Right before I moved to Zurich, I met with a fellow expat, Clémence von Mueffling. The French beauty is a professional who has an amazing track record in the industry. Her resume boasts names like Clarins and Dior, but once you know her, this comes as no surprise. She was simply following in the family footsteps.

Both Mueffling’s mother and grandmother were beauty editors at THE French Vogue. Now she lives with her husband and twins in New York and is the Founder & Editor of newly launched beauty site Beauty and Well Being. She’s got a wealth of beauty knowledge that’s filtered through the lens of her classic French POV. During our meeting, I legit wanted to ask her one million questions, but of course I tried to contain myself.

Lucky for me, she was kind enough to spill her well kept secrets. You’re going to want to savor this one, girls. Here is my interview with the ever so sweet Clémence.

What are the French more into, clean or organic? 

In France, each neighborhood has its own café, bakery and pharmacy. So at a young age you start to buy your skincare products from pharmacists. These are usually very ‘clean’ pharmaceuticals brands that are super effective and not too expensive. This is how we start good habits by buying ‘clean’ beauty products.

Glowing skin or matte?

The older I get, the more I want some glow!

As beauty editors, we are able to try so many different brands and products. What skin products or brands do you always come back to?

Avène, La Roche-Posay, Bioderma, A-Derma, Esterderm for Sun protection, Joëlle Ciocco, Clarins, Embryolisse and Filorga.Which American beauty brands would you consider your favorites?Aerin, Supergoop!, Soapwalla Kitchen, Rahua, SkinCeuticals, Kiehl’s.

The French are known for being really into scents. Tell me about your favorite yummy smelling perfumes, body oils and shower gels.

Just yesterday I used the Mediterranean Honeysuckle Body Cream by Aerin. It has the nicest fragrance that remained all day. It reminded me of the summer and its shimmering beaches.

I love body oils too, usually in the evening after I shower. Some of my favorites include: Joëlle Ciocco, Soapwalla body oil, Nuxe and the incredible Leonor Greyl Huile Secret de Beauté.

I always have Clarins Eau Dynamisante, which I use like a cologne. It has been a staple in my bathroom for 20 years!

For shower gels, depending on my mood, I will use Dr Bronner’s shower gel with the Almond scent. When I need to be very energized I use Clarins Tonic Body Oil, and when I want to feel glamorous I use Frederic Malle Eau de Magnolia’s shower gel.

What are your favorite skin devices for at home use?

I have been faithful to Nu Skin for years. Both my mother and grandmother use it too! This at-home spa treatment revives and invigorates your skin, and smoothes lines and wrinkles.

A few days ago I was introduced to Foreo’s LUNA, a Facial Cleansing Brush & Anti-Aging Device.

Where do you go for facials?

I go to Renew Spa in NY as well as Caudalie Spa.

Do you believe in botox/fillers?

I believe in non-invasive techniques, such as micro current.

Who is your dermatologist?  

He is in Paris… but I try to see him twice a year! His name is Philippe Simonin.

What is your skincare routine?

A toner in the morning, some Avène thermal water and an eye contour (these days I am trying BioEffect). Depending on the ‘mood’ of my skin, I may or may not use a serum, then a moisturizer such as Caudalie, Filorga or Avène. I will use an SPF only if I know that I will be in the sun.

In the evening I like to double cleanse. It is my relaxing moment. I use products with lovely textures and scents. Such as Joelle Ciocco cleansing milk, Tata Harper cleansing oil, or de Mamiel cleansing balm.

Then I use a micellar lotion and my Avène thermal water. Sometimes I just finish with that spritz of water if my skin feels hydrated enough. In the winter I may feel the need to add a cream such as Nuxe Crème Fraiche or an oil such as Marisa Berenson’s prickly pear oil. These days I am loving a night serum by Bio Effect.

 Is that Mason Pearson brush all that it’s cracked up to be?

My mother would always buy a Mason Pearson for my sister and me. And I have to say that there is no equivalent in terms of quality. They are expensive, but so worth the price. Clean them regularly and you will keep them for years!

For hair care I love Christophe Robin, David Mallet and Leonor Greyl. I also use Rahua and sometimes Klorane or Furturer.

What are some of the most important lessons that you learned from your mom and grandmother?

To be feminine at all times! And the older you get, the more disciplined you have to be with your beauty and wellness routine.

What is your definition of beauty?

Beauty comes from a woman’s femininity and elegance. It is also the glow that comes from her skin, her smile.

Let’s talk makeup. What are your essentials?

By Terry for foundation, Guerlain for blushes and YSL for the eyes! What products are currently in your handbag?

Aerin’s rose hand cream, a Bioderma lip balm, Eau de Magnolia perfume in its traveling size, a nail file and a Shiseido Pureness compact blush.What skincare products give you the best life-changing results?

These days I have been very impressed with Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 (despite the not-so-nice smell), Bio Effect night Serum and Marisa Berenson’s face oil. 

For better skin texture, which products would you recommend?

More important than products, I would recommend a good cleansing routine, as well as regular skin massages and a healthy diet.

#1 beauty secret is… the face massage. 

Tell me a little about your diet and skincare routine…

My diet is a very simple, balanced diet. I still love my croissants, and I eat tons of dark chocolate every day. However, I did stop eating processed foods and sodas and I have become a ‘flexitarian.’ According to the author of the ‘Omnivore’s Dilemma,’ Michael Pollan, it means someone who does eat some meat – but only sometimes.

Beauty trend that you completely dislike?

Harsh skin treatments such as Fraxel and Dermabrasion.

Tell me a little about The Setting and why you left fashion to start your line of cool ceramics. 

I spent a decade working in special events and offline programming specific to Fashion and that is where I learned how to interpret brand or energy into an experience. I’ve always loved working with my hands and teaching myself how to new things which is when I met my partner, Billur — at a ceramics class. We teamed up to sell customized pieces and have recently added offline programming as well a soon-to-be launched broader collection of homeware!

Give me your definition of beauty. 

Honesty and humility. Being okay with being imperfect is beautiful to me. I am all about showcasing natural, unusual beauty and women feeling and acting open and supportive of each other.

Favorite mascara. 

Dior Show.

Glowing skin or matte? 

Glowing! [Duh.]

Which beauty brands would you consider your favorites? 

Glossier, La Mer, Kiehl’s, Nars, Charlotte Tilbury and Tom Ford.

Do you care about using products that are green/ clean?

I do and I don’t. I have sensitive skin so I care more about using products that feel healing and kind to my skin. I do appreciate when they’re clean but it isn’t a must.

Are you into scents? Tell me about your favorite yummy smelling perfumes, body oils and shower gels. 
Yes! I am religious about Warm’s signature scent and Le Labo’s Santal 33 and I have to have one or the other with me at all times. I also love By Rosie Jane’s fragrance roll on oils. I have a whole ritual with salts, scrubs and oils. It starts with Dr. Bronner’s lavender body wash and it’s something that I do every day 365 days a year.

If you hair had a secret weapon, what would it be? 

My fanciest device is my Mason Pearson hairbrush.

Do you believe in botox/ fillers? 

I have sensitive skin so I try to get a lot of sleep, drink water and I splurge on La Mer. I alternate that with Embryolisse because it’s a great value. I also don’t do facial really but if I want to treat myself once or twice a year, I love Pratima’s Ayurvedic spa in Soho. As far as fillers and botox, I haven’t gone for it but I’m very into doing people whatever makes them feel good – just don’t go crazy because you only get one body and one face.

What is your skincare routine?

I use a gentle exfoliant like St. Ives or Aveeno and then sometimes use a Neutrogena face wipe to doubly clean. Then I’ll spray my rose water and follow up with La Mer and Tinted Moisturizer by Laura Mercier. I keep it so simple because I am not really rewarded for being adventurous with my skin. I know how to keep it calm and happy so maybe it’s boring but it works.

Your strawberry blond hair is insanity, we need to know everything. What are your favorite hair products? 

My favorite hair product is Drybar! That probably sounds random but I go there with my laptop once a week and answer emails while they hook me up. My hair has a life of it’s own so I just get it blown out once a week and kind of leave it to the experts. I use their private label dry shampoo or Klorane in between for touch ups. I stay loyal to Sarah from Sam Brocato for shaping and cuts and Hayden from Mud Honey for color. He’s an artist and just paints my blonde in without foils.

What are some of the most important beauty lessons that you learned (from your mom, grandmother, whomever….)?

