In Conversation: Charlotte Cho’s Guide to K Beauty and What’s Coming Next

K beauty didn’t become a global phenomenon overnight. It took years of education, trust building, and a belief that skincare could be both deeply effective and deeply intentional. Few people understand that evolution better than Charlotte Cho, founder of Soko Glam and Then I Met You.

Long before sheet masks, essences, and snail mucin entered the mainstream, Charlotte was translating Seoul’s skincare culture for a U.S. audience, reframing beauty as a daily ritual rooted in consistency, prevention, and care. Today, as K beauty enters its second global wave, she remains at the center of the conversation not just as a curator, but as a brand builder with a clear point of view on where the category is headed next.

In this conversation, Charlotte reflects on the early days of K beauty in the U.S., the shifts shaping K Beauty 2.0, and the products, philosophies, and innovations she believes will define the next era of skin care.

In Conversation with Charlotte Cho 

You’ve been credited as one of the key figures who helped introduce K-beauty to the U.S. How would you describe that early moment when people were first discovering Korean skincare? Soko Glam began curating and educating about Korean beauty products over 13 years ago! It was a time when beauty categories such as masks, cushion compacts and snail mucin were foreign to people outside of Korea. I had a special bond with Korea after living in Seoul for 5 years, and was excited to share what I had learned and bring the best of Korea to the mainstream.

How has K-beauty evolved since Soko Glam launched? Are there any shifts or trends that surprise you most? We’re in what we call the second K-beauty boom, or K-beauty 2.0. Now it’s reaching new heights as it is very much a global phenomenon, thanks to global platforms like TikTok. With Korean beauty brands armed with massive budgets, they are becoming a formidable force in the beauty space, taking market share from traditional beauty conglomerates. What makes me excited about the second wave of K-beauty is that it is not a fluke. K-beauty is highly innovative, effective and competitively priced, and it is here to stay. 

In your view, what makes the K-beauty approach to skincare different from Western beauty , philosophically and scientifically? Korean beauty is not just about a product or a particular brand. Korean beauty is a lifestyle, it’s about taking care of your skin and getting to the root of the condition. It’s about consistency and being educated about what your skin needs. Korean beauty has really helped consumers look to skincare as an act of self care and wellness, along with prevention. 

You founded Then I Met You after years of curating products for Soko Glam. What did you feel was missing from the market that you wanted to create yourself? When I worked in K-beauty as a curator, so many brands blended together. Ingredient-first, trend-first, functional but not emotional. I wanted something with meaning.

That’s why I chose the name Then I Met You. It’s a phrase that describes a positive turning point in your life. Yes formula, textures and the efficacy all matter and that are unparalleled. But I’m building a brand that goes deeper than skincare.

If you could only recommend five K-beauty staples to build a simple, effective routine, what would they be? Oil Cleanser and water based cleansers make up a double cleanse routine, which is essential not only for clear and clean skin, but for preventing premature aging. 

Exfoliating with a peel once a week saves you time and money from having to visit a spa, and it clears your skin of debris that may be blocking your serums and products from working harder for you. It’s also the key to getting glass skin.

A watery or milky toner or essence builds layers of deep hydration into your skin, and I love to skin flood with it. If you don’t have time for masking, skin flooding will be your best friend and give you the most visible dewy skin.

A moisturizer with built in SPF that offers you hydration and sun protection is key for even 5 minutes outside. 

Any toners or essences you find yourself recommending over and over again and what makes them special? I’m hooked on cleansing toners, which are hydrating toners that also have micellar properties to remove makeup and impurities. I love the Acwell Licorice Toner, which is a staple and one of our top toners on Soko Glam. It inspired me to make my own version, the Living Sea Cleansing Tonic, which has gentle exfoliation properties and is extremely hydrating. I use it daily as a second part of my double cleanse, and even simply to remove my makeup and refresh my skin. Most micellar waters in the market leave a greasy feel on your skin, but I made sure that the Living Sea Cleansing Tonic doesn’t. 

What are some under-the-radar Korean brands or innovations you’re excited about right now? I love SuperEgg’s Microbiome mist, I use it daily. There’s something to be said about the component and if the mist and the formula in it are compatible. 

IOPE has been my go-to for treatments and serums (vitamin C and PDRN) for years now, and their R&D is unmatched against any Korean brands. They literally created the first Korean retinol, and also the cushion compact. You’ll be hearing from them a lot more next year!

