• By theSKIN May 11, 2020

Instagram: @dalearden
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Writer, Editor, and Consultant
Astrological Sign: Gemini
Book that changed your life: The Defining Decade by Meg Jay, PhD
Beauty product (or treatment) that changed your skin: Hey Dewy Portable Facial Humidifier. I could literally sit in front of this little gadget all day while I’m working. It’s done wonders to my face and it feels. So. Good.
Podcast you can’t stop listening to: How I Built This with Guy Raz. It’s been so fascinating to listen to how each guest has approached their businesses and what makes them tick (especially the episode with Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia)
Instagram account you love to follow: I’ve been saving a lot of photos from @__s____ostudio, which just feels like a visual retreat from the stressors in the world.

You know who has an eye for the best and the brightest of beauty? Our editor Dale Arden Chong, that’s who. This Los Angeles local is our go-to gal for the latest beauty looks and the most effective products — we know we can count on her to help us keep our skin glowing and our makeup fresh. Not only is she a prolific writer, Dale has a cabal of interests: cooking, knitting, dancing, and reading to name a few. We stan a well-rounded beauty lover.

Dale originally hails from Nebraska, and according to her, “I’m pretty sure my Midwestern roots show through in just about everything I do.” If by that she means charming and kind, then we absolutely agree. “As hippy-dippy as it sounds, I want to spread love, joy, and light to the people around me with what I say and do,” she says, “After all, when you have that, everything else is just a bonus.”

TS

What’s your ideal night in?

DAC

It probably starts with food. When I’m feeling up for the taking, I’ll whip out my Dutch oven and get something intense going. If I’m not making dinner, I’m definitely baking something, maybe cookies or coconut macaroons — two crowd favorites I make for any guests or parties. After that, I like to cozy up with my latest read or show with a knitting project to keep my hands busy. It’s an ideal night, right? Wine is involved, too.

TS

What’s your ideal night out?

DAC

Honestly, it probably also starts with food. One of my best friends keeps a good tab on all the restaurants that pop up in LA, so we’ll go to something on her list when we have the chance.

TS

How do you Sunday?

DAC

Sundays for me start with church! I’m a pretty spiritual person, and that often affects my outlook on things and choices in life. I go to the early service so I have the rest of the day ahead of me to set the tone for the week. Usually, that’ll involve some low-key chores to prep for the upcoming week, but if I can, I’ll go to the Brentwood Farmers Market (where I used to work as a vendor selling bread) to say hi to the community there and shop from my favorite people.

TS

What’s your self-care power move?

DAC

When I have the time, I’ll take a meditative shower. Sometimes, I’ll just sit down and let the water fall on my back while I think (or don’t think) about the different happenings of my life.

TS

How do you cope with tough days?

DAC

I’m a hardcore journaler. Each morning I’ll probably scribble through a few pages of all my thoughts. There’s a lot going on inside my head, so it really helps to get my ideas on paper, even if they don’t make any sense. When it’s too much for me to handle on my own, I’ll call my closest friends and untangle my anxieties.

Hey Dewy

Humidifier

U Beauty

Resurfacing Compound

NUFACE

Facial Toner

“As I get older, authenticity becomes more important to me.”

TS

What’s currently on your want list?

DAC

Okay, this one isn’t realistic, but a vintage Bvlgari Serpenti Watch — a girl can dream, right? I’ve also been dying to try SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Acid Serum, it seems like beauty editors can’t get over it, so I want to know what all the hype is about.

TS

Best beauty buy of the past 3 months?

DAC

U Beauty’s Resurfacing Compound has been a game-changer for my skin. I’ve been using it in place of other serums for about two months now, and I think it’s kept everything under control. And for the extra skin love, I love my NuFace Mini. I feel super cool using this futuristic tool.

TS

What (or who) inspires you?

DAC

My grandmother—she was a self-made Chinese immigrant who raised a family of five on her own. She always believed in me and encouraged me to be a strong and independent woman. Plus, I’m pretty sure I inherited my love of jewelry from her.

TS

What’s the best thing social media has done for you? The worst?

DAC

Ah, the double-edged sword. Instagram has opened my eyes to an endless world of inspiration, but it’s also led me into the trap of comparison. It’s a tricky line to toe, especially when there are so many people and accounts I look up to and aspire to channel in my own life. But as I get older, authenticity becomes more important to me, and hopefully, that’s reflected in my content.

TS

What’s a personal goal or project you are working towards?

DAC

It’s in the very early stages, but I’m hoping to start a business curating and selling vintage jewelry. I think it’d be a fun little passion project that uses my brain in a different way from writing.

TS

Describe beauty as you see it in a few words.

DAC

Beauty is a journey of self-care; it’s an opportunity to celebrate yourself.

TS

F*ck, Marry, Kill: cleanser, moisturizer, serum?

DAC

F*ck serum—I know it’s meant to do good, but sometimes I get confused with what I’m supposed to use and when. Marry moisturizer…no explanation needed. Hate to admit that I am the ball to cleanser’s chain but I would love it if cleanser wasn’t something that felt like a necessary step.

TS

Mascara, blush, lipstick?

DAC

F*ck with blush because you can use it in so many ways. I married mascara long ago, and I’d renew my vows every single day. Kill lipstick; it looks good but damn, it gets everywhere.