What’s your take on beauty when you work at Hawaii’s leading medical spa? We chatted with two of Honolulu MedSpa’s top medical aestheticians and laser technicians, Olivia Bears and Kanoe Oda, to find out.

Olivia fell into aesthetics accidentally after happening upon a booth for a beauty and wellness school at a college fair. Kanoe, on the other hand, was always interested in looking good, and knew skin care would be a perfect fit for her. Both ladies do some of the finest laser hair removal, facials and chemical peels you’ll experience anywhere on the island. But what do they follow when it comes to their personal beauty routines? We knew you’d ask. Read on for their answers.

How has living in Hawaii impacted your perspective on beauty and wellness in general?

Olivia: Hawaii is such a melting pot of cultures. Living here has reinforced for me just how different all of our needs and wants are in the sense of beauty. So having an open mind is key.

Kanoe: Living in Hawaii in particular, being in the sun is almost unavoidable and that has definitely made me realize how important it is to protect our skin from the sun.

Can you describe to us your personal skincare routine?

Olivia: I tend to have more temperamental skin, but I’m a product junkie, so it’s a problem. I love trying new things, but sometimes my skin doesn’t respond very nicely, so for the most part I keep it simple. As of right now, in the morning I use SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel and a physical, zinc-based sunscreen. Before bed, I always use my SkinMedica Retinol, usually followed by SM TNS Recovery Complex, and then usually finished with my SC Phyto Corrective Gel.

Kanoe: I think simple is best! After cleansing and toning, prevent, correct and protect.

What skincare products or ingredients are you most excited about these days?

Olivia: I love products that work overtime! Any product that can address multiple concerns or is diverse enough to use on multiple skin types is great in my book.

Kanoe: Antioxidants are amazing! I’m really excited about bringing SkinCeuticals back to the spa.

Who is your beauty icon? Why?

Kanoe: Jessica Alba, she has a natural beauty which I aspire to have. And also with her new skincare line, she knows the importance of good quality ingredients and keeping beauty simple.

If we looked, what would we find in your bag right now?

Olivia: Lip balm, HydroFlask, hand lotion and doTerra Peppermint Beadlets.

Kanoe: Lip tint, eyeliner and powder.

What one treatment could you not live without?

Olivia: Laser hair removal.
Kanoe: Botox.

If you could speak to her now, what skincare or beauty advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

Olivia: “Stop looking for a ‘cure-all!’ There’s no quick fix for anything in life. Just take care of yourself!”

Kanoe: “Stay out of the sun!”

Give us your best anti-aging tip?

Olivia: Hydrate and start preventative measures young! It’s SO much easier to prevent aging than it is to reverse aging.

Kanoe: Always use sunscreen and take antioxidants.

What’s your personal beauty philosophy?

Olivia: Beauty starts on the inside. Happy people are the most beautiful people. But I also believe that we feel our best when our outside matches how we feel on the inside.

Kanoe: True beauty is a lifestyle and comes from the inside out.

Got a question for Honolulu Medspa? Ask us on our Facebook page or contact us here.