Conversation
“The Beauty of Being Me”
Prelude: A note from me
It must have been quite some time ago because I do not recall when or how I first discovered ARgENTUM. What I do remember is that I have felt drawn to the brand’s story and energy from then on. One never knows why an attraction—or anything in life—happens. Likely, it’s chemistry. We attract what we are. At least that is how I’m inclined to think about it. And then, there’s the divine timing of things. On the morning of January 13, when I received their newsletter in my inbox and read the following words by the brand’s founder, Joy Isaacs:
“… find your fear and go live there. It just might be the right time to trust the fire in your heart…”,
I felt a sudden impulse, that fire in the heart, to act. I must write to her. Before my brain’s default ritual of over-analysis and worrying over unfounded fears—events that may or may not happen if I took action—my fingers made the move on my behalf. Command N. Compose new mail. “Dear Joy,…”
There are such times when the body knows before the mind catches on. Now is the right time...
When you act, the Universe responds. That day, I acted. Joy responded.
Here’s my conversation with her. I hope it will ignite, reignite, the fire in your heart, too. Enjoy. ✨
Love,
Karman
It must have been quite some time ago because I do not recall when or how I first discovered ARgENTUM. What I do remember is that I have felt drawn to the brand’s story and energy from then on. One never knows why an attraction—or anything in life—happens. Likely, it’s chemistry. We attract what we are. At least that is how I’m inclined to think about it. And then, there’s the divine timing of things. On the morning of January 13, when I received their newsletter in my inbox and read the following words by the brand’s founder, Joy Isaacs:
“… find your fear and go live there. It just might be the right time to trust the fire in your heart…”,
I felt a sudden impulse, that fire in the heart, to act. I must write to her. Before my brain’s default ritual of over-analysis and worrying over unfounded fears—events that may or may not happen if I took action—my fingers made the move on my behalf. Command N. Compose new mail. “Dear Joy,…”
There are such times when the body knows before the mind does. Now is the right time...
When you act, the Universe responds. That day, I acted. Joy responded. This is my conversation with her. Enjoy. ✨
Love,
Karman
“What matters is what you make matter.”
Joy:
When I was younger, I relied more on my external, superficial beauty. Now, I feel most beautiful when I am in my power, which comes from within. It’s not power over others, it is the power of being authentic and expressing my purpose. It’s an inner power that exists when you are on the right path, and begin to truly know yourself.
Helping people achieve beauty is a soul purpose, and the need to express this flows through a lot of what I do. Seeing good things happen to others brings me immense joy—it adds to the beauty around me, which benefits us all.
Boiled down to the core, beauty, to me, means balance. It brings harmony to my senses and promotes self-love and care. Achieving this balance is complicated as we swing through the pendulum of life, and it is in this pursuit of beauty that we can hope to achieve moments of clarity.
I turn 50 in September.
I’m fascinated by the experience of ageing—and what nature asks us to accept with grace.
When I recognise beauty in other women,
I see an energy, a glow from within. A confidence and peace that exudes outwardly at any age. It can be a their voice, their eyes or skin, it can be their hair, health and joyfulness. Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder, framed by how we view the world.
I feel un-beautiful when…
I have neglected myself, when I have made bad choices around my personal health, diet and exercise. It’s as if I have lost my inner wisdom and done the opposite of what I know is right. This brings an imbalance that makes me feel un-beautiful. It’s not so easily remedied when we fall into these cycles, but I try and catch the clarity when it appears, and ride the wave back to my centre space—my heart.
Self portraits: Joy Isaacs
Me:
What are the beauty practices, attitudes, messaging, products and ingredients, for example, that are important to you and in alignment with your current beliefs and ideals of beauty?
J:
I have always wanted to connect beauty within to our external beauty rituals, and now I see this is becoming mainstream. The trend for beauty within is manifesting in a multitude of ways. The gut microbiome, for example, is so closely linked to the health of our skin, and people are now understanding that it is a three-fold effect: Topical, ingestible (supplement) and psychological. I am closely looking at all three to understand how they work together.
Me:
What is a way of seeing your self, and a belief around beauty you wish to unlearn?
