Beauty x Brains: Laura Debusschere
Have you ever met someone whose intelligence and beauty were on a level you’ve never quite seen before? Someone whose inner beauty shines just as brightly as their outer beauty? That is Laura Debusschere to an absolute T. Her kindness radiates through everything she does, from raising two beautiful twin daughters to being a compassionate voice in the medical community and the continuous support she shows for small businesses and big causes, whether on a personal level or through her family’s business, Flynn’s Forest Indoor Playground. She is the kind of soul who encourages the passions of others and genuinely wants the best for everyone. She is one of the most multi-faceted people I know, and I have had the pleasure of knowing Laura since childhood! She has always been so confidently HER and that confidence has only grown and strengthened as she’s become a mother, a wife, an intellect, an entrepreneur. I’ve always admired her ability to be the kind of girl who revels in nature and sunshine and freckles just as much as she adores glitter and pink and fashion. I mean, a girl who can guide you through the woods with assurance while also giving you the name of that popping highlighter on her cheeks AND an excellent book recommendation?? Hail the Queen. The Queen of Fall, to be exact (it’s true, Laura loves fall more than all of us combined, don’t @ me). Read our incredibly lovely socially-distanced interview for the full scoop on this gorgeous beauty and her love for glitter, Gwen Stefani and the sweet girlies she is raising to become fierce females.
Tell me about your first beauty influence and who influences you currently.
I am going to have to go with Gwen Stefani as first beauty influence! I wasn’t really into beauty or makeup in High school too much but I have always loved Gwen’s style. I loved her glitter and gems and tom boy ska look with blue and pink hair. I feel like she rocks lots of different looks and styles – from total glam with a bold red lip to soft and bare faced to jeans and a hoodie. She has the best hair – her stylist is amazing. In my mind she doesn’t really conform to trends or fit into a box, per se, and I love that.
Current beauty influences: My momma and my sister and my daughters.
People think my mom is my sister. Which I totally love (or not so much) because she looks so young (that better be why!). She is usually fairly makeup-free and so beautiful that way. She is the most beautiful grandma out there.
My sister is one of the most gorgeous people I know. She has incredible fashion sense, always looks perfectly put together and has a remarkable eye to detail. There is something very classic and timeless about her style but she also keeps up on the latest trends. I have never seen an outfit she couldn’t pull off.
My girls – I love watching them develop their own style and nothing is more inspiring! One loves all things pink, rose gold and girly while the other rocks long teal hair, oversized clothing and a backwards cap. It is just the best to see their individuality come out over time. They are both starting to get into makeup (at home) and I find that really fun to watch once I get over being traumatized by the mess in their bathroom!
What iconic beauty product could 15 year old Laura not live without? What do you consider an iconic product today?
Oh my gosh – are you ready for this? At 15 my iconic beauty product was Bonne Bell Smackers Cosmic Cheeks Glitter! I wore it on the outer corner of my eyes and sometimes my cheeks {Mandy note: I distinctly remember this about Laura and loved her early 00’s glitter look!!}. I loved that stuff, I can still smell it! Thinking back, I am proud that I just went for it and rocked my “sparkle” look.
Now, for me, it’s MASCARA. For the longest time I was very loyal to Diorshow but I have had a hard time finding it lately so I’m trying Benefit They’re Real and I am impressed. I often joke that if my kids broke a bone or needed stitches and I didn’t have mascara on, I would put it on first, then take them to the doctor. Judge away. I don’t like to be seen without mascara on, I just feel naked without it!
What is your current day-to-day glam?
Maybelline BB cream mixed with Neutrogena Healthy Skin SPF 15 with AHA
Under eye brightener and concealer – I have a hard time finding this in consistent brands but often end up with something from Estee Lauder
Benefit Cheekleader Pink Squad for cheeks…loooove this
Benefit Ka-BROW! for my blondie eyebrows
Eye shadow – I am sucker for fun palettes from ColourPop and like to play with colors
I only put lip color on for special occasions and love the Clinique Chubby Sticks
I have about 100 C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Tints in my purses, bags, vehicles, and other random places...
I always, always, ALWAYS put body lotion on my legs and arms before I get dressed – I feel so dry if I don’t . Often a seasonal lotion from Bath and Body Works or, if we have been away, I often pick up lotions to bring home. I am partial to Disney Resorts H2o+ Beauty and may have just paid a lot to have some shipped from the US!
Tell me about your night routine to take the day off.
