In the ultimate quest for inner beauty and outer radiance, Marie Claire asked some of her favorite trailblazers to share their secrets for finding balance in their busy lives. Published in Beauty Inside & Out.

Chef and wellness advocate Sophia Lo (open in new tab) has been teaching her audience how to live a healthier, more powerful lifestyle through encouraging workshops and social media posts about her past traumas. Here are some of her feel-good beauty products and one of her nourishing dishes.

The Nue Co Functional Fragrance (opens in new tab):

"Total clarity: I've gone through four bottles of this fragrance. It gets me ready in the morning, keeps me going during the day, and gets me ready for bed. It is a crazy fragrance."

Nature's Way Gotu Kola Herb (opens in new tab):

"I'm one of those people who bruises really, really easily, so I take herbal remedies for that."

Nature's Way Magnesium Complex (opens in new tab):

"A lot of menstruating women think, oh, I'm craving chocolate because I need sugar, but it's actually the body craving the magnesium in the chocolate. I think it may be the chelated magnesium (chelated magnesium). I take chelated magnesium (a supplement that is easily absorbed by the body) all the time. If I don't, I get cranky. I can feel the difference."

Elta MD Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 (opens in new tab):

"I have a problem with sunscreen that clogs my pores and I need something that doesn't flake. I mean, I'm black, right?" this blends in with my skin and doesn't ruin my makeup."

Act + Acre Cold Processed Hair Conditioner (opens in new tab):

"I almost always braid my hair. People think I'm going for a look, but it's a protective style. I mix a little hemp oil with this conditioner and work it into my wet hair before I braid it. That's how I deep condition."

Jillian Dempsey Cole Eyeliner (opens in new tab):

"My signature look is a little cat eye and mascara. The more messed up my eyeliner is, the better it looks; it's only perfect when it's been on my face for three hours."

Prepare the persimmons

Place a skillet over medium heat. Add 5 medium-sized fuyu persimmons and saute for 2 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 tablespoon fresh ginger (finely chopped), 1 tablespoon maple syrup, and zest of 1 lemon; cook for 2 minutes. Add the juice of 1 lemon. Heat for 2 more minutes. Set aside.

Make the crisp topping

In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup cassava flour (or gluten-free), 1/3 cup coconut flour, 1/3 cup gluten-free oats, 1/2 cup chopped pumpkin seeds and 4 tablespoons coconut sugar. Add 2 tablespoons softened butter, 3 tablespoons coconut oil, 4 tablespoons water, and 1 teaspoon sea salt. Mix until crumbly. Place crumble on top of persimmons in skillet. Transfer pan to oven and bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes until golden brown. Serve with ice cream, mint, candied ginger, pickled fruit, or coconut milk, if desired! [This article appeared in the Winter 2020 issue of Marie Claire.

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