Adrienne Bailon Houghton on her mental health and getting beauty tips from Kourtney Kardashian

The Unwind is Yahoo Life’s well-being series in which experts, influencers and celebrities share their approaches to wellness and mental health, from self-care rituals to setting healthy boundaries to the mantras that keep them afloat.

You may know Adrienne Bailon Houghton from her days as a Cheetah Girl, but these days the Latina star and former Masked Singer contestant can usually be found hosting All Things Adrienne on YouTube, which boasts over a million subscribers to date, and co-hosting The Real.

The New York City native, who is of Puerto Rican and Ecuadorian descent, is also a business owner behind the affordable jewelry line XIXI and vegan handbag line La Voute. She's also just teamed up with Olay Body in support of their efforts to give back to women of color entrepreneurs in NYC and to help them pursue economic advancement and personal growth.

Yahoo Life caught up with the TV personality from the suburban New York home she shares with husband Israel Houghton. Here, she opens up about meeting some of the female entrepreneurs Olay Body is supporting via the nonprofit LISC-NYC, the "one-woman show" of running her own businesses and how she prioritizes her mental health.

In addition to your hosting duties, you have two fashion businesses. What would surprise people when it comes to being an entrepreneur?

I did a campaign shoot in my garage last night [laughs]; it’s a one-woman show. No one is going to work as hard as you — so you’re literally going to do it all. I’m the creative director, the model, the photographer and the editor!

What’s your day-to-day approach to mental health?

[Previously], I kind of brushed off [my feelings], but now I take inventory and I take time to ask: What do I feel? How do I feel? It's hard for us to check on ourselves. The first step for me is awareness: taking time into my mental well-being and [prioritizing] self-care. During the pandemic, I recognized that I need alone time, to hear my own thoughts and sit quietly with myself. To not feel like I need to be “on” or perform. For me, being alone and taking that time is the most important to me.

Do you have any small self-care rituals to help you reset?

I need my "me time" in the bathroom — my husband already knows I’m going to be there for an hour. Light candles, play music, I take care of my hair, my skin. Take time to do something for me. I love the saying "do something today your future self will thank you for." That time helps me rejuvenate my mind, and I go to bed a much happier woman [laughs]. It makes the world of difference; sometimes we just need to take a moment for ourselves.

What brings you joy?

Days where there’s nothing planned and the possibilities are endless. I love that! Days where I’m not rushing to get somewhere and do something, and get to do the things I want to do. As women, we dedicate our lives to everyone around us so days that have no itinerary bring me joy.

Who do you look to for wellness and beauty advice?

My girlfriends and my family! I love getting product recommendations from people I actually know, who aren’t trying to sell me something. Me, my mom and my sister — and my closest family and friends — all have a group chat going with recommendations and links. Kourt [Kourtney Kardashian] and I are always sending each other things.

I just did a weekend at [Kardashian's lifestyle business] Poosh; Kourtney hosted a stunning event at her home called Poolside With Poosh. It was so much fun — it was just her closest family and friends, maybe eight of us — and it was a spa day! I didn't know what I was going to walk into but it was the dreamiest day. It was the kind of event I like showing up to! I knew I was getting a facial so I didn't even show up wearing makeup [laughs]. There were mini massages and foot rubs: it was a girls' spa day in Calabasas!

Sounds amazing. Speaking of, how were the Poosh gift bags?

They do it the best. I have to say, Kourt’s always been the kind of person who’s been into finding healthy alternatives and just always in the know about great beauty products. She puts me onto tongue scrapers and make-your-matcha sets [laughs]; we’re always sending each other new things.

What’s the best beauty advice you’ve ever been given?

We spend so money, time and effort on our faces — on high-end products for our face and hair — but our body gets neglected. I see so many women [on social media] showing off their skincare routine and it’s ALL facial skincare. What’s happening here, people? We need to hydrate our entire bodies! I was raised to cover the skin entirely in moisturizer. I’m obsessed with the scent of this new Olay firming lotion... I have cellulite and this is heaven-sent for me.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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