The Same Questions I Ask Everyone with June Jacobs

What is your first memory of beauty products?
As a child I suffered from acne so my first memory of beauty products was using acne treatment products. They were so awful to use because they smelled horrible and often left my skin dry and flaky. It has been my mission with the creation of my new acne collection (launching in February 2011) to use natural ingredients that are powerful, yet gentle and help to keep skin clear, and blemish free.

At what age did you start wearing makeup?
I started wearing makeup and really taking care of my skin at the age of 16.

If you could apply only one product for the next month what would it be?
I would die if I could not use my moisturizer. First and foremost, moisturizer helps to hydrate the skin leaving it soft, smooth and younger looking. In a pinch, a moisturizer can be used as a cleanser and can even remove makeup.

If you could give one product to all women in the world what would it be?
My new Acne Spot Treatment! Whether you are young or old, we all have blemishes. My new vanishing spot treatment is absolutely amazing because it can be used in the a.m. or p.m as an emergency spot treatment and also may be used to treat and prevent routine acne. Everyone feels and looks their best when their skin is clear and blemish free!

If you could ban one harmful ingredient from all beauty products what would it be?
I would ban parabens, which are a specific type of preservative that protect food and cosmetics against microbial contaminants, specifically yeast and mold. Recent studies show that parabens may cause cancer and cause allergic reactions/skin rashes. I have recently reformulated my entire line and have removed all parabens and I have seen such a difference in my formulas, they are more efficacious and feel and smell absolutely wonderful.

What is your favorite skincare ingredient?
My favorite ingredient is Gogi Berry. I eat them every day and I have added Goji Berry extract to every one of my products because they are the most powerful anti-oxidant that helps neutralize free radicals, protect skin from environmental toxins and combat the visible signs of premature aging. They are known as “The King of All Berries” and contain carotenoids such as beta-carotene and zeaxanthin, over 18 different amino acids and is a source of Vitamins B1, B2, B6 and C. It is rich in polysaccharides to help support intercellular communication providing essential nutrients to cells which encourages healthy immune function.

What is the last product you created?
The last product I created was my Radiant Refining Exfoliating Powder which is my new, favorite product because it is gentle enough to use everyday and leaves your skin soft and silky smooth. This unique exfoliating powder activates upon contact with water and gently sweeps away dead skin cells with rice, bamboo, papain and salicylic acid, leaving skin soft, smooth and clarified. Natural brightening ingredients, lemon peel, bearberry root, mulberry root and licorice extract help balance overall skin tone, while tea tree oil and willow bark extract help absorb oil. It also includes my powerful patent pending anti-oxidant blend of white, red and green tea extracts combined with goji berry, pomegranate and grape seed extracts help to neutralize free radicals, protect skin from environmental toxins and combat the visible signs of premature aging. Helps refine the skin’s texture and tone leaving it with a flawless, radiant finish.

Who is the business woman you most admire?
I truly admire my dear friend, Gretchen Monahan. She is the entrepreneur behind the Needham-based Gretta Enterprises owns three local salons (Grettacole), two clothing boutiques (Gretta Luxe), and a spa called G Spa. She appears weekly as a style expert on "Rachael Ray" in New York and locally on Channel 7 for a segment called "Gretta's Got It." She is also a design consultant for shoe brands Via Spiga and Naturalizer, she is a consultant for Dove's hair-care line, launching a line of shoes, and writing a how-to book on dressing well. I am also working with her on creating her own line of beauty products…and that is not all!

Whose beauty do you most admire?
I have always been fascinated by how people in different countries take care of their skin. Wherever I travel, I spend hours in various stores and spas looking at the products and speaking to the sales associates and I have to say that I admire Asian women’s skin the most…they have an overall radiance to their skin that gives them a young, healthy glow. In my travels to Asia I am always amazed to see how many women have absolutely flawless skin and it is because they take such great care of their skin, by using a comprehensive skincare regimen that incorporates products that help to illuminate the skin and reduce the signs of sun damage and hyperpigmentation. Their beauty was the inspiration for my Brightening Serum and Moisturizer which include natural botanical brighteners that give an overall radiance to the skin.

What was your best Spa experience?
I received the most amazing massage of my life in Phuket, Thailand. There is something so special about receiving a therapeutic Thai massage while staring out at the white sands and deep blue Andaman Sea.

Besides your own, what is your favorite brand?
I love Trish McEvoy. Trish has always been committed to the creation of the highest quality products and she is a genius for creating her iconic Makeup Planner. I am a firm believer in her guiding philosophy that women should be able to maintain a standard of beauty and not be obligated to sacrifice their beauty because of the constraints of time, space and age.

Read more about June and check out her amazing products here.

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The Same Questions I Ask Everyone with Liz Earle

I first laid eyes on the Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare line a year and half ago during its long-awaited US launch. (The Brits had been keeping it from us for over a decade!) Since that time I have known this in an exceptional collection of unique, effective, even spiritual products.

Growing up I had a theory that beauty actually came only from the inside and that depending on your metal health and general happiness you could actually increase your beauty. (Since then I've watched enough reality television to know that beauty comes on the outside of many packages, some beautiful on the inside and some, well, not.)

