“After working at European Wax Center for a few years, then at a med spa back in Massachusetts for another year and a half, it was hard for me to want to work for someone else once I moved back to Atlanta in late 2023.

I got so much support and push from my own community, my husband, my former boss, and other family members to start something. I've always wanted to do it, but I was scared. But once everyone else was telling me to do it, I was like, okay, so Refij came from that. And even when I was working at the med spa I was at before, I had been creating my own mood boards and brainstorming for a while, about something that I would want to do, watching another small business, doing it.

I took bits and pieces over time and eventually flourished into what Refij is now, which is a very comforting place. I don't want to say casual, but it's just a very welcome environment for anyone. To come as they are, basically. And that's in the name as well. Refij means refuge in Haitian Creole, which is what I wanted to do for people.”

“​​I've noticed an uptick of sensitivities here in Atlanta, especially with my black and brown clients. A lot of them have eczema or just irritated skin.

But at the same time, they're dealing with hyperpigmentation. And, you know, you can't just give everyone an acid. Some people need something that's more barrier supportive as well. And what I liked about Aurganics is that it had everything I needed to address their sensitivity and their pigment.

I also use it for clients who have stronger barriers, putting them through chemical peel programs as something used before, during, and after the peel when they can't use an acid. It's like the perfect little multi-use product that way.”

“Again, with the peels it helps a lot. I also use it for clients who have stronger barriers and put them through chemical peel programs, as something used before, during, and after the peel when they can’t use an acid. It’s kind of like the perfect little multi-use product that way.”

“It’s a great little travel buddy. I went camping with it, and usually when you're in stressful environments, anything I use stresses my skin out more, and that calmed it down. Another fun fact is that I used it as wedding prep for my sister’s wedding. She has the most sensitive skin, and she noticed a big difference right before her wedding day.”

“Oh, always a chai Latte”

“Usually with oat milk. And if I can take it, usually dairy makes me break out, but I do like dairy. If I feel like I could take a breakout, I'll go for it.”

“I always start with a cup of tea, I’m usually brewing one first thing. I’ll check emails or Instagram on my phone. I had to delete TikTok because I wasn’t being productive, but that used to be part of my routine as well. After that, I usually have breakfast with my husband.”

“I recently started reading again and am currently reading a book on fashion. It connects to another hobby of mine, sewing. My mom is a tailor, and I’ve been working on honing my sewing skills. I’ve made oven mitts for people, a makeup bag for a friend, and a shirt last year. Now I’m continuing to build my spring pieces and improve my craft.”

“With my Black and Brown clients, vitamin C is fine. It’s great for anti-aging, and it works well for lighter skin tones when it comes to brightening pigmentation. People often say vitamin C brightens and evens out skin tone, and it does, but it’s not always powerful enough for the eumelanin in deeper skin tones.

I’ve seen better results with ingredients like mandelic acid, kojic acid, or licorice root. Vitamin C isn’t unsuitable for us, but it’s not always the most effective option. It’s a strong preventative measure and can definitely help, especially with certain types of discoloration, but for stubborn pigmentation or melasma, there are other ingredients on the market that tend to deliver better results.”

“I’m a bit of a theater nerd, so I listen to a lot of show tunes. I also listen to Olivia Dean, and I always circle back to Janelle Monáe, she’s been my favorite for a long time. Lately, I’ve also been into a rap group called Party of Two.”

“Give yourself more grace. You tend to overthink and believe you have to already be great at something before you start, but making mistakes and learning is part of the process of becoming who you want to be. It’s okay to be a late bloomer. In many ways, you learn more by watching others go through things before you do. It’s okay to move at your own pace.”

“When I get to use my own gua sha stone on myself, go to the gym, and move my body, it makes a difference. After sitting down and working with my hands all day, I haven’t had the chance to focus on the rest of my body. You start to feel tech neck or some soreness in your back. Taking that time is how I care for myself and maintain longevity in my work. Then I go home and set aside time for my hobbies or give myself a little spa day in my own bathroom.”

“It's funny because sometimes I still get nervous meeting a new client, even though I've done it so many times, and this is like my third year in business. But then once we're in the room, and they're under the sheets, and we get talking, I realize how much I love what I do because I love my clients.

First off, I got really lucky with, like, everyone who comes to me, and I love the process of what I do. I love that, like I'm relaxing them. I love that, like they love their results when they're looking in the mirror, when I show them their skin. And I also love the knowledge and all the education I have to take for the different products I'm using and different techniques. I'm never bored by it.”