Written by: Phindile Le Bris Sithole-Spong
My name is Fatima-Zahra, I am Moroccan and the owner of FACEPALM Studio.
I was born and raised on the northwest side of the Continent. Growing up, like most Moroccan girls, I’ve been taught to take care of my body by going to the hammam every other week to exfoliate and release any cumulated tension. But most of all, we’ve been taught to care for our hair. We mask, we “patcha”, we brush and braid.
When it comes to face and skin care, the approach has always been a problem solving one. We’re big on masking to treat a concern (acne, eczema, dullness, etc.), waxing to avoid showing the “abomination” that is facial hair. And unfortunately, as many on the continent, bleaching to appear “whiter”. Skincare has never been transmitted to me as a caring or a maintaining act. I feel like moisturizing my face has become a habit in my 20s, only because I started having skin issues such as patchiness and a few pimples.
My love (should I say obsession) with skincare began three years ago when the pandemic hit.
I was struggling with hormonal acne that manifested itself after I stopped taking the pill. It was sudden, painful and raging. Since I quit taking hormones, I’ve decided that there was no way I was going to put my body through another round of medication, so I wiped off my tears (softly so I wouldn’t enrage the existing cysts on my cheeks), and decided to treat the acne naturally.
A new reality had started for me.
I first adopted a new diet. No more hormonally charged foods, which include any type of meat, eggs, soy and cheese (the cheese lover in me is still grieving). Once I started noticing the reduction of inflammations all over my face and body, I dived deeply into a skincare solutions – so I started watching hours of facials and face massage videos. March to May 2020 has been tough on all of us, mentally, emotionally and physically, but I somehow found solace on Skincare Youtube.
My journey brought me to two main conclusions:
- what you eat is what you show
- taking care of your face with love, softness and patience is the key to better skin and a calmer soul
So for a year and a half, I’ve diligently followed my custom made protocol. And slowly got rid of inflammation, acne, and thanks to face massages, acne scars are slowly fading away. As a result, I’ve decided to get into a face massage program and take my self-taught practice to the next level. And so FACEPALM Studio was created. At FACEPALM you can get a KOBIDO massage, considered one the most ancestral and effective face lifting massages. The results on the skin and face as a whole is incredible. As mentioned before, a face massages is also a skin massage, but I can’t dissociate them from the soul and the impact they can have on our inner selves. After their massage, some clients have told me that this moment spent being FACEPALM’ed, has shown them parts of their bodies that was hurting. Whilst others felt the need to talk about their feelings or doubts.
Given the amazing results on my clients and the deep peace it brings me, I’ve decided to take FACEPALM to the next level and include Gua Sha face sculpting for a more sharp and defined face, as well as palm reflexology to target the causes of our skin issues through the right meridians. What’s happening within is what shows on your skin. And how you treat your face daily, skin issues or not, will improve your life as a whole. Skincare isn’t always taught or considered essential, but it’s time for us to do better, care better and transmit our ancestral or newfound knowledge. Bring your best to the surface. Face, Palm and Soul.