Still, Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare is the only skincare line that I actually feel works in that same way. Perhaps it's Liz's extensive botanical knowledge or the care put into the cultivation of each product but I actually feel as if Liz's products harness the power of your inner beauty and maximize the potential of your outer beauty. In fact I've spent most of the week thinking that since my Superskin Concentrate (an oil I smother beneath my eyes every morning) and my Bust Treatment are nearly gone it is proof that my life is in fact dirt.

Then I was granted an interview with this most brilliant goddess of skincare, Liz Earle herself. Though I am honored by every skincare entrepreneur who graces the pages of Beauty's SPOT to have Liz Earle visit with us is a true honor. I hope you learn as much as I did from reading her words of wisdom. As a former beauty editor and author of 30 titles, Liz has paved a beautiful path for the rest of us to follow.

1. What is your first memory of beauty products?

My father is a keen gardener and plantsman and I spent many a long hot summer helping him dig, plant and harvest home-grown herbs, vegetables and flowers, and I’ve always had a passion for researching the fascinating properties of plants and the effects they can have on the skin.

This lifelong fascination with botanicals and natural remedies led to my early career as a magazine health and beauty editor. I went on to write several bestselling books on the therapeutic power of herbs, plants, vitamins and essential oils. My good friend (and now business partner) Kim Buckland had the original idea to bring much of my research and specialist knowledge together to create a wonderful range of affordable, pampering, fuss-free skincare treats that actually work! That was 15 years ago and the rest, as they say, is history.


2. At what age did you start wearing makeup?

I think I probably started experimenting with lip gloss and glittery nail varnish at around the age of 10, similar to my own daughters now!


3. If you could apply only one product for the next month what would it be?

Here in the UK we have had a real cold snap, so over the next month I will be focusing on ensuring that my skin is well hydrated, nourished and protected from the elements. The best ingredients for helping your skin to retain its own moisture reserves are plant oils which mimic the skin’s own naturally effective moisture barrier, sebum. Our Superskin range is designed to hydrate, nourish and protect your skin. Specially formulated with powerful naturally active ingredients rich in GLA, omega-3 and antioxidants, these botanical skin-savers plump, smooth and deeply moisturise skin that needs a little extra help during these colder winter months. Therefore, the one product that I would apply for the next month to help protect my winter worn skin is our botanical wonder-cream, Superskin Moisturiser. This purely plant-based formula really does create ‘super skin’ and I absolutely always double-check I have at least one jar in my bag. I absolutely will not leave home without it!

4. If you could give one product to all women in the world what would it be?

The cornerstone of effective skincare is cleansing. Cleansing is integral to achieve a clear complexion by getting rid of daily grime and impurities to keep your skin clean and prevent blemishes. The starting point for smooth, radiantly clear skin is undoubtedly our multi-award winning Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser which celebrates its 15th Anniversary this year. This luxuriously creamy, plant-based cleanser is used together with the pure cotton muslin cloth provided which helps to boost the circulation and stimulate cell renewal to help keep skin soft and smooth. The Cleanse & Polish is enriched with purifying rosemary and eucalyptus extracts and skin softening cocoa butter, while the soft muslin cloth has the perfect texture to gently exfoliate by buffing away dead skin cells, revealing instant radiance. This unique two-phase cleanser really is the starting point for healthy, glowing skin, whatever your age or skin type (from very dry to even acne-prone) making it my number one choice for a product to give all women in the world. Cleanse & Polish is a fuss-free pampering treatment that all women can depend on.

5. If you could ban one harmful ingredient from all beauty products what would it be?

Although mineral oils are not harmful, I would suggest that all bland mineral oils, used in beauty products, should be replaced with potent plant oils. I am a firm believer in the potent powers of plant oils to make a genuine difference to your skin. Plant oils are absorbed within the upper levels of the epidermis so they soften far more than mineral oils. Plant oils are much more compatible with the skin and they mimic the skin’s own naturally effective moisture barrier, sebum, and leave skin silky smooth. They are also rich in the natural form of Vitamin E and skin-saving essential fatty acids, which is why we only use plant oils, not mineral oil, in the Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare range.

6. What is your favorite skincare ingredient?

I swear by natural source vitamin E. I could practically write a book just about this wonderful skin-friendly substance, mainly derived from vegetable oils. As natural source vitamin E is up to three times more potent than the synthetic variety, we only ever use the naturally derived vitamin E in our products. Naturally sourced vitamin E helps to defend the skin from damaging effects of ultraviolet light, to optimize moister levels and improve appearance. It also delays skin ageing by fighting free radicals. One of the main ways vitamin E works is by protecting the phospholipids (fatty acids) in cell membranes, which form the ‘cement’ of the skin barrier and are major targets of attack by free radicals. As well as looking for naturally sourced vitamin E in skincare, I also recommend taking it internally as it can act as an internal anti-ager, making you beautiful from the inside out. As vitamin E is not as easily found in foods as other vitamins (its main sources are avocados, nuts and seeds), a daily supplement is useful – but look for the words ‘natural source’ on the pack.