VT Reedle’s Exosomes are an inventive way to exfoliate, and hands down PDRN innovation from IOPE (The Caffeine Shot Serum) are great products and flying off the Soko Glam shelves.

K-beauty sunscreens are having a major moment, which ones do you personally use or recommend? I personally use Then I Met You’s Essence Light Sunscreen with SPF 50. I made it for myself, which is perfectly moisturizing without a greasy finish. It’s a great base before makeup.

Can you walk us through your own current skincare lineup? It’s honestly a lot of Then I Met You. Right now it’s The Living Cleansing Balm, followed by the Living Sea Cleansing Tonic to cleanse, tone and prep the skin. I’m using the SuperEgg Micro Biome mist as a hydrating mist. I skin flood with the Then I Met You Giving Essence. I love the IOPE PDRN Caffeine Shot serum for more bouncy elastic skin. I’m testing some formulations for new product development in the serum category. Then I lock it in with a sunscreen, the Essence Light Sunscreen, mixed with a tiny bit of base makeup from JungSaemMool.

Any cult products from your early Soko Glam days that still hold up years later? Hands down I keep going back to the Neogen Micro Essence and the Klog Soft Shield Pimple Patches. They are classics, and will never be replaced from my routine.

If you had to name one “unsung hero” product category in K-beauty, what would it be? Korean makeup and lip products are unmatched. Around 8 years ago, I had predicted Korean makeup would be taking off. I was wrong, the US was not ready for it yet. But now with Korean beauty 2.0, I see makeup taking off at a faster clip. 

What’s the next big thing in Korean skincare  and what should we be watching for? We’ll see a huge surge of devices with the success of Medicube. It’s also categories outside of skincare that are untapped that will start to glow up. Hair, makeup and fragrances, get ready!

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Inside the maude x Wuthering Heights Collaboration

Let’s be honest, Wuthering Heights is already in the group chat. maude’s Come Undone Kit is a limited-edition set created in partnership with the upcoming Wuthering Heights. The collaboration brings together fragrance, touch, and thoughtful design through a candle, body oil, and collectible film elements, creating an experience that feels intimate, modern, and intentionally restrained.

What’s Inside
The Come Undone Kit includes Burn No. 3, Oil No. 0, and an exclusive poster paired with a behind the scenes booklet created alongside the film.

Burn No. 3 is a massage candle designed to be poured onto skin once melted and extinguished. The scent opens fresh and green, then softens as it warms, with notes of eucalyptus, cassis, sandalwood, and Haitian vetiver. It gently shifts the mood of a space without taking over, lingering in a way that feels grounding and calm. The ritual itself is simple and intuitive. Light it. Let it melt. Pour when ready.

Oil No. 0 is unscented and incredibly versatile. Made with jojoba, coconut, argan, and castor oils, it works beautifully for daily hydration, massage, or bath. It is one of those products you end up keeping within reach because it fits into so many moments without effort. After a shower. Before bed. On a slow morning. It does what it needs to do and never asks for attention.

Design, Testing, and Trust
Everything maude makes is designed in house with real life in mind. The look is clean and thoughtful, but never stiff, and each product feels intuitive and easy to use from the very first time you pick it up. The design language is quiet and confident, meant to blend into your space rather than dominate it.

Behind the scenes, maude’s engineers and chemists work closely with leading manufacturers to create safe, refillable essentials that feel current, considered, and well made. Innovation shows up in the details, in formulation choices, materials, and process, rather than anything flashy.

Every product undergoes rigorous testing and is formulated with carefully selected ingredients. That attention to detail creates a sense of ease and trust, letting you focus on the experience itself instead of the fine print.

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In Conversation: What Human Design Reveals About Energy, Timing, and Trust

Most of us have had the experience of doing everything “right” and still feeling tired, stuck, or out of sync. We work hard, stay busy, meet expectations, and yet quietly wonder why it all feels more draining than it should. Human Design offers a different way of understanding that disconnect, not by telling us what to fix, but by helping us see how we are actually designed to move through life in the first place.

In conversation with Amy Lea, a Human Design and Astrology expert with a background in business and leadership, we explore Human Design as a practical framework for understanding energy, timing, and trust. Rather than a system to follow or a label to adopt, it becomes a way of learning how to listen to yourself more clearly and stop working against your own rhythm.