My girlfriend Vanessa who owns Modelfit taught me about the importance of exercise for beauty and happiness. She is such a spiritual force who takes impeccable care of herself and she has taught me everything about radical self love. It’s a concept that goes beyond beauty but it serves me well and I recommend it to everyone!

You have such a gorgeous au natural look. What are your makeup essentials? 

Tinted Moisturizer by Laura Mercier, Bronze Cream Eye Shadow by Tom Ford, Brow Pencil by Bobbi Brown and lip gloss / lipstick by whoever. Those staples are very much in my daily repertoire. If I want to dress it up, Eyeliner by Tom Ford goes a long way!

What products are currently in your handbag? 

La Mer, Santal 33 travel size, Kiehl’s lip balm, Nars lipstick and trident.

Tell me a little about your diet and skincare routine…

I don’t drink so hopefully that does me some favors in the long run! I also try not to be restrictive with my diet and just be good about normal things like wearing a baseball hat in the sun and using sunscreen always.

Favorite place to shop for clothes, shoes and beauty? 

Reformation, Kith, Barneys and Glossier.

Favorite restaurants? 

So many! I love food… My friend’s place The Musket Room, Kiki’s, Bond Street Sushi, Whitman’s, Dimes, and The Smile.

Favorite hangout? 

The Wing.

Favorite meal to cook at home when you are hosting? 

Roast chicken with lemon rosemary potatoes.

The best part about living in New York is….

Every day is new and every day is special. There’s an energy that has inspired me from 18 years old until now and I’m grateful to live here.

I was lucky enough to catch Georgie one afternoon in NYC (she’s very busy, as you can imagine) to chat about her life, her brand and her routine. From the best energy-boosting coffee recipe to the ultimate pre-party prep routine, I think it’s safe to say we covered a lot. I can’t wait to hear what you think!

What is the Milk Makeup mantra? Who is the “Milk Girl?”

The Milk Makeup mantra is Milk Girls Do Their Makeup Quick. It just says it all. Milk Girls (and Boys) are modern individuals with busy schedules, great taste and high standards. They curate every choice they make in order to be more true to themselves and streamline their life. Because of the thought they put in to who they are and what they like, they surround themselves with useful products that work to get them ready super quick. We also call this kind of lifestyle High Concept, Low Maintenance- thoughtful intentions with efficient, chic results.

The Milk Girl gets ready in under 10 minutes, for me it would be under 3 minutes since I have a toddler running around that I usually need to wrangle and get to school on time. There is some simple skin prep – I use hydrating face mist, Sunshine oil on my face and Cooling Water under my eyes to depuff. Then I dab on concealer under the eyes and smudge to blend. I then layer on Ubame mascara to my eyelashes, swipe the Highlighter on my cheek bones and Lip + Cheek in Rally on my cheeks and lips. Then I’m out the door. Depending on my mood, I will add on a thick brown, purple winged eyeliner or bold pink or deep bluey-red lip color when I get to Milk.

What is your biggest inspiration for starting Milk Makeup? 

The amazing, ambitious and naturally cool women that work at Milk. We all share a similar ethos- we work hard but have fun and love to play with our personal style.

What are your favorite Milk products? Is there anything coming out we need to know about?

My favorites right now are the Highlighter, Lip + Cheek in Rally and Lip Color in Gnarly and GRRRL. And yes, we have some really exciting new products coming out in August for fall. I don’t want to give away too much, but we have some gorgeous, every day workhorse products (with natural SPF!) balanced with some really fun, rave-inspired products that no one has ever seen before. We are actually shooting the campaign this week with Collier Schorr and I am so excited to see how it turns out.

You and your husband are a writing/directing duo and have done some incredible films together! Has your experience as a director influenced the makeup you’ve created? 

I think my experience as a Director has influenced the personality and image of the brand a lot. We are more video-driven than most beauty brands and visuals across the board lean to the artistic and conceptual side. I direct all the How To and Generation Milk videos, so my Milk Girl POV comes through in those.

Being a Director is an intensely collaborative experience so I like to bring that energy to my team. Our creative team is all women and we have such a good time collaborating and pushing each other to make things better. Egos are checked at the door. As a Director, you have to constantly multi-task too, which I naturally do a lot in my life (who doesn’t). I am a brush my teeth in the shower while my conditioner is washing out kind of girl. That multi-tasking attitude is definitely something from my initial brief for our products – we try to make each product as multi-faceted and multi-functional as possible. The way we see it, we multitask non-stop, so our products should too.

Milk Makeup focuses on cool and trendy products, but also being environmentally conscious and cruelty free. Is a green lifestyle important to you? 

It is incredibly important to me. In my past life as a writer/director at MTV, I actually wrote and directed the Environmental Awareness PSAs, so I am painfully aware of the state of our planet. I try to live green as much as I can in an apartment in NYC, but I am very conscious that there are always ways to be better – less amazon-ing and plastic across the board, for starters. I belong to a CSA, which I love because it supports small local farmers upstate. At Milk Makeup, we are always researching ways to make our products more and more natural and the brand more sustainable and eco-conscious. All our products are recyclable, and our packaging is made from recycled materials with soy-based ink.

Building off that. Let’s talk about your personal routine. What does the first hour of your day look like?

The first hour at home? Kiss my husband, make coffee and a bottle for my son Syd then snuggle on the couch with him for about 10 minutes (he’s really in to snuggling right now). Sometimes, we read a book, sometimes we just stare out the window while we wake up. Then I make Syd’s school lunch, grab a quick shower, get him dressed while my hair dries a bit, then I get dressed and do my makeup with him running around in usually about 10 minutes. When I’m lucky, my husband is around to help but he is about to shoot his first feature film which he wrote both the script and the score for and is directing…so he’s a bit busy. My first hour is taking a deep breath, enjoying my deluxe hippy coffee, then swirling in to a hurricane of productivity. One day, I will put those TM classes we did to good use and get a 20-minute mediation in.

What is your skincare routine?  

I use a lot of oils and take a lot of long baths. My favorite cleanser is either just Sibu Sea Buckthorn Oil or In Fiore Lustra illuminating Cleansing Essence. After cleansing, I spray on Tata Harper’s Hydrating Floral Essence and then apply June Jacobs Brightening Moisturizer. I use June Jacobs Intensive Age Defying Brightening Eye Cream around the eyes.

After applying makeup, I will apply June Jacobs Intensive Age Defying Hydrating Complex SPF 25. DISCLAIMER: I was gifted a load of June Jacob’s Anti-Aging products by a friend – I have been using them and I have never gotten so many compliments on my skin….so now I’m a total convert. At age 36-almost 37, I will take all the age-defying luminance I can get!

For irritated skin, I love Jurlique’s Calendula Cream.

At night, I will use May Lindstrom’s The Blue Cocoon or Weleda’s Wild Rose Smoothing Night Cream. Both are so lovely and rejuvenating. For exfoliating and clearing masks, I love May Lindstrom’s The Problem Solver and Naturopathica’s Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme mask. I am also loving our Milk Makeup Urban Defense Mask and June Jacob’s Mandarine Moisture mask.

I am a bit obsessed with natural and organic skincare and will pretty much try anything from Shen or CAP Beauty.

What do you normally eat in a day?

I feel like I am constantly eating as my days are pretty packed and high energy. My new obsession is this coffee “elixir” I drink in the am, which I learned from my facialist Cara from CAP Beauty. It involves 1 tblsp Sun Potion’s Tocos, a pinch of Sun Potion’s Ashwaganda, 1 tblsp of Coconut Meat,  a little agave and hemp milk for taste. It’s like the vegan version of Bulletproof coffee and I have to say, it keeps me going. My husband and I love it.

My favorite new breakfast has been sauteed asparagus, 2 eggs and avocado. I try to keep it light at lunch. Lately I have been loving the Clean Green Smoothie and Pico De Gallo Salad at Juice Press. Pumpkin noodles and Kale Salad from Nourish Kitchen is another fave.

For dinner, we have a lot of roast chickens and salad or salmon and salad. I also love making different versions of dinner on toast made with She Wolf Spelt bread. If I am home alone, I will be happy eating 2 pieces of toast with lots of Mayo, Goat Gouda and Sliced tomatoes. I will also cook anything from Gwyneth Paltrow’s past 2 cookbooks. I love her recipes.

As far as snacks go, I love green juices, almonds, RXBars, popcorn and seaweed snacks. I also love good red wine and tequila and pizza with loads of salad on top of it.

What beauty products are currently in your handbag?

