woman divine blog
Botox is a controversial topic. And a bit of a touchy one for sure. There are strong views in both camps. I try to give more of a heart to heart or a woman to woman approach to the subject. Hope you enjoy listening!
I would love to know what are your thoughts on botox. Have you done it? Are you thinking of doing it? Please share if you feel comfortable to do so:)
Magdalena xo
New clients often come to me when they feel completely frustrated and confused about their skin. They tell me that wherever they go seeking support they receive different and conflicting advice and every new attempt to seek help, simply adds to their skin care confusion.
We can probably agree that we live in a society/culture which strongly promotes seeking expert services/advice for literally everything.
There are obviously numerous benefits to having easy access to an array of specialists. However it is never desirable to hand over our decision making to someone else and to abandon the gift and importance of inner knowing, intuition and self knowledge.
If you don’t have a clear vision/desire of what you want your own health and beauty to express like, you’ll potentially end up chasing that of someone else. You will most likely feel dissatisfied with yourself, frustrated and often confused in the areas of health and beauty, not knowing what to do, what to use and so on.
The beauty of holding a clear vision for oneself and a willingness to step into the 'I’m master of my life’ position is that it comes with a sense of power, confidence and adventure as it opens us up to new possibilities.
If I may, I’d like to make a suggestion that we start with an acknowledgement that life is a miracle and you were born in the body that’s perfect for you. It’s a body worth getting to know, and never to silence. You are the one who has the power to know it in the most intimate way and consequently to live in a harmonious way with it.
So as much as seeking a guide or an expert is necessary at times, the most important thing that you can do for yourself right now is to become your own medicine woman, to be the boss of you:) And how do you do that?
If you are not doing it yet, you may want to explore how to be more present with your body and yourself. Julie prepared a short video to help inspire you. It’s a snippet of an intuitive breath and self-massage sequence that she does to help ground herself and be more present. We hope that Julie sparks your interest and you will start your own daily sessions of ‘being with self’. Let your breath and hands guide you!
When your body sends you signals through changes in the wellbeing of your skin (acne, redness, new wrinkles, sallowness…), acknowledge that you see and hear it loud and clear. Don’t judge it, don’t be frustrated with it, don’t be scared, don’t panic and don’t dismiss it! No good decision is ever made when we are in such a state of mind.
How will you go about addressing what you see? Well, I’d say, first ‘be with self’ for a bit and sit with it. If you follow your intuition, it will look different for each individual.
Let’s say it is acne that your skin is expressing. One person may decide to immediately seek professional advice and they may be guided to a specific therapist. Another person may realize that their diet is an issue and they will commit to change. Yet another may become clear that emotional stress is flaring the acne and they need to meditate or contemplate regularly to help their mind and skin heal.
This is why following advertising, doing what your friends do, or always searching for a new product to solve your problem doesn’t work.
The truth is that you are the key to your healing, not a product or a procedure. When you’re guided by your heart and your inner knowing and not the ‘outside noise’ you will always find that which will support you and build you and help you heal. Right products, right people and right information will simply show up on your path to help, when you are the boss of you!
Love and light,
Magdalena & Julie
I think that everything that we do repeatedly and on a daily basis is worth looking at and reassessing from time to time. And this includes your skin care practice.
There are physical aspects of skin care worth reassessing every once in a while, like:
How does my skin look and feel? Is it healthy?
Do I enjoy using my current skin care products? And do I feel that they work for me?
Do I have any new skin health concerns? If so, do I need support to address them or do I know exactly what to do?
Am I devoting enough time to care for myself?
Is there any room for improvement?
But there also are emotional aspects to our skin care practice and I would argue that they are actually more important than physical care.
Is the intention behind what you apply, why and how you apply, a conscious one? Or are you simply moving through the motions every morning and every night? Is your practice self-loving, is it self-loathing or is it disconnected and robot-like?
These are simple questions that you may want to ask yourself. Being present and observing your self-talk while you go about your skin care routine or when you are wanting to purchase more or new skin care products is important. And it is the first step to overcoming potential self-destructive perceptions and becoming loving towards yourself.
I hope that we would all agree that intention behind whatever we do in life is very important. For example, giving generously to a charity because you wholeheartedly want to help fellow humans carries a very different energy from giving to a charity for the pure purpose of gaining respect and importance within the community. Exercising because you don’t want to be fat carries a very different energy from exercising because you want to be the healthiest you can be.
It is very much the same with skin care. If you buy and apply your products because you hate your skin, or are scared of getting older, you’ll probably keep on hating your skin and you’ll not only see it getting old but you’ll start feeling old.
If instead you chose to make a conscious decision to purchase and apply skin care products to add vibrance, health and loving care to your life, it will be a completely different experience.
