MEET BANISH WARRIOR: KALI

BIRTHDAY? December 6, 1994

WHERE ARE YOU FROM? Dayton, Ohio

3 UNKNOWN FACTS ABOUT YOU?

1. I was born with a third nipple (that really looked more like a mole) that I had removed just a few years ago.
2. I had cancer of my salivary gland when I was in fourth grade.
3. I am only 24 but I’ve already been married for 6 YEARS this year, my husband and I only dated for a week before becoming engaged.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OR THINGS YOU DO ON YOUR FREE TIME? 

In my free time I like to paint, I went to school for fine arts and painting has always been my passion! Flowers, the human form, and life are my favorite things to paint.  I’ve also begun refurbishing old furniture lately. I love giving old pieces life again while keeping their vintage feel! 

YOUR PROFESSION?

Right now I'm a full-time influencer and I absolutely love my job, every day I feel grateful that I get to do something that I enjoy and allows for so much flexibility. I get to talk about skincare, give reviews on facials, and also support acne positivity! Probably the coolest job in the world. Other jobs I’ve had included a beauty consultant, lifeguard and swimming instructor, blog writer, and restaurant manager.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS? 

I don’t really like to make timelines on my goals because you never know what's going to happen. For example, five years ago I only had $10 in my bank account, worked two jobs while I was in school full time, and I let my acne completely dictate my life. I never thought I’d be where I am today! And I hope in 5 years whatever I am doing I look back on my life now and think the same. I just want to continue growing, learning, and hopefully expand our family!

HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS DESCRIBE YOU? 

My friends always tell me that I'm funny and real. A lot of my friends would say that I'm someone who knows who I am, I don't try to be any certain way - I’m just myself! 

YOUR GO-TO KARAOKE NIGHT SONG? 

My go-to karaoke song is probably Beverly Hills by Weezer because I know all of the words already without a screen haha. 

WHO WOULD YOU WANT TO PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE OF YOUR LIFE?

Isla Fisher, because people are always telling me how much we look alike and I also love her as an actor, she’s so funny!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY? 

My favorite childhood memory is when we would go to visit my grandpa in the mountains of West Virginia. We would have a bonfire, fish, camp out in the front yard, and one time we went to Busch Gardens amusement park (I remember our socks got wet from a water ride and my grandpa hung them in his pockets to dry out!)

HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU LEARNED SANTA WASN'T REAL? HOW DID YOU FIND OUT?

I was probably too old when I learned that Santa wasn’t real. I found out when my sister showed me my parents present hiding spot (in their closet). I remember crying about it the whole day, it ruined my Christmas because I already knew what I was getting. I gave my sister coal in her stocking that year.

DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING?

I used to collect birthday cards each year but it got to be too much. Now I collect mugs, I think every time I go to Target or TJ Maxx, I buy a new mug. I’m not even sure what got that started! My husband and I also collect fridge magnets every time we visit a new city or state.

BEST ADVICE YOUR PARENTS GAVE YOU? 

Don’t give up and to stay true to yourself.

WHAT SONG WOULD YOU SAY BEST SUMS YOU UP?

My life has been so crazy I honestly don’t think it could be summed up in just one song haha, maybe a series of books. Maybe live like you were dying by Tim Mcgraw, I love to try new things, experience new places, and live life to the fullest because there is no guarantee of tomorrow.

WHAT’S YOUR MOST UNUSUAL TALENT?

I can do a backbend and touch my head to the ground without using my hands. I’ve won a lot of limbo contest this way actually!

DO YOU HAVE PETS AND WHAT ARE THEIR NAMES?

Right now we currently have two pets, Bear and Archie. They are both rescue dogs and very good boys.

IF YOU COULD ONLY EAT ONE FOOD FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Wine. Does wine count? Or maybe pasta..🍝 And wine 🍷

 

YOUR SKIN TYPE? My skin type is a combination, sensitive, and acne-prone! Definitely hormonal acne, it always flares up around that time of the month.

WHEN DID YOU GET YOUR FIRST PIMPLE? I think in late middle school, early high school

WHEN DID YOUR ADULT ACNE START? My adult acne started full force when I was 19.

TOP 3 SKINCARE RULES YOU LIVE BY?

Always remove your makeup, wash your face, and moisturize. if you’re going with the basics, that’s about as stripped down as you can get! OH! And use a moisturizer with SPF.

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC DIET TO HELP WITH YOUR SKIN / FOOD YOU AVOID?

I do not. I find when I eat A LOT of sugar I breakout, but that’s super rare since I don’t really like sweets! If I do eat sugar I just deal with the breakout later, life is too short NOT to have the ice cream and cake.

ACCUTANE?

HAVE YOU TAKEN ACCUTANE TO HELP WITH YOUR ACNE?

Yes! I took accutane in 2015 to clear my skin but my acne returned less than a year after. Now I've found a combination of skincare ingredients that work for me AND reducing stress. Stress is one of my biggest triggers so I’ve learned how to manage it more effectively through workouts, journaling, and more mindful practices. If I feel myself getting stressed I just take a few deep breaths to relax and ask myself if it's really worth my energy. 

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO GO ON ACCUTANE?

I decided to go on accutane because none of the traditional acne treatments were working for me. My acne was only getting more and more severe and we wanted to start the treatment to prevent as much scarring as possible. 

WHAT TREATMENTS HAVE YOU TRIED BEFORE COMMITTING TO IT?

Prescription creams, over the counter creams, antibiotics, birth control, more holistic approaches, homemade masks, all-natural skincare, literally anything you can think of- I tried it!

WHAT ARE SOME SIDE EFFECTS YOU EXPERIENCED?

Achy back, dry nose, eyes, and mouth. Headaches, hot flashes, blurry night vision, brain fog, thin nails, and hair. Hair falling out and bad night vision even post accutane! It sounds really bad now that I type this all out but these were all pretty mild symptoms- the most severe or noticeable one would be back pain. I worked in retail at the time and remember not being able to bend down and pick up a T-shirt that was on the floor because my back hurt so bad. 

WILL YOU STILL RECOMMEND IT?

I think it worked good for me but I know not everyone has a positive experience. I think everyone should make that decision with the help of their dermatologist for themselves. Because ultimately, it’s going to affect them (not me) so they have to decide if all of the side effects outweigh the benefits for them. 

 

FAVORITE BANISH PRODUCTS?

My favorite banish products are the vitamin c creme, pumpkin enzyme mask, and banisher 2.0! 

The vitamin C creme is great because of its super moisturizing without feeling greasy or heavy. Plus it makes your skin look extra glowy!

The pumpkin enzyme mask is ideal for breakouts and hyperpigmentation. I feel like it makes my skin really soft and helps my breakouts heal faster.

And of course the banisher 2.0 is my favorite because it helps my acne scars to heal! I love the new design and that the cap easily screws on for travel!

I think the very first time I used banish I saw results the next morning. But for longer lasting more permanent results, definitely two to three months! Time, persistence, and patience are key!

 

SHOP KALI'S FAVE BANISH PRODUCTS BELOW!