In this deeply nourishing conversation, I sit down with Maya — holistic skincare founder, aesthetician, face yoga instructor, and one of the original spark-lighters behind this podcast — to explore what it truly means to reconnect with our feminine nature.

Maya shares her journey from medical-spa aesthetics to holistic skincare, and how becoming a mother, a business owner, and a cyclical woman reshaped her entire approach to beauty and wellness. We talk about skincare as ritual, the emotional and energetic layers stored in the face, the healing power of touch, and why women aren’t meant to live in hustle mode.

She breaks down the magic of face yoga, lymphatic drainage, and plant-based ingredients in a way that’s both accessible and profound — reminding us that beauty isn’t something we chase externally, but something we return to internally.

This episode is a reclamation of softness, slowness, and sacred self-care — not as a chore, but as a practice that reconnects us to our bodies, our emotions, and our truest selves.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Skincare can be a ritual, not a task. Mindful touch, intention, and presence transform routine into reconnection.
• Women aren’t designed for constant output. Our bodies function cyclically — and honoring that leads to more peace, energy, and creativity.
• Face yoga is powerful. It tones muscles, improves circulation, releases tension, and can emotionally liberate stored stress, grief, or unspoken words.
• Natural ingredients work with the body. Plant-based skincare absorbs more effectively and supports the skin without harsh irritants.
• We hold emotions in our face. The jaw stores unspoken truth, the forehead holds overthinking, the eyes reflect creativity and joy — releasing tension can release emotion.
• Joy is medicine. Reclaiming playfulness and genuine delight reconnects us with our humanity.
• Holistic beauty is mind-body-spirit work. It’s about feeling good in your skin, not just looking good in it.

You can find Maya, her products, and offerings online at tarlicosmetics.com where you can peruse her products and upcoming Face Yoga workshops, You can also find her products at various boutiques and wellness locations in the Chicago suburbs, including Ash & Willow Eco Salon in Park Ridge and Lumi Studio & Shoppe in Mount Prospect.

You can also find her on social media @tarlicosmetics.