Beauty Boss: Spa Educator and Wellness Founder Cecily Braden Created The Lymphatic Brush to Revolutionize At-Home Self-Care Routines
Cecily Braden.
Our latest Beauty Boss is Cecily Braden, an esthetician, educator, and founder of CJB Spa & Wellness—a global spa marketplace that offers products and services. A veteran of the spa and wellness industry, Braden has developed protocols and spa treatments for multiple decades, and through her extensive travel she has learned about rare botanicals, indigenous massage techniques and beliefs, and ancient healing traditions.
The Benefits of Dry Brushing for Lymphatic Drainage
Braden also created The Lymphatic Brush, a revolutionary tool for the face and body that makes it easy to incorporate lymphatic drainage into self-care and professional treatments. The patented design features a unique bristle pattern and density combination that grips skin in a precise way and targets superficial lymph vessels just under the skin. When combined with special techniques, the brush mimics the passive contractions of the lymph vessels to manually propel fluids and stimulate lymph flow.
We chatted with Braden who shared the inspiration behind the brand, secrets for success, best advice, and much more.
Braden created The Lymphatic Brush, a revolutionary tool for the face and body that makes it easy to incorporate lymphatic drainage into self-care and professional treatments.
When was your brand founded?
The company was formally incorporated in December 2000. It was an exciting way to celebrate the turn of the century and start a new chapter in my life.
What’s the meaning behind the name?
CJB are my initials: Cecily Joy Braden. Interestingly, the corporation has always included “CJB,” (CJB Global Imports, Inc), but we did business as “Beauty Secrets” for the first 20-years since my original idea and goal was to create a global spa marketplace where I could share my passion for travel and the unique products and treatments, I was experiencing with those who were unable to make the journey on their own.
That desire to share, from rare botanicals to indigenous massage techniques and beliefs that imbibe global spa rituals, is and was the driving force behind Cecily Braden Spa & Wellness and our dedication to maintain the integrity of ancient healing traditions through comprehensive training and the promotion of cross-cultural spa experiences.
In the early years I took a very behind the scenes approach and built the foundation through developing protocols and training programs. I was the “person behind the person” and supported professionals in the industry from the back seat.
For years, people encouraged me to step out from behind the curtain and allow people to see the face behind the brand, but as an introvert, I fought the idea and it took the influence of social media and those wanting to get to know me better, for me to finally become the face and name behind the brand.
In 2020, we rebranded as CJB and Cecily Braden Spa & Wellness. It was a pivotal point in the growth of our business, and I learned that taking a personal approach matters. I thought no one cares about me, they care about the brand and the product they’re purchasing, but as the Founder and creative force behind thebrand—they’re one in the same. People trust the product and our training because they trust and have gotten to know me.
The patented design features a unique bristle pattern and density combination that grips skin in a precise way and targets superficial lymph vessels just under the skin.
What inspired the creation of your brand?
The brand has been ever evolving and was ultimately created through my professional courses and offering products to support the protocols I developed and the needs of our clients.
I live on the constant edge of student and teacher, and our training programs and brand evolves as I do. I learn as I teach and teach what I learn. It’s an evolutionary process that guides the brand and keeps us on the forefront of innovation and education. We never rest on what we’ve accomplished and start each day with the ideas and ideals of what we can do, how to improve and turn our ideas into reality.
I’m inspired by those who use our products, embrace my ideas and trust me to guide them as an innovator and educator. I want to do better for them.
Do you have a hero product? Favorite product?
The Lymphatic Brush. It’s become the “hero” of all that use it. I especially love that it’s allowed us to expand beyond the borders of beauty and into true health and wellness. It’s helping people not only look and feel better, but improving the quality of life for those who have to manage chronic and debilitating conditions that impair daily functioning.
The Thai Herbal Poultice (face and body). An amazing Thai therapy and the first facial protocol I developed. It remains the foundation of our business.
The Lymphatic Brush has exceeded all our expectations. It’s a “win win” for everyone. Aypa Balm. I believe in minimal skincare and love multi-use products.
The Aypa Balm is excellent for cleansing the skin, creates the perfect “grip and glide” for facial massage and the perfect ending for hydrating and protecting the skin.
Where are your products sold?
It depends on the product, but we have a global distribution network that manages sales worldwide. Our main distribution centers are UK, EU, AU and Korea with subsidiaries in Ireland, Scandinavia, Mexico, Dubai and Switzerland. Products can also be found on our website.
Future plans?
I will follow where it leads, but The Lymphatic Brush seems to be paving the path right now and leading us into the health arena where we’re working with experts in the health and medical side of wellness. I see an opportunity to truly make a difference for individuals with medical conditions that severely impact their life, and the potential to slow the effects of conditions that involve cognitive decline or neurological degeneration.
When combined with special techniques, The Lymphatic Brush mimics the passive contractions of the lymph vessels to manually propel fluids and stimulate lymph flow.
Who inspires you?
People who don’t give up. Those who keep going despite the difficulties they may be experiencing, or how many times they’ve been knocked down.
Secret to success?
That’s relative but never give up, take the road less traveled and be a good human. I start every journal with the poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost and abide by a quote from Paul Hawkin.
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I…I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference.” Robert Frost
“Being a good human being is good business. And like no endeavor in our lives, business impels us into the society at large, with the prospects of betterment for all concerned.” Paul Hawkin
It’s okay to be different, to follow your own path. It may not be the easiest choice, but it’s usually the most rewarding.
Beauty secrets?
Ironically, that was the initial name and basis of the brand. The inspiration is from a global collection of unique products and treatments that I’ve experienced all around the world. It’s really a melting pot at this point.
Wellness tips?
Less is more—your skin has everything it needs to heal, hydrate, rejuvenate and regenerate, so the best thing we can do is to support its natural function and let it do what it’s intended to do.
Best advice?
There is more than one way to do one thing. If something doesn’t work, try or find another way. What works for others, may not work for you and vice versa.
How do you like to relax?
A good bathhouse and a Platza treatment. There isn’t anything like the feeling of a hot sauna, or steam followed by a platza and cold plunge.
For more information about Cecily Braden Spa & Wellness, visit their website and follow on Instagram: @the_lymphatic_brush
[Images courtesy of Cecily Braden Spa & Wellness]
Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk