Beauty x Brains: Ashley Dean
I don’t know about you - but were you THIS accomplished at 22?! Both youthful AF and wise beyond her years, Ashley is the Social Media & Marketing Director for a local real estate investment company by day and a dog mom, writer and creative soul by night. She recently created a group called Feeling Accepted (IG: @feelingaccepted) that functions as a space for genuine connection, positivity, support and acceptance. Check it out for upcoming interviews with badass women in the Saskatoon area who are crushing it at what they do while staying completely authentic to themselves! Ashley is full of passion and her goals include taking her brand, Feeling Accepted, to stages across Canada where she will speak her truth and share her story, as well as writing a series of books on personal growth and connection with others. She’s also an incredible connoisseur of local and thrifted fashion and has a signature style steeped in keeping it natural. It may be an understatement to say this girl is #goals on #goals on #GOALS! Oh! And she’s got the $2 cure for undereye circles — YOU’RE WELCOME.
Do you remember who your first beauty influence was? Who influences you now?
My first beauty influence was definitely my mother. She is so naturally beautiful and always encouraged a “less is more” perspective. I definitely still follow that advice today — I prefer a natural look, natural products, and natural makeup in my day-to-day life.
My passion for makeup and beauty has absolutely evolved and I now look to women such as Isabelle Kate (@isabellekategm) for creative beauty inspiration and my overall current beauty influence is Nikki Reed (@nikkireed). Nikki’s simplistic, sustainable, natural, and down-to-earth approach to beauty is very similar to my own. I love to recreate her looks with my own spin!
Tell me about a beauty product that was considered “iconic” to 15-year-old Ashley. What makes the list these days?
An iconic beauty product that I used at age 15 was the Garnier Under Eye Roller – I really struggled with accepting that I have extremely thin skin around my eyes giving me a really dark, almost bruised-like look. For years I was self-conscious about this part of my skin and tried everything I could get my hands on to diminish the dark circles. Someone even recommended Preparation H to me and I used that daily for like 3 months before I realized it was meant for hemorrhoids and probably wasn’t helping me. I now use a basic under eye mask from Equate [“Equate Anti Shadow Cooling Eye Gel Mask] – it retails for just under $2.00/mask and, after regular usage (about every other day for a week), my dark circles are virtually gone! I have honestly spent so much money on products for dark circles and this inexpensive mask from Walmart has done more for me than the $100 products I have tried.
{Mandy note: Reporting from the bottom of the rabbit hole I’ve found myself in, trying to find this product online! When I look up the Equate product it gives me search results for a product with the exact same name but under a brand called Still Spa Essentials which, after much digging, I can find zero information about. The two brands literally boast the same mask ingredients - sea algae and gardenia flower - and the detective in me is very intrigued about this crossover. Will report back with any updates I find but, until then, you will literally have to hunt down the Equate masks on foot at a local Walmart! Think of it was a treasure hunt — I hope you strike gold!!}
Now, one of the most iconic beauty products for me is Verb Ghost Weightless Hair Oil. I use it OFTEN. I was first introduced to this product when I was subscribed to Ipsy’s monthly beauty bag and it has been a staple for me ever since. My hair is temperamental and is sometimes extremely frizzy – this oil is actually a miracle worker for me and I use it when my hair is both damp and dry. I love that it is cruelty-free and that the packaging is recyclable (go sustainability!).
What product have you been using the longest, that you will never replace?
Better Than Sex mascara by Too Faced. Hands down. Every time. This is a product that I was introduced to through my Ipsy beauty subscription and I have used both the waterproof and regular formula for YEARS. The shape of the brush is like no other and really helps add volume to my lashes!
Can you share a beauty hack or two that you’ve perfected over the years?
This one might be pretty common but I like to heat up my eyelash curler before I curl my lashes. I have very long natural eyelashes but they do not have much natural volume. I find that curling them with a cool eyelash curler only lasts for about the first half of my day; however, heating it up beforehand adds extra volume initially and helps them stay curled nicely all day long. I do this with a blow dryer – turn it on to a warm/hot setting and heat up the curler, then let it cool so you don’t burn your eyes (I HAVE DONE THIS, it sucks). Then curl lashes like normal. For added volume, I curl my lashes near the base and then move farther from the lash line and curl them again, so the shape is more even and natural.
Can you narrow down a favorite skin care brand and/or makeup brand?
My favorite skin care brand is definitely Tatcha. [For makeup] I have always used a lot of products from NYX, Tarte, and Smashbox. Honestly though, I have products from so many makeup brands because I am always finding new things that work better with my skin and are better for the environment!
