My name is Nathalia, I am originally from Monterrey, a city in the north of Mexico, but live in an amazing place called Mexico City. I’m a 26 year old gal trapped in the body of a 12 year old (sans puberty), which is kind of cool. I do many things, but mainly write about beauty for ELLE Mexico and do PR for lifestyle brands. I definitely identify with the beauty industry the most, and it is something I enjoy immensely and want to do always.
I have an Instagram account called @theantipretty, in which I review makeup and skincare products in Spanglish. Yes, my reviews are a mix of Spanish and English. Growing up so close to the US border, and living in NYC for 4 years during college, made English a big element in the way I communicate. This Spanglish thing is a part of me.
What is the first thing you do when you wake up/go to bed?
My mornings are always different, but usually, the first thing I do when I wake up is cleaning my face with micellar water, then check my emails while drinking some tea. I wake up at 7:30 am the latest. I work from home, so on most days I start right away. I get to move around the city a lot, work at coffee shops that cross my path (Blend Station in La Condesa is my favorite), meet really cool people and attend beauty PR events.
I try to workout at least one hour a day four days a week. I do pilates reformer. I have a fast metabolism and really small body, which helps a lot, because I don't care about what I eat (Diet? What is a diet?).
Do you have any ritual health/beauty/wellness routine or products?
I usually don’t put on any products until after I have showered. I use Earth's Recipe Energy Boosting Toner, which is more of a Korean essence, then add some Caudalie’s Vinoperfect Serum and Glossier Priming Moisturizer. Oh and SPF, of course. I love Bioderma’s Photoderm NUDE Touch SPF 50+ Natural Tint because it protects and serves as a very light foundation. If I don’t leave my house, I don’t wear makeup.
As a beauty writer, I get to try lots of products, so my routine changes a lot. Nevertheless, this has helped me find those I really like and work for me. As of late, I have been loving the Nars Soft Matte Complete Concealer and Glossier’s Wowder. Basically, my everyday look consists of a really sun-kissed face with rosy lips and bold brows. I cover my under-eye veins (the best I can) with the concealer, mix Glossier’s Haloscope in Topaz with Cloud Paint in Haze for my cheeks, fill in my brows with Benefit’s Precisely My Brow, and really brush them up with Maybelline’s Brow Precise Fiber Volumizer, which is the best brow product ever. Tip: don’t layer it too much because it can get gooey and clumpy. For lips, I dab Bite Beauty’s Multistick in Almond and a bit of Burberry’s Lip Velvet in Bright Plum, then just blend with my fingers. I sort of give the illusion of a fuller pout with a really pale nude liner on the outer edges of my lips, very lightly, before applying lipstick. Otherwise, I’ll just use a tint or a bold red lipstick, the new Diorific Matte Fluid in Glory is quiet a dream. My go-to mascara is one that is literally $1 USD and can find on street markets, or Lancôme’s Grandiose Waterproof if I’m feeling fancy. If I’m going out, Armani’s Maestro Foundation has the perfect light, velvety coverage, without it being too sheer and UD’s Naked Heat Palette has all you need. Honestly, I could go on forever. There’s a bunch of really good products out there that I could call my favorites. Don’t even let me get into hair and body.
Before going to bed, I double cleanse with the Heimish All Clean Balm and Tata Harper’s Regenerating Cleanser, which is amazing. Then, I put on the Hada Labo Rohto Gokujyn Hyaluronic Acid Lotion, let it absorb and follow it with an oil, either Pai’s Rosehip Oil or Natural Pacific’s Fresh Herb Origin Serum. I absolutely love oils, they work well on any skin type. I do PR for Momiji Beauty, a K-Beauty online retailer in Mexico, and I grew obsessed with all things Korean. My friend went earlier this month and brought me the 3CE Back To Baby Mask Clearing Treatment and it leaves your face so soft. NIOD has a very good mask, too, it’s called Flavanone Mud. I don’t believe in eye cream, so I just skip it and focus on lips instead. Clinique’s Pep-Start Pout Restoring Night Mask is pretty rad.
Favorite feature on yourself and why?
I really like my eyebrows and skin color. They make me feel like me.
How do your job, lifestyle, and background affect your routine?
I live in an extremely polluted city, so I make sure I wash my face really well every single day and eat lots of berries, which are packed with antioxidants to fight off free radicals. When it comes to my job, my time-management skills are amazing, but when it comes to my life outside of it, I suck. Only the weekends belong to me. It is so hard to eat healthy when you are running around all the time. I wish I could say otherwise, but what is the point in lying?
What do you do to stay healthy?
I am not the healthiest person in the world. I’m really not. I do make sure I drink a lot of water. I also walk a lot. I walk or bike everywhere.
Any cultural tips/tricks you've learned from family and/or friends?
Mexican women love curling their lashes with a spoon. I really admire them when I see them do it in the metro, pressed against 50 other humans, standing on a moving train. I tried, but ended up losing them more than I curled them.
How do you choose beauty products?
I am lucky enough to have a job that allows me to try every beauty product you can imagine, and I get to choose them through trial and of course, according to my needs and skin type. If I do buy them, I tend to like organic and natural luxury products. Beauty is to me what designer shoes and bags are to a fashion addict.
What is your ethnic background?
I am 100% percent Mexican and super proud of it.
How do your ethnicity and identity intersect and affect your beauty preferences (or grievances)?
My preferences are actually quite different from those of most people in Mexico. Here, they love a matte, perfectly clean face with a cat eye, bold lips and brows. I prefer a natural, dewy look. I was always kind of a black sheep in my hometown. Most people are light-skinned as you move further north in the country, so kids made my younger years a nightmare just for being naturally tanned. My body type is far from the ideal, as well. I have zero boobs, no butt, basically no hips, and love it. I never really identified with the local beauty concept, but I do identify myself with being Mexican. The stereotype of women from Mexico being saucy, loud, cheerful and bright is one that I am more than happy to attest to. Life in here is fun and chaotic.
In terms of grievances, I tend to get lots of hyperpigmentation because of my dark skin. Also, my hair…it’s so frizzy. I used to hate my big nose and protruding chin, but now I’m like, “Whatever, this is what I am and I better make the most of it.” I looove being morena (tanned skin) and roasting under the sun at the beach. I know this is bad, but I don’t care. The ocean just makes me too happy.
If you were to create the perfect beauty/wellness product for yourself, what would it be?
Wow, a product that would really get rid of all my dark spots and stretch marks. Oh, and a supplement that could make me super healthy without having to worry about anything else.
Instagram: @theantipretty