Inner Bloom with Dawn Mayne - Nunaïa

Inner Bloom with Dawn Mayne

Dawn Mayne is the founder of LUIA, (formerly The Clean Beauty Edit) a refined destination for natural living, where beauty, wellbeing, and craftsmanship meet.

I was inspired by Dawn's personal story of how she healed her own health and greatly admire her commitment to quality, integrity, and a slower, more conscious way of life. Dawn tends to keep a low profile so I was honoured when she agreed to share more about her own wellbeing journey and daily rituals with us. She is a truly authentic person and her depth of knowledge on all things natural living is inspiring so I hope you enjoy her wisdom in this Inner Bloom interview as much as I did.

Dawn, I was fascinated by your story when we first met back in 2019. Can you share a little with our readers about how your own wellness journey began?

In 2009, when I was in my late 20’s, I was diagnosed with Rhuematoid Arthritis. I followed the standard treatment path laid out by Doctors for several years but in 2018 I realised that the medications were contributing to significant bone loss for me, so I decided to get very serious about my health and see if I could get off the medication. I had two young children at home, and a strong desire to heal and strengthen my body. I started deep diving into nutrition, detoxing and wellness. I devoured books and articles on healing, I cut out gluten, dairy and refined sugar, changed the beauty products I was using, my home cleaning products etc, and in a very short time I had come off all medications, had no pain or symptoms, and had even reversed the bone loss. That was it for me! A pure eureka moment in my life.

It kicked off a whole new phase of learning for me, letting go of old beliefs and paradigms, and it also inspired me to launch my own online beauty and wellness store – The Clean Beauty Edit in 2019. Over the years that online store has grown and evolved, along with my own self-development, and last year we rebranded it as Luia, a curated lifestyle store for clean and natural living that serves thousands of people right across Europe.

There is more scientific research out now than ever that shows the negative impact stress has on our body and minds including our skin. How do you manage stress in your busy life?

Managing stress is a daily challenge for me. As a Mum of 3 and a business owner too, I am pulled in many directions every day and my ‘mental load’ is high. I try to be pro-active in calming my nervous system throughout the day and ensuring that my perspective stays positive. If I feel stress overwhelming me, which it often does, I try to acknowledge it and then do something to counteract it – breathing slowly, sitting down for a cup of tea, getting outside for a few minutes, listening to a favourite song or the Activations app. I find that the goal isn’t to eliminate stress but instead create a sense of gratitude and ease in my life.

Could you describe your favourite self-care rituals that help you ground and balance?

I have so many little self-care rituals built into my day. It actually starts with body brushing, a hot shower and then your Nunaïa Superfood Cleansing Balm, which I love to work into my skin in the morning. The texture and the scent are so soothing and just that process of cleansing when I first wake up makes me feel very fresh and ready for a new day. Then I like to put on uplifting music make a golden milk for breakfast, which gently awakens my digestive system. I always add Cultivate Elevate’s Pearl Powder and Anima Mundi’s Collagen Booster to it, and take a couple of Shilajit cold pressed tablets with it. It’s my morning rocket fuel.

In our house we always end the day with candles lit at the dinner table, and we gather round to share food and talk about our day. These really small things are what create joy in my life.

How do you feel after you practice your favourite self-care rituals?

Uplifted, calm and relieved! Every little ritual reminds me that it’s okay to take a moment to myself, to enjoy life and slow down a bit.

What is the hardest part about prioritising and carving out the time for your own self care? How do you get around these ‘blockers’ to make self-care happen?

The hardest part is that there’s always something that needs doing, or someone that needs tending to, and truthfully, I often feel guilty about taking time for myself. I am getting better at it as the years pass by. I welcomed our third child in 2024 (at the age of 43) and realised that I was carrying way too much, and it wasn’t healthy. I had to give myself permission to slow down so that I could soak up the preciousness of a new baby in the house. I have got a lot better at asking for help, delegating, letting things go, and ensuring that I put some ‘me-time’ on our weekly calendar. I am a much better Mother and wife when I have had some space and time to myself.

