In Your Skin | Andrea Helleybuyck

In Your Skin | Andrea Hellebuyck

@andrea13 @oosc.agency
Photography, Interview, & makeup by @chelseagehr

One thing to know about Andrea Helleybuck is that she is always down for anything. This free spirit has been in my orbit since 2012, when she hired me for one of my first real gigs as a makeup artist. She was working as a marketing producer for the brand RVCA, in Los Angeles. It's been 11 years and it feels like we've lived a million different lives together; breakups, tattoos, moving coasts, living together, starting new businesses, late nights, early mornings, etc etc.

We sat down to talk about what it's like living in NYC in your late 30s, as a single woman and starting a new business.

S: First off, where are you from?

A: I was born in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada and moved to the Bay Area in high school.

S: When and why did you move to NYC?

A: I moved to NYC in 2016 from Los Angeles. What’s better than the “island at the center of the world”? You have everything at your disposal here: architectural beauty, history, an international mecca of marvelous and diverse humans all interacting with each other, rivers, lakes, beaches, lush forests, live music at all hours of the day, the best of every cuisine in the world, I mean I could go on and on. I am filled with immense gratitude every day that I get to wake up here. New York is my soulmate.

S: How many languages do you speak?

A: I speak English and Spanish fluently, French pretty well as long as it is spoken to me slowly hehe, and I’m currently learning Italian.

Andrea Helleybuck for Skinned Care | In Your Skin Series wearing a blue dress from Nuuly and sex appeal oil on her skin. photography by Chelsea gehr

S: What’s the first thing you do in the morning?

A: If I have time? Brew coffee, feed my cat, check the Chani App, journal, and meditate.

S: What does your self-care routine look like?

A: I wouldn’t necessarily say I have a self-care routine but I guess my morning routine counts. I also consider tidying up the kitchen and living room before I go to bed so that I can wake up to a clean serene setting as self-care I guess.

S: What are three things that make you feel vulnerable in your skin?

A: Being either overdressed or underdressed depending on the company I’m with

S: What are three things that make you feel confident in your skin?

A: Attending to my body, listening to what it needs - rest, moisture, a massage, submerging in a body of water, sex, and gratitude. And just staring at myself naked haha.

S: 3 languages... that's impressive!! Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

A: Still here in NYC, running a thriving business and being a mom : )

S: What do you do for a living?

A: I own a social media agency named Out Of State Creatives. We produce content, consult, and develop strategies for multiple brands' social media accounts.

S: I know that's a lot of work on it's own, and I also know you don't stop there. What else are you working on?

A: What am I not working on? haha. Launching a petite clothing line, growing my creative agency and building a team, writing a book of essays, decorating my apartment and making my backyard the perfect space to host my friends, putting more effort into my personal social media presence. Oh and my high school best friend and I are considering starting a podcast about being single and ALMOST 40!

S: Speaking of being single in NYC, starting a new business, and just navigating life in your late 30s, can you tell us what that's like? I know there are so many people who can relate.

A: I honestly can’t totally articulate it but what comes to mind is…I feel like I’m finally meeting myself for the first time, I’m confident in my capabilities, I make assertive decisions, I’m comfortable in my own skin, I’m proud of where I came from and how I arrived at where I am today. I’m optimistic about the future and having a “best case scenario” mindset.

S: What products can’t you live without?

A: Currently: My Rose Inc. brow gel/serum to repair my 90s thin brows, Pattern leave-in conditioner for my poofy curls, Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castille soap for my dry, sensitive skin (no other soap compares, it's the cleanest and I’ve been using it since high school!), Earth & Star mushroom coffee - I even travel with it, I love that it's actually dark roast coffee and not a tasteless imposter, plus the cherry on top is it's packed with incredible health benefits, and last but not least Skinned Sex Appeal body oil to give me the ultimate glow and leave me smelling like summer.

S: What’s on your bedside table?

A: Whatever book I’m reading at the moment and it’s usually three at a time, usually one literary fiction, non-fiction personal growth, and non-fiction business. Did I mention I’m a triple Virgo?

S: haha! What album is on repeat?

A: At the moment I’m alternating between: Dawns by Zach Bryan, SOS by Sza, the record by boygenius, anything Halsey drops, and Ends & Begins by Labrinth.

S: Who is your biggest influence?

A: My sister: smart, beautiful, funny, successful and an amazing mother.

S: What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

A: “You don’t know what you don’t know” “Do what you love and the money will follow”