Beauty Full Stories with Erin's Faces

Latest Episodes:

36. Should My Skin Determine My Value? with Shakun Matani Feb 23, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, Shakun talks about what it is like being a teacher at such a difficult moment in history - the pandemic, the election, the insurrection on the Capitol - Shakun shares why it is necessary to talk to children about these things and discusses how she does it in a way that makes her students feel safe. We also hear how she talks to her own children about anti-racism and what she has noticed from having these conversations with them as she is Indian American.
We then learn about her struggles with acne and the long-lasting impact this had on her. As women, we default to self-criticism, so embracing ourselves for all that we are is no easy feat. Wrapping up, we talk about representation and how Shakun’s understanding of what beauty is has shifted as she has gotten older.

Our email this week (50:51) has the question "what skincare routine should someone do for teenage acne?" Erin and Josey break down some of their favorite products to help deal with teenage breakouts.

Call Outs from the Episode:

Antiracist Baby Board Bookby Dr. Ibram X. Kendi & Ashley Lukashevsky
How to Be an Antiracistby Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
Episode 16 with Angelique Velez
Episode 4 with Afshawn Ostowari
Episode 10 with Marissa Corcoran
Mindy Kaling
Tracee Ellis Ross
Erin’s Faces Clarifying Charcoal Cleanser
LUMION Skin Mist
Clean Republic
Erin’s Faces Tamanu Oil
Erin’s Faces Clarifying Green Clay Mask

Tweetables:

“This idea of being colorblind is very passé and outdated. We don’t do that. And I'm trying to explain to my son to recognize what people look like, recognize they are Black or brown or whatever else and celebrate it and remember that everyone deserves to be equal.” — Shakun Matani [0:12:22]

“Making others feel beautiful is the true meaning of beauty.” — Shakun Matani [0:49:00]

Come have fun with us!
Our private Facebook Group: Erin’s Faces Green Beauty Gathering
Instagram: @erinsfaces
Email: questions@beautyfullstories.com
Website: erinsfaces.com

35. Should We Support Brands That Lack Diverse Representation? Dominique Harris Feb 16, 2021

Show notes

Dominique Harris runs Natty Naturals and Bohemian Collection, handcrafted clean product lines she created with her husband. She is passionate about being a Black woman in the clean beauty space and not only has incredible offerings, but is also doing powerful work to educate her audience about what it means to be Black in America today. Dominique does not shy away from difficult conversations and has made it part of her brand identity.
In this episode we talk about how access and exposure contribute to the "whiteness" of clean beauty. Dominique takes us through some of the complex layers of why Black women and women of color are frequently excluded in these spaces. We talk about her approach to educating her audience and how presenting her way of living has shifted people’s perceptions.
Dominique touches on performative allyship, particularly after Blackout Tuesday, and why we need to hold brands accountable for what they say they are going to do. Our conversation also covers conflating whiteness with goodness, how Dominique has cultivated self-love and passes it on to her children, and the choices she has made around growing her business.

Our email this week (53:39) is about how often you should be cleaning your makeup brushes and what you should be using to make sure you get everything off of them. You will hear a great technique to get those brushes squeaky clean.

Call Outs from the Episode:

Tweetables:

“Representation matters.” — Dominique Harris [0:06:57]

“A lot of these white brands posted these blackout boxes on Blackout Tuesday, which was June 2nd, where there was a newfound awareness to all things racial in America. And after that, it was crickets. So, you said this, but then you went back to the normalcy that’s comfortable for you. No, no, no, no. That's over now.” — Dominique Harris [0:15:57]

“Now, because white people have not really had to even think about these things, now you know and you can’t unknow.” — Dominique Harris [0:31:25]

“White and good are always associated with each other.” — Dominique Harris [0:36:33]

“When we think of a good school or a good neighborhood, it’s usually due to the absence of Black people.” — Dominique Harris [0:37:32]

Come have fun with us!
Our private Facebook Group: Erin’s Faces Green Beauty Gathering
Instagram: @erinsfaces
Email: questions@beautyfullstories.com
Website: erinsfaces.com

34. Should I Stay Small to Make People Comfortable? with Alissa Alter Feb 09, 2021

Show notes

Alissa Alter and I get into body image, gaining weight during pregnancy and what society has to say about it. As a Motherhood Advocate and Women's Health Expert she is committed to cracking open the taboo topics of pregnancy and postpartum. She joins us in today’s episode to talk about some of these issues.
We kick off the show by learning about her and her experience of being a blond-haired, blue-eyed Jewish woman as Alissa acknowledges that she does not meet most people’s expectations of what a Jewish person "should" look like. We talk about the challenges she has had having her identity constantly called into question. We then discuss pregnancy, hearing about Alissa’s journey, and what she learned during this time. Having been a performer for most of her life, she was used to her body being in the public domain, but what she experienced while she was pregnant surprised her more than she expected. After this, Alissa opens up about outgrowing her first marriage, ending her people-pleasing habit, and how she has learned to set boundaries.

