Model & Cosmetic Chemist April Basi Shares Her Beauty Tips

Hey guys, I was recently interviewed about my career as a model/cosmetic chemist by stylist Arianna Jones on her new blog (nuancethejournal) and thought you all might like to see what we got up to. Check it out below, I'm sure you'll love it just as much as I had fun doing it.


WHO ELSE WOULD YOU CALL?

In a post Into-The-Gloss world April Basi is a bit of a unicorn. And since we can find the skincare routines of everyone from the First Lady of the United States to Midwestern Moms replicating their favorite formulas on a budget, it’s hard to know who actually has life-changing gems and who was just destined to have clear, enviable skin. This gal April, though, is not only a model (read: beautiful for a living) but she is also a cosmetics chemist (as in, she knows what’s going on under the hood, too). So I asked her for help.
The idea of starting a skincare routine had always been so daunting for me- I could never make heads or tails of beauty claims and walking into Sephora was stress-inducing sensory overload. I just wanted to know the basics.
Can I get rid of dark patches of skin or is it just my destiny. Do models have radiant skin because they know something we civilians don’t or are they models because they have flawless skin?
To cut through the noise (and soothe my beauty-related anxieties), let’s turn to the ultimate industry insider, April Basi, model, and cosmetics chemist.


ON HER FORAY INTO THE WORLD OF SKINCARE

My mom is not a big skincare person at all and she uses a lot of makeup. That's probably why I was concerned [02:06 inaudible] a little bit because I saw her apply makeup and I always wondered and sometimes she complained about pores and stuff like that and I mean I feel like she didn't know either. She just kind of thought, "Oh, wash your face at night and go to sleep", and then put your make up on the next morning.
Honestly, it was not until I started being a model that I really started getting into it because obviously as a model we have to keep our skin clean. I didn't realize after getting sort of advice from an agency to take better care of my skin and what I should eat to get my skin looking a lot better, that's really when I started paying more attention to it and just do a lot more research and then I really got into it when I started working in the industry.

HOW YOUR GENETICS COME IN TO PLAY

Actually, 50 to 80 percent of our skin is inherited from our families, dates back to even like our great-grandfathers and all the way down our history line and then as far as lifestyle choices that can affect our skin types it's about 40% of that. So a huge chunk of your skin type is from your family history [14:30 inaudible]. Yes, you can start to take better care of it by knowing your skin and knowing how your skin reacts, maybe see a dermatologist and see how your skin reacts to certain products and that way you can start to tackle it a little bit better but for the most part, your skin is going to look like what your family's skin is.


HER ROUTINE

I start with my cleansing brush and I got mine from Walmart, I love Walmart. I know they have the clear sonic ones for $200, but I'm not- it's just a brush. I don't need to pay $200 for a brush. It sounds outrageous to me, I am not going to do it. So, I went to Walmart and I grabbed one from Conair for 15 bucks and I use that. For my cleanser, I am trying to start using more natural mixed in with not-so-natural ingredients in my routine because I do need my sulphic acid. That's not a natural ingredient but I do need it because of my combo skin. So I use a cleanser that is all natural and I use Ole Henriksen, a foaming cleanser. I combine both on that cleansing brush and I use the highest speed and I really get in there. I really just scrub my way until I feel like my skin-- you just kind of know when your skin feels free of any debris or anything.
So as soon as I am done with that, then I go take my shower and then as soon as I get out of the shower I would obviously dry my face and I start using my derma roller, which I recently just incorporated actually into my skincare routine. I didn't use to use it but I work-- I have all the time in the world to research product so I had to use it. I was like, "You know what? Let me find something for myself too to help my skin because I recently starting to have more adult acne. I used to not have acne at all when I was younger but now I do. Every time I put makeup on I notice my skin starts to just break out for whatever reason but-- so now I'm stricter about finding stuff that actually works for my skin. So I use a derma roller.
I have fine lines in my forehead that were caused by just frequently frowning as a child [Laughs] I've just always had them and I really have noticed a huge difference. They have significantly reduced a lot, too. And then after that, I use my Vitamin C oil. I need that to seep into my skin that's why I puncture it anyway so that I have the little holes to let the vitamins really seep in there. It helps with the dark circles, it is a great exfoliant for your skin and you almost really start feeling their products go into your skin, it's amazing.
And then right after, if I have an acne spot, I use tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a great exfoliant as well. It helps to get rid of excess oil in your skin too and it actually travels just as deep as the DHA would into your skin and then I follow it up with a spot treatment- an acne treatment oil and then I preferably use one that has BPO which is Benzoyl Peroxide. So I top the Tea Tree Oil with the BPO on my acne. 


