Find Your Balance with Shauna Faulisi

Fall's the ideal time to recharge and restart, and we've got an all-new daily motivation for finding that sense of balance with the help of Shauna Faulisi, a New-York-City-based holistic chef, culinary nutrition expert, and wellness educator. Known for her clean, nourishing recommendations for tasty whole foods that encompass an approachable way of eating for health and pleasure—as well as an emphasis on the importance of thoughtful movement. Her total well-being approach has earned her a roster of high-wattage celebrity clients and a devoted online following.

The founder of Soul Wellness Method, a passionate online wellness community, Faulisi's six-pillar methodology includes space for nutrition, movement, inner voice, self-expression, community and alone time to help her clients create the ultimate sense of balance through monthly recipes, events and more. For Ever/After, she shares some of her accessible wellness tips, from her holy-grail skincare picks—the high-energy snacks you'll find tucked in her bag—easy ways to get (and keep) moving throughout the day, and why (really!) it's probably time for you to put the phone down.

What is your biggest skincare secret?

Less is always more for me. I try to keep my skin happy, and my rosacea under control, as much as possible through the foods that I eat.

The products you can't live without are:

Maelove The Glow Maker Antioxidant Serum

This has Vitamin C to protect from environmental damage throughout the day, and the name doesn't lie—the glow is real!

MARA Evening Primrose + Green Tea Algae Retinol Oil

An overnight retinol, this oil is the most perfect balance of effective and gentle. I use it one or two times a week and see immediate results when I wake up in the morning.

Caudalie VinoClean Deep Cleansing Exfoliator

I think this is the world's best exfoliator. It's also perfectly balanced—the microbeads gently exfoliate without irritating the skin. Depending on my retinol usage, I'll use this one or two times per week.

Facile Barely There Moisturizer

I'm obsessed with moisture. I drink a ton of water every day and can never layer on enough moisturizer. This one is unscented, and feels extremely moisturizing while remaining lightweight. It's my daily and nightly staple.

Have any daily mental wellness advice?

Turn off all notifications: I really try to set boundaries around my phone, so I can be present with the people I'm with, and in the things that I am doing. Each time a notification goes off, we're taken out of our current thought and moment. It's sad to think about. And the thing is, even with doing that, I still know I'm on my phone way too much! Slow & easy mornings: My morning sets the tone for the day, so I start it slow. I stay off my phone in the AM as I've found my days are happier and more productive without the noise of what other people are doing, selling, or having. Mornings are just for me, and they're filled with water, coffee, and quiet time.

Nutrition & movement: I've always instinctively known that food has helped my mood, and work with many clients on this. There's a growing field called nutritional psychiatry that states that food has a powerful effect on mood. So I use an eating methodology filled with lots of fiber like greens, protein, and fat at each meal. And then there's movement—it's such a powerful tool for mental health. There isn't a walk or a workout that won't bring more clarity, new thoughts, and the ability to let something go in your life.

What are your go-to supplements?

LivOn Labs Liposomal Vitamin C: Vitamin C makes your skin glow. It also regulates the synthesis of collagen, supports the liver (I even take an extra tablet before going out and drinking), and of course, immunity.

Seed DS-01 Daily Synbiotic Probiotic + Prebiotic: There's a direct correlation between gut health and mood (serotonin is created in your gut), along with gut and skin health. A healthy gut also means better absorption of nutrients. This very high-level explanation means that probiotics are a non-negotiable for me. I take Seed because they're the most clinically studied probiotic on the market, and their capsules allow what's inside to make it all the way down to your colon—right where you want them.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D is actually a hormone that our bodies can make on its own, which shows its importance. But most of us are deficient. We need it for immunity, bone health, and hormone health to support testosterone, estrogen, and growth hormone production.

Magnesium: This is another mineral that many of us are deficient in. It's used in an exorbitant amount of processes in the body. When we're deficient, it can show up as migraines, PMS, weak muscles, brain fog, irregular sleep, and issues with mood.

What are your favorite ways to stay active?

Dancing: I grew up dancing, so it always has a special space in my heart. I take a ballet, modern, or jazz class whenever I can—but most of the time I'm just dancing in my apartment! Walking: It's highly underrated. Walking is not only a low-impact way to keep your body moving and encourage lymphatic drainage, but it always improves my mental space, too.

Weights: Resistance training is where it's at! It helps maintain our muscles, bones, and metabolism. Having high-muscle mass means more calories burned at rest, while also helping with insulin resistance. Most of my formal workouts are focused on weights and resistance—it's the key to longevity, while feeling and looking amazing.

Healthy snacks you always have on hand:

Hard-boiled eggs: It's nature's perfect food with protein, fat, and nutrients all packed into one!

Bone broth: Another ancient food that makes me feel alive when I drink it, like life in a jar. The protein, collagen, sodium, minerals, vitamins, and fat helps hold me over between meals. For store bought, I love the Brodo or Bonafide Provisions brands, and if you're in NYC, I also recommend Springbone Kitchen.