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Before & After: Healing "Problem Skin" with Skincare Affirmations™️ Creator Elyse Hamme

Before & After: Healing "Problem Skin" with Skincare Affirmations™️ Creator Elyse Hamme

A few months ago, we reached out to you, our Muri Muse community, to learn more about the impact our Full Flower Ritual has had on your skin health. We've been overwhelmed both by the real-world transformations we've seen, and the perspectives on self-care that you all shared with us. 

Over the next few weeks we'll share a few of our favorite Before & After moments  and introduce you to some of the incredible muses in our community.

Before & After with Muri Muse Elyse Hamme

Next up: Muri Muse Elyse Hamme, aka Elyseum Beauty.  

A New York based esthetician and skin care educator, Elyse's approach to integrative skin healing and facial services deeply resonated with us from the moment we met: She is the creator Skincare Affirmations™️, a treatment experience that combines traditional facial techniques with touch massage and affirmations designed to shift the way we think about our "problem" skin.  

We connected with Elyse while she was fighting through a period of inflamed, angry breakouts and itchy, red patches. As an esthetician, she knew giving her skin time and space to recover was imperative — keep reading for her story of healing, and how she managed to foster a mindset of patience and positive self-love during the process. 

Before & After with Muri Muse Elyse Hamme

Muri Lelu: For those who aren't yet familiar with you, how would you introduce yourself and your work? 

Elyse: My name is Elyse [and I'm] an Esthetician & Self-Care Expert who specializes in Holistic facial approach. I treat the skin whilst creating a safe space to treat the self.  

Muri Lelu: Please share your recent skincare journey with us. Describe the issue you were experiencing, what it looked like, what it felt like on your skin (I.e. did you experience pain, itchiness or irritation), and what it made you feel like? 
Elyse:  My skin was having a huge freak out and I didn’t know why… it was inflamed, itching [and had] a lot of texture. As an esthetician, the last thing you want is flawed skin. It discredits your work. Lately, my skin journey chapter has been "patience". Having virtually perfect skin growing up to incredibly communicative skin as an adult is frustrating.
Muri Lelu: How did you begin addressing the issue? What was your approach to the healing proces? 
Elyse: It's so easy to want to use highly active ingredients and products when your skin is going through acne or a reaction. But sometimes that's just not the approach you should take. My skin is doing what it needs to do and all I can do is support it. Mentally and physically. Topically and digestively. 

Muri Lelu: How did our products change your skin? When in the process did you start using it, and what results did you see? How long did that take? 
Elyse: I [started] putting Mauvaise Herbe Indica Oil on every hour for 48 hours, then twice a day for a week. It was legit like night and day!
I honestly was not expecting the Indica Oil to kick in so quickly and calm my inflammation and stop the itching. I'm so in love! 
Before & After with Muri Muse Elyse Hamme
Muri Lelu: What's your current maintenance routine to preserve your skin health at the moment?   

Elyse: It's important that we recognize there are so many contributing factors to skin expressions — and I'm calling [them] that because our skin battles aggressors and stressors daily even without us knowing.
Our skin is doing what its designed to do; whether we like the expression or not. It's super frustrating but because of that, most times its better to support & protect [versus] micro manage and hover.
Indica and CBD oils are loaded with antioxidants and brilliant for inflamed skin whether it be psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis. Its anti- microbial, anti fungal et al. Muri Lelu's use of the entire plant changes the game and really changes the way we stigmatize this plant.

Before & After with Elyse Hamme, creator of Skincare Affirmations

 

Muri Lelu: Why are your facials listed as affirmations? What exactly is a skincare meditation? What inspired this service?  

Elyse: My facials are simple affirmations [that] help bring mindfulness to the way we view our skin at it’s “worst”. While working with clients over the years I noticed that my facial treatments felt more like therapy sessions. I would listen to their stories and notice patterns of negative self talk when sharing about themselves or their skincare journey.

The Beauty industry has made [a] fortune thriv[ing] off of our insecurities. It's the ugly side of the industry that nobody wants to talk about until now; which leads me to my Skin Care Meditation™️ group sessions. My Skincare Meditation is my way of bringing intention, focus, and celebration back to yourself.  

The session talks about how important touch, the senses, and nervous system [are]. I go through a series of touches to get you thinking about those sensations and [see] where they takes your mind. [We work on] how to bring your thoughts back into focus.  

I teach you very basic massage techniques [and] demo my techniques on you to help you compare level of intention and texture. And, I give you very basic grounding affirmations and heart chakra affirmations.  

Before & After with Muri Muse Elyse Hamme

Muri Lelu: The definition of self-care is, at its core, a well-rounded practice of replenishing the  self. When you strip it all back, what do you consider essential acts of self-care?  

Elyse: That's a "hard" question because the answer isn't cookie cutter...  rather habits maybe? You have to LISTEN to yourself. And know when you're in code  yellow, orange or red. The goal is to not wait until you're in code red [to start caring for yourself]... maybe code yellow.  

Overall, just understanding what works for you. Maybe you need movement, maybe you need journaling, maybe you need solitude, maybe you need community. Maybe it's demonstrating your Love Languages back to yourself.  Maybe its perfecting a level of self discipline.

All of that to say... you have to Learn to find YOUR voice within. And LISTEN TO IT. Give yourself permission. Learn to give yourself grace.  

Muri Lelu: Favorite Flower?

Elyse: My mom  is a native gardener. She does Natural Pollinator seminars; so she talks flowers & plants  all the time. I think i just have a new appreciation for them because of her. I really think  they're all so beautiful however, a lot of times I don't remember the names. I gravitate[d] to Lantana and picked [it] out for her garden because of the colorful variations and the shape of the petals. They're so pretty and cute! And then I learned these plants attract butterflies and  hummingbirds and repel mosquitos, i love that!! 

Muri Lelu: Most subversive thing you've done lately? 

Elyse: Honestly sometimes existing blissfully as a Black woman feels subversive enough.  I take to my beauty page to talk about injustices and inequality all the time. Calling out what I dislike about the beauty industry or how companies treat their employees... I've pivoted to creating safe spaces for humans to heal and always offer my services free to members of my community. I am not a fighter but I want to support those who are... It's my "thank you for your services" gesture. 

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Skin Cycling 101: Why CBD Is The Best Ingredient For This TikTok Trend

Skin Cycling 101: Why CBD Is The Best Ingredient For This TikTok Trend

Skin Cycling 101: Why You Should Try It & Why CBD Is The Best Ingredient To Use

High-quality. Timeless. Consistent. 

Three simple words we value most of all. At Muri Lelu, we typically don't chase trends of any sort, especially when it comes to skincare. Just as there are no shortcuts to success in life, we firmly believe there are no shortcuts when it comes to caring for our skin either.

The best results — a radiant glow and a nourished, healthy barrier — come as a result of building a consistently, daily routine that includes high-quality ingredients that address the concerns of your skin type. 

That said... every now and then there's a trend too good to pass up! And in this case, it's the trend that has already racked up 373.2 million views and counting on TikTok alone:  Skin Cycling

Keep scrolling to learn more about skin cycling, why dermatologists love it, and why CBD skincare is a must for getting the most out of this new craze. 

WHAT IS SKIN CYCLING?

First things first, let's start with defining this trend. Coined by NYC dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe, skin cycling is a nighttime treatment methodology that alternates different types of products on different days in order to get the best results without damaging the skin barrier. 

Typically run over the course of 4 days, skin cycling recommends using harsher actives or ingredients two days a week, and restorative ingredients the other two nights of the week. 

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL SKIN CYCLING ROUTINE LOOK LIKE? 

Broken down, an easy and effective skin cycling routine might follow the below protocol: 

NIGHT 1: EXFOLIATE 
Focus the start of your skin routine on exfoliation. Exfoliating once (or at a maximum, twice) a week sloughs dead skin cells off the surface of your skin. You're left with not only a baby fresh glow, but with skin that's primed to drink up all of the actives and moisturizing goodness to follow throughout the rest of the week.  

