Paola's Skincare Goals 2025
It all began with my trip to New Jersey at the end of October last year, alongside my wonderful colleagues Greta, Gayani, Sushmita, and Meg. We attended a Master Class Skin Care 3 day academy, with the incredible Lydia Sarfati, owner of Repechage—"beauty by the sea." Lydia shared her profound wisdom about skincare and emphasized the importance of "taking care of yourself." She spoke about self-love, the simple joy of pouring a serum into your hands, the soothing ritual of facial massage, and the act of moving your skin with care, all while loving yourself daily.
As I listened, I started reflecting on my own habits. How often have I rushed out the door, fighting for time in the bathroom with my two busy kids? At their age, appearances seem to mean everything—so why doesn’t it for me? Seriously, what gives? I’ve always told others that our business is about helping people look good and feel good, yet I wasn’t taking my own advice. Why don’t I take an extra 30 minutes for myself to ensure I look and feel my best?
Lydia’s reminder to dedicate one hour each day to yourself deeply resonated with me. She encouraged us to put down our phones and be present—truly present—without distractions. It made me question my own dependency on staying constantly connected. For me, this habit began during COVID, a time when my business was in ruins, and I poured my energy into lobbying the government to recognize our industry as more than just vanity. It’s about peace, wellness, and meaningful connections. I became addicted to tracking every piece of news, hoping for updates that could change our fate. Then I fell into the social media video spiral, getting my daily Eras tour updates...lol and losing hours to TikTok and Instagram, watching influencers dominate our industry, shaping narratives about what is true or valuable. It was frustrating, almost as if there was no room left for the depth of education and expertise our team brings. This frustration was amplified by the fact that Ontario doesn’t recognize our industry as a licensed trade. This loophole means anyone can open a clinic, and claim to provide expert care, regardless of whether they’ve had proper training. It’s a risky reality for the public. But, I stand proud of our educated, certified, and highly skilled team. They embody what true professionalism in this industry should look like. Part of my efforts in lobbying the government has been to advocate for mandatory certifications across all clinics, to ensure public trust and raise the standards of care everywhere.
Lydia’s words reminded me of the power of touch services—not just massage therapy, but the therapeutic act of someone caring for your face, massaging your jaw, or providing a relaxing scalp massage. These services melt away stress. And yet, as the owner of a business that provides these very services, I’ve rarely taken the time to enjoy them myself. It’s a classic case of the shoemaker and their shoes. Lydia reignited my passion for being an esthetician and serving others. Her words inspired not only me but also my team. She reminded me of why I love this industry. Now, I’m committing to addressing the skin issues I’ve long covered with makeup—signs of aging, sunspots, and the effects of my love for the sun. I sat down with my Director of Operations and Marketing Director, and together, we decided I would document my journey.
I’ve started a better skincare routine. Here’s what I’m using:
Sugarmoon Facial Cleansing Cream
Repechage’s One Minute Exfoliation (a fantastic alternative for fans of the Dermalogica Microfoliant)
Sugarmoon’s Vitamin B Serum with Vita Cura’s Triple Action Firming Cream during the day
Sugarmoon’s Vitamin C Serum with Sugarmoon’s Hydrating Moisturizer at night to prepare my skin for IPL treatments
My first appointment is scheduled for January 16th with Greta. I’ll be starting with the IPL service called "Tight and Bright." This journey is about much more than skincare for me—it’s a personal commitment to mental health and self-celebration, a step toward leaving behind dark and challenging times. I’m also embracing the beauty of graceful aging. Sharing this process will be incredibly vulnerable, as I peel back the layers of makeup and speak openly with all of you.
I’ve written to Lydia to thank her for reminding me why I love my industry and why I chose this path. I hope to inspire some of you in the same way.
So stay tuned!
XO,
Paola
As I listened, I started reflecting on my own habits. How often have I rushed out the door, fighting for time in the bathroom with my two busy kids? At their age, appearances seem to mean everything—so why doesn’t it for me? Seriously, what gives? I’ve always told others that our business is about helping people look good and feel good, yet I wasn’t taking my own advice. Why don’t I take an extra 30 minutes for myself to ensure I look and feel my best?
Lydia’s reminder to dedicate one hour each day to yourself deeply resonated with me. She encouraged us to put down our phones and be present—truly present—without distractions. It made me question my own dependency on staying constantly connected. For me, this habit began during COVID, a time when my business was in ruins, and I poured my energy into lobbying the government to recognize our industry as more than just vanity. It’s about peace, wellness, and meaningful connections. I became addicted to tracking every piece of news, hoping for updates that could change our fate. Then I fell into the social media video spiral, getting my daily Eras tour updates...lol and losing hours to TikTok and Instagram, watching influencers dominate our industry, shaping narratives about what is true or valuable. It was frustrating, almost as if there was no room left for the depth of education and expertise our team brings. This frustration was amplified by the fact that Ontario doesn’t recognize our industry as a licensed trade. This loophole means anyone can open a clinic, and claim to provide expert care, regardless of whether they’ve had proper training. It’s a risky reality for the public. But, I stand proud of our educated, certified, and highly skilled team. They embody what true professionalism in this industry should look like. Part of my efforts in lobbying the government has been to advocate for mandatory certifications across all clinics, to ensure public trust and raise the standards of care everywhere.
Lydia’s words reminded me of the power of touch services—not just massage therapy, but the therapeutic act of someone caring for your face, massaging your jaw, or providing a relaxing scalp massage. These services melt away stress. And yet, as the owner of a business that provides these very services, I’ve rarely taken the time to enjoy them myself. It’s a classic case of the shoemaker and their shoes. Lydia reignited my passion for being an esthetician and serving others. Her words inspired not only me but also my team. She reminded me of why I love this industry. Now, I’m committing to addressing the skin issues I’ve long covered with makeup—signs of aging, sunspots, and the effects of my love for the sun. I sat down with my Director of Operations and Marketing Director, and together, we decided I would document my journey.
I’ve started a better skincare routine. Here’s what I’m using:
Sugarmoon Facial Cleansing Cream
Repechage’s One Minute Exfoliation (a fantastic alternative for fans of the Dermalogica Microfoliant)
Sugarmoon’s Vitamin B Serum with Vita Cura’s Triple Action Firming Cream during the day
Sugarmoon’s Vitamin C Serum with Sugarmoon’s Hydrating Moisturizer at night to prepare my skin for IPL treatments
My first appointment is scheduled for January 16th with Greta. I’ll be starting with the IPL service called "Tight and Bright." This journey is about much more than skincare for me—it’s a personal commitment to mental health and self-celebration, a step toward leaving behind dark and challenging times. I’m also embracing the beauty of graceful aging. Sharing this process will be incredibly vulnerable, as I peel back the layers of makeup and speak openly with all of you.
I’ve written to Lydia to thank her for reminding me why I love my industry and why I chose this path. I hope to inspire some of you in the same way.
So stay tuned!
XO,
Paola
