Female Founders + Their Beauty Faves

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we asked leading female-founders from the beauty and wellness industry to give the low-down on their favourite three beauty products of 2023!

Ara Karz

Co-Founder and Co-CEO of SEED

 Ara’s breastfeeding experience led her to the microbiome and inspired a personal mission to explore the importance of microbes and how they can impact the health of our bodies, our children and our planet.

 Ara has been a fellow at the MIT Media Lab’s Center for Future Storytelling and CCA’s DesignMBA program, and was named in Marie Claire’s “The New Guard: The 50 Most Influential Women in America”, listed on Business Insider’s “Silicon Alley Top 100” and “36 Rockstar Women in NYC Tech”, and was recently included in Create + Cultivate’s 100 List for STEM.

ARA’S TOP THREE BEAUTY FAVES:

1.       SEEDS-01 DAILY SYNBIOTIC – “The complex interactions between your gut and your skin are referred to as the ‘gut-skin axis’ and researchindicates the gut microbiome is a major regulator of this pathway. Every day, I take two capsules of our flagship innovation DS-01 Daily Synbiotic—a 2-in-1 probiotic and prebiotic formulated with 24 clinically and scientifically studied strains that provide whole-body benefits including digestive health, skin health, heart health, gut immune function, gut barrier integrity, and micronutrient synthesis. Our Dermatological Health Blend includes four strains clinically studied to promote healthy, clear looking skin and reinforces a healthy gut-skin connection.”

2.       ELTA MD UV CLEAR BROAD-SPECTRUM SPF 46, “To protect my skin daily, a highly effective sunscreen is key."

3.  TERRA TORY PERFECTLY IMPERFECT SOAP CUBE – “In the past 70 years, 350,000 new chemicals have been introduced into our everyday lives. Many of these are found in the personal care and cleaning products we interact with daily in the forms of surfactants, emulsifiers, and preservatives. We're just starting to understand the impact of surfactants on the skin, but the most mild and gentle options (with ingredients like oats) are often shown to be non-perturbing to the skin microbiome.”

Estée Lalonde

Founder and Creative Director of MIRROR WATER

Opening up about her life, talking about her vulnerable side and addressing her mental health struggles has resulted in her audience feeling understood, hopeful and connected. When she’s not working, you’re most likely to find Estée soaking in the tub, drinking her favourite red wine or walking around the park with her rescue pup, Effie.

Estée’s goal is to create an online space where you feel like you can be your whole self, indulge in whatever makes you feel good and connect with likeminded people.

Cultivating rituals of relaxation, MIRROR WATER is a lifestyle brand focused on a revolution within ourselves. MIRROR WATER ventures below the surface and encourages self-reflection. Looking inward, turning outward. 

ESTEE’S TOP THREE BEAUTY FAVES:

1.       MIRROR WATER BUFF BODY EXFOLIATOR– “It’s no secret that I’m a body care addict and for me a good body care routine starts with a full body exfoliation. BUFF is a salt scrub with the added benefit of shea nut shell powder to ensure that the various surfaces of your body are effectively scrubbed. This body scrub really gets in there to effectively slough away dead skin cells and impurities without stripping the skin of its much-needed moisture. The unique gel-like consistency ensures mess-free application and the unique essential oil blend will help keep you grounded such as vetiver, cedar wood, Canadian black spruce and bergamot. The sparkling woody fragranced is heightened by your touch. Bliss!”

2.       VOTARY HYALURONIC SELF-TAN DROPS WITH CALENDULA and DHA – “Described as sunshine in a bottle, this is a product I was very excited to try!”

3.       REFY BROW SCULPT – “I apply it first thing in the morning before I start my day and they look exactly the same when I walk through the door after running around all day.” 

Audrey Semeraro

Founder of EDENISTE

Edeniste’s Founder, Audrey Semeraro, has spent the past four years fusing her passions for science (her father was a nuclear scientist) and her lifelong love of fragrances (her mother, was a model for Nina Ricci). Never before has a brand combined the worlds of neuroscience, with fine fragrance.

Introducing Edeniste, the first generation of active wellbeing fine fragrances driven by neuroscience, offers innovative Lifeboost® active essences that have been tested physiologically and proven to boost emotional wellbeing.

AUDREY’S TOP THREE BEAUTY FAVES:

1.       EDENISTE ENERGY LIFEBOOST – “To start my morning ritual, I love to spray Energy Lifeboost on the palms of my hands, it wakes me up… and of course, I finish off with Jasmin Cruel, which is such an amazing fragrance, a duo of Tuberose and Jasmin.”

2.       RARE BEAUTY PERFECT STROKES UNIVERSAL VOLUMIZING MASCARA – “I love the natural no-makeup makeup look but I never go out without mascara.” The Rare Beauty mascara is made with castor oil, which works to soften, nourish and condition lashes.

3.       MOROCCANOIL– “I’ve used the treatment on my hair for many years: I think this product changed the industry.” Moroccan Oil leaves hair that’s silky, healthy, shiny and full of life.

Ava Matthews

Co-Founder of ULTRA VIOLETTE

Ava Matthew is adept in all things SPF, wearing it, creating it and marketing it respectively for some of Australia’s biggest beauty retailers. Ultra Violette is the brain child of this industry alumni, in the hope that she could create sunscreen that spoke to her – Co-founded alongside Bec Jeffard.

 Meet Ultra Violette, leading a new gen of SKINSCREENs™. SPF which politely considers your other skincare and makeup products, feels comfortable enough to wear daily, and contains skin-sweetening ingredients.

 AVA’S TOP THREE BEAUTY FAVES:

1.       ULTRA VIOLETTE DAYDREAM SCREENaydream Screen – “It provides coverage, SPF 50 and a fresh dewy finish so what more could you want in a product, really?”

2.       CHARLOTTE TILBURY BEAUTY BLUSH WAND – “I am obsessed with blush I think it is one of those products that makes everyone look better.”

3.       PRESCRIPTION RETINOL – “This along with wearing Sunscreen daily (obvi) has made the biggest difference to my skin - it’s more even, less pigmented, pores look smaller. Get on the retinol train!”

Jamie Lupton

Founder of MONDAY HAIRCARE

MONDAY Haircare was conceptualised and founded by beauty-obsessed Jaimee Lupton, who was inspired to create a range of luxury formulas at an affordable price point.

 “For too long ‘exclusivity’ has been a real buzzword in beauty,” says Jaimee. “But by definition it means someone is always left out. I wanted to create a more inclusive haircare brand—by making salon-quality products available at an accessible price point, and on a shelf near you.”

MONDAY is an award-winning, modern haircare brand making luxury more inclusive. The dermatologically tested formulas have a focus on natural ingredients and the iconic pink bottles are 100% recyclable, to help minimise carbon footprints and reduce landfill. With MONDAY, every day can be a good hair day.

JAIMEE’S TOP THREE BEAUTY FAVES:

1.       MONDAY HAIRCARE – “I’ve been using our new deep-cleanse CLARIFY Shampoo paired with our protective REPAIR Conditioner. The perfect combo IMO!”

2.       OMNILUX LED LIGHT THERAPY – “I use their medical-grade system at home and it might just be my favourite thing I own.”

3.       LANEIGE LIP SLEEP MASK in Berry – “This is too good to save for sleeping – I use it all day! Perfectly hydrating and tastes delicious.”