The Glowdown

Want to know everything there is to know about our most complex organ, our skin? You’re not alone. We tapped Dr. Julie Russak, MD, founder and CEO of Russak Dermatology Clinic and Russak+ Aesthetic Center and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, to answer our most pressing questions. From SPF to collagen, she’s covering it all. Let’s dive in…

Tell us about yourself and why you chose to get into the field of Dermatology?

I grew up in Russia where taking care of yourself and your skin is a part of everyday life for every woman. I remember my mother having a book where she wrote down all the Russian skincare recipes and face masks passed down from generation to generation. Once I came to America, I became more of a scientist rather than anything else. I started working in a lab, and one of the genes that I worked on ended up being a gene that is primarily involved in melanoma, which is a form of skin cancer. Then I started working

How is it already May?! For this Mother’s Day edition of the Glowdown, we chatted with Carly Cardellino, digital creator of all things beauty – including her tenure as beauty director at Cosmopolitan – and new mom to baby girl Delfina. From how she’s been dealing with quarantine and advice for other moms at home to the secrets and skincare hacks of beauty editors, get inspired by Carly’s essential insights.

Happy Mother’s Day! How are you spending it this year? 

Thank you! This year, since we’re staying safe at home due to Covid, we’re going to be celebrating indoors. I asked my husband to make a donation to a charity that I choose for my present, and also to watch Delfina so that I can have the day freeeeeeeeeeeee! I LOVE my baby

This month we spoke with beauty/fashion blogger and UN partner Thania Peck, also known as @catcherinthestyle. She works with brands to help them become more sustainable, holding them accountable for their efforts – a mission that deftly resonates with our path toward fulfilling our own Clean Promise. We had to know more about what inspires Thania, from her activism to her fashion and, of course, her skincare. 

What’s a day in your life like?

I start my day around 6 am, and make my bed every day. I put a face mask on and will prep my breakfast. I jump in the shower and rinse my mask in the shower, then I get dressed and answer my emails. Do some meetings, shoot content, and usually go to events later in the day. When I get home, I wash up, do

We love to celebrate strong, confident women all year round – but we love it just a little bit more during March for Women’s History Month! That’s why this month’s Glowdown features none other than fashion designer and industry maven Rachel Zoe. With an eye for style and business, she’s the ultimate entrepreneur. Learn more about her daily life, fashion inspirations, her latest Box of Style, and more!

What’s a day in your life like?

My day always starts incredibly early thanks to my sons, Skyler and Kaius. It’s typically a whirlwind making them breakfast, getting them dressed for school and packing their lunches. Once they’re out the door I catch up on any emails while getting ready to head to the office or offsite meetings. On any given day, I can be in design meetings or sketch reviews for my

This month we’re chilling out with Cyndi Ramirez, founder of Chillhouse, a new-age spa with facials, massages, manicures, and pedicures on the menu, alongside a wellness cafe – in other words, the ultimate self-care destination in NYC. We had to know more about how Cyndi came up with the idea for Chillhouse, her beauty must-haves, and much more!

What inspired you to open Chillhouse?

It was a random Sunday with my husband and when we were trying to figure out what to do. We discussed getting massages but realized we didn’t love our options. It sparked this realization that spas are kind of antiquated and sterile. I was never inspired to visit any of them and they also were fairly expensive. I’d get anxiety post-massage just thinking of how much I’d spent — I felt like I didn’t deserve to spend that kind of money on myself, you know? It was pretty obvious that the indu

In the spirit of new beginnings, we shined this month’s Glowdown spotlight on life coach Victoria Albina. She’s also trained as a Nurse Practitioner, has a Masters Degree in Public Health, and is a certified Breathwork Healing Facilitator. But one might say that her biggest learning experiences have been through facing her own struggles. Now her passion is to help women live with radical, unapologetic, empowered self-love. Learn more about Victoria’s path and how to use her advice to set your own goals for 2020!

Why are you so passionate about health and wellness?