Finding Language for Burnout
Amy’s path into this work did not begin with a dramatic career pivot or spiritual turning point. It began with burnout. In her late twenties, she was working in administration and HR within the fashion industry, outwardly successful but internally exhausted. “From the outside, things looked fine,” she shares, “but internally, I was struggling to sustain the pace and pressure of my work and couldn’t understand why it felt so difficult for me.”

Astrology entered her life first, studied out of curiosity rather than ambition. “It wasn’t a career move,” she explains. “It was something I did for myself during a time when I needed more meaning and perspective.” As she completed those studies, she was introduced to Human Design, and the impact was immediate. “Learning my own design was a turning point. It gave me language for why I felt different and helped me understand my energy, decision making, and natural rhythm in a way nothing else had.”

What began as self exploration naturally expanded. Friends began asking questions, informal conversations turned into readings, and over time her background in business and leadership blended seamlessly with Human Design and Astrology. “They’re not just tools I use,” Amy explains. “They’re frameworks I live by. They support people in understanding themselves more clearly and creating lives and work that feel sustainable and true.”

Why the Mind Is Not Meant to Run Everything
At the heart of Amy’s work is a shift many people find both grounding and confronting: the idea that the mind is not meant to run our lives. “Human Design helps people understand how they are designed to move through life, make decisions, and use their energy in a way that actually works for them,” she says. “At its core, it’s less about information and more about embodiment.”

While the mind is an extraordinary tool for learning and reflection, Amy explains that it often creates more friction when it becomes the primary decision maker. “When we rely on the mind alone, we slip into overthinking, forcing, and working against ourselves,” she says. Human Design gently redirects authority back into the body, where decision making feels quieter and more reliable. As people begin trusting that internal signal, decisions become simpler and more natural, with less resistance and far more ease.

This is what makes Human Design feel practical rather than abstract. It is not about memorizing your chart or optimizing your life, but about noticing what shifts when you stop overriding yourself and start responding from a place of inner clarity.

Coherence Over Hustle
Amy’s ethos, coherence over hustle, emerged directly from her lived experience. Long before she had language for it, she could feel that pushing harder never produced better results. “It only created fatigue and a sense of disconnection,” she explains. In 2021, the phrase crystallized into words, naming something she had already been living both personally and in her work with clients.

Hustle culture, she observes, often rewards what looks productive on the surface while quietly draining energy beneath it. People stay busy, but progress feels strained and unsatisfying. “Work starts to feel heavy,” she says, “like pushing uphill.” Coherence offers an alternative. When energy, identity, and decision making are aligned, effort becomes focused rather than scattered, and progress feels more natural. It is not about doing less for the sake of it, but about doing what actually works.

Using Astrology Without Giving Away Agency
Astrology and Human Design are frequently misunderstood as predictive systems, something Amy is careful to reframe. Early experiences with fear based astrology made it clear to her that this was not how these tools were meant to be used. “I’ve always been uncomfortable with predictive approaches that remove agency from the individual,” she explains.

In her work, Human Design forms the foundation because it centers self trust and inner authority. Astrology becomes contextual rather than directive. “I use astrology to explore timing, cycles, and seasons,” she says, “not to tell someone what will happen, but to support awareness and choice.” The intention is never certainty, but steadiness. These tools are most powerful when they help people feel resourced enough to meet everyday life with clarity, rather than waiting for something external to happen.

Pressure, Timing, and Letting Yourself Breathe
One of the most immediate shifts Amy sees in clients is how they relate to pressure. Human Design reveals just how sensitive many people are to urgency and stress, often without realizing it. With that awareness, pressure stops feeling like a personal failing and starts to feel like something external that can be met with discernment rather than reaction.

This naturally softens expectations, particularly the ones we place on ourselves. Human Design offers a form of radical self acceptance, showing each person how they are meant to operate, decide, and rest. Astrology reinforces this understanding by reminding us that life unfolds in cycles. There are seasons for momentum and seasons for pause, and learning to honor both can bring a deep sense of peace. Together, these frameworks create space to stop forcing outcomes and start being present with the life already unfolding.

Human Design in Relationships
Amy also sees Human Design as a powerful lens for relationships. Conflict, she explains, often escalates not because of a lack of care, but because people assume the other person processes emotions and decisions in the same way they do. Human Design offers language for those differences, whether that means needing time before responding or finding clarity through conversation.

Rather than trying to change one another, people begin learning how to work with who the other person actually is. This understanding alone can dramatically reduce unnecessary friction, helping relationships feel more grounded, patient, and realistic.