Our email this week (59:49) is about how to keep your mascara from smudging under your eye. This is a common issue, and there are some simple solutions.

Call Outs from the Episode:

Tweetables:

“When we don’t talk about things, we are all left suffering in silence. But when we talk about it and give a voice to these experiences, we realize that we’re not alone and we can support each other.” — Alissa Alter [0:12:12]

“There are people in your life who really benefit from you not having boundaries. So, when you set them, and what you’re really saying is, ‘I have to take care of myself right now,’ for them, it’s a slap in the face and you don’t care about them. ” — Alissa Alter [0:22:12]

“If you are happily married, don’t get divorced. But if you are miserable, get out of there.” — Alissa Alter [0:37:34]

“I don’t think I’ll ever consider myself not a performer. But the problem for me was that I could no longer tolerate handing over my power.” — Alissa Alter [0:40:50]

Come have fun with us!
Our private Facebook Group: Erin’s Faces Green Beauty Gathering
Instagram: @erinsfaces
Email: questions@beautyfullstories.com
Website: erinsfaces.com

33. Should I Trust Feelings Over God? with Kolby Koloff Feb 02, 2021

Show notes

Growing up in the public eye is challenging, and it is something today’s guest, Kolby Koloff, has experienced firsthand. As a pastor’s daughter and reality tv show star, Kolby had many people watching her every move. This pressure had an immense impact on her and the way she viewed herself. In this episode, the speaker and singer/songwriter opens up about her insecurities and fears and the immense amount of work she has done to work through them.
We talk about Kolby's parent’s divorce and the long-standing effects the split had on her. From struggling with the fear of rejection to not wanting to commit to a relationship, the wounds ran deep. We hear about her relationship with her fiancé, Andrew, and how it has pushed her to grow and confront what she had long been running away from. Our conversation also touches on seeing yourself through God’s eyes, how this can increase your level of self-worth, and the power of releasing limitations and trusting your faith.

Our email question this week (47:26) is what is the best way to apply foundation?

Call Outs from the Episode:

Tweetables:

“Two dull knives don’t sharpen each other.” — Kolby Koloff [0:22:35]

“Tomorrow is literally a new, fresh morning, and I can trust that I will receive everything I need for that day to get through.” — Kolby Koloff [0:44:35]

Come have fun with us!
Our private Facebook Group: Erin’s Faces Green Beauty Gathering
Instagram: @erinsfaces
Email: questions@beautyfullstories.com
Website: erinsfaces.com

32. Should "Different" Mean "Bad"? with Tiffany Stuart Jan 26, 2021

Show notes

If 2020 showed us anything, it is just how differently all of us experience the world. To cultivate empathy, we need to be open to hearing one another's stories and learning from everyone we encounter. This is the approach that today's guest, Tiffany Stuart, lives by. Tiffany is a Certified Holistic Health Coach, podcast host of What in the Wellness with Tiffany, internationally featured content creator, and wellness media journalist. Her mission is to help women bring wellness into their everyday lives.
In this episode, Tiffany talks about how she views differences and why she is hesitant to have a polarized view of things. We also hear about her hormonal healing journey and how it led her to become a voice in the wellness space. As a Black woman, Tiffany is acutely aware of the angry Black woman stereotype, and she shares with us how she navigates this. Our conversation also touches on creating safe spaces for people to share their experience, the need to have those uncomfortable conversations about race, and Tiffany's thoughts on the postpartum period.

Our email this week (54:22) answers the question "which skincare products should I use after a midday workout?"

Call Outs from the Episode:

23andMe
Institute for Integrative Nutrition
Melba Pattillo Beals
Little Rock Nine
Latching in Love
Erin's Faces Soothing Aloe Cleanser
Erin's Faces Clarifying Charcoal Cleanser
Erin's Faces Tamanu Oil
Erin's Faces Peptide SPF 30

Tweetables:

“A lot of times wellness folks don't think about folks outside of those who look like them, and I think maybe it took 2020 for people to wake up.”— @itsmeladygnyc [0:18:49]

“Are the spaces that you're in, are they diverse?”— @itsmeladygnyc [0:30:16]

“A year before I got pregnant with my son, it must have been God or the universe speaking in my ear, and it said, ‘I want my kids to love the way they look.’”— @itsmeladygnyc [0:51:37]