Start this step by cleansing your skin and then incorporating a chemical exfoliant directly to the skin: "You want to cleanse [the skin], pat dry, then put on an exfoliating product,” explains Dr. Bowe, who recommends using a product that contains ingredients like AHAs, BHAs or PHAs. Avoid physical scrubs, which can be irritating.

After exfoliating, apply a lightweight, comedogenic moisturizing agent (either a cream or a nourishing face oil like our Mauvaise Herbe Indica Oil) to further support the skin barrier.  

NIGHT 2: RETINOL OR RETINOIDS
It's prime time, baby! Night two is all about incorporating retinol or retinoids into your routine. Firstly, let's start by clarifying what these popular skincare actives are, and why they're so beloved in the skincare world.

Retinoids — derivatives of Vitamin A — are one of the most studied ingredients in the space and have been clinically proven time and time again to boost collagen production, diminish wrinkles and fine lines, smooth rough texture and reduce acne or breakouts. 

Everyone should be using a retinoid or retinol, as virtually all skin types can benefit from this gold-star active. However, they are also known for being quite potent and can take some getting used to. To avoid the trademark redness that often comes during the retinoid "purge" period (a stage of increased skin irritation that occurs as your barrier gets adjusted to the ingredient), be sure to start slow and avoid overdoing it: a pea sized amount spread across your face and neck is more than enough to work magic. 

NIGHT 3 & 4: RECOVERY
After back-to-back nights of stronger active ingredients, it's time to give your skin a chance to kick back and relax. That's where the second half of your skin cycling routine — aka recovery — comes into play. During this two-day period, focus on nourishing your skin with ingredients that soothe, repair and strengthen the barrier. 


As dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman shares in Bustle, choose products that are replenishing, non-irritating and known for fortifying the skin barrier. Calming and inflammation-reducing ingredients like CBD or other adaptogens are a must on these nights. 

We can't enough of pared back, soothing combos for recovery nights like our Full Flower Ritual, which de-stresses and rebalance skin, promoting recovery an replenishment. Reach for this two-step ritual to infuse much needed hydration and nourishing antioxidant power back into the barrier. 

Once you've hit night 4, you can restart your cycle and begin incorporating  exfoliation and retinoids back in to your routine! If you follow a consistent skin cycling protocol, you'll begin to start seeing results as your skin adapts to the power play of potent actives and soothing, restorative ingredients. 


Final pro tip? When skin cycling, you'll want to make sure you're cleansing regularly and using SPF every day. Harsher actives like exfoliants and retinoid can increase sensitivity and dampen your ability to withstand sun damage, so you'll want to ensure you're providing your skin with adequate protection.

Soothing essentials for Skin Cycling Recovery Nights, featuring Muri Lelu's Full Flower Ritual

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SKIN CYCLING? 


Derms and other experts agree that skin cycling is a great way to introduce highly effective active ingredients into a routine without overburdening the barrier. Retinoids and exfoliants in particular are proven to be game-changers for your skin, but are also known to come with troublesome side effects such as itchiness, flaking, redness and dryness.

Skin cycling is an easy-to-follow routine that allows you to reap the powerful benefits of those actives while also allotting time for healing, thereby reducing the risk of compromising the barrier with painful irritation or flare ups. 

WHO SHOULD BE SKIN CYCLING?  

The long and short of it? Everyone. Because skin cycling is so simple and effective, it's beneficial for virtually all skin types.

In particular, skin cycling is a sound strategy for mature and acne-prone skin types, which can each enjoy the targeted benefits of retinoid and retinols while still prioritizing hydration and balance. Sensitive skin types can flourish with a skin cycling routine as well by structuring a slow build that allows skin to develop tolerance to harsh actives. 

Is skin cycling for you? If you're curious about shaking up your stale skincare routine and trying something new, be sure to stock up on soothing essentials for recovery nights. Try our Full Flower Ritual on us and see how it stacks up on Recovery nights! For a limited time, indulge in a free sample set of our plant-based duo on us — just cover the shipping. 

Claim your free sample of Muri Lelu's a.m.-to-p.m. Full Flower Ritual duo today. 

Try Muri Lelu's Full Flower Ritual, On Us. Just Pay Shipping

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Muri Muse: Chrystin Bunion, the entrepreneur making life more Sweet

Muri Muse: Chrystin Bunion, the entrepreneur making life more Sweet

Muri Muse: Chrystin Bunion, founder of cannabis lifestyle brand Sweets Flower Shop

Some things seem to make the work we do all the more sweet...

Case in point: Chyrstin Bunion, founder of cannabis lifestyle brand Sweets Flower Shop. A former strategist and creative who worked in the fashion and lifestyle industries prior to launching her brand, Chrystin infuses an elevated eye for design and curation into Sweets' output, especially evident in the brand's stand-out hero product, CBD Enriched Honey.  

Sweet stuff aside, we're most inspired by Chrystin's authenticity and budding voice. She speaks candidly about what inspired her to start Sweets: Alleviating anxiety for both herself and a formerly incarcerated loved one. It's clear that her mission is firmly rooted in wellness-for-all — a true luxury in a world that increasingly demands more and leaves us with less for ourselves and our loved ones. 

We recently caught up with Chrystin to talk wellness routines, bottling mother nature's power players, and the revolutionary potential of stepping into the life you envision for yourself. 

Muri Muse: Chrystin Bunion, founder of cannabis lifestyle brand Sweets Flower Shop

Muri Lelu: Tell us more about your origin story. When did you start Sweets Flower Shop, and why did you decide to start the line with honey? 

Chrystin Bunion: Sweets Flower Shop is a culturally focused cannabis lifestyle brand providing a holistic alternative path to a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Created in 2020, Sweets Flower Shop came about when I was looking for holistic alternatives to help manage the pain of my menstrual cycle and help a loved one manage anxiety after being released from the prison system. We both were looking for a healthy and legal way to deal with the pain relief, insomnia, and anxiety of transitioning back into society. After extensive research, CBD came to mind, and coincidentally I had a close friend who had connections with a few cannabis farmers. So when I tried the CBD flowers out in a smokable form, my mind was blown by the immediate relief I felt. I thought that something this good and positively impactful should be shared with my family and community. Being as though many people in my family suffer from health issues and do not like the act of smoking, we thought that offering infused honey would be a great way to challenge the stigma around cannabis while combining two of Mother natures power players to create a product that is timeless and versatile.

ML: Here at Muri, we talk a lot about conscious consumption and using cannabis as a portal to moments of increased self-recognition and self-celebration. What does conscious consumption mean to you, and how do you use this flowering plant to fuel your self-care rituals?

CB: Concerning cannabis, to me, conscious consumption means partaking in the consumption of the plant (whether it be smoking, having edibles, or using topicals) while acknowledging the impact of the flowers’ benefits and healing properties on your overall health and lifestyle. Conscious consumption fuels my self-care rituals by easing me into a more present, creative, and relaxing state. For instance, I enjoy taking a few puffs of a pre-roll blended with THC and CBD after my morning meditation and before stretching and moving my body before jumping into my work day. I am intentional about this time because it’s when I set the tone of my day. I enjoy it after meditation and before moving my body because it’s easier for me to focus on breathing and calm my mind before using cannabis to aid the effort. However, when I move my body and stretch, I notice that cannabis energizes me. I can go a little deeper in my movements and push myself. 

Muri Muse: Chrystin Bunion, founder of cannabis lifestyle brand Sweets Flower Shop

ML: What does your skincare routine look like typically? How has your skin changed over time, and what have you learned about caring for yourself (skincare and beyond)?

CB: My skincare routine is straightforward. Outside of visiting my esthetician monthly, I like incorporating clean and cannabis-infused skincare and beauty products into my regime. My skin is very sensitive and acne prone, so it’s been a struggle for me to find products that agree with the fickleness of my skin. A lot of trial and error had to take place before achieving the results that I currently have, but thank GOD we made it. This has taught me that everything that works for others may not work for me, and that’s fine. Being specific about what works for me and sticking with that has not only helped simplify my routine but has cleared up my skin, has me glowing, and cut out unnecessary spending on trendy products. This belief serves as a throughline for me in caring for myself. 

ML: The definition of self-care is, at its core, a well-rounded practice of replenishing the self. When you strip it all back, what do you consider essential acts of self-care? 

