I recently attended the Indie Beauty Expo where I had the pleasure of meeting and re-connecting with the founders, creators, and teams representing the products I personally use on a daily basis… and was able to make new connections and explore new (for me) brands and experience new products ‘hands on’. During my visit, I spoke with Katya Slepak, founder of Malaya Organics based in Brooklyn, NY. Katya’s passion for her line and positive energy was obvious from the minute we started talking. Katya generously agreed to share her insights on Inner Bliss and Outer Beauty with us. I hope you find Katya’s words as inspirational as I do!
1) How were you inspired to find your calling and how it has evolved? What is on the horizon for you?
I worked in the cosmetics industry for years but I became so disenchanted with conventional formulas once I found out how toxic they were to our bodies and our environment. My true inspiration came out of learning how to care for my very problematic skin from inside out, through eliminating synthetic ingredients from my skincare regimen and altering my diet to mostly organic and plant based. Since my skin is so demanding it was very difficult for me to find even natural products that created balance and improvement. So I decided to learn how to make products for my own skin and hair needs. Quickly I realized that not only did I have talent for formulating, I finally had products that I loved.
There are many exciting things happening for Malaya Organics. We have several new formulas due to launch and a very busy holiday season ahead.
2) How do you re-connect to that original calling on a daily basis?
When I need grounding I usually turn to meditation and prayer, and a few more grounding methods –
– Chakra meditation, channeling white light, prayer, yoga;
– Books by Eckhart Tolle, Jed McKenna, Chogyam Trungpa, Daniel Odier;
– Connecting w my spiritual mentor and friend; and,
– Being mindful with the food I consume and getting restful sleep.
3) Where do you look for new inspiration?
Travel, nature, bodies of water. I get truly moved and inspired by being out of the city and connecting to patcha mama. I feel recharged and energized. Tons of new ideas for my formulas and developing spurt during my travels.
I also get very inspired while I’m in the studio formulating. I have so many new ideas come up while I’m in the production space.
4) How can your work positively impact a woman’s inner bliss and outer radiance?
Several of my loyal customers shared with me on numerous occasions that using products from our line makes them feel beautiful. The feeling of beauty is not just an external experience however.
I believe we feel most beautiful when we feel well – body and mind… Wellness is a blissful experience that radiates outside of ourselves thus making our outer beauty shine even brighter.”
Katya Slepak
Several of my loyal customers shared with me on numerous occasions that using products from our line makes them feel beautiful. The feeling of beauty is not just an external experience however. I believe we feel most beautiful when we feel well – body and mind. I created my line with the intention of not just beautifying externally but also creating a self-care ritual that makes us feel good with ourselves inside and out. When we care for ourselves we generally feel well. Wellness is a blissful experience that radiates outside of ourselves thus making our outer beauty shine even brighter.
5) What does the phrase ‘inner bliss and outer radiance’ mean to you?
Inner bliss – to me inner bliss means finding your calling and following it, mindfulness, being in the present moment, accepting and loving yourself just as you are.
Outer radiance – Cultivating external beauty in a loving and natural way can definitely make a girl feel her outer radiance glow, however, I believe we are most radiant when we find inner bliss.
Katya Slepak is the founder of Brooklyn, NY-based Malaya Organics. Find out more at www.mayaorganics.com