Come have fun with us!
Our private Facebook Group: Erin’s Faces Green Beauty Gathering
Instagram: @erinsfaces
Email: questions@beautyfullstories.com
Website: erinsfaces.com

31. Should I Weigh Less In Order to Run a Beauty Company? Jan 19, 2021

Show notes

A year ago, Erin published her article, ‘Am I Too Heavy to Run a Beauty Company?’ After her internal battle with shame following her weight gain, she decided that enough was enough, and she needed to share what was in her heart. Although it made her feel vulnerable, the overwhelmingly positive response to her piece showed her it was the right thing to do. Hearing the stories of those who reached out inspired Erin to start this podcast(!) as she wanted to shine a light on other women's stories so people could hear their truths shared as well.
Tune in to hear Erin read her article and share her reflections on the year that followed.

Call Outs from the Episode:

Tweetables:

“I’ve held a lot of shame in gaining weight. Like a lot. And, it made me feel like I was less worthy.”— @erinsfaces [0:04:02]

“My story made women feel seen and it made them feel heard.”— @erinsfaces [0:10:21}

Come have fun with us!
Our private Facebook Group: Erin’s Faces Green Beauty Gathering
Instagram: @erinsfaces
Email: questions@beautyfullstories.com
Website: erinsfaces.com

30. Should My Size Determine My Self Worth? with Jessica Myhr Reich Jan 11, 2021

Show notes

What do you love about your body? If you are struggling to find an answer, you are not alone! Today's guest, Jessica Myhr Reich of Inherent Style, is not your typical stylist as she couples empathy with her ability to meet clients exactly where they are. For her, clothes are a form of expression, and she wants her clients to shine from the inside out.
In this episode, Jessica delves into body image issues and how we can use celebration rather than judgment to lift ourselves up. We talk about clothing, why mass-produced garments can make us feel terrible, and the need to move past size as an indicator of health. She understands that weight can fluctuate because of circumstances outside of our control. We talk about two of these situations – fertility treatment and divorce – which Jessica has experienced personally, and how this affected the way she viewed herself. Her vulnerability and desire to get her clients to show up authentically is truly admirable, so tune in to hear it all!

Our email this week (55:44) is about whether you can use your concealer as foundation. Spoiler alert: you totally can! In fact, you can use whatever is in your makeup bag however you want. While it may not work the best it can, you don’t need anyone’s permission to use products in a way that makes sense for you.

Call Outs from the Episode:

Jessica Myhr's Actor Website
Jessica Myhr's Instagram
Average Height and Weight of Women Article
Average Woman's Size is 16-18 Article
Untamedby Glennon Doyle
Eighth GradeMovie
Erin's Faces Radiant Firming Concealer

Tweetables:

“I’m not a typical stylist. I really work with people’s authenticity and their personal branding to create a visual story.”— Jessica Myhr Reich [0:05:10]

“Our society and culture is very much about "we are broken, we need something to fix ourselves." We have this narrative that is living inside of us that we have to do something, as opposed to celebrating who we are and what we have.”— Jessica Myhr Reich [0:11:32]

“When I’m working with a client, what I’m really trying to do is to help them find that light again. How can they shine and show up and feel like it’s ok?”— Jessica Myhr Reich [0:39:22]

“I feel wardrobe has to be who you are right now.”— Jessica Myhr Reich [0:52:49]

“If you actually walked out the door and said, ‘I am. I am enough,’ how would your life have changed?”— Jessica Myhr Reich [0:53:55]

Come have fun with us!

Our private Facebook Group: Erin’s Faces Green Beauty Gathering
Instagram: @erinsfaces
Email: questions@beautyfullstories.com
Website: erinsfaces.com

29. Should Beauty Icons All Be Thin & Blonde? with Hannah Padilla Dec 28, 2020

Show notes

There is often a lack of representation and diversity in the beauty industry, and while things have improved, more can be done to create inclusive spaces. Hannah Padilla, a graphic designer who Erin met on Instagram, is today’s guest, and she joins us to talk about a range of topics around beauty and inclusivity.
We kick off the show by hearing about Hannah’s experience growing up as Filipino and Indian and how the ubiquity of whiteness being perceived as beautiful contributed to her low self-worth. Without any role models that looked like her, it was hard for Hannah to see herself as beautiful both in terms of white and Asian beauty standards. Despite feeling like an outsider, Hannah turned things around and realized that she didn’t have to be white to be beautiful. We also touch on whitewashing in the green beauty space.
We also hear about her struggles with lupus and how makeup played a role in helping her regain confidence while working on her health as lupus played a huge role in Hannah's life - inclusive of speech therapy due to seizures and losing her hair.

Our email this week (33:08) is about where to put highlighter on your face. No matter how many YouTube videos you may have watched, this is probably still very confusing. Tune in to find the best places to put your highlighter to shimmer and shine.

