Doesn’t it feel like every week there’s a new viral beauty trend popping up on our feed? We don’t know about you, but we’re exhausted. It can be hard to sift through all the hyped-up content and determine what advice is solid, and what’s a total miss. Are we behind skin steaming? Is the snail facial still a thing? And what’s the deal with hair-growth supplements?
Luckily for us, there’s Kristina Rodulfo. As a longtime content creator, journalist, and veteran beauty editor, her extensive industry experience speaks for itself. Known as “the Internet’s Beauty Editor,” she’s one of the few beauty voices we consistently trust.
One of the biggest reasons behind our crush? Not only does she have an education-first approach and a no-editing skin texture policy on her content, but you’ll never find tips on how to “look younger” on her feed. Instead, she doubles down on practical ways to address common (and specific) concerns every woman faces! Now that’s refreshing AF.
Here, we chat with Kristina about her take on the most common myths and misconceptions in the beauty space, the constant pressure women face to look younger, her number one universal skin care tip, self-care priorities, and so much more.
How did you end up in the beauty space?
I started my career in magazines working at publications like ELLE, InStyle, Time Out New York, and Women’s Health, where I was most recently the Beauty Director. My job involved testing hundreds, if not thousands, of beauty products, reporting on wellness and beauty trends and news, interviewing experts like dermatologists, celebrity hair and makeup artists, and estheticians, and testing out every imaginable beauty service.
No day was ever the same, so I naturally started sharing the most exciting parts of the beauty industry on social media and started growing a following. In 2021, I decided to pursue content creation full-time! It’s been a real rollercoaster pivoting to self-employment and diving head-first into the world of influencer marketing. I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many dream partners including Sephora, Dyson, Kiehl’s, Armani Beauty, and Lancôme, to name a few!
What advice would you give to women who feel overwhelmed by the vast amount of beauty products and information available today?
I became a beauty reporter and created educational beauty content because I wanted to make the beauty world less intimidating. You don’t need 10 steps in your skincare routine! What I’ve learned, after much trial and error, is that simplicity is best.
Avoid following beauty trends–especially when it comes to skincare. Be wary of where you get information—I’d sooner trust a dermatologist or esthetician who is seeing my skin in person over a TikTok. Over time, you’ll find what works for you and can pretty much stick with those forever.
I have some products, like foundation, that I go back to over and over again because it works for me. You don’t always need novelty in your beauty routine. Consistency is more important!
What are some of the biggest myths or misconceptions about skincare and beauty that you encounter, and how do you work to debunk them?
One thing I always preach is that there’s no such thing as “immediate” results in skincare. You need to give your skin at least 6-8 weeks to truly see a difference after using something new. I always encourage people to use beauty products until the bottle is finished before buying the next product. Also, it’s best to only introduce one new skincare product at a time (so, if you have a new moisturizer, keep everything else the same before you bring in a new toner).
Another misconception is that if your skin is burning, the product is working. Nothing you put on your skin should make it sting—that’s a sign of a compromised skin barrier! You can overdo it with exfoliators, so when in doubt, be gentle. Use an exfoliator only twice a week, then every other night, and see how your skin tolerates it.
In my work, whether it’s a TikTok or an IG Reel, I stray away from skincare trends and focus more on education and deeper dives. As a beauty reporter, I’ve tried it all and gained so much knowledge so I try to make easy-to-understand guides for people to help them navigate the very confusing world of skincare.
The beauty industry often places significant pressure on women to maintain a youthful appearance. How do you address this in your work?
The beauty industry has always emphasized youth as the standard of beauty, but thankfully there’s been a shift to see more diversity represented. I love following creators like Gym of @californiaistoocasual who embraces being in her 60s and shares many beauty tips, or Patti from @taskyourself who has gray hair and shares fashion inspiration.
Social media has democratized beauty so much that we no longer have to rely on traditional media’s youth-focused marketing and advertising for inspiration—you can find inspiration in real women, not airbrushed models. That has personally eased the pressure of “perfection” for me.
