Montauk Magic Part III

As they say, all good things must come to an end. And with that, it is time to conclude the third installment of my day at the Montauk Magic retreat with Fern Olivia. But fear not. If you’re seeking to experience your own oasis, Fern will be hosting a few upcoming events that you should definitely check out. She has also graciously agreed to guest post on this blog and share her vast knowledge on the subject of thyroid health in September, which is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month. I am so thankful that she has accepted my invitation to contribute to this site and I am looking forward to her posts!

But let’s get back to the afternoon events that took place at Montauk Magic. (If you need a refresher, you can refer to Part I and Part II in the series.)

{Photo Credit: Alexa Gray, Gray Media Lab}

After our morning yoga at The Surf Lodge and Alyson’s amazing guided journey to find our spirit animal, Fern shared with us what goes into her Ajai Alchemy essential oils, and we had the opportunity to make our own DIY bottle. The intention behind Fern’s Ajai Alchemy products is to awaken what’s inside of you — to strengthen your inner strength and to afford you the power to carry on and conquer what’s in front of you. While these essential oils won’t make you Superwoman, I will take all of the help I can get to become a better version of myself.

As the day went on, it was time to head back to our private home in Montauk for an afternoon of natural skin care with Apothecary Pop-Up and Doing Living. Recently, I started to become more conscious about the ingredients in my makeup and skin products, so I was delighted to meet Juliet, a makeup artist in New York City and an advocate for natural products. Juliet supports small brands that make their own goods and helps them with branding and marketing through pop-up shows, like the one she shared with us at Montauk Magic.

Speaking with Juliet about skin care and beauty was eye-opening for me and I enjoyed learning about the brands she was showcasing — most of which I had never heard of before. Not only does Juliet promote these smaller brands that use natural components, something I wholeheartedly support, but she takes the time to meet with the people who actually make the products and source the ingredients, too.

There were so many amazing skin care products on display and everything smelled incredible. The best part was that Juliet gave us samples of the products she carried — something that this girl with sensitive skin appreciates. I haven’t had a chance to try everything in my goodie bag yet, but here are a few items that I took home:

– Red Flower: Rose Camellia Plum Soft-Water Mist
– Palmetto Derma: Rejuvenating Antioxidant Mask
– Malaya Organics: Lavender Organic Lip Savior
– Palmetto Derma: Collagen Booster & Restoration Serum
– Red Flower: Refreshing Hand and Face Towelette in Italian Blood Orange

The afternoon ended with Juliet showing us how easy it is to create a scrub using either sugar or salt as the base. It was interesting to learn how a few simple ingredients can turn into something that benefits your skin…and it was a fun bonding experience with the other retreat participants.

I took a lot away from the day — being open to experiencing the retreat solo, meeting new people, and realizing that I am a goddess who is worthy of love and happiness. I left Montauk feeling like a whole new person — physically, spiritually, and emotionally…and I made new friends, too.

{Photo Credit: Alexa Gray, Gray Media Lab}

Lately, I have had this feeling of calmness, something I absolutely attribute to attending the Montauk Magic retreat — and perhaps my essential oil from Fern. I apply my Grace Alchemy to the inside of my wrist before bed and have found that its soothing aroma helps lull me to sleep. The scent isn’t overpowering and I love all of the beneficial ingredients that Fern uses in her Ajai Alchemy products. If you are interested in incorporating essential oils in your life, you can use the code LIVINGINSTEIL at checkout to save $10 on your order. I will be gifting these beautiful little bottles to friends and family for birthdays and upcoming events!

A huge thank you to Fern Olivia and Alyson Charles for having me for the day!