Milk Makeup Ubame mascara, Milk Makeup Lip + Cheek in Rally, Milk Makeup Oil Lip Stain in Vibes, Milk Makeup Coverage Duo in Medium, Milk Makeup Gel Brow in Dark Brew, Milk Makeup Lip Color in Gnarly and GRRRL, By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Brown Perfection, Bobbi Brown Cream Shadow Stick in Tuxedo Black and Violet Plum, Le Labo Rose 31 sample, Milk Makeup Micellar Water individual wipes and Q tips.

How do you prep for a big party or event?

In an ideal world, it would be a bath with a calming, hydrating face mask and book or the latest issue of The Week and an extra large glass of sparkling water with ice. Then I would lie with my feet up 90 degrees on a wall for 10 minutes and make myself a Tequila and Grapefruit cocktail with a little agave in it to sip on while I do my make up. Tequila is great for getting out the door.

You’ve mastered cool-girl style. What’s your most recent fashion purchase that you are really excited about.

Ha! That is incredibly sweet of you – not sure if I agree but I’ll take it. My most recent fashion purchase was a splurge on a Dries Van Noten leopard print and palm print shirt from the mens collection that I wear oversized over a slip dress. It’s Lebowski-chic.

Obsessed with you hair. Where do you get it cut and colored?

Thank you! Since I have very little time in the work day, I actually get friend and amazing stylist Glenn Ellis to come over and give me trims. He cuts my hair at my dinner table and we get to catch up and have wine. I color once or twice a year with Aura Friedman and Sally Hershberger Downtown.

What is your best advise for a girl who wants to start their own beauty line? 

Dig deep and create a concept that reflects your ideals and values. Intention is everything. Then find an amazing product developer who shares your vision and work on the details of how to make each one of your products innovative and new.

Ellis Brooklyn, named after her daughter, couples paraben-free and phthalates-free creations with scents that are meant to elevate your life. They are uncomplicated, unisex and have cult classic written all over them. Her big break was the partnership with renowned perfumer Jerome Epinette, the French nose behind other brands like Atelier Cologne, Vilhelm Parfumerie and Byredo. No big deal.  Her natural formulations are carefully crafted in small batches in upstate New York.

I sat down with my latest Glow Girl on a rainy afternoon in her Brooklyn neighborhood to discuss the 3 B’s: beauty, ballet and body care.

You have interviewed some of the biggest names in beauty over the years. What is the best tip you have ever learned? 

This is a tough one! Not gonna lie: I often will go back to the lipstick colors people mention and retry them. Some colors are really just genius. But the one that has probably impacted me the most is from Zoe Kravitz. She does Ballet Beautiful online videos when she’s on the road and when I was pregnant with my now 2-year-old, Ellis (hence, the name of Ellis Brooklyn), I started doing those vids at home. They’re surprisingly tough! The Swan Arms segment kills me.

What’s been your most favorite interview?

Hands down Anna Kendrick. Celebrity interviews, they’re by nature an awkward set-up. The celebrity is (usually) trying to make a good impression but at the same time, most of them hold you at a distance if you’re a reporter. Interviewing Anna is like talking to a real, very funny person that you want to be your friend. She’s hilarious, of course, but also she’s able to be both professional and cool about the whole process.

Where do you shop for beauty, online and in stores? 

I love all the new K beauty online shops like Peach & Lily. I’m also on Sephora.com and Net-a-Porter.com a lot to see what’s new. If I’m shopping in person though, I love walking through the Barneys Madison store. But now that Barneys is downtown, I go there more often. And if I’m going in person, I also love my neighborhood beauty stores because they are so laidback. Shen Beauty is simply awesome.

What’s your 5-minute morning beauty routine?

Since I’m often testing product as an editor, my line-up changes all the time. Currently, I’ve been doing the Shiseido cleansing oil, followed by Tatcha serum and Josie Maran argan oil. Then I’ll do a bit of eye cream. I’ve been switching between the Chanel Hydra Beauty eye gel and the Fresh Lotus Eye Gel. I don’t wear perfume, but I’ve been using our Ellis Brooklyn Rrose body milk as my scent.  Then, I always wear SPF and only the mineral-based ones. I like the Omorovica one and also SkinCeuticals makes a great sunscreen that also has a slight tint to it.

What is your #1 favorite skincare/ makeup / hair product?

Oy, there are so many good ones! I’m a sucker for Urban Decay eyeshadows. They seem to stay the longest. For lip colors, if I’m going out at night, Bobbi Brown, especially the creamy matte, really gets the pinky-nude thing right. RMS’s lip to cheek pot is lovely too. I always have some M.A.C. lying around as well. Their eye pencils are great—they stay and they’re relatively affordable. For my hair, I’m into the Christophe Robin rose hair volumizing mist lately. It smells wonderful and I like a little texture. For skin, I can’t get enough of the SK-II masks and the Caudalie Beauty Elixir spray lately.

What is your favorite on-the-go snack?

Considering I’m pregnant right now, my snacks are all over the board! If I’m working from home, I love the black sesame mochi ice cream balls. But if I’m out and about at meetings, I might pick up some those roasted honey nuts from a street vendor.

What are your handbag beauty essentials?

I tend to have a lot of lip stuff with me because I’m often at lunch meetings and my eyes are already done if I’m headed out the door. I tend to do a stronger eye and little to no lip during the day. I’m all about the Dior Addict Lip Glow lately. It gives you just the ideal hint of color—totally the no-makeup makeup thing happening. If I’m going out I’ll do the Bobbi Brown or YSL Glossy Stain. As far as lip balms go I’m into the Ama-la one. I believe the formula is pretty natural.

I see a major shift happening in beauty. It’s less about Kim K. contouring and a lot more about skin. Where do you see the future of beauty going? What do you think is the biggest trend happening at the moment?

From the beauty editor side of things, skin has always been in. You could buy the best and most expensive makeup in the world and you’ll never be able to cover up bad skin. But the trend I’m most interested in right now is the naturals movement happening in Korea. K beauty has been so innovative in skincare that I’m curious to see how the naturals movement will translate there. I’d love to see better development in naturals skincare through technology and not just all the focus on essential oils as it is here in the U.S.

Now let’s talk about your gorgeous line. What were the first steps you took in starting Ellis? What did those first 2-3 years look like?

Those first years were all about asking for favors! The thing is, the chemists, the companies, the partners you’re looking for to help you make your line real are so difficult to find that it’s truly through word of mouth and recommendation. And then you have to hustle of course. I’ve been doing things that I never thought I would do, from pitching other editors for press to packing shipments to going on sales meetings. It’s pretty crazy at times but also pretty wonderful.

Is your line organic/all-natural?

We try to be as natural as possible but we will use a synthetic if it’s the better option, whether that may be for safety reasons or for sustainability. For example, our body milks are 98% natural, but they do have a bit of synthetic preservative in it and also a bit of synthetic in the fragrance.

As a mom, what factors were the most important to you when creating Ellis?

I wanted them to be luxurious and I wanted them to be safe, and I didn’t want to compromise. For example, I was very keen about making sure our candles burned cleanly. I didn’t know before that scented paraffin candles are terrible for the air if you burn them in your house. That’s why we went with a domestically grown soy wax blend with hemp wick.  We actually have our candles tested in Europe for emissions and we are very, very clean.

Today, Charlotte lives in New York City with her husband Dave who helped her launch her perfectly curated online site. She doesn’t know what city to consider “home”, but she will always have a soft spot for LA, Seoul and NYC. On one cold but sunny day, I had the pleasure of meeting Charlotte at her shared office space, the trendy WeWork, to discuss what is up with her near perfect porcelain skin, that hair cut that I am just dying to copy, her life, her taste and, of course, her beauty faves. This is what went down.

Tell me about your gorgeous site. How did you and your hubby get started? What makes your K-Beauty site different?

Soko Glam is our baby! We started the site together back in 2012 because we wanted to be the bridge to Korea’s incredible beauty trends and products. We have a huge amount of respect for Korea and the culture, so spreading the awareness of Korean beauty has been rewarding. In just 3 years, we’ve already seen K-beauty make a huge impact in the global beauty industry and we’re excited to be a part of it.

Soko Glam is a one-of-a-kind K-beauty site because of the community we have cultivated through stories shared on our blog, The Klog. We also have hundreds of product reviews, which is really important for people who are just getting into K-beauty and don’t know where to start. Also, I’ve curated many products are from mainstream Korean brands, such as Skinfood, Neogen, Son & Park, and Missha. These are brands you can actually see and buy in popular shopping districts in Seoul such as Myeongdong.

