This week’s muse is Shannon Smyth, founder of the beauty blog, A Girl’s Gotta Spa! and Chief Pampering Officer of her bath and body brand of the same name. Shannon is a beauty blogging pioneer and was one of the first beauty bloggers I met well before beauty blogging became ‘a thing’. In addition to being mother to five sons ages 1 to 17 (because who doesn’t like a challenge!) and running her blog and bath and body company, Shannon is a social media consultant and a frequent public speaker at beauty industry functions such as HBA Expo, Cosmoprof North America, iRetreat and NEPA BlogCon.
Here are Shannon’s beauty secrets:
Growing up, my mom used to take a long bath every weekend without fail. From an early age, it created the mindset for me that pampering yourself is self-care and not a selfish indulgence.
- “I used to be envious of the women who could wear red lipstick, until one day I took to Twitter to ask for some help.I tweeted a pic of myself and a few beauty editors came to my rescue, telling me which types of red would suit me best. My favorite finds are Red Carpet from Lavish Body & Home in Scranton, PA and Cate McNabb’s Be Mine. Now I don’t wear any other colors. It’s my confidence builder.
2. Exfoliation is my not-so-secret obsession. I am all about out with the old (dead skin) and in with the new (glowing, healthy skin.) I’m always told I don’t look my age (42) and I can honestly say I credit exfoliating 2-3x per week. For my scalp, I use Keune So Pure Exfoliating Shampoo – it has tea tree oil, lavender, coconut and argan oil and it is incredibly effective. For face and neck, I use Michael Todd’s Jojoba Charcoal Scrub – I’m prone to clogged pores and blemishes (still, ugh) and this scrub is gentle, while getting the gunk out. For body and feet, I use my very own A Girl’s Gotta Spa Salt Scrub – the Dead Sea salt detoxes and purifies, while the avocado oil moisturizes my skin.”
Follow Shannon!
Twitter: @AGirlsGottaSpa
Facebook: AGirlsGottaSpa
Instagram: @AGirlsGottaSpa
Pinterest: AGirlsGottaSpa
Snapchat: agirlsgottaspa
Carleen
I am all about exfoliation! Especially in the tub, where I do my legs and feet.
Trae
Yes! I need to find more time for baths – love them.
Jen Mathews
I’m a huge fan of Shannon’s blog her A Girl’s Gotta Spa products! Shannon is LEGIT – I’ve been following her beauty tips for years.
Trae
Agreed! She’s a beauty blogging pioneer. I haven’t tried her products yet, but they sound great!
Phyrra
Exfoliating is key for gorgeous skin!
Trae
I agree – face, body, feet, they all need scrubbing and sloughing.
MarciaF
I’ve used A Girl’s Gotta Spa products and they are amazing. The fragrance is so true. I’m glad to see her featured here. She deserves so much recognition for how hard she works.
Trae
I was delighted to feature her! Thanks for visiting and for chiming in.
Brittany
Shannon is awesome and so incredibly inspiring. And there’s just something about a red lipstick, right? I could ve having the worst day and a red will make me feel like a bad mama jamma! Great feature!
Trae
Thank you so much, Brittany!
Christina
Love Shannon’s blog & her products are amazing!
Cindy
I love Shannon’s A Girl’s Gotta Spa products! They smell amazing and perform beautifully!
Lianne
Yes, my girl!! I’ve been following her for YEARS. Hey Shannon!! ????????