Toccare x Leahlani
One of the most exciting things about our job is having the opportunity to connect with the brands that we carry in our spa and getting to know the faces behind the products! One of our all-time favorite brands that we carry is Leahlani— a Hawaii based skincare line, filled with unique botanicals and beautiful essential oils. The packaging and aromas are enough to take you away on your own little escape to paradise— never mind the amazing benefits that each product offers.
Keep reading to learn more about Leah, the owner and founder of Leahlani, and what inspired her to create this beautiful line!
It seems like you're a jack of all trades! What made you want to become an esthetician, holistic skincare expert, and botanical alchemist? (And what is a botanical alchemist? Lol)
It was my own struggle with severe cystic acne that drew me to the world of holistic beauty. I went to a Holistic Esthetician School on Maui when I was 25, and my experience there completely changed my life. Over my years as a holistic esthetician in Hawaii, I had the honor of treating hundreds of clients that were connected by their desire to better love and care for their skin. so I was moved by the difficulty my clients often expressed in connecting with meaningful routines that supported the complexions they craved. Inspired, I set off to create a skincare line that would transform a mundane routine into a treasured ritual.
I do not spend a lot of time in my home kitchen- but I love watching cooking shows. I am enamored by the love and care that chefs pour into the creation of their food. The many steps of sautéing, infusing, braising... I see the looks on their faces, that fierce and passionate concentration and attention to detail. Then when the dish is served and the customer goes to take that first bite- the look on their face says it all. There is an unspoken connection there. That is exactly how I feel in my studio kitchen, only instead of food, I am surrounded by a vibrant array of botanicals, salts, oils, nectars, and essential oils. Botanical alchemy is what happens in the Leahlani studio, it is pure magic.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Every single day is different, but they always begin and end very similarly. Coffee and snuggles with the cats in the morning, and a hot yoga class in the evening. The in-between is spent answering emails, meetings with my team, working on projects, new formulations, and playing catch-up.
What's your favorite thing to do when you're not working?
I love to travel. This is a newfound love for me- I was terrified to fly for most of my life and completely avoided it for many years. Now, I am always dreaming of the next place to go- and having the time to go there.
What inspired you to create Leahlani?
The inspiration truly came from my relationship with my own skin, and the connections I made with my clients over the years. I wanted my skincare line to have it all- beauty, efficacy, out-of-this-world scents, vibrancy, and textures that made you want to swoon.
What does your skincare routine look like?
Right now, my ritual is:
AM: cleanse with Pamplemousse, mask with Meli Glow, tone with Citrus and Citrine, and moisturize with Aloha Ambrosia Elixir + Bless Balm.
PM: double cleanse with my fav. mix of Pamplemousse mixed with Bless Beauty Balm, exfoliate with the Honey Love 2-3x a week, tone with Citrus and Citrine, and moisturize with Mahina Elixir + Bless Balm. I rotate masking with Mermaid, Kalima, or Kokoleka depending on what my skin is craving at the time.
If there was only one product from your line that you could keep, which one would you choose?
Just one? This an impossible question to answer! Top 3: Pamplemousse, Honey Love, Aloha Ambrosia Elixir.
What is your favorite form of self-care?
Hot Yoga. It is a moving meditation for me. When I am on my mat, I am able to completely check out from the world and reconnect with myself. It is such a gift.
What advice would you give to someone struggling with skin issues?
To listen. Invest time in learning to understand what messages your skin is sending you. I wrote a detailed blog post about face mapping that I encourage everyone to read, you can check it out here https://www.leahlaniskincare.com/blogs/news/eastern-skin-analysis-and-facial-mapping Also, be patient and be loving to your skin, always.
Do you have any intentions (or resolutions) for 2020?
I want to spend more time cooking in my home kitchen, spend more time with my family, travel more, always have fresh flowers in my home and office- picked from our garden, and aim to go to yoga every day of the week.
We so appreciate the time that Leah took to answer these questions for us, and we hope that this helped you feel more acquainted with the brand! If you haven’t tried out any of her products yet, you definitely should!
Warmly,
Team Toccare