A ROUTINE FOR BEGINNERS

Cleanser, Moisturizer, Sunscreen. That’s it.
(spot treat if needed)

A WORD ON SUNSCREEN

“I had a facial like two or three weeks ago and she asked me what strength sunblock I use and I said, ‘A hundred SPF", and she said, "Oh no, you don't need to do that.’
She said, "You are literally tripling-- tripling or quadrupling actually, the amount of sunblock you should use to get about the same results that you would get if you use a 30 SPF". She said, ‘Yeah, you'll probably be getting 96% more.’ If you're getting 92% protection from the sun on the SPF of 30, if you use an SPF of 100 you're probably only getting 96% so only 4% benefit and you're putting a lot more chemicals with a hundred SPF, it's not worth it.

So the SPF 30 is best.”

NOTES ON PRODUCTS

& THEIR EFFECTS

Alpha Hydorxy Acids (AHAs)-
  • Clears out dead cells on the skin’s surface and doesn’t go very deep. When used often as an exfoliant, it can dry out skin and thin the epidermis (the top layer of your skin) so be very careful. Generally speaking, AHA's work better for people with fair skin (less oily).
Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHAs)-
  • Goes deep under the epidermis to tackle oil the skin naturally produces. Generally, folks with darker skin and those from the Mediterranean should use more BHAs than AHAs.
Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO)-
  • Effective acne treatment found in spot treatments & other skincare products
Cleansing Brush-
  • Helps your cleanser really get in there. Splurge if you want.
  • Derma Roller-
    • punctures the skin w/ needles of different gauges. Use small needles on thin skin. Helps products penetrate, increases cell regeneration & reduces fine lines.
    Silicone-
    • Not actually bad for you. Helps skincare products feel smooth.
    Tea Tree Oil-
    • Great exfoliant, rids the skin of excess oil
    Vitamin C-
    • Also known as Absorbic Acid. Reduces dark circles, great exfoliant for skin.
    • HERE’S TO BEAUTIFUL SKIN!

      THANK YOU, APRIL

Watch me try my Hot Girl Summer bikini's | Summer 2019 Bikini Try on Haul

Hey loves!  Long-time no see on here I know.  I've missed you guys and I will slowly make my comeback on here I promise. For the meantime please follow me on Instagram and Youtube I am so much more active on there. 


 In today's video on my Youtube channel, we are doing something a lil different than the norm. I share with you some of the bikini's I've added to my stash over the past year. I love them all and hope you do too, don't worry we will return to regular programming soon. Please leave me a comment if you have any questions about anything or what else you would like to see, it really helps me know what direction to take my videos. LIKE, SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE! xo


VEGAS BABY!

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas! Well except sharing your cute outfits online..right? haha. I recently got back from a birthday trip with my little sister and best friend and wanted to share this cute ruffled bell bottom dress that I got from Sheinside for only $22 (here).

My WEEKEND in 8 Minutes | Workout | Meal Prepping



Whatsupp my loves!!! I have a new video for you guys on my You-tube channel (here), and guess what, it a VLOG!!  I wanted to make my vlog Debut by taking you guys around with me to see what I got up to over this past weekend. My weekend is usually pretty hectic filled with a lot of activities (mostly fun) and this is a sneak peak into it. I hope you like it, please leave a comment if you do & SUBSCRIBE!