Call Outs from the Episode:

Tweetables:

“I just felt like not only could I not meet the default standard of white beauty, but I also felt like I didn’t meet the Asian beauty standards.”— @im_hannaheunice [0:10:10]

“Makeup was a way for me to cope with the issues I have with lupus.”— @im_hannaheunice [0:22:31]

“You have to find your worth not just in your looks, but also in your intelligence, having a kind heart, your talents and abilities, how you treat others too.”— @im_hannaheunice [0:32:11]

Come have fun with us!
Our private Facebook Group: Erin’s Faces Green Beauty Gathering
Instagram: @erinsfaces
Email: questions@beautyfullstories.com
Website: erinsfaces.com

28. Should What's Right for You Be What's Right for Me? with Julianna Williams Dec 21, 2020

Show notes

Today we are joined by Erin’s cousin, the lovely Julianna Williams, who was adopted from Brazil along with her brother by Erin’s aunt when she was 11 years old. After talking about her experience being raised in a white family, Julianna shares how her adopted mom always encouraged her to embrace her heritage and made her feel part of the family from the day one.
The two talk about the fact that some people think it is okay to comment on others’ bodies, how such remarks (whether “good” or “bad”) can impact your body image, and why measuring individuals by the beauty standards of their ethnicity is problematic. On the topic of living up to other people’s expectations, Julianna gets into her frustrations at being pressured to move onto the “next” phase of her life when she is not ready to do so, and Erin shares some words of wisdom about each of us knowing what the right timeline looks like for us. Tuning in, listeners will also hear them discuss the dangerous dynamic that social media introduces to growing up, white privilege, inclusivity, facial hair, veganism and the importance of putting up healthy boundaries.

Our email this week (42:08) is about why the texture of some natural products changes depending on the season.

Call Outs from the Episode:

Tweetables:

“I’m the type of person who is good at setting boundaries but I’m not good at doing that as much with family and close people because I don’t want to push anybody away.” — Julianna Williams [0:21:00]

“The challenge is, nobody knows what the right timeline is more than you do.” — @erinsfaces [0:24:25]

“It bugs me when somebody picks on you because of your body, because that is your body. You can work out and be fit but your fit might not be somebody else’s fit.” — Julianna Williams [0:32:45]

Come have fun with us!
Our private Facebook Group: Erin’s Faces Green Beauty Gathering
Instagram: @erinsfaces
Email: questions@beautyfullstories.com
Website: erinsfaces.com

27. Should My Self Worth Be Wrapped Up in What I Do? with Nylsa Shivers Dec 15, 2020

Show notes

Today’s episode is with Nylsa Shivers, owner of Wholehearted Goods Co. and the proud distributor of Erin’s Faces products in Texas! After a successful career as an account executive at Clinique, Nylsa started her own clean beauty business and is also raising five beautiful children.
Nylsa talks about her Mexican-Peruvian ethnic background, what her childhood was like as the child of struggling parents, how being raised in a low-income family affected her relationship with money and food, and the hard truth behind her drive to be the best at everything she did. But, after making her way out of emotional incest and a dysfunctional home environment, she suffered from low-self esteem and found her worth in her work. Nylsa shares how God's grace ended up saving her from a performance-driven life and mindset and when she finally discovered that her value as a human being was about who she was, not what she achieved. Joining in, listeners will also hear her talk about fostering and adoption, racial bias, and how she learned to love other people, regardless of where they are at.

Our email today (43:40) is all about the difference between tinted moisturizer and foundation. While there are pros and cons to both, Erin explains that it comes down to what works best for you. For tips on getting a dewy versus a matte finish, be sure to tune in!

Call Outs from the Episode:

Tweetables:

“My need to perform was extremely high because, if I did not perform and was the best, then is my consequence going to be the abuse they are receiving?” — @Nylsashivers [0:16:57]

“Educating people is what is making a difference in changing behaviors.” — @Nylsashivers [0:17:18]

“Home environment can make all the difference in a child’s life.” — @Nylsashivers [0:22:44]

“I didn’t show grace as much as I wish I had. I was on a path that I was going to do whatever it took, and then I went through a divorce.” — @Nylsashivers [0:29:44]

“I came to a place of loving people where they are, taking care of myself and others, and thinking outside of just me. My self-worth was not in what I did but in who I am.” — @Nylsashivers [0:30:29]

Come have fun with us!

Our private Facebook Group: Erin’s Faces Green Beauty Gathering
Instagram: @erinsfaces
Email: questions@beautyfullstories.com
Website: erinsfaces.com

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Beauty Full Stories with Erin’s Faces

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected