#Mustela Mom

Mustela Mom of the Month, July 2026: Meet Johanna

Mustela Mom of the Month, July 2026: Meet Johanna

Meet Johanna, a Bogotá native raising two little ones in Brooklyn with her French husband. She's also the founder of MamansBK, a parent community that brings local families together while their kids are small.

In this month's Mustela Mom of the Month spotlight, Johanna shares the lesson that changed how she thinks about caregiving, the nightly bath-time ritual that settles her whole house, and the reason a childhood staple from Colombia is now part of her own kids' routine. She sums up this season of her life in one word, expansion.

"Motherhood is not only about caring for a child, but also about becoming a new version of yourself along the way."

Key Takeaways

Johanna founded MamansBK to give parents in Brooklyn's early-years community a place to connect, gather, and feel supported.
Bath time holds a cherished place in her family's daily rhythm, closing out each full day with soft giggles and a bedtime story.
Mustela was part of Johanna's childhood home in Colombia, and she now uses the same gentle skincare with her own kids, one generation to the next.
Her advice for other parents is to be gentle with themselves and to remember that presence is powerful.

1. A Little About You

Johanna opens with the people at the center of it all, her husband, her two little ones, and the community growing up around them.

Tell us a bit about you and your family.

"I'm Johanna, a Colombian native, married to a Frenchie, and a mama of two wild and kind little humans. We're growing as a family in Brooklyn, NY."

How has motherhood shaped your life?

"Motherhood has deeply changed me. It has opened me in ways I didn't expect, and in tandem, I've been building MamansBK, a space to create your village in the early years of motherhood. So much of my life now revolves around creating meaningful spaces and experiences where parents and children can gather, connect, unwind, and feel supported."

What are you passionate about?

"I'm passionate about slowing down, intentional motherhood, thoughtful community, and creating beauty and belonging in everyday life."

How would you describe this season of life in one word?

"This season of life, in one word, feels like: expansion."

2. Your Journey

Next, Johanna reflects on the lessons caregiving keeps teaching her.

What's one of the most meaningful lessons you've learned as a caregiver?

"One of the most meaningful lessons I've learned as a caregiver is that love lives in the smallest, repeated acts, showing up, staying soft, and creating a sense of safety."

What do you wish you had known earlier?

"Something I wish I had known earlier is that motherhood is not only about caring for a child, but also about becoming a new version of yourself along the way."

3. Everyday Moments

Every family has a moment the whole day bends toward, and in Johanna's house it's bath time.

Which daily moments mean the most to you?

"The daily moments that mean the most are often the quietest ones, coffee in hand, moving through my to-do list, bath time, bedtime stories with my minis, or those in-between pauses when the pace softens and connection returns."

Is there a family ritual that feels especially special?

"Bath time, in particular, has always felt special in our home. It's when the soft giggles begin, when the day starts to settle. It marks the end of a full day, but also creates a deeply comforting space to come together, ending with a story, a ritual that holds care, closeness, and calm."

4. Caring for Skin, Caring for Family

Johanna's relationship with Mustela started long before she became a mom.

Why is gentle skincare important to your family?

"Gentle skincare is important to me. Growing up in Colombia, Mustela was always part of our home, so it feels natural to now use it with my minis. It's a way of passing down care, teaching them, from early on, the importance of tending to their skin with softness and intention."

What does family mean to you?

"Family is everything to me, especially as an expat building a life in NYC, surrounded by friends who become family, and values that travel with us across places and cultures."

5. Community & Support

Hard days come for every parent, and Johanna is clear about what carries her through them.

What supports you most during busy or challenging days?

"What supports me most during busy or challenging days is community. Motherhood was never meant to be experienced in isolation. I've come to deeply value support not only in practical ways, but in emotional ones too, being seen, understood, and reminded that you're not alone."

Who do you lean on?

"My friends. Being able to share both the highs and the lows with them, that's a gift."

What does being part of the Mustela community mean to you?

"Being part of the Mustela community feels aligned with that same spirit of thoughtful care and support for families."

6. A Note to Other Parents

Johanna closes with the words she would offer another parent in the middle of it all.

What would you want to tell someone in a similar season of life?

"Be gentle with yourself. So much of parenting is built in moments that may seem small, but are actually shaping everything."

One reminder or intention you're holding onto right now?

"One reminder I'm holding onto right now is: presence is powerful."

Suggested Products

Johanna's go-to Mustela products are her bath-time and post-bath essentials, and the lineup below covers every step of the nightly wind-down she describes.

Gentle Cleansing Gel: An extra-gentle gel that cleanses and hydrates baby's delicate hair and skin, leaving both soft and lightly scented.
Hydra Bébé Body Lotion: A daily moisturizing lotion made with Jojoba Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Avocado Perseose that absorbs instantly and delivers long-lasting moisture.
Multi-Sensory Bubble Bath: A gentle bubble bath gel that cleanses hair and body with a rich, foamy lather that adds a little fun to the nightly routine.
Organic Hydrating Cream with Olive Oil and Aloe: A lightweight, certified organic cream for face and body that is gentle enough for all ages and helps support the skin's natural moisture barrier.