Transform Your Skin: A Deep Dive into Microneedling

Shawna Patruno welcomes wedding planner Stephanie Banks of New Berlin Events to discuss practical wedding-planning guidance. Stephanie shares that the first step is for couples to set a realistic budget to avoid getting carried away by social media inspiration and debt, then each partner should identify their top three priorities and agree on shared non-negotiables to stay grounded amid outside opinions. She emphasizes the wedding should reflect the couple's wants, not family or internet expectations, and suggests splurging on a planner/coordinator and a DJ to reduce stress and manage the day smoothly. They cover self-care during planning—maintaining healthy routines, meditation, nutritious food, facials or massages—and recommend an ideal 12–16 month planning window. Stephanie also advises building extra time into the timeline and considers a first look helpful for nerves, photos, and being present at cocktail hour. Click to view the detailed show notes 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:56 First Steps Budget and Priorities 02:53 Make It Your Wedding 04:22 Where to Splurge 05:56 Self Care While Planning 08:07 Ideal Planning Timeline 09:50 Money Stress and Budgeting 12:07 Timeline Tips and First Look 14:56 Wrap Up and Where to Find  

On the Reawakening Beauty Podcast, your host, Shawna Patruno, interviews Nicole, a naturopathic doctor in Halifax, Nova Scotia, who supports women's health across the lifespan and was inspired by her own health challenges. Nicole emphasizes that social-media health advice can be confusing and encourages women to focus on foundational nourishment: eating enough calories and building meals around protein, fiber, and healthy fats to support hormones, ovulation, bones, muscles, and immunity; under-fueling may show up as irregular or absent periods and lack of ovulation. She addresses the misconception that "common isn't normal," especially regarding long-term period pain, and explains dysmenorrhea (primary vs. secondary), typical evaluation with ultrasound, and that endometriosis often requires laparoscopic surgery for diagnosis. She discusses checking blood work such as iron for heavy periods and recommends ginger as an evidence-supported option for mild-to-moderate period pain. Nicole advocates proactive cycle tracking, sustainable self-care, prioritizing sleep, joyful movement, and starting with walking; she can be found at @dr.nicoletonin and Aura Women's Wellness. Click to view the detailed show notes 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:28 Nicole's Why and Journey 01:06 Nourishing Basics and Under Fueling 03:22 Common Isn't Normal 04:34 Period Pain Causes and Testing 07:01 Support Options and Ginger 08:35 Know Your Cycle Proactively 10:08 Simple Sustainable Self Care 11:31 Easy Movement Starting with Walking 12:34 Final Takeaways and Where to Find Nicole Guest Bio Dr. Nicole Tonin is a naturopathic doctor and former registered nurse with a passion for women's health. Her work focuses on supporting women through every stage of life, from PMS and fertility to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and beyond. Nicole believes every woman deserves to feel heard, empowered, and confident in making informed decisions about their health.

On Reawakening Beauty, your host Shawna Patruno interviews London-based makeup artist Charli Avery. Charli has 15 years of industry experience, lectures at a London university, and recently worked on a Vogue shoot with Annie Leibovitz. Charli shares photo shoot prep advice: avoid retinols and abrasive or new skincare right before a shoot, especially for beauty shoots with multiple makeup removals, and stick to a routine that works. She explains that makeup choices depend on the shoot, skin condition, lighting, and flash, emphasizing natural, flawless skin and discussing techniques like using a setting-spray-dampened sponge and varying foundation coverage. The conversation covers mood boards, look books, test shoots for new models, and how outdoor vs studio conditions affect glow, contour, and longevity. Charli advises arriving cleansed/moisturized, notes SPF is less prone to flashback but can be oily, stresses realistic timing for "no-makeup makeup," and highlights on-set etiquette by reading a model's cues. Click to view the detailed show notes 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:35 Career Highlights and Vogue 01:06 Skin Prep Before Shoots 02:37 Flawless Base and Tools 04:32 Mood Boards and Creative Direction 05:48 Test Shoots for New Models 07:56 Lighting Changes Everything 11:40 Arriving Bare and SPF Myths 14:00 Timing and Set Logistics 15:57 Chair Etiquette and Comfort 17:01 Wrap Up and Where to Find Charli