7. What is the last product you created?

We recently added three new products to our top selling Superskin range; Superskin Eye & Lip Treatment, Superskin Bust Treatment and Superskin Body Cream. My favorite is our Superskin Body Cream as this ultra-rich body cream is our most intensive moisturiser ever, helping mature or very dry skin look and feel rejuvenated and replenished. At the heart of our Superskin Body Cream, we are using a variety of shea butter from a lesser known sub-species. Shea butter produced from the nuts of the East African shea, Vitellaria paradoxa nilotica, is lighter and finer in texture and so sinks more easily into the upper levels of the epidermis. This enables us to use more of it without overloading the skin or causing any kind of greasiness. You can see a clip of our senior botanist, Jennifer Hirsch, and me with the women’s co-operative who harvest this for us in Northern Uganda on a field-trip last year [click here]. The plant-based formula really does create ‘super skin’ and is rich in skin protecting omega 3, 6 and 9 from cranberry seeds as well as free radical fighting antioxidants. Although we can never turn back time, the Superskin range certainly slows the clock’s ticking, leaving skin visibly plump, smooth and replenished.

8. Who is the business woman you most admire?

I really admire the work of Robin Coe-Hutshing– the founder & creative director at STUDIO BEAUTYMIX at Fred Segal. STUDIO has a global reputation for being on the cutting-edge of new trends and products in the beauty world. We share their passion for promoting beauty, health and wellness in unique high-end luxury products, which is why we are delighted to be included by having our products available there.

9. Whose beauty do you most admire?

On a visit to Morocco I was astounded by the effortless beauty of the Berber women in the Hammams of Marrakesh. I noticed that despite the fiercely hot climate, the women had the most beautiful smooth skin and glossy hair. It was then that I found out about argan oil or the ‘Gold of Morocco’, which has been used traditionally by the Berber women for centuries to keep their skin smooth and youthful. I knew I had to include this precious essential oil in the Liz Earle range, and so we developed Superskin Concentrate, a super-intense aromatic blend of 100% pure plant oils with vitamin E rich argan oil- a restoring treat for all skin types, inspired by the stunning beauty of the Berber women.

10. What was your best Spa experience?

One of my all-time favourites is the ‘eco-spa’ Sasaab in Kenya – a magical eco-lodge in the Samburu hills with the most spectacular views of Africa. An idyllic setting with luxurious tented rooms, superb simple fresh food and charming, friendly service. A truly tranquil hideaway!

11. Besides your own, what is your favorite brand?

I am a big fan of Aromatherapy Associates who, like us, never compromise of the quality of the efficacy of their lovely aromatherapy treatments. They can often be found in some of the nicer spa locations around the world and are well worth making time for as a special treat.


Read more about Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare on Beauty's SPOT...

Some products mentioned in this post were provided to Beauty's SPOT for free as editorial samples.

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The Same Questions I Ask Everyone....With Juara Skincare's Yoshiko Roth

Yoshiko loves her job. In August while very pregnant, she took a train from New York to D.C. so that she might present Juara's newest launches to the area's hottest beauty bloggers. Skincare seems to be more than the domain where she performs her adept entrepreneurship. Juara is, indeed (especially when that deed is getting on a train while pregnant) her calling.

As Juara's Co-founder she is the nose behind the brand's cult favorite Tiare Jasmine Rollerball Perfume Oil and personally tests and optimizes each new product released by the much buzzed about botanical brand. After her co-founder, Metta Murdaya, revealed the Indonesian geniousity behind their brand in our inaugural "The Same Questions..." we couldn't wait to reveal the equally brilliant Japanese half of this Indonesian skincare powerhouse.

What is your first memory of beauty products?
Believe it or not, my first memory of beauty products is that of toners. I would watch my mother and my Japanese relatives spending the biggest chunk of their daily skincare routine patting a toner-soaked cotton pad on their skin. I was completely mesmerized by that meticulous ritual.

At what age did you start wearing makeup?
At age 15. I bought my first red lipstick and even face powder!

If you could apply only one product for the next month what would it be?
It’s now getting colder and drier in New York City, so I would have to opt for a good, hydrating moisturizer with natural antioxidants. I like our Sweet Black Tea & Rice Facial Moisturizer because even though it’s very hydrating, it’s not heavy and absorbs very quickly. And it’s a great base for make-up.

If you could give one product to all women in the world what would it be?
Our Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner. It’s my secret weapon for healthy, radiant skin, man or woman. When we developed this product, I had the Japanese-style toners in mind and my mother and aunts who so meticulously applied toner to their skin. To them, these hydrating toners are key to achieving skin that’s brimming with water and vitality… like a fresh peach!

If you could ban one harmful ingredient from all beauty products what would it be?

Phthalates. They are truly toxic.

What is your favorite skincare ingredient?
Hyaluronic Acid. It pretty much makes every single product work better and it makes your skin look better.

