Believe it or not, we launched Beauty Dummy in March 2017...which makes us 1 year old! It has been an adventure – bumpy, at times, with a few detours – but we couldn't be more proud of what we've created. 55 posts later, we've grown and learned so much since our very first post last year where we interviewed each other about our inspirations, favorite products, and other important things (like whether we'd smash Guy Fieri.) On our recent trip to California, we did a little reflecting. And we decided to do it all again.

Hannah

What’s the biggest piece of beauty advice you’ve learned this year?

H: Skincare should be applied "thin to thick," meaning oils should be applied after your moisturizers. Also, The Ordinary is a skincare brand everyone should know about (it’s super cheap and amazing.)

Biggest personal lesson you learned?

H: It’s okay to keep some space and distance for myself. I don’t need to control everything.

What are you proud of from the past year?

H: Taking the initiative to better my physical and mental health, and that I’ve stopped comparing myself/my brand to other successful people.

Current everyday products?

H: Get ready for all of the things…
Dr. Bronner’s All-One Toothpaste-Cinnamon
Belif The True Tincture Cleansing Stick-Chamomile
Our DIY Herbal Facial Mist
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Etude House Moistfull Collagen Emulsion
Radha Rosehip Oil
Etude House Sunprise Mild Airy Finish Sunmilk SPF 50
Milk Makeup Flex Concealer
IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara (I still prefer Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir)
A 2 year old limited edition NARS blush palette that never seems to be finished
Oy-l Manuka Latte Lip Balm
The Fanciful Fox Lavender Vanilla Deodorant
Living Proof Dry Shampoo when needed
Mist my hair with water and rescrunch
NEST Perfume

Current style icon?

H: Meredith Graves, also Jane from Daria

I need to spend more time…

H: Doing yoga and reading books

Name a throwback inspiring you right now

H: Gwen Stefani from her No Doubt era

Current guilty pleasure

H: Reading and responding to all the beauty blogs I follow

Would you rather give up chocolate or cheese…

H: Oh fuck…I guess cheese because it actually MESSES UP my digestion. And all the nice vegan people have made pretty tasty alternatives.

Marry, Bury, Smash: Mike the Situation, Bill Murray in Space Jam, Predator

H: Marry Predator because they’d keep me safe, bury Mike the Situation because…well obviously. Smash Bill Murray in Space Jam because he knows how to get things done. Also Predator has great hair and I need the rundown on that.

Kat

What’s the biggest piece of beauty advice you’ve learned this year?

K: To do research on a product’s ingredients before buying. So many are made with toxic chemicals that can be harmful to your body and I’ve been using them shits my whole life! I also finally bought a detangling brush because my other brushes were causing breakage. Changed the game.

Biggest personal lesson you learned?

K: I've accepted that trying to do everything is just going to make me tired and angry and not have any fun. It’s better to be honest with myself about my limits than to overcommit.

What are you proud of from the past year?

K: I’m proud of my consistency and my drive to making things happen. Whether it’s this blog, or yoga, or comedy, or therapy, or my relationship...showing up to do the work is the first step and it has made all the difference.

Current everyday products:

K: The bare essentials...

NKD SKN pre-shower natural tan lotion
Oy-L face wash
Peter Thomas Roth cucumber gel mask
Norabloom Botanicals Rosehip & Carrot serum
CeraVe Facial Moisturizing lotion with SPF 30
My mom’s hand-me-down Chanel Vitalumiere Foundation in her skin tone that I’ve been using as concealer since I ran out of mine
NYX micro brow pencil
An old ass Maybelline mascara I need to replace
A discontinued cream blush from Topshop someone got me as a gift ages ago
MAKE marine salve on my chapped lips
Redken Anti-snap treatment I’ve been trying to finish because they are not cruelty free or non toxic!
Living Proof Nourishing oil

Current style icon?

K: Cindy Crawford in her 90s heyday. And Rihanna. And myself.

I need to spend more time…

K: Sleeping. Seriously why am I even awake right now.

Name a throwback inspiring you right now

K: Janet Jackson's "When I Think of You" video

Current guilty pleasure

K: Buying fancy food from the organic market on my block even though everything is ridiculously overpriced. Oh, and binging old seasons of Drag Race.

Would you rather give up your phone or throw away your whole wardrobe?

K: Give up my phone because I can always make other people take pictures of my outfits and post them on Instagram :)

Marry, Bury, Smash: Jim Carrey’s alter ego in The Mask, Guy Fieri, Patrick Star

K: Smash Jim Carrey in The Mask because he’s SMOKIN’. Like, seriously so hot. Marry Patrick because he’s dumb and funny so he’ll get my humor. And bury Guy Fieri AGAIN just like last year. Nothing personal he’s just up against my childhood heroes, what can I say.