In this Reawakening Beauty episode, your host Shawna Patruno interviews Rhiannon Okoye, a hypnotherapist, speaker, and transformation strategist helping high-performing professionals and founders elevate their emotional and energetic intelligence. Rhiannon explains her work helping high-achieving, purpose-driven people who feel subconsciously stuck, burnt out, or afraid to be seen by building internal capacity for visibility, success, and relationships through subconscious transformation and nervous system regulation. She describes how expansion can feel emotionally unsafe and how nervous system discomfort is often mistaken for misalignment, offering practices like acknowledging anxiety, anchoring to one's "why," locating emotions in the body, changing language, prioritizing regulation over productivity, and identifying "leaks" that drain energy. She discusses handling criticism, navigating health challenges (including her chronic illness recovery), identity recalibrations, and using hypnosis to rapidly rewrite limiting beliefs—often within one to three sessions—by aligning subconscious and conscious desires. Click to view the detailed show notes Click here for a special Reawakening Beauty insider deal for 3 sessions which was gifted by Rhiannon Okoye: https://buy.stripe.com/5kQ8wP7RoeBQ9LH9uJ0480f   00:00 Welcome and Setup 00:15 Meet Rhiannon Okoye 01:25 Doubting the Dream 02:57 Regulating Anxiety 04:49 Setbacks vs Misalignment 06:16 Rejection and Criticism 07:06 Health Challenges and Dreams 11:10 Rebuilding Momentum 15:20 Setbacks That Shape Identity 17:50 Hypnosis to Change Beliefs 20:39 How Hypnotherapy Works 23:34 Closing Inspiration and Reframe 25:55 Where to Find Rhiannon   Speaker Websites: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhiannon-okoye Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhiannon_hypnotherapist/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhiannon.okoye Website: https://www.rhiannonokoye.com/

On Reawakening Beauty, host Shawna Patruno interviews Mary Massihi, founder of Skinsation Aesthetics in London, Ontario, about microneedling (collagen induction therapy). Mary explains that microneedling uses tiny sterile needles to create controlled micro-injuries that stimulate collagen and elastin for firmer, smoother skin, and notes that it can help with acne scarring, pores, and anti-aging, but may not be suitable during pregnancy or for some autoimmune disorders. She outlines prep and aftercare: stop active ingredients 5–7 days prior, expect 1–3 days of downtime (or schedule a week before events), and for 48 hours avoid makeup, workouts/sweating, and sauna while focusing on hydration and mineral sunscreen. She recommends three sessions spaced 6–8 weeks apart, then quarterly maintenance, discusses waiting two weeks after Botox/fillers or laser hair removal, and mentions pairing Aerolase laser with microneedling. Mary advises researching providers and tools (including asking about pen type and depth), and shares booking info via skinsation.me and Instagram @skinsationaestheticslondon. Click to view the detailed show notes 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:21 Mary's Background 01:21 Microneedling Explained 02:09 Who Should Avoid It 02:48 Downtime and Prep 03:57 Pairing With Other Treatments 04:39 Aerolase Laser Combo 05:49 Treatment Plan and Frequency 06:41 Choosing the Right Pen 08:11 Finding a Qualified Provider 09:52 Aftercare and What to Avoid 11:19 Seasonal Timing Tips 12:05 Where to Book and Wrap Up   Host Website: Reawakening Beauty Guest Website: Skinsation   Photo credit: @paul_iacoviello

In this bridal episode of Reawakening Beauty, host Shawna Patruno welcomes luxury hair and makeup artist Andrea Kay. With 16 years of industry experience in Nashville and Las Vegas, Andrea shares her extensive knowledge on creating timeless, camera-ready bridal looks. Together they discuss crucial questions brides should ask their makeup artists, the importance of trial runs, and how to find the right inspiration photos. Andrea gives advice on prepping your skin for the big day, the necessity of good skin-care routines, and the pros and cons of lash extensions. She also emphasizes the importance of sanitation and having a great personal rapport with the artist. The episode rounds off with tips for ensuring things run smoothly on the wedding day and Andrea's personal touches to her process.   00:00 Introduction to the Bridal Episode 00:21 Meet Andrea Kay: Luxury Hair and Makeup Artist 01:34 Key Questions for Your Makeup Artist 04:01 Common Bridal Makeup Mistakes and Solutions 05:53 The Importance of Makeup Trials 08:30 Non-Negotiables for Bridal Makeup 10:27 Skin Prep Tips for Brides 11:46 Booking Your Makeup Artist and Timeline Tips 17:55 Fun Bridal Makeup Questions 19:38 Final Thoughts and Farewell   Click to view the detailed show notes Photo credit: @paul_iacoviello