What is the last product you created?
Our Sweet Black Tea & Ginger Mattefying Moisturizer. It combines the natural anti-aging properties of Fermented Sweet Black Tea (a.k.a. Kombucha) with the oil-control and purifying benefits of Ginger and Cinnamon. Plus it contains hyaluronic acid for oil-free hydration. It’s great for anybody who is interested in age-prevention but has oily skin or break-out prone skin.

Who is the business woman you most admire?
Anita Roddick. A true revolutionary and visionary who changed the face of the cosmetics industry. I saw her speak once at NYU. She had an amazing presence.

Whose beauty do you most admire?
All women that age gracefully and embrace how life, experience, age changes them, physically and mentally.

What was your best Spa experience?
I LOVE going to Japanese onsen (hot spring resorts). Once my parents took me to an Onsen by Lake Suwa, about 2 hours from Tokyo. It was in the middle of winter, super cold and we would bathe in these amazingly relaxing naturally hot springs outside with view of the lake. It was divine.

Besides your own, what is your favorite brand?
Eau Thermale Avene. I used to be the product manager for Avene before I started JUARA. I always thought the products are excellent, especially the thermal spring water, but when I travelled to France to visit the Avene Hydrotherapy Center, I realized how much tradition, wisdom and integrity was behind the products, the brand, the whole company.

Read more on why Beauty's SPOT can't live without Juara Skincare...

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The Same Questions I Ask Everyone: Pristine Beauty's Blaire Kessler

When former beauty queen Blaire Kessler was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 she found her calling. With no family history of cancer and an extremely healthy lifestyle she began to ferret out all possible causes of her cancer. The results of her mission are a truly inspiring survivor story and an ultra fab toxin-free line of beauty products, Pristine Beauty, Inc. Look for Blaire and her fabulous products on an upcoming segment of Good Morning America. Until then, we'll get to know her right here on the SPOT.

What is your first memory of beauty products?
I was 4 years old and my mom was in her bedroom going through her extra makeup which she kept in a shoebox in the top of her closet. She had this bright blue eye shadow that I remember thinking that I just HAD to try. I begged my Mom to put some on me. At first she said no but after I badgered her a bit more she relented and proceeded to apply the disco blue color on my little eyelids. All I could think was “WOW…now all I need is some of that bright pink lipstick in the bottom of that box and I will be SET”…she applied and I thought I looked GOOOOD!!! These days I have given up the bright pink lipstick, yet I still on occasion whip out my Bare Escentuals Glimmer Blue Moon eye shadow and turn things up a notch!!!!


At what age did you start wearing makeup?
Other than just play… I was able to wear lip gloss when I was 12

If you could apply only one product for the next month what would it be?
I would apply my moisturizer Hooray For Brallywood Butta. It makes my skin luminous.
If we are talking cosmetics….It would be my Bare Escentuals black eyeliner (you can do so much with eyeliner…clean line for a classic look or smudge for a Smokey eye.)

If you could give one product to all women in the world what would it be?
My 100% natural deodorant Take A Whiff! …It doesn’t contain harmful propylene glycol or aluminum chlorhydrate which is proving to be toxic and it has a pro-biotic in it that inhibits bacteria under the arm. Plus, it contains ingredients that stimulate the lymphatic system and nurtures the body!!!

If you could ban one harmful ingredient from all beauty products what would it be?
There are many, but the most harmful is Parabens. You may have heard about how you should avoid parabens in the products you buy, but you might be wondering why you should do so.

First, let’s look at where you might find parabens and what products they are normally in. Parabens can be found in shampoos, commercial moisturizers, shaving gels, cleansing gels, personal lubricants, topical pharmaceuticals and toothpaste. They are also used as food additives in some products. Basically, a huge percentage of the products you buy for everyday use contain some form of paraben.

One of the most important reasons I would ban Parabens is that they can mimic the hormone estrogen, which is known to play a role in the development of breast cancers and being a young breast cancer survivor who exercises, eats right and doesn’t have cancer in my family it is hard to say whether having slathered chemically laden….or paraben laden products on my body for years might have played a role in my early diagnosis.

The jury is still out on how and why parabens might affect development and growth of both babies and adults. But we have decided to get rid of any products that have it and replace them with products that don’t. There is no harm being careful with this kind of stuff…remember, things that were deemed safe in the past then came back to bite us all when we were told that they actually caused all sorts of diseases… when they are safe alternatives available and avoidable in the first place.


What is your favorite skincare ingredient? My favorite skincare ingredient is for sure Rose Hips Seed Oil. This oil is in all of my products because it is, frankly, a ROCKSTAR!
I use it in my No Scary Hairy because it improves the texture, restores moisture and balance, nourishes and rehydrates dull dry damaged hair and skin.

It is in my Hooray for Brallywood Butta because it has the ability to heal and fade scars and even out hyperpigmintation on the skin. It restores and repairs burned skin and is renowned as being the BEST most effective anti-aging oil available on the market. It alleviates fine lines and wrinkles and premature aging. In my opinion everyone should be researching their current products looking to see if this totally FAB ingredient is present and if it’s not…well then log onto http://www.shoppristinebeauty.com/ and get yourself some pretty things that regard Rose Hips Seed Oil as sheer royalty.


