Chantecaille started as a perfume brand. What is your signature scent? Does it change?
Petales ($185) has always been a favorite. It was inspired by my mother’s backyard, where she had beautiful oil painting bushes blooming by the door, and every time you walked through the door, their scent followed you. I have gardenia in my wedding bouquet because I want that scent with me on a special day — a sense of home, a sense of security and peace. So I love a gardenia scent for that reason. I wear Petales at home. When I travel, I bring Le Wild ($210), another floral scent for white flowers that’s greener and a little wilder.
With your use of botanical ingredients in the recipe, you must find the flowers very powerful. Why so?
The botanical ingredients are most in harmony with our bodies, working with us, not against us, while the chemicals are designed to shock the skin to achieve results. After growing up in the industry, I could immediately feel the difference. My skin is very sensitive and speaks to me very clearly. I know immediately if a product is made from plants. We strive to create the purest products, and our customers realize that skincare and makeup should be good for you, too.
Your role at Chantecaille has evolved over time. What do you focus on now and what do you find most rewarding?
My favorite part of my job is tying our love of animals and conservation to an upcoming color collection — the possibilities and inspiration are endless. Our family is passionate about conservation and we work hand in hand with our partners. We got to know each of them and they became our dear friends. It’s important to us to help them on the front lines of conservation. It is valuable to visit our conservation partners in their world, to see what they are doing and to discuss how we can make a greater impact in their important work. You feel more connected, especially with animals and nature. It is extremely rewarding to witness the progress and the animals first-hand. It also helps us think about what to do next! Our growing passion for the environment and endangered species has truly grown with our brand. It becomes a powerful and magical platform for education and support on a global level. It’s incredibly rewarding and will hopefully inspire other brands as well. But of course, my favorite part of every day is coming home to my family – my daughter, Delphina, my husband, Ren, and our growing number of pets.
How do you think your personal growth has influenced the development of Chantecaille?
When it comes to old age, I believe that the older you get, the more fun you have – and the less you care what people think. I don’t focus on a number with age. I focus on what feels good. And when I look in the mirror for so long, I am grateful that I am able to develop products that I myself want and need. I work to develop the strongest, most innovative plant stem cells to truly repair and rejuvenate tired skin. The Chantecaille line of skin care products and I grew up together and I was able to create products that I realized I needed and that our customers needed too.
