YOU SHOULD KNOW: FOLLAIN - THE ULTIMATE SOURCE FOR CLEAN BEAUTY
TARA FOLLEY SAYS SHE DIDN’T INITIALLY SET OUT TO CREATE A NEW BRAND, RATHER TO BUILD A HOME FOR THE NUMEROUS POWERFUL BRANDS ALREADY EXISTING IN THE CLEAN & NATURAL BEAUTY MARKET. LITTLE DID SHE KNOW IT WAS HER OWN PRODUCT THAT WOULD BECOME HER BEST SELLER.
TEXT LOGAN VERLAQUE IMAGES VIA FOLLAIN
Follain is the ultimate destination for where health meets beauty. Making it easier to buy natural skin care and makeup products, Follain houses everything from the best rated shampoos to the most highly sought after toners. Each product Follain sells goes through a thorough approval process, including safety and quality checks. The store’s name-brand products are also thoughtfully crafted and packaged, minimizing any damage to our bodies and to our earth. Here, Tara Foley tells us a bit more about what inspired her to create Follain.
ON WHAT INSPIRED HER TO CREATE FOLLAIN
I’ve been a beauty and skincare junkie for as long as I can remember. But when I first began to really focus and invest in my own fitness and nutrition, I discovered that my beloved beauty products didn’t line up with all the health and wellness investments I was making. Then I learned that in the U.S. there wasn’t any regulation of beauty products, and that toxic ingredients were included in most products. I was so upset to learn that I (and every woman I knew) had been unknowingly using products that were harmful to people and planet--especially when there were so many great, clean alternatives!
I started writing a blog in 2009 to share my learnings about clean beauty--the best products, ingredients and brands for different skin types. I was writing after hours from my day job, and through it became so incredibly passionate about everything clean beauty. I was inspired to build a business that helped women everywhere get their hands on clean beauty--and I was torn between the idea of creating a brand of products, or a store with an assortment of the best clean beauty brands. With Follain, I did both. We carry the very best in clean beauty by our own brand and other brands. We try to make it as easy as possible for women to switch to clean beauty. We have six stores across the country and a website where you can get matched to the best in clean beauty for your skin type and needs.
“I try to consider sustainability in everything I do and use.”
ON HER HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
Health and wellness remain core in my life, but have taken on a different shape since having kids! Before kids it was much more idealistic--in that I practiced yoga daily, trained and raced in triathlons, I was a raw vegan there for a while--and so on and so forth. As a CEO and Mom, something had to give. Now, rather than pushing the health limits, I ultimately listen to my body and try to make sure it has what it needs. I still eat healthy fresh foods, try to get enough sleep, and stretch and move my body as much as possible. I’m sure my approach to health will change again with more life changes, and I’m excited to see what that brings.
ON HER BEAUTY PHILOSOPHY
Everyone is uniquely beautiful and it kills me to see so many people trying to look the same. I believe beauty means supporting your health and your skin’s health, to let the best version of yourself shine. Don’t get me wrong, I love makeup to feel creative, confident, and fun; but not to hide.
tara’s daily staples
I love testing new makeup for Follain, but always come back to the same products.
Now I rarely leave home without Ilia brow gel, Kjaer Weis foundation (I use this more as a coverup), RMS buriti bronzer, W3ll People mascara, and an Ilia lip conditioner. I’ve used most of these for years and continue to buy them over and over.
ON HOW TO START A CLEAN BEAUTY ROUTINE
Begin by considering the products you use most often - and the ones that are filled with the worst ingredients. Believe it or not, hand and body soap is one of the worst products most people use daily. It's filled with synthetic fragrance, SLS, and tons of other bad ingredients. And we use it so much throughout the day! hand and body soap is a great place to begin your clean journey. Also deodorant, and then with body and face moisturizers and makeup--all products that sit on your skin and absorb in throughout the day. Shameless plug here, but there are great quizzes throughout our website - or you can book consultations in our stores - to get matched to the best skincare, deodorants, and makeup for you. Starting to use clean beauty can daunting to some, so I recommend finding an expert friend to help you along the way. Follain can be that for you.
ON HOW SHE LIVES A SUSTAINABLE LIFE
I aim to get educated on all the products I use daily - and try not to purchase anything without first considering the impact it will have on my health, my family’s health, and the health of the planet. Obviously convenience sometimes comes first - especially when traveling - but otherwise I try to consider sustainability in everything I do and use. Sometimes that means reusing and borrowing, rather than buying new. Sometimes that means packing my meals and snacks. Sometimes it relates to how I get from one place to the next. I’m not perfect - but I know where my imperfections are, and try to make up for them in other ways.
follain:in store
Follain carries all your favorite clean beauty products, making it an easy, one-stop-shop. From Tata Harper, to Osea, to Rahua Hair, you’d never entertain the idea that good for you products are anything but one click away.