A Small Shift That Changes Everything
For those feeling misaligned, Amy does not recommend drastic change. Instead, she points to one foundational practice: anchoring into Strategy and Authority. “When you begin making even small, everyday decisions from that place,” she says, “life starts to feel less resistant.” Alongside this, she encourages people to notice their Not-Self patterns without judgment. Awareness alone creates space, often becoming the catalyst for deeper alignment over time.

Coming Back to Ease
When Amy needs to reset, she turns to nature. Living in Queensland, Australia, makes this simple. A swim in the ocean, time in the sun, or a slow barefoot walk brings her back into her body and quiets her mind more effectively than anything else.

As her work becomes more visible, what matters most is staying embodied rather than guarded. “What can’t be replicated is lived experience,” she reflects. “All I can really do is follow my authority, make decisions that feel true, and continue creating from that place.”

The intention guiding her life and work right now is ease. Less chasing, more presence, and deeper appreciation for the life she is already living. In a culture that still rewards constant striving, it is a subtle shift, but one that has the power to change everything.

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A Love Letter to the Mexican Rainforest, by Flamingo Estate

Flamingo Estate has always paid close attention to where ingredients come from and the people who have worked with them over time. This season’s box turns that focus toward the Mexican rainforest, drawing from its biodiversity, culinary traditions, and long standing relationship between land and community.

The collection is inspired by the jungles and cloud forests of Mexico and by the knowledge of people who have lived in connection with these ingredients for millennia. Rather than presenting the rainforest as a concept, the box stays close to origin, process, and care.

Why the Mexican Rainforest

This season grew out of Flamingo Estate’s ongoing relationship with Gonzalo Samaranch, who has built a living archive of rare and endangered agriculture in the Yucatán Peninsula. His work focuses on preserving biodiversity through regenerative farming and long term stewardship rather than extraction.

The box reflects that same approach. Each item is connected to ingredients that are being actively protected and cultivated with intention, offering a way to engage with the rainforest through everyday rituals.

Ingredients With History

The Golden Vanilla Olive Oil is infused with rare vanilla beans grown regeneratively in Veracruz, vanilla’s native home. The flavor is warm and floral, closer to vanilla’s original form and far removed from the sweetness it is often associated with today.

The Coffee Soap Brick, blended with organic coffee beans, clove, chocolate clay, and tobacco, feels grounding and familiar. It brings a tactile, earthy quality to a daily routine without asking for much attention.

The Banana Leaf Candle, hand poured into Oaxacan terracotta, introduces a soft green warmth that feels natural in a space. It is subtle and lived in rather than performative.

The Banana Body Balm combines banana, violet leaf, and patchouli into a nourishing formula that leaves skin comfortable and hydrated. It is practical, easy to use, and designed for everyday care.

At the center of the box is Mole Negro, a 24 ingredient preparation based on a family recipe by Blanca Carreño. It reflects the patience and layering behind one of Mexico’s most traditional dishes and brings the collection back to the kitchen.

Dzidzilché Jungle Honey, harvested from Gonzalo’s farm in the Yucatán, is floral and nuanced, shaped by ancient pollinators and careful stewardship. It offers a quiet expression of the landscape it comes from.

Where It Gives Back

Proceeds from the box are shared between the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, which supports immigrant communities within the food system, and the Mellipona Bee Project, which works to protect endangered stingless bees central to Mayan culture. Shop the Seasonal Box Here.

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Migraine-Prone and Stressed? Here’s What Actually Helps

Stress doesn’t always show up as a crisis. Sometimes it looks like a packed calendar, too much screen time, skipped meals, or the feeling that you’re always a step behind. It builds quietly in the background of daily life until your body starts asking for attention in louder ways. Eventually, your body begins firing off warning signals: fatigue, low mood, headaches, irritability, weight changes, and for some people, migraine. This isn’t random. It’s your body’s defense system letting you know something needs to change. Here, we’re diving into why stress and migraines are so closely connected and sharing grounded, supportive ways to care for your nervous system during migraine-prone weeks.

Why Stress and Migraine are Closely Linked 
Stress activates your body’s fight-or-flight system, causing hypervigilance to potential threats. This is great when a bear is chasing you, but being stressed long-term will cause physical and mental breakdown. Because chronic stress requires a high amount of energy, it lowers your tolerance for everyday stressors, such as sensory input, traffic, or relationships. When your brain can no longer tolerate the overwhelming amount of input, it may send you a wake-up call in the form of a migraine attack. Think of it as your body’s way of telling you to take a break. Surprisingly, many people experience migraine attacks on weekends or after times of high stress, known as the let-down effect. This happens because fluctuations in cortisol, your body’s stress hormone, trigger migraine attacks, even if it’s a decrease. 

