Seven years ago a good friend gave me some of the best advice I have ever received. I had graduated from college and was in a relationship I knew was going to last. I was working at a job I loved and doing it well. But still I felt a bit lost. What my friend told me that day when I explained my dilemma to her was, “You never actually arrive at anything in life, you just take the next step”. She said it in such an off-handed, matter-of-fact way, there was no denying she was right.

So, I decided my next step would be to attend Esthetics school. I had always been interested in skincare and when the opportunity to move to Boston to attend the Elizabeth Grady Institute presented itself I jumped on the chance. After returning home to Vermont I took a job working at a local spa and loved it. I also continued working as a manager for a retail shop and my two chosen careers fit together perfectly. I spent my days making women look and feel great.

Three years later I got a call from another friend of mine, a doctor, who had a big plan. Her goal was to build a wellness center, something unlike anything available to people in Vermont at the time. Her plan was huge and she wanted me to be a part of it; this was clearly the next step I was meant to take. Having worked in both a busy spa while managing a successful retail shop, opening SANO Skincare & Apothecary seemed like a perfect scenario; the combination of both of my passions. Being able to open my spa in Eastern View Integrative Medicine with like-minded practitioners dedicated to whole health only made the decision that much easier.

In my years of working in the skincare industry I have really been able to affirm my beliefs about what taking care of ourselves really means. Looking young and feeling great inside and out rarely needs to involve harsh chemicals and toxic ingredients. Our skin naturally wants to do the right thing if we treat it the right way. I was thrilled to find a professional skincare line that agreed wholly with my vision of what I wanted SANO to be about. Decleor’s philosophy is based in “harmony with yourself and your environment, revealing the natural expression of your beauty and giving you radiant skin”, the very same tenets that SANO is built upon.

SANO is a place for me to preach about my passion and help others. I am thrilled to have a platform from where I can tell people not only is it not simply vanity to want take care of your skin, it’s an important component of whole-body health. Skincare goes far beyond being a treat you can give yourself for your birthday (although, it is a great way to celebrate each year!).  Simply the act of lying on the table before a service and taking a minute to relax has proven benefits, and that is only the beginning! When the body is healthy and in harmony with it’s parts the skin shows it. Conversely, self care can help restore harmony within the body.  Furthermore, a good skincare regimen can have mental health benefits as well. People generally feel more comfortable when they are happy with their appearance. Truly the effects of skincare are much more than skin deep.

This blog will be an extension of that platform mentioned above. I hope to educate people about the things I know, offer tips for things I know will make a difference in your skin and perhaps I will learn a few things from the questions you ask me. If there is anything specifically you would like to know more about, please ask! My passion is helping you look and feel your best and I want to share information to that end.
Be well,
Shannon