Agent Woman

[ey-juhnt woo m-uh n]

adjective

A woman with tenacity, confidence, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a distinct point of view when it comes to holistic beauty and wellness. Women that our founder, Jena Covello, admire most.

Blender, perfumer, world traveler, and student of anthroposophy, Julie Elliott launched her luxury skincare collection, In Fiore, 20 years ago. Needless to say, she is a green beauty pioneer. With a mantra of “Perfumery as medicine,” In Fiore has long been a sensorial and efficacious collection of essentials. Meet Agent Woman, Julie Elliott.

Name:Julie Elliott

Instagram: @julie___elliott + @infiorebeauty

Beauty Icon: Sophia Loren. She makes a strong case for pasta and a swim dress.

Favorite city for inspiration: Paris.

Introvert or extrovert: I’m an outgoing introvert, 100%.

Daily uniform: Some form of a kimono or kaftan and a woven handbag basket from Japan.

AM ritual: A meditation practice, followed by a cascade of beverages from water, to lemon water, to herbal tinctures. Then I do dry-brushing followed by an alternating hot/cold shower, full-body oiling with one of my botanical solutions, and then I throw on a robe so I can marinate while having an espresso. I like slow, leisurely mornings.

PM wind down: The first thing I do is my evening facial regimen, right when I get home (or at 4:00 pm during a shelter in place) to remove the day. Then make dinner and a little later, I will take a therapeutic bath and read in bed, which usually puts me to sleep in 10 minutes.

Secret skill: I have a finely tuned bullshit detector.

Best Advice you’ve ever received: Confrontation is a straight line to resolution.

A mistake you’ve learned from: Whenever I’ve delayed taking action on the inevitable, or not trusting my instincts.

To your younger self: People are overrated.

A wellness expert who has significantly helped you: Dr. Linda Lancaster. She taught me subtle analysis and medical radiesthesia and opened me up to the world of homeopathy, anthroposophy, understanding our subtle anatomy, and the study of energy and intention. All the therapeutic bathing practices I employ today were taught to me by Dr. Linda. She’s been lecturing and teaching on the effects of radiation, chemicals, heavy metals, and pesticides in our food supply for almost 40 years—and, in turn, taught me how to neutralize those pollutants.

Favorite wellness/beauty book: I collect obscure and hard to find Materia Medica. My current favorite is Structure: Experiences with the Mineral Kingdom by Rajan Sankaran. It includes case studies and discussions, which help to give an overall portrait and feeling of a remedy.

Three things you’re really into right now:Cell salts and their herbal synergists, mastering cassava roti + paranthas, and yuzu hot sauce from Japan—I’m obsessed. I put it on everything.

How are you managing anxiety in light of COVID-19: What lifts me is staying inspired through creating—it’s my passion. The fact that it has been an incredibly creative time for me is a silver lining. I also reach out to friends, take long walks, get some sun whenever I can, take significant breaks from social media, and stay off the TV (never in my life have I watched less television than during this pandemic).

Is there a COVID-19 silver lining for you: Yes, several. Most significantly, ‘Slow’ and ‘Down’ have become the new modes. We’ve been forced to go inward, quite literally. Slow down. Clear the decks. This is the time to manifest, evolve, and if we want, reshape our lives. Make a pivot. Look for the grace in the unknown, and open to possibilities (this is where mediation helps). I’ve never felt more freedom and empowerment, or have seen more opportunities present themselves.