Here’s the Takeaway: Simple Skincare Advice from Beauty Advisor Natasha V. Glasgow

November 4, 2024

This week on the podcast I interviewed beauty advisor Natasha V. Glasgow.

Think of Natasha, the founder of NVG Beauty, as a concierge for your skin. Not sure what products are best for you? She’ll help craft a routine. Wondering if those products you’ve seen advertised actually work? She’s your girl.

I wanted to talk with her not only because she’s like a walking beauty encyclopedia, but also because she encourages people to start from a place of self-love. You’re not feeling like you’re being sold when you visit her Instagram page, but rather encouraged to be the best version of yourself. That lesson is more important than ever as we age.

Read on for her basic tips on good beauty practices; check out the podcast; and shop all her picks… all below!

Don’t Overdo It

Natasha emphasizes that over-exfoliating–including using acids and scrubs either simultaneously or too frequently–can disrupt the skin’s barrier and cause more issues. She recommends a more gentle approach, and also does not even personally use retinols or retinoids.

As for me, I love to take the “one active ingredient per AM/PM” approach. For example in the mornings, it’s an antioxidant + SPF (in either a combined formula, or separately). And for evening, I’ll use a peptide serum, or a retinoid (even though I’m currently not using a retinoid, and haven’t regularly for quite some time), or an acid-containing product. In the evenings, I usually follow those products up with a basic moisturizer on top, if needed.

Here’s What’s “Revolutionary”

I keep up with beauty news pretty seriously, so it’s rare for a product to sneak past my radar. That being said, I wanted Natasha’s take on the products or devices she considers revolutionary. I figure for someone in this space, a product has to rise to a pretty high standard to hit that qualification.

That being said, here are a few things Natasha recommends if you’re looking for a boost in your routine:

Ziip Microcurrent Device: This is Natasha’s favorite at-home microcurrent that she says, with regular use, will “give you long term results.” Microcurrent technology helps to contract the muscles, increase blood flow, and stimulate collagen and elastin production in the skin over time.

Biologique Recherche masks, specifically the Biofixine and Masque Vivant. I personally am a fan of the Masque Vivant too! It does smell a little like yeast (yes, kind of a downside), but when you use it, you’ll get the most glowy skin ever! My skin always looks brighter and smoother after this mask, moreso than with any other masks I’ve used.

Dew Effect Eye Balm: Natasha raved about this one! It’s from an indie beauty company, and right now it’s the only offering on their website. Natasha raves about it, saying it’s the best she’s tried for reducing puffiness and hydrating the delicate eye area. Use code NVG15 for 15% off!

Red light therapy. While Natasha didn’t name one particular red light therapy device she likes best, she does say that it supports the body’s natural healing process and it definitely falls under the “revolutionary” category for her. My take is, this is something you’re going to have to use regularly to see results. So if you have the time and money, go for it! The Dr. Dennis Gross mask is the highest-rated one I’ve come across.

Embrace Your Beauty Quirks–Actually

I have to admit, I loved this advice the most.

Natasha and I are both in our 40s and I think have both learned to be kinder to ourselves over time–to accept the things that make our faces or overall looks more unique.

For me, I’ve talked in the past on the podcast about embracing my dark circles under my eyes. It sounds silly, because at the end of the day, obviously there are worse “issues” to deal with. I used to prioritize covering them up all the time, even if it meant chalky undereye concealer.

But I read an interview on Into the Gloss a long time ago where someone they interviewed talked about embracing her dark circles because they add dimension to the face and thought, Wow, that’s true, and I want to do that too.

So while I haven’t completely given up concealer, I have become so much more comfortable just letting them “be” now. More often than not, I’m running around town in the mornings after school dropoff without a drop of concealer or makeup, and actually feeling good about it. Those dark circles also come with a little purple on top of my eyelid that even make it look like I have eye shadow on. 😂

Natasha even shared a story about dark circles that brought a new wrinkle of appreciation for me. She noted that in Renaissance paintings, artists like Pontormo loved depicting women with deep-set, shadowed eyes, which Natasha realized was similar to her own features.

Now, she says, when she talks with her tween daughter about beauty, she tells her to see her dark circles not as a flaw, but as a natural part of her facial structure that adds beauty and interest. LOVE this message so much!

Natasha is full of amazing beauty advice as well as these kinds of perspectives that will totally change your way of appreciating, and indulging in, beauty products. Listen to the whole interview below for even more great beauty talk!