Supplements That Support the Migraine Brain 
Magnesium, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and riboflavin are trusted, well-researched supplements you can use to decrease migraine frequency and intensity. Typical doses vary, but commonly recommended amounts are 600 mg of magnesium glycinate, 400 mg of riboflavin, and 150 mg of CoQ10. It may take three months of consistency before you feel the full effect. Before you decide to take any new supplements, talk with your doctor and do research. 

These three help people with migraine because:  

+ Magnesium: supports relaxation, mentally and physically. It’s best to take it before bed. 

+ Riboflavin (vitamin B2): supports mitochondrial energy production. When your cells are supported, your body and brain function more efficiently. 

+ CoQ10: supports mitochondrial health and reduces oxidative stress (often higher in migraineurs) 

Before purchasing any supplement, check that the ingredients are clean and third-party verified. Look for a certification label on the bottle: NSF, USP, BSCG, or InformedSport. Supplements aren’t well-regulated, so third-party verification is crucial to prove authenticity and safety. 

Lifestyle Foundations Matter
The daily choices you make, from the food you eat to the places you go, play a major role in migraine management. 

To reduce the risk of migraine attacks: 

+ Eat and hydrate regularly: Water and blood sugar regulation are important for a healthy brain. Becoming dehydrated and skipping meals, especially protein at breakfast, is a recipe for disaster.

+ Protect your senses: Always keep sunglasses, earplugs, a brimmed hat, or peppermint essential oil with you, depending on your sensory needs. Dimming lights, using tinted glasses, and green-light therapy at home are also valuable options. Please remember: you can leave any environment that has the potential to trigger a migraine attack. 

+ Commit to a sleep schedule: Find a time you can commit to going to bed and waking up, even on weekends, to lower the risk of facing the let-down effect. 

Stress-Reduction During Migraine-Prone Weeks 
While you’re adjusting your lifestyle to support your brain, you can practice stress-reducing techniques. Breathwork techniques vary, but the goal is to exhale for a longer duration than you inhale. For example, if you inhale for four seconds, breathe out for six. This signals safety to your nervous system. Create intentional, sensory-safe areas in your home to calm and regulate your nervous system. Include low lighting, comfy clothes, warm drinks, and anything that feels peaceful. Bonus points if you can do this at your workplace!

Grounding practices help you feel present and regulate your nervous system. Walking outside barefoot, naming five sensory things around you, and splashing cold water on your face are all ways to ground yourself in the moment. Gentle movement is also calming and grounding. A slow nature walk, gently rocking, stretching, and yoga can all shift your energy, build emotional resilience, and create a sense of safety. 

Supporting Recovery, Not Just Prevention 
Migraine care doesn’t end when the headache ends. A migraine hangover can last for three days after an attack. Honor your limits, especially on these days. Keep in mind that subtle migraine symptoms may begin days before a full attack. Healthy, daily habits can make migraine management bearable. Keep an easy-to-see migraine list that includes helpful reminders like: drink a glass of water, stretch, use lamp lighting, or take five deep breaths. Add anything that helps your recovery. Managing stress, lifestyle factors, supplements, and prescribed medications may feel overwhelming. With consistency, it becomes a part of who you are, and your body will thank you with less pain. Progress comes from patience, not perfection. 

Contributing Author
Olivia Orr is a registered nurse and health writer who blends clinical experience with lived insight to write about migraine, nutrition, and whole body wellness. Her work focuses on helping readers understand their bodies with clarity and self trust.

Sources 

Stress and Migraine - How to Cope | American Migraine Foundation
Is there a causal relationship between stress and migraine? Current evidence and implications for management | The Journal of Headache and Pain
Migraine “Let Down" Headache | American Migraine Foundation
Improvement of migraine symptoms with a proprietary supplement containing riboflavin, magnesium and Q10: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter trial - PMC
Lifestyle Modifications for Migraine Management - PMCFrontiers | Lifestyle Modifications for Migraine Management
Effectiveness of Mindfulness Meditation vs Headache Education for Adults With Migraine: A Randomized Clinical Trial - PubMed 
Migraine management: Non-pharmacological points for patients and health care professionals - PMC
Yoga-based breathing and relaxation as adjunctive therapy for chronic migraine: A randomized controlled trial on clinical outcomes and autonomic regulation - ScienceDirect

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Living Well with Lauren Ireland and Marianna Hewitt: Co-founders Summer Fridays

Before Summer Fridays became a skincare staple, it started the same way many good things do with listening, curiosity, and real connection.