Tell me about your book. How long did it take to write? Eva Chen gave you a little nudge?

The Little Book of Skin Care happened so fast, it still seems like a dream! About a year ago, I was approached by a literary agent after she read some of my Korean beauty articles on Refinery29 and Into the Gloss. I was in the middle of esthetician school and running Soko Glam so I was very daunted by the task of writing a full book. I reached out to several mentors because I was so conflicted. Eva Chen was one of them. She told me it was a great idea and encouraged me to go for it! I’m so glad I did. The process was actually enjoyable and seeing the finished product in bookstores is so surreal. I’m glad I did it because I got to work with talented women, such as Kate Williams and Gemma Correll. I consider myself very fortunate to have had this opportunity and I’m thankful for all the positive feedback from everyone from the US to countries like Russia, Germany and China!

Switching gears a little bit… I’d love to hear about your lifestyle. What is a typical breakfast, lunch and dinner like for you?

I usually don’t eat breakfast, which I know is terrible for your body and brain. The day goes by so fast, it’s already time for lunch before I have a chance to realize I’m hungry!

For lunch or dinner we try to eat whatever is easiest and/or fastest. That means we usually Seamless, make a sandwich or we go out to pick up a few things at a nearby bodega. We love cooking but we usually don’t have the luxury of time. I’m sorry I don’t have a more glamorous response but that’s the reality of being an entrepreneur – for us at least.

What’s your skincare regime like for morning and night? 

My skin care routine changes daily because I’m testing so many products. But here are some of my current favorites that I tend to gravitate towards when I’m not testing.

You’ll see that I have been gravitating towards multi-tasking products. For example, my toning pads gently exfoliate and tone at the same time. The Son & Park beauty water removes makeup, tones and exfoliates, so if I’m pressed for time I’ll use Son & Park as my sole cleansing step. More of my favorites are:

Banila Co Clean it Zero Oil Cleanser

Neogen Foam Cleanser

Re:p Toning Pads (tones and exfoliates!)

Missha FTE

Klairs Vitamin C Serum (for pigmentation)

Re:p All night moisture & relief mask

When I have time, I’ll sheet mask! And, of course, if I go outside I use sunscreen!

If you could only use one Korean beauty product (or category), what would it be and why?

Cleansers are something you use every morning and night (hopefully!). They’re essential to your skin’s health. Cleansing properly can prevent breakouts, reduce blackheads and size of your pores and even help with anti-aging. People may think that because the cleanser is on your skin for at most a few minutes, it might not be that important – but I’ve heard so many people who have followed the double cleanse routine and seen incredible results.

What are your k-beauty predictions for 2016?

I predict the use of more “real” ingredients in all products. I’m already seeing wash-off masks infused with real herbs (for an extra exfoliating effect), floating rose petals in cleansing waters (for an extra antioxidant effect, straight from the source), and sheet masks where you can see the real ingredients (yes, real calendula petals and herbs) infused into the hydrogel for extra skin-loving effects. I hope it doesn’t go too far, though, because I’ll draw the line if I see real snail shells in my jar of snail cream!

You have totally turned me onto cushion compacts. Talk to me about your favorites.

I love cushion compacts because they are just so incredibly easy to use and they give you this perfect, airbrushed, dewy look without looking cakey. There isn’t a girl in Korea that doesn’t own one, and it’s actually amazing how fast this innovation is coming to brands stateside, I’m seeing them being replicated at Lancome, Sephora, etc. I am really into the Missha Magic Cushion right now. It’s very similar to the IOPE cushion (the original cushion compact).

Imagine you’re planning a Sunday night pamper party. What are your favorite ways to give your hair, skin and nails a little extra love?

Definitely sheet masks!

My favorite is the Manefit Bling Bling Hydro Gel Mask. If I want to get fancy, I go for the Banila Co Lace Hydrogel Masks.

I’m getting married in September and I want to get my skin in tip-top shape. What is your best beauty tip for the bride-to-be?

It’s all about being consistent with your skincare routine. You need to use a product for at least 4 weeks to see results, so you can’t be lazy! To get that luminous glow, I really recommend adding a brightening essence to your routine. I’ve been obsessed with the Neogen Essence & Tox Tightening set, because it’s an exfoliator and essence in one. Exfoliating is so key to better product absorption and buffing the dullness out of your skin!

Also, try not to stress out too much when planning fo royur big day! Stress causes cortisol/testosterone levels to rise, which causes hormonal breakouts!

Where do you get your hair cut?

Franck Provost and Hair Kuwayama (406 E. 13^th Street)

Favorite non-Korean beauty item that you swear by?

Essie nail polish! I love all their shades and cheeky names.

3 essential items in your…

Fridge/pantry: Shin Ramen, jalapeños and Tapatio. What can I say, I like my food spicy.

Handbag: Sunglasses, tissues and my laptop, which means I’m usually with a backpack and not a handbag.

Travel bag: Hand sanitizing wipes for icky planes, Korean currency and sheet masks!

Your favorite…

Restaurant/café: Her Name is Han is this cozy, authentic Korean restaurant on 31^st and Madison. The décor, presentation and comfort food makes me feel like I am in Seoul.

Inspirational quote: I was at an entrepreneur conference and someone said, “Being an entrepreneur is like jumping off a cliff and building a plane on the way down.” Not sure who said it but it really resonated with me.

Nail art salon:

M&M Studio (New York, 3 E 33^rd Street) – Very talented nail artists from Japan. Their English is limited but all I do is show her a photo and she can replicate anything!

Unistella Nail Salon (Korea) – Check out her Instagram!

SKY TING is a yoga studio that’s breaking all the rules. First of all, the founders are just bada**.  Best friends Krissy Jones (above, right) and Chloe Kernaghan (above, left) are the not-so-typical instructors that make up the heart and soul of the incredibly chic, yet down to earth operation. The two are known for sneaking secret selfies during class and admit to not following the strict vegan diet that hardcore yogis swear by. The duo’s nonchalant attitude has caught the attention of an impressive roster of clients from Carine Roitfeld to a bevy of models. Amazing, no?

Then there’s the studio itself. The airy Chinatown triplex is comprised of a spacious rooftop for outdoor sessions and a rotating art gallery by Krissy’s boyfriend Nick Poe. The gallery’s most popular – and most noticeable – piece is a giant giraffe that gives the space a fresh and playful vibe.

The studio also boasts a tightly edited mini boutique of yoga gear, beauty essentials and even healthy snacks from Dimes, one of my all-time favorite New York food spots. It’s clear the SKY TING girls aim to go above and beyond the typical yoga experience.

But despite the spot’s cult-like vibe, the studio is inclusive and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Their classes work for all levels and offer a mix of Katonah, Taoist, Hatha and Vinyasa plus different mediation and even crystal classes. I first met Krissy and Chloe at Yoga Vida. They are both smart, beautiful and highly trained – everything that you could want in an instructor.

This is what I have learned from these two modern day yogis who aren’t afraid to shake things up.

How did you both get into yoga? When did you discover your passion for the practice?

Krissy: I got into yoga through my dance training. I would do a yoga warm up for performances. Yoga turned into passion once I moved to NYC and felt that I “needed” yoga for more than just exercise. I knew that there was something rich and profound about yoga that I wanted to explore.

Chloe: I first was introduced to yoga when I came to NYC to attend NYU. My acting teacher would guide us through a yoga warm-up to begin class. I started practicing outside of school at Jivamukti and eventually dabbled at different studios around the city. It wasn’t till after college, while working a restaurant job that I felt was sucking my soul, that yoga became my place of solace and what kept me going.

What types of benefits can we gain from practicing yoga?

K: Yoga can give you techniques to break habits, first in the body, then more subtle habits in the mind and thought. Yoga is a great way to heal yourself from the inside out, cleansing the organs and glands, organizing the body so that it functions better and you have a better overall sense of well-being. Eventually the practice leaves you feeling radiant, joyful and transformed.

C: One of the things our mentors talk about with yoga is that it doesn’t have to be your be all, end all.  The practice is supposed to give you tools to help you have a better life. While the practice definitely has a huge range of benefits, I think understanding how to use it to bring you joy, to help you understand yourself, to get you to relate to others and the bigger picture are some of the most potent benefits.

Do you have any go-to yoga clothes?

K: I like my cut-off white SKY TING tee with Nike sculpt pants or Outdoor Voices pants.

C: I wear a lot of Outdoor Voices and Live the Process for yoga bottoms, and I generally wear basic tees or tanks on top. Since I have to live in my yoga clothes pretty much all day everyday, I generally prefer simple and comfortable looks that aren’t too fussy but still feel put together.