CB: Although self-care looks different for everyone, some essential acts for me are maintaining a restful sleeping routine, eating nourishing/clean foods, exercising, spending time in nature/solitude/ and with loved ones, doing something you enjoy, and regular expressions of gratitude. It can get challenging sometimes for me to maintain all or a few of these essential acts in our society and with my crazy schedule. Still, I’m often reminded that having discipline is a form of self-love that shows up for you and says, “You deserve the life you envision, and I’m going to make sure you get it.”
 
ML: What is the most subversive thing you've done lately? 
CB: Last month I teamed up with my colleague Dr. Krystal Brewington to host a focus group for moms who suffer(ed) from some form of postpartum anxiety or depression called Moms And Managing Anxiety Symptoms (MAMAs). Together we are introducing 10 Mothers - who are not pregnant/breastfeeding - to the conscious consumption of Sweets Flower Shop’s CBD-infused products to aid in their anxiety, insomnia, and pain-relief symptoms that often get overlooked by society while being a Mom. The trial is 21 days long, and the moms must complete a daily log detailing the time and reason they consume CBD during their day. It’s been inspiring to see how our infused products are helping to restore restful nights of sleep and offering anxiety relief to these women so they can show up as a better version of themselves for their families, friends, and lifestyles. And since there’s little to no research on the benefits of cannabis on suffering moms, taking matters into my own hands has been very liberating, and having support from this group is empowering to the brand's mission. I hope it leads to further research and more collective support around parents consuming cannabis to help them restore self-care while parenting. 

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Apply, Inhale, Elevate: How To Cultivate A Cannabis Aromatherapy Ritual

Apply, Inhale, Elevate: How To Cultivate A Cannabis Aromatherapy Ritual


Apply, Inhale Elevate: Cultivate a Cannabis Aromatherapy Ritual
Fruity, funky and earthy.
Herbaceous, piney and spicy.

Woods-y and floral, with an intoxicating aroma all its own.

However you choose to describe it, there is nothing quite like the subversive scent of cannabis. We all know that when nibbled, smoked or otherwise ingested, the plant has the potent power to lighten our load and illuminate our consciousness — but did you know that its delicious aroma alone can unlock some of the same therapeutic benefits? 

When we set out to bottle the magic of cannabis and harness its beautifying benefits, we knew we had to create a way for the plant's mood elevating potential to truly blossom. That's why we infused each of our products with a unique cannabis aromatherapy blend designed to spark multi-sensory, spirit-soothing indulgence.

"I love the scent of Muri Lelu. It's very grounding to me, and the earthiness has become a part of my routine, something I look forward to. A part of the ritual." - Mandy, designer, market editor and mother 

Apply, Inhale, Elevate: How to Create a Multi-Sensory Ritual

Cannabis Terpenes 

WHAT IS CANNABIS AROMATHERAPY?
Cannabis is more than just a pretty scent: it's a functional fragrance with proven benefits for your autonomic nervous system. 

All plants produce their signature scents thanks to compounds called terpenes, which possess therapeutic benefits. In the cannabis plant those benefits are elevated — terpenes in the plant actually amplify the potency of other chemical compounds via a synergistic process know as the entourage effect in which all plant compounds (cannabinoids included) work together to activate ultra-healing mood, mind-body health benefits and enhance overall calm and wellbeing.  

TURNING THE SCENT OF CANNABIS INTO A LUXURY FRAGRANCE 
True to our brand, we tapped into cannabis' ancient aromatic wisdom and elevated it to the highest levels of luxury. We sought out a nose — a trained perfume artist with years of experience translating moods, emotions and memories into fragrance — from the prestigious Southwest of France and challenge them to innovate on nature's greatest funkified aroma. 

The resulting blends capture the authentic intention and use of each of the plant's signature strains, and additionally layer in botanical notes to amplify cannabis' healing benefits.
 

Sativa Cannabis Aromatherapy for Energizing 
Fresh florals and citrus combine in this morning celebratory blend infused in Bloomrise Sativa Serum. Uplifting cannabis aromatherapy that opens a well of clarity and creativity with the first sunrise, when new thoughts begin to blossom. 

Top Notes: Bergamot, Juniper Berries, Lemongrass, Moroccan Neroli, Geranium Rose, Bigarade A

Indica Cannabis Aromatherapy for Relaxing 
Seductive spice meets earthy, grounding herbals in Mauvaise Herbe Indica Oil.
A soothing cannabis aromatherapy blend that restores presence to the body and lulls the mind into total tranquility. 

Top Notes: Sweet Basil, Bergamot, Black Pepper, Clary Sage, Cypress, Lemongrass, Nutmeg, Petitgrain
 

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: CULTIVATING A MULTI-SENSORY RITUAL

A ritual this good shouldn't be rushed. Harness the cannabis aromatherapy infused in our daily skincare duo to quiet the world around you, release yourself from the expectations of others and tap into a sixth sense: the beauty and charisma at the core of who you naturally are. 

Twice a day, take your time and indulge in 3 simple steps to comfort spirit and body in unison. 

APPLY 

Quiet the mind and set an intention as you warm serum or oil up in your hands and massage into your skin. 

INHALE
Pause and notice how the touch of your fingertips feel as they connect to your skin. Breathe and deeply take in the cannabis aromatherapy. 

ELEVATE
Catch a vibe and stay a while. Remain present, and perhaps repeat your intention a few times until it becomes your mantra. Connect to and observe your essence. 

 

Ready to try the ritual for yourself? Shop the cannabis aromatherapy infused Full Flower Ritual now. 

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Why Cannabis Is The All-In-One Complexion Perfector That Works For All Skin Types

Why hemp is an all-in-one complexion perfecter

 
One little plant, a whole lotta drama… 

Cannabis may get a bad rap as one of the most misunderstood plants in recent history, yet underneath the stigmas, taboos, and (not so wise) words of caution are some extremely badass benefits that hold the key to our healthiest selves — and skin. 

This small-but-mighty plant is Muri Lelu’s favorite flower for a reason: It’s a super-ingredient that works harder than nearly any other to keep skin healthy, hydrated and naturally radiant at any age. 

Canna-curious about how this superflower works its magic? Debunk what you’ve heard and keep reading for a no-nonsense guide to understanding full flower cannabis and the major wonders it works for all skin types. 

Why Cannabis is the All-In-One Complexion Perfector That Works For All Skin Types

OUR OBSESSION: HERE’S WHY WE LOVE FULL FLOWER CANNABIS

Dating as far back as Ancient Egypt, full flower cannabis has been prized for its beautifying benefits. In fact, the OG Beauty Queen, Cleopatra, was said to have applied cannabis oil to her skin to keep her looking refreshed and youthful. 

And now, modern day science is unlocking the plant’s millennia-old wisdom.

The long and short of what makes it so beneficial for skin? Simple: Full flower cannabis is one of nature’s most potent anti-inflammatories and anti-oxidants. 

This science-backed truth is why full flower cannabis delivers results for all skin types, including stressed, damaged, sensitive and aging. Numerous studies have confirmed that cannabis has a unique ability to repair and regulate, putting its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits to work on skin from the inside out.

Unmatched when it comes to strengthening the barrier and keeping skin calm and naturally vibrant, full flower cannabis is a must-add to every skin routine — and it’s front-and-center in all of our skincare rituals, including our two-step signature Full Flower Ritual

Now that we’ve clued you in on our crush, continue deep diving with us as we look at some of the science behind how this plant optimizes our skin health.

The 5 benefits you'll instantly see when you add hemp into your skincare.

START WITH THE PLANT: WHAT IS CANNABIS, AND HOW DOES IT WORKS
Before we break down full flower cannabis' extraordinary relationship with our skin, we may benefit from taking a step back to start at the very beginning… 

What exactly is full flower cannabis? 

Full flower cannabis refers to extract from the cannabis sativa plant that preserves its broadest range of therapeutic compounds. Derived from the flowers, buds, stalks, seeds and stems of the plant, this extract contains a wide variety of naturally occurring chemical compounds (along with flavor and fragrance compounds as well).

