How to Embrace Loving Your Face with Jessica Johnson Beauty

 

Our face – We all have one, yet each one is uniquely different. Coming in all shapes and sizes, it is the aspect of our bodies that represents and identifies us to the world. We check it in the mirror multiple times a day. It is the door to some of our most potent senses; it holds our eyes, our nose, and our mouth.

How is it then that we can despise and criticize such a pivotal part of our being? Why do we long to somehow look different? Of the many possible answers, the most basic one that comes to mind is this: we believe our worth lies in our perceived physical beauty.

We compare a part of ourselves that cannot physically be matched exactly to another person. Yet, we do this all the time and bring onto ourselves a deep loathing and resentment. Here at The Fashion Cookbook, we’re all about empowerment and loving your whole being, flaws in all. Joining us today is veteran beauty expert and business owner, Jessica Johnson to discuss the ways you can embrace loving your face.

  

With the tagline “Fewer Products, Better Beauty,™” Jessica Johnson Beauty is asking women to rethink their approach to beauty. Her mission is to liberate women from expensive, time-consuming beauty routines without compromising results. Located in downtown Portland, her spa is elegant and refined. We sat down over a glass of wine and discussed how a minimalist approach to your beauty routine can do wonders for your entire well-being. She described to me how facials are a necessity for maintaining healthy, glowing skin. However, in between monthly facials, there are plenty of simple ways to maintain beautiful looking skin. Beyond physical beauty products, she describes it also your mindset.

For instance, when we bring loving intention to taking care of our face, washing becomes cleansing and moisturizing becomes anointing. When we charge our process with intention what was once surface becomes full of depth and purpose. 

The Secret to Healthy Looking Skin

I love oil cleansing.  I learned about oil cleansing 25 years ago while doing my advanced training in Germany and Austria.  I was hooked and now it’s become the big rage.  We’re launching our new concept in oil cleansing and treatment soon.  I formulated it with my 6 favorite oils that cleanse and treat at the same time – sea buckthorn, rosehip, and argan to name a few. Inflammation is a key factor in aging, so I’m a big believer in an anti-inflammation diet as well as topicals. Turmeric, coconut oil, olives, avocado, kale, blueberries are at the top of my list for anti-aging/anti-inflammatory foods.  

Jessica’s steps for a great daily routine:

• Start your day with some mild stretching/yoga/or dry brushing.  If you don’t have one, invest in a good juicer….juice celery, ginger, apple, and lemon, cucumber, and/or romaine.  This is my go-to drink to start the day.  If you don’t have time for this, hot water with lemon is great. I also drink black coffee with a small amount of coconut oil.

• Bread, sugar, dairy, and processed/packaged foods cause inflammation.  Stick with a diet that is as close to the direct source – my rule is if it has a label, try and avoid it.

• Morning skincare: A few days a week, I use a mild granular scrub to manually exfoliate my skin, otherwise, I don’t wash my face as a daily routine.  After showering, I spritz my face with a toner that has treatment benefits, moisturize, then apply sunscreen or a BB cream with broad-spectrum sunscreen.  

• I do all my heavy treatments at night.  It’s important to double cleanse – otherwise, you’re essentially washing your face with the makeup, oil, and grime on your face.  Using an oil cleanser, massage oil over face and eyes until all makeup is completely dissolved.  Using a warm washcloth, wipe all makeup clean.  Then do a second cleansing with the same oil or another cleanser of your choice.  I then use a good toner with hydrating and treatment benefits.  A few nights a week, I apply a strong AHA serum to increase cell turnover, then finish with a good treatment oil or heavy night cream.

• Take long walks, stretch, to yoga, get a massage, run, take baths…love and celebrate the beautiful body you live in and it will love you back!

  

“I’ve been in this industry for almost 30 years. I’ve watched it explode with one hyped up product and service after another.  After working on thousands of clients and testing countless products, I’m convinced that our skin actually looks and functions best when we leave it alone and let it do what it does best – take care of itself.  With great brows and healthy skin, you’re really more than 50% of the way to looking great.  Makeup is then the icing on the cake. However, just like working out with a personal trainer, we all need some support and coaching along the way.  This is why I’m a big fan of our 30 minute Flash Facial.  It’s the perfect treatment that supports a minimalist home care routine.  It’s a monthly treatment that keeps your skin deeply exfoliated, hydrated, and nourished for optimal skin health.”

  By transforming our beauty routine to be filled with love and care, we bring new perspectives to our sense of self. When we approach using makeup we should take a similar mindset. Wearing a mask of makeup can keep people from seeing the real you. As well as it can leave you feeling as if you are not “enough” or “worthy” on days you run out the door without wearing any. How you chose to wear your makeup is your personal choice, however, it’s important to reflect on your relationship with it.

 

Why would you say less is more? We all want to feel great and look our best -but the truth is, we have better things to do with our time than fuss for hours over our beauty routine.  Learning how to enhance your best features in the least amount of time is what we specialize in at Jessica Johnson Beauty.

What are ways people can embrace their natural beauty? Understand that there’s no quick fix or that ultimately, it’s really whatever works for you….or working within your comfort zone of what beauty means to you.  You get to define it.

What are your go-to makeup tricks? BB cream, Concealer, bronzer, mascara, gloss – these 5 products will make any woman look polished and amazing! Beyond this, you really don’t need much more to look great.

How has your relationship with makeup changed over the years? Yes – I started out in this industry as a makeup artist in 1986.  It was the decade of big hair & makeup.  It was fun, but as you age, the more makeup you wear just makes you look older …and silly.  I love makeup, but I’ve grown to the point where I can feel great with a full face of makeup on and also without a drop.

What do you wish more of your clients knew about your unique process? You don’t have to spend a ton of time and money at a spa, salon, or at home to look great.  You just need a few key treatments (brows are at the top of that list) and a simple yet CONSISTENT home care routine.

“Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.” -Kahlil Gibran

Photography by Centered Images

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We’re excited to gift one lucky winner a FREE brow shape + flash facial at Jessica Johnson Beauty. To enter follow both Jessica Johnson Beauty and The Fashion Cookbook’s social media channels and leave a comment to this blog post. We’d love to hear your feedback and look forward to more fabulous collaborations in the future! ♥