Curating a Personal Style That Will Stand Out From the Crowd




We live in an age of convenience, so it’s not all too surprising that the majority of us purchase our outfits from the high street. We can find attractive clothing at affordable prices and there’s a really good chance that what you’re looking for will be available in your size. However, engaging with high street fashion does mean that you have a significantly higher chance of turning up to an event in the exact same outfit as someone else. So, how can you go about creating a personal style that really sets you apart from the crowd? Here are a few steps that you could consider to achieve this!

 

Look Out For Designer Goods


Designer goods are harder to come by than regular goods. Whether this is due to limited runs of certain pieces or a higher price tag than your average item of clothing. So, keep an eye out for them. Fifth Collection Celine, Chanel, 
or Versace could really help your wardrobe to shine! If you can’t afford genuine designer, avoid purchasing fakes at all costs. You’ll simply end up with cheap imitations that don’t look anywhere near as good. Instead, try recreating designer looks in a slightly different way - put your own spin on things!

Shop Vintage


Vintage clothes are clothes that are more than two decades old. So chances are that if you find a good vintage piece, it’s highly unlikely you’ll see someone else wearing it. They tend to be one off pieces that have survived the test of time! You will find yourself browsing rails, shelves, or even piles of clothes in vintage kilo sales for a little while before finding something you’re willing to part with your money for. But when you do find something, it’s highly likely that it’ll be an absolute gem. Just remember to double check the quality of vintage goods - they could be damaged, have holes, or have stains that will take time and care to repair or clean.



Consider Piercings 

Remember that personal style doesn’t necessarily have to be tied solely to your wardrobe. There are other steps that you can take to help yourself stand out. Piercings could be a great addition to your overall look. Societal taboos surrounding them seem to have dropped in the past decade or so and now increasing numbers of people are opting to stray from single studs in the lobes and try out something a little more adventurous. Consider septum piercings, cartilage piercings, or micro dermal anchors. If you do opt to have a piercing, just make sure to take care of it. Your piercer will generally provide you with aftercare instructions specific to the piercing you have chosen.

Sure, you are going to have to put a little more thought and effort into curating a unique look than you will if you decide to go along with the crowd. But generally speaking, it’s all more than worth it! After all, who wants to look exactly the same as everyone else out there? Being a little different allows you to really shine!




How to Feel more Confident in your Own Appearance

If you want to feel better in yourself, and in your appearance then this is more than possible. In fact, you could start seeing results in less than a week and this can work wonders for your self-esteem.

Throw Away the Conventional idea of Beauty

At the end of the day, it is impossible to change what society defines as beauty. You can however, change your own. Don’t focus on the beauty that you see in advertisements or even on social media. Instead, focus on the people who you admire. You probably see them as being beautiful because they are empowered, confident and individual. By changing the outlook you have, you can be sure to see a huge difference in yourself.

Define Yourself

You shouldn’t ever let your looks define you. Focus on what you like about yourself, such as your relationship, your personality or even your perspective as well. This will help you to improve over time and it will also help you to see more within yourself.


Don’t Freak out

It is very easy to freak out when you feel as though you look bad. The stress and even the anxiety can make you feel really down and this can take an actual toll on your face. You may find that you develop wrinkles or that you get bags under your eyes. This can be a vicious cycle but there is a way for you to put an end to this. All you have to do is smile more because this will make you come across as being pleasant and it will also improve your mood. If you are feeling down in the dumps because you still don’t feel as though you look good, why not pamper yourself, or even pay a visit to the Trouvé MedSpa



Let Go of the Makeup

If you are self-conscious about your skin, then try and lay off the makeup for a day or two. When you do this, you may find that your skin improves and that you feel better in your own skin. This will give your skin the chance to breathe and it also helps you to see how beautiful you really are. It is normal for you to feel self-conscious to begin with, but after a few days you will most certainly see a difference.

Comfortable Clothing


A lot of people think that they need to wear clothing that is uncomfortable just to feel beautiful. This is not the case at all; in fact, you should wear clothing you feel comfortable in. Don’t wear clothing  that you think is fashionable. Instead, wear clothing that you love. This will make you feel easier about yourself and it also gives you the chance to trust your own fashion instincts as well. Being true to yourself is one of the best ways for you to boost your confidence. You might also want to stay away from the mirror for a day as well. This way, you are not constantly criticizing yourself, and you also get a break from the constant pressure of maintaining your appearance. Believe it or not, this can work wonders for your self-esteem.

