The Female Founded edit showcases a mix of exclusive cult- favourite brands, created by women, for women. 

This month we were fortunate enough to quiz the founders of the brands showcased in this months box. Specifically about their daily lifestyle routines and must have skincare products.

We asked both Sarah and Charlotte what inspired them to create their brand, their skincare must-haves and what their advice would be to other females when looking to branch out into business. Here's what they had to say:

“Glow Recipe was started in 2017 as we saw a white space in the market for a
clinically effective, results-driven brand with a community-first approach rooted in
sensoriality, fun, and accessibility. We pair antioxidants rich fruit extracts with
complementing clinical technology, creating breakthrough formulas that our
community is always eager to test.” - Christine Chang

“Since inception, Glow Recipe has paired first-to-market innovations with education to empower consumers to bring out their ‘glow’, while remaining hyper-focused on the Company’s core values of community, real skin acceptance, inclusivity, and sustainability. These values have allowed Glow Recipe to build an engaged community of Gen Z and Millennial consumers who have embraced the brand’s core pillars.” - Sarah Lee

- Founder's Quote -Plum Plump  Hyaluronic Cream

“Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream is a weightless, whipped gel cream that delivers
plumping hydration and balances skin. This creamy, pillowy-soft moisturizer is
packed with multi-weight hyaluronic acids, polyglutamic acid, and a blend of 3
antioxidant-rich plum extracts that fill each layer with plumping hydration for juicy
skin that lasts. This game-changing moisturizer is best for combination, dry, normal and sensitive skin. It’s our most repurchased product in our portfolio which speaks to our community’s love for the formula!” - Sarah

“We’re so excited to bring Plum Plump in a sustainable, refillable glass jar, created
with 20% post-consumer recycled materials and made to last. Once you run out,
replenish your glass jar with a refill pod that easily locks into place. Every pod is
sealed fresh and made of 50% post-consumer recycled material to help reduce CO2 emissions & carton waste. Plus, the COSMOS-certified* plums used in Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream are hand harvested by a family-owned organic farm in Australia.” - Christine

- What's your morning / night routine?

“My routine really varies each day depending on how my skin feels, but the usual
building blocks are a thorough cleanse, a toner to soak the skin in essential
ingredients, an eye cream, a serum (or two) and then sealing in everything with a
moisturizer. It usually takes me 5-10 minutes and I like to gently pat in every step for maximum absorption. I use different products depending on my key skin concern - for example if my skin feels a little sensitive, I’ll mix in the Plum Plump with Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum, and then seal in everything with a soothing moisturizer like Plum Plump Cream. Dew Drops is my go-to in the morning for dewy skin.” - Christine

“Morning or night, I start my skincare routine with our Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner. I’ll then choose a serum based on my skin concern; these days I find myself cycling between our Watermelon Niacinamide Dew Drops for an even tone and brighter complexion, Avocado Ceramide Recovery Serum to strengthen the skin barrier and reduce redness, or the Plum Plum Hyaluronic Serum for an extra boost of deep hydration. To finish my routine, I seal in all the steps with the Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream. It’s the perfect consistency for locking in moisture year round.” - Sarah

- What does a day in your life look like?

“On a typical day, I wake up around 7am and immediately spritz our Watermelon
Glow Ultra-Fine Mist - it’s by my bed at all times and it helps me feel awake instantly while hydrating my skin at the same time.

Since moving to Miami from New York City last year, I’ve been trying to take outdoor walks 2-3 times a day. I take my first walk from 7:30-8am. I’m fortunate to live by the water and there is a small island near me with a waterfront path so I usually do a full loop (about 2 miles) while responding to priority emails. I use this time to clear my mind and plan out the day. If I have the time, I also take this as an opportunity to listen to business podcasts or books. In between Zoom meetings throughout the day, I always schedule as many one-on- one coffee catch ups as possible with my team. This helps us stay aligned on projects, priorities, and helps me stay up to speed on what’s going on throughout the company. Whenever possible, I take these calls outside while walking (and sometimes grabbing a matcha). We have team members throughout the US so I love having these moments with them and getting to know them on a personal level.

After work, I love catching up with my husband over dinner. This is really the only time during the day I turn my phone off and focus on my conversation with my husband and truly be present. It’s such a great way for both of us to unwind together from the day. After dinner, there are days when I would have conference calls with international retailers or vendors, and I love pampering myself with a full skincare routine (including a 2-minute double cleanse and lymphatic drainage massage) before going to bed.” - Sarah

“Once my daughter is up, it means I am too! The first thing I do when I wake up is
mist - since skin is so prone to losing moisture overnight, I always rehydrate my skin when I wake up. I also make sure to spend time with my daughter every morning before starting work. Every day is different - on some days it might be a product shoot or meetings with partner agencies or retailers. On other days we have meetings with our team members in office.

Currently because of Covid, all meetings have been on Zoom, which has been an interesting transition and I’m proud of how our team has adapted to this new normal. Our family likes to cook dinner together every night and my daughter helps to chop ingredients and prep while we chat. I log back on to do emails or work after I put her to bed. I’m a voracious reader and have been alternating Creativity, Inc and Normal People these days, very often in the bath with Watermelon AHA Night Treatment slathered on.” - Christine

- What is your ‘desert island’ product you couldn't live without?
“Plum Plump Hyaluronic Cream would definitely be our desert island product! Its
silky, watergel texture is infused with juicy plum and 5 molecular weights of next-
gen hyaluronic acid that fill each skin layer with hydration for visibly plumper skin.
This lightweight, oil-free serum deeply hydrates dry, dehydrated skin and diminishes the appearance of visible fine lines for healthy, bouncy, skin.” -Christine

“It’s the perfect moisturizer that is formulated to treat all skin concerns, all year
round. Whether in the coldest of climates, or stranded on a desert island, Plum
Plump Hyaluronic Cream boosts moisture while providing deep hydration and
nourishment for the skin.” - Sarah

- What piece of advice have you received that has been impactful to your
skincare journey / business?

“We’ve been fortunate to have received incredible support and mentorship from
fellow entrepreneurs throughout our journey. This network of founders, especially
female founders, have served as a critical source of advice and guidance and our
recommendation is to always reach out for help and guidance versus trying to do it alone.

Another piece of great advice we’ve been given over the years and have
always taken to heart is to put your customer first.” - Christine

“From the early days of Glow Recipe, our customers have been a huge part of the
conversation and direction of the brand. In the current digital age, it’s more
important than ever to make sure you’re listening to your customer base and truly
hearing what they need from you - whether it’s more transparency, certain products, or types of content. Putting our ‘Glow Gang’ community first is part of our process and helps drive us to break barriers when it comes to formulation and innovation. Our customers are the inspiration behind all of our creations, with the goal of really effective, gentle, sensorial skin care.” - Sarah

Shop the amazing Female Founded Edit here