Muri Lelu's cannabis sativa extract is derived from hemp (not marijuana) varietals of the plant which have been bred to exclusive psychoactive cannabinoids including THC.  

What do these compounds do and why do our bodies (and skin) care? 

Cannabis sets the standard high: It contains over 100 varieties of chemical compounds, which are grouped together in a plant system called the phytocannabinoid system. Working in tandem, these compounds help the plant regulate its own daily functioning and protect itself against environmental aggressors. 

Over time, our bodies have evolved in lock-step with the plant to include a biological network of our own, known as the endocannabinoid system, that controls much of our bodies' functioning. 

Just like a key fits into a lock, cannabis plant compounds activate our endocannabinoid system. When these compounds come into contact with our body, they trigger a host of overall wellness and skin health benefits from increased relaxation, to reduced inflammation (including a reduction in the chronic inflammation that accelerates the visible signs of aging), boosted moisture retention and pain.

The most effective “key” is high quality, full flower cannabis. It harnesses the widest range of therapeutic plant compounds, helping them join forces in a phenomenon known as the “entourage effect” that multiplies the healing benefits.

Why Cannabis Is The All-In-One Complexion Perfector That Works For All Skin Types 

NEXT UP, THE MAGIC: 5 WAYS CANNABIS ENHANCES SKIN AND RESTORES RADIANCE

By now, you’ve learned a lot more about cannabis and how it enhances our functioning. But when it comes to skincare, sometimes you have to see it to believe it — and full flower cannabis delivers big with radiant results. 

Read on for the top 5 benefits you’ll definitely notice once you start incorporating full flower cannabis into your skincare routine. 

1. A resilient and strengthened skin barrier. Skin barriers are all the buzz in beauty lately — and for good reason. Our skin barrier keeps us safe from bacteria and toxins, and preserves the moisture skin needs to stay healthy. 

But when our barrier is compromised by inflammation or everyday environmental factors, it shows up on our skin in the form of increased dryness, redness, irritation and overall sensitivities. A weakened barrier can also open the floodgates for blemishes and acne, especially for those who experience hormonal flare ups to begin with. 

Full flower cannabis to the rescue: As the receptors in our skin come in contact with full flower cannabis extracts, they re-regulate barrier function to keep inflammation at bay. The result is a stronger and healthier barrier that’s restored to healthy functioning.

2. A reduction in the visible signs of aging. In case you missed it: What we refer to as the aging process is, in large part, a byproduct of free radical damage and its effect on the body. 

Free radicals can be produced internally, but they're more often introduced by common outside sources such as pollution, dust, cigarette smoke and more. As skin is continually exposed to free radicals over time, it starts to break down and deteriorate with damage that looks like wrinkles, sagging, dryness, dullness and age spots.

Antioxidants are a powerful natural solution to the havoc that free radicals wreak on our skin. They counteract damage by protecting and preserving our healthy DNA, boosting overall vitality. 

Shown to contain more antioxidant properties than either Vitamin C or E, full flower cannabis is one of nature's most potent antioxidants that can help diminish the visible signs of aging. 

Muri Lelu: luxury skincare made with full flower hemp
3. Deeply hydrated skin that better retains moisture. Full flower cannabis helps us hang on to the good stuff. As an emollient, the plant plays a role in combating water loss by offering a protective layer to the skin barrier that boosts the natural amount of moisture we can retain. 

The excess moisture improves the overall health of the skin and is a powerful antidote for healing inflamed, red and dry skin caused by dehydration. 

Muri Lelu's Bloomrise Sativa Serum was specifically formulated to amplify the plant's hydrating effects, offering intensive triple-hydration grounded in full flower cannabis. 

4. Reduction in flare ups and breakouts. For those prone to breakouts or blemishes, it may seem counterintuitive to use face oils like Muri Lelu's Mauvaise Herbe Indica Oil. But don’t be fooled — one of full flower cannabis' most important regulatory benefits is that it rebalances oil production. 

In constant dialogue with our skin receptors, phytocannabinoids interact with the glands that produce sebum — a major component in acne formation — and ensures that the optimal amount of oil is being produced. 

This prevents either the overproduction or underproduction of oil, treating issues like breakouts and other imperfections that arise from having excessively oily or dry skin. Once oil production is regulated, blemishes may begin to reduce as the skin returns to a natural state of health.

Why Cannabis Is The All-In-One Complexion Perfector That Works For Every Skin Type

5. Calm, soothed and de-stressed skin, even for sensitive or hormonally disrupted types. Full flower cannabis is big on the CHILL! Perhaps the most significant benefit of this powerful anti-inflammatory is its calming, ultra-soothing effect. 

The plant is known to calm painful irritation and reduce redness, making it a wonder-ingredient for those with sensitive skin or skin issues including eczema, rosacea or chronic dryness. 

Full flower cannabis' calming properties also go to work beyond the skin surface, stabilizing dis-regulated hormones that can cause skin to go haywire during times of transition such as the monthly cycle or menopause.

How to get radiant skin with full flower hemp in your routine

THE RESULTS: HOW TO START INCLUDING FULL FLOWER CANNABIS IN YOUR ROUTINE 

The best part about full flower cannabis? It can work its plant magic on virtually all skin types. Sensitive, mature, acne-prone and dry skin will all be soothed, calmed and supported by full flower cannabis  

Its restorative and soothing properties also make full flower cannabis the ideal ingredient for recovery of any type, whether from an especially bad breakout, postpartum disruption, sun damage or more. Consider it the gateway drug to stripping back your routine and making sure you’re focusing on nurturing and nourishing. 

And for those of you tapped into #skincaretok, full flower cannabis is your best bud on recovery night! It will help calm and replenish skin post actives-night. 

ALL IN ALL… 

Each of full flower cannabis' benefits are powerful on their own, but in combination they are nature's most innovative way to support the continued health and vibrancy of our skin throughout our lives and the aging process. Products featuring full flower cannabis, like Muri Lelu's Full Flower Ritual, harness the full potential of this super-ingredient for a radiant complexion. 

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Before & After: Designer, Mother and Market Editor Mandy Coon

Before & After: Designer, Mother and Market Editor Mandy Coon

A few months ago, we reached out to you, our Muri Muse community, to learn more about the impact our Full Flower Ritual has had on your skin health. We've been overwhelmed both by the real-world transformations we've seen, and the perspectives on self-care that you all shared with us. 

Over the next few weeks we'll share a few of our favorite Before & After moments  and introduce you to some of the incredible muses in our community. 

First up: Muri Muse Mandy Coon.  

A jill-of-all-trades who channeled her creativity into her roles as a DJ, designer, market, editor and now mother, Mandy radiates a calm and quiet confidence as she shares stories of bouncing between the city and upstate New York before more recently finding home in California.

In her 40's, Mandy suffered a frustrating bout with perioral dermatits (benign erupts of inflammation that occur most commonly around the mouth and nose). Keep reading for her story of healing and the products that helped her skin get back to healthy again. 

Meet Muri Muse: Designer, DJ, Market Editor & Mother Mandy Coon

 

Muri Lelu: For those who aren’t yet familiar with you, how would you introduce yourself and your creative practices? 

Mandy: I am a designer, mother, and professional enthusiast (that’s how I describe being a market editor). I’ve lived many lives and worn many hats over the years, and these are the hats I’m fortunate to wear today. 

Muri Lelu: Please share your recent skincare journey with us. Describe the issue you were experiencing, what it looked like, what it felt like on your skin (I.e. did you experience pain, itchiness or irritation), and what it made you feel like? 

Mandy: I have sensitive skin that has become drier over time and since moving West. I’ve learned less is more except for 2 things- moisture and sun protection. After I moved here, I thought I was beginning to age rapidly, but after getting into K-Beauty, I realized my skin was actually dehydrated (thanks Gothamista!) due to my new drought-prone surroundings. 

Another big change in my skin that I wish I had heard more women my age talk about is hormonal acne in your late 30’s/40’s. As your body goes through hormonal changes, so can your skin... makes sense, right? I never had serious acne as a teen, so all of a sudden having cystic acne in my 40’s was shocking and confusing. 

