Becca Booker is a Northern California native, but a local Arizona influencer. You’re probably like wtf, how does that work?
She came to Phoenix to attend college as a Marketing + Journalism double major (mmkk smartie) at Arizona State University. Since graduation, she stuck around! With a special interest in social media and digital marketing, Becca began exercising her social media skills for brands when she took over her sorority’s Instagram account. Since then, she has worked for local digital and social media marketing agencies and freelanced, all while running her blog According to Bbooks.
When her freelancing gigs continued to thrive, she thought, “why not start my own agency?” And with that, Homemade Social was born in 2018. She specializes in lifestyle brands, working on clients such as Noosh, Blue Water Gear and Some Like It Classic.
I met Becca when I joined her as the second Main Dame for the Dames Collective Phoenix chapter. Turns out, she was friends with my younger brother in college too, haha! Since we had our first Dames event together back in November 2018, we’ve become great pals!! We even share an office together in Scottsdale. Love being around this girly.
Becca is a not only a social media guru, she’s a skincare junkie. And I love watching her Instagram stories for all the latest skincare trends to follow, products to try and routines to implement into your day.
I am SKINCARE CHALLENGED. It’s something that intimidates me so I just don’t research it. Give me clothes and hair all day; I’ll research all the best trends, tips and products for those things, but SKINCARE & MAKEUP. No. I can’t. It’s so overwhelming to me.
The worst part about my reluctance with skincare is that it’s sooo necessary and so important. Especially when you’re creeping up on the 30-year birthday, which I am. And are pregnant or have kids, which I do. Ughhhhhhh.
This is when I am so grateful to have someone like Becca in my life.
Continue reading for the most thorough Q+A about skincare products, routines and tips. This chick knows her shit.
by Becca Booker
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MAKEUP REMOVER + OIL CLEANSER
I know what you’re thinking….WTF is an oil cleanser? And why do I need to wash my face BEFORE I…wash my face?! Lol. If you have oily skin, you may be thinking “why would I put more oil on my already oily skin!?”
Basically, the idea is that water washes off water, but water can’t wash off oil. Only oil can wash off oil. Insert: oil cleansers. I started using oil cleansers a little over a year ago and it is soo relaxing and is a great way to start your routine. I use Dermalogica’s PreCleanse – it smells SO good, takes off my makeup, and makes me feel like I’m at the spa. To wipe it off, I’ll use one of my reusable (#SustainableAF) wipes from Halo! -
WATER-BASED CLEANSER
This is probably the type of cleanser you already use daily. When I was on Accutane, I used something really gentle like Cera Ve (that you can get at Walgreens), but now I alternate between Kate Somerville’s Acne Cleanser (for when I’m breaking out) or Dermalogica’s Special Cleansing Gel. -
EXFOLIATOR
My aesthetician, Chelsea, at Zona Med Spa, says that this step is especially important if you have blackheads like me. My nose is COVERED in them. She said at least once a week, take an exfoliant (you can either use a mechanical one that has “beads” in it or a chemical one that has AHAs or BHAs like glycol acid, salicylic acid, or lactic acid) and spend more time massaging the area with the most black heads. The exfoliant will help to break down the dead skin cells on your skin so that you can rinse them off! This prevents them from clogging your pores and turning into blackheads.
I’ll actually add Dermalogica’s (are you seeing the theme here?!) Daily Microfoliant to my water-based cleanser at night, and I also use Korean Exfoliating Cloths in the shower to exfoliate my entire body! -
TONER
To be honest, I used to HATE toner. I think it makes me break out even more! I’ve tried Glossier’s Solution and wasn’t impressed. HOWEVER, Korean toners are actually different than American toners. The don’t make your face sting lol. So when I learned this I immediately bought the Son & Park Beauty Water (the reviews on it are insane). It’s not oily, it balances the pH of your skin, it’s HYDRATING (I feel like most toners dry me out and make my skin feel tight), and it doesn’t burn!!
I also use my Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad in this step because it exfoliates and needs to absorb before putting anything else on the skin. I love these because they also have self-tanner in them!! -
ESSENCE
Once your toner dries, you’ll want to pat in essence. This is the heart of the “famous” Korean 10-step skincare routine and it’s basically a toner/serum hybrid made for hydrating and aiding skin repair and cell turnover.
I love the Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence because it is fragrance free (great for sensitive skin) and has a pH level of 6.5. It’s also great for hydration and getting rid of hyper-pigmentation! -
TREATMENTS
What is a “treatment”? Basically any boosters, serums, and ampoules that target problems associated with your skin specifically. I use treatments that target wrinkles and acne! But treatments can target anything from dull skin, large pores, pigmentation, wrinkles, or acne. Gently tap these into your skin! I use Kate Somerville Anti Bac Acne Clearing Lotion in the AM and Honest Beauty’s Retinol in the PM. -
SHEET MASKS
My FAVORITE thing to do at the end of a long day is do my skincare routine and then put on a sheet mask. It’s so therapeutic!!! You just sit there for 15-30 minutes and let all the goodness soak into your skin.
I used to get my masks at Sephora for like $7 each, but now I subscribe to FaceTory and get 4 sheet masks delivered to me each month for $8.90!! I always look forward to receiving it in the mail. It’s cheap and it’s a great form of self-care. I like to read a book, listen to meditation music, or scroll through IG while I mask haha. -
EYE CREAM
If you’re 25, it’s time for an eye cream! I use Revision Skincare D.E.J Eye Cream. It focuses on wrinkles and smooths out skin texture. Plus, it’s medical-grade! -
MOISTURIZER
I LOVE MOISTURIZER! Can’t get enough of it. My favorites are Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Fibroblast Anti-Aging Moisturizer and Revision Skincare D.E.J. -
SUN PROTECTION
If you don’t use SPF everyday then wyd????? Seriously. If you hate sunscreen then you’re probably wearing the wrong kind haha. Do yourself a favor and place an order – there are so many great ones that don’t make you breakout and don’t leave that white film on your skin. Try to get one with SPF 50+. Also, get a powdered sunscreen-like makeup that you can reapply every 2 hours. I use Replenix SPF 50+ (it has caffeine and anti-aging properties) and reapply throughout the day with the powedered Colorescience Sunforgettable Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Brush. -
LIP MASK!
I seriously don’t know how I lived before I got my LaNeige Lip Mask. It’s the BEST night mask for your lips. It’s chapstick on steroids and smells like Starburst. YOU’LL BE ADDICTED. I promise. Linked here.