ARCHITECT OF inner BEAUTY - sophie engelen

Every month we dive into the souls of people that embody the essence of La Dada. People who inspire us. Beautifully captured trough the lens of photographer Sarah Van Praag.

Meet our next "dada soul" Sophie Engelen. She goes beyond the surface, helping people feel as radiant as they look.


Sophie is a guide for inner and outer transformation. She helps people feel as radiant on the inside as they look on the outside. With three passions, she weaves empowerment into everything she does:

Make-up artist – Enhancing natural beauty while celebrating individuality. Her approach isn’t about covering up, but about bringing out the unique essence of each person she touches.

Aloise Botanicals – A conscious beauty brand where nature and self-care meet. Sophie believes in the power of clean, nourishing ingredients that support both skin and soul.

The Inner Cycles – Through this work, she helps people reconnect with their inner world, embracing both their softness and strength.

SOPHIE'S STORY

1. WHAT DOES DOING YOUR 'DADA' MEAN TO YOU?

My passion for understanding the deeper layers of the mind and soul started at a very young age. I initially wanted to study psychology or criminology, but at the time, I felt it would be too heavy for me as a sensitive person. Now, I see that same sensitivity as a strength — allowing me to explore the unconscious mind in a different way. Even as a teenager, I was drawn to spiritual books, always seeking a deeper understanding of the unseen.

Today, I combine these passions through my work, blending holistic healing, bodywork, and inner exploration. I guide people into deeper layers of themselves, where transformation can happen. This depth is also present in my skincare brand, my approach to makeup, and in my role as a mother.

There’s always that layer underneath, guiding everything I do with intention and purpose.

2. WHAT HAVE BEEN THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES YOU'VE FACED ON YOUR JOURNEY TO FOLLOW YOUR HEART? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?

I used to see my sensitivity as an obstacle or weakness, but now recognise it as a strength. People often tell me how inspired they are by my vulnerability and how beautiful it is to show that side of myself. Another challenge I’ve encountered is the tendency to make myself smaller, a form of people-pleasing that I’ve carried for a long time.

Through deep inner work, I’ve become more aware of these patterns and their roots. Shifting them and staying conscious of them has been transformative. Life, for me, is a constant process of getting to know myself better and evolving through each layer.

3. PERSONAL MANTRA: WHAT QUOTE OR MANTRA FUELS YOUR DRIVE, ESPECIALLY ON CHALLENGING DAYS?

“Trust the flow, honor the cycles.” It helps me stay centered, reminding me that everything has its own rhythm and season.

4. INSPIRATION: WHO OR WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST SOURCE OF INSPIRATION AND HOW HAS IT SHAPED YOUR JOURNEY?

For me, inspiration comes from two main sources. The first is the people in my daily life — my children, husband, mother, and friends. These are the people who are my biggest mirrors, and sometimes (often), the ones who push my buttons. They challenge me to grow and reflect deeper.

The second source of inspiration comes from thought leaders and teachers like Gabor Maté, Carl Gustav Jung, Brene Brown, Bessel Vander Kolk, …. and the Wise Women I’m surrounded with. I’m also deeply inspired by the courses I take, which constantly deepen my understanding and shape my journey.

5. WORK-LIFE HARMONY: IN PURSUING YOUR PASSION, HOW DO YOU FIND BALANCE BETWEEN WORK AND PERSONAL LIFE, MAKING SURE ONE DOEN'NT OVERSHADOW THE OTHER?

Finding balance between my work and personal life is definitely one of the more challenging aspects of my journey. My children have always been my priority, and on the days when I’m not working on set, I try to be there to pick them up after school. They grow so fast, and I know these moments are fleeting, so I want to make sure I don’t look back with regrets about not spending enough time with them. I genuinely love being with them, but it’s not always easy to juggle all the different roles I carry as a woman. Trying to do everything to the best of my ability can sometimes feel overwhelming—yet, it’s part of the process, right? (Another obstacle pops up, haha!)

6. DEALING WITH FAILURE: HOW HAVE YOUR FAILURES OR SETBACKS SHAPED YOUR APPROACH TO LIFE?

When it comes to failure, I’ve learned to challenge the notion of what failure really is. With my head, I know we can be too hard on ourselves, but it’s in those softer, quieter moments where self-doubt creeps in. For example, in building my brand, I sometimes feel frustrated when things take longer than I expected. That’s when the harsh inner voice can emerge, telling me “I’m not good enough.” It also shows up as a mother, where I unconsciously place weight on my children due to my own unresolved stuff. And, when things don’t flow as smoothly as I would like, those old patterns can still take over. But it’s a process, and I try to acknowledge and soften those voices as they arise.

7. BOLD MOVES: CAN YOU SHARE A TIME WHEN YOU MADE A BOLD MOVE OR TOOK A RISK TO FOLLOW YOUR HEART? WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME?

A bold move I made was when we moved to Los Angeles. At that time, we had only one daughter, and she was 4. Although the move was for my husband’s work, it turned my life upside down and honestly scared me at first. We lived there for four years, and during that time, our second daughter was born in LA. I absolutely loved living there. I also took a two-year course in Holistic Healing and Plant Medicine, which became the first seed for Aloïse. Looking back, I feel a bittersweet mixture of missing the life we had there, but also immense gratitude for everything it brought into my life.

8. EMPOWERING ADVICE:

Let yourself be inspired by others, but always stay true to yourself. Your passion is an extension of who you are. If you let it fade, a part of you fades with it. Honoring your passions is essentially honoring yourself.

9. WHAT'S YOUR VISION OF SUCCESS?

Success is when all the puzzle pieces fall into place, when you feel balanced and truly happy in life, and when you can feel proud of what you do and who you are. Success can sometimes carry a negative connotation because someone might excel in work but struggle in family or relationships. True success, in my eyes, goes much deeper than just external accomplishments.

10. FUTURE DADA: WHAT'S THE NEXT BIG GOAL OR PROJECT FOR YOU?

The next big goal for me is expanding Aloïse. I’m excited about launching new products (which always takes more time then I want) and growing the community organically. While I have a few other personal goals, I try to focus not just on achieving goals but also on enjoying the journey along the way. Being present.

"I USED TO SEE MY SENSITIVITY AS A WEAKNESS BUT NOW USE IT AS MY STRENGTH"

Shop SOPHIE'S look