By: Kimmy Huynh
I have lived a million lives in a whirlwind of major cities before finally settling down recently in Corpus Christi, due to my partner’s burgeoning medical practice, Advanced Pain Specialists. Having grown up in Dallas makes me a Texas girl at heart, but I spent most of my career living the big-city life in Miami, San Diego, Las Vegas, Denver, Los Angeles and New York.
After having worked alongside celebrities, renowned beauty insiders and highly regarded medical professionals, I had such apprehension about moving and being so new in town: Would I ever find my people and my passion here? I have — and so much more, with a Texas glam squad that is pretty well up to par with the Hollywood heavy hitters!
As a beauty editor and influencer, there’s a level of glamour and enticing appeal to get to sneak a peek behind the curtain of the fashion and beauty industry. Yet, it is intrinsically more than just the face value of it all, but what it instills within us and how it brings out the complete confidence of a consumer, so that each person can make their difference in the world.
Now, my life is continually trying to achieve a more meaningful balance among being a mom, beauty editor, entrepreneur and supporter of my partner’s medical career. I lost myself entirely into motherhood, and when I emerged, I was a completely different woman. In the nine months of pregnancy, no one even mentions, “You’re about to meet someone entirely new. And it’s not your baby. It’s going to be you.” I was always running on empty, depleted of any joy.
Over time I’ve learned you cannot pour from an empty cup, and you cannot have what’s in my cup. Now, coming from a place of immense self-love and self-care, it’s all about giving from all the overflow. Love is so limitless, and just the daily practice of this replenishes and refills the cup. I can then serve as I’m meant to in all areas of my life and for my community. So, as each month adds on to my time here in the Coastal Bend, I find myself overflowing with love and gratitude in this hidden gem of our sparkling city by the sea. With my beauty expertise, I hope to bring a cosmopolitan and luxurious med spa experience and product line catered to the Corpus skincare aficionados in the near future.
Biologique Recherche P50 1970, Colostrum Serum, Crème Vernix, Masque Vivant and VIP O2
Buy the best, and you’ll only cry once. A French-based regimen, tailor-made to your skin type to enhance that natural beauty. They are undoubtedly the stinkiest of all skincare, but they are my cult favorite Holy Grails and I will keep slathering the smell to achieve the baby skin results they give.
Available at Skincare Butik
Botox
A great skincare regimen can only do so much; I duly attribute injectables to turning back the clock on steroids. Fine lines, be gone, but also there are so many inventive uses — such as microtox, tech neck reversal and migraine protocols. I’m also an anxious sleeper by clenching my jaw, so Botox has helped reduce TMJ.
SkinMedica TNS Advanced Serum
This is literally magic in a bottle, evidence of a skin-rejuvenating formula that visibly improves the appearance of coarse wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin. The supercharged star ingredients are special growth factors that show results in as little as two weeks.
Available online via SkinMedica
Skinbetter Alto Defense Serum & AlphaRet
Everyone should have a retinol or retinoid in their anti-aging routine; it’s proven time and time again to help cell turnover. AlphaRet does it gently and effectively without giving you the flakey retinoid ugly phase. Alto Defense Serum is chock-full of vital antioxidants, leaving you radiant and protected against damaging free radicals.
Available at Corpus Christi Institute of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery
UBeauty Resurfacing Compound
My girlfriend, Tina a.k.a. The Bag Snob, who is synonymous with glass skin, came out with this ingenious product with SIREN technology. It helps uncover that hidden beauty behind your layers of dead skin.
Available online via UBeauty
Olaplex and Milabon Haircare
In Texas — the land of blondes, but where no one is truly blonde — I have found my hair savior, Chatty Celeste, who rivals some of the best hairstylists across the nation. I naturally have jet-black hair with brassy undertones, and she manages to get me to my blonde girl dreams, keeping my long locks cool, bright and healthy with Olaplex and Milabon haircare products.
Olaplex available at Riptide Salon
Gel X
Often imitated, yet never duplicated — Apres Nails Gel-X system is unrivaled for those seeking an alternative to acrylic, hard gels and extension nails. If you’ve ever admired a red carpet mani or nail art from a reality star or fave celeb, it’s practically guaranteed to be Gel-X soak off gel extensions.
Available at V’s Day Spa
Dyson Airwrap and Colorwow Dreamcoat
For the ultimate at-home blowout. Sleek, silky hair with the option to curl and style without damaging your hair. It gives you a salon-quality look in the convenience of your home in half the time. Colorwow Dreamcoat simulates a keratin treatment without all the harsh chemicals and heat, lasting up to 4 washes.
Available at Vanity Box
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
This became one of my favorites after giving birth. I was able to introduce back more active ingredients, yet also gone were the days of a 12-step routine. Hello, “wham-bam-thank you ma’am,” one cream and you’re done. Plump, dewy skin without all the hassle.
Available online at Augustinus Bader
Tripollar Stop X
Radio-frequency technology to deeply penetrate and target areas, to keep your face and jawline snatched to the gods. Its lifting, sculpting and skin-tightening benefits are worth the wallet sticker shock. It’s a soothing, FDA-approved at home device, building collagen to help plump and firm the skin with a soothing warmth.
Available online at Tripollar Stop X
MUTHA Body Oil and Body Butter
When my dear friend Hope Smith heard of my high-risk pregnancy woes and autoimmune issues, she sent over her miracle butter and silky oil. These help prevent and reduce stretch marks to keep my mum tum from looking like it got attacked by Freddy Krueger; it’s calming, healing and best at fading away the marks, so ideal both during pregnancy and postpartum.
Available online at MUTHA
Sakara Beauty + Detox Drops
These drops help hydrate and remineralize the body, and give skin a lit-from-within-glow. Sakara vitamin supplements and metabolism powder have been life-changing for my gut and mental health. Mix it with coconut water or coffee for caffeine fiends, sprinkle in some functional adaptogens and kick-start your day.
Available online via Sakara Life
HigherDOSE Sauna Blanket
Once the pandemic hit and we were all sheltering at home, I missed the spa days and just sweating out all my weekend sins. This at-home sauna blanket feels like a human burrito, but it truly gets the job done with its infrared rays for a restorative yet euphoric high and unbelievable glow.
Available online via Goop