Let’s talk about your current day and night routines…
Day:
Cleanse with Tatcha Deep Cleanse Exfoliating Cleanser
Moisturize with Tatcha Water Cream
Apply primer after moisturizer has absorbed into my skin (usually I use Touch Glorious Face Primer from Younique)
Apply makeup (typically foundation, concealer, blush, mascara, and a light contour if I feel up to it)
Set my makeup with a setting spray from NYX
Then I do my hair – which usually consists of applying Verb Ghost Oil, followed by a smoothing lotion from it Factor. I usually leave my hair down without curling or straightening it to achieve a natural wave.
Night:
I like to shower in the evening, I find it is a nice way for me to unwind.
I typically wash my face again using a mild water-based cleanser and then moisturize.
I never dry my hair before bed (hair connoisseurs, don’t come at me for this, lol!). I will apply Rosehip Balm from AG to aid with air drying my hair. I use a pro-styling hairbrush from Seacret to comb my hair and it helps to keep it super smooth and soft.
I moisturize my whole body with Rodan & Fields Active Hydration Body Replenish. This stuff is SO hydrating and is great for everywhere EXCEPT the face. After this I usually use Euforia firming cream from Pure Romance on places like my knees and bum!
Sometimes I throw on a fragrance-free charcoal face mask – I really like the charcoal clay face mask from C’est Moi because it only takes 15 minutes and really pulls impurities from my pores. If you struggle with large pores and/or oily skin, this stuff is the bomb!
What is your go-to beauty look for a night out (and how do you prep)?
My go-to beauty look is a cream contour with a red lip – nothing too over the top for me! I love to experiment with really dramatic eye makeup, but I typically only do that for photoshoots.
To prep for a night out, I almost always remove my makeup from the day and apply fresh product. I start with either a face moisturizer or oil as well as a lip plumping scrub and I hydrate with a lip balm from Amongst the Weeds herbal apothecary. I start with my eye look (I love to use scotch tape to get the perfect cat eye liner) and, in the summertime, I use two shades of bronzer and a highlighter on my lids instead of eyeshadow to create a more natural, sun kissed look. Then I use Urban Decay’s Naked Skin Shapeshifter cream contour palette. I start with the orange-toned cream and blend that out under my eyes. After I have applied foundation (NYX Born to Glow in shade light) and concealer (NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop contour concealer in shade light ivory), I use the cream contour kit to shape my cheeks, jawbone, forehead and nose. I finish with a setting powder, mascara, setting spray and either NYX Butter lipstick in shade Lifeguard OR I do a Rimmel London lipliner with a tinted lip gloss from the brand Floss.
How has your definition of beauty changed since youth?
I used to think beauty only meant make-up and how others perceived the makeup I was wearing - now I know that isn’t true. My perception of beauty used to revolve around the “exterior” and striving to make myself “better” looking. As I grew into the woman I am today and found confidence through choosing to NOT wear makeup, my definition of beauty evolved into loving myself, being myself, and respecting myself from head to heel (I have this tattooed on my heel in Latin as a reminder!). It is no longer about appearance or putting on a mask for other people, rather about taking care of myself and using products and makeup that feel good to me. My beauty is FOR ME. My skincare routine is FOR ME. My makeup is FOR ME and is worn because I love to apply it and be creative, not because I “need” to wear it.
What inspires your beauty philosophy?
Nature, greenery, relaxation, smoothness, subtlety, sustainability, my mother, and my feelings. Beauty can be so subjective and understanding that has shaped my beauty philosophy into one that has no expectations; that is an expression of my passions and my position in the world as a woman.
What advice would you give to your teenage self?
Ask yourself what YOU want. Don’t feel obligated to do what someone else perceives to be the best if it goes against what you know is right for you. Take time alone to get to know yourself. Try new things, you’ll be surprised at what you find inspiration in!
What, or who, inspires you to be your highest self?
My boyfriend, Ryan. I love this man intensely. He keeps me grounded, helps me see different perspectives (even when I don’t want to), and he has taught me so much about what it means to be authentic and true to myself. He’s the tough love that I never had and the tender love that I always needed all wrapped into one. One thing that he says to me is, “Who are you trying to impress?”. At first this used to make me upset because I clearly wasn’t trying to impress anyone with the way I dressed or by applying makeup to go to the grocery store. But then I realized that he was simply reminding me that, although I could dress up and apply makeup every day of my life, there was more to me than that and he saw it. He saw the person I am underneath all of it. This inspires me every day to just do what feels right for me, to encourage other men and women to do the same for themselves and to release the expectations I hold over myself in all aspects of my life, which definitely allows me to be my best self.
What passions bring you the most joy?
Writing, can you tell? I absolutely LOVE journaling, writing stories and having deep conversations through written words. Also, I have recently fallen in love with painting and that brings me so much joy. Both of these activities help me release my need for perfection and express my emotions in a healthy way!
