CISKA DINGS

At Xandres we love to be inspired by women with a personal style and a story of their own. In turn, we'd like to inspire you! With Xandres 'Inspiring women', we put strong women in the spotlight. Read all about their inspiring stories, brands and favourite Xandres pieces here. 

Marianne Janssens, Ciska Dings and Amandine De Paepe are enterprising women with a mission and a preference for Belgian fashion and sustainability. Day or night, home or the office, weekday or weekend… As Xandres puts it: 'always be in the moment'. Each with a fantastic personality and unbelievable style. 

#xandreswomen

PROTECTION SHOULD BE THE FOUNDATION OF ALL BEAUTY

— CISKA DINGS

Who is Ciska? 

CISKA DINGS FROM SKIN BY DINGS IS ONE OF OUR #XANDRESWOMEN THIS MONTH.  Ciska is a cheerful 35-year-old from Flemish Brabant. As a mother of three sons, she finds it important to take good care of her skin and protect it. She has one important mission: to get everyone to use sunscreen, even in winter. That's why Skin by Dings was born: a complete range of multifunctional sun protection products for daily use, with many skin-improving properties. Blissful to use and nice to look at too. For Xandres, Ciska is an 'inspiring woman' because, with her 100% Belgian brand, she wants to make people receptive to sunscreen in a fun way and encourage them to protect their skin daily, all year round. 

What is Skin by Dings?

SKIN BY DINGS IS A BRAND THAT MAINLY FOCUSES ON SUN PROTECTION. From my background in cosmetics, I want to make people receptive to sunscreen in a fun way and encourage them to protect their skin daily. Not only in the summer months or when we see the sun shining, but all year round. Products that are pleasant to use give that little bit of extra motivation to do that effectively, and that was also my goal when creating my products.

WATCH THE INTERVIEW HERE

What is the difference between Skin by Dings and other cosmetic brands?

FIRST OF ALL, SKIN BY DINGS IS 100% BELGIAN. I always take into account 4 criteria that I find very important when developing products.

#1. I use 80% NATURAL INGREDIENTS. The other 20% is the best science has to offer to take my products to the next level or improve effectiveness.

#2. EASE OF USE. That seems obvious, but I think that sun protection within cosmetics has to endure a lot of resistance. People often think it's sticky or shiny, that it's incompatible with make-up, or that it's just not pleasant enough to use on a daily basis. That's why I want to do everything I can to develop something for the whole family, so you can wear make-up, do sports, etc

#3. EFFECT ON THE SKIN. The sun protection mustn't leave a white film on the skin and must be able to be used in combination with other products.

#4. FEELING ON THE SKIN. Sun protection should feel like a second skin without actually feeling it.

Products containing many natural ingredients often leave a white film on the skin or have a paste-like consistency Conversely, some products feel very pleasant on the skin but contain ingredients that are best avoided. It makes it difficult and challenging to create a product that can do both, but I succeeded with Skin by Dings.

What do you like about Xandres?

I THINK THERE ARE FEW BRANDS ON A NATIONAL AND, DARE I SAY, INTERNATIONAL LEVEL THAT TRANSCEND GENERATIONS. If you go shopping at Xandres you will see these different generations. Mothers and daughters shopping together for the same brand. I admire the timelessly beautiful collections for every age.

I ALSO HOPE TO ACHIEVE THAT WITH MY BRAND. That it becomes something that you inherit and learn from your mum. That she used it on you when you were little—yes, it's still usually the mums who put the sunscreen on the kids—and that you later use it for yourself and your children. That it can grow with the different generations. 

FOR ME, XANDRES IS A TIMELESS AND HIGH-QUALITY BRAND. With a good fit and cut and excellent workmanship. And the inside is almost as beautifully finished as the outside. 

'Always be in the moment’, what does that mean for you?

FOR ME THAT IS AN ASPIRATION OR AN OBJECTIVE, A CHALLENGE AND A WORKING POINT, ALL ROLLED INTO ONE. It seems obvious and easy to live in the moment, but I have to admit it's something I have to constantly remind myself of.

WHEN I'M ON VACATION OR IN A RELAXED SITUATION, it takes me more than a week to realise that the now is important, not the things I left behind me last week. I do believe that it is the key to being truly happy.

FINDING BALANCE IS NOT EASY, and I believe that there will always be imbalances. But learning to live more in the moment is, I think, a very nice goal. I'm definitely going to strive for it more after today, and I believe that it's certainly achievable.

What message would you like to share with all our #xandreswomen?

AS WOMEN, WE TRY TO PERFORM ALL ROLES PERFECTLY, BUT THAT IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE. We need to let go more and realise that sometimes good is good enough. We mustn't outrun ourselves. Sometimes it is better to take things step-by-step, because everything has its time. As an entrepreneur, you are often asked where you see yourself in 5 or 10 years, while sometimes you live better day by day.

I strongly believe in trusting your intuition and gut feeling. Use common sense in everything you do and you'll be fine.

Thank you for chatting with us Ciska! We wish you a lot of success.

Follow Ciska and Skin by Dings via skinbydings.com & on Instagram @skinbydings