I come to health and wellness having been sick most of my life. I went to every doctor and therapist under the sun to try to find an answer, and came to understand, by healing my IBS, gastritis, depression, and a

When we met Julie and discovered Project Beauty Share, we immediately knew that we wanted to get involved. We also knew that our customers would feel the same. Project Beauty Share collects beauty and personal hygiene products and distributes them through non-profit organizations who serve women and families overcoming abuse, addiction, homelessness, and poverty. Their mission, our brand and customers couldn’t be more aligned. Our Laszlo for All holiday campaign was inspired by this movement and organization.

To join us and participate, clean out your shelves, closets, and bags – donate the softly used or unused beauty products, and spread the word while you’re at it. Mail your products to Project Beauty Share, share your offering on Instagram with the tag #haulidaydonation, and l

This month’s Glowdown spotlights Lindsey Metselaar, founder of the podcast We Met At Acme. The arrival of autumn has put cuffing season on our minds, so we had to know more about what inspired Lindsey to launch a podcast about millennial dating in NYC. As a native New Yorker and CEO of her own social media management company (Lindsey's Lunchbox), we were thrilled to pick Lindsey’s brain about her career motivations, dating advice, and more! 

What inspired you to create We Met At Acme? 

I created We Met At Acme because I was newly single and in a position where I needed some dating gui

The holidays will soon be upon us and with all the socializing on the horizon, we’ve got makeup on the mind. Luckily, internationally published makeup artist Kornelija Slunjski – better known as @kokobeaute –  is here to chat with us about all things cosmetics – and, of course, skincare too! 

Have you always been interested in makeup?

Yes, ever since I can remember. As many little girls (or boys) I was always by my mom doing her makeup and was secretly using all of her products. I remember how intimidating a lash curler looked. I was also always flicking through magazines, seeing all the beautiful models and celebrities thinking, “I want to make them look this good.”

What inspires you to try new makeup looks?

In this edition of the Glowdown, we’re talking shop with Dria Murphy, founder of the creative brand building agency Alise Collective. From how she manages the all-important work/life balance when her life basically is her work to the career knowledge she gained from her internships with high-end fashion houses, Dria let us in on what makes her tick – and then some!

Why did you start Alise Collective? Tell us a little bit about your journey to launching your own company.

I founded Alise Collective four years ago. I was working in the start-up space and had to experience, as many do, a disappointment when the business didn’t succeed. Creating Alise Collective happened organically - I looked to my incredible mentors around me and really dug deep to figure out what I wanted to do. From there, I began to take on products, people, brands, and places that I truly believe in and would personally use.

Does anything embody the concept of self-care more than the comfort of a Sunday afternoon? We think not, much like Ashli Stockton, who founded Sunday Forever around the idea. A lifestyle brand that cultivates and creates one-of-a-kind candles, kimonos, and much more. Sunday Forever's Ashli bottled that feeling and built her own dream world in the process. We had to know more about what inspires her work and how she cultivates her own Sunday Forever feeling!

Tell us about your creative process. What is a day in your shoes like?
To really get in my groove I need to spend time alone and let my mind wander. Running a business can be super hectic so those “alone” moments have become fewer and far between but I make a point to set that time aside.

What does emotionally identifying with the products you use, mean for you? 
Trust and intent mean everything to me both as a consumer and fou

Our latest Glowdown features Vanessa Packer, founder of boutique fitness studio modelFIT. Focused on mindful exercise based on functional movement science, modelFIT is centered on the belief that slow and controlled movement builds long and lean muscles. The connection between mindful exercise and healthy skin is an important one, so we picked Vanessa’s brain on the value of the holistic approach, what she loves about her skincare ritual, and more!

What made you want to start modelFIT?
Out of a desire for a better workout in a more beautiful space. I wanted to create an effective and efficient way for women to feel their best.

Why is the holistic approach so important to you?
It helps me to live a more balanced life and to handle stress in a more manageable w

At Erno Laszlo, we’re all about ambition. It takes courage to carve your own path, and that’s exactly what Bembien founder Yi-Mei Truxes did when she created her own company. Bembien is a line of effortlessly chic accessories, with a focus on straw bags, handmade by artisan weavers in Bali. We’re so inspired by her that we knew she had to be our next Glowdown profile. Keep reading to find out her one tip for fellow future entrepreneurs, how the Balinese weavers inspired her, and more!

