Tag Archive for: glow

Meet Amy Christiansen of Sana Jardin

While Sana Jardin is an award-winning luxury fragrance house, it’s the first of its kind that also functions as a vehicle for social change by empowering women at a grassroots level. We asked founder and CEO Amy Christiansen to share her most important memories tied to scent, her motivations to drive social change through her business, and how to be a more conscious consumer.

What is your earliest scent memory? What notes and imagery sticks out to you?

I traveled to many exotic destinations with my grandmother as a child. I grew up surrounded by the heady scents of North Africa and the Middle East; neroli, jasmine and amber in particular. It’s fuelled my passion ever since.

What fragrance notes do you gravitate toward when you need a moment of peace?

Vanilla is historically thought to soothe, calm and calm. I find it incredibly reassuring when I feel frazzled and need a moment of solace!

Who or what opened your eyes to the powerful effects of scent?

Around 14 years ago, I was gifted ‘The Scent Trail’ by Celia Lyttleton and it literally transformed my life! I became fascinated by the use of essential oils and how they’ve been used for thousands of years, in so many different cultures. I learnt about the sacred rituals associated with flower harvests and was quite literally mesmerized instantly! The rest you can say is history…

Describe your relationship with your skin. How has it evolved over the course of your life? 

When I was young, I was concerned with breakouts. Now I am fixated on tightening my skin and having it as radiant as possible! 

What skincare step do you never, ever skip? Does it include a favorite Goldfaden MD product?

I never miss my evening double cleanse (especially after spending a day running around London!) I love Goldfaden’s Pure Start Facial Cleanser; it effectively cleanses without stripping the skin and removes all signs of makeup.

You credit your grandmother with showing you what it means to be a social entrepreneur. Do you recall any of the aspects of your beauty routine? How did she impact your dedication to beauty? 

My grandmother taught me the power of an aura. She always radiated YSL’s Opium perfume and wore exotic jewelry. She had an adventurous life and was interested in those around her, which made her magnetic to others. 

What are the steps you’ve taken to living a more sustainable day-to-day life?

I am a huge believer that every little counts. I’ll walk to the office when I can; use re-useable coffee containers, shop locally etc. I try to shop wisely too. I am always on the lookout for brands that source their products ethically, in addition to fully recyclable or biodegradable packaging materials.

What aspects of the beauty industry do you hope to impact in your career?

It’s my dream to become a beacon of light in the luxury industry and set a precedent for not only fragrance but food, beauty, fashion and manufacturing brands going forward, proving that social change and luxury do not have to be mutually exclusive. I want to inspire other businesses to engage in a language of Beyond Sustainability™ and look at ways they can be creative with their use of waste in the supply chain and give back to their low-income employees. I truly believe every brand can incorporate more humanitarian values into their supply chains.

What advice do you have for readers who hope to live more sustainably?

I think one of the most important things we can all do is vote for change with our wallets when purchasing something; try to support companies that are actively working in an eco-friendly or humanitarian way. 

Consumers also need to consider how far a product has traveled. Food is the perfect example; fruit and vegetables are picked out of season all year round and flown across the world with a huge carbon footprint to boot! Shop local and eat seasonally! 

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Kabocha & Ginger Soup with Creamy Coconut

We believe that radiant, healthy-looking skin starts from the inside out which is why we are so excited to share this mouthwatering recipe from one of our favorite nutritionists, Elissa Goodman. Renowned for her insanely delicious soup cleanses, Goodman is pioneering the landscape of how we view nutrition as a way to heal our bodies and mind.
Find the full recipe below for Goodman’s immune-boosting Kabocha & Ginger Soup with Creamy Coconut––it’s super easy to make! We promise you won’t be disappointed.
To learn more about Elissa Goodman check out her Detoxing Tips on The Daily Scrub.

Kabocha & Ginger Soup with Creamy Coconut 

 Serves 4-6 

Ingredients:

1 kabocha squash, halved with seeds removed
1 large yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 small fennel bulb, cored and chopped
4 inches fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
1 bay leaf
2 T. organic coconut oil
40 oz organic vegetable broth
1 tsp. Herbamare seasoning (could also use sea salt)
pinch sea salt
1 cup coconut cream
Juice and zest of 1 small, fresh lemon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Rub olive oil all over the squash, then place face down on the baking sheet and place in the oven.  Cook until tender, approx. 45-50 minutes.  Then remove squash and set aside until cooled.  Once cooled, you can scoop meat into a bowl and set aside.

In soup pot, heat coconut oil over medium heat.  Add the onion and fennel with the Herbamare seasoning (option to use sea salt). Saute until onions and fennel are softened, then add the garlic and ginger, stir often and cook another 5 minutes, until soft and fragrant. Add the bay leaves, scooped squash, vegetable broth and stir frequently bringing soup to a simmer for approximately 20 minutes.

