You may have seen #mua all over your Instagram feed but never known what it stands for. Well we have to be honest, when we first saw it on a number of influencers posts, we did have to Google it and found nothing.
After some asking around, it was explained to us and then it suddenly felt obvious. MUA stands for Make Up Artist. Obvious now, right? I mean, it’s coated all over images of people doing their make-up.
A common connecting term is ‘aspiring mua’, by young people producing make-up tutorials and reviews, where they hope to move into the beauty industry.
There are over 44 million posts on Instagram with #mua included at the time of writing and this number is growing at a rapid speed.
Other Terms Used If you are hoping to add these terms to your Instagram post to find others looking for make-up artists, then you also might want to include #makeup #makeupartist #makeuptutorial #instamakeup #makeupaddict #hudabeauty #wakeupandmakeup #makeuplover #beauty #eyemakeup #makeupjunkie #beautymakeup #cosmetics #bridalmakeup just to name a few.
Of course, we recommend also adding some more detailed and specific hashtags, so if you are working on eye makeup then opt for terms around this, like #eyeshadows or #eyemakeup.
Is This Hashtag Only Seen On Instagram? We are starting to see it included on blogs, on other social platforms like Twitter and occasionally on big make-up brand sites, however it is predominantly seen on Instagram.
Instagram has successfully been the home and birthplace of a number of terms and acronyms that have become commonplace in the English language.
Other Meanings Of MUA While we would love to say this is globally accepted as the acronym for make-up artist, there is inevitably other terms it is used for, being just three letters.
Many mistakenly took Mua as the shortened version of the kissing sound ‘muah’ or ‘mwah’. Some presume it is the ‘military utility assessment’ while others use the term for ‘mail user agent’. Many in Manchester mistook it for ‘Manchester University Academy’.
A lot of the confusion also came around Manny Gutierrez, or as most commonly known, Manny Mua, where people believed that was the surname rather than ‘Manny Make-Up Artist’.
You will also find a number of make-up artists use MUA as their surname on Instagram or Twitter now, as it can help them to appear in search results (very clever).
DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life.
What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin?
Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition.
Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes.
If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider.
What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin?
Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity.
Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C.
Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post.
Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C?
Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster.
This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster.
While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin.
It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin.
Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning?
Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance.
You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather.
Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
