Interview: Elizabeth Dehn of Beauty Bets + her best beauty recommendations!

I first met Elizabeth back when I was interning for a magazine in Minneapolis. She was the former beauty editor who had recently started her own blog Beauty Bets. I was intrigued, fascinated and admired Elizabeth (especially for all of our amazing beauty tricks.)

Fast forward four years later and I found myself calling Elizabeth a co-worker. She led editorial for Pillsbury, while I managed the brand’s social media. In the meantime, she still had her blog, a skincare line and various freelance work. I think we were all wondering how she seemed to do it all.

Well, Elizabeth is the definition of lady boss. She took her passion and turned it into a profession, and that’s something I love. She’s been featured in Allure, Better Homes and Garden, Well+Good, Jess Lively, and has over 5 million followers on Pinterest (!!!). For this week’s Wellness Wednesday, I thought it would be interesting to highlight Elizabeth’s story and get some of her best beauty recommendations! I know how many of you loved my beauty recommendations over on Snapchat and always are intrigued by my purchases, so I’m sure you’ll enjoy Elizabeth’s favs.

Without further ado, here’s the interview…

Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you started blogging.

I was working as the lifestyle editor of a magazine and every month found myself with more beauty to share than pages in which to do it! A blog was a creative outlet for me to capture those beauty inspirations. That was seven years ago and the rest, as they say, is history. In addition to blogging, I also serve as the editorial director for a content agency, the beauty editor for Mpls.St.Paul magazine, and collaborate on a skincare line with One Love Organics. Never a dull moment and I wouldn’t have it any other way!  

Have you always been interested in beauty and style?

Oh yes, I was definitely born with a beauty gene. I had my mitts on my grandmother’s Pond’s Cold Cream and Chanel Perfume from an early age. And loved whipping up face masks in the kitchen. But I started my career in fashion, working for a Fashion Weekly in London and merchandising at Target.

What skincare product do you use most frequently?  

Face oils. They’re the only thing that truly moisturizes and keep my face dewy—a daily goal!

What are your top three beauty essentials?

1. Eyelash extensions changed my life. Because of them, I really did wake up like this.
2. Dry shampoo might be the best beauty invention of our time. Use it at night, wake up with clean hair. It’s also my not-so-secret volumizing trick. Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray not only sops up any oil but adds a major root boost—I often use it just for the volume when my hair is clean!
3. Bright, pink blush instantly wakes up your face and eliminates the need for much makeup. I don’t leave the house without it! Glo Minerals Blush in Begonia is an epic shade and stays all day.

What are your top three skincare essentials?

1. I couldn’t function without One Love Organics Vitamin C serum. It was one of the first products we created and it’s still the only the product that gives my skin that natural glow while brightening sun spots.
2. Peels. Oh my lord. Exfoliating is my guilty pleasure. I do a peel at least two times a week, usually before a big meeting or night out. I’m not loyal because I love to try a different one each week, but Silk’s Skin Renewing Peel is the closest thing to a professional treatment that I’ve experienced recently.
3. Mineral sunblock. I don’t leave the house without at least SPF 30. I was a sun worshipper growing up but after the damage started appearing and became a phobic!  

Are you loyal to a specific makeup brand?

If I had to pick just one brand it would be Bobbi Brown. Her color palette so true and flattering, it makes everyone look like a better version of themselves. And the foundations are perfection.

Walk us through your daily makeup routine.

An illuminating primer followed by a BB cream or tinted moisturizer. Undereye corrector and concealer. I fill in my brows with a powder or pencil. Pale eyeshadow to neutralize my lids and chocolate brown liner on the top lid only (plus a little warm brown shadow if I’m headed to the office or an event that day). Peach liner in the lower waterline, Crayon Combo in Wide Awake, because it’s super soft and extra bright. Blush and lip gloss. A dusting of HD powder from Make Up For Ever to set concealer and eliminate any shine in the t-zone. Done!

How long does it take you to get ready from start to finish?

I give myself an hour from shower to finish, mostly because getting ready is a zen-like activity for me. Sometimes it’s the only quiet time I have in the day.  

How would you change a daytime makeup look into a nighttime look?

I love a smoky eye using deep navy shadow. Just add a peachy or nude lip and you’re set for the night without needing touch-ups.

What advice would you give to young women about taking care of their skin?

Sunscreen is your BFF. Don’t go to bed without washing your face; makeup can really cause pores and wreak havoc on skin. And it’s never too soon to get a facial to learn more about your skin and what it needs. Treat yourself!

Quick favorites with Elizabeth…

My go-to cleanser is… Elizabeth Dehn for One Love Organics Vitamin B Cleansing Oil.

My go-to moisturizer is… Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream.

My go-to lip color is… Clear lip gloss for day, Bobbi Brown Lady Ruba for play.

My go-to mascara is… see eyelash extensions!

My go-to anti-aging product is… Sunblock and a hat! Borrrrrring but true.

What is your best beauty secret? A peachy liner in the lower waterline makes you look like you slept 10 hours. Also, I get botox between my brows . . . secret’s out!  

If you could only use one beauty product, what would it be and why? Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue triples as a hydrator, sunblock and base all in one. Then I suppose I’d scavenge for berries and make my own blush and lip tint.

Do you have any great DIY beauty masks that readers can try out? Our Baking Soda + Orange Juice mask is one of the most popular on the blog. It’s easy, cheap and cleans out pores like nobody’s business.

Here are a few others:

Grapefruit & Oatmeal Face Mask

Blueberry Face Mask

Oatmeal, Honey, Yogurt & Strawberry Face Mask

Avocado Honey Yogurt Face Mask (pictured above)

Questions/Comments/Other recommendations? Leave it below!

We hope you loved this post as we work very hard to create relevant content for AK readers.

Disclaimer: Some of these products are affiliate links but are true recommendations that we know and love! Huge thanks to my assistant Rose for helping with this series!