The first one is self-loathing, driven by fear and focuses on lack and I guarantee depletes your life force. The second is loving, health and life-force building.
These two perspectives will certainly offer you a very different life experience. Which one will you choose for yourself?
Magdalena xo
Winter is here in full swing, and your skin may be feeling dry, dehydrated, dull or it may be itchy. I’ve prepared some holistic skin care info and a few tips to help you ride the wave.
Before we get to remedies though, it will be helpful to understand that the words ‘dry’ and ‘dehydrated’ are often used interchangeably to describe the state of our skin. However they shouldn’t be because they mean two different things.
DEHYDRATED SKIN refers to the skin which lacks the proper moisture/water level. Dehydration often presents itself through fine lines, lack of elasticity or roughness of the skin. Anyone of any skin type can experience dehydration, even people with oily skin. It may be caused by a disrupted skin barrier and trans-epidermal water loss and/or general dehydration throughout the body.
DRY SKIN refers to the skin which does not produce a sufficient amount of oil / sebum. Skin dryness often presents itself through tightness, itchiness, lack of lustre, and the skin may feel like it lacks volume and is thin … People on the dry skin type spectrum are most prone to dryness and are most likely to experience the symptoms which come with underproduction of sebum. Dryness can be aggravated by the elements / weather, an improper skin care routine, harsh products, a diet which is insufficient in good fats and poor digestive function.
Dryness and dehydration are also symptoms of our overall health and often come as a pair. Insufficient sebum production and/or a disrupted skin barrier will certainly lead to water loss and dehydration will set in.
YOUR BODY
During the cold months, your skin will thank you for implementing a regular dry skin brushing routine, followed by a shower or bath and full body oiling. Some prefer a slightly different routine (an Ayurvedic way) of body oiling followed by a shower or bath. I personally like to start with dry skin brushing. I love that invigorating feeling that a natural bristle brush provides and the lymphatic fluid movement it initiates. It is amazing to observe how quickly skin turns to softness when cared for this way.
All you'll need is a natural bristle brush, water and oil.
When you are ready to purchase your natural bristle brush make sure to choose a softer one if your skin is more delicate and sensitive. I like a lot of stimulation and the skin on my body can take it, so my brush has a bit more oomph to it. Always go with what feels right to you.
For both dry skin brushing and body oiling start at your feet and work your way up.
The best time for the body routine is in the morning. It will make you feel awake, bright and shiny. And oiling your body will create a sense of protection before you step out into the world. It’s a simple and lovely practice to include in your daily self-care, and your skin will feel like a baby’s bottom as a result.
*Make sure to include good fats in your diet too. Eat avocados, olive oil, flax seed oil, sunflower oil… , or for ease add a well-balanced OMEGA 3, 6 & 9 supplement like Udo's Oil which can be found at your health food store.
YOUR FACE
The skin on your face can feel uncomfortable and dry, and it can look a little dull during the winter months. Yet for some it can feel irritated and more red. It’s the wind and sudden changes of temperature - going in and outdoors, the indoor heating… . Extreme climate conditions make it somewhat tricky now to care for your skin, especially when your skin is delicate and sensitive.
Naturally, skin will benefit from more oil during cold months. So upping your application of face oil, face serum or balm is a good idea. This adjustment plus improved dietary intake of healthy fats should take care of replenishing oil and creating a more effective protective layer to shield your skin from harsh winter elements or indoor heating; assuming that you are not using any harsh products which keep disrupting the natural and vital skin barrier and your skin’s microflora. A good example are sand like textured exfoliants or skin care products containing acids.
*Sipping on warm purified water throughout the day will help to rehydrate your body at the deeper levels and eventually you will see the benefits in your skin too. But be patient. Rome was not built in one day. Your body will replenish water where it needs it most first. Because your skin is not a primary organ as far as your survival goes it is not the first one in line for rehydration. So keep on sipping patiently:)
LAYERING PRODUCTS
Sometimes, Face Mist followed by Face Oil or Face Balm does not feel like it’s enough. If you’ve never tried it before, you may want to experiment with a more complex layering of your products. What would that look like?
If you feel that dehydration is part of your concern, double misting with your Facial Mist is a great idea. How to double mist? Generously mist your cleansed face and press the mist with the palms of your hands into your skin. When it feels like your skin absorbed it, follow with another generous mist. Again press into the skin and follow with your Face Oil or Face Serum.
Warm up a few drops of Face Oil or Face Serum between the palms of your hands and press it gently into your skin.
Finish with applying a small amount of Face Balm. Now work your products into your skin and massage it gently as a final touch.