I also suspect that my perioral dermatitis was due to hormone changes as well... it takes forever to completely eradicate PD... When you think it might be gone, it pops up in another spot, like a very itchy game of Whack-A-Mole.

I’m the most comfortable I’ve ever been in my 40’s, but I would advise to expect the unexpected when it comes to your skin. 

Before & After with Muri Muse Mandy Coon

Muri Lelu: How did you begin addressing the issue? Did you see a dermatologist or esthetician to help guide you on your healing journey?

Mandy: I tried a few topicals from my doctor when I got desperate enough, but they would seem like they were helping for a few days and then it would flare with a VENGEANCE, proving that wasn’t the route for me. I didn’t want to try oral prescriptives, which consists of weeks to months on oral antibiotics. I feel like destroying my gut is more harmful than an annoying rash on my face. 

Muri Lelu: While in the healing process, what was your routine?

Mandy: My skincare after I figured out I had PD was completely stripped [back to] Osmia Organics cleanser (either the Clay soap or the mud cleanser), their face cream, and always always sunscreen. Osmia is a doctor founded line that is geared towards addressing sensitive skin and issues like excema (of which I also have) and dermatitis.

After about a month, I felt like I needed a little more soothing, so I experimented with products like Muri Lelu's Bloomrise Sativa Serum and May Lindstrom'sThe Blue Cocoon, which both worked wonders.

Before & After with Muri Muse Mandy Coon

Muri Lelu: How did Muri Lelu change your skin? When in the process did you start using it, and what results did you see? How long did that take? 

Mandy: With Bloomrise Sativa Serum alone, I saw a huge difference in inflammation and redness — and as a bonus, I noticed my skin looked bright and some sun discoloration faded.

After a little more time, I felt comfortable enough to add in Muri Lelu's Mauvaise Herbs Indica Oil. I knew it was a risk, because they say oils are a general no-no for PD, but to my surprise and delight, it calmed tremendously and did not trigger a new flare.

So that became my routine for the next 8 months. No actives [just] Osmia cleanser, Bloomrise Sativa Serum, Osmia cream and/or Mauvaise Herbs Indica Oil, May Lindstrom's Blue Cocoon on super irritated spots, and lastly Saint Jane Sun Ritual Sunscreen or Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun SPF (I’m a sunscreen aficionado, and these are two of my all time favorites!). 

Before & After with Muri Muse Mandy Coon

Muri Lelu: What's your current maintenance routine to preserve your skin health at the moment?   

Mandy: Now that my PD has alleviated, I’ve slightly added to my routine [with] Violette FR Boum Boum Milk, which is great for inflammation and hydration, Monastery Made Attar, a beautiful balm, and Saint Jane Overnight Repair with Retinol (once a week).

I found that after stripping back and doing the minimum [with] just extremely soothing, nourishing products, my skin looked bright and healthy. So I’m not in a hurry to add any actives... In my case, less is more!

Before & After with Muri Muse Mandy Coon

Muri Lelu: You're living in California now, after spending several years in NY. Has shifting from one coast to another changed the way you think about style, beauty and self care? Have you introduced any new approaches? 

Mandy: Things are definitely more laid back here. No one is in a hurry, and people tend to appreciate being intentional and genuine.  It took a long time, motherhood, and a pandemic to unlearn the mindset that I need to constantly be “busy” and that my work is my worth. 

I own lounge wear now (seriously, I bought my first pair of sweatpants during the pandemic)! I prioritize comfort! I wear (some) color! And I really value taking time for myself now, whether that’s a long bath or reading a book or my skincare regimen...

As for general lessons learned: slowing down and taking time for myself are both ok. I should always try to give myself grace and patience. Work is not life, and it’s important to be present and enjoy life when I can. I think I’ve become a better, more intentional and present parent and person since learning these things. 

 

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Why Hemp Is The All-In-One Complexion Perfector That Works For All Skin Types

Why Hemp Is The All-In-One Complexion Perfector That Works For All Skin Types

Why hemp is an all-in-one complexion perfecter

 

One little plant, a whole lotta drama… 

Hemp may get a bad rap as one of the most misunderstood plants in recent history, yet underneath the stigmas, taboos, and (not so wise) words of caution are some extremely badass benefits that hold the key to our healthiest selves — and skin. 

This small-but-mighty plant is Muri Lelu’s favorite flower for a reason: It’s a super-ingredient that works harder than nearly any other to keep skin healthy, hydrated and naturally radiant at any age. 

Canna-curious about how hemp works its magic? Debunk what you’ve heard and keep reading for a no-nonsense guide to understanding full flower hemp and the major wonders it works for all skin types — plus, how you can sample its potent benefits for free, on us

FREE SAMPLES: Try Muri Lelu's Full Flower Ritual ($27 value) FREE with code TRYME

OUR OBSESSION: HERE’S WHY WE LOVE FULL FLOWER HEMP 

Dating as far back as Ancient Egypt, full flower hemp has been prized for its beautifying benefits. In fact, the OG Beauty Queen, Cleopatra, was said to have applied hemp oil to her skin to keep her looking refreshed and youthful. 

And now, modern day science is unlocking the plant’s millennia-old wisdom.

The long and short of what makes it so beneficial for skin? Simple: Full flower hemp is one of nature’s most potent anti-inflammatories and anti-oxidants. 

This science-backed truth is why full flower hemp delivers results for all skin types, including stressed, damaged, sensitive and aging. Numerous studies have confirmed that hemp has a unique ability to repair and regulate, putting its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits to work on skin from the inside out.

Unmatched when it comes to strengthening the barrier and keeping skin calm and naturally vibrant, full flower hemp is a must-add to every skin routine — and it’s front-and-center in all of our skincare rituals, including our two-step signature Full Flower Ritual

Now that we’ve clued you in on our crush, continue deep diving with us as we look at some of the science behind how this plant optimizes our skin health.

The 5 benefits you'll instantly see when you add hemp into your skincare.

START WITH THE PLANT: WHAT IS HEMP, AND HOW DOES IT WORKS
Before we break down full flower hemp’s extraordinary relationship with our skin, we may benefit from taking a step back to start at the very beginning… 

What exactly is full flower hemp? 

Full flower hemp refers to extract from the hemp plant that preserves its broadest range of therapeutic compounds. Derived from the flowers, buds, stalks, seeds and stems of the plant, this extract contains a wide variety of naturally occurring chemical compounds (along with flavor and fragrance compounds as well).

What do these compounds do and why do our bodies (and skin) care? 

Hemp sets the standard high: It contains over 100 varieties of chemical compounds, which are grouped together in a plant system called the phytocannabinoid system. Working in tandem, these compounds help the plant regulate its own daily functioning and protect itself against environmental aggressors. 

Over time, our bodies have evolved in lock-step with the plant to include a biological network of our own, known as the endocannabinoid system, that controls much of our bodies' functioning. 

Just like a key fits into a lock, hemp plant compounds activate our endocannabinoid system. When these compounds come into contact with our body, they trigger a host of overall wellness and skin health benefits from increased relaxation, to reduced inflammation (including a reduction in the chronic inflammation that accelerates the visible signs of aging), boosted moisture retention and pain.

The most effective “key” is high quality, full flower hemp. It harnesses the widest range of therapeutic plant compounds, helping them join forces in a phenomenon known as the “entourage effect” that multiplies the healing benefits. 

FREE SAMPLES: Try Muri Lelu's Full Flower Ritual on us. A $27 value FREE with code TRYME

NEXT UP, THE MAGIC: 5 WAYS HEMP ENHANCES SKIN AND RESTORES RADIANCE

By now, you’ve learned a lot more about hemp and how it enhances our functioning. But when it comes to skincare, sometimes you have to see it to believe it — and full flower hemp delivers big with radiant results. 

Read on for the top 5 benefits you’ll definitely notice once you start incorporating full flower hemp into your skincare routine. 

1. A resilient and strengthened skin barrier. Skin barriers are all the buzz in beauty lately — and for good reason. Our skin barrier keeps us safe from bacteria and toxins, and preserves the moisture skin needs to stay healthy. 