What is the last product you created?
The last product I created is a truly 100% natural sunless tanner where the DHA is derived from sugar cane. It is NOT stinky and does not streak. Plus it has so many antioxidants and truly nourishes the body unlike many products on the market that contain chemicals and may be potentially toxic. It should be out on the market by the end of the year.

Who is the business woman you most admire?
Oprah Winfrey. Seems logical and easy to say her but I really mean it. She got where she is by a lot of determination and hard work and she uses her success to help others and give back. That is a driving force for Pristine Beauty. We are a small company right now and we believe it is important to reach out and give to others. That is why we donate a portion of the proceeds to the Young Survival Coalition and the Cancer Prevention Coalition with every purchase all year long.


Whose beauty do you most admire?
I most admired Farrah Fawcett beauty. Honestly, I thought that she was awesomely beautiful when she was younger and even throughout her cancer treatment - not just in her physical features but I admired her beauty in the way she approached life. She had a strong spirit and a strong mind which made her business savvy and well-liked. Her love of life and will to live was undeniably as beautiful as her physical appearance.

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The Same Questions I Ask Everyone....With Tammy Fender

Girls, Tammy Fender is taking skin care up a notch or ten. Her perspicacious perspective on beauty and skincare is informed by twenty years of aesthetic expertise and passionate research. If you don't frequent Southern Florida, please (I beg you) acquaint yourself with her organic skincare line. The Lavender & Fo-ti Formula No. c-129 cleansing milk is the best cleanser I have ever, ever encountered. In fact now that my bottle is mostly empty I have re-filled it with water and use the diluted solution as a powerful organic makeup remover. Without further ado, here is the legendary Tammy Fender.

What is your first memory of beauty products?
My memories of beauty products begin with my grandmother and her love for crèmes and oils. To this day, I continue to embrace applying my oils and crèmes as a sacred moment, beginning and ending each day.

At what age did you start wearing makeup?
I can’t recall a specific age, but I love wearing make-up for evening and special occasions. I think the key is finding a balance between your natural radiance and the way makeup can highlight your best features….for me it is a little mascara and lipstick.

If you could apply only one product for the next month what would it be?
My quintessential Serum is an all-in-one for me because it offers pure protection and nutrition in its most concentrated form, feeding the cells with vital energy and nutrients while it moisturizers, replenishes and restores – I use it several times a day as a serum, moisturizer (face, hands, elbows), applied to my lips, around my eyes and to the ends of my hair for health and shine.

If you could give one product to all women in the world what would it be?
As I would want for myself, I would share the Quintessential Serum, a best-selling cult favorite.

If you could ban one harmful ingredient from all beauty products what would it be?
Petrochemicals

What is your favorite skincare ingredient?
Bulgarian Rose…it is considered one of the most valuable essences of all, requiring more than 7,000 petals to produce a single drop, and has been recognized by the earliest healers for its curative and beautifying attributes. Having the highest frequency of all the essential oils on the planet, Bulgarian Rose is the most powerful cell rejuvenator, bringing balance, harmony, health and beauty.

What is the last product you created?
My newest product creation is the first in my Professional Treatment Series, the Skin Tone Lightening System. This 2-part system utilizes potent botanical brighteners and powerful natural ingredients to treat and correct hyper-pigmented and uneven complexions. This system is the first of its kind drawing on botanically based ingredients to provide professional caliber results at home.

Who is the business woman you most admire?
I admire Alice Waters as a pioneer in the organic food movement and her passion for sharing the purest, healthiest and happiest way of life through consuming the living energy of the earth. Her work is simply an expression of her truest being.

Whose beauty do you most admire?
I see beauty in all beings; being open and receptive to all forms of beauty allows me to honor, embrace and learn from the beauty I see in each person.

What was your best Spa experience?
My best experience was the day I came to my spa on my birthday (as a client!) and felt the nurturing and healing experience of holistic treatments from my dearest friends. The energy and happiness was all encompassing.

Besides your own, what is your favorite brand?
I love brands that offer hand-made products because you can really feel the art of their creation and the love and energy that comes through such products.

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The Same Questions I Ask Everyone....With Anastasia Soare

I initially came to know the one-part human, two-parts goddess Anastasia Soare as Oprah's eyebrow guru. Now I patronize her Nordstrom Brow Studios whenever the eyebrow spas intersect with my travel plans in an effort to compare technician quality and training (all superb and trained by Ms. A.) In May of 2008 I fell in love with her Beverly Hills outpost while watching the legend herself sculpt Bella Sugar's eyebrows. Now, on the eve of her skincare line launch (created after a year of research in her native Romania) Anastasia lets us into her beauty empire with an exclusive interview and a preview of her new line.

What is your first memory of beauty products?
Going to the apothecary pharmacy with my mother in Romania so she could buy her favorite face cream which was mixed fresh for her on the spot. If I close my eyes I can remember the scent of the place in an instant.

