A bath with Bach flowers can feel like a spiritual hug — and it's so easy. Here, our founder, Dara, and the founder of Les Fleurs de Bach, Gérard Wolf, discuss the practice of bathing with Bach flowers.
Katharine Phillips L’Heureux started Kahina after a trip to Morocco, where she first learned about argan oil; since then, she has developed a full line of products inspired by her many subsequent trips to this beautiful country. In our minds,...
One of our favorite under-the-radar antioxidants, astaxanthin, happens to be one of the key ingredients in one of our favorite products, YÜLI’s Ambrosia Beauty Nectar. Here, YÜLI co-founder Eddie Zhao tells us what he loves about this ingredient.
de Mamiel Restorative Cleansing Balm is a favorite for our entire team. We asked our esthetician, Sarah, to put together a video to show us how to use it for a deeply relaxing and restorative facial massage.
Every batch of de Mamiel products we sell passes through creator Annee de Mamiel's hands, and somehow, that's palpable. Read on to learn more about her fascinating approach to skincare.
MyHavtorn’s Sea Buckthorn Soap has been a sensation at Ayla: it seems nearly impossible to keep it in stock. What we are equally excited about is its liquid version, the new MyHavtorn Liquid Hand & Body Wash — offered exclusively...
In this video, hairstylist Mandy Wray shows us how to pre-wash, wash, condition, and air-dry long, wavy hair using Reverie: CAKE, EVER, SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER, MILK, RAKE, and MARE.
Pedro Catalá— founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty — is one of the most thoroughly trained founder-formulators we know; he holds a pharmacy degree, a Master's degree in Botany, and a PhD in Natural Product Formulation. As one beauty editor put it,...
If we had to pick one single reason for our love of hairstylist Garrett Markenson’s Reverie product line, it would be this: it actually inspires you to love your hair. These flexible, foolproof products invite experimentation and what we think...
Olio E Osso is a small, Portland-based company that makes beautifully simple and versatile skincare and makeup products. Olio E Osso’s founder, Paola LaMorticella, has been the go-to makeup artist and stylist for top athletes for the past 25 years. In...
2021 has not yet proven to be less crazy than its predecessor, has it? Perhaps because of this, I’ve taken a bath almost every evening this year: whether due to the news, the weather, or something else, I seem to crave...
The other day, I talked to a customer who said of our team, “This might sound strange, and it’s probably entirely one-sided, but I feel like I have a relationship with you all. You feel like friends.” I assured her...
One of my oldest friends asked me recently what she could do about a rosacea flare-up. She’s a lawyer who’s been working like mad to prepare for a trial and, like many a working mom these days, packed up her...
If you’ve been following us for some time, you may already know how much I love Bach flower remedies. They didn’t sweep me off my feet right away; rather, I was swept off my feet by a beautiful body scrub...
About five years ago, I went through a phase where the amount I was spending on groceries each week seemed outrageous. I’m not sure what I was comparing it to, exactly, but it just seemed like a lot. And it...
Have you been feeling a little dragged-down? The inevitable settling-down that comes after a period of intensity — combined with the arrival of cold weather and earlier darkness — can pose a challenge even to the most motivated. Especially, I imagine, if...
We have not discussed this, you and I. But I imagine that if you’re not already a devotee of Dr. Anna Gold’s ingestible tinctures, you might view them with a modicum of skepticism: “Are they just another thing for me to...
Our entire team adores Activist Manuka, so we were thrilled when we learned that they’d created a Manuka Essential Oil to add to their lineup. To learn more about it (and get a fantastic face mask recipe), we caught up...
We caught up with Activist co-founder Gabrielle before her family left for their annual trip back to New Zealand to ask a few frequently asked questions about their phenomenal honey.
“Should I use a facial oil, or a face cream?” Oh, how we love meaty and complicated questions like this. We were lucky to get the perspectives of the founders of both Marie Veronique (Marie-Véronique Nadeau) and YULI (Eddie Zhao)...
We’ve written many times of our love of the combination of a hydrating serum with a moisturizing facial oil in our email newsletter. The face serum + face oil combination (like Dara's own favorite combination, shown above) isn’t necessarily better...
Debra Jaliman, MD shared this list of foods and other lifestyle factors that can exacerbate inflammation. Spoiler alert: Red wine is on the list. Tragic, we know.
Washing your face: not so basic. Dr. Macrene Alexiades pointed out to us that improper cleansing methods and products can cause unnecessary harm to skin.
Luzern’s head of education, Lisamarie DeLucia, recently shared the brand's thoughtful perspective on maskne with us; read on for her top tips on keeping skin healthy these days.