What gave you the confidence to launch your own brand?
I never knew I wanted to start my own brand, but I had reached a point in my career where I wanted to see if I could build something from scratch on my own. It took a ton of confidence (that I didn’t even know I had!) but I think what really got me through those beginning days was the conviction to see if I could make something happen.

It’s no easy feat to transform from industrial engineer to entrepreneur, yet that’s just what Mejuri CEO Noura Sakkijha did – creating a stunning line of super cute, high-end jewelry for everyday glamour in the process. For our next Glowdown, we were excited to find out about her fave beauty trends, how she juggles her work/life balance, and more!

Rapid Fire

Red lip or nude lip?

Nude.

CC cream or full coverage?

CC cream.

Flats or heels?

Heels.

Night out on the town or in with a glass of wine?

Night out.

Cats or dogs?
Dogs.

What is your zodiac sign?
Virgo.

After spending time with Maya and her mother, Ippolita, on the set of our Gift of Knowledge video, we were inspired by both Maya’s independent spirit and philosophies on beauty and confidence. Plus, her expertise in orgasmic meditation peaked our interest So, we sat down with her to discuss everything from the evolution of the beauty world to the secret to her glow. (Spoiler alert: it’s orgasmic meditation and Detoxifying Cleansing OIl!)

The Basics

Name Maya Block

Age 29

Occupation Wellness + Sexuality

Location New York City

Astrological Sign Scorpio

Dating back to 1927, we have a very rich heritage of featuring iconic women through the years.  Marilyn Monroe, Jackie O and Audrey Hepburn just to name a few.  International Women’s Day comes once a year and is a big deal around our office!  We sat down with a few of our leading ladies to get inspired on what they love about being a woman and celebrating this special day.   

Adriana Autie

Social Media and Influencer Coordinator

Who are some women that inspire you and why?

It’s hard for me to pinpoint who exactly inspires me because all women inspire me every day. From seeing women holding the highest position in a company that once would be considered “male dominated” to seeing women around me fighting for equal pay and reproductive rights, I’m inspired by all women who are going against the grain and are unapologetically themselves.

Erno Laszlo started celebrating women in 1927 and our US congress in 1988 by marking March a month to celebrate women’s accomplishments.  We sat down with our CEO, Charles Denton who has surrounded himself by some of the most inspirational women, he shares his mindset on how he leads and motivates a primarily female run company. 

Charles Denton

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) 

EL: How do you view this holiday?

CD: It’s very important to keep the conversation positive. IWD is an opportunity to celebrate women and what they bring to the world. It’s a bright and hopeful moment in the year to acknowledge their important role in all aspects of life and to be grateful for the progress that’s been made towards a more equal society. It’s also a time to remind everyone of the areas where more discussion and work is required. Sometimes it

Getting your beauty sleep is majorly important to a healthy lifestyle, but to be well-rounded you gotta work out too. That’s why for this month’s Glowdown, we chatted with New York-based Bec Donlan, who founded her own personal training business, Sweat With Bec. Find out more about Bec’s life as a holistic health advocate, nutritional coach, and all-around badass!

Rapid Fire

Red lip or nude lip?

Nude.

Flats or heels?

Thick heels.

Night out on the town or in with a glass of wine?

When traveling night on the town, when home wine.

Cats or dogs?

Dogs.

Cardio or HITT?

Bands!!

What is your zodiac sign?

Leo.

As part of Erno Laszlo's mission to empower women, we've partnered with Women In Need (WIN) this holiday season. Win provides housing and programming for women in need and their children. We sat down with their President and CEO, Christine Quinn, to talk all things NYC, WIN, and skincare. 

The Basics

Name: Christine C. Quinn                  

Job Title: President and CEO of Women In Need (WIN)

Where You Live: Chelsea, New York

Favorite New York Neighborhood: Chelsea

Favorite New York Restaurant: Cookshop

Favorite New York Season: Fall

The Basics

Name: Caroline Vazzana (@cvazzana)

Age: 26

Occupation: Author, Style Influencer, Fashion Editor

Location: NYC/Staten Island

Astrological Sign: Leo

If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?  

