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Voyage LA Write Up on Bare Pits

https://voyagela.com/interview/inspiring-conversations-with-mila-shmurak-of-bare-pits

 

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mila Shmurak.

Hi Mila, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Mila Shmurak, the founder of Bare Pits, WOMENEEDZ, and the MONOI de TAHITI skincare line. My journey into wellness and self-care has been deeply personal, shaped by my own struggles with emotional and physical health. Over the years, I’ve realized that true healing happens from the inside out, and now I’m dedicated to helping others achieve that same balance.

Bare Pits was born from my own desire to create a more natural, clean, and effective way to care for our bodies. After years of using commercial deodorants with harsh chemicals, I wanted to create a product that was not only safe but also performed at the highest level. Bare Pits offers aluminum-free, vegan, and cruelty-free deodorants that actually work—without toxic ingredients. It’s a simple, essential part of self-care that aligns with nature. I am grateful that Center For New Medicine and Mother’s Markets carry my products. I love educating others on proper armpit care and the importance of armpit and skin care.

On the other hand, WOMENEEDZ is a space dedicated to empowering women to heal and connect mind, body, spirit on a much deeper level. After experiencing my own struggles with emotional tension and a stressed nervous system, I discovered the healing power of Reiki and energy work. WOMENEEDZ provides energy healing sessions, workshops, and self-regulation tools, helping women reconnect with their bodies and minds, release blockages, and find inner peace in today’s chaotic world.

Alongside these, I’m incredibly proud to introduce the MONOI de TAHITI skincare line—a truly clean and uniquely luxurious line crafted with the finest ingredients for your skin. Infused with pure Monoi oil, which is renowned for its nourishing, moisturizing, and anti-aging properties, this skincare range is designed to indulge your skin in luxury while keeping it clean and natural. It’s the perfect fusion of traditional Tahitian beauty rituals and modern skincare science, offering a transformative experience for your skin.

What sets me apart is my holistic approach to wellness, blending emotional, physical, and skin care needs. I use natural ingredients that nourish the body, mind, and soul, whether it’s through the luxurious experience of MONOI de TAHITI, the effective and natural deodorants from Bare Pits, or the deep emotional healing offered through WOMENEEDZ. My goal is to provide truly effective solutions that help my clients look and feel their best, inside and out.

I’m most proud of the way my work has made lasting impacts on people’s lives—whether it’s a customer feeling confident in their natural body care or a client who has found peace and balance through energy healing. There’s nothing more rewarding than knowing my work truly helps people live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

To my potential clients, followers, and fans, know that everything I create comes from a place of deep care and understanding. I’ve walked this journey myself and know the transformation that can happen when we give ourselves the space to heal and flourish. Whether it’s through the power of natural, luxurious skincare or the deep healing of energy work, I’m here to help you become the best version of yourself.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Yes, there was a defining moment in my journey that changed the trajectory of both my personal life and professional path with Bare Pits. For years, I struggled with emotional symptoms that I couldn’t quite understand. I’d been in a constant state of fight or flight, dealing with ongoing emotional issues that took over my nervous system. Despite being a yogi for over 20 years, I found that no amount of meditation, breathwork, or asanas could release the deep emotional tension I was holding inside.

It wasn’t until I encountered Reiki that everything changed. My first session was nothing short of an emotional detox. I could feel the release of stuck energy in my body, and it was in that moment that I truly understood the power of the mind-body connection. Reiki helped me learn how to regulate my nervous system and regain balance. It opened my eyes to the importance of energy healing and how essential it is for our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

This experience marked the beginning of my journey toward a deeper understanding of energy and how it can be harnessed to promote healing and growth. It also shifted my career focus, guiding me toward a path of helping others achieve the same transformation. I realized that working with the body’s energy could offer profound shifts in emotional well-being that traditional methods often couldn’t reach.

The lesson I learned was that sometimes, you have to go inward and embrace healing on a deeper level. No matter how much we know or how much we practice, there are times when our bodies are holding more than we realize, and we need to find new ways to release and recalibrate. Reiki, for me, was the key that unlocked this understanding, and now I am passionate about helping others tap into their own energy to heal and thrive.

