Austin, TX beauty blogger Courtney Shields is known for her beauty and skin-care expertise—but her close-to 700,000 Instagram followers stick around for her no-holds-barred outlook on life—and influencing.
Between behind-the-scenes looks at what it’s like to be a major blogger in the public eye, to a peek behind the curtain at what most people would keep private, Shields’ open-book mentality has won the hearts of her vast online community.
So when mega-popular skin-care brand Tula decided to launch its first-ever co-created product, partnering with Shields was a no-brainer. We sat down with the blogger—virtually, of course—to learn more about the long-awaited launch, her experience with in-office treatments and plastic surgery and how she’s coping in quarantine.
The Glow Up
“I remember thinking when I was first starting out that if I could get 5,000 followers, that would be amazing,” says Shields, reflecting on her success within the last few years. Cut to present day, her reader-base spans further and wider than she ever thought possible. “It’s definitely been a journey and I’m so grateful for it.”
Shields says the decision to collaborate with Tula on their first-ever co-created product was a natural one. “We began working together five years ago when we were both just coming up. We always say we grew up together—I was a baby blogger when we started working together and Tula was a baby brand. It just felt so natural, and there’s no one better to work with than women who empower each other every day.”
Launch Party
The third addition to Tula’s coveted Eye Balm collection, Courtney Shields X Tula Glow Hour Brightening & Neutralizing Eye Balm ($32) is part skin-care, part makeup, and 100-percent worth the wait, especially if you struggle with under-eye darkness.
“What makes Glow Hour such a game-changer is that aside from the gorgeous glow it gives to the under-eyes, it also treats the skin with lingonberry,” Shields explains, adding that she was tired of constantly covering up her persistent dark circles instead of actually doing something about them. “I use Glow Hour in the center, right below my eyes to counteract the darkness.”
“It was really important to us to ensure this product worked on every skin tone,” adds Shields. “We tried it on the fairest skin tone and on the most beautiful chocolate skin tones and it looked amazing on everyone.” Even better, the multi-benefit product can also be used as a highlighter on the cheekbones.
Along with Tula’s signature probiotics, the cooling under-eye balm also contains grapefruit, watermelon and algae to brighten tired eyes, while natural lingonberry wards off blue light–induced damage to the skin—a must for the extra screen time we’re facing while at home.
On getting plastic surgery in the public eye…
While many influencers would sweep a breast augmentation—especially in the age of COVID-19—under the rug, Shields has welcomed questions and conversations about her recent procedure. “I’ve always had large breasts, so it wasn’t about making them larger,” she explains. “I played sports throughout my teenage years, and making a tiny human and breastfeeding for nine months really took a toll on them. They’re the same size, I just wanted them to be back where they were [laughs].”
Noting that her surgery was one of the last on the books before elective surgeries were shut down in Texas, Shields says it was actually a perfect time to recover. “You don’t really have to see anyone, and social distancing has really helped.”
On in-office musts…
Shields has also been an open book about her usual in-office treatments. “I get Botox and lip filler every six months. My body metabolizes the filler really quickly, so I’ll go in for a touch up every six months or so, too.”
Being open about in-office tweaks doesn’t come without criticism, but Shields doesn’t plan on quieting down. “I feel a responsibility to open that door and start that conversation. I’m all about doing what makes you feel good. If that’s wearing a bright red lip, do it. If that’s getting your boobs done, great.”
What’s the best beauty advice you’ve ever received?
Never go to bed with your makeup on and always wear SPF.
What is your biggest beauty regret?
Over-plucking my eyebrows in high school.
What’s one thing people don’t know about you?
I can’t ride a bike very well! [laughs] I’m a slow-starter.
What is your guilty pleasure?
I’m really into M&Ms right now.
How do you relax?
I have this palo santo candle I get on Amazon—Palo Santo 12 ($23)—and I always light it, get some good vibes going, and I’ll grab my journal. I love a good journal, tea, candle moment.
If you could tell readers one thing what would it be?
This year has been tough, but we’re in it, we’re here, so it’s about changing our perspective. If we can learn to look inward, to shift our mindset and see this year as an opportunity to grow and evolve, it can end up being a hugely beneficial year for all of us too.
Glow Hour will be available for purchase on July 15—until then, the waitlist is officially open today on Tula’s website.
