Life is complicated. And messy. And wonderful.

Grandma Evelyn’s life was complicated. Still so beautiful to me when last I saw her…soft white hair combed out perfectly from the nightly ritual of pin curls. Her tiny frame still filled out with what the women in our family lovingly refer to as the “Wiley” curves. She was beautiful and funny and talented…and tragic. She bore scars inside and out, like her sisters, mother, grandmothers, and the First Mother. Goddesses all.

Amazing women whose life stories are traced on their skin stand as our inspiration. Their scars mingle with wrinkles etched deeper for the heartache of loss. Cancer serves up some with death by a thousand cuts. Hands wrecked from toil. Body aching – holding it straight as a board to keep from dissolving into hard earth.

And yet, they sing. They paint. They write poetry. And they love – deeply.

I am Kelly Layne. My story is complicated and messy and wonderful. After spending most of my working life as a chef, I concluded that I was too broken to keep at it any longer. This was a reluctant relief. However, I cannot “just relax and enjoy the rest.” The house can only be so clean; there are only so many weeds to pull; the furniture can only be rearranged so many times against an ever-changing backdrop of fresh paint. My children were grown, my time was my own, and my husband insisted I follow my joy. Whatever THAT means! I had not given “my joy” much consideration since…well, since before I can remember.

As I sat with this thought - and sat with it some more - bits and pieces of my life came whooshing back, all orderly and sane, as if they had always been that way. Herbology, remedies, gardening, food, formulation, nutrition, rituals, healing - the study and knowledge was all there, waiting…for what? For me to immerse myself in study, yet again.

Much of my life has been spent caring for others. That is my joy.

Over the years, Joy has left its marks - all over. My hands are a roadmap of scars. The flesh over one eye is torn from cancer. Life and Love have drawn lines across my face. I got off easy. But, do my daughters and son need this legacy, or can I offer a softer landing than the one I thought was preordained?

“Love yourself as you love others.” My muse can be very discomfiting.

In the long list of responsibilities and “to do’s,” self-care often comes last. Taking care of our skin? Hmmm…I think that has historically come last-last.

So, here we all are, at long last…in my Joy. It is my sincere desire that you also find joy on this journey.

I celebrate my ancestors in this collection and formulate for the skincare challenges facing my family and yours. They are hard-working formulas punctuated with grace and beauty.

Wiley Women Body Care is committed to helping you achieve and maintain healthier skin. Our goal is to bring you “ritual-worthy” products made from responsibly sourced, natural ingredients packaged in beautiful reusable bottles with stone labels. Give yourself the gift of healthier skin.

Our EvoQuelle skincare line is produced in small batches, from carefully selected ingredients, with loving intention.

Simple. Natural. Powerful.