In business, I’ve had to pivot and adjust in ways that constantly reflect my priorities as a mom. Having four kids is such an important part of my life, and it’s something I never want to lose sight of. While growing my business and myself professionally has always been a passion, my children are always my anchor—they pull me back and remind me of what truly matters.

Balancing it all is a real struggle at times, especially when you’re juggling the demands of both a growing business and a family. There are days when it feels like everything is competing for attention, but at the same time, it’s also incredibly rewarding. I’ve learned to embrace the chaos and find the magic in being a woman who wears so many hats. Women are amazing—what we can create, manage, and accomplish is nothing short of magical. We have the ability to nurture, lead, and innovate all at once, and that’s something I’m constantly in awe of.

I’ve learned that it’s okay to pivot, to adjust, and to take breaks when needed. Sometimes my kids are the ones who pull me back, but in the end, they also push me forward in ways I never imagined. Their love and support remind me of why I do what I do, and that balance, while challenging, fuels my drive to keep growing both personally and professionally.

As you know, we’re big fans of Bare Pits. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Bare Pits was born out of necessity and love. I was on the hunt for a natural deodorant that actually worked and felt good on my skin during breast feeding. My mother in law is a breast cancer survivor, and her fight against the disease opened my eyes to the dangers of the chemicals we often use in everyday products.

I began to realize that the ingredients in common deodorants, particularly aluminum, could potentially play a role in health issues like cancer, which made me even more determined to create a solution. I wanted to make a deodorant my mother in law would love, one that was not only effective but also free from harmful chemicals.

As I dove deeper into understanding the body’s chemistry, especially how armpits play a crucial role in lymphatic health and detoxification, I became passionate about creating a product that would support the body’s natural processes.
Our underarms are so much more than just a place where we sweat—they’re connected to our lymphatic system, which is responsible for filtering toxins and waste. I wanted to make a deodorant that would respect and enhance that process, not hinder it.

At that time, I couldn’t find any natural deodorants that worked for me. Either they didn’t neutralize odor or they left me with a rash. That’s when I decided to take matters into my own hands. I started formulating my own line, one that was free from baking soda, aluminum, alcohol, fragrances, and parabens—ingredients that I knew could be irritating for sensitive skin. After a lot of research, trial and error, and understanding my own skin’s needs, Bare Pits was born.
Bare Pits isn’t just a deodorant; it’s a skincare routine for your armpits. We created a line that focuses on Detox, Cleanse, Nourish, because armpit care should be treated like any other skincare. Bare Pits is built on the belief that everyone has different chemistry and needs when it comes to their skin and armpit care.

No two bodies are the same, and that’s why I’m proud to offer a range of deodorant options for different skin types. We use organic, food-grade ingredients in our products because I believe in the power of nature to heal and protect. Every ingredient is chosen with care to nourish, cleanse, and detoxify without harming the skin or the body.
The staple scents we offer—Lavender Vanilla, Love Rose, Sandalwood Bay Rum—are all made with organic essential oils to provide a refreshing, natural fragrance without harmful chemicals. We believe that each person’s body chemistry is unique, and we’re proud to offer multiple options to meet everyone’s specific needs.

Today, my passion is stronger than ever. I continue to innovate, create, and offer clean, natural products that not only work but also promote vitality and health. My mission is to empower people to take control of their bodies, understand the ingredients they use, and help them achieve healthy, happy skin. I believe that real, natural ingredients, sourced from the earth, are the best way to nourish the skin and support overall well-being.

Bare Pits is my love letter to my family, to my journey as a mother, and to the many women who, like me, want a natural, safe alternative for their skin. And I’m excited to continue this journey, helping more people discover the power of natural armpit care.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Newport Beach perfectly embodies all the classic benefits of coastal living—sunshine, sea breezes, and stunning ocean views—while also emerging as a powerful hub for wellness and personal growth. Its scenic coastline offers not just beauty, but a natural sense of calm that draws people looking to recharge and reconnect. Beyond the beach, a thriving wellness community is taking root, with holistic spaces, healing practitioners, and wellness collectives like WOMENEEDZ creating meaningful opportunities for connection, healing, and empowerment. Whether it’s yoga on the sand, sound baths at sunset, or local events focused on mindfulness and self-care, Newport Beach blends the rejuvenating essence of the coast with a vibrant, supportive wellness culture that continues to grow stronger every day.

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