Meet Our Amazing Aestheticians | Shari Miller
Join us in welcoming Shari to our amazing team of holistic practitioners! Shari joins our Holistic Skincare Clinic with over a decade of experience and knowledge in the holistic health space. Her struggles with acne, psoriasis + hormonal imbalance led her down a personal path of holistic healing. Shari is certified in Professional Spa Therapy-specializing in Holistic Skincare, Holistic Nutrition, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine basics, Reiki and has a dual-certification in Health + Life Coaching. She is also trained in Dr. Vodders Basic Face + Neck Manual Lymphatic Drainage + Facial Gua Sha. Her mission is to empower as many people as she can with hands-on healing, Life Freedom Coaching and a strong focus on education from a holistic perspective.
We sat down with Shari to chat everything from beauty routines to life advice. Read our Q+A with her below!
Why did you become a holistic aesthetician?
I struggled with my skin from a very young age, getting my first pimple at age 11. All through high school and university my skin was a mess because of hormonal imbalance and poor lifestyle choices. I knew something had to change. It wasn’t until I put the mind, body, soul and skin connection together that I was able to get healthy from the inside out, which obviously helped heal my troubled skin.
I struggled with my skin from a very young age, getting my first pimple at age 11. All through high school and university my skin was a mess because of hormonal imbalance and poor lifestyle choices. I knew something had to change. It wasn’t until I put the mind, body, soul and skin connection together that I was able to get healthy from the inside out, which obviously helped heal my troubled skin.
Using natural skincare played a huge part in my skin’s transformation, as did a cleaner diet + mindfulness practices. I was fascinated with learning as much as I could about Holistic Wellness so I could help others who were struggling as well. I had a life-altering experience in 2007 (hello, divorce!) and knew that was my chance to further educate myself + begin a career in Holistic Skincare. I really believe it was a calling.
What do you love most about your job?
I love educating people about what’s happening with their skin from a whole-body perspective. Most people are so misguided when it comes to skin + how the inner functioning of their whole body affects the skin. It’s about so much more than just lotions + potions. I love helping people melt into a parasympathetic state of relaxation so their bodies can do what they are meant to do naturally – find balance + heal. The energy exchange I have with my clients gives me life. Giving Holistic Skin Treatments is a gift I feel blessed to be able to give. I can’t imagine life without my hands on peoples faces!
What's your #1 live-by-it-tip?
Oil. Your. Face. As someone who struggled with acne, I was skeptical at first about using oils + rich creams on my skin. What a game-changer! All skin types + conditions will benefit from the right botanical oils if used consistently. If our skin cells are the “bricks”, the oils are the “mortar”. Trust me.
What is your daily skincare/beauty ritual?
Oh boy! I only cleanse my skin at night (every night no matter what!) with an oil-based cleanser, I tone with floral water, then massage my skin with a custom blended serum of yummy base oils + powerful essential oils (all Province Apothecary of course!). I use a Vitamin K eye cream for dark circles + a rich balm/cream on top. I dry brush my skin to stimulate lymphatic movement + use a jade roller and/or gua sha stones for smoothing + lifting. Daytime is pretty much the same without the cleansing + I exfoliate + mask weekly. I’ve been faithful to my skin regimen since the age of 11 + rarely miss a step!
What's your favourite DIY skincare recipe?
I love making a mask of raw honey + avocado. The honey is so rich in antioxidants + is a natural humectant + the avocado is full of healthy fats, which together feed my dry skin with the nutrition it needs to feel hydrated, smooth + healthy. And it’s so easy to whip up!
What's your favourite botanical and how do you like to use it?
How to choose?! I think it’s a tie between Rosehip Seed Oil + Seabuckthorn Berry, both for their healing + reparative qualities. These powerhouses help with fine lines, sun damage, post-inflammatory pigmentation scars, blemishes + irritation of all kinds. As a woman in her 40’s with pretty smooth skin, I live by these oils!
When you’re not providing beautiful treatments, what brings you joy?
Travel is my main jam. My husband + I love exploring new cities + countries + always try to get “off the beaten path” when we are away. I also love my yoga practice, cooking with interesting ingredients + cats (mildly obsessed).
What's the best advice you've ever received?
“Be yourself because everyone else is taken”. Also, “Girl, wash your face!” ;)
What do you think is the biggest skincare myth?
That oily skin doesn’t need oils/moisturizing AND that the only way to get real results is to be aggressive on the skin with chemicals + machines. I call BS on both of those!
If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go and why?
Ooohhhh! I have a couple fun trips coming up but if I could go anywhere tomorrow it would be Copenhagen for its gastronomy, jazz clubs, bicycle tours of the canals + art/design scene. Also because I am obsessed with Viking Culture + all things Hygge.
What do you love most about your job?
I love educating people about what’s happening with their skin from a whole-body perspective. Most people are so misguided when it comes to skin + how the inner functioning of their whole body affects the skin. It’s about so much more than just lotions + potions. I love helping people melt into a parasympathetic state of relaxation so their bodies can do what they are meant to do naturally – find balance + heal. The energy exchange I have with my clients gives me life. Giving Holistic Skin Treatments is a gift I feel blessed to be able to give. I can’t imagine life without my hands on peoples faces!
What's your #1 live-by-it-tip?
Oil. Your. Face. As someone who struggled with acne, I was skeptical at first about using oils + rich creams on my skin. What a game-changer! All skin types + conditions will benefit from the right botanical oils if used consistently. If our skin cells are the “bricks”, the oils are the “mortar”. Trust me.
What is your daily skincare/beauty ritual?
Oh boy! I only cleanse my skin at night (every night no matter what!) with an oil-based cleanser, I tone with floral water, then massage my skin with a custom blended serum of yummy base oils + powerful essential oils (all Province Apothecary of course!). I use a Vitamin K eye cream for dark circles + a rich balm/cream on top. I dry brush my skin to stimulate lymphatic movement + use a jade roller and/or gua sha stones for smoothing + lifting. Daytime is pretty much the same without the cleansing + I exfoliate + mask weekly. I’ve been faithful to my skin regimen since the age of 11 + rarely miss a step!
What's your favourite DIY skincare recipe?
I love making a mask of raw honey + avocado. The honey is so rich in antioxidants + is a natural humectant + the avocado is full of healthy fats, which together feed my dry skin with the nutrition it needs to feel hydrated, smooth + healthy. And it’s so easy to whip up!
What's your favourite botanical and how do you like to use it?
How to choose?! I think it’s a tie between Rosehip Seed Oil + Seabuckthorn Berry, both for their healing + reparative qualities. These powerhouses help with fine lines, sun damage, post-inflammatory pigmentation scars, blemishes + irritation of all kinds. As a woman in her 40’s with pretty smooth skin, I live by these oils!
When you’re not providing beautiful treatments, what brings you joy?
Travel is my main jam. My husband + I love exploring new cities + countries + always try to get “off the beaten path” when we are away. I also love my yoga practice, cooking with interesting ingredients + cats (mildly obsessed).
What's the best advice you've ever received?
“Be yourself because everyone else is taken”. Also, “Girl, wash your face!” ;)
What do you think is the biggest skincare myth?
That oily skin doesn’t need oils/moisturizing AND that the only way to get real results is to be aggressive on the skin with chemicals + machines. I call BS on both of those!
If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go and why?
Ooohhhh! I have a couple fun trips coming up but if I could go anywhere tomorrow it would be Copenhagen for its gastronomy, jazz clubs, bicycle tours of the canals + art/design scene. Also because I am obsessed with Viking Culture + all things Hygge.
Book your next treatment with Shari!
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