Co founders Marianna Hewitt and Lauren Ireland came from the early influencer days, back when building community meant answering DMs, paying attention to what people were actually confused about, and noticing what made someone feel good using a product. That mindset became the foundation of Summer Fridays and still guides everything they create.

In this Living Well conversation, Marianna and Lauren open up about building a brand alongside a friendship, why Jet Lag Mask struck a chord, and how simplicity, trust, and a little more ease have shaped their approach to beauty and success today.

Living Well with  Lauren Ireland and Marianna Hewitt 

Both of you came from the influencer world long before it was a career path. How did that experience shape the way you think about community and connection? Summer Fridays was built with our community long before it became a brand. Coming from the early influencer world taught us to listen and gave us an understanding in how people actually talk about products, what they are confused about, and what makes them feel excited about a product. That experience shaped everything from our approachability and sense of ease, to our focus on making products that simplify routines rather than overwhelm them. 

You launched with one product that became a cult favorite overnight. What did the Jet Lag Mask teach you about what people were really craving from their routines? Jet Lag showed us that people wanted quick results and multiuse products. They wanted skincare that worked but also felt comforting, intuitive and easy. It was not about a 12 step routine. It was about one product that could fit into any moment and make your skin look instantly better. Jet Lag taught us that beauty can be both effective and gentle. It also taught us the power of visual storytelling. The packaging needed to reflect who we are as a brand and be photogenic and shareable, which came directly from our creator backgrounds.

Running a brand together is so unique. How has your friendship evolved through building a business? We have grown in parallel as founders and as friends. Building a business together requires an incredible amount of trust and shared respect. We have learned the importance of communication and how to support each other through every season of the brand and our personal lives. We both always want what is best for the brand and being aligned on that from the beginning has been essential.

What have you learned about rest, burnout, and resilience that you wish more founders understood earlier? In the early years it required some sacrifice, but we knew that was not sustainable. As the company has grown, we have been able to delegate more and build an incredible team who brings the brand to life every day. As founders it can be difficult to learn how to let go, but true scale only happens when you grow not only the business but the people within it. Rest and resilience come from trusting your team, creating space for yourself to think clearly and recognizing that a great team is how a business can truly thrive.

What is something most people do not realize about how long it takes to perfect a formula from idea to launch? People see a beautiful product on the shelf, but they do not see the years of formulating, testing, and development behind it. We have an incredible product development and packaging team at Summer Fridays who help bring our vision to life. A formula can take 18 months, sometimes two or three years, to reach the exact experience and performance we want. Our formulations and every ingredient must meet our standards for safety, stability and efficacy. The final product is the result of hundreds of small decisions that no one ever sees, but those decisions are what make it special.

Over 60 percent of beauty brands seem to chase quantity. More products, more SKUs. But Summer Fridays stays relatively curated. What guides your decisions when you consider new products? We don’t launch anything unless it has a clear reason for being part of our brand. We always ask if this makes someone’s routine easier or better. We are very intentional about our long term vision of building a brand with longevity. Curating our assortment helps our community trust us because they know every product has a purpose.

Has there been a product that took significantly longer to perfect because you would not compromise on something? Everything! But especially skincare and lip care products. These are pillars of Summer Fridays, so anything added to these categories must deliver on our promise. We are particularly focused on texture, instant results, long term results and overall experience. If it is not perfect, we don’t launch it.

If someone said build me a Summer Fridays starter kit, what three products would you put in it and why? Jet Lag Mask and Moisturizer because it is our philosophy in a tube. It hydrates, soothes and instantly refreshes the skin. The entire Jet Lag collection also has the National Eczema Seal of Acceptance.

Lip Butter Balm because it is our cult classic for a reason. It is the perfect everyday luxury and our community’s favorite product.

ShadeDrops SPF because every routine starts with protection. This milky mineral formula feels like a serum and wears beautifully under makeup.

What is one product in the line that represents your personal philosophy on beauty better than anything else? Jet Lag Mask and Moisturizer. It is gentle, effective and designed to make you feel your best with very little effort. It embodies our belief that beauty should enhance your life, not complicate it. The entire Jet Lag collection is calming, soothing and hydrating and has the National Eczema Seal of Acceptance.