Tell me a little about your lifestyle. What’s your diet?

K: I eat a mostly vegetarian diet with some fish. I’m not very strict. If I’m craving something, I’ll have it. On my birthday this year, it happened to be a full moon and I ate a steak. I felt so good afterwards, and so now occasionally I’ll eat a nice steak on the full moon. A great thing about yoga is that if you do a lot of it, you’ll naturally want to eat clean because the body feels clean.

C: I eat a lot. Haha. I try and shift my diet for the seasons and weather: warm, cooked foods during the winter; fresh, raw foods during summer. I have a primarily vegetable based diet, but I do eat meat and fish. I try to pay attention to my body’s responses to food that leave me feeling great versus terrible and try and find a sense of balance from there.

Speaking of diet, how do you stay fit and on track during the holidays?

K: I’m not into dieting, I’ve never been on a diet. I believe in eating mindfully – eat when you’re hungry. If you really feel sluggish from the holidays, do a clean eating cleanse for a few days.

C: Moderation is key. I can never replace a meal with a juice, unless I’m committed to a cleanse (which I would never do during the holidays). Instead, I’ll cut back on portion sizes since you’ll most likely be eating more on the regular. Also, for my own sanity, I schedule my weeks with times for my practice that I’ll hold myself too. I give myself the time and space to decompress, move my body, and reconnect.

Favorite breakfast?

K: Avocado toast and lemon water.

C: I enjoy a savory, hearty breakfast: poached eggs, sautéed spinach, avocado, a delicious bread and hot sauce!

Have any New Year’s resolutions? 

K: Get back into a daily pranayama practice.

C: I’d like to make a short dance video everyday. I think I might start a private Tumblr for them and just see what I can come up with for a year. Not really for show, but making work just to make work. I just read Marie Kondo’s “Art of Tidying Up” and I would really like to walk myself through her process and see if I can conquer my small living space and be tidy… hopefully beyond just a year!

Do you have any favorite music playlists for when you do yoga?

K: Loren Kramar’s – “My Life”

C: I generally don’t even listen to music when I practice at home. In group classes if there is music, I love when a teacher has an eclectic playlist – good beats, interesting voices, mixed genres and a good build from beginning to end of class.

What’s your opinion on veganism? What’s up with yogis being so loyal to the vegan lifestyle?

K: I don’t like the idea of limiting yourself to a small group of foods.  However, one classical school of yoga tells you to eat a vegan diet in order to not harm any living creature. This is called Ahimsa, non-harming, and is part of the 8-fold path as describe by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, an ancient text. My yoga philosophy is more practical and contemporary, as I think yoga should be accessible and always changing with the times.

C: Veganism makes sense for a yoga practice as far as generally you are eating clean foods that the body can process easily, so your digestion moves smoothly and quickly. This way you can feel light and easy when you practice. It’s a diet that is going to make less of a heavy footprint on this earth, which is important to recognize and pay attention too. I’m not a fan when there is shaming about not being vegan if you practice or teach yoga, which you sometimes hear about in a yoga community.

What is your skincare routine? 

K: Very minimal. I wash my face with just water and a mild soap. At night I use Egyptian Magic cream. I try to do a clay facemask once a week. Fridays are good for that.

C: I always go to CAP beauty to update my product regimen and for facials! I wash and moisturize my face morning and night using Ko Denmark Anti-Aging Cream Cleanser and Pai Geranium & Thistle Rebalancing Day Cream 2-3 times a week I add an exfoliator, Black Chicken Complexion Polish, into my face wash. I use a rose water spray as a toner and mid-day refresher. Once a week I do a clay or Honey Face Mask. I also take the Beauty Chef’s “Glow” powder supplement which helps balance your gut and a few tonics from Sun Potion (Reishi, Astragalus, He Shou Wu)… I’m a serious believer that a lot of ailments, including skin breakouts, stem from gut problems.

Do you wear makeup? If so, what’re your essentials?

K: I rarely wear makeup. I’ll wear it sometimes when I’m going out. When I do, I wear NARS lipstick and whatever mascara I can find.

C: I don’t wear makeup day to day. If I’m going out and want to put something on, I generally keep it simple – a quick fix concealer, O-Glow blush by Smashbox, good ol’ Great Lash Mascara and a fun lipstick like NARS Lana or NARS Olivia!

What are your thoughts on crystals and new-age beauty?

K: I actually love crystals because they’re so beautiful and mystical. I don’t really know too much about them, but I like the idea of them being powerful and cleansing. It’s fun to act as if they are, even if the science is still not out. I have a client who is into crystals and she has them hand selected by a mystic, so they come with a specific, individually tailored narrative. That’s where most of my crystals exposure has come from so far. It’s fun.

C: I just got a bunch of crystals and stones for my birthday and I’m so into them. My favorite right now is chrysoprase, which helps to bring a deeper understanding of divine truth, abundance and love. Rockstar in Chelsea is definitely the place to go for all things crystals!

If you were stranded on a desert island with only 3 beauty or wellness products, what would they be and why?

K: Avene SPF 50 Sunscreen because I’d burn to death on an island; rose water for both hydrating and cleansing; coconut oil, which is the best all-purpose moisturizer I use it everywhere. I also use it for cooking and for oil pulling which would be my backup if I didn’t have a toothbrush on the island.

C: It’s funny because I could probably find all of my essentials on the desert island, since I use mostly natural products. I like mud for a mask; sand for exfoliation; aloe for skin soothing; manuka honey; rose water. I guess I’d only really miss a nice face moisturizer.

Have any favorite healthy NYC restaurants, hangout spots, coffee shops, boutiques?

K: Restaurants: Dimes, Marumi, Odeon, Souen. Coffee: La Colombe, Lost Weekend, Happy Bones, Two-Hands. Boutiques: Rachel Comey, Creatures of Comfort, Acne, No. 6, Outdoor Voices, Nike Lab

C: My favorite place to hang by default is SKY TING. Even though it’s where I work, it’s also a super tranquil, beautiful space to exist in. I love Dimes and Kiki’s for meals, all the shops and boutiques on Orchard just north of Canal are fun to wander through. Lost Weekend or Two Hands for coffee shop hangs. Rachel Comey is my Achilles heel for shopping in Soho.

Any hidden talents or weird facts about you that no one knows?

K: I talk in my sleep.

C: I studied Japanese through high school and I’m still pretty okay with conversing. I love to surprise people with it every now and then.

Lastly, what is the best advice to give to someone who has never tried yoga before?

K: Don’t worry! Everyone has had his or her first class. Put yourself in the middle of the room so you can see people in front of you and behind you.

C: You’re first class is going to be tough because there’s a degree of technique that needs to be learned and followed. That being said, you should also give yourself room to enjoy it and not be afraid to have a laugh at yourself. At first it might feel overwhelming, but your body, breath, and mind will start to understand the postures and dialogue quicker than you might expect, and you’ll reap the benefits for many years to come!

Like her Cobble Hill-based beauty destination, Jessica’s cool factor is basically off the charts. The former stylist hails from California and has the chicest downtown NYC meets surfer girl look. Jessica opened Shen in 2010 after determining there were no places to buy the best of beauty in Brooklyn. What began as a neighborhood gem for culty, undiscovered organic lines and exclusive British imports soon started attracting consumers from Manhattan, Europe, Asia and everywhere else.

The store emphasizes wellness and features a finely curated selection of products. Her secret? She only buys what she likes. Rather than blindly picking up an entire line, she invests in what works, what she’d want to use everyday on herself. She loves hunting for new brands and really takes the time to get to know the people behind the labels. To drive home the beauty-as-lifestyle store theme, Jessica even offers facials in the back of her store. Now, this is a reason to make the trip to Brooklyn, am I right?

Recently, I sat down with Jessica, took a tour of her store and asked her a million questions about her accomplishments, beauty tips and wellness philosophy. By the end of the interview, she had me sold on everything she talked about. (You’ll see what I mean after you read the interview.) During my visit to the store, I also received a customized facial featuring that famous “phantom mask” LED light treatment. An hour of pure bliss included a mix of lymphatic massage, lights, extractions, serums, oils, exfoliations, masks and so much more. The experience was so transformative, I enjoyed the results for days after the treatment. Girls, if you learn anything today it’s that Jessica Richards and Shen are defining cool girl beauty. Read to find out how you can get in on it.

Annie: What is your perspective on wellness?

