Spring 2025 Mood and Board

Moderately juicy life and work updates

Spring has sprung and I couldn’t be more excited to usher in nature’s official start to the new year. I’ll be honest, I need it — the past couple of months have felt like a busy blur. Some life updates: We kicked it off with the LA wild fires, I froze embryos which was a journey in itself (should I write a whole substack on this?), launched Pearl Peptide Glaze that sold out in less than a week on Sephora.com and had countless activations and events along with my annual pilgrimage to San Francisco for the Sephora Brand Summit. I also went to Paris and Morocco for my friend’s birthday, and came down with the worst ‘bout of sickness I’ve had in my adult life. I always say I have an immune system of steel, but was deeply humbled as a Moroccan doctor greeted me in my Riad to discover me fully soaked with a 103 degree fever. I’ve never in my adult life been bedridden to the point where I couldn’t even open my laptop to be productive, or gotten to the point where I needed three antibiotics, while being held hostage to whatever the f*ck that was.

But we made it through and this new season, it feels like a rebirth for me in so many ways. I haven’t shared much of this on social media, but many of you who know me know that I have been separated from my wife since last April. The details aren’t just mine to share but I’ll say this — life’s too short to compromise on your own happiness. We have to make decisions for our future self knowing that we have to endure temporary pain order to live the version of the life that we want. That we deserve. My weight loss journey taught me so many valuable lessons that are applicable in both life and in business, and was truly the impetus that led me to realize I was navigating on auto pilot in almost every other avenue of my life.

For years, I compromised on so many things across all verticals — to keep the peace, to maintain the friend group, to not be a burden to others. I was forever in a state of putting other people’s feelings and comfort levels ahead of my own, with the realization that most of this comes from deep childhood insecurities of not fitting in. Of always wanting to be liked, and scared of losing the people and things that made me feel validated and whole. Once I let go of my own perception of what I had laid out for myself is when the magic started happening. You begin to rediscover and strengthen old friendships, find love in new people and places, and see the world that you’ve created that’s been in front of you all along, with gratitude. You don’t have a full on melt down at the slightest inconvenience because your cortisol levels are no longer out of whack. You’re not on edge. You get your confidence back. You look better then ever - and you reclaim your life.

Although the road to recovery isn’t fleeting — it lingers in the in between and greets you by way of (usually unwanted) Facebook notifications, favorite restaurants and seemingly simple everyday tasks — it’s refreshing when you can look back and see how far you’ve come. To honor the moments you had (and are glad that they’re finally behind you), and make way for new memories. So now that we’ve gotten that out of the way to celebrate my favorite season (I am an Aries, after all) let’s dig into some of the things that are inspiring me right now.

Spring Reminder: “I kinda like when it falls apart, because now I can make it how I want it.”

I really love this quote my friend Allie recently shared. It struck a cord with me for the reasons I mentioned above, but also where I’m at in my business journey, too. There are so many twists and turns thrown at you when you own a business. Earlier this year, there was a changing of guards, if you will, amongst are staff. Coming at the most inopportune time for me personally - the week I was beginning my egg retrieval, weeks out from a huge launch, and my first trip in a year - it felt like total chaos that ended up being a geode. Beauty is in the rebuild, and with hindsight what felt like an impossible hurdle was just the energy we needed to crush our latest launch.

Work Energy: “I just know you’re going to keep getting better.”

Fresh off the heels of Pearl Peptide Glaze and making the Inc 500 list of 2025 Female Founders, I’m feeling more inspired than ever before. A few years ago, one of my closest friends Priscila and I were talking about our businesses (she owns the Brand Agency, and give her a follow because her old IG got hacked), and I had mentioned to her I didn’t know how I was ever going to top the MARA formulas I had already created. For reference, the first five products I launched were all my bucket list “dream products,” most of which I developed prior to launching. You can read how I develop products here, it’s quite the intensive process due to the uniqueness of our formula compositions and how we source our actives.