Fearless, persistent, creative.

When were you first introduced to Erno Laszlo and how?  

Through a friend who works at the company!

What does Erno Laszlo mean to you?

It’s quality product for the girl who is always on-the-go and very busy - like me!

Favorite Erno Laszlo product?  

The Firmarine Moisturi

The Basics

Name Emily Roberts (@thelipstickfever)

Age 30

Occupation Fashion / Beauty Blogger

Location London (formerly NYC!)

Astrological Sign Capricorn

If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be? 

Caring, positive, and motivated.

When were you first introduced to Erno Laszlo and how?  

I was first introduced to Erno via a PR company in New York.  At the time, the Erno Laszlo Institute was still open (which was a dream!) and I got the best facial of my life.  From there, I was HOOKED!

What does Erno Laszlo mean to you?

Erno means beautiful skin in its simplest form.

Favorite Erno Laszlo

The Basics

Name: Judit Galambosi

Age: 40

Occupation: Skin Therapist and Co-Founder of JE’DERM Skin Atelier

Location: New York

Astrological Sign: Pisces

Name: Eliana Restrepo-Sandoval

Age: 46

Occupation: Skin Therapist and Co-Founder of JE’DERM Skin Atelier

Location: New York

Astrological Sign: Taurus

How has Erno Laszlo made an impact on you and/or your skin?

J: Erno Laszlo has reminded me of the importance of the regular routine and that only commitment will produce real results.

E:  It reminded me of the importance of a proper cleansing of t

The Basics

Name

Ashleigh Hults

Age

32

Occupation

Founder & Designer, Poolside Bags

Location

New York, NY

Astrological Sign

Taurus

If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Happy, optimistic, hardworking.

When were you first introduced to Erno Laszlo and how?

I was introduced to Erno Laszlo via a friend who works in beauty PR. I always trust her recs!

 Favorite Erno Laszlo product?

White Marble Dual Phase Vitamin C Peel

The Basics

Name Divya Gugnani, @dgugnani

Age 41

Occupation Co-founder/CEO of Wander Beauty, Founding Partner of Concept to Co

Location New York, NY

Astrological Sign Virgo

If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Entrepreneurial, multitasker, hard working.

When were you first introduced to Erno Laszlo and how?
I was first introduced to Erno through a friend. She raved about the products and, because I’m a beauty junkie, I had to see what the the collection was about.

What does Erno Laszlo mean to you?
To me, Erno Laszlo represent

The Basics

Name Lindsay Ellingson, @lindsellingson

Age 33

Occupation Model, Co-founder and Creative Director of Wander Beauty

Location Brooklyn, NY

Astrological Sign Scorpio

If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Loyal, daydreamer, perfectionist.

When were you first introduced to Erno Laszlo and how?
As a model I’ve always been fascinated by the beauty secrets of old Hollywood actresses. I read about Erno Laszlo’s cream that helped fade a scar on Marilyn Monroe’s stomach and I was instantly intrigued.

What does Erno Laszlo mean

The Basics

Name: Jessica (@ohuprettythings)

Age: 34

Occupation: Makeup Artist (Film)

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Astrological Sign: Leo

If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Animated, creative, visually-driven.

When were you first introduced to Erno Laszlo and how?

I was first introduced to Erno Laszlo when I worked at the flagship Saks 5th Avenue at MAC Cosmetics briefly for a season. Their booth was right across from MAC and I still remember the sales associate gushing about how it was an iconic brand. I was intrigued ever since.

What does Erno Laszlo mean to you?

Erno Laszlo to me means self-care, effective products, luxe and iconic.

Favorite Erno Laszlo product?

I really love the

The Basics

Name

Amy Virginia Buchanan

Age

31

Occupation

Artistic Director and Entrepreneur, Co-founder at Spring Street Social Society

Location

New York City

Astrological Sign

Virgo

If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be? Relentless, gracious, and brave.