Luzern Labs has been one of our founder's favorite skincare brands since 2003, and it's beloved by our team and customers at Ayla. We asked cofounder Jen Herbert-Coste to tell us just what makes these products so spectacular.
Don't you often want to know what a founder's favorite products are? At the start of a long winter, TWELVE founder Dr. Pedro Catalá leans on the Ideal Rebalancing Facial Serum and Intelligent Frontier Facial Oil.
Our founder's scouting trip to Italy all began with an Italian hairbrush that she had fallen deeply in love with after stumbling upon it in a little shop in France.
In 2016, our founder flew to Florence — along with her rebellious hair — in search of the secret to those healthy, voluminous, just-tamed-enough locks seen on the likes of Monica Bellucci and Claudia Cardinale.
We are delighted that this year’s batch is finally here, and to celebrate, Robin and Ingrid shared some pictures of the 2020 Happy Tea harvest and production.
For many, spring 2020 heralded a time of slowing down. For Robin Johansson, co-founder of MyHavtorn, it was time to make soap — which we couldn't have been happier about.
When we were looking for advice on encouraging nail health, one of the first people we turned to was, naturally, Dr. Anna Gold: Chinese Medicine views the nails as a window into the health of the body overall.
When we introduced the Bare Hands Dry Gloss Manicure Kit, we wanted to dig deeper into nail health. Dr. Anna Gold provided us with a fascinating perspective on both Eastern and Western approaches to nail health; while discussing nail conditions...
Bare Hands creator Suzanne Shade teaches our team member, Ellen, how to use the Dry Gloss Manicure Kit with her dominant hand as well as her non-dominant hand.
Katharine Phillips L’Heureux started Kahina after a trip to Morocco in 2007, where she learned that argan oil — rich in vitamin E, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids — has great calming, hydrating, anti-aging effects. We’ve been fans of Kahina...
We’ve been hearing this phrase more than ever: “My skin has really lost its glow these days. What’s going on?” Like many things right now, it’s a little complicated — a few different things tend to contribute to dull skin,...
Abi Oyepitan and Liha Okunniwa met in 1998 while at Brunel University London, where they became fast friends. What we find particularly interesting about their story is that the two women were drawn to elements in one another that would...
We were delighted to be chosen by Google's Small Business Team for a highlight video about resilience, and watching it just makes us want to give you and all of our incredible partners a big hug.
Dr. Macrene Alexiades has long been an Ayla inspiration for many reasons, starting with her list of accomplishments. She has a BA, MD, and PhD in genetics from Harvard, where she was a Fulbright scholar; a bustling dermatology practice on...
TWELVE Beauty's founder, Dr. Pedro Catalá, kindly shared some tips with us a few weeks ago as we were first thinking about the transition from summer to fall and how it might affect the skin. Now that fall is here,...
For some time, I’ve been thinking that the world of beauty and wellness needs to place greater emphasis on the health of our minds and spirits. I’ve been thinking about this since before I started Ayla, actually: it was one...
Chandler Chang, PhD, is the Founder & Clinical Director of Therapy Lab, a California practice that offers science-based teletherapy from the comfort of home. You may have heard about Dr. Chang in the LA Times or on Cheddar TV; our...
Sometimes we imagine that, inside each one of us, there’s a little cheerleader jumping up and down, waving pom-poms, calling to us, “You can do it! You’ve got this!” It can be a charming, motivating visual. But this year, for...
We’ve been the exclusive US partners of Elixirs & Co and their Les Fleurs de Bach brand since our founder met their team in Paris five years ago — after having stumbled upon their absolutely perfect body scrub in a shop in...
Shifts in temperature and humidity can lead to changes in the way your skin’s barrier functions: during these times, skin has to work harder to stay in balance, particularly where hydration is concerned. This is a frequent struggle in the...
We’re proud to donate 5% of all our Sea Soak sales to Reef Check Foundation, an incredible “citizen science” nonprofit that educates and empowers anyone who’s SCUBA certified to help with marine conservation efforts. Reef Check has chapters in 40...
When CBD was first on everyone’s minds a few years ago, we started hunting for good resources to help us understand it. All paths seemed to lead to Jewel Zimmer, the founder of Juna: “If you want to hear about...
Every year, we look forward to the harvest update from Robin and Ingrid at the MyHavtorn farm in Bollebygd, Sweden. Read their latest news below, and to learn more about the harvest in general (it's fascinating!), check out this interview...
MyHavtorn's sea buckthorn products are fresher, purer, and packed with more sea buckthorn than any others we've tried. Want to know more about how these berries are grown?
