The True Spoon’s Celeste Wilson On Botox, Indie Beauty, Effective Natural Skincare Products And Being An Influencer

Like many millennials, Celeste Wilson combines an interest in holistic health with a willingness to experiment with cutting-edge scientific advancements in skincare. A former aesthetics nurse, she created wellness lifestyle blog The True Spoon to share tasty recipes, but it’s since grown into an all-encompassing destination for fitness, food and beauty filled with natural deodorant tips, the secrets to a great spray tan and helpful insight into cosmetic procedures. “I want to be your trusty source of knowledge, helping you demystify the challenges of eating well, staying active, and taking care of your skin,” says Wilson in her online bio. “Keeping your skin healthy can be simple and fun.” Beauty Independent caught up with the influencer to discuss Botox, indie beauty, control over content and the increasing effectiveness of natural products. 

Where did you grow up?

I was born on the island of Oahu and moved to Portland in elementary school, where my mom was born. So, I had a very West Coast upbringing, and was introduced to health and wellness before it was even cool. A very green, crunchy, hippie upbringing, if you will. I have now lived in L.A. for the past six years.

The True Spoon
Celeste Wilson is the influencer behind the wellness lifestyle blog The True Spoon.

Did the places you grew up have an impact on your idea of beauty?

All of them certainly gave me a less-is-more philosophy in regard to beauty. In Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest, people have a very understated look with minimal makeup and a focus on clean, healthy skin. Because of the part of L.A. I live in now and the community I’m involved with, my focus is still very natural and minimal. It has been fun to delve into the clean beauty space now that there are much more quality alternatives. So many of the brands are really great and make it easy to wear a bold lip or bring in a little more pigment.

What inspired you to start your website?

The True Spoon actually started as a recipe blog. I was getting a lot of interest about the recipes I was making in Portland. I was getting my CSA basket and sharing what I did with them, and this was off of probably a first-generation iPhone and crappy digital camera back in 2014. Along with that came a blog for friends and family. A few years later, the foodie Instagram movement became a thing. So, I decided that was a much easier way to share my recipes. It evolved into lifestyle. Aside from food, followers were eager to ask [about] wellness practices, fitness, and it was overwhelming that people were asking about my skincare routine. I did a lot of social listening and started giving them what they wanted. It just grew from food to skin, and it still has both components. The basis is all about holistic skincare and the practices that go along with the whole “eat to glow” theory.

Did you have an idea you’d be deemed an influencer?

Not at all. I am so passionate about sharing the knowledge that I have. I love telling anyone I come in contact with – friends, family, someone in the grocery store. I’ve always been that kind of person to give you my opinion, so it really fits my personality. A title is fine. I could really care less. I would be sharing tips to improve anyone’s life around me regardless.

The true spoon
Among the products The True Spoon’s Wilson is crushing on right now are ones from Ranavat Botanics, Juice Beauty, Osea Malibu and Suntegrity.

What do you wish brands knew about working with influencers?

Coming from someone who has spent hours identifying her branding and messaging, I would think there would be an understanding of a collaborative approach. Not having strict parameters on a project will give brands higher quality content since we know our audience best. When a brand comes with something so specific that it doesn’t even match my brand, it doesn’t feel good. It’s not authentic, and they clearly didn’t research my community or me. They squelch the creative interest you have and, therefore, it’s not successful.

How does your nursing background impact the way you choose products/brands to feature?

Having a nursing background and the knowledge base of the physiological components, I do look for active naturals, and will use and promote more pharmaceutical-grade products. To me, having an effect on the skin is most important. There is a big difference in being natural for the sake of just being natural or being better for you and having efficacy. I think it’s the best way to treat your skin.

You recently posted about options like Botox. Why?

I do advocate for Botox, fillers and more medical modalities. When you are breaking it down to chemistry, most are actually a naturally-occurring substance, albeit these are made in a lab. Of course, there could be negative effects, but [there could be from] having a phone near your brain all the time. Life is about balance and, if you live stringently trying to avoid any toxins or pollutants, you aren’t really getting to live. These things have been extensively tested for years. Much of what is in the beauty space hasn’t been regulated, so I feel comfortable going for an option that has. Prevention is better than overhaul in my opinion.

True spoon
Wilson’s background as an aesthetics nurse shapes her interest in advanced cosmetic procedures that are chronicled on The True Spoon.

Why do you think the indie beauty movement has gathered momentum?

I think it’s really about product development. For the longest time, people didn’t want to go into the health food store or grocery and experiment on things that didn’t last with quality that was subpar, but there are so many innovators in the space right now, and people are willing to give them a try. They’re realizing the quality is there, and they are happy to make the switch if its efficacious and that is fueling the movement. Savvy people are also realizing there we need better options for the terrible ingredients, so it’s twofold, but I believe the functionality improving is the driver.

What are a few brands you are crushing on right now?

I’m currently obsessed with Suntegrity. Everything they have is fantastic, [including] their Staycation Bronzing Shimmer Serum. I never go in the sun, so I love to have a tanner or bronzer. This one hydrates, bronzes, adds shimmer and doesn’t make my acneic skin break out. I’m also in love with Ranavat’s Hydrating Tonique. It’s jasmine-based and smells like you are on a tropical vacation. You can also use it as a toner, mix it into masks to increase the hydration potential or use it as a setting spray for a dewy finish. Finally, I would say, for sure, I’ve never tried anything better than the Osea Anti-Aging Body Balm, which I gift to everyone, anyone for any occasion, and the Juice Beauty Stem Cell CC Cream, which has SPF and also really evens out tone, redness or under-eye circles. It’s a large tube, too, so you get a lot for your money.

What’s next for you?

More workshops. I do a few Eat to Glow workshops on how gut health affects your skin. I also teach a fermentation workshops – one for veggies, one for coconut yogurt – and I love connecting in real life with my audience and teaching them one-on-one. I would like to do more skincare-based sessions like on DIY masks and how to customize your routine. Hopefully, I just get to take this on the road and continue to grow with my audience.