Our Staff

Magdalen is originally from Nairobi, Kenya. Her Kenyan name is Karugi Karanja. Karugi means “Little Cook” (she loves to cook and is very good at it). Karanja is her father’s family name. Magdalen has always been very passionate about skin care. While growing up in Kenya, with an abundance of tropical fruits and vegetables, Magdalen made her own creams and masques for mini-facials. When Magdalenarrived in the United States and realized there were schools to provide formal training for skin care therapists, she enrolled at Yvonne De Vilar Scientific Skin Care in Vienna, Virginia. She graduated in 2004, obtained her Esthetics license, and immediately went to work for a spa in Arlington, Virginia. Three years later, she began working for another upscale spa in Bethesda, Maryland. However, Magdalen always dreamed of having her own spa where she could share with her clients the benefits and results of proper skin care treatment. In 2008, she was able to open her own mini-spa by leasing space in a dental office. Magdalen soon realized that she needed more space for her clients and wanted to offer additional services. In 2010, she opened her present location at 966 Hungerford Drive in Rockville, Maryland. Magdalen currently offers the Obaji, Vivant, and Magdalen’s Pure Skin Care product lines. All the therapists at Magdalen’s Pure Skin Care, including Magdalen, are highly trained, attend continuing education classes, and participate in various trade shows to ensure they can incorporate the changing trends in skin care, new products, and treatments. Magdalen herself has received extensive additional training in waxing techniques.