Get To Know Our Social Media Manager, Myla Bastien

I joined Gleamin this year ready to share my passion for storytelling and skincare. What I found was more than I expected: a great team, an awesome mission, and an opportunity to do what I love. I decided to share more insights into why I’m so passionate about skincare and why I chose the Gleamin Team.

 

      

 

What do you love about social media and marketing? 

 

I love marketing because it’s a form of storytelling. I secretly have a thing for great commercials. I actually enjoy them.

 

Social media interests me because it allows marketing to be done more organically and interactively. It’s exciting because it’s constantly changing. To really master social media, you have to mix creative and analytical skills, and really know when to go with your gut.

 

What sparks your passion for skincare?

 

I’ve struggled with acne since I was a teenager and only recently was able to achieve clear skin. I have zero self-control when it comes to popping pimples. After getting a pimple I’d always be left with hyperpigmentation, and before that scar would fade, a new pimple would appear. It felt like a never-ending cycle.  After a lot of experimenting with different treatments, services, and products, I found a routine and products that work for me. 

 

Once my skin cleared, I felt more confident in my own skin. Feeling comfortable and even beautiful in your own skin is something you can’t put a price on. 

Why did you choose to work with Gleamin?

 

When I first met Jordan, the CEO, it was for an interview, but it felt like I was talking to a friend the whole time. He asked me a question that I’d never been asked before in an interview. I was actually kind of taken aback. He asked if I’d ever worked for a company where there was a lack of diversity, and what I did about it. That showed me two things: 1) Diversity is important to the brand; 2) This is a leader who expects employees to speak up. Knowing that he had that expectation led me to assume that employees are empowered to do so. 

 

I was also drawn to the work/life balance embedded in the company culture. Gleamin has always been remote- it’s not just a COVID thing. But even in my interview, I was asked questions about what I would do if I found myself distracted in my work. I said that I would probably take a walk or move to another room just to get a change of scenery. Jordan seemed to think this was a reasonable answer and seemed to be comfortable and realistic about the idea that people don’t have to be glued to a desk for 8 hours a day in order to be productive. He seemed to believe that if you set expectations and hire good people, you can trust them to meet those expectations. Trust is so important in any relationship. I knew I wanted to work for a company where there’s mutual trust and respect between employer and employee.

 

An extra perk of working for the company is that it’s a sustainable, vegan brand. I’ve been vegan for over three years now so it’s great to work for an environmentally conscious company.

 

What are your favorite skincare products? 

 

I mentioned that I struggled with acne and hyperpigmentation and although my skin is so much clearer now, I still get an occasional pimple, then I pick, and then there’s post-acne-hyperpigmentation. So acids and sunscreen are my skincare staples for dealing with hyperpigmentation. I use all kinds of acids but my favorite are peels! Also, I try to use sunscreen every day. For the longest time, I didn’t think black people needed to wear sunscreen because we have more melanin. But I learned that our melanin is an SPF of 13-17 and the recommended range of SPF is 30-50. Once I heard that I was like “Oh no! I need that full SPF protection!”. UVA protection is so important if you struggle with hyperpigmentation because while UVB rays aren’t a big issue for darker skin tones, UVA rays can actually make hyperpigmentation worse. Of course, if you have sensitive skin like me, it’s important to find the right sunblock that won’t clog your pores or make you look greasy, and most importantly, won’t have you walking around looking like Casper the Friendly Ghost!

 

What are some things you like to do in your spare time? 

 

I love traveling. It broadens your perspective and humbles you in the best ways.

 

I also enjoy sharing my natural hair journey with other women. It’s really important to me because it’s another aspect of embracing your natural beauty and loving the skin you’re in.

 

Where do we find you? 

 

My Instagram is @mylaoctavia and if you search “Myla Bastien” on LinkedIn, I should pop up. That's one of the perks of having an uncommon name.