It is easier to deal with maskne if you’re wearing a mask that’s more breathable — and maskne is less of an issue to begin with. Our favorites are designed and sewn by a cool San Francisco company called Aplat.
We've known the delightful duo behind 27 Rosiers, Stephanie and Kevin, since they first visited Ayla in fall 2018; we've met them in their hometown of Paris, too.
Read on to learn more about their story and their uniquely French-Californian philosophy.
Shade matching sounds simple enough, but it can be frustrating and time-consuming. There are a few ways to make the process a whole lot easier, and we’re breaking them down.
Orcé founder Yu-Chen Shih now lives in Los Angeles, but she grew up in Singapore — where, given her Polynesian roots, she spent most of her childhood being teased for her darker complexion and curvy build, which stood in stark...
Hanging out in Thailand with my big brother in 1983…and actually seeking out sun exposure. Hello, freckles. (By the way, I must find that vintage Wonder Woman t-shirt.)
Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold, one of the Bay Area’s most sought-after practitioners of TCM, happens to specialize in fertility and hormone related issues. So, when she developed her line of Dr. Anna Gold (formerly Arcana) herbal tinctures, it was only...
We’ve been fascinated by the topic of perimenopause and menopause for years — as have many of you, given how popular this interview about menopausal skincare (one of our personal favorites) has been. As always, we found ourselves wanting to...
When COVID-19 swept the world, many cosmetics manufacturers pitched in by making hand sanitizers to alleviate shortages. TWELVE’s founder, Dr. Pedro Catalá, wanted to help, too — but in typical Pedro style, he wanted to make the best hand solution...
We’re currently living through what some historians have described as “a trifecta of awful”: a global pandemic, economic turmoil, and stark reminders of the systemic racism affecting Black communities, in particular, across the country. Like so many right now, we’re trying...
Try this invigorating exercise, a yoga-class favorite, to focus on your heart—your center of love, compassion, and joy. (Kids will love this one, too.)
Between its three stellar, distinct, and incredibly efficacious natural deodorant formulas — Hoppin’ Fresh, Base Layer, and Sublime Sage — Ursa Major is likely to be the one brand that will make you switch over from your “eh, it may...
A quick Google search for “blackhead removal” will reveal a variety of devices ranging from those that look fairly medieval to those that look like a miniature Dyson vacuum cleaner. In our view, none of them will be the answer...
We adore Boris Oak, the creator of our favorite hometown haircare brand, EVOLVh. He always bounces in the door with so much enthusiasm that, when we can all gather for a big bash again, it's clear he’ll need to join...
The past few months have been trying times for everyone, filled with stress and anxiety for many. We interviewed Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold, one of the Bay Area’s most sought after practitioners of TCM and the creator of Dr. Anna...
Virus prevention on your mind? Wouldn’t you know it — ours, too. We interviewed Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold, one of the Bay Area’s most sought after practitioners of TCM and the creator of Dr. Anna Gold (formerly Arcana) herbal tinctures,...
Collagen is an endlessly fascinating topic to us, and to many of you, too — especially these days, when we’re spending a little more time than usual looking at our skin in bathroom mirrors and Zoom meetings and perhaps wondering...
Tamara Neuhaus, MD is an OB/GYN who specializes in menopause and perimenopause at The Cusp, where she serves as Chief Medical Officer. Hormones wreak havoc on skin, particularly once women reach their late forties and fifties: Perimenopause and menopause...
DIY beauty is not our favorite trend, simply because there are many ways it can go wrong. But homemade face masks are so tempting, aren’t they? Here are some that are formulator-approved.
Frequent washing and sanitizing is leaving many of us with dry, cracked hands. For some natural home remedies, we approached Pedro Catalá, founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty.
Pranayama is the yogic exercise of controlling the breath. Viloma Pranayama is a simple exercise that can be done at bedtime — or anytime — to achieve a sense of calm and balance.
If you missed Dara's Instagram Live chat with Kristina Holey and Kristy Moore-Jeffress at Marie Veronique HQ in Berkeley, you can watch the full video here
RiseWell is one of those brands that just fell into our laps, as if some sort of dental angel looked at our shelves and thought, “The poor dears, they don’t have a toothpaste brand in there, do they?”
Lisa Brinker is the go-to Manual Lymphatic Drainage expert in San Francisco — the one who is consistently recommended by other massage therapists and bodyworkers for her particular expertise in this specific discipline. Since we've recently introduced products that speak...
TWELVE founder Pedro Catalá shares the secrets behind his new Reverent Antioxidant Body Oil, a firming body oil infused with botanical extracts that act as a second skin while also stimulating the lymphatic drainage system.
