From Shame to Shimmer: My Skin Journey, My Faith, My Brand

Hey Love,

Before you begin reading, I want to say—this is a lengthy story. But it’s one I feel called to share. I want you to know that you are not alone in the physical and hormonal changes you may be experiencing. These developments are perfectly normal. God created you in His image and likeness, and there is nothing that could make you any more beautiful than He already has.

My Skin Journey

My skin journey may sound familiar to many. I’ve always had sensitive skin, and nothing ever seemed to work. I tried everything under the sun to moisturize, but nearly every product I was recommended caused an adverse reaction—or simply didn’t work. Even today, certain perfumes, roller oils, or hair products can make my entire body itch and flake.

I was incredibly self-conscious about the way my skin looked. I couldn’t fully be myself in public or social settings because I was always worried people would notice my imperfections—and be disgusted by them. That’s when I started doing my own research. I learned about natural ingredients that could soothe and heal my skin. After experimenting with a few combinations, I eventually formulated my own shea butter. It was November 2019, and I was 23.

The Untold Chapter

There’s another part of my story I’ve never shared publicly. Honestly, I still feel a little shame about it. I used to struggle with body odor (B.O.), and it held me back from so much in life. Even now, my friends know—I could have showered 15 minutes ago, and I’ll still ask, “Do you smell my underarms?”

I love my mother dearly, but I attended middle and high school in the U.S., and I didn’t have her nearby during my peak puberty years. A lot of what I struggled with was known by my peers but never talked about. I guess being an elite athlete, smart, and naturally cool kept me in the “cool crowd.” Typically—and unfortunately—those who struggle with B.O. are bullied and teased. I’m extremely grateful that wasn’t my experience.

It wasn’t until after high school that I began addressing it on my own. But it took much longer than you might imagine. This has been a lifelong journey—and I’m still on it.

A Radical Transformation

In 2020, I gave my life to Christ through a radical transformation—and when I transformed, so did the brand. My mission now is to remind women and men that we are all created in the image and likeness of God. He formed us in our mothers’ wombs exactly how He desired. You are beautiful. You are everything God desires you to be. He knows you inside and out. And if you don’t believe that, ask Him—with your heart open—to show you how beautifully He has created you.

There isn’t one thing about you that makes you unflattering in the sight of God.

One thing I’ve had to overcome is the perception of man. Society has created a false idea of what beauty is—and I’m here to tell you, it’s a lie from the pit of hell.

From Struggle to Skincare

It’s ironic that I now own a skincare company, considering how much I struggled with personal care. But I’ve always had an interest in beauty. In high school, I was enrolled in cosmetology for four years. During my last semester, I made the silliest decision and chose not to complete the course for certification. Still, here we are.

The first product I ever made is what we now call the Unscented Shimmering Glow. No, there’s no glitter in it! I named it that because it locks moisture into your skin and gives it a natural shimmering glow. With consistent use, it was the first product that ever soothed my skin and softened rough, flaky, dry areas.

It’s a simple blend of shea butter, olive oil, and grapeseed oil. Over the years, I’ve adjusted the ingredient ratios to achieve the soft, fluffy consistency we have today—plus a variety of scents.

After seeing success with the butters, I earned my certification in skincare formulation from the online School of Natural Skin Care. I completed the course during COVID and went on to create more products for men and women: bar soaps, Dead Sea salt scrubs, body oils, body butters, and face masks.

I’ve fallen in love with the art of self-care and believe it’s one of the best ways we can honor our bodies before God.

You Are Not Alone

Whatever changes are happening in your body—they are 100% normal. Don’t let shame, embarrassment, or society’s false standards of beauty hold you back. I want you to fall in love with self-care the way I have. I want you to feel comfortable with your body’s changes and learn how to care for it with grace.

We weren’t created to live in a shell or hide. We weren’t created to live in discomfort or shame. We are the light of the world—and we will honor what God has created. We will care for our bodies and love ourselves with grace.

SC SKINCARE: Beauty Meets Purpose

Through this brand, my goal is to offer faith-based hospitality, natural Bermudian-made products, sustainability, and whole-person wellness. I want to create a space where everyone is seen, embraced, and heard—a space where beauty meets purpose and wellness becomes an act of worship.

I’d love to hear your story. Share in the comments or send me a message directly. Let’s connect.

Love,

Ley