Featuring Ashley Terry
What is your name? Ashley Terry
How old are you? 30 years old
Where are you from? Born and raised in Whatcom County, spent most of my childhood in the Blaine/Custer area.
In a few sentences, tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do: I am a wife and mom to two stepdaughters (8 & 10), my son (1.5), and a babe due early September. I am a licensed esthetician with my own business, Grace Holistic Skin. I specialize in holistic modalities, focusing on optimizing the internal function through lymph flow, circulation, diet, and lifestyle. I am also studying to become a Certified Nutritional Aesthetics Practitioner so that I can better incorporate diet and lifestyle into skin care. My work is my passion and the way I get to truly express myself. Aside from work, I love to cook and help my husband build up our little one-acre homestead. We don’t really know what we are doing but it has been so fun figuring it out together and teaching the kids about it all.
What are you currently doing for hair health and care? I have learned first hand that diet and overall wellbeing plays a major role in hair health. I try to eat a healthy diet rich in veggies, grass-fed meats (thanks mom & dad!), healthy fats, and fermented foods. I take collagen peptides or gelatin powder, a quality multivitamin (with methylated B vitamins), probiotic, and an omega 3 supplement daily. All of these things have improved my overall health and, in turn, my hair!
In terms of what I do for hair care, I tend to be fairly minimal. I stopped lightening my hair about two years ago and keep my heat styling to a minimum. I wash about 2 to 3 times a week, although I’ve been playing around with stretching time between washes now that we are spending extra time at home. When I wash I use a natural shampoo and conditioner followed with a diluted apple cider vinegar rinse. The rinse helps promote scalp health, reduce buildup, and increase shine. After washing I use a Hubalu hair towel to reduce damage and blow dry my bangs and crown, leaving the ends be. At night I do a good scalp brush (I try to fit one in mid-day if I remember), sprinkle in some dry shampoo powder if needed and put it up in a loose bun for sleeping. Usually in the mornings I can just brush it out, restyle my bangs, and I’m good to go.
Are you using any natural hair care products (if yes, what are they and what do you like or not like about them)? My favorite natural shampoo and conditioner are from La Tierra Sagrada a little goes a long way and the scent is heavenly. I also like the brands Innersence and Reverie. I don’t miss conventional brands at all with these! To reduce plastic waste I would love to transition to shampoo and conditioner bars, but I just haven’t found any that really work for my hair. A good hair stylist who uses natural products is also so helpful! I see Kelly at Topaz Salon in Bellingham. They are very low-tox which is important for our health and theirs.
What do you like about your hair and what has taken some time for you to accept about your hair? I feel like our society doesn’t really encourage embracing your own unique beauty. I started using a flat iron in middle school and highlighting my hair in high school because that was just what you do. About five years ago I realized my “frizzy wavy-ish hair” really wasn’t that bad, with the right styling it wasn’t frizzy and was actually so much easier to let be. When I began to stop lightening my hair, it was a slight revelation. I had always felt my natural color was not flattering or pretty, but really it was the color I was designed to have and brings out my eye color among other things (no judgement to anyone who colors though!)
What are some helpful tips you can share with other readers? I think it’s important for readers to remember that what works for my hair might not be what works best for theirs, its not a one size fits all, but thankfully there are so many great products and resources out there to try. We are all beautiful in our own unique way, let’s remember to see those things when we look in the mirror.
Website information: You can learn more about me and my business through my website graceholisitcskin.com or by following me on Instagram at instagram.com/graceholisticskin.