When morning routine Completely unique, they often stem from one central intention: to prepare ourselves for all that our day entails. Will we? work firstPlease take our time to prepare nutritious breakfastor prioritizing sleep, there is a desire for structure and routine to guide the rhythms and rituals of our early hours. But as personally as our morning routine, we can’t admit that we’ve long been curious to learn about the lives of successful women we admire. And Carrie Barber is a perfect example of an inspiring life to live well.
Creative director and owner of Beautify no regrets about her morning routine. She admits roll ‘gram and is a creature of habit when it comes to breakfast (more on deliciousness below). She’s streamlined skin care and beauty routine and her everyday ensemble completes the overall look. It’s clear that Barber always aims to succeed (and she certainly does), but from our conversation it was clear that a compassion and tenderness were woven throughout. her morning. Balancing grit and hustle with kindness and self-love isn’t easy, but it’s something Barber has mastered — and we’re documenting all we can.
“When I started, I had a clear vision of what I wanted for my career and would not accept anything less. I believe the need to keep moving forward has gotten me where I am today. ”
First, dive into your career…
What brought you into the world of beauty?
Growing up in Boulder, Colorado, I was primarily a tomboy. I don’t like makeup because my mom never wears makeup (she has amazing skin). Her routine is always to apply water and sunscreen. When I entered college, I became really passionate about makeup while trying to find my own personal style.
But it wasn’t until I started working at Sephora that I became truly obsessed with beauty. What I love most about beauty is how it inspires a shared connection with people you might not otherwise connect with. I’m inherently shy, but I can talk for hours with strangers about mascara. That emotional connection is what fuels my passion for beauty.
You used to work at Violet Gray — everyone’s go-to place for universal beauty. How did you get your foot in the door?
I followed Purple gray from the first day. I remember being amazed at the editing, makeup, and access to celebrity expertise. I could buy everything they were talking about at a time when it was a newer concept. After leaving Glossier, I still keep in touch with Emily [Weiss] and when I was ready to move to LA, I asked her for an introduction to [Violet Grey founder] Cassandra Grey. I flew down to meet her and we chatted for an hour or so. But it wasn’t until a few years later that Cassandra emailed me asking if I wanted to work with her at VG.
How has your time working with Violet Gray impacted you — both professionally and personally?
Violet Gray was the first place I worked, where I felt like my own aesthetic and character. Cassandra is an excellent marketer and has a keen eye for what’s coming next, which makes creating content and telling a story that cuts through all the noise. Violet Gray is a powerful retailer because they are a trusted source in beauty products. With new brands launching every day, that can be hard to find.
What inspired you to join MAKE and revive the iconic brand?
DO Always a brand ahead of its time. They were one of the first brands that spoke to consumers like people, creating exciting formulas, offering bold colors and expressing themselves uncompromisingly. I think MAKE never really got a full shot, but there’s still a lot of good going on there. Overall, I feel like we’re ready to move on to the next stage of beauty — and I believe MAKE can contribute to that.
How would you describe your mission at MAKE?
At MAKE, we create modern, multifunctional cosmetic and skin care products that go beyond the clean concept. We partner with biotech labs to create formulations that use sustainable plant-based ingredients, Laboratory-Designed Natural Ingredients (LENI) and compatible synthetics. skin-friendly.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned along the way?
What were some of the challenges you faced when starting out in branding?
The biggest challenge is starting a brand during a pandemic. We had to compete with the big carton brands or couldn’t get the product out because they were stuck in a shipping container at the port of Long Beach. We’re not alone in these challenges, but when you’re a small business, the impact is greater.
For me personally, a challenge is to create a brand that has a reason to exist. As we work on product development and are not involved in a product to add to our team, I ask, Is this necessary? Does this exist? And if so, can we improve it? With all the products we’ve launched, I believe they serve a purpose and each has its place in your routine.
What personal obstacles did you have to navigate and overcome?
I had a really hard time letting go of the idea that I should know what I’m doing and that I have to be good at everything. Every day, I’m doing the best I can. Some days are great and some days not so great, but I have to remind myself that that’s okay.
Work is always what I feel best about, but I have to release the idea of perfectionism to get the actual work done.
Real talk: What advice would you share with other young entrepreneurs looking to start a business?
This feels cliché, but I’d say you really need to believe in what you’re doing. Because even if it goes well, it’s still a lot of work. I would also like to add that when you get started, be open to the process and stay flexible. When I started MAKE full time, I wanted to learn as much as possible, so I left out what I thought it would be like. I am able to do this because I have a strong relationship with my business partner. I trusted him, almost blindly.
Let’s talk about your morning routine…
Describe your morning routine from start to finish. What skin care and beauty products do you use?
I keep my skincare routine simple in the morning, I wash my face with MAKE YOUR EYE CLEANSERFollowed by MAKE Lactonic and Ultra-Cellular Deep Moisturizing Cream. Lately, makeup has become my go-to solution, it makes me feel (and look) a little better. Especially when we are about to launch the color for MAKEUP, all I want to do is do makeup.
Most of my makeup days are Armani ConcealerMAKE Clear Brow Gel, Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick, and Chanel blush. Then I added some nude color to outline the eyes and painted a gentle cat eye. I finish with mascara, Charlotte Tilbury Lip Pencil and MAKE Serum Balm.
What do you eat in the morning?
Every day I have a big piece of bread with a soft boiled egg. Some days, when I’m really hungry, I’ll order a breakfast burrito from Erewhon to my office
What are your morning communication rituals?
Every morning I check IG, watch the news and listen The Daily.
What is your daily uniform these days?
I work in an office, so I make some views for the overall review. Most days I wear black pants and a black sweater or a black blazer. When I worked at Sephora, our dress code was black, white and gray and I’ve been doing that ever since.
What do you always have on your nightstand to ensure a smooth and successful morning?
I always keep water on my nightstand so it’s there when I wake up.
What are your favorite books?
I have never been a reader. I was dyslexic until my sophomore year of high school and reading was nearly impossible. Even now, reading is not my first choice. However, one of my all-time favorite books is Three women. I read the hardcover, then immediately listened to the audiobook because I didn’t want it to end. The experiences these women went through are recounted crudely, without any excuses. It’s unlike anything I’ve read before. Just saying it here makes me want to read it again.
What’s your favorite getting ready soundtrack?
More recently, it was the Euphoria soundtrack.
What one or two things do you do every day to live a more present/mindful/happy life?
I’ve always had a lot of anxiety, so I’ve been really good at telling myself to get out of the loop. A few times a day, I’ll check in and ask myself what I need or feel like. It helps me keep my balance. I also try to laugh as much as I can — I think it’s one of the best things you can do for your energy and mood.
If you could credit your success to one thing or one moment, what would it be?
When I started, I had a clear vision of what I wanted for my career and would not accept anything less. I worked really hard and knew when I was ready to move on to the next thing. I believe the need to keep moving forward has gotten me where I am today.
Sentence complete set…
I never leave the house without… Skin Care Serum.
If there were more hours in the day, I would… Take up a new sport like golf or tennis.
The best routine in the morning… Water before making coffee.
Worst Morning Habit… Instagram when I wake up, but I don’t make myself feel bad about it!
One thing I want to know is… Improve the world in some way.
What I fear the most is… alone.
When I feel scared… I keep showing up or calling a friend
The book I always recommend is… Three women.
The three traits you need to be successful in life are… Honesty, persistence and fun!
Bath or shower? I recently became a bather because I love to wash my hair. I swear by Crown Affair Shampoo and Conditioner.