Jessica: Well, I think wellness has transitioned from beauty to health. In the beginning, wellness revolved around beauty – products that take care of your skin. Today, wellness has crossed over to green juice, diet and products that take care of you. For example, The Beauty Chef and Moon Juice are leaders of beauty powders and edible beauty elixirs. I’m a HUGE fan of The Beauty Chef’s powders and boosters. After drinking them, I cannot tell you how many people have complimented on my skin. Even clients and customers whom I haven’t seen for months will come in and immediately notice my skin. I am not kidding. People ask me all the time, and I swear it’s the Beauty Chef. My favorite has to be Hydration Inner Beauty Boost. It tastes so darn good. I like to pour a little into a glass of water because it tastes that divine. I can drink it all day, everyday. And then, of course, there are aromatherapies like Vitruvi, have you heard of it? They are a beautiful line of  luxury aromatherapy products meant for everyday use. The brand is young and hip. Plus, the packaging is super cool. You have to check it out.

I also love Therapie Roques Oneil. The founder Michelle also created the line Green and Spring, and she also happens to be Pat McGrath’s best friend. So Pat uses the Aura Spray before she does everyone’s makeup. This line is wellness, not beauty. But I think this is where the crossover happens. Her best seller is the Himalayan Detox Salts. She has this whole process where she grinds the amethyst herself and she prays over them. She performs a ritual and the treatments. It’s basically an organic valium. You put two tablespoons of the salts in the bath, and you go to bed immediately after. My two boys poured the whole bottle in the bath once, and they were asleep within 15 minutes. I have friends who use them every night. You get addicted.

Annie: Just like me, you take a lot of baths! What are some of your favorite bath products? 

Jessica: I love Himalayan Detox Salts, but if I need a specific treatment I’ll use Pursoma. Pursoma is a wellness beauty brand that focuses on taking care of yourself holistically: Resurrection Bath is going to revitalize you, give you mental clarity; Digital Detox pulls the wifi out of your body; and Hot Tub Bath is for deep detox. This is the one I tried first when I was on the brink of getting sick, and I kind of had my doubts about it. But the founder Kahlil Gibran told me to give a chance and follow all the directions. So, I ran a bath as hot as I could, stirred it with a wooden spoon – this way the bath didn’t absorb all the chemicals – and climbed in for exactly 15 minutes, no more, no less. When I got out, I wrapped up in a robe, drank lots of water, and sweated the toxins out. I felt light-headed, dehydrated, and sweated like crazy. But after waking up the next morning, I felt amazing. Not sick at all. I called Kahlil to tell her what happened and she said, “I told you so.”

In addition to using the Pursoma salts, sometimes I’ll add in a scoop of coconut oil and some essential oils if I’m feeling excited. I find baths so relaxing. It’s also far easier to shave in a bath too, ha!

Annie: I know that you love to make smoothies every morning. What are your favorite ingredients for my own breakfast inspiration?  

Jessica: I put Phylia de M. Fulphyl in my smoothies every morning. I also give it to my kids every morning, and they do NOT get sick, not kidding. It’s fun because I make the smoothies with the kids and they love it. Fulphyl is a great nutritional supplement filled with pure organic fruits and vegetables. It removes harmful toxins, free radicals, and increases cell growth and regeneration. Plus, it does not interrupt the taste and consistency of the smoothies. Besides Phylia, I also add The Beauty Chef Glow Powder.

As for fruits, I add frozen fruits, such as peaches, mangos, bananas, blueberries, and strawberries, along with almond/coconut milk, and maybe a little yogurt or orange juice. I never add vegetables into my smoothies. I’m more of a fruit smoothie girl rather than green juice girl.

Annie: What are some of your beauty staples that you keep going back to year after year?

Jessica: My all-time favorite cleanser is Amanda Lacey’s Cleansing Pomade. I have been using her for five years. The cleanser is infused with Camilla oil. I also cannot live without Amanda Lacey’s Illuminating Eye Gel. This eye gel is my Holy Grail and secret weapon to fight against wrinkles and under eye circles. Infused with mica (a light reflecting particle), it brightens dark circles and evens the skin tone. It almost looks like glitter, but it’s not. It’s a light reflecting particle, think like RMS Beauty Living Luminizer. It’s amazing. I love to keep the eye gel in the fridge because the coldness of the gel feels so relaxing on the skin and I love how it tingles. For my lips, I love Amanda Lacey’s Cupid’s Bow Plumping Lip Balm. No matter how many lip balms I have tried, I ALWAYS go back to this one. Literally, no balms can compete with this outstanding product.

Annie: What products do I absolutely need to buy from Shen today?

Jessica: I do switch between the Amanda Lacey cleanser and Aurelia Miracle Cleanser. But the Amanda I always go back to. It doesn’t make you break out. It’s just the best. After cleansing my face, I pair it with Antonia Burrell Cream Supreme Facial Moisturizer. This moisturizer works harmoniously with the two cleansers and it’s one of my top-sellers. It is always sold out. I will switch between Aurelia Cell Revitalize Rose Mask and Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Rapid Radiance Mask for intense moisture. They are both clear, so I will even wear it on my face when I drop my kids off at school, and then when I get home I wash it off. For an exfoliator, I use Joanna Vargas Exfoliating Mask, which has volcanic ash in it. You can leave it on as a mask, and it feels amazing. Right now, I am loving the Shiva Rose Face Oil. We are selling her products here at the store soon. I can’t wait!

Annie: You have this cult following of cool, in-the-know women. Tell me, what do they love…

Jessica: Amanda Lacey cleanser. Antonia Burrell is another top-seller. It’s a natural skincare brand that specifically targets sensitive and acne-prone skin. The brand’s top sellers are the Cleansing Oil, Radiant Light Serum, and the Cream Supreme. I love the serum, and it really helps with hyper-pigmentation, but from a natural perspective. The Cream Supreme is the one I personally always go back to. It is the BOMB! I constantly have to restock this moisturizer. This cream is super light-weight and it completely clears up your skin. Customers who have acne, wrinkles, sun spots and hyper-pigmentation absolutely swear by this moisturizer. You’d be so surprised who uses this cream!

Some other favorites are SkinCeuticals Metacell, a daily anti-aging emulsion, and Unstung Hero Anti-Mosquito, a non-toxic and DEET free repellent that smells good and doesn’t leave that weird residue. It’s unisex. I have customers who come in and buy this and decant it into small bottles to take with them when they travel. And lastly, Therapie Roques Oneil Bath Salts.

Annie: Are there any brands you are launching at Shen later this year that we must know about?

Jessica: Virtuvi. The audience for this brand is a lot younger and hipper. The packaging also appeals to a younger audience because of its simplicity. Another brand is Green and Spring created by Michelle of Therapie Roques Oneil. I am also going to introduce Saule Blanc in September. Lastly, I will bring Eyeko.

Annie: Oh man, you have gorgeous skin! I am not kidding, you don’t have any fine lines or wrinkles. What is your #1 beauty tip?

Jessica: Thank you! My number one tip is always moisturize your skin whether it’s with facial oils or moisturizers. Moisture is the way to prevent wrinkles and fine lines. I also firmly believe in taking your makeup off before bed. I rarely ever sleep without thoroughly cleansing my face, but if I’m running against my precious snooze time, I will skip cleansers but NEVER moisturizers. You will not believe the amount of moisturizers and oils I slather on my face. Also, I drink tons of water. Again, moisture is essential to healthy, radiant, and younger-looking skin. Grapes become raisins due to lack of moisture. Our face reacts the same way.

Annie: I love your California baby blond hair, perfectly effortless and undone. What’s your secret?

Jessica: I’m a huge fan of David Mallett Australian Salt Spray. He uses pink salts from Australia, which helps create the perfect Australian beach-tousled curls. He’s actually launching a new product called Le Bon at the end of this year. I can’t wait. His salon in Paris is the one with all the taxidermy inside. It’s so good.

Annie: What is your secret to staying in shape? 

Jessica: I love workouts that make me sweat. I love cardio. Recently, I made it a mission to do SoulCycle at least twice a week. Funny story, the first time I did SoulCycle, I fell off the bike and no one helped me back up. I was completely mortified! I have been riding my bike for the last seven years and it has changed my life. I ride my bike everywhere, even to SoulCycle. I also chase my two boys around everywhere.

Annie: Do you get facials? 

Jessica: Oh yes, I cannot live without facials. I get facials and peels, oxygen and lights all the time. If I had to recommend to a friend, I would say you need at least four facials a year, at least every season. Get your sweaters out, get a facial. When summer comes around, get a facial, get the dead skin cells off. In my opinion, girls should make every effort to receive a facial treatment.  It’s such an important skincare regiment that is often overlooked.