But when our barrier is compromised by inflammation or everyday environmental factors, it shows up on our skin in the form of increased dryness, redness, irritation and overall sensitivities. A weakened barrier can also open the floodgates for blemishes and acne, especially for those who experience hormonal flare ups to begin with. 

Full flower hemp to the rescue: As the receptors in our skin come in contact with full flower hemp extracts, they re-regulate barrier function to keep inflammation at bay. The result is a stronger and healthier barrier that’s restored to healthy functioning.

2. A reduction in the visible signs of aging. In case you missed it: What we refer to as the aging process is, in large part, a byproduct of free radical damage and its effect on the body. 

Free radicals can be produced internally, but they're more often introduced by common outside sources such as pollution, dust, cigarette smoke and more. As skin is continually exposed to free radicals over time, it starts to break down and deteriorate with damage that looks like wrinkles, sagging, dryness, dullness and age spots.

Antioxidants are a powerful natural solution to the havoc that free radicals wreak on our skin. They counteract damage by protecting and preserving our healthy DNA, boosting overall vitality. 

Shown to contain more antioxidant properties than either Vitamin C or E, full flower hemp is one of nature's most potent antioxidants that can help diminish the visible signs of aging.

 

Muri Lelu: luxury skincare made with full flower hemp
3. Deeply hydrated skin that better retains moisture. Full flower hemp helps us hang on to the good stuff. As an emollient, the plant plays a role in combating water loss by offering a protective layer to the skin barrier that boosts the natural amount of moisture we can retain. 

The excess moisture improves the overall health of the skin and is a powerful antidote for healing inflamed, red and dry skin caused by dehydration. 

Muri Lelu's Bloomrise Sativa Serum was specifically formulated to amplify the plant's hydrating effects, offering intensive triple-hydration grounded in full flower hemp. 

4. Reduction in flare ups and breakouts. For those prone to breakouts or blemishes, it may seem counterintuitive to use face oils like Muri Lelu's Mauvaise Herbe Indica Oil. But don’t be fooled — one of full flower hemp’s most important regulatory benefits is that it rebalances oil production. 

In constant dialogue with our skin receptors, phytocannabinoids interact with the glands that produce sebum — a major component in acne formation — and ensures that the optimal amount of oil is being produced. 

This prevents either the overproduction or underproduction of oil, treating issues like breakouts and other imperfections that arise from having excessively oily or dry skin. Once oil production is regulated, blemishes may begin to reduce as the skin returns to a natural state of health.

Claim your Free Samples Today! Try Muri Lelu's Full Flower Ritual FREE - just pay for shipping.

5. Calm, soothed and de-stressed skin, even for sensitive or hormonally disrupted types. Full flower hemp is big on the CHILL! Perhaps the most significant benefit of this powerful anti-inflammatory is its calming ultra-soothing effect. 

The plant is known to calm painful irritation and reduce redness, making it a wonder-ingredient for those with sensitive skin or skin issues including eczema, rosacea or chronic dryness. 

Full flower hemp's calming properties also go to work beyond the skin surface, stabilizing dis-regulated hormones that can cause skin to go haywire during times of transition such as the monthly cycle or menopause.

How to get radiant skin with full flower hemp in your routine

THE RESULTS: HOW TO START INCLUDING FULL FLOWER HEMP IN YOUR ROUTINE 

The best part about full flower hemp? It can work its plant magic on virtually all skin types. Sensitive, mature, acne-prone and dry skin will all be soothed, calmed and supported by full flower hemp.  

Its restorative and soothing properties also make full flower hemp the ideal ingredient for recovery of any type, whether from an especially bad breakout, postpartum disruption, sun damage or more. Consider it the gateway drug to stripping back your routine and making sure you’re focusing on nurturing and nourishing. 

And for those of you tapped into #skincaretok, full flower hemp is your best bud on recovery night! It will help calm and replenish skin post actives-night. 

ALL IN ALL… 

Each of full flower hemp’s benefits are powerful on their own, but in combination they are nature's most innovative way to support the continued health and vibrancy of our skin throughout our lives and the aging process. Products featuring full flower hemp, like Muri Lelu's Full Flower Ritual, harness the full potential of this super-ingredient for a radiant complexion. 

But don't just believe what you read... For a limited time, we're offering you the chance to experience the magic yourself. Claim Your Deluxe Samples of Muri Lelu's Full Flower Ritual now for FREE! All you pay is shipping.

This offer ends soon, so make sure you take advantage before it goes up in smoke. 

Claim your FREE Deluxe Samples of Muri Lelu's Full Flower Ritual, inspired by the magic of hemp.

 

 

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Muri Muse: Ries Beauty Founder Megan Graham

Muri Muse: Ries Beauty Founder Megan Graham

Muri Muse: Megan Graham, Founder of Ries

First things first: Megan Graham is a woman after our own heart. 

Driven by insatiable wanderlust, Megan is the founder of Ries Beauty, a new brand that absolutely needs to be on your radar. Born out of the desire to create a better experience for People of Color who lacked reliable ways to travel with hair care products, Ries is the first collection of refillable travel beauty containers made from sustainable materials.

We recently caught up with Megan to talk travel hacks, tackling sustainability and the beauty of anthuriums in full bloom. 

Ries Beauty
Muri Lelu: For those who aren’t yet familiar with you or Ries, how would you introduce yourself and your work? 

Megan: Ries makes the only refillable, reusable travel-size bottle designed for beauty. We’re all about the freedom to take care - of yourself and the environment. Ries is the thoughtful way to be on the move with your beauty routine.

ML: Ries is disrupting the way we prioritize beauty-on-the-road by allowing us (especially POC) to take more of their products along with them. What inspired you to start the brand? 

Megan: I spent years traveling the world, working for brands like Vogue and Allure. But every time I'd pack my suitcase, I'd face the same issue: low quality bottles made of virgin plastic that were impossible to reuse or the haircare products I was using not available in a convenient travel size. 

Ries was born out of a need to travel with curly hair care products in a less wasteful, more functional way. But Ries isn’t just for hair care - it’s for everything from your body lotions to face cleansers.  
Megan Graham, Founder of Ries Beauty
ML: Your product offering is innovating the way that the beauty industry thinks about the travel category. There are SO many minis that, while useful, are also wasteful. Ries flips "throwaway" beauty on its head in favor of greater intention. How did you approach innovation when it came to building the product? What was that process of fine-tuning like?
Megan: For me, the process of creating a more sustainable product was answering the question of, “How do we do the most good?”
The beauty industry is responsible for 151 Billion pieces of single use plastic being produced every single year. It’s an incomprehensible number. When you realize that a third of all waste in landfills comes from the beauty industry, it’s both incomprehensible and really quite depressing. 
The idea with Ries was to take one bad actor in that industry - travel sizes and minis - and create something truly reusable and made from kinder materials (PCR.) We consulted with experts in raw materials, recycling and sustainable design to create the product you see on shelves today. It took many iterations over many years, but our goal is to continue to innovate on every aspect of The Essential Reusable Travel Bottle as new resources become available. 
ML: How does that conscientious and thoughtful approach carry over into your personal travel ethos? Do you stay mindful about issues such as sustainability or cultural impact while traveling? 

Megan: I’ve always been a bit of an urban hippie at heart, but a bit of a hypocritical one at that. Airline travel is not the most sustainable practice and I cringe sometimes at thinking at how many miles I’ve logged in my career. 

But it’s very important to remember that most climate issues are caused by large corporations and the oil and gas industries. Amazon’s carbon footprint alone is larger than the entire global airline industry combined. 

When I do travel, I prefer to stay in places for at least 7-10 days in order to integrate into my surroundings as much as possible. I tend to eschew AirBnbs and hotel chains, opting for payment-free home exchanges with like-minded travelers. It helps get a better sense of what inhabiting a city or town is really like and I tend to meet great neighbors and connect with more local vendors than I would otherwise.
Megan Graham, Founder of Ries
ML: The definition of self-care is, at its core, a well-rounded practice of replenishing the self. When you strip it all back, what do you consider essential acts of self-care? 


Megan: When I’m really taking care of myself, I’m starting my day with meditation (15 minutes is a sweet spot), spending time in nature (usually a daily walk) and taking an hour to immerse myself in whatever book I’m reading (currently Ashley Ford’s memoir Somebody’s Daughter.) 

