A Beauty Minute with Sarah McDonald
4 years ago by
What is your morning beauty routine?
I’ve been trying to go au naturel in quarantine, focusing on healthy skin and a bright, confident smile since I’m on zoom all day. I’ve been using my at-home Byte aligners to straighten and whiten my teeth throughout the day and a mix of clean, non-toxic skincare products with targeted treatments as I’ve developed some acne and scarring in the last few months. I start off with iS Clinical’s Cleansing Complex, Ole Henriksen Glow2OH™ Dark Spot Toner, and a vitamin C serum to brighten.
During the daytime, I like light water-based moisturizers. One of my absolute favorites right now is belif’s The True Cream Aqua Bomb, which has a gel-like texture and is incredibly hydrating! I always finish my skincare with Black Girl Sunscreen. Oftentimes sunscreen leaves a white cast on my skin but this formula layers on darker skin nicely.
I’m very much a creature of habit and still love my M·A·C concealer – it does wonders for my dark under eye circles! I then use Anastasia Brow Wiz and COVERGIRL Lash Blast mascara. The finishing touch to my “no make up, make up” look is a highlighter. My go-to favorites are Tower 28’s Bronzino Illuminating Cream Bronzer and SuperDew Highlighter Balm. The combination makes my skin look naturally dewy and glowy!
My hair is big and curly so I like to focus on natural hair products that hydrate my curls and keep my strands healthy. One of my favorite products is Rizos Curls Refresh & Detangle Spray. I give it a few spritzes and my curls spring into action. I finish my look by throwing my hair back in a silk scrunchie.
After I eat breakfast, I brush using Philips Sonicare toothbrush and then pump some BrightByte whitener into my Byte invisible aligners so that my teeth can straighten and whiten while I work. I see my smile as the foundation of my beauty routine!
What products do you keep with you throughout the day?
I keep a thick hand cream, Weleda’s Skin Food, near my computer to use throughout the day. I find that my hands get extremely dry with all the hand washing and sanitizer!
What is your evening beauty routine?
In the evening I like to do a double cleanse. First I use organic argan oil and 100% organic bamboo wash-cloths to open my pores and remove any makeup. Then I cleanse again with iS Clinical’s Cleansing Complex. Once or twice a week I’ll treat myself to a mini at-home facial using my Vanity Planet facial steamer to open my pores and prep for a mask. My all-time favorite mask is the Aztec Secret Indian Clay mask that can be found at any organic food store. I love following my mask with a serum and Gua Sha massage. I let my serum set in a bit longer while I brush, floss and attend to my Byte. With my aligners in, I use the HyperByte for 10 minutes which not only speeds up my nighttime aligner treatment but also acts as a mini gum massager which relaxes me before bed. Then I use KNC Beauty’s lip scrub and lip mask, and end with the Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Dream Cream moisturizer.
When do you feel the most beautiful?
When I feel most balanced! Working out, eating well, feeling rested and just doing things that genuinely make me happy are key to me feeling beautiful! The bigger my smile (pearly whites on display and all), the more confident and beautiful I feel!
Sarah McDonald is the Head of Brand Marketing at Byte. Byte is an invisible aligner company that straightens and whitens your teeth from home.
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