As for my content, I never focus on anti-aging. My advice is not about how to make your skin look young, but how to target specific concerns, like acne or dark spots. I never filter my videos or photos because I want to normalize real skin texture (pores, blackheads, redness, breakouts, and all). I’m very transparent about my skin journey because I never want to push forward a false idea of “flawless” skin—it doesn’t exist.
What role do you see social media playing in shaping beauty standards, and how can it be used to promote positive change?
It can be very easy to fall into the comparison trap when it comes to social media, and that can impact your self-confidence (I actually wrote a feature for Women’s Health on social media-fueled body dysmorphia).
Social media definitely shapes beauty trends (see: “clean girl” or “strawberry girl” aesthetic) and beauty standards (see: lip filler, gua sha for getting a “snatched” jawline), but ultimately you are in control of your feed. Be thoughtful about who you follow and what content you engage with. Does a post make you feel worse about yourself? Unfollow and focus on accounts that inspire you or entertain you instead.
Social media can be toxic, but it can also be an amazing tool for building community and finding like-minded people. For example, I have been able to connect with so many fellow Filipina women across the country who can relate to the content I create. I started a newsletter called Pearl that is dedicated to Filipinas’ beauty journeys, and I have felt so much camaraderie with my readers about navigating issues unique to our culture and beauty standards, like colorism, as Filipinas. I wouldn’t have been able to find that connection without social media.
Can you share some top beauty tips you believe can benefit anyone, regardless of age or skin type?
The number one thing you need in your skincare routine is sunscreen! Look for a broad spectrum SPF 30 or 50 and apply it daily. People often ask me if chemical or mineral is better – it’s up to you! I prefer a mineral formula because chemical ones tend to make my eyes sting, but ultimately you just have to try multiple and see which one you like.
There isn’t any point in doing a skincare routine if you’re not also applying SPF. It helps protect against harmful sun damage and prevents discoloration and hyperpigmentation. It’s the one step everyone needs to do!
What’s an emerging beauty trend you’re particularly excited about?
We just experienced the summer of #tenniscore, and I’m here for it! I actually made a TikTok about this. Between the Challengers movie, Wimbledon, the Olympics, and the U.S. Open all happening this summer, tennis is top of mind and I’m here for it. I love how it encourages sporty hairstyles, like sleek ponytails, bows, white headbands, and braids.
What do you do outside of work?
I love living an active lifestyle! I’m obsessed with playing tennis (I started lessons for the first time this year), pilates, yoga, weight training, and running (I’ve even run the NYC marathon)! I am always the first to volunteer at karaoke, can never turn down dessert, and love travel so I always have my next trip planned (next up for me: Mallorca, Spain!).
How do you practice self-care, wellness, and movement in your own life?
Self-care is a big priority in my life! Some of my wellness practices include daily journaling (I free-write or use affirmation cards as prompts), two-mile walks outdoors every morning, working with a personal trainer to exercise at least five times a week, and being very mindful of nutrition, focusing on eating home-cooked meals, whole foods, and plants.
I also care a lot about sleep and make sure I’m done looking at my phone by 9 PM, and I take a magnesium supplement before bed to get a restful night’s sleep. I do my best to be consistent, but not every day is perfect and that’s okay!
Travel is also a big way that I practice self-care. My husband Michael is from Sydney, Australia so we try to visit at least once a year for several weeks. The lifestyle there is so outdoors and active, I instantly feel at ease. I love doing the Coogee to Bondi coastal walk right by some of the city’s best beaches, swimming in the rock pools, and enjoying the abundance of healthy food options in the city!
What’s something you think women deserve to speak more openly about and why?
I think women should speak more openly about ambition. We always see women talking about imposter syndrome, but why do we always discuss success in the context of feeling undeserving of it? Ambition in women is often stigmatized. Women are expected to be “humble,” or risk being called “conceited.” Let’s normalize a woman standing proudly in her ambition, and knowing she is beautiful, talented, and smart without being self-deprecating to make other people comfortable.
What’s one thing you wish you could tell your younger self?
“You are more than your job.” I spent so much of my teens and 20s being so career-focused, hustling to the point of burnout and losing myself in my career. I wish I could go back and tell my younger self that rest does not have to be earned and that she should pour energy into hobbies, family, friends, travel, reading, and overall living a life not centered around work!
