Inspired by Maria
New year, new beginnings. But how did everything start? Who has been that inspiring catalyst? One day, a friend of mine, seeing my excited return to all-things nature, mentioned Maria Hannaford’s blog Econest, now The Society Co. It was a godsend! I got so enthusiastic with Maria’s recipes for glorious natural skin care, that I started infusing my first herbal oils. There on, everything happened so naturally.
I now wish to introduce Maria to you. She has been a wonderful inspiration to me. Not only as a skin-care maker, but as a person too.
I invited Maria to share her views with my readers and here is our interview:
Where does your passion for natural skincare come from?
My mum. She never wore makeup apart from red lipstick on special occasions and always chose the most natural, organic ingredients she could find to care for her skin and hair. She was doing this in the 80s – she was very ahead of the times.
How do you get flawless skin? What are your do’s and don’ts when it comes to healthy skin?
Oh dear god, does ANYONE have flawless skin? My skin is as moody as the next person’s, but I do have a few tips to ensure you’re giving your skin the best chance at being healthy and looking good:
1. Always cleanse, every day, morning and night. Use a gentle cleanser such as an olive oil soap or even honey or natural yoghurt. Sounds odd, but they do work!
2. Eat clean food.
3. Wear less makeup.
4. Don’t touch your face if you can help it. Your hands transfer a lot of bacteria onto your face and they tend to have parties on your skin and cause breakouts.
What is your skincare routine?
I cleanse with either an olive oil soap or honey or jojoba oil, then I moisturise with jojoba oil or an organic skin cream. I don’t ever wear foundation. I like to wear a natural almond-oil mascara but that’s about it. And I try not to touch my face a lot.
I know you like botanical oils on your skin. Why and how do you use them? (see Maria’s extended post on plant-based oils)
I apply them as moisturiser but also as a cleanser using the deep oil cleansing method, once a week or so. If my hair is feeling particularly dry, I also apply oil to the ends overnight as treatment. My favourite oil is jojoba. My husband used coconut oil to condition his face, after shaving and to soften his beard! I use it to shave, instead of shaving cream for instance.
If you were to give one piece of advice to someone seeking glowing skin what would that be?
Look after yourself emotionally and psychologically, because stress is you and your skin’s worst enemy. Laugh, go for a long walk, do something you love, try to calm yourself and feel a little joy. You’re allowed to. Your skin will thank you for it.
You are about to launch a business, please introduce me to your business. Why did you start this business? What do you like most about it?
My business is just in its infancy – I’m still in development stage. It’s a lifestyle brand inspired by Greece, made in Australia (like me really, since my parents are both Greek and I was raised in a very ‘greek way’ but I was born here!). My first range of products is going to be a collection of perfumed candles inspired by memories of Greece. It’s always been my dream to run my own brand and a couple of years ago when I started working on this, I just thought, ‘it’s now or never… what am I waiting for?’.
All my products (there will be more to come after the candles) will be made with the utmost attention to detail, care and craftsmanship. I haven’t done anything off the shelf with these candles. Everything is bespoke. I really want to produce something that is about quality and skill, not something made on a production line for as cheap as possible.
What I love most about it? The ability to be as creative as I want.
Keep an eye on Maria’s fragrant webpresence, she’ll delight your senses!
Thank you so much, Maria!!!
