How clean beauty helped me reclaim my purpose and authenticity

There was a time in my life when I felt overwhelmed, stretched thin across multiple roles and responsibilities. I was building my businesses, Shades of Reality and Thawadar Boutique, working shifts, studying, writing, and showing up for communities that weren’t always aligned with my true purpose.

I have always taken great care in my appearance, valuing how I present myself as an expression of confidence and self-respect. But during that hectic phase, time was scarce. My skincare and self-care routines were sporadic at best, squeezed in between commitments or skipped altogether.

That fast-paced lifestyle was exhausting. It left little room for intentional self-care or the kind of reflection that nurtures authenticity.

The ‘Before’ – Juggling Too Much and Saying Yes Too Often

I was juggling multiple projects, work, study, and community engagements, often saying “yes” just to be nice, even when those commitments didn’t align with who I really was or where I wanted to go.

These ‘yeses’ built a life where my energy was scattered, and my personal wellbeing took a back seat. My skincare routine was inconsistent, and my appearance, though always important to me, no longer reflected the woman I was becoming.

I was showing up for a community that was never truly mine, sacrificing my own authenticity for the sake of avoiding conflict and discomfort.

Closing a Chapter: Choosing Intentional Living and Self-Care

When I completed my studies, it marked the end of a demanding chapter. I took a deep breath and began to ask myself:

• What does success really look like when I’m living in purpose?

• How can I align my habits, routines, and image with the woman I want to be?

• Where have I been saying “yes” when my heart wanted to say “no”?

The answers came slowly but surely, and one of the most powerful shifts was committing to a consistent clean beauty routine.

Clean Beauty: More Than Skin Deep

Embracing clean beauty wasn’t just about changing products, it was about reclaiming time for myself and choosing authenticity in every aspect of my life.

This led me to become a Tropic Skincare ambassador because I believe in honest, clean beauty that actually works, and I want to share that with people who care about doing good for their skin and the planet.

Using natural, toxin-free skincare from brands like Tropic transformed my daily routine into a ritual of nourishment and self-love. The scents, textures, and visible results reminded me to slow down, to pause, and to honor my body as the vessel for my purpose.

This clean beauty routine aligned with my values, a lifestyle choice that complements my work in entrepreneurship, writing, and community-building. It became a tangible expression of living intentionally and authentically.

The ‘After’ – Living and Leading with Authenticity

Now, my skincare and self-care rituals are foundational. They reflect the inner strength and resilience I’ve cultivated and support the image I want to project as a leader and creator.

At Shades of Reality, I explore identity as a holistic experience, blending mind, body, and spirit. At Thawadar Boutique, I channel timeless elegance rooted in self-respect and confidence.

When your lifestyle, work, and self-image are aligned, you don’t just tell your story, you embody it.

Finding a Community That Reflects Your Values

One unexpected blessing of embracing clean beauty was discovering a community of like-minded women through Tropic.

This isn’t just a network of sellers. It’s a sisterhood of ambitious, determined women who support and uplift each other in real life and online.

Unlike the communities I once joined out of obligation, this group is deeply aligned with my values and ambitions. The encouragement and connection fuel my growth and help me show up as my best self.

Why Embodiment Is the Key to Living in Purpose

Living with purpose isn’t only about what you achieve, it’s about how you live every day.

Embodiment means showing up authentically, making choices that align with your values, and creating rituals that support your wellbeing.

For me, embodiment means:

• Leading with integrity in business and writing

• Investing in clean beauty and self-care that reflect my ethics

• Surrounding myself with empowering, supportive people

• Saying “no” when a “yes” would cost my authenticity

Without embodiment, success feels hollow. With it, every step forward is grounded in truth and power.

Closing Thoughts

The chapter of juggling without pause taught me resilience and discipline. But the new chapter, one of intentional living, daily rituals, and aligned community, teaches me mastery.

I no longer say yes to people, places and projects that DO NOT align with my values, principals and beliefs. I say yes to what aligns, what energizes, and what reflects the woman I am becoming.

In the quiet moments of morning skincare, in the laughter of a supportive community, and in the commitment to authenticity, I have found my truth:

We can’t just tell the world who we are. We have to live it.

Clean beauty is no longer just a routine or luxury, it’s part of my purpose and embodiment.

Because living with purpose means showing up fully, inside and out.