There’s a certain age, around the early teen years, when we all get introduced by our moms or older sisters to a daily beauty routine. Throughout the years, it gets shaped by trends and personal taste to become our very own personal routine.
I can’t remember exactly when it happened for me (maybe around 13), but I know who has shaped the basis to my own daily beauty routine: my mom. She is the reason why I never leave the house without sunblock and why I apply moisturizer in upward motion to “lift up my face”.
We all had our own teacher or “muse”, and little by little we acquired, from different sources of inspiration, new knowledge to complement and enhance our own beauty routines.
I’ve thoughtfully selected three different women of different ages. That might teach us a thing or two about beauty, and inspire us to polish and transform our own style in time.
Anny Truong
Anny is in her 20’s, lives in Montreal, and is the owner and creator of April Gold Bags and co-owner of Park and Finch Eyewear. Before we dive into the beauty talk, here’s a bit more about her.
April Gold Bags is such a great accomplishment and we love it! How was the idea conceived?
I’ve accidentally stumbled upon Puce POP’s artisan flea market in 2013 and I was so inspired by the indie scene that I told myself that I would come back as a vendor. I didn’t even have a business idea, I just knew I wanted to be involved.
I decided to recycle fabrics that my mom had, and make them into bags. I was designer born in the month of April and she was the seamstress with a heart of gold, hence the name April Gold Bags. We eventually got picked up by a couple of specialty boutiques and then our Etsy shop kind of took off on its own, which was pretty awesome. Sure enough, the next year came around, and we got accepted into Puce POP’s craft fair as vendors.
What do you think has been determining to be where you are now?
I strongly believe that I can do anything I put my mind to, and I know how to tune people out. I like to learn at my own pace and make mistakes on my own terms.
“I consider myself a creative, so building something from scratch is exciting to me. I don’t see myself as a leader, I just like doing things without having to ask other people. My small businesses are simply creative outlets and business challenges that push me to learn more.”
Let’s talk beauty!
Yes!!!
What makes you feel beautiful?
A good facial and blow out from my hair stylist/aesthetician Lisa (@my_hairandskin). I love the feeling of dewy skin and voluminous hair because…. treat yo self! And also matching lingerie.
PHOTO CREDIT: ANNY TRUONG IG
What is your origin?
I am of Chinese and Vietnamese descent.
Which elements from your beauty routine come from this descendance?
My mom is a firm believer that what you consume and put in your body and what you put on your body is just as important. She has always made ginseng and goji berries soups, which is high in antioxidants and helps anti-aging. Lastly, a Jade roller helps get rid of puffiness and makes your skin feel so much cooler.
Do you follow a daily beauty/self-care routine? Could you share it with our readers?
Absolutely, my mom taught me the importance of a skin care regime at a young age. During the morning, I alternate between GlamGlow’s YouthMud exfoliant mask treatment or L’Oreal Pure Sugar Scrub, followed by Elizabeth Arden’s Visible Difference Skin Balancing Toner and then Estee Lauder New Dimensions Shape + Fill Expert serum for the face and eyes. Also, sheet masks every weekend.
How has this routine change from 5 years ago?
When I was younger, I used to buy all my creams and cleansers from the pharmacies because it was inexpensive. I think it’s important to start taking care of your skin as you get older because sunscreen is $10 and botox is $600. You can do the math.
How do your style and makeup change when you are working vs. when you go out?
My day look is usually just groomed eyebrows, false lashes and contoured cheeks. I can’t be bothered to put too much effort for work because I don’t have to impress anyone. When I go out, I love getting glamourous and do a full face makeup.
Most gratifying beauty service that you’ve invested in for yourself?
Facial treatments with @my_hairandskin, she’s my beauty go-to. When you have good skin, you don’t need a lot of makeup.
Would it be OK to share one top-secret with our readers?
Hair: I swear by Ouai Wave Spray for light hold and natural looking waves.
Skin: Estee Lauder New Dimensions Shape + Fill Expert serum
Make Up: Mac Liquidlast eyeliner…I’ve been using it for the last decade. (WHAAAAAAT???)
What are some of your favorite products and brands right now?
I really love GlamGlow and Estee Lauder’s skin care line. Urban Decay has the best eyeshadows in my opinion. Anastasia Beverly Hills are my eyebrow fixes. Cover FX is my go to contour palette.
Who do you look up to when it comes to skincare/ haircare/ makeup advice?
Definitely my mom for skincare. My little sister spends a lot of time watching makeup tutorials so she’s actually the one who introduces new products to me. I had no idea how to contour so she had to give me tips and tricks because I don’t have the patience to sit through an entire Youtube video haha!
To women who are 5 years younger than you, is there a beauty advise that you would like to share with them?
Start using sunscreen and eye creams in your early twenties so that it just becomes a habit in your skin care routine. Always remove make up every night, no matter how lazy you are, because there’s nothing worse than waking up with a face full of residue. Lastly, almond oil is the best moisturizer for the body, I swear by it.
We all have one step in our daily beauty routine that is indispensable. Mine is applying sunblock. What's yours?
