At COCOTIQUE, we believe in the spirit of beauty through confidence, grace and optimism. In our COCOBlogger series, we feature women who exude those things through their personal brands, and have them share their favorite beauty and fashion secrets. In this post we present Kitiya Mischo King: Chemist, Makeup Artist, Editor in Chief, MischoBeauty.com.
In a few sentences, please tell us a little about yourself and your blog?
Well, I’m a small town girl from the Midwest who’s always had big dreams. I finished Spelman College with a degree in chemistry and I am now finally pursuing my true passion - beauty! For those who may not know, I am also a licensed cosmetologist, esthetician, manicurist and make-up artist. I was professionally trained by Vidal Sassoon, Aveda, and Elizabeth Arden’s Red Door Spa.
MischoBeauty.com was launched in May 2007 to provide an honest, fact-based perspective on all things beauty. The blog’s mission is to educate the public on everything from hair, skin and nail health, and provide current news and reviews on the latest products, industry events, beauty goods and services.
What are 3 products are in your ultimate beauty arsenal and why?
Coconut Oil: I use it for EVERYTHING – in my hair, on my skin, as a makeup remover, after waxing and the list goes on and on! It’s an amazing moisturizer, does a great job at penetrating the hair’s shaft, and is both antibacterial and antifungal.
Eyebrow Pencil: Because Damone Roberts (“The Brow King”) said it best – “”Eyebrows are the single, most important, underestimated feature on the face. They change everything”!!!
Over the years I’ve learned that sun damage is the major external cause of aging. Not only does sun damage lead to skin cancer, aging, and collagen and elastin deterioration, but also to hyperpigmentation, capillary damage and free radical damage. So I try my best to never leave home without it!
What is the most Innovative product you’ve come across since you started blogging?
Facials aren’t necessarily “innovative” because they’ve been around forever, but after obtaining my esthetics license and having worked on hundreds of clients, I consider them an “essential beauty product“. Not only are facials relaxing and pampering, but also they are crucial to maintaining the health of your skin, reviving the skin and improving the skin’s texture. I don’t think there’s anything on the market that will beat a professional and customized deep cleansing, steam treatment, exfoliation, extractions, massage and mask!
If you had 2 hours to pick out an outfit from head to toe, where would you shop?
BERGDORFS!
What bit of advice would you give to all women?
My #1 piece of advice would be that beauty begins within and diet matters! It’s always revealed in the health of your hair, skin and nails! So it really is important to maintain a healthy diet, drink tons of water, take supplements (if you’re lacking important vitamins/nutrients), eat fresh greens and get your beauty sleep (which is the time when our cells do the majority of repairing/ regenerating themselves).
What is the one skin care/hair care/fashion trick every woman should know?
Every woman should own a satin/silk pillowcase! Not only are they luxurious to sleep on, but also they are a must for your hair, while protecting your skin from facial creases which might cause wrinkling. Certain fabrics, such as cotton, deplete the hair of moisture and cause friction on the hair’s cuticle (outermost layer of hair), leaving it dry and prone to breakage. Not only will a silk pillowcase keep your hair soft and smooth, but it feels so good on your skin!
What do you look for in your skincare products?
I look for products that are created or belong with a complete skincare line – by the same brand. Because of my education and experience, I know that products within a skincare line are specifically formulated to work with one another. And so for the very best results, I like to incorporate products within the same skincare line into my regimen. But, I know this doesn’t always work for everyone!
What cosmetic ingredient(s) do you avoid and why?
Since becoming a first-time mother and breast-feeding exclusively, the list of ingredients to avoid has grown substantially! But one ingredient that comes to mind is phthalates, which are found in cosmetics/personal care products. Phthalates have been reported to contribute to reproductive issues, birth defects, and the list goes on. So, I try my best to avoid them!
Do you have a Sunday night or weekend beauty regimen? If so, what is it?
YES! Mini-facials!!! Home maintenance is key to maintaining and extending the life of a facial AND protecting the investment (facials can be expensive, hence the reason they are considered investments!). I encourage readers to protect the investment they’ve made by adding at-home mini-facials to their beauty regimen.