What is the product in your lineup that does not always get the spotlight but absolutely deserves more love? Gentle Reset Daily Exfoliating Pads. They are one of our newer launches and the response so far has been incredible. They provide gentle daily exfoliation with AHA and PHA while still being soothing and hydrating. They help smooth skin texture, refine tone and create the perfect canvas for the rest of your routine and especially makeup. We hope more people make them part of their everyday routine!

Outside of Summer Fridays, what are the beauty or lifestyle products you find yourself recommending to friends the most? Marianna: I am always recommending my 8 Sleep mattress, I do everything I can to have the best sleep and it has been a game changer for me. I wish I could travel with it! 

Lauren: I thrive on routine and love having magnesium tea (moonjuice is one of my favorites) and warm mint tea before bed to calm my mind and body down. I also love my bala bangles. I wrap them around my ankles and wrists daily as a way to weave in self-care and strength into my daily life at home or while on walks with my kids. 

What’s the one beauty tool or device that actually makes a difference for you? Marianna: Red light therapy has been a game changer for me and I’ve used it for years for my face, body and hair. I recently got a vibrating plate and I love standing on it for a few minutes, especially post travel.

Lauren: I spend a lot of time on flights and in the car, so I regularly use a vibrating plate at night to improve circulation and help with muscle recovery. This is also great post-running. I regularly use my theragun for this same reason.

I also love hot yoga classes that use infrared red light panels and notice what a difference this makes for my skin and body (and glow!!)  I also love an LED face mask as an in-bed ritual just before bed. 

Which podcasts or books do you turn to when you need inspiration, clarity, or just a good grounding conversation? Marianna: I use the Activations and Open apps almost everyday. Activations has affirmations and meditations, I love them especially on walks. I sweat by breathwork and I really like the ones I listen to on the Open app. For books, Atomic Habits is one I revisit often and has been really effective in helping me build new habits or maintain the ones that are important to me. Reflective.

Lauren: I also regularly use the Activations and Open apps, and these have been favorites of ours for years now! I personally love how I can play a motivating message for even just a few minutes that completely shifts the tone of my day — words are powerful! 

I also find myself going back to reading The Creative Act: A Way of Being. It reminds us of the power we have to create with meaning, and how inspiration lives among us always, if we are willing to challenge ourselves to see it and act on it. 

What does success feel like to you now, not in numbers, but in your actual life? Marianna:  Success to me feels like being able to be intentional about what I spend my time doing and building something with longevity. It's feeling passionate and fulfilled by my career, having time in my day for my morning routine or to plan trips with the people I love and really be present for those moments. I feel excited about the work and life I'm creating and that sense of ease and clarity is what success feels like to me.

Lauren: Success to me is noticing the joy within the in-between moments of daily life. To really pause long enough to recognize what a gift it is to go into an office I love with a kind team we’ve so intentionally built. To drop my kids off at school in the morning. To move my body and care for myself. To follow a routine that creates freedom and improves well-being. And to create more goodness through giving and being present for others. Success is feeling free of trying to create a balance among my many roles and to instead find gratitude and calm in the constant changes that come in every season of life. 

The post Living Well with Lauren Ireland and Marianna Hewitt: Co-founders Summer Fridays appeared first on BACAN4D.

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Top 5 Questions Parents Ask About Kids’ Vitamins, Answered by Pediatrician Dr. Gator

If parenting came with a manual, the section on kids’ vitamins would still be full of footnotes, mixed messages, and at least one heated debate in the comments section. Bright gummies, cartoon characters, sugar posing as fruit flavor. Suddenly, choosing a vitamin feels more complicated than packing a school lunch your kid will actually eat.

That is why we went to someone parents already trust and actively seek out.

Dr. Joel Gator Warsh, widely known as Dr Gator, is a board certified integrative and holistic pediatrician who has become a leading voice in modern parenting and children’s wellness. He is known for bridging the gap between conventional medicine and more natural, lifestyle based approaches, helping parents understand not just what to do, but why it matters for their child.

We have covered Hiya Health’s Kids Daily Multivitamin before for its sugar free formula, rigorous third party testing, and focus on clean, bioavailable nutrients. This conversation builds on that foundation by grounding the topic in a pediatrician’s perspective on what actually matters when choosing a kids’ vitamin.