I can’t say it enough - oil cleansing is amazing, supports a healthy skin barrier and feeds beneficial micro-flora on your skin! You will find it very helpful especially during cold weather. If you are not doing it yet, please check it out. Here are the instructions to oil cleansing
ADDITIONAL WINTER CARE
Don’t forget about your lips and make sure to moisturize them regularly.
If you don’t use eye care, now can be a good time to add it for extra softness and protection around your eyes.
A fresh avocado mask is simple and can be applied on a weekly basis to improve winter skin health.
You can exfoliate 1-2 times a week but with a very, very gentle non-invasive product only. Stripping of the skin = increased skin vulnerability, disruption of the natural skin barrier, increased trans-epidermal water loss and diminished skin health overall.
Marshmallow root infusion is excellent for dry winter skin and can be used in skin compressing. If you don’t have access to a good quality marshmallow root but would like to make infusions for compressing, let us know. We have plenty in our apothecary and can make it available to you:)
I trust that this will be a good start to taking care and improving your winter skin. Please let us know if you have any questions.
If you are experiencing complex skin challenges, make a note that I do offer skin care consultations and will be happy to provide insight, support and personalized recommendations. To book an appointment contact us at hello@womandivine.ca
Wishing you a lovely week,
Magdalena xo
A client asked recently why it is important to always use rose hydrosol with facial oils, serums and balms.
I will start by saying that it does not need to be specifically rose hydrosol. I like recommending rose because it is wonderful for the skin and it works well with most people. You can always opt for a different kind of hydrosol: Frankincense, chamomile, lavender, sandalwood … all depending on your skin needs.
In the context of holistic skin care practice, we love using hydrosols because of their healing properties and support, which they offer to encourage healthy skin function. They pair wonderfully with facial herbal oils, serums and balms and complement each other in the process of healing and moisturizing the skin. But if you ever run out of hydrosol you can use purified water or herbal infusion. Herbal infusion however is not a simple ‘mist and go’ and will require more work.
Why do you need both water and oil to moisturize your skin?
In simple terms your skin naturally produces sweat (the water component) and sebum (the oil component) and together with other components they create a protective layer on your skin which is called the Acid Mantle. This protective layer is part of the broader Skin Barrier which besides prevention of moisture loss, keeps out viruses, bacteria, foreign substances and modulates skin immune responses.
When we work with a holistic approach to skin care, we like to observe and learn from natural skin behaviour.
Rather than forcing the skin to behave in a specific way by treating it with harsh chemicals or invasive procedures, we choose to gently support natural skin function and we mimic what skin naturally does.
Face oils, serums and balms are waterless formulas yet your skin needs both water and oil (sweat and sebum) to create the protective layer. This is one of the main reasons why we always need a water component (hydrosol) applied together with an oil component (face oil, serum, balm).
If only oil is applied to the skin it will most certainly dry the skin out over time. It will create an imbalance and have a ‘suffocating’ effect on the skin.
The ratio of hydrosol to oil, serum or balm depends on your constitution, present skin condition and the particular season of the year. Your skin care professional can help you determine all of the above.
For most, summer and hot weather calls for a generous mist of hydrosol and a little less oil. Why? Because in hot weather we sweat a lot (water loss) and we naturally produce more sebum.
As the weather gets colder, you will find that tissues contract, sweating has much diminished and applying more oil, serum or balm feels very good and helps your skin maintain its balance.
If you are looking for best ways to take care of your skin during spring season, you may find my article ‘Spring and your Skin’ written for The School for Aromatic Studies helpful.
Many welcome longer days, warmer temperatures and life waking up from its deep winter sleep. Yet some, especially at the beginning of spring can feel physically and emotionally uncomfortable and their skin doesn’t look or feel happy either.
Because nothing in nature stands still, seasonal changes remind us that it’s time for a thoughtful atonement. If we wish to flow with seasonal rhythms with ease, observing and embracing what nature teaches is the obvious thing to do…. continue reading HERE
Here is my latest article for The School of Aromatic Studies and a little bit about my botanical skin care formulating journey.
‘We often hear from botanical skin care formulators that they decided to formulate because of their personal skin problems and because they couldn’t find products that worked. My story is a little different.
My holistic skin care practice began many years ago working with a commercial organic skin care brand in my treatment room. At the time, working with an organic brand and with a holistic approach was already radical enough never mind formulating a micro batch botanical line... ‘continue reading HERE
Love and Light,
Magdalena
It’s true, your love does keep me going! Whenever doubt creeps in, in some miraculous way loving words of encouragement arrive in my mailbox. And such was today when I opened the newsletter from Sonja Payette.