At what age did you start wearing makeup?
16. I remember we were wearing a latex eye liner back then. I am sure the ingredients were not the safest but the look we were going for was Cleopatra and of course these days Amy Winehouse wears the same look. This liner was liquid and you applied it in a thick band around your eyes and it dried in latex and you could peal it off later. It would stay on 12 hours or more.

If you could apply only one product for the next month what would it be?
My Line Erasing Serum: it gives the skin and instant dewy glow and it reduces discoloration and redness. It’s like a youthful spring in a bottle.

If you could give one product to all women in the world what would it be?
My brow kit. The most common mistake I see women make is over-tweezing their brows. With the 5 products inside including stencils they can all achieve perfect brows at home.

If you could ban one harmful ingredient from all beauty products what would it be?
This isn’t an ingredient but I love animals so so much. I wish that absolutely all animal testing could be banned worldwide not just from cosmetics but also pharmaceuticals etc.

What is your favorite skincare ingredient?
Glycolic Acid. It really refines and smoothes my skin.

What is the last product you created?
Line Erasing Serum - it’s amazing.

Who is the business woman you most admire?
Oprah Winfrey, whenever I complain that I work too much, I just think of her schedule and quickly change my mind. She is a nonstop work horse who is truly interested in improving the way people live. I think the huge fame and money were never her ambition. They happened along the way and really her #1 priority was to grow with her fans. That’s what makes her my hero.

Whose beauty do you most admire?
Every single woman that works for it. It takes a lot to be a woman these. There are so many expectations to remain young and gorgeous forever. Hats off to all of us who start with beauty in the a.m. and end with it before bed.

What was your best Spa experience?
The Spa at Esperanza in Cabo San Lucas. Just stepping inside that place starts to tranquilize my senses. Aside from that it is such a gorgeous masterpiece dedicated to relaxation and rejuvenation that I insist on going four times a year.

Besides your own, what is your favorite brand?
I really like MAC. I have been a long time fan of their eye shadows even before I had my own line and I know I can find everything I need there.

Wise words from woman wealthy with beauty and aesthetic talent. We can't wait to reap the benefits of her Romanian skincare research trip. Many thanks to Anastasia for taking the time be with us and to her team for working with us to provide the product preview below. Here is a bit of what's to come. More details here.

Working with a team of experts and scientists, Anastasia developed Balkan Botanical™ Infusion, a blend of rare plant and herb extracts found only in the rich soil of Romania. This unique and exclusive blend has the power to soften, soothe and restore the skin’s natural radiance. Balkan Botanical™ Infusion is a key ingredient in Anastasia’s new skin care products.
The Line launch includes:

Line Erasing Serum: a lightweight blend of natural hydrators, Instalift™ Goji, and Anastasia’s exclusive Balkan Botanical™ Infusion. This serum improves the appearance of skin and helps reduce signs of aging.

Blue Lotus Mist: a perfect fusion of Balkan Botanical™ Infusion, hydrating water, and a soothing serum of flower extracts from South Africa, to help revive complexions and provide skin with an instant burst of radiance.

Neroli Night Crème: contains a complex of fruit and flower oils, combined with Balkan Botanical™ Infusion in a moisture rich, non-greasy formula.

Nourishing Eye Crème: an ultra-rich mix of essential oils and antioxidants, along with Balkan Botanical™ Infusion. Promotes smoother, firmer and hydrated skin for a more youthful appearance.

Hydrating Oil: features Jojoba, Borage, Black Currant & Meadowfoam Seed Oil which work together to provide ultimate hydration. Loveage, an aromatic oil, revives one’s spirit while our exclusive Balkan Botanical™ Infusion softens. Vital for thirsty, fatigued skin.

Sheer Moisture Crème: a hydrating and ultra-light SPF 30 day creme that works for all skin types. This truly innovative fragrance-free formula softens the skin and provides protection against UVA/UVB rays and free radicals that can cause signs of aging. Enjoy!

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The Same Questions I Ask Everyone ....With Melissa Shabinsky of Revolution Organics

After hearing from co-founder Alexandra last week, this week we are lucky enough to feature Revolution Organics' other (equally gorgeous) half Melissa Shabinsky. These women, like their product, are highly efficient, stylish, and beautiful inside and out.

What is your first memory of beauty products?
A big outing to the mall was not complete without a walk through the makeup counters at the department store. I thought that it was the most glamorous place in the world.

At what age did you start wearing makeup?
Officially at around 15, but I did sneak in a little mascara and lip gloss into my backpack when I was 13 and apply in the bathroom at school.

If you could apply only one product for the next month what would it be?
Our All-Over Beauty Balm – it is honestly the only product I need and use all the time. It is my color, highlighter, moisturizer, blush, lip color and bronzer all in one!

If you could give one product to all women in the world what would it be?
Our certified organic All Over Body Balm – we created it to make every woman's life a little easier.

If you could ban one harmful ingredient from all beauty products what would it be?
Petrochemicals

What is your favorite skincare ingredient?
Coconut oil

What is the last product you created?
I have an entire cosmetic bag full of lab samples of new products that we are creating right now, just essentials that every woman would want, like a good mascara.

