By: Celia Sampson Photos by: Lillian Reitz
I am a super busy little woman, 4’11” to be exact, with a huge capacity that includes being a woman, mother of two beautiful daughters (Ceniyah and Beyla), the Director of Aveda Arts and Sciences Institute of Corpus Christi, a business consultant to salons, and a life agent who influences individual and professional development. I recently relocated to Corpus Christi from Denham Springs, Louisiana, and am a native of Bogalusa, Louisiana. I was a beauty shop baby, who eventually took on the family trade and became a licensed Cosmetologist and a licensed Cosmetology Instructor through Aveda Institute of Baton Rouge. I thrive off of faith, enthusiasm, hope, realistic transparency, and compassion.
It’s tough wearing many hats and never taking out time for yourself due to consistently providing care and compassion for others. I founded the affirmation #CeeStrength In Your Beauty! Once the name of my salon, it now is a “self-care” way of life for myself and anyone I encounter. It is my belief that if we CeeStrength in the very fibers of our being, we automatically radiate and glow on the outside. Although I am a beauty education professional, my beauty regimen is minimal. I have a few self-care tips and beauty products that I must have daily.
A self-care non-negotiable for me is prayer and music. It radiates my soul. I literally repeat Psalms 8 and Luke 6:38 daily. In the words of my pastor, gratitude is the seed for more. More love, more compassion, more abundance to copiously give service to others. That is what brings me joy! However, I do have a handful of beauty product non-negotiables.
Dove Care & Protect Antibacterial Body Wash
This antibacterial body wash eliminates 99% of bacteria* and moisturizes for hours, protecting your skin from dryness. Due to me having sensitive skin and high chances of outbreak, this soothes and helps my protective layer remain nourished. I suffer from rosacea, hyperpigmentation, and the big uh-oh: hormonal imbalance. My skin flares up very easily, and this wash is very gentle. *In a 20 second wash test vs. E. coli. Available at H-E-B
Aveda Mosscara™ Mascara
This thickening mascara conditions lashes from roots to tips with a blend of Iceland moss and other plant extracts. The brush smoothly and evenly blankets lashes in rich, lasting color. I love everything about this product. It conditions and thickens your lashes, and is buildable with natural-looking effects, fast-drying, ophthalmologist-tested, and aroma-free. I wear contact lenses, and this is the only mascara that does not burn my eyes. Available at Aveda
Clinique Blushing Blush Powder
This blush product creates a fresh, natural color for your cheeks that I just love. It builds to desired intensity with the included sculpting brush. The perfect pink shade has long-lasting wear and is oil-free. Available at Dillard’s
Aveda Nutriplenish™ Curl Celée
This product is perfect for hydrating, defining, and elongating coils, curls, and waves. It nourishes the hair with nutrient-powered superfoods packed with hydration. Plus, the product is both cruelty-free and vegan. I wear hair extensions, but I am naturally curly curly. This makes my curls and any wave/curl pattern stay formed, and minimizes frizz. Available at Aveda
Adiel & Renee Body Butter
I’ll let you in on a little secret: Whipped body butter is one of this world’s most luxurious indulgences. Adiel & Renee Body Butter is made with shea butter and coconut oil, and is a delightful skin butter sure to keep you moisturized all day long. It comes in a variety of yummy scents. Available online at adielandrenee.com
Maybelline New York Super Stay Matte Ink Liquid Liptick
Intensely perfect and perfectly intense. This product essentially “inks” your lips for up to 16 hours of saturated matte bliss. This lipstick is highly pigmented and features a unique applicator in the shape of an arrow for perfect application. I have a red lip infatuation, and given that I wear masks daily in the world of COVID-19, I am still able to wear lipstick that doesn’t smudge. My go-to red shade is “Innovator.” Available at Target
Aveda Beautifying Composition Oil
The Aveda Beautifying Composition Oil is an aromatic, nourishing oil for body, bath, and scalp care. It softens and moisturizes the skin with a nourishing blend of certified organic olive and safflower oils. It’s also excellent as a bath additive, massage oil, or hair and scalp treatment. I use it to remove my makeup, oil my scalp, and also massage into my skin. Who doesn’t love a product with multi-use properties? Available at Aveda