This conversation took place on the steps of their backyard, possibly on a Tuesday with our latest orange wine obsession in hand, in the midst of COVID laced with an underlying panic that our small businesses wouldn’t qualify for PPP. I was (still am!) growing as a product idea-tor and developer, but at the time thought I had explored all the corners of my creativity. I felt at a loss of what I was going to develop next. How I was going to continue expanding the MARA story in a way that felt right? (Hint: they became SeaDream Algae Creme and Clear Skin Mineral Milk.) She said something so simple that has always stayed with me - “I just know you’re going to keep getting better.” At the time, I remember shrugging off this comment. I had already created what I thought was my best work. How could I top what I already knew was perfect? But almost five years later, I still replay that dimly lit conversation. And for the record, MARA didn’t get the PPP, but I’m so glad Kanye did 🤡.

While I still believe our classics like Universal Face Oil and Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil are top notch, I’ve been utterly impressed with how our more recent launches have come to life. While better is subjective, I’d argue they’re more interesting because they were the least expected. They were developed based on community demand, and I was pleasantly surprised at just how much I enjoyed putting my signature spin on legacy categories I had never even originally envisioned for the brand. I leave a piece of me behind in each product I create. It’s like this little secret creation that no one knows about until launch, and then it’s no longer mine, it’s yours. I can’t wait to look back five more years from now and see how much farther we’ve come and what we’ve created. We’re just getting started.

Reading: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow!

So I was in a gay book club with six other girls where the goal was to read more queer literature, but due to timing never made any meetings. Therefore I was arbitrarily exited, but now I’m back in (maybe.) I did read every book, I’d like to add. All Fours and Our Wives Under the Sea were the first two, and then the most recent was Margo’s Got Money Problems (not queer but SO GOOD.) I’ve had Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow! on my nightstand for sometime. I’m only a few chapters in, but it’s awesome so far.

Recent Must Have Purchases:

Reformation Val Jeans: I bought three pairs. My legs have never looked longer!

Van Cleef: Did the world just casually align on Van Cleef again? I’m drinking the koolaide, I’ve been collecting pieces lately. Does this mean I’m old?

Pearl Peptide Glaze: Obviously obsessed with my new 3-in-1 for glowing gorgeous skin. I use this every morning with Sea Vitamin C Serum.

YSL Lip Plumper: This is fun and it stings - and its pocket sized.

Aurate Diamond Bracelet: I just love these shapes! I love having lab grown versions of my classics for travel or a rowdy night out so I don’t worry about the real stuff.

Balenciaga A4 Papier Tote: One of my other favorite people Jill let me stay at her place in NYC last summer, and she had this red tote that I finally sourced on The Real Real. I have it in black too, I love how much they hold. Balenciaga is back and I’m here for it.

T3 Air 360: This is single handedly my favorite way to style my hair. A must!

Spring Mood Board:

I’m currently obsessed with polos — I’ve had the miu miu navy one in my cart for awhile, and can’t decide if I find the logo fun or lame. I think as we age, we are drawn to more classic styles and silhouettes, and having less logos in general. I know there is so much boho Chloe for this season and while I can appreciate it, it’s just not my personal vibe. I recently got my hands on a Freja bag and I am in love with it’s funky, distinctive silhouette. And dare I say I’ll be re-buying all my classic black pieces in cognac? Throw in some yellow and chartreuse and I’ll be barely recognizable this spring. I also have my eyes set on birkin 25, re-sale of course, and will buy immediately if I find one in burgundy (like Kelly below) with gold hardware in my price range. I’m open to other colors too, and yes might end up with a black one, but I’m keeping an open mindset because I desperately need colorful neutrals in my wardrobe. I’m possibly going back to Tokyo in the fall so that will be the place I buy if you end up seeing me with one - they have the best best vintage and resale there!

For skin and makeup, we’re going clean and glossy with Pearl Peptide Glaze and fun blushes. My current go-tos are Rhode in Sleepy Girl and Armani in Delicate Mauve.

Happy Spring!

xx Allison