Kahina’s story is a rich one, and we love the team behind these beautiful products, so we asked Katharine to share more of their story — and some of the secrets behind their new products — with you.
Lara Devgan, MD is the go-to board-certified plastic surgeon of New York’s chicest set and the creator of two of our newest favorite products. We caught up with this accomplished mom of 6 (!) to learn more.
In this thoughtful, thorough interview, Max & Me creator Tanja Gruber covers Austrian farming history, tales of visits to suppliers in far-flung destinations, and secrets to lasting love.
We opened our virtual doors at aylabeauty.com on Valentine’s Day nine years ago, and every year, our birthday prompts the question: why that particular day?
Guldkorn Cream was created just for us in Sweden by our wonderful friends at MyHavtorn. Read more about its development in our interview with Robin, MyHavtorn's charming co-founder.
“I think I need a Vitamin C serum.” It’s something we hear from a lot of you, and you’re right: you probably do. But finding the right one can be tricker than it may seem. We asked the brilliant Marie Veronique to...
Marie-Veronique Nadeau is something of a folk hero in the healthy beauty world. Here, she reveals how we can all be thinking about exfoliation differently.
Our seaweed forager, Ian, tell us how we can use the kelp from our Sea Soak and Straight Up Seaweed products as a fertilizer once we've taken our baths.
If you suffer from perioral or periorbital dermatitis, or simply have sensitive skin, you’ll want to read Pedro's explanation of why mature skin cells are your friends.
Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold, the creator of a line of herbal tinctures, is a key collaborator of star facialist Kristina Holey's. Here, these two superwomen discuss their work together and how Dr. Gold's tinctures fit in.
MIJA Superstar was developed by a registered dietitian with serious credentials: Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN is one of the most well-respected nutritionists in the Bay Area. Naturally, we were full of questions for her.
We asked Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN to share some of her favorite smoothie recipes with us — because one of the best things about her Mija Superstar supplement is how nicely it works in your morning smoothie.
We've been enthusiastic supporters of Dr. Macrene Alexiades and her 37 Actives product line since its very beginning. And we're delighted to now be one of the first retailers to introduce her updated product line, which includes new formulas, new...
We were delighted to have Dr. Pedro Catalá, creator of TWELVE Beauty, visiting us from Spain this month. During his time here, he wrote this absolutely lovely journal and invited us to share it with you as a guest blog...
We asked SF makeup artist Melissa McMillan how to freshen up your look this holiday season — whether you’re just looking to spice things up for everyday or just to add a little glitter for evening events.
The Clementine Cleansing Balm is the latest addition to the stellar TWELVE lineup. Here, creator Dr. Pedro Català explains why it works so well with just five ingredients.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the oldest forms of medicine; it’s been practiced for over 5,000 years. Even more awe-inspiring, to us, is the fact that it is not only still widely practiced, but also increasingly used to...
Our first Ayla product has so many fascinating stories attached to it — and we’re so incredibly excited about it — that it’s hard to know exactly where to begin. So we’ll start with what it is: the Ayla Sea...
Hyperpigmentation is a real problem for many, and an annoyance for many more. Elizabeth K. Hale, M.D. gives us an unbiased expert perspective on what it is, how it can be prevented, and the best treatments.
S5 has been designed to address chronic skin stress — a common culprit behind redness, sensitivity, and adult acne. Laura, S5's founder, tells us the story behind S5.
Anne Dupouy-Camet created her best-selling Lycoconfort de Peau moisturizer for her mother during her chemotherapy treatment. “It was the only thing that could soothe her skin,” she noted — and it’s our go-to for those whose skin is so parched...
Dr. Pedro Català started creating his TWELVE formulas while working as a pharmacist at a London oncology clinic. It’s no wonder his products are so wonderfully soothing — and he's full of excellent advice on how to care for skin during cancer...
We asked Michele Scott-Lynch, the founder of Bouclème, to answer the most frequently asked questions of our biggest Bouclème fans. Here, she covers secrets to getting more volume at the crown; making curls last all day; and refreshing curls the...
Rose Theodora is a celebrated astrologer who currently resides in Spain. We're thrilled that she will visit Ayla for a residency at the end of October — just in time for Scorpio season.
Manasi7 creator, makeup artist Susanne Manasi Persson, shares her top tips on the summer-to-fall transition — which can be a tricky one from a makeup perspective.
Much to our delight, EVOLVh’s founder, Boris Oak, popped in for a visit to our SF studio. Even more delightful? He told us his secret to keep curls frizz free. Read on for his tips and an introduction to the...
