Q&A with Effie

What are your other passions (besides hair, makeup and photography)? 

Food, my dogs, travel, and makeovers!

Food.

I’m a total foodie! It’s about quality and not quantity for me. I love eating so much that I had to learn how to cook! And thankfully enough I’m not so bad at it ;). I also enjoy dining out and trying all kinds of cuisines. But I have to confess, I have a guilty pleasure: Potato chips. I have a drawer full of every kind of potato chip man ever created ;)

My dogs.

Sadie, my yorkie-boxer and I were inseparable. She was with me through the highs and lows of my life the last several years. But on Valentine’s day of this year she went missing, which made 2020 so much worse and harder and sadder than it has been. The not knowing where she is, what happened to her, has left a big hole in my heart. I'm still hoping that one of these days she will show up in my front steps. But for now, thankfully, I have two other dogs who have brought back some light and smile on my face. Isla is a chorkie who is so full of life and loves to snuggle (and so well loved by my clients at Just Be!) and Abby, a keeshond who has a gentle soul that comforts me. I call them peanut butter and fluff (after the famous sandwich Fluffernutter, coz Isla has the color of pb and Abby is just so fluffy and sweet like a marshmallow!)

Traveling.

The balm to one’s soul. If you ever feel the need to reconnect with your self, I highly recommend traveling alone. I did my first solo travel in Bali and I have to say I will never, ever forget the value of spending time in solitude. If you can’t go far, just go somewhere where you can be one with nature, take yourself out of the norm, and enjoy your own company. Traveling is a great source of inspiration for me and and a good reminder of this higher power, the creator of this magical world of beauty we live in. I love experiencing the different cultures in every country I visit. I think it is so fascinating that we are all so different and yet all the same when it comes to our deepest needs as humans. My top fav places I’ve visited are South Africa, Paris, the Amalfi Coast and Bali.

Makeovers.

Of people and spaces. When I meet people, you can guarantee that my creative juices are always flowing. When I meet women or just plain people watching I have this automatic habit of mentally giving them a makeover! I’m always secretly studying her unique facial features, observing how she carries herself, while in my head I'm mapping how I'm going to cut her hair, what lines would best suit her facial structure. Then I imagine her with the possibilities of a different hair color and then finally I would put her whole look all together with makeup that would best highlight her face and personality. When it comes to spaces, I do the same thing. Even rooms and spaces need a pick me up sometimes! I love transforming a place into something that is both visually appealing and useful. Which is why I had so much fun creating our space at Just Be! So yes, I just love beautifying women and spaces!

What do you like to do in your free time?

 I like being active, so I enjoy hiking and taking walks somewhere scenic. And I'm a total beach bum! If I can get a redo in life I’d definitely be living somewhere warm and near the ocean. I also practice yoga, which I believe is amazing for your mind, body and soul. I listen to podcasts a lot esp when I’m driving, and I try to read as much as my eyes can handle, mostly business and self-improvement/spiritual books. And of course, when I’m free,I’m always planning what I’m going to eat next ;)

What brings you the most joy every day?

Besides knowing that my children are kind, happy and healthy, without a doubt, the connection and relationship I have with my clients. I AM SO GRATEFUL to have found my purpose, and consider myself to be incredibly lucky to be do something FOR WOMEN that enables them to see their authentic beauty through my creative work. The best moments for me are when I hear my clients say "Wow, I AM beautiful". They not only see it, but they feel it radiating from within them. And then they believe it.

When they finally SEE what I see in them…that brings me the most joy.

Are you ready to be a part of something amazing?

Sadie girl <3

peanut butter + fluff

Isla