Financial Hacks For Surviving Being A Young Adult

Being a grown up comes with a few good perks and a lot of responsibilities. You have to ensure that you are working toward a goal that is clear and break down your financial plan to small steps. No matter if you are thinking about saving up for a deposit, building a business, or improving your job situation, you will never succeed without a plan and some professional advice.

Be Responsible

If you want to grow up and have the financial freedom of adults, you might want to change your attitude toward money and become more responsible. You need to understand that every financial decision you make has a positive or negative impact on your future life, so doing your research and considering your choices before signing the dotted line is a must. You cannot blame the bank for getting you into trouble, if you didn’t hold up your end of the bargains. You have to know the rules and play by them.

Plan Long Term


Image via PxHere

Young people often have a bad habit of living ne month to the next or one day at a time. If you would like to have a house and provide for your family, have holidays, and make the most out of your life, you certainly have to think decades down the line. You might be Ok living on your own today on the income you have at the moment. However, once you need more stability and a better car to drive to work, you will need to change your attitude and move the goalpost.

Get Your Foot on the Property Ladder

One of the greatest challenges today’s young adults face is getting on the property ladder. You will not only need to save up the deposit, but also have to get a secure job, enough income, not to mention that your credit rating can still let you down. It is important that you are realistic about which homes you can afford and think about the return on your investment before you buy a home. While it is hard to predict future property trends, you can create a future budget that will help you manage your finances and

Job Security

Before you can make any larger financial decision, you will have to think long and hard about your job security. Many people get into money trouble because they suddenly lose their job and have no alternatives. While there are no jobs out there that are absolutely safe, it always helps if you pick up new skills and qualifications, so it is easier for you to find another position within a short period of time. Today, people don’t stop learning in their teens or 20s.

Grab That Promotion with Both Hands

In case you have worked hard at college or university to get qualified, you will need to make the most out of the career opportunities. If you are not driven when it comes to your career, you will find it hard to focus on your saving and financial goals. You might think that putting in the long hours now will not pay off and you would rather do something else, you might get promoted much faster if you show that you are motivated enough to get things done.

Look Out for Opportunities

Smart people are actively seeking opportunities, instead of waiting for them to knock on the door. If you want to make the most out of your life, you will need to look for ways of improving your life, your skills, and your future. It might involve taking some risks that most people are not prepared to take. If you find a gap in the market, you might want to start a business from scratch, gradually building it up. Alternatively, you can work on a part time gig that will help you cover your living costs later on.

 

Image via Flickr

Have a Saving Goal

If there is one thing you can do to change your financial future, it is having a saving goal. From an early age, you should develop an attitude toward money to save up for larger purchases and reward yourself every now and then, instead of relying on credit and family members. Having a nice car or renovating your home feels much better if you know that it is all paid for, and you don’t have to carry on paying the money and interest back for many years to come, tying up your income.

Know Your Financial Products

Financial education should be a part of school curriculum, many experts argue. While learning about money, loans, and savings at an early age might be useful, you will only start becoming better and understanding the money concept once you have an income you need to budget with. When it comes to finding the best credit cards, you need to know where to start looking.  When you start your independent life, you should always ask for help and advice from older friends and relatives, so you can avoid the common mistakes many people make.

 

Image via PxHere

Start Your Retirement Savings Early

It is never too early to start saving up for your retirement. Even if you just put 20 dollars aside every month and skip a night out with your friends, you can grow your money significantly in the next few decades. Making the right decisions when it comes to investments and when to take risks when saving up for your retirement is equally important, if you want to achieve financial independence. What would happen if you had to work longer than you wanted, or you wanted to relocate to have the lifestyle you always wanted after you stopped working?

When it comes to being responsible for your life, managing your money is an essential skill. It is crucial that you pay attention to the long term goals and the trends, get a good return on your investment, and secure your future. Learn as much about financial products and investments to make the most out of your opportunities.

