The Explorers are keeping their skills as journalists fresh as they write about virtual experiences. In one recent Zoom workshop, students learned the importance of healthy skin and how to maintain it. Guest presenter and Mary Kay Consultant Dr. Justine Franklin, provided items to Explorers in advance for a Spa Day they could experience together.

Explorers were challenged to write a story on deadline about their experience for a chance to win a personal Spa Kit. The results were amazing! Each Explorer shared of the experience in their own unique way. In the end, they were judged on how their story best shared of our virtual spa experience, what they learned during the session, the importance of healthy skin, steps in using the products, and how it benefited them. In this tight competition, extra points were provided for images they used to help share their story with their audience. Congratulations Explorers!

Read the stories of the top two winners here!

The winners of this competition were:
First Place Winner: Nya Kuhn – My Virtual Spa Day
Second Place Winner: Brittany Wright
Honorable Mentions: Arianna Milliner and Kalea Barnes

My Virtual Spa Day
By Nya Kuhn

The Merze Tate Explorers had a fun Spa Day with Dr. Justine Franklin!  To prepare for the spa day, Dr. Franklin first mailed each of us a box of skin care items from Mary Kay.  The box included skin care for our face and hands.  Inside the kits also were a notepad, pen, autographed CD by her daughter Jasmine Franklin, and a sweet treat! 

The skincare set for the face included a face mask, cleanser, hydrating moisturizer, and a freshening spray.  The hand care set was called “Satin Hands,” and included a softener, scrub, and moisturizer.  All of the products were natural and good for the skin. Before the call, we were told to get two bowls of warm water and two towels.  I was all set and ready to go. This is what I learned.

First, you want to apply the face mask on your forehead, cheeks, chin, and nose.  You need make sure you apply it to your skin in an even layer.  Always use an upward motion when putting products on your face.  Then, set you timer for 10 minutes.

While you are waiting for your face mask to set, you can work on your hands.  The first step is to use the softener.  It will feel really smooth going your hands.  Make sure you rub it in between your fingers and on the front and back of your hands. 

Next, put some of the scrub on top of the softener.  Rub it in nicely in the same way you did the softener.  The scrub will feel a little gritty but that is ok because it is working to get the dead skin off. 

Finally, rinse your hands really well and add the hand moisturizer.  You should now have soft and satiny hands!  You can repeat this process a few times each week.

After your 10 minutes are up, wash the mask off your face with warm water.  Apply the face cleanser using wet hands or a face brush. Rinse the cleanser off and rub on the hydrating cream.  For the last step, top it all off with a few sprays of the freshener mist.  You should now have a nice glow!  You should use the mask twice per week and the other face products every night.

Since I’m only 10 years old this was my first time doing a real face routine.  My skin felt AMAZING!  It is important for girls to take care of their skin. I was thankful that Dr. Franklin took the time to send us the products and teach us how to use them.  I recommend the Mary Kay products to everyone because it is for all ages and your skin will feel SO SOFT!  I enjoyed my experience with Dr. Franklin.  It was truly relaxing. 

Steps to Healthy Skin
By Brittany Wright

On Friday, August 14, the Merze Tate Explorers got together on a Zoom call with special guest Dr. Justine Franklin. Together we would do a facial and hands skin care workshop where we would learn some tips on how to take care of our skin.

Dr. Franklin gave us the opportunity to try out some of the products and have everyone’s skin glowing nicely. She shared that it is better to clean your skin twice a day. We learned we should always wash your face after working out or working up a sweat, as sweat can clog pores and make acne worse. It is  important to take care of skin because daily facial cleansing removes every last trace of dirt, excess oil, pollution and unwanted skin cells off of your face. In addition, if you wear make up from time to time you want your skin healthy so it can never lead to blocked pores.

Dr. Franklin demonstrated the first step to the Mary Kay skin care routine, is the mask. The mask of Mary Kay improves skin’s texture, leave it on for 10 minutes then remove with warm water.

Next, we used the cleanser that left our skin feeling smooth, hydrated and nourished. Then, we use the hydrate product with a moisture-rich formula that absorbs quickly and leaves your skin feeling balanced.

Finally, we use the freshener that gently removes excess residue to help calm and soothe skin. These products are from the Botanical Effects Skin Care Collection of Mary Kay and have an antioxidant-rich complex featuring Silymarin to help defend against environmental damage and help promote healthy skin. She recommended that we use the Botanical Effects Skin Care Collection two to three times per week. She shared how Mary Kay makes products for women to empower them to have nice beautiful skin. 

Dr. Justine Franklin gave the Merze Tate Explorers the opportunity to learn how to make our skin healthy. It is good to have a routine. Skin care is an effective routine that can help prevent acne, treat wrinkles, and help keep your skin looking its best.