When were you first introduced to Erno Laszlo and how? When my friend Chelsea started working with the brand. She has exquisite taste and raved about the brand,

The Basics

Name :

Phoebe Wang

Age :

34

Occupation :

Marketing

Location :

Shanghai, China

Chinese Zodiac Sign :

Mouse

If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Passionate, warm hearted, and honest.

When were you first introduced to Erno Laszlo and how?
I was first introduced to Erno Laszlo when I visited New York City several years ago. I had a great reunion with my best friend. He told me that he had been using Erno Laszlo products for years, since he moved to NYC. After doing some research, I was totally attracted

You might recognize Heather Thomson from The Real Housewives of New York City, where she was a force to be reckoned with (and consistently looked flawless!). Her strength and tenacity are two characteristics that are replicated in her off-screen life. IRL, she’s climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and running marathons as if it’s NBD. This is why she’s our Glowdown this month and our inspiration for January (and beyond!), when our focus is revolving around wellness and self-care. 

The Basics

Name: Heather Thomson

Occupation: Entrepreneur, Creative Director, Public Speaker, Inventor

Location: Upper West Side, NYC

Astrological Sign: Aries

If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Passionate, caring

“Beauty is really about listening to who you are and respecting who you are. And if you honor that feeling, then it shows. The best decade is 40 to 50!" -Ippolita Rostagno

Ippolita is a woman whom we admire for many reasons. Not only is she the founder and designer of luxury jewelry brand and celeb-favorite, IPPOLITA, and a mother to a vibrant family (including a new baby boy!) but have you seen her hashtag flawless skin? With that kind of glow, we were all ears and taking detailed notes to accurately capture her skincare and beauty routines. This glow (from both the inside and outside) is why we immediately thought of her and her daughter, Maya, as a natural fit for our Gift of Knowledge campaign. From professional to personal, we got The Glowdown on how she’s arrived at where she is at today (plus the difference in the beauty regimens of her Italian and American grandmothers!).

The Basics

Name : I

Close your eyes and imagine the closet of your wildest dreams. Is it stocked (read: overflowing) with skincare and beauty products at your disposal? Okay, same. Well, that dream is Claire Fontanetta’s reality as a beauty editor. Currently at Refinery29 and formerly at Marie Claire, she sees every product before the masses and has an arsenal of the best products constantly at her fingertips. So, you can imagine what her medicine cabinet looks like and the wealth of knowledge on all things skincare she holds. Naturally, we wanted to unpack this all and find out what her day-to-day beauty regimen consists of!

The Basics

Name: Claire Fontanetta
Age: 27
Occupation: Beauty Editor, Brand Experiences at Refinery29
Location

Kim Crawford is one of those people who does it all and has you wondering to yourself 1) how does she do it and 2) how does she look so good doing it?! And while she’s juggling a busy schedule and great skin, you’re just trying to master the art of fitting in an entire Netflix season into one sitting. (Hey, Netflix makes for a great masking activity so at least we’re being productive!) Between pursuing her passion for broadway and fitness, she found time to give us the Glowdown on her skincare and beauty routine and how it is evolving along with her relationship to fitness.

The Basics Name: Kimberly Ann Crawford
Age: 27
Occupation: Performing Arts/Fitness
Location: New York City, NY
Astrological Sign: Aries

What does your average day look like? Never enough coffee, always on

As Director of Makeup at Glamsquad, an on-demand and in-home beauty service, we could not wait to unpack Kelli’s wealth of beauty and skincare knowledge. Her professional experience in and of itself is enough to warrant our very first interview in ‘The Glowdown’, a new series bringing you inside the beauty cabinets of an array of inspiring and beautiful women . But seeing Kelli’s stunning beauty and radiating confidence IRL had us putting our foot down and demanding answers. Okay, we still politely requested an interview with her but read on to find out all of her secrets (We should be applying blush where?!).

The Basics

Name: Kelli J. Bartlett
Age: 30
Occupation: Director of Makeup & New Services at Glamsquad, Makeup Artist
Location: Gramercy