Lately, and as an entrepreneur, it’s been a miracle if just one of those things happens during my day. 
ML: Favorite Flower? 

Megan: White lilies and red anthuriums are typically always in bloom somewhere around my house. The anthurium has become a bit of a recurring theme for Ries. 

ML: Most subversive thing you've done lately? 

Megan: There are so many ways in which starting a company in a capitalistic society is the least subversive thing possible ha!  But there is subversion in calling out the beauty industry for its contribution to climate change and wasteful practices while working to be a small part of the solution to those issues.

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Muri Muse: Esthetician and Plant Medicine Advocate Shae Johnson

Muri Muse: Esthetician and Plant Medicine Advocate Shae Johnson

Muri Muse: Shae Johnson

From our very first call with Shae Johnson (@northandstate_estheticsstudio) — esthetician and founder of natural skin services destination North & State — it was apparent we had met someone as passionate about plants as we are.

A staunch advocate of hemp’s ability to holistically heal mind, body and skin, Shae is part of a new wave of estheticians bringing plant medicine into treatment rooms and using it to repair clients’ compromised skin.

We caught up with Shae for conversation on self-care, feeling beautiful in your skin and how our favorite flower helps skin thrive. Read highlights from our chat below and during September tune into our Instagram for exclusive education, tutorials and a behind-the-scenes facial with Shae.

Muri Lelu: For those who aren't familiar with you or your work, please introduce yourself! 

Shae Johnson: Hi yes, my name is Shae and I am an Esthetician specializing in plant focused and natural skin care services at North & State - a private studio outside of Minneapolis, MN. My focus is relaxing and healing facials as well as brow art! 

ML: How did your journey into being an esthetician begin? How did you end up opening your practice today? 

SJ: So I always say I grew up in the industry & my mom is still a practicing barber/cosmetologist of 40 + years! I became fascinated by the work of Estheticians as a young adult when I first learned it was such a niche group of service providers at the time. I really liked the dynamic of the Estheticians I began to know in the industry. I started out in makeup (of course) and quickly realized I was way more intrigued in advancing my practice beyond just making people look and feel beautiful with cosmetics.  

Muri Muse: Esthetician and Plant Medicine Advocate Shae Johnson

ML: Muri Lelu is all about unlocking the holistic benefits of all botanicals, including ones that have been overlooked or considered taboo. For a plant like hemp which (unfortunately) still carries a stigma, how do you typically get your clients to begin considering its beautifying benefits? 

SJ: It’s so funny because I think it’s ridiculous that people can legally smoke cigarettes knowing what we know but then we still have to regularly defend a plant with more healing benefits than you can keep track of. And that’s exactly how I explain it to my clients and to anyone who will listen really. So many mainstream commercial brands and products out there are either using plants, or more often synthetic ingredients that act like plants - it makes more sense to me to use ethically harvested plants with proven potent benefits to cure and heal us vs synthetic ingredients or animal derived chemicals that don’t even preform with the same efficacy. 

ML: What types of skin would you typically recommend products with full flower hemp for? As an esthetician, what do you see as the most impactful benefits of this super ingredient? 

SJ: I regularly suggest that anyone use full flower hemp, or at least try it in their skincare routine if they have not. It’s so effective in what it can do for dry or sensitive skin but I also suggest clients to use [it] for hydration and and balance - keeping that outer layer of our skin healthy and bright. It’s also sebum balancing - so we know if someone is over producing bacterial oil, full flower hemp can help regulate that. I really do believe anyone can use [this plant] for healing skincare purposes. 

ML: You champion the healing powers of plant medicine across both your esthetician practice and your own wellness and self-care practices. What drew you to more holistic modalities of healing and what were some of the easiest things you did to begin making a more conscious shift in your daily routine? 

SJ: So I think every year I feel a little more connected with nature than the last. Growing up and still to this day, my mother takes great pride in gardening. She always instilled in us the importance of eating things from the earth. We spent a lot of time in the garden and outside as kids and I grew akin to trusting plants and nature as being the most beneficial things for our body. The “easiest” shift for me was quitting alcohol! I know that sounds extremely difficult - and it is in this world - but when I quit drinking I started to become more and more interested and aware in the ways of preserving my body and caring for myself. 

ML: The definition of self-care continues to expand and shift, sometimes drifting far from what it is at its core: a well-rounded practice of replenishing the self. When you strip it all back, what do you consider essential acts of self-care? 

SJ: At the absolute core of self-care to me means caring for your nervous system, your mind and body. Massaging your face for even 60 seconds a day can shift your mood and mental well being. Being given a facial massage for 60minutes can reset your nervous system and calm your anxiety. Of course rewarding ourselves with acts of kindness and the occasional material possession is instant gratification, but to deeply care for yourself and/or schedule time to be taken care of, is invaluably beneficial.  

ML: When do you feel most beautiful in your own skin?

SJ: When I am in the water and in the sun! I always feel my best externally and internally when I am near or in water for sure. 

 

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Muri Muse: Author & Perfumer Tanaïs

Muri Muse: Author and Perfumer Tanaïs

Author & Perfumer Tanaïs, at home in Brooklyn
Image Credit: Chanel Matsunami Govreau
It’s hard to remember when we first came across Tanaïs.
Perhaps it was in hearing about the release of their second novel In Sensorium: Notes for my People, or perhaps it was in seeing a glint of the shimmering pink lip oils from their namesake beauty brand. Or maybe, it was after taking in a first, deep inhale of their Heart Chakra fragrance — a lusciously layered perfume grounded in the delicious funk of cannabis’ signature terpene profiles.
But in that moment, we instantly knew we had found a kindred spirit.
A gifted artist, Tanaïs forges new pathways for storytelling, self-exploration and self-celebration with each new creative medium they take on. We caught up with our latest Muri Muse at home in Brooklyn to trade beauty secrets, talk the art of fragrance, and spark it up.
Author & Perfumer Tanaïs, at home in Brooklyn
Image Credit: Chanel Matsunami Govreau

Muri Lelu: For those who aren’t yet familiar with you or haven’t read your books In Sensorium: Notes For My People or Bright Lines, how would you introduce yourself and your work? 

Tanaïs: Let's start with my name, or renaming, I should say, Tanaïs, a portmanteau of my birth name, Tanwi Nandini Islam, which tells you a lot if you know what you're listening for. I wanted to evoke these specific spiritual, religious and cultural lineages of Bangladesh—Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim—in a single breath. I am a writer, but I've been a community organizer, a domestic violence advocate, a youth theater arts educator—I have always centered my work on brown-skinned queer and femme people. I have always wanted to show the power of our interconnected quests for liberation, our queerness, our beauty, our artistic and intellectual endeavors. The way we are disregarded by the dominant culture is simply not real—it is violently upheld—and I want us to be free.

I'm interested in exploring the raw messiness of sex and sexuality and spirituality, the way desire and annihilation are intertwined, unraveling toxic inheritances of colonialism—borders, white supremacy war, nation-states and nationalism, capitalism. My people died for their liberation, and also enacted violence in the name of it—working with the complex, the contradictory turns me on as a writer. I want to write toward freedom and solidarity, a world where class, caste, race, religion, gender, ability, sexuality and color is not weaponized against us. Perfuming is a wordless, boundless, borderless, liquid and sensuous version of all that I am interested in writing.

Muri Muse: Author & Perfumer Tanaïs
Image Credit: Chanel Matsunami Govreau

ML: In Sensorium is a powerful exploration of your identity as a queer, Bangladeshi Muslim femme. Does your brand continue that work by forging safe spaces for celebration and affirmation? 

Tanaïs: There is such a profound beauty I see in my people, the way our ancestors have mixed across ethnic groups over eons leaves an imprint on us today—I want to share that with the world. I often work with models who are Bangladeshi queer and femme people, but I think it's so important to dialogue and create community beyond this "representation matters" rhetoric, which actually centers the most privileged folks in the South Asian diaspora. I want to highlight folks who own their own center, even as they are relegated to the margins. I love to throw parties where we dance and celebrate with each other, where we feed and nourish each other. 