In this episode of Reawakening Beauty, your host Shawna Patruno welcomes Nurse Abby Kang, a registered nurse with over 20 years of experience, who specializes in aesthetic nursing. The discussion covers vital topics related to dermal fillers and aesthetic treatments. Abby emphasizes the importance of understanding facial anatomy and aging patterns, choosing the right type of filler, and setting realistic expectations for anti-aging treatments. They also address the common mistakes made with dermal fillers, the significance of thorough consultations, and the need for education about skincare trends. Additionally, Abby explains alternative treatments like fat grafting and stem cell therapies and shares insights into pre and post-treatment care. Listeners are encouraged to do their research and find a full-time, experienced injector for safe and natural-looking results. Abby sheds light on the benefits of a comprehensive approach to beauty, including the use of high-quality skincare products, vitamins, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.   00:00 Welcome to Reawakening Beauty 00:30 Special Guest: Nurse Abby Kang 01:27 Avoiding Over-Injected Looks 03:34 Common Mistakes with Dermal Fillers 05:38 Choosing the Right Injector 07:03 Understanding Different Dermal Fillers 11:18 Fixing Mistreatment and Dissolving Fillers 17:45 Alternative Treatments: Fat Grafting and Stem Cells 22:35 Importance of Skincare and Vitamins 24:19 Final Thoughts and Where to Find Abby 25:55 Closing Remarks Click to view the detailed show notes Photo credit: @paul_iacoviello

In this episode of Reawakening Beauty, host Shawna Patruno interviews Emily Johnson, a certified EFT practitioner and emotional success coach. Emily shares her journey from being an alcohol rep to diving into holistic nutrition and eventually discovering the importance of nervous system regulation. She discusses how chronic stress and fight or flight responses prevent people from taking action towards their goals and introduces Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) as a powerful tool for managing stress. Emily also touches on the importance of a healthy relationship with food and mindful eating, as well as other practices like being in nature that help regulate the nervous system. 00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Introduction 00:24 Emily's Journey to Wellness 01:27 Understanding Nervous System Regulation 02:21 Identifying Fight or Flight Responses 04:04 Building Compassion and Curiosity 05:21 Introduction to EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) 07:26 Combining Nutrition with EFT 09:21 Managing Stress and Building Resilience 10:34 Additional Practices for Nervous System Regulation  Click to view the detailed show notes Photo credit: @paul_iacoviello  

In this episode of Reawakening Beauty, host Shawna Patruno interviews model and entrepreneur Bozena Zag. Bozena shares her journey of starting a modeling career at a later age, the challenges she faced, and the strategies she used to succeed. She emphasizes the importance of self-investment, positive affirmations, and staying grounded amidst negativity. Bozena also reveals her beauty routine and the role of a healthy lifestyle in maintaining her skin and overall happiness. The conversation concludes with a preview of Bozena's upcoming life-changing course and where to find her online.   00:00 Welcome to Reawakening Beauty 00:30 Meet Bozena Zag: Model and Entrepreneur 01:05 Starting a Modeling Career Later in Life 02:06 Overcoming Challenges and Staying Confident 03:23 The Power of Positive Affirmations 04:27 Balancing Family and Career 05:50 Beauty and Wellness Routine 07:44 Upcoming Launch and Final Thoughts 08:29 Closing Remarks and Subscribe   Skin Elixir - A collagen building supplement Click to view the detailed show notes Photo credit: @paul_iacoviello    

In this episode of Reawakening Beauty, your host Shawna Patruno welcomes special guest Rebecca, a seasoned skin therapist from Dermalogica, to bust common beauty myths and share expert skincare tips. Learn about effective lifting and firming treatments, the importance of collagen, proper skincare routines for changing seasons, and the truth about pore size. Rebecca dispels misinformation from social media and advises on how to build a minimalist, yet effective skincare regimen. Tune in to get all the insights you need for a radiant skin glow-up! 00:00 Welcome to Reawakening Beauty 00:10 Meet Rebecca: Skincare Enthusiast 00:44 Diving into Beauty Myths 00:56Rebecca's Skincare Journey  02:09 Effective Lifting and Firming Treatments 02:19 The Truth About Microneedling 03:21 Eye Area Care Tips 04:05 Navigating Skincare Information Online 05:33 Starting Your Skincare Routine 06:15 The Importance of Double Cleansing 06:49 Managing Overcomplicated Skincare Routines 08:04 Repairing a Compromised Skin Barrier 08:52 Seasonal Skincare Tips 12:04 Collagen Supplements: What You Need to Know 15:03 Pore Size Myths and Tips 17:21 Final Thoughts and Recommendations   Host: Shawna Patruno Website: https://reawakeningbeauty.ca Facebook:   / shawna.patruno   Instagram:   / reawakeningbeauty   Instagram:   / shawnapatruno   Modelling Portfolio: https://www.modelmanagement.com/model...  Recipe Book: https://reawakeningbeauty.ca/reawakening-beauty-vegan-gluten-free-healthy-glow-recipes/ Guest: Rebecca Instagram:   / skinbybecca.v