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AN INTERVIEW WITH MICHELLE WILLIAMS-BURROWS
 Let's cut right to the chase. What came first, your interest in organics, or your interest in skincare?
My interest in organics. It happened when I was pregnant with my older son. I wanted him to be safe, so I started reading labels, and I was shocked by what I was reading, all the synthetic and petroleum-derived ingredients. I thought to myself, "I don't want him exposed to this", and started researching alternatives. It's the same story I hear from so many women. Having children really changes your priorities.
Your older son is 13 now. So you came to skincare a bit later?
Yes and no. As a hobby and as a passion, I've been making my own skincare products for ages -- first for my family, then for friends, then friends of friends. But, as a career, it took a while for me to find myself in skincare. (Laughs.) For a long time, I was on this road from student to waitress to secretary to corporate America.
How did you eventually make the switch to skincare?
Actually, my last position before getting into skincare was as a graphic designer for an investment bank located directly across the street from the World Trade Center. After so many years, I had already decided I'd like to pursue something else. But then 9/11 happened, that whole industry went through some rough times, and I got laid off. It was really a perfect opportunity to re-create myself.
How did you find it within yourself to make your dreams come true?
So many people are afraid to do that. I had always been passionate about skincare, but as a working mother, I was just too busy and too tired to get my license as an esthetician. But now here I was: out of work, with time on my hands, and thanks to New York's unemployment office, the opportunity to go back to school and get licensed, all for free. You take all that, plus the fact that I never, ever wanted to do corporate again, and that was enough of a motivation for me! (Laughs.)
Where did you receive your education? What exactly are you certified to do?
I attended the Lia Schorr Institute in Manhattan. Then I took my qualifying examination to become licensed by the state of New York as an esthetician. After that, I took another exam to become licensed as a skincare therapist in the state of New Jersey. They're really the same thing, just different names, and different qualifying exams. In addition to my education and license, I hold a number of certifications, all based upon advanced courses of study. You can never get too much education! For example, I'm certified in photo light therapy and microdermabrasion treatments by Lia Schorr; in lymphatic drainage of face and neck by the Vodder Institute; and in Chinese acupressure of the face and neck by the Dermal Institute.
Once educated and certified, where did you work as an esthetician or licensed skincare therapist?
My first job out of school was at a small spa in Brooklyn. We used organics almost exclusively - but not on purpose! The owner, well, I don't know what she was thinking. There was no product! So I brought my own, or made my preparations from scratch, using herbs, oils, clays and other natural ingredients. It was fantastic! I'm glad I had that experience. Because improvising and testing on a lot of different people, and a lot of different skin personalities, convinced me that natural is really the most effective way to go - that there's a cure in nature for whatever ails you. Eventually, I moved over to Gravity Spa at Le Parker Meridian, where I worked as lead esthetician. That's where I was introduced to the Dr. Hauschka skincare line, plus another line you have to keep refrigerated. My last spa position, before opening Skin Organix, was at Bliss Spa. When I was there, I saw it all and did it all. The sheer exposure to so many people and their concerns was a fabulous education, not just in terms of skin analysis but also my listening skills. Eventually, though, I wanted to return to my organic roots.
What do you promise now that you have your own store? What's better, different, extra special?
When you come here, you know that each and every product has been personally selected by someone who cares what goes into them and how they'll affect your health and well being. I am obsessed with reading ingredient lists on products. That's where you find the truth about the product. All sorts of promises are made on labels. But the ingredient listing ... that's another story altogether. So how are our products selected? I read the ingredients and then I bring it home! Everything here has been tried, tested, and screened for safety and efficacy by a professional: me! (Laughs.)
Speaking of ingredients? What do you look for in a product?
I look for honesty. Honest ingredients with truthful claims. Organic ingredients are always preferred but not always possible. Naturally-derived (meaning from nature and minimally processed) are wonderful as well. I am not opposed to some synthetics in products, as long as they are time-tested, non-toxic (to both humans and environment), and make sense in the product's formulation. Everyone should have a skincare philosophy, tolerances for ingredients. All I ask is that everyone READ THE LABELS and understand what they're using.
What about your services? What sorts of advice, expertise, and consultations can we expect from you?
Let's talk about skin consultations. People come in saying something's wrong with their skin - it's too oily, too dry, breaks out too much, etc. But skin is what it is - a reflection of your overall health - physical, mental, emotional. It is also your largest organ of detoxification. At Skin Organix, we prefer to think of skin in terms of balance -- either in or out. So, yes, if you have a pimple or a dry patch, we'll help you take care of that. But we also need to look at what else is going on in someone's life. Sometimes, for example, acne or dry patches are a logical response to stress, or more simply, a dirty cellphone!
What do you believe in for skincare?
Skin has its own personality. Perhaps it's one that is easily accommodated, one that is more demanding, or one that sits somewhere in the middle. Respect its temperament, and its beauty will come out naturally.
What worries you when it comes to skincare?
I'm concerned that we're getting away from the art of skincare, putting too much emphasis on the magic-bullet approach. I encourage everyone to be more intuitive about his/her skin. Your skin communicates with you every day. Take some time to listen and then respond -- gently. You'll absolutely be glad you did!
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