How to Glow Up this Summer with Christine Kong

by Kylie Depreta-Johnson

Everyone needs a glow up every once in a while. As May is Mental Health Awareness month, we wanted to highlight the importance of taking the time to invest in our well-being. Christine Kong, a lifestyle content creator known on Instagram as @dailykongfidence, has shared her top tips to feeling her best. Born and raised in Southern California, she was the perfect person to share advice on how to glow all summer long.

As a mother of three, finding time in her busy schedule is not always easy but prioritizing self-care is necessary to feeling her best. Christine says, “Being a mom means being that everything to someone and facing challenges and fears you never imagined but also feeling an unfathomable love for someone. It is about being the best version of yourself because someone believes you are that perfect person. It is the true balance of sacrifice, hardship, and ultimate reward.” Putting herself first allows her to be the best version of herself for her children.

Prioritize Yourself

  

Although motherhood can be hectic, it is one of the most rewarding jobs a woman takes on. With all that hard work, moms deserve all the more self-care. Christine has shared her favorite ways to unwind and de-stress at home. She says,

“It is so important to make time for yourself, and I find that I am happier, more patient, and fully present with my kids when I take time for myself. We all need a moment to ourself whether that is working out, taking a walk, masking, or even a quiet cup of coffee. By taking time for self-care, it also shows you are a priority which is important to instill in your kids.”

Self-care can take all different forms. Christine’s favorites include: “I like to work out at least five days a week - it keeps me healthy, shows my kids that exercise is important and is the one thing I routinely do for myself.  I also take time to do a long beauty regimen at least once a week from masking, giving myself a mani-pedi, or a hair mask.”

Glow from Within

 

Beyond just treating yourself to an at-home spa treatment, eating nourishing foods are essential to feeling your best. Christine says, “Both my mom and dad had cancer so it runs deep in my family. I choose to eat healthily to be a role model for my kids so that they make good choices when it comes to nutrition. Don’t get me wrong, I love my desserts and enjoy food a little too much at times, but most of the time, I try to eat healthy because I want to be able to enjoy my future grandchildren and travel when I am older.”

Healthy eating does not have to be boring or an inconvenience. Christine's favorite on-the-go breakfast is overnight oats which she has almost every morning. You can prepare them the night before to save time in the morning and have a delicious, hearty breakfast customized to your liking. For lunch or dinner, she says, "I usually eat a lot of salads with some type of protein. For quick and delicious meals that I don’t have to prep, I am a huge fan of Daily Harvest.”

In addition, juices are a delicious way to get extra fruits and veggies in your system. We are sure everyone has heard about the celery juice hype, and Christine herself loves to implement celery juice into her morning routine a couple of times a week. She says,

“I also will do carrot juice when I feel like my skin needs more glow. Hot water with lemon, apple cider vinegar, and honey has been my go-to for clear skin and also a great detox in the morning. I take liquid collagen every morning, as well.”

Radiant Skincare Routine

  

In addition to healthy eating, Christine has carefully crafted a skincare regimen to achieve her glowing skin. Christine includes a cleanser, essence, Vitamin C (for the morning), Retinol (for the evening), serum, eye cream, moisturizer, face oil, sunscreen (for the morning) in her routine. A skincare routine does not have to be complicated. Instead, stick to the basics and find what works for you.

Clean beauty is also a priority for Christine, and she has recently made the switch to cleaner products and brands. Those include Goop, Beauty Counter, Caudalie, and Bare Minerals. She says, “I recently discovered Eve Mom and I am obsessed with their oil and sunscreen. I switch products here and there just to mix things up, but here are some of my current favorites:

 

  • Essence (Sulwhasoo)

  • Vitamin C (Goop)

  • Retinoid formula (Agency)

  • Eye cream (Caudalie in the evening and Ren in the morning)

  • Serum (Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair in the evening and Caudalie Resveratrol Lift in the morning), and Kiehl’s Dark Spot Treatment

  • Moisturizer (Bare Minerals Ageless Phyto-Retinol in the evening and Bobbi Brown Enriched or Kiehls Ultra Facial Moisturizer in the morning)

  • Face oil (Eve Lom in the evening and Biossance in the morning). 

 

I also love the First Aid Beauty acne spot treatment and their Radiance Pads. And finally, I also alternate some nights and use Beauty Counter’s Overnight Resurfacing Peel. Phew, I know that's a lot, but it is easier than it sounds.”

Skincare tools are a great investment for amplifying your skincare and self-care routine. She says, “I love the Beauty Bio GlowPro micro-needling tool and the ReFa face roller for weekly use.  I recently added the Vanity Planet Essia Ultrasonic Lifting & Exfoliating Wand which I use mostly for lifting. And during the day or while I mask, I use the Hey Dewy (the portable humidifier) which provides extra hydration.”

And most importantly, never forget your sunscreen. She says, “That is a MUST, and wear a hat!"

Her favorite sunscreen at the moment is Elta MD, Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen, and most recently Eve Lom sunscreen. These products are perfect to wear under makeup, as they do not leave an oily residue and give an extra glow to the skin. "Other than that, I would recommend good retinol or a form of retinol to reduce fine lines and also help with brightening. And drink plenty of water (I still need to work on this one).”