 

Image via AARP

It is never too early to start saving up for your retirement. Even if you just put 20 dollars aside every month and skip a night out with your friends, you can grow your money significantly in the next few decades. Making the right decisions when it comes to investments and when to take risks when saving up for your retirement is equally important, if you want to achieve financial independence. What would happen if you had to work longer than you wanted, or you wanted to relocate to have the lifestyle you always wanted after you stopped working?

When it comes to being responsible for your life, managing your money is an essential skill. It is crucial that you pay attention to the long term goals and the trends, get a good return on your investment, and secure your future. Learn as much about financial products and investments to make the most out of your opportunities.



Sephora Haul ft Ole Henriksen, Fenty Beauty, etc + New Year Goals


What's up! I hope everyone has had a great start to the year so far. I can't believe we are only a couple of hours shy of the 2nd month of the year. Anyway, a little late, but before I dive into the purpose of today's post, I want to briefly make reference to a post I did at the beginning of last year (here). It was about my goals for 2018 and what I wanted to achieve,Which I will highlight below:

Some of my goals for 2018 are :
1. Landing a much better job = more money :-)
2. Seeing my blog grow and hopefully turn into a job (because I do enjoy writing content).
3.Improving myself daily, and being authentically me no matter what it costs.
4. Have my modeling career get even bigger.
5. Work out more and reach better fitness goals (think Jasmine Tookes body).
6. Take much better care of my skin.


Looking back in hindsight, I am startled that I achieved 90% of everything on that list,  except for #2, and more (like starting #AprilLashes). Just goes to show that setting goals and believing in your self and God goes a very long way. That being said, it is only right to make a list for this year so here goes.


Some of my goals for 2019 are :
1. See April Lashes get bigger and better 
2. See my blog and youtube channel grow and hopefully turn into a job. 
3.Improving myself daily, and being authentically me no matter what it costs.
4. Have my modeling career get even bigger.
5. Work out more and reach better fitness goals (think Jasmine Tookes body).
6. Take much better care of my skin.
7. Purchase a new vehicle
8. Travel more

What are some of your goals for 2019?

As you can see one of my goals for this year is to continue to take much better care of my skin, and even though I did that last year, I am going to give it my 110% effort this year by investing in really good products. Also I mentioned that I now have a job that I love working as a Chemist.  I love it because it has allowed me to be more aware of harmful chemicals that we unintentionally apply to our skin, therefore has increased my urge to do better research when choosing any skin care products.

OLE HENRIKSEN


I discovered Ole Henriksen while doing a series of You-tube searches on skin care, and I saw nothing but positive reviews. I did my research on all of the ingredients and viola, I was sold. I decided to get the cleanser and facial scrub, which I talk about more in detail on my YT channel here. So far I have been loving both products and I am now looking to get the newly released dark -spot remover toner.


FRESH LOTUS YOUTH PRESERVE MOISTURIZER


 Having gone through a  series of moisturizers, I started to believe I was never going to find one that worked on my skin. I have a combination skin but I am oily on my forehead and T-zone and it has been a nightmare finding the perfect moisturizer that didn't make me even more oily in those areas since moisturizers come with some type of humectant (e.g. Glycerin) that helps lock in moisture in the skin. The fresh lotus moisturizer is the only one that has come close to helping me maintain soft and supple glowy skin without making me look like I just ran 400m race.

FENTY BEAUTY CONCEALER

Talk about peer pressure. I could't help but drop some coins on the newly released Fenty Beauty concealer in the shade #420. From a chemist's corner, this product is definitely worth the hype. I am so in love. The consistency, formulation and feel on the skin speaks for itself. I have not stopped reaching for it since I purchased it. RiRi and her team definitely outdid themselves on this one. Ok I say no more, go purchase this and see for yourself. 


Finally, check out my YouTube channel here to see my review on other products I purchased from Sephora, as well as an in depth review on these products.

What are some of your favorite skincare products?

Overcoming Self-Doubt And Realizing Your Worth

Feeling good about yourself is easier said than done. But the important thing to remember is that everybody experiences moments of self-doubt. You shouldn’t compare yourself to others and wish you could be as strong and self-assured as they are. In reality, building confidence is a case of faking it until you make it. You’ll increase your self-esteem if you compliment yourself in the mirror, take better care of yourself, and associate with the right kind of people. These are just a few examples. Let’s talk in more depth about overcoming self-doubt and realizing your worth.





Improve your lifestyle.
The first step to overcoming self-doubt and realizing your worth is to simply look after yourself. Often, a negative outlook on life leads to poor health or poor health leads to that outlook in the first place. Either way, it’s a self-serving negative cycle. If you want to look and feel better in life then you should improve your lifestyle. For instance, getting 8 hours of sleep every night could make a difference. It’ll improve your mental health, so your mindset might change. It’ll also improve your physical health, so your skin might start to glow a little more and your metabolism might work a little faster. You’d be surprised by the impact of a good night’s rest. Additionally, you should focus on exercising to not only control your waistline but also keep your heart and mind healthy. If you feel self-conscious about going to the gym or the park to exercise because of your current weight then you might want to consider your options. You could check out this liposuction video. It might be the right option for you if you don’t have the confidence to get started.

Spend time with loved ones.
A big part of overcoming self-doubt and realizing your worth is surrounding yourself with the right people. That doesn’t mean you need to seek external validation in order to feel good about yourself; it just means that positivity is a cycle in the same way that negativity is a cycle. If you surround yourself with people who only strive to bring you down then you’re going to struggle to realize your worth. Even the most confident person is affected, to some extent, by the things that other people say and do. But if you spend time with loved ones then your mindset will greatly improve. Our worldview is influenced by our family and friends. Your worldview influences them too. It’s about having that strong support network of close people in your life. We all need people on whom we can rely, and we all need to provide that same support for people who need it. In turn, you’ll overcome your self-doubt and realize your worth.




Focus on fashion.
Obviously, fashion isn’t the most important thing in the world, but it’s a key part of loving your own appearance. Humans come in many shapes and sizes, but it’s the clothes we wear and the way in which we present ourselves that plays a big part in our overall appearance. This sounds as if it should be self-evident, but many people shy away from the things they really want to wear because they feel self-conscious about their natural appearance. The key to fashion, however, is wearing outfits that flatter your body.

Rather than wearing a baggy shapeless dress, for example, you could put on a belt to draw it into your figure and accentuate your natural beauty. You could try wearing slimmer jeans that fit your curves in a more shapely manner. Once you start feeling confident in the clothes you wear, you’ll feel confident about the person staring back at you in the mirror. Obviously, the clothes that feel comfortable will differ from person to person, but the important thing is that you dress nicely and feel comfortable about your presentation.

Accept mistakes and move on.
Everybody makes mistakes. It’s been said countless times by countless numbers of people, but that’s because it’s true. The key to overcoming self-doubt and realizing your worth is embracing your imperfections. You shouldn’t quit even if you’ve failed at something several times. Perseverance is the key to becoming better at anything and growing as a human being. If you shy away from challenges then you’re going to confirm your negative bias.

For example, if you can’t play guitar then you’re not going to learn by avoiding it. It’s easy to look at other successful people and imagine that everything they touch turns to gold, but they had to go through their own process of discovery and learning. They’ll have made numerous mistakes throughout their lives, and they’ll continue to do so. If you want to start loving yourself and realizing your potential then you need to be brave enough to accept mistakes and move on. You need to cherish every failure as part of the learning curve that is life.


American vs African (Nigerian) MUKBANG!


Happy New year guys! Thanks for over 200+ subscribers on my Youtube channel and your overwhelming support on this blog. I hope everyone had a great holiday
Cheers to a bigger and better 2019.

In the video below, I wanted to share with you guys a bit more of my culture through our food, and what's more fun than doing it with your friend to show her American side. I hope you like it. It's a long one so grab some snacks to watch :-) 

Please leave a comment if you do & SUBSCRIBE! Love you!x