Photo Credit: @lileyrindsay
Hey, I'm Shania, most people refer to me as Shan! I am a full spectrum doula living in so called "Vancouver" BC, Canada. I was born in Newfoundland, and raised by a wonderful, strong and fierce single mother by choice in Toronto, Ontario. My life calling has always been serving femmes in need. I was always that little girl in the kitchen helping mother's instead of playing dolls with the kids I was intended to be entertaining. By the time I was 16, I had a strong desire to advocate for others and began pursuing journalism quite rigorously. After obtaining my Bachelor of journalism, I went on to pursue my Master's in Women's studies and have paused simply to serve the women and people around me who chose to bring forward new life.
First thing you do when you wake up?
Always always give my pup a smooch, then wash my face and apply all my oils. In the morning i skip cleanser and just rinse with water!
Any ritual health/beauty/wellness routine or products?
I am all about health and beauty rituals because routine is key. Every night I use an unscented gentle cleanser and then get into my Deciem Routine; caffeine solution on the eyes (there is never a bagless day past age 21), Ascorbic Acid, and finish with B Oil or Rosehip oil depending on the night. In the morning i drop the b oil and throw on a face sunscreen. Other than that, you can catch me in a make-up less makeup look if I apply at all. My go to's for this look are anything Milk Makeup or Glossier.
Favorite feature(s) on yourself and why?
I don't have a favorite feature, I really try not to emphasize any parts of my body as being better than others and try to remember they are all working together to keep it all going. Usually a favorite means there's a least favorite, and nobody has time for that!
How does your background affect your routine?
Well, as a doula I am always on call and my work is all dispersing energy. The on call part is tough because that's basically the opposite of routine.... So basically my motto is that I'm on Standard Baby Time. Once you learn to just go with the flow and stay super present, it's a blessing in disguise to live on call!
What do you do to stay healthy?
I try to eat well and check in with myself as often as possible. I am a sucker for Spin studios and spend most of my winter mornings riding a bike that goes no where, whoops! Also I love massages and cupping. Always worth the money when you work with your body.
Any cultural tips/tricks you've learned from family and/or friends?
Oh gosh, am I allowed to say everything? Hahaha I have a white mother ok! I mean as a mixed girl with curly hair, all hair tricks and tips have been acquired from black friends mother's, neighbors, hairdressers, etc. Number one tip: don't let white people touch your hair, EVER.
Photos via @bunkybambino
How do you choose beauty products?
I interned for a major Toronto beauty blog while in j school, so I have a whole rundown of how I chose products but the most important are always: earth and face friendly, femme owned, and strong representation. Like before 2020 when it was femmes cute…
What is your cultural and/or ethnic background?
I did the 23 & me and well, I'm 49.7 % African and 50.3 % European apparently. But culturally I'm pretty Canadian with an extra bit of sass that scares away most Canadians and gets a good laugh out of most Americans. My dad is Jamaican born and Toronto raised. My mom is 100% Newfy!
How does your culture/ethnicity and identity intersect and affect your beauty preferences (or grievances)?
This is a big question and it's hard to not give a really big answer, especially as a mixed race person. I will say this, I grew up in a predominantly rich, white area and so my brain was extra programmed to feel othered as well as that white was the ultimate goal and form of beauty. I pressed my hair a lot, too much as a teen. But I'm proud to say that I haven't owned a blow dryer or straightener in 2+ years now! I'm still working like everyone to take up more space in beauty as a black femme and acknowledge my own beauty.
If you were to create the perfect beauty/wellness product for yourself, what would it be?
Wow, I honestly have no clue. At this point, after being a beauty blogher intern and giving away bags and bags of products to friends, I feel like there is just nothing I could invent that hasn't already been invented in the beauty world. But I guess, something I enjoy wearing to bed that covers my braids, actually stays on my head all night and is noise cancelling? Hahahah