This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pantene. All opinions are 100% mine.
I am a firm believer that the person I am and the habits I have today are because of the rituals and routine I had growing up and ultimately carried into my adult life. Today, I’ll be sharing a little about my beauty regimen/routine and where it started to where it is now and a few tips and tricks I have learned along the way.
For those of you who may be new or don’t know, I come from a European background. My mother is French and my dad is Persian. Growing up, I always looked to my mom for all things beauty.
SKIN CARE
French women in general don’t rely on makeup to give them a complete makeover—instead, they prefer it to enhance their natural features and that has always been exactly what my mother instilled in me. As a licensed esthetician, she always taught me the importance of taking care of your skin and pretty much got me washing my face religiously and applying moisturizer at a very young age. It was something I got so much in the habit of doing that I have not missed a day since.
Growing up, I’d watch her work, spend time at her salon and my love for skincare (and beauty) began to grow. So much so that I followed in her footsteps and became a licensed esthetician of my own and worked in the field for years.
MAKEUP
On that note, another thing she instilled in me is that less is more when it comes to makeup. When you focus on skincare, your need for makeup decreases and it’s much more beautiful to let your natural self shine through. I remember always admiring how my mom would do her makeup. It was so minimal – a little foundation and that’s it. One thing that has always stuck with me since I was a child was seeing her use product multiple ways – like dabbing her lipstick on her cheek and blending it in with her fingertips for a natural blush look. I still use this little tip to this day.
SELF CARE
This is one that I will say I am still working on to this day but is SUCH an important lesson I’ve learned through the years. My dad especially, is the one who has drilled this one into my mind. For as long as I can remember he has told me that it is important to not stress in life and to take things day by day – stress and anxiety are very detrimental to your health and it is important to not overwork yourself, but to take time for yourself. I used to always tell myself “he’s a dad and of course he is going to say that”, but as I get older (and now into my 30s) I see the truth behind it. I see how important self-care is, and I’m making conscious efforts to step back, reflect, relax and do things that truly bring me peace and joy.
HAIR
Another thing I learned from my mom growing up was to not wash my hair every day. I would always wonder how she would keep her hair looking so chic and at times seeing her sprinkle some baby powder into her roots to soak up that extra oil. She’d pull her hair up into a “chignon” as we say in French and it was always so elegant and classic. I think that’s where I get my love of wearing my hair up or slicked back.
I always grew up using quality ingredients no matter which part of my body I’m focusing on, and hair is no different. In my shower, currently I use the new Pantene Nutrient Blends Collection which is made of ingredient blends inspired by cultures from all around the world. I thought this was just something that really spoke to me since I myself am inspired by different cultures in my own life.
My mother would always work tirelessly on bringing volume to what she would always tell me was “fine” hair. I never understood it until I realized I had the same issue and found myself trying to use all kinds of products to give back body and fullness to my own hair. I particularly love the Pantene Hair Volume Multiplier Collection with Bamboo because it is actually made to add fullness to fine/thin hair and it does it all while being free of silicones, parabens, dye and mineral oil. Total win-win for me.
The shampoo completely removes dirt and oils while returning hair to its natural fullness. I use this on my “wash” days which are usually every 2-3 days. I always follow the shampoo with conditioner, which nourishes and strengthens hair against damage, and I find it makes detangling my hair incredibly easy after showering. After I blow-dry my hair, I find that my hair looks thicker and more vibrant than it has in the past and I attribute it to the fact that these products refresh and nourish from scalp to ends. Shop this collection here to add volume and fullness to your strands.
I truly can’t imagine being half the person I am today if it weren’t for my incredible parents and the life lessons they taught me from an early age. I thank my father for his wisdom and my mother for those endless beauty secrets that I hope to pass down to someone else someday. Most of all I thank both my parents for allowing me to follow my dreams and pushing me to be the best version of myself which has ultimately led me here – where I feel like I was meant to be.
Love, Olia
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