Luxe Beauty, everywhere I go. One of my top cities/audiences is in Atlanta so I decided to check out some of the best minority women who specialize in luxe skin aesthetics and procedures. Check out my in-depth Q&A with Jesika Olguin of Advanced Aesthetics Artistry is Atlanta. You can also follow her on IG @Advancedaestheticsartistry
 
How long have you been injecting? 
I have been injecting for almost 5 years now. Although most of the procedures I perform are elective, I also provide aspiration of seromas and a network or professionals that work together in ensuring post op recovery and safety.


What made you want to start doing injectables? 
Well, after nursing school I started off not really knowing which specialty I would pursue. I tried urgent care for a few years and learned so much, along with learning how to work under pressure. Then I had the opportunity to work in an OR for a plastic surgeon and see transformations for myself. I actually went to art school first and finding out that I could possibly have room to apply my creativity was life changing. After that, I dove into everything aesthetics and tried to learn as much as I could. Injecting can definitely be very scary at first but trusting myself through the process has been what helped me excel.
 
Is it a myth that you should start doing Botox or other wrinkle relaxers when you get to a certain age? 
There is no exact age or range where you should start. Botox and other products help with the wrinkles, but prevention is key. You can start earlier than others due to your own facial structure, lifestyle habits, extreme fluctuations in weight as well as maintaining a youthful look. Regardless of the age where you begin to use these products, you must develop a personal skincare routine and supporting lifestyle habits. You can also spend lots of money on all these products and it all go to waste with lifestyle choices. 
 
How common do you see minority women getting fillers/injectables? 
I actually service many minorities and women of color. The key is facial balancing; every woman has a different structure, and we need to stay true to that. 


Why do you think it's frowned upon to some minorities? 
It’s quite possible that the cost of starting injectables along with maintenance can be a key topic in that debate. However, I find that no matter what the background, women are seeking to feel and look as youthful as possible. The vanity that comes with aesthetics has become a sort of double-edged sword where everyone wants to shun it but be part of it at the same time.


We injected Botox in my chin and below lip line - what are the benefits of that? 
That session was set-up to treat or rather the prevention of marionette lines. These are the lines that form around the mouth and can be compared to the marionette string puppets and the lines formed around how their mouths were built to move. 


How often do you have to maintain your filler/injections? 
For Botox, depending on your lifestyle it would be every 3-6 months for proper maintenance. For fillers though, it will be as needed, and I am not afraid to cut someone off from doing too much. Again, my goal is always facial balancing and making sure we keep your health at the forefront of any session.

As a Boss Babe on the Go, I am always looking to stay at amazing hotels that have the right amenities and proximity to my favorite things in beauty, lifestyle and fashion. If your travels bring you to Atlanta, you have to stay at the AC Hotel in Buckhead. 

The hotel is the perfect location and it is right across the street from Phipps Plaza - one of the best mall's around. This was a no brainer for me! Okay, besides shopping, I look for a hotel that is clean, friendly, chic and accommodating to my lifestyle which is often - I need somewhere great to work in. So many of you all ask me where is the best places to stay if you're trying to experience a staycation, vacation or just somewhere you can indulge in some luxe amenities and beautiful atmosphere. AC Hotel in Buckhead is definitely on my list for Atlanta hotels.

Traveling during a Pandemic has been challenging but I was happy to see that AC Buckhead was following safe and effective procedures. I look forward coming back to show all the full amenities available when it's safer to reopen.  The do have in dining and an indoor heated pool which I am dying to try! Hopefully they will have me back so I can report how amazing that is as well. 

I enjoyed working in the beautiful business center where I could catch up on emails. Sometimes you don't want to work in your room but enjoy a nice aesthetic, They have a computer if you need it, and great information about Atlanta if you are trying to check out some local spots. I was diligently doing my research on the mall :)

The bar was so chic and fun. After a long day of bossin' up, I had to get my favorite cocktail, a prosecco to toast to my productive day. They have a full bar that is great for a happy hour meetup. I am also eager to check the bar back out when I go back, now that things are slowly opening back up and back to normal.

So, is this somewhere you would stay? Have you stayed? Give me the details on your experience!

You can find great beauty spas everywhere you go. My latest travels brought me to Indianapolis. I was so excited to find Dr. Carla of Bella Body & Skin Studio. Rarely did we see Black Women Injectors in our region, so I was so happy to see there was a Medspa in Indy that offered more luxe skin and body treatments. Bella Body and Skin Studio was founded in order to help not just women, but everyone feel beautiful in their own healthy skin and bodies and to increase sense of wellness and well-being.
 