We know you are a big fan of Nunaia – is skincare a part of your own daily self-care ritual and what are the beauty rituals you swear by?

Yes! I love all your skincare products. I start and end the day with the beautiful, silky Superfood Cleansing Balm. I don’t know what it is about the balm but it is just magic. It soothes my skin and my senses. I love massaging it in, and it just leaves my skin so soft afterwards. I use the Earth Blossom Moisturiser in the mornings, and find it an excellent base for make up, and I always end my day with the Nourishing Radiance Serum. I generously apply it to my face, neck and chest and take several minutes to massage my skin, release facial tension and breath in the gorgeous herbal scent. Divine! I also love to pat a few drops of the serum over make up to add extra glow, or to soften fine lines.

Does your skincare ritual influence your overall wellbeing? If so, how?

Yes, those few minutes in the bathroom, on my own, are priceless. I need that time both morning and night to feel grounded. That’s what sets the tone for the day and helps me feel complete at the end of the day. It also affects my self-confidence. Good skincare will leave your skin feeling nourished and glowing, and then you’ll feel like your best self. I think haircare and clothing is super important too. These things aren’t just superficial, I feel they are essential elements to wellbeing and feeling good within yourself, especially as I age.

Your Nunaia desert- island product and how you use it?

It’s the Nourishing Radiance Serum. It just makes my skin so glowy and soft, and the scent is heavenly. I would be quite chilled about being on a desert island if I was able to massage that luxurious oil on my skin every day.

We make products in a unique way — using whole plants that build a connection with the skin and soul that you can’t get from synthetic ingredients. We know you are passionate about helping people live a natural lifestyle. Can you tell us more about why you think connection to nature in all its forms is a connection back to ourselves?

I think nature is truth, and that everything in nature has a resonance that can be intuitively felt by us – as we are part of it. We recognise ourselves in nature, and I think that nature has all the answers that we’re searching for. Its why we all love to stare at a sunset, walk in the woods, or get our feet in the sand at the beach. It’s what we’re drawn to. It’s why so many people are getting outdoors more, looking for natural alternatives, choosing to eat natural foods. It’s why cocooning yourself in a cashmere sweater feels so good, in a way that an acrylic sweater never will.

People find nature healing, restorative and grounding. By reconnecting to nature we are getting close to ourselves, we understand ourselves better, and we feel better. There is endless wisdom and healing in nature. You can feel the energy of the plants that you use in Nunaia’s products. There is something very sacred and special about everything you create.

What would be your advice to others that are curious about self-care rituals but don’t practice a regular ritual?

I see self-care rituals as pillars of joy that help me support a happy, fulfilling life. These are the moments that allow me to feel good, even when life is busy, stressful and hectic. Start small with something that brings you joy and build in several little rituals to your day.

DAWN'S WELLNESS WISDOM

Your favourite place to go to find a moment of calm and tranquillity:

I regularly go to the Spa at Powerscourt Hotel, where I love to swim in the pool, or meditate and stretch in the sauna and steam room. Otherwise, day to day, I like being in our beautiful garden at home or jumping on my PEMF mat for a few minutes always relaxes me too.

Your favourite book, podcast, or music playlist that helps you unwind:

I use all 3 to unwind. The bible always helps me to feel calm and strong, or something from Rudolph Steiner can help to ground me and remind me of my path. I adore podcasts, especially while cooking, and I rotate between favourites such as Crrow777, AlfaVedic, The Art of Being Well by Dr. Will Cole and the David Avocado Wolfe Podcast.

Top tip to restore instant balance:

Breathing slowly, mindfully and calmly. If I can do that for a minute or two, while lighting some Nunaia Palo Santo incense, then I can usually regain what I have lost quite quickly.

Top tip for building self-care into your day:

Just add really small things in and enjoy them when you are able to make them happen. A cup of tea. 10 minutes to read a book. A facial massage in the bathroom before bed. Happiness lies in gratitude for these little moments of joy.

Follow Luia on Instagram at @luia.eu or through her Luia website here.