Calli has over 20 years experience in beauty and wellbeing. She began her career as a make-up artist, working across fashion, editorial and commercial projects, before moving into holistic massage and facial therapy.

We spoke to Calli to learn more about her work and life philosophy.

"It has! Well, with everything i’ve done there’s been a level of creativity required. But maybe not in the way you’d expect.

I worked as a make-up artist specialising in fashion and commercial work in London and Europe for about 7 years. You might assume it would be super creative work, in reality most of the time it’s about problem solving.

The days are long, the parameters are tight and time to create the look is limited. To me, being a make-up artist was all about discovering creative ways to adapt. For example, fashion week is incredibly hard on the models’ skin. It’s dry, it’s breaking out… how do we cover it without looking like she’s wearing make-up? How can we change the whole look in 60 seconds? That kind of thing.

I trained in massage in 2005 and offered this locally alongside the make-up. These days, Holistic Facials fill my diary. I find the same kind of adaptable creativity is needed in the work i do now. Assessing what’s needed in the moment. This is where intuition also plays a huge role!"

"That’s a good question. I’ve sung and played instruments since I was a child. Music has come in and out of my life ever since and has always been my creative outlet.When we access the creative part of our brains, whether that’s painting, dancing… Whatever it may be for you, we nurture the part of us that feels deeply. Which is important when working with people who often require compassion and empathy. I think that's where i see the relationship."

3. Do you feel women are uncomfortable allowing themselves nurturing treatments that may be considered a luxury and how do you feel the women you treat respond to such deep focussed attention?

"Did you know in Feng Shui a woman resting in the home is seen as a kind of talisman? When she frequently rests, she anchors the household and replenishes prosperous energy. How many women do we know that prioritise rest, or that are able to? I don’t know many. Most of the women I know hold everything together. The emotional, financial and physical wellbeing of the home and family. It’s no wonder it can feel unnatural to receive or prioritise this kind of self care.

Many of my regular clients used to feel this way. Unsure if they deserved the time out. Sometimes there are tears, or words that need to be said. I believe the reason they return is, yes, they see great results but it’s how they feel after that changes this from luxury to necessity. That’s the true value. Investing in yourself affects the people around you in a positive way too. Holistic treatments should be seen as a form of additional health care, not a luxury."

"When i ask a client, ‘How are you?’ i really want to know. Because maybe you’ve booked for TMJ Release but actually we need to look at some fascial work instead, depending on where you are on the day.

I have a treatment list but I always adapt to the individual when necessary. Adding in anything from EIM gua sha, lymphatic drainage or sound therapy to help move things through.

It’s so easy in this age of quick fixes and habitual living to become completely unaware of how we actually are. I asked a client once on a scale of 1-10 how stressed she was, ‘5’, she said. We discussed her week, her family dynamic, her work conflicts, her sleep. I asked her the same question after and she replied, ‘I’m more like an 8 actually’.

Sometimes we need to step outside ourselves for a fresh perspective to then make the necessary changes. Because we are changing, constantly. I come back to the word ‘adapt’. We must be willing to adapt some parts of our life as we evolve because sometimes the old methods just won’t work for us anymore. For me, this is key to health and longevity." 

"I walk. Where i live i’m super lucky to be surrounded by woodland. Sometimes i run but when i walk i notice more. I take my phone but i don’t use it, or do my best not to. I keep my eyes on the horizon and the trees and just pay attention.

My working environment is very important to me as well. I work from my home. There are large windows, with natural light that streams in and as i’m working i can look out and watch oak trees swaying in the breeze. It’s beautiful and keeps me connected nature. I also love to grow salad and vegetables. Watching this process of growth from seed to fruit and then feeding my family with it is beautiful. Observing what fails and what thrives, it totally blows my mind."

"My tip would simply be to stay consistent. That’s goes for anything you do: journaling, therapy, training in the gym- stick with it. Long lasting results don’tt happen overnight, as much as we’d like them to. However you choose to care for your skin, keep going and have realistic expectations in mind. Do not fall for every promise and advert you see on social media! I promise that make-up, lighting and filters are usually responsible for the majority of faces we see online.

My biggest revelation was learning to accept change. I’m 42 now. I’ve been noticing the changes in my skin for about a decade.

Seeing the changes that come as we mature can be really difficult, sometimes it still is for me. There is such great relief in accepting that change is inevitable. Nature reminds us of this every season, every day. It offers me a broader vision when it comes to how I see myself. I nourish myself well, I take care of my body. I prioritise sleep and nutrition, in turn my skin benefits. Because I want to age well but I don’t want to fight the aging process, it’s a battle I will never win. From time to time I feel some self- criticism creep in and I have a stern word with myself, talk to a good friend!"

"A warm drink in the morning is a must! It’s the foundation of my day. Otherwise, i’m not particularly ritualistic on a daily basis. Here’s why. I have two young children and run my own business. I have to be careful that my rituals don’t turn into rigid routines.

In my experience, when something you enjoy doing becomes a task you have complete, you stop enjoying it so much. The beauty of the ritual might can disappear. So right now, whilst my family is young and life is full, I check in with what I need on the day. What I try to keep regular is my walk, some lymphatic exercises and a simple skin care routine."

"I love the Fresh Faced Cleanser, it polishes the skin beautifully. But for me my favorites are and always has been the balms. I love the Deep Reveal because it’s a multi purpose product (mask and cleanser). I enjoy using it as a mask whilst in a hot epsom salt bath. The Sleep Tight Balm is a nighttime essential. My skin feels completely quenched in the morning. As soon as i open to pot the scent is enough to bring on a yawn! When i kiss my children goodnight, they know by the way my skin smells that it’s bedtime."

Treatments with Calli can be booked through her website www.groundedholistic.co.uk. Here you can find her full treatment list and a link to subscribe to her newsletter for tips, offers and discounts. She can be found on instagram @grounded_holistic_bodywork, follow her for last minute availability and some insight into what she offers.