BeautyNow Girl: Monica Abney

08 • 12 • 2014

I’m excited to announce my next BeautyNow Girl: Monica Abney, the Houston-based blogger behind Classy & Fabulous! Monica is part of my new blog series to share the product favorites and skincare secrets of beautiful, stylish, and interesting “BeautyNow Girls” around the U.S.!

I’m hoping the BeautyNow Girl series will drive home the fact that you can use the BeautyNow app to book beauty appointments in every major city in the U.S.! It’s not just in Houston or Texas! Please support my blog by downloading the free BeautyNow app (for iPhone, Android version coming this Fall!)

Fun facts about Monica: she’s an art aficionado and dog [specifically, Schnauzer] lover. And since you know it takes brains to be a BeautyNow Girl– Monica has a degree in Biology, but decided to pursue her dream of being a fashion blogger and illustrator. Look how cute her illustrations are:

Oh, and by the way, Monica happens to be DROP DEAD GORGEOUS. She’s of Chinese, Spanish and Hispanic descent. When I met her in person (of course I had already stalked her on her blog), I definitely wanted to “have what she’s having.” So I hope you enjoy reading about Monica’s product picks and beauty secrets!

Name: Monica Abney (@classnfab)

Home: Houston, Texas

Makeup Items You Use Everyday: Dolce & Gabbana Passion Eyes Mascara in Blu Indaco  [Editor’s Note: the wand and formula of this mascara is very similar to CoverGirl’s Clump Crusher mascara]

Nighttime Skincare Routine: I always remove my eye makeup with Dior Instant Eye Makeup Remover. I have oily skin, so after that I apply Clean & Clear Essentials Deep Cleaning Toner. Then I wash my face with my Clarisonic and LIFT LAB Skin Regeneration Daily Cleanser. [Editor’s Note: I’ve never tried toning BEFORE cleanser, but maybe she’s on to something!] If my skin feels too dry I add a bit of Le Weekend de Chanel face lotion.

Best Drugstore Find: Essie nail polish.

Makeup Bag Staples: (pictured below). For Summer, I try to keep my makeup light.

—Clarins Opalescence Face & Blush Powder [Editor’s Note: I actually use this Clarins powder too. When I travel, I use this allover instead of my usual Stila Set & Illuminate Baked Powder Trio to set my makeup. Not sure why they call it a “blush” powder since it wouldn’t add much color to your cheeks]

—Pores No More by Dr. Brandt: a cult-favorite pore refining primer that creates the perfect canvas for your makeup

—Kevyn Aucoin ‘The Eye Pencil Primatif’ Pencil Eye Liner: soft and smudgy for the perfect, effortless smokey eye

—Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric: I use it on my cheeks and lips. The cushiony formula gives a flush that looks like second skin.

—Dolce & Gabbana Passion Eyes Mascara in Black or Blu Indaco

—Benefit Fake Up Concealer: a moisturizing but non-creasing concealer for my under eye circles

—Dolce & Gabbana Smooth Eye Colour Quad in Desert: the shades range from cream to deep terra-cotta brown so you can create any eye look.

—Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15 in Rose: super moisturizing color!

—Winks by Georgie Beauty Ultimate Eyelash Curler: the extra-cushiony conditioning pads on the curler actually condition your lashes with blue chamomile

–a sample of Elizabeth and James Nirvana fragrance

Recent Beauty Splurge That Was Not Worth the $$$: Becca The One Perfecting Brush. This brush is supposed to replace all your other brushes for your foundation, blush, bronzer, etc. But I found that the first time it worked well, but after that it only works to apply bronzer.

Fave Nude Nail Polish: Dolce & Gabbana The Nail Lacquer in Nude (a light, peachy nude)

Fave Appointment to Book on the BeautyNow App: a massage at Arena Salon and Day Spa

Biggest Beauty Concern: Unfortunately right now it is adult acne. I use Neutrogena Complete Acne Therapy System. It works pretty well, but there are some days that I need to do an at home ‘peeling’ and I use Bliss That’s Incredi-peel glycolic resurfacing pads.

Diet? I don’t really have a strict diet. I eat everything but in small portions. Also I try not to eat heavy after 6:00 p.m. I avoid sodas and sugary drinks and try to only drink water.

Exercise? Reformer Pilates always kicks my butt but is amazing! Also walking my dogs.

Thanks, Monica!

xoxo,

@beautynowapp [yes, I am really signing off with my Insta handle. Please follow me!]

Tagged BeautyNow app