More about Kitiya Mischo King:
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr
In a few sentences, please tell us a little about yourself and your blog?
Well, I’m a small town girl from the Midwest who’s always had big dreams. I finished Spelman College with a degree in chemistry and I am now finally pursuing my true passion - beauty! For those who may not know, I am also a licensed cosmetologist, esthetician, manicurist and make-up artist. I was professionally trained by Vidal Sassoon, Aveda, and Elizabeth Arden’s Red Door Spa.
MischoBeauty.com was launched in May 2007 to provide an honest, fact-based perspective on all things beauty. The blog’s mission is to educate the public on everything from hair, skin and nail health, and provide current news and reviews on the latest products, industry events, beauty goods and services.
What are 3 products are in your ultimate beauty arsenal and why?
Coconut Oil: I use it for EVERYTHING – in my hair, on my skin, as a makeup remover, after waxing and the list goes on and on! It’s an amazing moisturizer, does a great job at penetrating the hair’s shaft, and is both antibacterial and antifungal.
Eyebrow Pencil: Because Damone Roberts (“The Brow King”) said it best – “”Eyebrows are the single, most important, underestimated feature on the face. They change everything”!!!
Over the years I’ve learned that sun damage is the major external cause of aging. Not only does sun damage lead to skin cancer, aging, and collagen and elastin deterioration, but also to hyperpigmentation, capillary damage and free radical damage. So I try my best to never leave home without it!
What is the most Innovative product you’ve come across since you started blogging?
Facials aren’t necessarily “innovative” because they’ve been around forever, but after obtaining my esthetics license and having worked on hundreds of clients, I consider them an “essential beauty product“. Not only are facials relaxing and pampering, but also they are crucial to maintaining the health of your skin, reviving the skin and improving the skin’s texture. I don’t think there’s anything on the market that will beat a professional and customized deep cleansing, steam treatment, exfoliation, extractions, massage and mask!
If you had 2 hours to pick out an outfit from head to toe, where would you shop?
BERGDORFS!
What bit of advice would you give to all women?
My #1 piece of advice would be that beauty begins within and diet matters! It’s always revealed in the health of your hair, skin and nails! So it really is important to maintain a healthy diet, drink tons of water, take supplements (if you’re lacking important vitamins/nutrients), eat fresh greens and get your beauty sleep (which is the time when our cells do the majority of repairing/ regenerating themselves).
What is the one skin care/hair care/fashion trick every woman should know?
Every woman should own a satin/silk pillowcase! Not only are they luxurious to sleep on, but also they are a must for your hair, while protecting your skin from facial creases which might cause wrinkling. Certain fabrics, such as cotton, deplete the hair of moisture and cause friction on the hair’s cuticle (outermost layer of hair), leaving it dry and prone to breakage. Not only will a silk pillowcase keep your hair soft and smooth, but it feels so good on your skin!
What do you look for in your skincare products?
I look for products that are created or belong with a complete skincare line – by the same brand. Because of my education and experience, I know that products within a skincare line are specifically formulated to work with one another. And so for the very best results, I like to incorporate products within the same skincare line into my regimen. But, I know this doesn’t always work for everyone!
What cosmetic ingredient(s) do you avoid and why?
Since becoming a first-time mother and breast-feeding exclusively, the list of ingredients to avoid has grown substantially! But one ingredient that comes to mind is phthalates, which are found in cosmetics/personal care products. Phthalates have been reported to contribute to reproductive issues, birth defects, and the list goes on. So, I try my best to avoid them!
Do you have a Sunday night or weekend beauty regimen? If so, what is it?
YES! Mini-facials!!! Home maintenance is key to maintaining and extending the life of a facial AND protecting the investment (facials can be expensive, hence the reason they are considered investments!). I encourage readers to protect the investment they’ve made by adding at-home mini-facials to their beauty regimen.
More about Kitiya Mischo King:
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr