to get something out because you will leave a scar.
11:49Even with a blackhead or a regular pimple.
11:51Yeah.
11:51Anything that's just leave it there.
11:53There are certain products that can kind of dry it up.
11:57Okay.
11:57Help with the inflamed.
11:58Okay.
11:59Inflamed areas of it.
12:01But if it's underneath the skin and there's no head there, I would just leave it alone.
12:05Okay.
12:05If not, you can take a warm towel and compress on it to soften it up.
12:10Okay.
12:10And just kind of take a Q-tip.
12:11You don't want to use your fingers because bacteria and things like that.
12:14Yeah.
12:14You can take a Q-tip and kind of press.
12:16And normally it just kind of opens up and it'll come out.
12:19Okay.
12:19And you said, I'm so happy that you mentioned our hands.
12:23When caring for our skin and touching, you know, I'm a toucher.
12:26I touch my face.
12:27I touch my hair.
12:28I touch all the time.
12:30What are some, should we be touching our face?
12:32No.
12:32Never.
12:33We really shouldn't.
12:34Okay.
12:34Because we don't clean our hands enough times.
12:36Okay.
12:37So, just say, okay, I can touch my face right now.
12:39Okay.
12:40So, I even tell a lot of my clients with agnetic skin, you know, use your AirPods.
12:44Don't use your phone.
12:45Wash your pillowcases like two or three times a week.
12:48Okay.
12:48Just a lot of things that's going to keep the bacteria surface things like from off of the face.
12:54And our hands, we touch them.
12:55We open up doors.
12:56We don't realize it.
12:57We have environment in our hair.
12:59We're trying to fix our hair.
13:00Yeah.
13:01You know, so just keep your hands out of your face if you can't remember.
13:05And you said pillowcases.
13:06Mm-hmm.
13:07Do silk pillowcases.
13:07Black women have been sleeping on pillows.
13:09Silk pillowcases.
13:10But for our hair.
13:11For hair, yeah.
13:11Does it really help with skin?
13:14Not the silk.
13:15Okay.
13:15Cotton will be better for skin because it's going to absorb.
13:20Okay.
13:21So, it's going to kind of like draw away.
13:22Okay.
13:23Whereas with the silk, it just kind of leaves there.
13:25That's why it works on our hair because it doesn't pull any moisture out of our hair.
13:28Okay.
13:29So, I would say a cotton pillowcase, but again, just washing your face every morning and washing
13:34your face.
13:34If you love pillowcases or satin, that's fine.
13:36Right.
13:36But you just want to wash it more often.
13:40Okay.
13:40You know, because a lot of times if people don't, I know, you know, some people that don't
13:44wash their face that night.
13:45Right.
13:45They just don't believe in it.
13:46Right.
13:46But like I tell them, you're bringing the environment into your bedroom.
13:49Right.
13:50All kind of stuff.
13:51Yeah.
13:51So, I just say, if you don't wash it in the morning, girl, wash it at night.
13:54Okay.
13:54Okay.
13:55You guys heard her.
13:56And Rocky, you know, kind of wrapping up, what are some resources that black people can
14:01find to find black skincare experts like yourself?
14:04I always say Google is the best thing, but you guys can find the candy shop.
14:10If you are in New Orleans, then you know where you can go.
14:13If you are in New Orleans, you can go to candy shop, candy shop NOLA dot com.
14:18Okay.
14:18And you can book an appointment there and come in and see me personally.
14:23Okay.
14:23And I'll do, you know, analyze your skin and give you some pointers.
14:26But other than that, I would just Google things that's great for black skin.
14:31Okay.
14:31And then find something that's compatible to what, you know, if you have any issues,
14:35what your issue would be.
14:36Right.
14:36And really, honestly, it's just going to be you trying different things.
14:40Nothing is going to really, I mean, it's like one in a million at something.
14:43It works on the first.
14:45How long does it take?
14:46I'm an, I'm an impatient girl.
14:47You're impatient?
14:47How long does it usually take for skincare products to start working, to really start
14:52working?
14:52I tell people at least 30 days.
14:53Give yourself 30 days.
14:54Okay.
14:5530 days, but by the third month, if you have a consistent routine, you'll really like be
14:59amazed.
14:59So patience is key.
15:00Patience is key.
15:01Okay.
15:02Yeah, girl.
15:02Well, Rocky, thank you so, so much.
15:04You guys heard him.
15:05Make sure you shop skin candy.
15:07Stay tuned.
15:08There's much more Essence Fest to come.
15:10Woohoo!
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