AKLLA MAKE-UP PRODUCTS

The Story of Aklla - Chosen Woman
Marie Harrison visited Peru in late October/early November last year as a result of her friendship with Susan Gash and Sven Carlson, clients of Salon St. Louis until their move east last year.  The Peru trip was a spiritual retreat that involved an immersion in the land and the culture of the people.  Marie's sister made the comment as she dropped Marie at the airport prior to leaving, "This is going to be a life-changing experience for you!"  Yes, it was - and then some more!

Some of the things I learned in Peru…

AYNI
The word “Ayni” does not have an equivalent in other languages.  It means “today for you, tomorrow for me”, the idea that all work is shared and that each man benefits from helping others.  Ayni encompasses all the relationships that exist among the Andean people as well as their relationship with Mother Earth, Pachamama.   The system of Ayni is about reciprocity in relationships.  Ayni was practiced in ancient times and continues to be an important part of the Andean culture.

PREPARATION
One of our guides in Peru talked with us about the concept of preparation.  Preparation is about having a mindfulness about what is to come, and taking care to always be ready.  It puts forth a sense of accountability and appreciation for what is and what will be.   This applies to all life endeavors and relationships.

CAROL CUMES AND THE CHILDREN’S FUND IN THE PERUVIAN ANDES
Carol Cumes started a spiritual center which she named Willka T’ika, which is located in the Sacred Valley of the Andes in Peru.  Carol started visiting Peru in the mid-eighties and found herself returning time after time.  She felt a spiritual pull from the magnificent ancient sites, the astounding beauty of the land and the Kkechuwa-speaking people of the Andes.  Her entire life shifted as her relationship with the land and the gentle Andean people grew.  After the creation of Willka T’ika, Carol started the practice of Ayni, Andean reciprocity, in order to give back to the communities.  Thus, a Children’s Fund was started, which has supported the construction of two school buildings and a library.  The fund also provides over 300 hot lunches to Quechua children each school day.

OUR PRACTICE OF AYNI AT SALON ST. LOUIS
Our new make-up line, Aklla – Chosen Woman, will allow us start the practice of Ayni, Andean reciprocity, with Carol Cumes, who is starting an academy for young women in the Peruvian Andes.  We are honored to be aligned with this extraordinary woman, who has quietly and determinedly made a significant difference in countless lives.  We pledge 100% of our profits for 2007 from the sales of Aklla - Chosen Woman to Carol for her new academy.

AKLLA
Aklla is a Kkechuwa word that means “chosen woman”.  Kkechua is the traditional language of the Andean, or Quechua people.  Our hope is to assist the young women who have chosen to move forward in their lives at the new academy in Peru.

Aklla represents the spirit of all women.  Every woman has a unique beauty and the gift of her own being.  All women should celebrate their very existence in this world and find special ways to do so.  Aklla provides the choice to enhance individual beauty and to play with a very wonderful make-up line.  Aklla make-up will be available for on-line purchase soon!

Live In Your Beauty!

CLICK ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE
Bill Gash, Carol Cumes and Marie Harrison at Wilka Tika	Bill and a little girl at a school very high in the Andes	Marie, Verna Yater and Susan Gash	Sven Carlson and Susan Gash, SSL clients until the move east!
Gabby, a wonderful guide, and a teacher at a school we visited	P'isaq	Macchu Picchu early morning, Nov.1 2006	A view of Macchu Picchu from Waynapicchu
Marie Harrison on the climb on Waynapicchu at Macchu Picchu	Marie somewhere on Waynapicchu	Water, very important	The quadrangle, a cultural theme - connection of heaven & earth
The Urabamba River from Macchu Picchu	Passageway on Wynapicchu	Some of the beauty at Wilka T'ika	The "five hundred year tree" at Wilka T'ika
The path from Wilka T'ika to the main road	Wilka T'ika	A neighbor of Wilka T'ika	Church in Cuzco