Annie: What are your favorite makeup products?

Jessica: I don’t really wear makeup. I tint my eyelashes and brows, and  I get facials. When I need to wear makeup, I ALWAYS wear a red lipstick and a mascara. I love RMS Beauty Volumizing Mascara and Bobbi Brown Everything Mascara. For lipstick, I use By Terry Rogue Terrybly Lipstick in Frenetic Vermilion (200) and 21VD (400). I also always wear perfume. Juliette Has a Gun: Not a Perfume is amazing, because it smells different on everyone. I also love Byredo Gypsy Water. I am such a Gypsy Water girl.

Annie: Lastly, before we end, I must know: What is your overarching philosophy on organic and natural beauty? 

Jessica: When I first opened the store, I only sold organic and maybe a few natural products. But I immediately learned that organic and natural go bad quickly, and also, not everyone shops that way. I describe my customer as the organic Whole Foods shopping, Starbucks drinking, GMO labeling, Lulu Lemon wearing, SoulCycle girl. Realistically speaking, you can only do so much with natural organic beauty and food products…unless you’re Rose-Mary Swift or Shiva Rose. I love that, but that’s not me, and I know who I am.

In my opinion, in order to embrace that entire lifestyle, it’s really hard and takes tons of commitment. I can only do what I can do. I try my hardest to eat organically, but when I dine out, I have no control over the source of the ingredients. So it was this realization that established the foundation of my store. Shen is a hybrid of both. I sell organic and all natural as well as clinically-proven beauty products developed by science that really work. I wouldn’t be able to sell Aurelia if I was completely organic! It’s hard, but you have to offer both.

I tested out Shiva’s newly launched line, and am in love with two products in particular. The Venus Amber Body Oil is made of eight different natural oils and is even infused with Rose Quartz crystals. It goes on so smoothly and leaves behind a heavenly coconut and chocolate scent. The Glow Face Balm is deliciously rich and made from shea butter, coconut, Rosehip and Camilla oils, so it’s really a combination of everything you need for glowing skin.

I had the privilege of chatting with Shiva about her life and work. We covered just about everything – her experience on the farm, her daily diet, her love for crystals and even her smoothie and homemade face mask recipes. Don’t be surprised if you develop a serious girl crush on Shiva while reading this… I know I did!

Annie: How did you get into the beauty and wellness business?

Shiva: I have always been very holistic. I was raised by bohemian parents, and I am a total hippy. Seven years ago, I went through a divorce, and was feeling lost. So I decided to go back to the earth to simplify life in every way. Friends were always asking me about certain recipes, and it just evolved.

Annie: And how did the beauty line come about?

Shiva: I was researching all this stuff for the blog, about how 1 in 3 women get cancer, and how the products that we use on our bodies are so toxic. The restrictions here in the U.S. are so different than they are in Europe. I had always made my own oils because this way I could trust the ingredients. The idea for The Local Rose came to me in Kundalini yoga. I saw the whole thing, the logo, the ingredients, the packaging. I knew that creating my own line was the way to go.

Annie: In your previous interview with Tory Burch, you stated that one of the major changes you have made to live a healthier life is eating 100% organically. How has this improved your health? 

Shiva: I am not so militant, but I try to control it at least in my house. When I was younger, I battled autoimmune diseases, and once I went organic, I really felt a shift in the inflammation of my body. I was less achy, less tired. So as much as I can, I am organic and all natural, at least the things I can control.

Annie: Describe your daily diet.

Shiva: Oh, Quinoa, roasted kale and beets in olive oil and sea salt. I’ll mix that in bowl with lemon juice, seeds, and then sauerkraut on the side. I just love a good bowl. I also like to spout nuts. So I will start my day with a sprouted nut situation. I will soak the oats overnight and have that with fruit in the morning. I make a smoothie with almond milk and cocoa (it’s my version of coffee) and coconut meat. This gives me a lot of energy throughout the day. I love soaked chia seeds, and will make that with either pumpkin seed milk or sunflower seed milk. Sunflowers are very good for women, and our hormones. They’re powerful tonics. My kids joke that they are so tired of hearing me talk about it.

Annie: Favorite restaurant in LA?

Shiva: Café Gratitude. We need more places like that. I don’t eat out all that much.

Annie: I’m smoothie obsessed and always looking for a new thing to try. Tell me your favorite recipe!

Shiva: Frozen banana, cocoa, almond milk or seed milk, sun potions, anandamide (raw cacao), coconut, maca (so good for women) and mint.  I’ll add berries too. My daughters and I LOVE berries. It’s small berry season now, which is perfect.

Annie: What are the best nutrients we should focus on to get healthier? Any tips for achieving beauty from within?

Shiva: I love to add pearl powder. All of my skincare will have lots of it. Ghee is really great for women. I also love coconut. Tumeric, ginger, bee pollen, which all have great vitamins that help women. Minerals are really great too. Women are lacking in minerals. I like He Shou Wu, which is great for the hair.

Annie: Clearly, I am obsessed with crystals as of lately…how do you use crystals?

Shiva: I use them a lot in the skincare line. I keep them in the studio where I work. I feel like they help in so many ways. Tourmaline stops negative vibes and helps lessen the EMS near my computer. Rose is great for love and opening the heart.  Crystals are funny. They find you. Mount Shasta is where I have collected some, because it is such a high vibration place.

Annie: What do you think is the most important beauty secret?

Shiva: Minerals. I have a lot of women telling me that their nails don’t grow or their hair is lacking… I think a lot of the time these problems occur from the food that we eat. Try magnesium salts. You can also use Zinc Selenium cream or lotion on your body.

Annie: Tell me about your medicine cabinet staples. What beauty routine keeps your glowing?

Shiva: It’s pretty simple. Every morning and night I will mist my face with face mist. Radiant rose water, filled with minerals, aloe, and vitamin C. Then I’ll put on my own balm. Then I use cucumber slices for puffy eyes. Very simple. I try to put on face oil throughout the day, usually during lunch. In the evening, I exfoliate, mist and then apply more oils and a balm. I make a lot of face masks too! Pineapple, honey and yogurt is a really magical mixture. It is so amazing to see how it clears your skin.

Annie: Could you share with us the ingredients of your famous face mask?

Shiva: You’ll need 1 cup of pineapple, 1/2 half-yogurt, ¼ honey. Start with just the pineapple. Cut the pineapple into medium chunks and blend it with a blender.  Once blended, leave it on your face for 15-minutes. Let the burning acids work (you should start feeling a slight burn). Then, follow with the yogurt and honey concoction. Simply mix the concoction and very gently slather it on the face like you would with your moisturizer. Leave it on for another 15-minutes and rinse it off with warm water. You should see visible differences such as brightness and smoothness.

Annie: If you had to recommend one life changing beauty product what would it be?

Shiva: Coconut oil to remove makeup and kukui oil for hair, face and body. Also, castor oil is great for the lashes and brows. It’s a great alternative to hair supplements. Whenever I feel my hair is thinning or I just want thicker lashes and brows, I dab castor oil. In weeks, I start to see thicker brows and I have thicker hair. I never use hair supplements. Castor oil is my go-to.

Annie: What are your makeup go-tos?

Shiva: Isa Restorative Lipstick, Vapour Makeup, Rms and Axiology Lipsticks.

Annie: Do you have a favorite workout?

Shiva: Nature hiking and swimming in the ocean. Kundalini yoga, but this is more of a mental workout.

Annie: Perfume?

Shiva: I have always worn oils. Sandalwood, amber, Venus body oil and Faith Oil.

Annie: Facial?

Shiva: Kristina Holy! She uses all natural products.

Gigi’s passion for hats began at a young age, and only intensified when she visited Paris. She found herself moved by the grace, sophistication, and boldness of Parisian style. Trained by the infamous milliner, Leah Chalfen, she views her, as well as Coco Chanel and Jeanne Lanvin as her most influential creative and millinery muses. In 2009, Gigi founded Gigi Burris Millenary. Gigi’s creations are produced with only the finest material and couture sewing techniques, so each piece is truly one of a kind. Très chic, no?

I had the privilege of interviewing this sweet, determined, talented designer who shared with me a few style secrets. She also gave me the inside scoop on her latest beauty must-haves that keep her glamorous and glowing as she takes the fashion world by storm.

Annie: Tell me about your big break?