Sonja is a Real Estate Professional and a damn good one! She is in the top 1% in Canada! Here is her website She has been a client for many years and I’ve always enjoyed her visits and her vivacious energy and generous spirit! I was very humbled to read her kind words and find Woman Divine featured in her newsletter. Thank you very much Sonja! I can’t wait until we can have our facial again!
I will be honest, it hasn’t been easy to function as a small business for the past two years. Sometimes, I have moments when I feel discouraged and unsure how to move ahead. I miss my clients and I miss our meaningful interactions very very much! At the same time, it feels completely unsafe to invest in a new location as lockdowns and intense measures continue.
So, I am not sure how my work and my business will evolve over time but I can tell you that I will not give up! I will keep on making my products and I will keep on envisioning a beautiful future for all of us! I will hold a vision for in-person services and a perfect future setup for Woman Divine:)
Love and Light,
Magdalena xo
As skin care professionals, we are usually interested in the topic of stagnation as it relates to tissue congestion and toxicity. Stagnation, or lack of proper flow, is often the cause of deterioration, premature aging and all sorts of skin/facial tissue problems. So in our product formulation and facial treatment applications, we are always searching for ways to bring more flow and more aliveness to the skin and tissues which support it.
However today, I want to focus on a different type of stagnation - the stagnation in one’s skin care practice, when you end up doing the same thing, the same way every single day without giving it any thought.
The most undesirable aspect of a stagnant skin care practice is that it lacks presence and has become purely mechanical. You sort of become like a robot… going through the motions every time you do it. Sadly, even the nicest organic skin care products on the planet will not makeup for your disconnect.
Since living on automatic pilot is not the most joyous, engaging or present way to be, your skin care practice may be one way to help you snap out of it and improve your skin health at the same time.
Sure, having a set skin care practice can feel desirable. It can feel like it is well-planned, well-organized and fits perfectly into our schedule. It may also feel good because it doesn’t require additional thinking. You can just do it and be done with it.
But we are a living, breathing being which is dynamic in nature. Our sophisticated physical system constantly adjusts and fine tunes in relation to the environment we are in, our emotional and mental state, the food that we eat and so on. It continuously communicates, letting us know how we are doing. And it sends us messages when our attention is needed. A message may look something like this: your skin suddenly looks and feels irritated, your skin feels way more tight today, a painful pimple on my chin yet again, the product I just applied didn’t feel right, the area around my eyes looks unusually dehydrated.
If you have mastered the automatic pilot motion in your skin care practice, you may not notice any of the messaging until these become chronic issues and even then it takes a while for some to notice.
In my 25+ years of practice, I have met many wonderful women who were completely unaware that their skin was inflamed and very red. It was puzzling for me how could a person not realize that their skin was on fire? But I know now that all of us have our blind spots and what is obvious to others may be totally out of our peripheral.
I am not asking you for some elaborate new way to go about your skin care. Simply observe, feel and admire regularly:) When you notice a new skin behaviour, adjust your routine. Maybe a little more of this and a little less of that is all that’s needed. Or maybe you need to cut that red wine out. Or maybe it’s your job…
In the world of smart phones, smart cities and supposed connection to everything and everyone, we find ourselves the least connected to what matters most - our true selves. Asking ourselves to be fully present for 5min every night while we tend to our skin, sounds weirdly demanding and difficult.
We have strayed so far away from ourselves, so probably baby steps are the way back. Are you willing to commit to 5 minutes of full presence while you take care of your skin each night?
Magdalena xo
I want to give you heads up regarding slight inconsistencies in our packaging that you may notice from time to time in the coming months.
The supply chain disruptions are real and we are having challenges sourcing some of our usual jars and bottles:(
As an example I never wanted to use pumps with our oil bottles. I like to keep packaging as minimal as possible. But, we were unable to find 250ml bottles without pumps. For real! So we bought some to tide us over until we can replenish our supplies with what we really want.
I was thinking that maybe you can find another use for the bottle with the pump after you are done with your oil? For example, it could make a nice liquid soap dispenser. Just an idea to consider before you toss it out🙂
We also couldn’t find our regular amber glass 100ml jars and had to (hopefully) temporarily replace them with clear 120ml jars.
In the big scope of life, these are little things and it looks like all of us will want to learn to be ok with less choice and not being able to find things that we like.
Since I’m a bit of a perfectionist, it was challenging at first to be flexible with having to present my products to you in a different way than initially intended. Funny how we can be stuck on little things. Always learning about myself:) But at the end I reminded myself that real treasure lives is in the bottle and it’s not the bottle itself.
So I’ll continue creating healing skin care formulas for you as always with love and deep gratitude. Pumps or not:)
Have a lovely week❤️
Magdalena xo