 

 

To achieve radiant, natural makeup, Christine says, “I add facial oil and London Iconic Illuminator to my foundation/ cc cream. I prefer lightweight foundations for every day." Her favorite lightweight formula foundations are ILIA skin tint, Beauty Counter Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer, or Armani Beauty Luminous Silk. Christine mixes the oil and illuminator with her foundation, then applies with a beauty sponge for an extra dewy base.

Her favorite bronzers for summertime are the Iconic Illuminator, the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow, and the Nars Laguna bronzer. For blush, she uses either Armani Beauty A-Line blush or Fluid Sheer. Christine's most trusted brands for glowing skin include Hourglass, ILIA, Bare Minerals, Urban Decay, Tarte, and Wander Beauty.

Tips for Shiny, Healthy Hair

  

With the added sun exposure and the days spent in the ocean or pool, our hair needs some extra TLC in the summertime. For Christine, to help minimize the damage and show her hair some extra love, she says,

“I wash my hair every 2 - 3 days, which I think helps a lot to prevent drying. I also air dry my hair whenever possible to avoid unnecessary heat damage. Every other wash, I use Goop’s Himalayan Salt Scalp Scrub Shampoo for extra purification of the scalp, leaving my hair and scalp clean and refreshed.”

Pro-tip: If you ever go to the pool or beach, make sure to bring a spray on leave-in conditioner or some type of protectant for your hair. To help minimize frizz and keep your hair extra shiny, Christine recommends using the K-Gloss Defrizzing Treatment. She also loves Davines OI oil, not only for its amazing scent, but it gives an extra boost of shine without the greasy look.

If her hair ever needs extra care, she makes sure to throw on a hair mask. She says, “L’Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 products are amazing to repair hair!  The Elvive Power Restore mask is sooo good. They can be used as a rinse-off, mask, leave-in, or before heat styling. The shampoo, conditioner, and Power Restore have brought back hydration and repaired my hair!  After showering, I use Kerastase Elixir Ultime or Davines OI All in One Milk and Davines OI oil.”

When it comes to styling tools, Christine recommends investing in quality products that are designed to prevent additional damage to your hair. Her favorites are the T3 tools because their curling iron curls even the straightest hair. For color-treated hair, Christine recommends the Lucea ID tools. They are customizable based on how your hair is color or chemically treated. She also loves the Dyson hairdryer and says, “It's pricey but worth every penny because it cuts down dry time by at least half and doesn’t damage my hair.”

Sustainable Living

  

Taking care of yourself also means taking care of the planet. Especially as a mother, it is important to prioritize sustainable practices to preserve the planet for future generations. Christine says, "My favorite sustainable brands are Sezane for sweaters, Reformation for dresses, Levi’s for denim, Lunya for sleepwear, Girlfriend Collective for workout wear, and Veja for sneakers. I also appreciate brands making their way towards more sustainable practices and products, such as Lafayette 148, H&M, and Frame. It is important to be more aware of what we are using and leaving behind on this Earth so that generations beyond us can appreciate what we have now.”

Her style has changed since becoming a mother, but her priorities remain the same. She invests in quality products from trusted brands that she knows she will get the most wear out of. “I have moved on from 4” heels to sneakers and flats since becoming a mom, so I invest more in elevated basics and clothes I know I will re-wear over and over again versus fast fashion. My style has evolved to more casual-chic rather than looking like I am going out on the town every night. I also look for clothes that can be thrown in the wash versus hand washing or dry cleaning to save time.”

Dress to Impress (Yourself)

  

Putting on your favorite outfit can make all the difference in your mood. For Christine, she says, “I am loving the wide-legged trend from denim to loose-fitting trousers. As a shorter gal, this trend elongates my legs and makes me look tall. I also love the cut-out trend on tops and dresses. It is a subtle way to show some skin without being overtly sexy. I also have been obsessed with sage green lately. Spring and summer are always fun to wear pastels, but green has been on my radar this season. And of course, I am happy that loungewear chic is still a thing, mixing comfort with luxe.” Her favorite comfy fit for running errands or just lounging around her home is high-waisted biker shorts with a crop top, perfect for the sunny California weather.

But, if you are looking to retire the loungewear, you can never go wrong with a two-piece set or a classic t-shirt and jeans. Christine says she will always opt for jeans and a blazer when she wants to put together a simple, chic outfit. And if you are feeling extra, she says,

“Add gold jewelry - sometimes all you need is a chunky gold necklace to elevate your look.”

#selfcare

So, whether you’re a busy mom who needs extra me-time or simply looking to amplify your self-care routine, Christine's tips will leave you feeling revived from the inside out. Tag us on Instagram with your #selfcareselfie and drop your favorite self-care tips @wanderhatco! And if you ever need a boost of confidence, be sure to check out Christine Kong on Instagram, @dailykongfidence, for all the latest fashion trends and beauty advice.

 

 

 

 

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