Auric Aesthetician Mikaela MacLean's Ultimate Beauty Secrets
Plus, how to upgrade your beauty sleep!
I’m so excited about this week’s guest, Mikaela MacLean, an Auric Aesthetician. Don’t know what that is? I didn’t either (but more on that below)! I first heard about Mikaela from the founder of Lilfox, Alexis Rose, which sparked an internet deep dive that may have bordered on obsession. I hope you’ll have a similar experience and become as obsessed with her and her technique as I am.
First, a little background: Apart from being a medical aesthetician for the last 20 years, Mikaela created her own unique blend of Reiki, Yoga Nidra, and Human Design for the treatment room and beyond. It’s unlike anything else I’ve ever tried, in the best way. All of her Human Design yoga nidras (which she calls Energetic Beauty Sleep) are customized just for you and are as much for your inside as your outside. I’ve used my energetic beauty sleep for the last month and look forward to it every night—it’s officially how I go to sleep.
Check out Mikaela’s favorite things below, and be sure to scroll to the end for all of the ways to follow her.
Q: What does self-care mean to you?
It’s whatever you need to feel "human” and it’s going to look different for everyone. I wish I had time to do as much luxuriating as I would like, but I have kids! I am someone who needs some alone time to feel normal—to walk, to swim, to read and think. To empty out, preferably in nature. But my favorite self-care thing is massage. I’d have one every single day if I could. Plus, I’m a Pisces and just being in water of any kind is my medicine. I’m desperate to combine the two and try Watsu!
Q: How has ritual enhanced your life and beauty routine?
I have a daily sadhana—I meditate, do a little sound therapy with my 528 Hz tuning forks, and stretch every morning before I go for a huge outdoor walk. Then I do my own Yoga Nidra every night. Yoga Nidra is just the best. I’ve been a guide for years and tailor the ones I create to help heal the relationship between you and your appearance—like a shortcut to self-love. I always say Yoga Nidra is the easiest, laziest way to get prettier… there’s zero effort involved. Just lay down to chill and hit play. Amazing! Aside from my skincare, they are the rituals I can’t live without. These practices have immense beauty benefits that topical products can't replicate.
Q: Best advice you’ve received and/or given?
Don’t be so hard on yourself… easier said than done! But it also does become easier as you get older and realize perfection doesn’t exist—you’re wasting your life chasing an illusion. Learning to love and accept yourself for who you are versus what you look like is a total game-changing revelation.
Also, finding ways to regulate your nervous system will make you look so much younger. Stress is insanely aging.
Q: What’s in your handbag?
Keys, wallet, AirPods, sunglasses, a mini-microphone for on-the-go content creation, Apple external battery, Lilfox Gelsomino lip balm, Cedar Fever luxury oil, sample packs of SPF (in case of emergency!), eyeliner, silk hair ties, a pen, and a pyrite crystal.
Q: Do you have any non negotiables?
Physical SPF, Lilfox Haute C, and Tazorac! I’ve used it since it came to market over 20 years ago (LOL)—I’m pretty savage in the retinoid department. Other than that, I’m all Lilfox Beauty 24/7. So many things from the line are must haves in my book—Blue Legume mask, Ambrosia Immortalis, Flower Goo, Azure bath soak, and of course, Cedar Fever (mentioned above). I live for that scent. I also love in-clinic treatments. I spent my career in medical aesthetics as a total laser queen. I love a good IPL and the CoolPeel CO2. At home, I use my Omnilux LED constantly.
Q: What’s your love language?
Definitely words of affirmation! I have a Leo moon and have always said I’d work for compliments and gold star stickers. I just want to be loved.
Q: What has challenge/ failure taught you?
Failure or rejection are both protection and redirection—if we can learn to see it that way. Sometimes what you want so badly may not be meant for you… and life has to go on. When I was a young dancer at SAB, I ruptured my Achilles; I couldn’t dance anymore and I thought my life was over. Now, I see it as an early lesson directing me to find healing tools to deal with depression and self-loathing… then eventually share them with others. I found out my worth is more about what’s on the inside. But that’s hard for a 15 year old to wrap their mind around. It’s taken a long time.
Q: Do you have any under-the-radar Beauty go-to’s?
See Yoga Nidra. But also, Ardell 001 magnetic lashes! I love those things. Big fan of permanent makeup too, that’s kind of low key. I’ve also fallen in love with Violette_Fr Scarabée d’Or. That is like catnip to my Leo moon! I do a little gold disco cat eye with it.
Oh, and dancing to disco while we’re at it. Dancing gets the blood flowing and makes you feel free. In my mind, I’m Bianca Jagger riding her white horse through Studio 54 while The Rolling Stones “Miss You” is playing. There’s my prescription!
Q: What’s your superpower?
My own Human Design is literally about empowering people to love and accept themselves (only after I learned how to do it for myself). I honestly just repackage and “sell” people back to themselves, through a new point of view. It’s a special gift to genuinely help people feel good about themselves from an internal place. I’m also pretty good at helping people to relax.
Q: Beauty is?
My motto is literally “Beauty is energetic”—it’s your essence, your energy, your vibe. You know how you may not think someone is physically attractive, but then you get to know them and they become the most gorgeous person you've ever met? It’s like that.
It’s all in the aura.