Conscious Creators is a series to share the people we admire and who inspire us. These people have consciously created businesses, often against the grain of the conventional norm, with spirit and soul.
We discover why they created their brands, their lifestyle and little beauty tricks they’ve learnt along the way.

 

 

 

This week we speak to Sharon McGlinchey, founder of MV Skintherapy. Sharon, a pioneer in the natural beauty space, created her skincare line for those with skin sensitivities in mind. With a global cult following made up of editors, makeup artists, influencers and celebrities including Emma Watson, Alicia Keys, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Poppy and Cara Delevingne and Brooke Shields, it’s no wonder that the brand has taken off all over the world. Every formulation harness the very best of what nature has to offer, without a hint of compromise when it comes to quality and purpose.

 

What did you do before creating MV Skintherapy?

I worked in the fashion industry until 1991 then, in my late 20’s, I trained to become a Beauty Therapist. I worked in a salon for a few years then left to work from a home studio.

 

What made you decide to do it?

It was during this time working from my home studio that I accidentally fell into natural skincare formulating while trying to help a client who’d developed a serious petrochemical sensitivity. It was definitely not something I had ever planned to do.

 

Where did the name come from?

MV stands for ‘My Vision My Values’. It was clear 21 years ago that my vision and my value system were very different to mainstream beauty. I believed in total transparency, no marketing jargon and a ‘less is more’ approach that centred around being kind to the skin.

 

Which three words sum up your approach to beauty?

Less is More!

 

How do you like to exercise?

Yoga and walking

 

What is your favourite beauty food?

Chia Seed Passionfruit Pudding – it’s a great start to the day and so easy to prepare the night before.

Chia has more Omega 3’s than salmon – big tick!

Loads of fibre – soluble and insoluble – another big tick!

Some really important minerals including zinc, potassium, iron and calcium – big tick!

PLUS a delicious burst of Vit C from Passionfruit.

Honey to sweeten and I always add a few organic coconut cream ice cubes to the oat milk I soak the seeds in.

Natural yoghurt to top off this tropical breakfast delight so I’m getting a little extra protein and calcium to0 – a win-win!

CHIA SEED PASSIONFRUIT PUDDING RECIPE

1/2 a cup of chia seeds

1 1/2 cups of oat milk

2 coconut cream ice cubes

2 teaspoons of *honey or maple syrup

*if using honey, dissolve in a tablespoon of warm water first

Mix the honey or syrup through then pour  into glass tumblers until 3/4 full and cover with waxed paper.

Soak the above in the fridge overnight then top with fresh passionfruit pulp, a dollop of natural yoghurt and a sprinkle of coconut flakes – yum!

 

Are you hooked on any health trends right now?

No – trends have never been my thing. Also, I feel extremely fortunate that I met a well known Sydney Herbalist and Naturopath over 30 years ago who changed the way I thought about what I put into my body. To this day I still follow Robyn Kirby’s principles – she was ahead of her time and inspired a lot of people to follow in her footsteps.

 

Which podcasts can you recommend?

Can’t go past Mia Freedman

 

Any must read books or must-see films to share?

The last film I saw before lock down was the latest Guy Richie movie – Gentlemen. It was Richie at his absolute best and the cast was a stroke of genius.

 

How do you refill your cup at the end of a busy day?

I make a cup of Rooibus tea as soon as I get home, I then sit in my comfy chair for at least 15 -20 minutes and just look out at the view I have of beautiful trees and the distant city skyline.

 

What kind of energy do you try to bring to daily life? And what do you do to reset on those days when life feels chaotic or out of control?

I try to bring laughter to my day as laughter is always good for the soul and when laughter just doesn’t cut the mustard I excuse myself and go the bathroom where I belly breath with my eyes closed until I feel calm and grounded.

 

What’s your all time favourite beauty trick?

A lash curler

 

The best piece of advice you’ve ever read or received?

A post it note a friend gave me over 20 years ago that simple said ‘What anyone else thinks about me in none of my business’.

 

Where do you go to feel inspired?

An evening walk along Balmoral Beach

 

What is next for you?

Finally making some time to dabble in watercolour painting as I bought the paints, brushes and paper almost 18 months ago!!

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