Who is the business woman you most admire?
Leslie Blodgett - she is an innovator and is constantly ahead of the trend curve

Whose beauty do you most admire?
My mom. She is blessed with good genes (which I hope have been passed onto me) but takes care of herself and her skin and NEVER sits in the sun. She is also at peace with her looks, something that many women have a hard time doing, which makes her really truly beautiful.

What was your best Spa experience?
I’m not a spa girl, I can’t sit still that long!

Besides your own, what is your favorite brand?
It has been so long since I have worn any other products other than ours but I do like what ColorScience has done with their mineral protections.

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The Same Questions I Ask Everyone ....With Alexandra Zanella of Revolution Organics

Organics have come along way since the days of dusty shelves at your hippie-haven local co-op. I first fell in love with Revolution Organics, the front runner in the next generation of organic beauty, back in March when I first tried their body balm and lotion. Alexandra Zanella and Melissa Shabinsky, the bold beautiful duo who created the line, inspired a collective fearful gasp throughout the "natural" beauty industry when they went ahead and made their stylish, effective products USDA certified organic.

Alexandra's partner in all things organic, hot, and beautiful will be with us next week to share her answers! In the meantime, you can follow these trailblazers @revolution_girl.

What is your first memory of beauty products?
I was approximately four years old. My Mother had a beauty mark on her face – and I wanted one too. To make me happy, she would ‘pencil in’ a beauty mark (a la Cindy Crawford) on my cheek with her eyebrow pencil so I could be like her.

At what age did you start wearing makeup?
15 years old.

If you could apply only one product for the next month what would it be?
Glow Beauty Balm (you can use for lips, cheeks, eye shadow, highlighter and on and on)

If you could give one product to all women in the world what would it be?
Glow Beauty Balm

If you could ban one harmful ingredient from all beauty products what would it be?
SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE

What is your favorite skincare ingredient?

Shea Butter

What is the last product you created?
All Natural Mascara – coming soon!

Who is the business woman you most admire?
Andrea Jung – Avon Chairman/CEO

Whose beauty do you most admire?
Queen Rania of Jordan – not only is she beautiful to look at she is renowned for her philanthropic work and dedication to women and children rights globally.

What was your best Spa experience?
Cannot think of one

Besides your own, what is your favorite brand?
I don’t have one. I try different brands that suit my needs at that time.

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The Same Questions I Ask Everyone...With Metta Murdaya of Juara Skincare

In early 2008 I found my skincare soulmate in Metta Murdaya's Indonesian botanical based line, Juara. Indonesian-born but US educated, Murdaya combined the principles and ingredients of her island archipelago home with the most stringent standards of spa skincare found in her earth-forward (adopted) hometown, San Francisco. The nascent line's resulting brilliance, even in its infancy, earned it coveted space on the shelves of Bendel's and Bliss. After sitting down for a cup of coffee in Soho with Metta last fall, I left certain that this powerhouse would continue to contribute to the skincare world for a long long time. Thus there is no woman better suited to be our inaugural guest for this the first installment of "The Same Questions I ask Everybody."

What is your first memory of beauty products?
-My first memory is from when I could first walk. I would watch my mother ‘put on her face’ meticulously in Indonesia EVERY morning. I recall how much time she took to do her makeup – and how much time she spent not only putting on the color, but also the ‘prep,’ the moisturizer, sunblock, all sorts of things I didn’t recognize at the time. I remember my dad saying “It’ll be another hour and half until your mom is done…” and I would think, “Wow, will I have to do that too when I’m older? Then I don’t want to grow up!” Haha.

At what age did you start wearing makeup?
-While growing up I have always gone light-to-no makeup. As an adolescent with oily skin prone to breakouts, I was more concerned about ‘not clogging pores’ and keeping acne breakouts under control. I was a bit of a tomboy all through the first half of high school in San Francisco, where ‘au natural’ was the preferred look, however, I did start flirting with lipstick around 6th grade… Believe it or not, only last year did I start wearing foundation. Being in front of TVs and cameras really very quickly gets you adjusted to makeup.

If you could apply only one product for the next month what would it be?
-So tough! I would choose either sunblock or a moisturizer. But probably a sunblock – since I know there are some sunblocks with good emmolient, moisturizing properties, (sufficient for my skin anyway…) and the key to preventative maintenance against aging is sunblock – those UVA/B rays are real killers! But after 31 days, you'll see me running for my moisturizer and toner!

