Vanessa Simmons Talks Micro-Laser Liposuction Results, Shares Her Youthful Beauty Secrets, And More! (Exclusive)

Jadriena Solomon: Earlier this year, you shared your decision to opt for Sono Bello’s TriSculpt Micro-Laser Liposuction exclusively with The Shade Room. You underwent the procedure last year. Do you mind sharing an update — how are you feeling today?

Vanessa Simmons: I still feel like it was a really good decision for me. I’m really happy that I did it. I think I talked about turning 40 this summer, so I just felt like that was the ultimate form of self-care for me to do something for myself.

So I’m really happy with the decision, and a lot of people sometimes will come after me in my comments or be like, ‘Oh, I love how you get in the gym after you get something done.’ But I think it’s important to note that when you do something like this, you should use it to make a lifestyle change and incorporate other things to really make sure the results, number one, stay but also to enhance them. It should be used as a jumping-off point to reach your ultimate goal. So, of course, I’m going to be in the gym often after I get that done because it’s something I want to incorporate more into my life. I’m really happy that I did it for myself.

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Jadriena Solomon: You mentioned you’ll be turning 40 this summer; how are you feeling leading up to that milestone? Are you feeling more confident? Are you excited? Or are you on the other side of the spectrum where you’re kind of dreading it?

Vanessa Simmons: At first, leading up to it, I’ve definitely been really nervous and really kind of dreading it because the number just sounds so grown and I still feel so young in so many ways. But now, I’m over that part of it, and I’m walking into it like, ‘Okay, now I have more wisdom. I’m a little bit more confident.’ That’s why I’ve been like turning it up in some of my photoshoots a little bit more to be like 40 is not old — it’s a whole new chapter and I just need to embrace everything that comes along with it. So I’m getting more excited and figuring out what the celebration will be and all of that.

Jadriena Solomon: Besides being confident in our bodies during the warmer spring and summer months, it’s also important to be equally as confident in our skin and develop great skincare practices. First off, how do you transition your facial skin care products between winter to spring? Are you a dry skin type or oily? Let’s start there.

Vanessa Simmons: I have combination skin, so I have a little bit of both dry and oily areas around my face. But as we move into the warmer months, I think we can all agree we like it to be less fuss, and have less makeup on, and just feel more free. So how I transition my skincare is I actually up the steps that I need to take during the summertime because I really want to have that natural type of glow.

I’ll do more skincare masks at night or make sure that I’m double cleansing or doing a facial steamer in between. I’ll also up the SPF that I’m using. That’s really important as the sun gets stronger — making sure that we have on enough SPF, even if we have to travel around with a little spray that does it because now they have even primers and setting sprays that we can use that have SPF in it.

So make sure you’re getting SPF, drinking lots of water, and staying hydrated. For that, I also have this Aloe Rose Refreshing Mist from Buttah that adds more moisture to your face during the day. This is amazing to walk around with in the summer.

Jadriena Solomon: Buttah Skin is also an amazing product line that you stand behind for keeping your skin, both on your face and body, flawless. First and foremost, can you share why Buttah is such a great line for people of color? What are your favorite products to reach for and why?

Vanessa Simmons: Buttah Skin was specifically formulated for us — for skin with melanin in it. I think for years, we all knew that there weren’t many things on the shelves that were made specifically for us, and Buttah really tackles that, and their products are actually really good.

I swear by the Vitamin C drops, the Oil-Free Hyaluronic Gel Cream, and the CocoShea Cream for your face. It has a little bit of a lighter texture — speaking about going into like, you know, the hotter months, like getting a lighter moisturizer for your face and that works really well. And like the glow I see from this is unreal. My makeup artist can tell right away if I haven’t been using it. So it’s incredible. I swear by it and I’m not just saying it because Dorian’s a friend and he’s been a friend for years, but he’s created something that’s just for us. It’s for all skin care types, it’s magical for our face and I love it.

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Jadriena Solomon: Outside of Buttah, what are some of your other favorite products to use on your skin? What are you reaching for that you absolutely love?

Vanessa Simmons: Definitely those like hydrating mists that I showed you before and then just making sure you’re incorporating things that feed you inside that can benefit you on the outside. Water and lemon are amazing in the morning — drinking it hot, but just also during the day, even lime water.

I also like to do this thing called face yoga; it’s really like a massage. But the difference you’ll see if you consistently do it is snatched because what you’re doing is a lymphatic drainage massage for your face, and that’s just making sure all the blood is flowing through and anything toxic is coming out — I swear by it.

Then just rubbing your ears is an easy way to just clear your face of any toxins and inflammation. It sounds like it can be timely but really just five minutes or less and you’ll see a difference.

Jadriena Solomon: Outside of using the proper skincare products, it’s also equally important to opt for routine facials or skincare services like chemical peels or micro-needling to give the skin an added boost. What are some physical practices you prioritize for your skin? Or even an at-home beauty secret that you live by?

Vanessa Simmons: I’m a spa girl. Ask anyone in my family, they know that I can give a good suggestion for a spa. I’m really big on once-a-month HydraFacials, which nourish the skin with different nutrients and vitamins. I’m also a big fan of laser facials, which help to help tighten the skin and get rid of any scarring that has been around for a while — sun damage, all of it.

Jadriena Solomon: Outside of owning and running multiple businesses, you also are a mother to your 9-year-old daughter Ava. So far, how have you been teaching her to prioritize self-care and self-empowerment? What suggestions would you share for other mothers?

Vanessa Simmons: As you said, I can be really busy, and sometimes my schedule can be all over the place. But I like to start my morning, every single day, with my daughter where we have our time to do her hair and get her ready for school, and before we pull out of the driveway, we incorporate not only prayer but also positive affirmations — she’s been doing this since she was four years old.

We exclaim something as easy as, ‘Today is gonna be a great day’ or ‘I am happy.’ And since she’s been little, she’s always been like, ‘Mommy, I really feel different after saying these things over and over.’ I teach her that the power of life is literally in our mouths and that what we speak to ourselves matters. I teach her the power of what she’s saying.

Then also when we do our hair in the morning and wash our face, I teach her the importance of prioritizing herself in those moments to cultivate a good day.

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Jadriena Solomon: When we spoke in December, you shared that your goal for 2023 was to prioritize yourself this year. Transparently speaking, how has that journey been for you thus far? Have you come to any new realizations, or has that goal changed a bit as the year’s gone on?

Vanessa Simmons: Going into a new year, we have all of these grand thoughts of how we’re going to change our lives, and I’m really happy to say that I feel like I definitely have added myself to the priority list and have been able to do a good job of making sure I prioritize myself as well as the other responsibilities I have — family, daughter career. Everything else can be quite loud at times, but I still am making sure to prioritize myself as I get closer to the big four-zero.

I’m making sure that I’m doing it even more because I do have those moments of doubt when I’m like nervous approaching such a milestone year. So to keep myself mentally sound, I definitely have to continue to prioritize myself, but I’m happy I made the conscious decision to start on that goal.

Jadriena Solomon: Before we let you go, what are some upcoming projects of yours that fans can look forward to this year?

Vanessa Simmons: I am extremely excited about the premiere of Deadly Entanglement! I learned so much working with such a talented group of filmmakers, and it was an absolute dream to work with Monica Calhoun, who I’ve been watching on the big screen since I was just a kid with dreams of becoming an actress. It truly felt like a pinch-me moment, and I’m feeling so blessed to be a part of this project.