How did you get into beauty, what has been your journey? Is this something you’ve always been into, or did you get into it more in your late 20s? 

Let’s put it this way, I thought I was a beauty guru pre-20s. Thinking back to my high school and college days, I did either unhealthy or trend-specific beauty rituals -  tanning beds or orange booth spray tans, waxing to thin eyebrows, tiger stripe hair highlights, etc. you name it. While I absolutely still follow the trends, I would say the interest in age-defying, timeless beauty hacks came in the late 20s. Understanding the order in which applying makeup looks best, what certain creams/serums/toners can do, even how hormones play a role in everything, are the things I’m chasing these days (or already know). I just entered my 30s and I’m excited to have developed a solid routine that really plays to natural beauty! 

You have extensive product knowledge. How do you do your research? What’s your advice for girlies who don’t know where to start? 

I have to give it up to TikTok screen time and my friends - a lot of what I’ve learned is word of mouth. Or doing something the wrong way, paying the price, and researching to fix. For example, my first time dermaplaning my face, I broke out horribly (as people do). As I did more research and came to understand my skin doesn’t tolerate oily products, and now do that process with foamy cleaner (Sanitas Sensitive Skin) versus an oil. My advice is just being open to trying new things - it’s a process of trial and error, in my book.

I love how you embrace your love of beauty, and the way you explore everything from coolsculpting to hair-oiling. Sometimes I think there’s this pressure to pretend like we are indifferent to beauty - or hide how much effort we put into looking “effortless”. Have you ever struggled with the weird social stigma around beauty, and how have you dealt with that?

We hear people say things like “I only need tinted moisturizer and mascara” or “Why would you get botox/fillers?” and sometimes I need to catch myself and allow that not to influence how I feel about ME, or the beauty rituals I see as important. If I happened to like wearing a full coverage foundation, I would want to be proud of that - or as someone who dabbles in injectables, I am confident about having had those treatments and happy to share my experience. Beauty will always have ‘standards’ but it’s also quite personal.

What experiences or treatments would you say are worth the hype? 

Brow lamination, eyelash extensions (Secret Eyelash in Koreatown is the best), lip filler (natural enhancement only with Rachel Rubin), lymphatic drainage massages (BerrySpa is my go-to because they have a Groupon for your 1st session), the NuFace (the mini version is enough), and I’m sure there’s more. Also if you’re thinking of where to get your brows done, not-so-shameless plug - my favorite brow girl is Tammy Fisher from Browtise. She is the most genuine person and really cares about you walking away happy. I don’t let anyone else touch my eyebrows!

We both have pretty acne prone skin. What’s your makeup strategy to cover up acne? 

I had perfect skin for so much of my life, not to mention the freckles have hidden imperfections. In my late-20s, coming off birth control and Spironolactone (derms prescribe this to curb sebum production and help with hormonal breakouts), my skin has gone into a frenzy. What’s really working for me lately is using a tinted SPF (TiZO3 Facial Mineral Sunscreen) and then dabbing concealer on the spots (Kosas w/Golden undertones to balance out purple/red) and leaving it to sit there not rubbed in for like 3-5 minutes. Once the consistency is thicker, then dab it around with a finger to spread out and some light tapping of powder with a fluffy brush over the top to seal the deal (FitMe [Non-Translucent] Matte Powder).

What’s a beauty trend you’re obsessed with right now? 
THANK YOU SARAH!!! We love you!!!

If you want to get in touch, you can reach out to her at smbrandt92@gmail.com or find her on IG @sarbrandt