 

Muri Muse: Author & Perfumer Tanaïs

Image Credit: Chanel Matsunami Govreau 

ML: Our brands share a similar fascination with the mesmerizing aroma of cannabis... in fact your HEART CHAKRA collection is dedicated to it. We love it because of its potential for multidimensional healing — as a storyteller, what does this beautiful flowering plant reveal for you?

Tanaïs: Heart Chakra and Muri Lelu are definitely kindred body elixirs, which I love! I smoked, nibbled and tinctured so much weed while writing my book during the pandemic. I needed the medicine, I needed to be held by nature and go into dream states where I felt my imagination go a bit wild. Weed for me is about undoing structures that bind us, it reinvigorated my appetite which I lost when I had COVID. It's funny, right now, I'm actually on a little hiatus from smoking to heal my lungs and be present in my raw feelings, raw-dogging reality, as they say. The beauty of marijuana for me starts with choosing the right strain, the way it smells in the air-tight bag. I love cannabis funk, the terpenes of pinene, limonene, linalool, and recreating a batch of weed as a perfume was such a fun experiment. My Beauty Director Talysha Monée gifted me some homegrown herb she named Quarantine Dream, and I replicated this as a perfume with grapefruit, balsam pine, lavender, rose and jasmine notes. Each batch of Heart Chakra has its own smell, akin to the way each strain has its own distinct aroma.

Muri Muse: Author & Writer Tanaïs

Image Credit: Chanel Matsunami Govreau 

 

ML: What does your daily skincare routine look like? 

Tanaïs: At 39, my skincare ritual is a source of joy for me now, which is not something I felt a few years back when I was struggling with hormonal acne, this transitional skin between your 20s and 30s that can be very jarring! 

I wash my face with MS Skincare MANTRAa cleanser with tulsi, turmeric, neem and it's gentle but strong enough to wash away makeup. I always double cleanse my face with MANTRA. Afterward, I use RANAVAT Royal Refresh Jasmine Mist, which smells like a night blooming jasmine garden and prepares my face for MS Skincare ENLIGHTEN, a gentle re-texturizing glycolic treatment that resurfaces skin, fades pigmented spots and sloughs off dead skin cells, something that gets harder as you get older. When those dead skin cells clog your pores, you get acne, so it's super important to exfoliate. I find gentle acids work best for me, rather than scrubs.

To moisturize, I mix my MURI LELU Mauvaise Herbe Indica oil with a pearl-size amount of MS Skincare Rosewater Cream and massage this on my face and neck, making sure to stroke up my cheeks, neck and forehead to stimulate blood flow. No matter how tired I am, I make sure I do this every single night and I do it all again in the morning!

My favorite SPF is EVEREDEN Sheer Botanical Facial Sunscreen - it's mineral based, not chemical based, but once you rub it in, it does not leave a harsh white cast (especially if you mix it into your foundation) which is a miracle for those of us with brown skin!

Muri Muse: Author & Writer Tanaïs

Image Credit: Chanel Matsunami Govreau 

ML: Beauty (and fragrance in particular) is notoriously gate-kept... many of the people working at the upper echelons of the industry are white men. How has creating your own brand empowered you to subvert and challenge that establishment? 

Tanaïs: When these gatekeepers, Masters and classically-trained experts don't even know you exist, don't even know the power of what you create—you're free to imagine your own version. I honestly smelled my way through natural essential oils, resins and absolutes first, as if I didn't have the right to work with fine perfumery aromachemicals—that's how awful imposter syndrome can be, it can keep you from even trying. But when I wanted to expand my perfumer's palette, I knew I wanted to incorporate aroma chemicals, which took my work to another level, where I learned to deepen notes,  extend the way a perfume lives on the body. My perfumes evoke very distinct places—a flower garland shop in New Delhi, the waxy narcotic notes of tropical flowers on Kauai, fresh citrus and pine cannabis terpene notes —and they are not restricted by dominant white French perfume culture ideas, they're drawn from scent cultures that pre-date that European mode. 

ML: Favorite Flower? 

Tanaïs: I love hibiscus. They don't smell fragrant like so many flowers but they' re gorgeous, showy and tropical, all my favorite ways to be!

 

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Muri on the Move: June Events Recap

Muri on the Move: June Events Recap

Muri Lelu: High Teas & Infusions Collection Launch Event
In the lead-up to Muri Lelu's 2nd year anniversary — and in celebration of our limited-edition High Teas & Infusions Collection launch — we took advantage of the gorgeous start-of-summer weather here in New York to curate a few beautiful moments in collaboration with some of the friends we've made since our launch. 

As a brand that debuted during the early days of COVID-19 pandemic, much of our community has been home-grown online and across digital channels. To say we were inspired to finally meet friends old and new that have supported us along this journey in person is an understatement! Join us as we recap all the joy sparked in June. 
Muri Lelu High Teas & Infusions Launch in conversation with The Black Beauty Club
1. WE HOSTED OUR FIRST-EVER BRAND LAUNCH EVENT IN NEW YORK 
Tea and conversation flowed effortlessly on a perfect afternoon in June at the official High Teas & Infusions Collection launch event, hosted in collaboration with The Black Beauty Club.  The group of beauty lovers, industry insiders and tastemakers reflected on how important it is to invest in ourselves, and how rituals of self-care can empower us to engage in meaningful community care.  
Hosted at The Little Shop (a secret speakeasy in the back of a bodega), we created a floral wonderland for the afternoon with cakes by Pelah Kitchen piled high and beautiful bouquets by Kindred Twines
Muri Lelu High Teas & Infusions Launch Event
Muri Lelu's Founder in conversation 

MURI LELU HIGH TEAS & INFUSIONS LAUNCH EVENT
Cakes by Pelah Kitchen 
Muri Lelu High Teas & Infusions Launch Event
Muri Lelu High Teas & Infusions Launch Event
Our Chai Tea Blend on tap 
Muri Lelu High Teas & Infusions Launch Event
Our Founder & The Black Beauty Club 
2. WE POPPED UP WITH SOME OF OUR FAVORITE STOCKISTS 
Muri Lelu High Tea Service at Scout by Jenn
Garden High Tea & Infusions Party at Scout

We hosted an afternoon of tea service at the boutique Luminous in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ that evolved into an open and emotional conversation around shattering the lingering stigma around flower and other plant medicines. Luminous founder Erika Menanteaux is always down to get educated and push the boundaries on conversations of self care, and this event did not disappoint! 

Muri Lelu x Luminous
Our Founder & Erika Meanteaux of Luminous
Later in the month, we co-hosted a tea and rose garden party with our friends Madame Gabriela at the stunning Scout by Jenn boutique in Pound Ridge, New York. Founded by celebrity makeup artist Jenn Streicher, it's a haven for beauty lovers to play, experiment and discover new clean brands. We sipped on our High Tea & Infusions blends and mingled with some of our long-time customers.
Mingling at our High Tea Garden Party at Scout
Mingling with some of our long-time customers at Scout! 
Celebrity Makeup Artist Jenn Streicher enjoying tea and treats
Celebrity makeup artist Jenn Streicher with tea and treats
3. SEEN & SPOTTED AT NY TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR & CHEF ANDY BARAGHANI'S BOOK CELEBRATION 
Muri Lelu was on display in a big way at the best-selling author and chef Andy Baraghani's book celebration in New York! We teamed up with our friend DeVonn Francis of culinary collective Yardy to support the moment — a banger of an event that was covered in Vogue. 

SEEN & SPOTTED AT NY TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR & CHEF ANDY BARAGHANI'S BOOK CELEBRATION
Muri Lelu Seen and Spotted 
Seen & Spotted at NY Times Best-Selling Author & Chef Andy Baraghani's Book Launch
Andy Baraghani's best-selling The Cook You Want to Be 
SEEN & SPOTTED AT NY TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR & CHEF ANDY BARAGHANI'S BOOK CELEBRATION
DeVonn Francis & Andy Baraghani 
SEEN & SPOTTED AT NY TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR & CHEF ANDY BARAGHANI'S BOOK CELEBRATION
Cakes by Yardy 
 

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