If you could give one product to all women in the world what would it be?
-I have to say JUARA’s Tamarind Tea Hyrdating Toner. I’m not saying this just because it’s a product in my line, but because we created that product based on a need I didn’t see any other product out there fulfilling. It’s a dehydration buster with antioxidant properties. And we know dehydration in ALL skin types (not just dryness) is one of the leading causes of aging. It will single-handedly quench your thirsty skin and make your skin softer and more hydrated (with no oil) but with a chock full of hyaluronic acid and tamarind seed extract. And it makes whatever moisturizer you put on after work better. (So you can use less of it, and go easy on your jar of Crème de La Mer.) Also, if you want a hydrated but not heavy/greasy skin this is your product. It’s packed with tea antioxidants, but fragrance free, paraben-free. We keep the ingredient list pretty tight. In the summer, I actually forgo the moisturizer and just use the toner (which oily skinned people can do,) since my skin produces enough oil anyway…No cotton ball needed either, wouldn’t want to waste the precious liquid on a ball, and at a rocking $27, it lasts sooooo long…

If you could ban one harmful ingredient from all beauty products what would it be?
-If I had to choose one harmful ingredient - harsh detergents and scrubs should be banned. Our skin is a gentle organ that needs to be nurtured and taken care of. It’s a myth that we have to really scrub or wash our faces until it become squeaky clean in order for it to be REALLY clean. This feeling of “needs to be squeaky clean” may come from childhood, when us oily teens were told to wash with bar soap and we got used to what that felt like, but that’s not a good benchmark. There are plenty of gentle surfactants that can cleanse thoroughly but not irritate or strip the skin – which can cause or aggravate redness and irritation. It’s misleading – I have gotten many a phone call or email from people who think they have “weird, schizo skin” that is red, dry but greasy, irritated, and need to know what moisturizer or mask to use. My first question is: What do you use as a cleanse? It’s important to be kind to your skin in the first step of your cleansing/skincare routine. If you mistreat your skin at Step 1, you’ll be taking step 2 and 3 to undo that damage, instead of really improving your skin.

What is your favorite skincare ingredient?
-In sunblocks, I LOVE mexoryl. UVA protection that’s less photosensitive and won’t turn my skin white. Other skincare ingredients – I’m a huge fan of Kombucha/Fermented Sweet Black Tea and Hyaluronic Acid. Kombucha is a natural, preventative anti-aging ingredient, not harsh but effective, and hyaluronic acid is just so clean and hydrating.

What is the last product you created?
-In March, we launched the Sweet Black Tea & Ginger Mattefying Moisturizer. It’s an oil-free moisturizer (for combo to oily skin), a counterpart to our existing and popular Sweet Black Tea & Rice Facial Moisturizer (for dry to combo skin.) It contains Ginger and Cinnamon, which are good natural oil-control ingredients, with Sweet Black Tea (Fermented Sweet Black Tea, actually,) which has anti-aging properties. A moisturizer that’s BOTH anti-aging AND has oil-control, is fragrance free, paraben free and works great under makeup, it’s being received quite well!

Who is the business woman you most admire?
-One of my role models is Anita Roddick – the founder of Body Shop. Beauty products inspired by natural ingredients are more commonplace today, but back when the Body Shop was founded decades ago, I think her model to create a natural based line which contributed back to the communities from which she got her ingredients from was amazing. I think she really institutionalized the concept of “Giving Back” in beauty and also managed to make the line large and successful – which shows you can be a business woman and make great contributions to society at the same time and be very successful at both.

Whose beauty do you most admire?
-I don’t have a specific person in mind. I see beauty as an inside-out concept – if you’re passionate about life, what you’re doing, and really care about the people around you, that energy really translates – and I do believe it translates into your skin. Women who are healthy (take care of what they eat and exercise,) try to live life to the fullest and share laughter with friends – I’m convinced there’s something internal (lower stress factor? A happiness glow?) that just radiates to the outside. That’s the kind of beauty I admire, because it’s natural. It will exude no matter how much or little sleep you’ve had.

What was your best Spa experience?
-My best spa experience has been in Bali, hands down. It’s hard to beat a multiple hour treatment that starts with a delicious massage, followed by a body scrub, then a FANTASTIC yogurt rub, and a warm floral bath with rose petals and magnolias floating all around you, while you’re also sipping a traditional ginger/spice filled sweet herbal tea. One of the locations I received this treatment at was on a mountainside where I could hear the waterfall on the other side of the mountain, and the view from the outdoor floral bath was of the mountains as far up, down, right, and left as the eye can see… The other one was a similar treatment, but by the beach so I could hear the ocean waves as the warm beach air brushed by my body. (Tugu Hotel, Bali)

Besides your own, what is your favorite brand?
-It depends on the product. I love products that don’t make me feel like I have goop on my face or threatens to aggravate my skin or drown it in perfume.
Sunblock: I LOVE La Roche Posay. It’s just so gentle and elegant feeling on the skin.
Moisturizer: Avene/Vichy: Also good for sensitive skin (love!!) has a nice, light smell and isn’t overwhelmingly greasy. It absorbs quite well.
Cleanser: So hard – I really do love our JUARA Rice Facial Cleanser. But as backup, Rice Force, a line in Japan works great too.
Body products: Scrubs and stuff – 100% Pure is just pure healthy decadence.
Hair: (Though we don’t have hair products…) Pureology is my latest favorite. I have long, black, coarse hair – it moisturizes it and gives it body with no frizz, and brings out the natural waves.




Thank you Metta for sharing your incredible skincare knowledge and of course the Tugu Hotel treatment recommendation. I didn't start wearing makeup or foundation until I was 26. I love hearing that someone else has fallen as hard and as fast as I have for all the truly effective and environmentally friendly products now on the market.