J:
I am a Virgo sun—hyper-critical. Yet my Pisces moon is loving. I find I can be deeply critical about myself without taking it to heart. It is as if I have a shell of protection. I never say ugly things to myself, instead, I look to improve my faults and flaws, or I accept them as a part of who I am.
Me:
It is said that the beauty you admire in another is a mirror for what you desire to be more of.
J:
My need for individuality is strong, and I’m not too fussed about what other people have. I take the view that if they have wonderful things I may desire, it means these things exist in the world and seeing them allows me to admire and imagine around them while creating my own destiny.
Me:
What does loving your self entail these days?
J:
I am married with four boys, a stepdaughter, a dog and a business. There is very little time for myself, but being a mother and businesswoman is a part of my self expression, so it does not feel that way. Creating one’s life is filled with choices. I embrace mine.
Me:
What self-care practice(s) do you intend to deepen, or start, this year—for the benefit of your mental, emotional, physical wellbeing, and spiritual/creative/self growth?
J:
I am lucky enough to have a beautiful garden, but it needs hard work, love and attention. This year, I want to physically involve myself in its transformation, creating a space that connects with nature. It is my surroundings that are a reflection of my health and well-being—being close to nature and the colour green keeps me grounded.
“
I have always wanted to connect beauty within to our external beauty rituals, and now I see this is becoming mainstream… The gut microbiome, for example, is so closely linked to the health of your skin, and people are now understanding that it is a three-fold effect: Topical, ingestible (supplement) and psychological.”
"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.”
— Roald Dahl
Me:
ARgENTUM, which means silver in Latin, came to you in a dream. What is the magic of silver in your eyes?
J:
The way silver works is as if it is magic because its anti-bacterial function does not destroy the microbiome of the skin or affect the good bacteria. Its healing properties have been used for thousands of years and the symbology of this precious metal is infused in our culture. For me, it represents the moon, our inner workings, our emotions and personal healing.
Me:
What is the magic of Joy Isaacs?
J:
I am in my magic when I radiate harmony and joyful energy, empowering others to shine. It is when I express my creativity and care for the world around me.
Me:
I read a line recently that reawakened this idea in me—that “we alter reality by altering ourselves”. With that in mind, how would you complete these statements?
J:
Stepping into the next best version of myself, I am ready to…
be present, awake and aware of the beauty that surrounds me.
This year, I am ready to let go of…
things that do not serve my growth and, most importantly, my health.
The beauty of being me is…
letting go to allow myself the freedom of expression, creativity and healing.
“I am a Virgo sun—hyper-critical. Yet my Pisces moon is loving. I find I can be deeply critical about myself without taking it to heart… I never say ugly things to myself, instead, I look to improve my faults and flaws, or I accept them as a part of who I am.”
Me:
Do you have any advice or wisdom for women who are still learning to see the magic and beauty of who they are, inside and out? Where does one begin?
J:
Nurture your inner voice and direct it to kindness and love. Move to a place of consciousness, observing how and why you do things and how they make you feel. This first step is awareness. The rest can follow because it truly is about the journey and not the destination, which can be set as a guiding star. We need to remember we are each on a very unique journey of learning and discovery. Don’t compare yourself to others, as you are unique and have your own path to walk.
Me:
And finally, a self-ish question for my self:
I’m quickly learning that well-ageing is well-being. It’s an important conversation I’d like to have more of at The Coeur. What would you recommend that a 46-year-old woman try as her first ARgENTUM product?
J:
It would have to be our hero product, the la potion infinie, because this restorative day & night silver face cream encapsulates the heart of ARgENTUM, and it will be an experience that brings magic, nourishment and healing in more ways than one.
And then, I asked Joy to write her self a love note:
Joy’s Beauty Heroes
“Cleansing my skin with la lune de velours, after using le masque infini—our balancing silver clay mask—leaves a heavenly feel and makes a very noticeable difference to my skin. I only have time to do this once a week, and I look forward to how it makes me look and feel.”
Name: Joy Isaacs
Age: 49
Current home: London
"I'm a wife, mother, friend, entrepreneur and fragile human being who embraces the precious moments this life has to bring.
My current favourite line/mantra is: What matters is what you make matter."
❥