Here, Dr Gator answers the five questions parents ask most often about kids’ vitamins, with clear, balanced guidance that cuts through the noise and helps families make confident decisions.

Because Every Parent Has Googled at Least One of These

Do kids actually need a daily vitamin if they eat a relatively healthy diet? In an ideal world, nutrients should come from food first. Whole foods provide not just vitamins and minerals, but the fiber and phytonutrients that help the body actually use those nutrients. Children who consistently eat a diverse, nutrient dense diet may not need a daily multivitamin.

That said, population level data show that many children fall short on key nutrients, most commonly vitamin D, iron, and sometimes B vitamins, despite parents believing their diet is “pretty healthy.” In those cases, a daily vitamin can function as a safety net rather than a replacement for real food.

What ingredients should parents be most concerned about in kids’ vitamins today? The biggest concerns are not the vitamins themselves, but the non nutritive ingredients added for taste, color, and shelf life. Artificial dyes, artificial sweeteners, unnecessary preservatives, and low bioavailability nutrient forms are common in children’s vitamins.

Some nutrient forms are poorly absorbed, and others may not be ideal for certain kids. Parents should also be cautious of megadoses that exceed daily needs without a clear reason. Simpler formulas with bioavailable forms and minimal additives are generally preferable.

How much sugar is too much in a kids’ vitamin, and why does it matter? Many children’s vitamins contain added sugar, often several grams per serving, especially gummies. While this may seem small, it becomes meaningful when consumed daily.

Added sugar contributes to dental issues, reinforces a preference for sweet flavors, and adds unnecessary metabolic stress. Since many kids already consume excess sugar from food and beverages, adding more through a supplement offers no benefit. Ideally, children’s vitamins should contain little to no added sugar.

What makes Hiya different from other kids’ multivitamins? When parents ask Dr Gator how to evaluate kids’ vitamins, he often encourages them to look past marketing and focus on how a product is actually formulated.

As he explains, “What stands out about Hiya compared to many conventional children’s vitamins is its lack of added sugar and artificial ingredients, its use of more bioavailable nutrient forms, and its focus on nutrients that commonly fall short in children’s diets.”

That focus shows up in how Hiya is built. Hiya Kids Daily Multivitamin is a chewable, not a gummy, delivering more than 15 essential vitamins and minerals alongside a blend of fruits and vegetables to help fill common nutritional gaps. For many parents, the chewable format matters because gummy vitamins often rely on added sugars, gelatin, and ingredients that contribute to poor oral health.

Dr Gator also points out a broader issue in the category. “Many kids’ vitamins prioritize taste above all else, effectively functioning as candy with vitamins added.” Hiya takes a different approach by focusing on nutrient quality first, aligning with a whole food, preventive health philosophy.

Beyond ingredients, manufacturing standards matter too. Hiya is produced in a cGMP compliant facility and third party tested for heavy metals, allergens, and pathogens, which is especially important for something kids take daily.

How do you help parents think about vitamins as part of everyday health rather than a seasonal fix Vitamins should not be treated as a short term immune boost or a solution used only during cold and flu season. They are meant to support foundational physiology like growth, immune function, and neurodevelopment.

Framing supplements as a daily support tool, similar to sleep, hydration, and nutrition, helps parents use them consistently and realistically. Vitamins should complement a healthy lifestyle, not compensate for its absence.

Why Hiya Daily Multivitamin Makes Sense for Today’s Families

If you are a parent, you already know the gap between how we want kids to eat and how they actually eat. That is where a daily vitamin can be helpful, not as a backup plan, but as quiet support.

Hiya Daily Multivitamin fits into real life in a way that feels thoughtful rather than performative. It is sugar free, cleanly formulated, and third party tested for quality. The chewable format keeps things simple, and the lack of candy-like ingredients helps it stay in the health category rather than the treat category.

For parents who care about ingredients but also care about consistency, Hiya strikes a balance. It supports common nutritional gaps without adding unnecessary noise, and it aligns with the principles Dr Gator emphasized. For parents looking for a straightforward, well made daily multivitamin to use alongside a balanced diet, Hiya is a smart, realistic choice.

A Special Offer for Chalkboard Readers

We have worked out a special deal with Hiya to offer 50 percent off your first order. To claim this deal, you must go to hiyahealth.com/CHALKBOARD or click on the banner below. 

All material on The Chalkboard Mag is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programs. This story is brought to you in partnership with HIYA. From time to time, TCM editors choose to partner with brands we believe in to bring our readers special offers

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