Loving the Skin You're In

A NEW YOU

Loving the Skin You’re In

Story By Rachel Trigueiro | Photos by Dakota Jacobi

Elisha Reynoso, Owner of Maven Skin & Beauty

2022. A fresh slate. A new year. So often, a new year is met with restrictions. Resolutions tend to originate from a feeling of shame, producing immediate action, but fizzling quickly. Instead of holding tightly to a firm resolution, what if you gently added a small, calming routine? What if we focused on wholeness rather than imperfections?

Wholeness is caring for the entire body—emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically. It’s stopping long enough to listen to what you need, (a cup of tea, a bubble bath, a moment of quiet), not just what you think needs fixing (your body, your bank account, your house). It’s quieting the inner critic that says, ‘You can’t do this,’ or ‘You’ve never stuck with anything before,’ and looking in the mirror, loving who you see in that moment.

Maven Skin & Beauty

This holistic approach is Elisha Reynoso’s guide not only for the new year, but for life. “I don’t do a New Year’s Resolution. Mine is an ongoing commitment to self-care and wellness. I allow myself to cheat. It’s nothing extreme, just consistency. That’s my hope for everyone.”

Owner of Maven Skin & Beauty in downtown Visalia, Reynoso has been in the skin and beauty industry for over 21 years, working in a local spa and dermatologist’s office. “Maven was born out of a dream to have a space where clients feel like they’re getting away from the daily grind. I wanted to be a source for people; somewhere they could come with concerns and questions, and we could offer advice and individualized solutions. The skin is the largest organ of the body and it will let you know when things aren’t right. Our mission is to help you listen and remember it’s really about wholebody wellness.” To that end, Reynoso often refers clients to doctors and naturopaths for additional help.

Skincare routines go further than the skin. Reynoso says anytime we practice positive routines, it helps our stress levels and mental health. “It’s a form of caring for our wellbeing, and we look at it as nurturing, not as a chore.” The mindfulness in a skincare routine helps us be present and slow down, promoting peace and lowering tension.

Every facial at Maven is personalized and tailored to your needs that day. You pick the time length (60, 75 or 90 minutes) and they create the customized treatment. “Your skin goes through changes and so should your facials and skincare,” notes Reynoso.

When Covid hit and people were no longer walking through Maven’s doors, Reynoso knew stress levels were at an all-time high, and she needed to get creative. Her team supported clients by delivering facial kits with skincare products, along with teas and stress-free tips. “I said, ‘This is your way of destressing: Brew your tea, then put on your [skincare] mask. We are going to help you figure out how to do this and cope!’ People freaked out and loved it.”

Elisha’s Tips

Take time to meditate/pray. Quiet the noise.

Remember the self-care product you bought that’s tucked away in the cabinet? Get it out!

It’s normal to indulge in sweets and wine during stressful times.

I’m giving you permission!

Use essential oils at home. They’re helpful for immunity and boosting your mood.

Take a bath. They help detox, clear your mind and also help you sleep better. Throw in a bath bomb or pink himalayan salt.

Take breaks from the news and social media. Connect with friends and family instead. Watch some good movies.

Drink some Yogi tea. We recommend Yogi Cinnamon Vanilla Healthy Skin and Tulsi Spiced Berry Immune Support teas.

Maven Skin & Beauty

When asked about creating a peaceful environment for her family, Reynoso laughs and says, “We are the family that has a tea drawer. We definitely love tea in general (Moroccan mint green tea in particular); it’s an evening routine for us.” She goes on to express the importance of teaching our teens to value self-care in these days. “My kids know that when they feel stressed or over-emotional, to switch gears. Put their feet on the ground outside. Take a bath. Do something creative. Paint, read, listen to music.”

As parents, we are responsible for helping our kids listen to their feelings and learn how to cope with them. She says sit-down family dinners, which happen in their home most evenings, play a significant role in overall wellness. The gift of time is never wasted.

Through her own health journey in recent years, Reynoso has learned what her body needs and cannot tolerate—a journey many relate to. When she became sensitive to wine, she found other ways to enjoy a relaxing drink, sometimes mixing up a healthy-gut mocktail instead.

Adding a new skincare routine, switching alcohols, and getting outside more are great habits, but won’t change our lives overnight. Take a deep breath. Enjoy the small moments of taking care of yourself. Hard days will undoubtedly continue to come. Make the better choice on the days that you can. Learning to live out of love for ourselves is an important place to start.

Elisha's Favorite Healthy Gut Mocktail

Elisha’s Favorite Healthy-Gut Mocktail

Makes 1 mocktail.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon (approx.) apple cider vinegar with the mother …

1 Fever-Tree ginger beer (the lowest sugar she’s found) …

Fresh squeeze of lemon

Directions

1. Measure out the apple cider vinegar and pour into a glass of your choice.

2. Add a bottle of ginger beer and the lemon juice.

3. Stir gently and enjoy.