Carla Jenkins is the founder of Bella Body and Skin Studio. She has 20 years of nursing experience in various areas of critical care. Currently a doctoral candidate, she has been a nurse practitioner for the past ten years working in general adult medicine as well as specialties of nephrology, neurology, gastroenterology, vascular surgery and psychiatry. She has always taken a personal interest in skin care and general health and well-being. 
 
She suggested I try Dysport vs. Botox. So, what’s the difference? Botox and Dysport are both popular products for addressing common skin issues. These injectable medicines relax your facial muscles to eliminate wrinkles, frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines. It really just depends on your issues/needs and what the best one your injector suggests. Dr. Carla told me she likes Dysport for Women of Color.
 
Did you know besides beauty, Botox/Dysport can help with other issues? Such as excessive sweating and migraines I’m on a mission to spotlight and educate more about fillers/injections- it’s the self-care for me💕
 
Bella Body & Skin Studio offers a range of boutique beauty and body services, make sure you go check her out on IG @bellabodyandskinstudio and visit her website, https://www.bellabodyandskinstudio.com/.

Father's Day looks completely different than last year. My Dad and I are vaccinated and ready to spend some time in person and around the city. These are all things my Dad and I like to do together, I'm hoping you and your father/dad figure can do the same!

My Dad loves him some Frisch's - so I decided to take him to try some of their new menu items. My Dad is a big fan of buffalo, anything and luckily they have new buffalo popcorn shrimp. He even shared a fry with me :)

The weather is warming up and the cicadas are disappearing. My Dad has always loved swimming and he made sure all his children were strong swimmers. Schedule some time at a local community pool and spend some quality splash time with Dad. You can book times at your local CRC or Downtown at Zigler pool. Pack some snacks or purchase there!

My Dad loves to dance. So the perfect thing for us to do is take our talents down to Fountain Square for Salsa on the Square on Thursday nights. My Dad competed in Cincinnati Dancing with the Stars, so he was teaching me some of his Tango moves before we hit the square. This is the perfect thing to do if your Dad loves to dance. They always have great music, food and if nothing else, great people watching.

We've been through enough this last year with a pandemic. We all were in the house and not moving as much. Let's get those Dad active! Take Dad on a Hike, Walk, Go to the Gym and even take him to get vaccinated if you have not already. There are so many beautiful Parks around Cincinnati you can take him too, explore new hiking trails you may not have known about before. We want our Dad's to be around for many many more Father's Day. 

If your Dad is like mine, then he loves his cars. Give him the gift of taking care of his other babies with a mobile car detailing gift. This is a local small Black owned business that you can support, Isome Detailing. These amazing guys come to you, so it takes taking your car to a car wash a thing in the past. Just schedule an appointment, sit back and relax for them to come to you. They did an amazing job and this would be the perfect Father's Day surprise! Find out more information and contact them  here

Let's keep those Beards healthy and clean (and connecting). My good friend Crystal, owner of Grace + Grit Spa offers an life changing beard facial for men called: The GentleMan's Beard Facial.

The GentleMans' Beard Facial will leave your beard and face feeling clean, nourished, and soft with a deep pore cleaning, exfoliation and hydration. Bacteria that causes breakouts can hide in the beard.  We will use a High Frequency comb to kill the bacteria and help alleviate ingrown hairs. Relax and enjoy a neck, shoulder, facial and scalp massage to de-stress the entire body.

Book him an appointment or buy a gift card here.

Take Dad up the street to Indy for a quick getaway. Indy has a lot of great attractions, restaurants and more that Dad would enjoy! Personally, I would check out the Bottleworks Hotel, Khora restaurant and Fashion Place Mall.

​You can read more about my visit to Indy here for more ideas!

Does your Dad like a nice whiskey? What about a whiskey with a rich historical background? Then Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is the perfect gift for him.

Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is inspired by the best whiskey-maker the world never knew, the first African-American master distiller on record in the United States, Nearest Green. The Uncle Nearest brand, wholly owned by Uncle Nearest, Inc., encompasses a premium aged whiskey, an 11-year-old single barrel product, and a 7-year-old small batch offering, all distilled, aged, bottled and hand-labeled in Tennessee.

To find where you can purchase find out here.

Umber 86 is a black owned business located Downtown on Walnut Street. It is an eclectic wax bar curated and dedicated to your healing and rejuvenation through body wax & vinyl. How cool is that!? 
I decided I needed a quick underarm wax; the service was very fast and friendly. The ambiance was nothing like I have seen before from a “wax bar” it definitely felt like I was in another place for my “staycation.” They have other full services ranging from pretty much anything you can think of to get waxed for both women and men.

Make sure you support this woman owned/black owned business in downtown by booking a wax appointment here:
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