This is embarrassing. I know I need to do better. I am 37 years old…my skin needs better….I am terribly non-compliant with any kind of skin care routine… Here we go:
And, if I have any energy left, I will use a serum or treatment by The Ordinary. I have Buffet, Caffiene (for under my eyes) and Salicylic Acid (as I am one of the lucky adults that still is dealing acne in my late 30s – maybe if I had a better skin care routine it wouldn’t be an issue, lol!) but I do not use these regularly… It is a goal of mine to use a skin care product at bedtime on a daily basis… work in progress!
Do you have any beauty rituals you particularly enjoy?
I do not have any set rituals. With everyone in our house having a busy schedule I just sneak some of that self-care in whenever I can. I love to paint my fingernails and toenails on the weekends. I keep my fingernails short because of my job as a pharmacist, I feel like it is more sanitary and easier to work with, so I love to throw a pop of color on them with my Gel Moment kit. A soak in the tub with THE BATH BOMBS and a face mask is a nice treat too, if I make the time. My current favorite mask is Origins Active Charcoal Mask. I recently had a pedicure at Novo Esthetics, which was sooo nice, and I vow to book myself my first ever facial very soon.
What saves time in your busy schedule?
I feel like my beauty routine is pretty simple and quick. If I am in a real rush it is usually my hair that I try to save time on: it is quite thick and full so it takes a while to dry and requires either a straightener or curling iron to make it not poof– so, when I need to save time, it is hello dry shampoo and a good old half-ponytail!
Do you use any luxury products?
I am not a huge product person so I would say these are my main beauty things to splurge on:
SPARitual hand cream and Bare Skin Bath Bombs (both from Novo Esthetics)
Fun and unique palettes, like the Colourpop Disney palettes
Getting highlights at the salon – I am the kind of gal who only cuts her hair 3-4 times a year but I think I spied some sparkly silver strands so I got highlights in February 2020 after nearly 10 years of having no color in my hair and am LOVING it!! {Mandy note: How envious are all of us who have been covering their greys for approximately 10 years and counting - LOL!!}
How has your definition of beauty changed since you were younger?
I am slowly but surely getting to the point of not really caring what other people think about beauty and only caring about what is beautiful to me. It is a lovely part of getting older! That is very different from the ideals in magazines I grew up thinking defined beauty. I now know beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and colors. I believe more and more that beauty comes from the inside, from a person’s vibe and the energy they give off. I once had one of my daughter’s friends tell her mom that she couldn’t stop looking at me when we were visiting and they decided it was because there was something kind about my eyes… I don’t think I have had many moments in my life that I felt more beautiful than when they shared that with me.
What inspires your beauty philosophy?
Oh goodness, I don’t think I actually have a beauty philosophy! I keep things pretty simple. I guess, for me, when I think I look good I feel good, so that is what I go for.
What advice would you give to your teenage self?
Don’t worry about the number size of your pants. Rock that glitter. Go for the funky up-dos. Enjoy yourself, every little bit of you! And, believe it or not, you won’t care too much about things that happened or didn’t happen in high school as you get older – this time in your life will not define who you are.
What passions bring you the most joy?
That is a tough one. I feel like I have never been a person that has a huge or obvious passion. Being that I wear many “hats”: being a healthcare professional – working in 2 different settings, a small business owner, a mom, a wife, a daughter, a friend… I think the greatest joy I get from any of these “passions” is helping people. My sister pointed this out to me the other day – that I just love helping people. I don’t mean huge gestures but just everyday, small, ordinary gestures. I love helping my patients and my students – just encouraging them or listening to them. It makes me happy if there is something I can do that I know will help a colleague. I am really enjoying helping the soon-to-be owners of our business as they learn the ins and outs of Flynn’s Forest and they get ready to take it over. I am very passionate about learning about autism and using that knowledge to help everyone in our household and inner circle, including myself, understand my daughter, and the challenges she faces, and the challenges we face with her. I get so much joy out of helping other parents by giving their kid a ride to or from an activity or watering their plants when they are away. These are the little things that make me feel of value and make me feel satisfied and fulfilled.
What - or who - inspires you to be your highest self?
My daughters - 100%. I want them to love themselves for exactly who they are and I never want them to be ashamed of who they are. I try to be honest with them about my imperfections and they inspire me every single day to try harder to be the best version of myself. They inspire me to learn more about the world and to share that with them. They inspire me to evolve and grow as a human being. They make me more brave and more confident.
