Kristen Ma is the co-owner of Pure + Simple Inc., a group of Holistic Spas with its own line of Natural Skincare and Mineral Make-up.  She is an Ayurvedic Practitioner who has studied in Canada, the United States and India.  She is also a Certified Esthetician with eight years of practical experience, having worked in Canada as well as Australia.  Most recently, Kristen has authored “Beauty: Pure + Simple” which was published by Mc Arthur and Company.  But Kristen’s beauty knowledge does not simply encompass her work experience; it has been supported by her own skin tribulations.

Kristen was drawn to the world of skincare at age ten when she started with her own skin ailment: chronic acne. Desperate for a cure for her acne, she spent years of searching and researching the cosmetic industry. It is this search that she attributes most of her knowledge of cause and effect of skincare products. And during this time she discovered the healing properties of natural skincare and the necessity to combine internal wellness through her own personal experience.

With the desire to share her discoveries with others, Kristen completed her esthetics diploma during her last year of high school and enrolled in university as a business major. But it was soon apparent that holistic beauty was where her passions lay and she decided to leave her studies to travel abroad for international esthetic experience.

Since then she has worked in some of the most elite spas in Australia giving her insight to different effects of climate and ethnicity on skin conditions. Upon her return, Kristen has put her full energies into Pure + simple as she realized “how essential it is to stand behind the company and products you promote”.

But after a few years of working extensively with the topical aspect of beauty, Kristen decided to explore internal health in-depth by becoming an Ayurvedic Practitioner.  Through The Ayurvedic Academy, now known as Kerala Ayurveda, she received her certification in the United States and completed the program in Bangalore, India.

Armed with this knowledge of Eastern Medicine and European Esthetic techniques, Pure + Simple’s mandate was shaped by the goal of effective, visible improvement through a holistic approach.

“We cannot just look at clients as skin. But as holistic human beings.  We need to look at their skin, but also their lifestyles, their internal health, their emotional states + their tactile + fragrance preferences. Skincare is not like shopping for clothes. You don’t see something you like + try it on in a fitting room. Skincare is so specific + sometimes takes time to see results. When you browse around a beauty or cosmetic store, they are just these mystery bottles of which you prey will work. That’s why we’re here. Not as sales people, but consultants + guides.”

Kristen has been voted “Best Facialist in the City” by Toronto Life Magazine and quoted as a Skin Expert by numerous press including:

• The National Post
• The Globe and Mail
• The Toronto Star
• Flare Magazine
• Fashion Magazine
• Glow Magazine
• NOW Magazine
• Hello Magazine
• Sweetspot.ca
• MSN Health + Wellness News

Kristen has written on the subject of Holistic Beauty for Vitality Magazine, Blink and Jasmine.  She is also a regular contributor to B Magazine.

Her blog Holistic Vanity was started in April of 2009 and showcases new beauty treatments and trends integrated with the science of Ayurveda.

Kristen acts as the public face for Pure + Simple Inc., lecturing at National Tradeshows about Ayurveda and Natural Skincare, and sitting on professional panels for the ACCE (Association of Chinese Canada Entrepreneurs) and FGI (Fashion Group International) as a company representative.

Her television appearances consist of Global News, Toronto Shops, OMNI Television, Shops 411, Yummy Mummy, Diva on a Dime and Princess.