This is the story of my second spring, a season that felt more like the dead of winter.
My journey into the beauty industry began at the tender age of eighteen when I embarked on the path of becoming a Beauty Therapist. After college, I took my passion to new horizons, discovering that I could travel while doing the job I loved. Joining Steiner and working on cruise ships became my ticket to invaluable knowledge and unforgettable experiences.
It was a character-building adventure, and I had the privilege of meeting remarkably talented individuals who left an indelible mark on my life.
After 6 transformative years, I returned to shore and delved into the world of retail beauty. Over the past two decades, I had the privilege of working for various beauty brands, most notably Estée Lauder. Throughout my journey, my unwavering commitment was to skincare, not just for myself but also to help others navigate their unique skin challenges.
My passion for skincare was born during my college days when the constant practice of facials and exposure to various products, combined with the stress of learning, led my skin into turmoil. I faced a challenging time emotionally, feeling self-conscious, embarrassed, and far from the beauty I wished to project. The mirror reflected a red, bumpy canvas, and I quickly became adept at concealer and foundation, using them as my daily armour. Little did I realize it then, but makeup became my crutch, my confidence boost when I needed it most.
I’m sure many can relate to using something as support or reassurance in life. The good news is that with the right routine and products and galvanic facials, my skin eventually cleared. During my career, I revelled in helping my clients look and feel beautiful. Working with incredible teams, I took pride in coaching them towards success. My constant pursuit was to foster an environment where everyone could unleash their full potential every day.
At the age of 42, I faced a new challenge as my fibroids grew too large, requiring a hysterectomy. After my battle scars healed, I enjoyed a period of relief, but then menopause knocked on my door. My body, mind, and skin underwent numerous changes. Emotionally, I grappled with anxiety, irritability, and memory lapses that felt like a fog in my mind. Dealing with hot flushes, night sweats, electric shocks ringing in my ears, and bleeding gums felt like navigating an uncharted territory. I also felt swollen and bloated, especially at night.
However, I couldn’t turn to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) due to a family history of breast cancer. My mother had battled it, going into remission briefly before the disease returned. I’d also faced a scare with a lump removal procedure, fortunately, with a positive outcome. Frustratingly, my doctors weren’t much help, a common experience among many women.
It highlighted the glaring lack of support and information available for menopausal women.
I strongly believe it’s our responsibility to raise awareness and support each other. The more we share our experiences, the more we learn, and the better equipped we are to help others. As women, we often aren’t prepared for menopause, and more needs to be done to inform us about Perimenopause/Menopause. I certainly wasn’t prepared, and statistics show nearly 50% of women share my sentiment.
During this trying period, my mind, body, soul, and skin lost their GLOW. The symptoms induced anxiety, isolation, and uncertainty about the changes occurring within. But remember, you are not alone on this journey. I embarked on a mission to help and raise awareness. I navigated menopause through good nutrition, the right supplements, boosting my collagen, eliminating gluten and dairy from my diet, daily exercise, nurturing my gut health, prioritizing sleep, and reducing alcohol intake, and now alcohol free.
In addition, I harnessed the power of effective skincare, leveraging the latest science and technology to maintain healthy, radiant skin. Menopause might bring hormonal changes, but it doesn’t define your skin.
I’m fortunate to have a supportive partner who stood by me during the toughest moments. My life has transformed, and I now consider this period a blessing in disguise. I’m building my own business, utilizing the wealth of experience and skills I’ve accumulated over the years to help other women reignite their inner glow, achieve radiant skin, and envision a brighter future. I’m embracing life, following my passion, and continually expanding my knowledge.
It’s never too late to embark on something new because you aren’t starting from scratch; you possess a bag full of tools, honed through years of experience. I also find solace in mindfulness, prayer, and daily meditation, and journaling nurturing my soul’s glow. I’ve tapped into my Glow power source, and my goal is to guide you to do the same.
Remember the wise words of Albert Einstein: “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Are you stuck in a repetitive cycle?
I’d love to hear your story. Feel free to reach out, and let’s chat. I am here to help.
Sending love & support on your journey!
Let’s reignite our glow power source.
love Helena.
It is time to write that love letter to YOU! – Glow with Helena (helenamallaghan.com)