Gigi Burris: I worked on a project with Diane Von Furstenburg, and my friend Lola introduced me to Ohne Titel. From there I met Steven Kolb [the CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)]. My big break came when I became a part of the Vogue Fashion Fund in 2014, which was a game changer. I got a full page feature in Vogue. The makeup artist really wanted to do this bold red lip, but when you have a hat, it’s a lot. I don’t usually do a bold lip with a hat. But anyway, Vogue has been such a great support system for me over the past years.

Annie: I saw that Vogue spread. You looked absolutely amazing and your hair was beautiful.

Gigi: Thank you. It was amazing to see myself featured in Vogue. The interview definitely put my name on the map in the fashion industry.

Annie: So how did you get involved with the Met Gala?

Gigi: It was all Vogue. Vogue pulled the pieces. Also, my friend who worked closely with H&M and Vogue helped me put my pieces on Vanessa Hudgens and Banks, who both wore custom-made H&M dresses for the Met Gala. Diane [Von Furstenburg] has also been so supportive of me since the Vogue Fashion Fund, and asked me for a few pieces, so I made some for her too.

Annie: Did you have the chance to attend any of the Met Gala post-parties?

Gigi: No, I had so many last minute hat requests. I had stayed up all-night the night before and I was just exhausted. Everyone was wearing my hats, it was crazy. The Met Gala is a really big deal for your career. It’s one of those things that really get people talking.

Annie: Your hats are absolutely stunning for big events. They are so bold and unique. Is there a way to rock a hat more casually too? Tell me a little bit about accessorizing for nights out, or a dinner date, for example. 

Gigi: I love to put on a headband. Any hair accessory with feathers makes me feel dressed up for dinner dates. For the weekend, I love to wear a veil, especially a voilette veil. A voilette veil is a headband that is gathered by the ears as supposed to the top. I designed the bulk of my voilette veils so that they sit above the lip line, so women can still drink and eat. You have to think about some sort of function. Even if you are not going to eat, you have to be able to sip champagne. Everyone is looking at you and talking about you, and I think that most women would even be a little jealous. As a matter of fact, Neiman Marcus actually just picked up my veil collection for their autumn/winter collection. I cannot wait to see customers donning my voilette veils.

Annie: That’s so exciting! I need a voilette veil. What makeup look would you suggest pairing with a veil?

Gigi: If I wear a voilette veil, I create a “lessened” smokey eye look. You are playing up drama and trying to be sexy, so you don’t want to be bare, but you still want a little something.

Annie: You clearly love to accessorize with hats. How does skincare routine reflect and complement your style?

Gigi: Skincare is so important regardless of your style. If you have bad skin, it’s difficult to accessorize, especially when you wear attention-grabbing accessories near your face. Since I do not have naturally smooth skin, I try really hard to keep my skin looking healthy. It definitely does not come naturally, so I work at it. Lately, I’ve been using Obagi and Retinol Creams. I also love to use my Clarisonic at night with their Acne Face Wash. My dermatologist, Dr. Lisa Airan, recommended it to me. My mom and I actually went together. Dr. Arien was the one who also put me on Retina Micro and it’s made a huge difference. She’s amazing. I’m very dedicated to having good skin.

Annie: How do you feel about makeup? Do you have any tips for wearing makeup with hats?

Gigi: Well, you can’t wear too much makeup when you accessorize because it’s just too aggressive. Whenever I put on a hat, I stick with one statement look. I either do a statement eye OR a statement lip. You cannot have two bold statement looks because it’s not “modern.” Today, the “no makeup” makeup is the modern beauty look.

Annie: Do you perceive hats as fashion or function? 

Gigi: When I first started, hats were fashion statements for me. I was working with stylists such as Carl Templer and Patti Wilson and we were doing lots of made to order work – whatever they dreamed up for their editorial stories. So I made all of these really cool and kooky hats. After gaining more editorial support, I started to work on more functional ready-to-wear pieces. In fact, that’s now the bread and butter of my business. The hair accessories I love, but they are strictly ornamental. If you’re short on time to style your hair, you can just put on a hat.

Annie: Exactly. But while hats are so practical, they also really make your look pop. 

Gigi: I know! When you wear a hat, you’re in a way asking for attention. It takes a girl with confidence to wear a hat, but when she does, her look is complete. 

Annie: So what advice do you have for those new to hats? What should they do to find their perfect look?

Gigi: The first thing to know is that it’s like dressing for your body type – not every hat is going to look good on everyone. You have to consider your skin color, jaw, and bone structure. Similar to how you should dress for your body type, you need to choose hats based on your facial features. For example, people with fair skin complexions should not select pink hats because it emphasizes the pink undertones in their skin. Stick to colors that look good with your skin tone, because they will be totally amplified when they sit right by your face.

You also have to think about your face shape. Take me, for example. Since I have a soft jawline and an oval face, I look best with a shorter hat brim that offsets the length of my face. I choose hats with higher crowns in order to offset the roundness of my jaw line.

Annie: What would look good on me?

Gigi: Well, you have a heart-shaped face, so you look flattering in any type of hat.

Annie: Can you usually picture which hat will look best for your client when you work with them?

Gigi: I don’t always immediately see which hat will offset my clients’ faces; however, once they put it on, I automatically know which hat suits their face shape. The most rewarding part about my job is witnessing their reaction when they find the perfect hat. A hat is such an emotional accessory. 

Annie: Your hair is beautiful. How do you maintain such healthy locks?

Gigi: Well, I’ve never dyed it. I wanted to dye it purple, but I haven’t yet. My biggest secret is Tommy Buckett at Serge Normant. He’s been my hairstylist for almost 10 years. He cuts my hair to a length that allows it to air dry, so I can easily put a hat on it. I am often running from SoulCycle and I need to be able to leave with wet hair, and just throw a hat on it. 

Annie: Speaking of SoulCycle, what’s your exercise routine?

Gigi: I do SoulCycle at least once a week, but I try to do twice a week. I also love to walk. If it’s possible for me to walk somewhere – I will walk. I live downtown so it’s really easy. Yoga is great too. Yoga counterbalances the tightness of SoulCycle. 

Annie: What is your favorite piece of beauty advice? What is the secret to looking and feeling your best?

Gigi: One word: grooming. Grooming is incredibly important. For example, if you want to try the “no makeup” makeup look, you need to have a groomed eyebrow, smooth skin, and straight teeth. It’s about being classic and well groomed. It takes a lot of work, but it’s so worth it. Everyone is talking about  ‘no makeup’ makeup, and it’s the hallmark of this idea. Simple but basic grooming includes, haircut, manicure, eyebrow sculpting, a facial and a manicure. I don’t even use nail polish, but I use a nail strengthener to make them strong and less brittle.

Annie: What are your summer beauty essentials?

Gigi: Lemon juice. It makes such a difference. I have blonde hair, so lemon juice brightens my blonde hair and makes it shine and glow in the summer. I use John Freida Lemon Juice Hair Spray. I believe this product is discontinued, but it was my holy grail. [Try a similar product here.] I use 75 SPF on my body, because I’m crazy like that. And for my face, Revision Sunscreen SPF 45 is my favorite. I’m originally from Florida, so I find sunscreen so important.

Gigi’s Glow Guide:

Bold Red Lip Color: Nars Velvet Matte Matte Lipstick Pencil in Red Square

Mascara: Edward Bess Bess-Lash Mascara

Lip Balm: By Terry Baume de Rose Lip Balm

Perfume: L’Artisan Parfumeur Piment Brulant (which smells like chocolate cinnamon – it’s heaven)

Facial: Mario Badescu and Dr. Lisa Airan

Hair Stylist: Tommy Buckett at Serge Normant in New York City

I met Anni of Blueberry Boost over Instagram (@anniskk), and we quickly became Instafriends. She is a university student living in Helsinki, Finland, and, just like me, loves wholesome foods, a healthy lifestyle and pretty much all things wellness. She also happens to be a passionate cook and a total health nut and creates the most mouth-watering vegan and vegetarian, plant-based meals. Her blog is where she shares her creative healthy meals and her Finnish lifestyle.

But aside from all things food, she has perfectly pale skin and hair that is as white as can be. I love her Nordic style and I was particularly interested in what beauty products a young girl, who values many of the same health and beauty qualities as me, would use. What products do the girls use over there anyway?!

These are Anni’s ‘stranded on a desert island’ beauty essentials:

Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist

Nuxe Poudre Eclat Prodigieux bronzing powder

Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm

Kiehls Amino Acid Shampoo

Kiehls Amino Acid Conditioner

Korres Body Butters 

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