Carefully transfer soup, in batches, to your blender.  Add coconut cream and blend until smooth.  Transfer soup back to the pot and keep on low.  Add fresh lemon juice and zest, a generous pinch of black pepper and adjust seasonings as desired. Garnish with fresh herbs and a drizzle of coconut cream.

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Ejiro Owusu of London’s Ejiro Studio Talks Skincare, Sustainability, and Slowing Down

While it’s always a pleasure to get like-minded beauty and wellness brands on our radar, it’s *that* much better when Goldfaden MD has the opportunity to join forces with them. With that said, we couldn’t be more pleased to announce the exclusive Goldfaden Radiance Facial at Ejiro Studio in London. Below, you’ll get to know more about this premiere beauty and wellness destination and its founder, the lovely Ejiro Owusu. See what inspired her to start her business, how she prioritizes sustainability both at home and at work, and why she was driven to collaborate with Goldfaden MD. Plus: the Goldfaden MD products she’s currently obsessed with.

What did you do before creating Ejiro Studio and what inspired you to create this beauty destination?

I am from a science background academically and entrepreneurship. Just before venturing into beauty, I was working in pharmaceutical sales, I was giving myself time to develop a new business idea. It was then that I fell in love with the beauty industry, with sugaring opening the doors for me.  I wanted to create a space that was gender neutral in design, spa-like in terms of atmosphere and like hanging with friends in terms of interaction between therapists and clients. 

Sugaring is at the core of Ejiro Studio. Why do you hold this treatment in such high regard and how is it more beneficial for the skin compared to other hair removal methods?

We have all had or heard a horrendous waxing story however you rarely hear this with sugaring. Sugaring as a method of hair removal is gentle in comparison, it works for all hair types and those with sensitive skin as the paste only adheres to hair and dead skin cells. It is why your skin can feel so smooth afterward without the soreness seen with waxing. It is an ancient technique with origins that can be traced to North Africa and the Middle East, this is what fascinates me.  Many of my clients have had grandmothers, mothers and aunties performing this treatment on them. I think that’s amazing.

What sets Ejiro Studio apart from other beauty clinics and spas in East London?

We are a premium beauty destination that values natural solutions and quality time.  Clients come to get treatment and de-stress from their day-to-day life therefore, it is important that each client is given sufficient time not just for the treatment but to talk about their day, to run a bit late and not feel rushed when they arrive.  We also aim to provide a variety of beauty treatments for everyone whilst doing our bit to look after the planet. 

Why is sustainability so integral to your brand’s DNA and offerings?

Sustainability is important as to me it is about doing whatever you can to look after our planet. We all put pressure on ourselves to be completely sustainable but making one change can make a big difference even if you think it does not. 

What are your favorite sustainable living practices/habits that may inspire others to follow suit?

I am a mother with a one-year-old and I have been using reusable nappies since birth. It was really important for me to have my partner and family onboard with this as I felt disposable nappies were unnecessary waste. The environmental cost of single-use products like nappies is the biggest issue when well-looked-after reusable nappies can be used for more than one child or even passed on to another family. It may sound daunting but cutting your disposable nappies usage to only daytime will make a difference. If we all make small changes it can add up to a greater impact.

I also love going to the charity shop, swap shops and renting clothing. My wardrobe is quite minimal. Believe it or not, I do not purchase new clothing very often and when I do it has to be something I can still use 5 years down the line or pass on to someone else.

What made you want to collaborate with Goldfaden MD for Ejiro’s exclusive Goldfaden Glow Facial? 

Meeting Lauren and Lisa at the founders event they arranged I was captivated by how much passion they had when speaking about their business. This instantly caught my attention, a family-run business with products everyone was raving about, I was excited to try it. What sealed my decision was when I started using the products, the results were amazing. My skin was glowing and super hydrated – even my husband commented and if he notices a difference in my skin then it is definitely a plus for me. My clients have always been early adopters and I knew adding the Goldfaden facial to the treatment menu would be warmly welcomed. 

What is your holy grail Goldfaden MD product and why do you love it?

Okay perfect, easy peasy. Can I choose more than one?  The Radiance Repair Serum oh my goodness!  My skin was as dry as sandpaper but this product boosted my skin barrier, it left my skin feeling firm and radiant.  Lip Therapy now I use this first thing in the morning to prep my lips before doing my makeup and applying my lipstick and then I use it again at night. Absolutely love this product. It works wonders but my lips remain soft and it really does feel like my lips are going through their own overnight treatment whilst I sleep. Lastly and by no means my least favourite.  The Doctors Scrub – now my skin needed exfoliation and I think this is where this product combined with the Radiance Repair Serum worked well together. The scrub prepped my skin by removing the dead skin cells and any unevenness, creating a great foundation for the serum to be applied to the skin. 

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