The beauty of working with your mother...
In anticipation of International Women’s Day tomorrow, we wanted to celebrate a few mother-and-daughter beauty brands.
There is, of course, something very special when family works together. And it makes for a perfect balance, we think: the wisdom of the older generation, the savvy of the younger family member/s, who have their finger on the pulse of what pushes their peers’ buttons. We’re sure it ‘has its moments’, working so closely together – but the trust, the innate understanding of what the other person would do in any given situation – not to mention the love that is poured into the brand – is almost tangible.
So, let’s hear it for these beautiful female-founded, family-founded businesses…
Suzie Gillespie (main photo) founded her business when she became frustrated that many salons were using unsustainable hair products, packed with synthetics. Suzie and her daughter Olivia joined forces and decided to create their own solution, bringing Moo & Yoo’s gentle and natural products, in fully recyclable glass bottles and jars, to UK salons and customers. Olivia was keen to be involved, with her passion for sustainability and a business degree behind her, and together they have become a haircare force to be reckoned with.
Last year, make-up artist Frances Prescott collaborated with her daughter Scarlet to create beautiful candles which ‘marry indulgence and self-care with mindfulness and science.’ As Scarlett writes, ‘Growing up in a creative household I was inspired and influenced by both my parents. Witnessing my mum’s success creating her own award-winning beauty brand, I felt the urge to create a concept that reflected my passion for fragrance and the industry’s need for more sustainable options in the beauty and living space.’ And how could anything these two women create be anything other than gorgeous?
Our genius formulator friend Dr. Colette Haydon founded her own brand, Lixirskin, after years of creating products for other skincare brands like REN and Jo Malone. Her daughter, Roxane, now works alongside her, heading up the Marketing side of the business so that Colette can focus on what she does best, and Roxane can support to make the brand super successful. Being mother and daughter means they ‘can ask questions and debate to get the best results,’ they tell us.
We’ve known Sylvia Chantecaille, um, since before her daughters Olivia and Alex were even old enough to join her in her business! These beautiful women have together created a globally successful make-up, skincare and fragrance brand, and it is always touching to see them together. You can actually watch an interview that Sylvia and Olivia did to celebrate International Women’s Day, which explores the way that they work together, above.
Loredana Spiezia (above left) founded Inlight with her husband, Mariano, and although the male family members also hold roles in the company, ‘the women really drive the business forward,’ we’re told. (Being Italian, la famiglia is the root of everything.) Maria Chiara, the Marketing Director for this Cornwall-based international brand, is incredibly passionate about supporting women – and passionate about supporting her mother in all that she does for the business.