According to Dr. Amy Wechsler, one of a handful of doctors in the United States board-certified in both dermatology and psychiatry, stress can have a major impact on the condition of our skin — particularly as we age.
Pedro Catalá — founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty — is one of the most thoroughly educated founder-formulators we know; he has not only a pharmacy degree, but also a PhD in Natural Product Formulation, a subject that he also teaches at...
We're a very, very picky bunch; you may know this already. It's one of the reasons why we keep our product collection so tightly edited. Another reason is that we don't want to overwhelm you unnecessarily with choice — but still,...
Manasi7 was created by Susanne Manasi Persson, a Stockholm-based makeup artist. It has an approach to makeup products that is at the same time deeply thoughtful and refreshingly boundary-crushing, inspiring us to mix and match and play.
EVOLVh does many things well; one of the first things we noticed was how beautifully volumizing their products can be. No crunch, no dryness — just bouncy, shiny, touchable hair. So we had to ask their founder, Boris, “How do...
Much to our delight, EVOLVh’s founder, Boris Oak, popped in for a visit last week with some new products that are not only excellent, but also might fall under the “where has this been all my life” category — especially...
A clear link between air pollution and accelerated skin aging has been demonstrated in a number of studies in recent years. We asked Parisian pharmacist, skincare researcher, and chemist Anne Dupouy-Camet to weigh in.
Activist Raw Manuka honey is in a class of its own. We hadn’t spent too much time thinking about honey before spring 2019, to be candid. Then Activist came to us, and everything changed.
Is an over the counter retinol product enough, or do you need to get a prescription retinoid like Retin-A? To get the straight scoop, we consulted Seth Matarasso, MD, our favorite West coast dermatologist.
We fell hopelessly in love with the delicate, health-boosting sea buckthorn leaf tea that our friends at MyHavtorn make from the sea buckthorn trees on their Swedish farm. So we asked them if we could buy all of it.
Pedro Català, founder of TWELVE Beauty, is one of our most trusted resources for ingredient information; he is constantly evaluating new raw materials and is known for his exacting standards. These days, he's particularly excited about niacinamide.
Olio E Osso’s founder, Paola LaMorticella, has been the go-to makeup artist and stylist for top athletes for the past 25 years. Here, she shares application tips for her best-selling Tinted Balms along with various secrets about her fascinating life....
When we asked the brilliant chemist Marie Veronique about what's new in skincare, she said, “It’s all about the mitochondria.” (Mitochondria: it's the new microbiome.)
We asked nationally recognized hair loss expert Diane Berson, MD a question that we figured most of you would have: "How can we keep our hair and scalps healthy so that we don't lose our hair in the first place?"
There's just something about Ursa Major's healthy, gently-priced, and active-lifestyle-minded products from Vermont that we love. So what's the story behind this cool brand? Read on for the inside scoop from Emily Doyle, one of its founders.
Dehydration: it's the common link between combination and dry skin conditions, and it's the reason why Pedro Catalá created his marvelous moisture serums.
If you don’t already know the story behind this company, it’s a great one: EVOLVh is a partnership between Boris Oak and Gary Smith, the chemist responsible for such hair product superstars as Jhirmack, Jheri Curl, Frizz-Ease, and KMS.
Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum has been called many things: "Unicorn Tears," "The Face Oil to End All Face Oils," and "The Best Natural Beauty Product of All Time." Why is it so effective? We got the scoop from its creator....
Marie-Veronique Nadeau and her eponymous skincare line had been on our radar for some time. But it wasn’t until someone described her as a “mad scientist with a heart of gold” that we really sat up and paid attention.
DIY face masks are a lot of fun. But as founder-formulator Dr. Pedro Català of TWELVE puts it, “Natural product formulation is a science, not an experiment.” Who better to ask for a perspective on the DIY craze?
To understand what we need to know about sunscreen and clear up a few frequently asked questions, we spoke to Elizabeth K. Hale, M.D., a leading expert in the field of dermatology with a particular passion for sun protection.
May Lindstrom is often referred to as a "Skin Chef," and one of the things we love about her products is how well they work when mixed together. We asked May to lead us through her favorite product combinations.
We’re delighted to be the first and only SF retailer for May Lindstrom, the much-swooned-over line of gourmand skin treats. These remarkable, luxurious formulas make skincare not only results-oriented, but also truly pleasurable. Read on for the story behind them.
Want to learn how to use the beautiful Color & Light duos from Kosås? At Ayla's SF studio, makeup artist Melissa McMillan demonstrates the use of these palettes featuring wearable, blendable blush, bronzer, and highlighter colors.
We've been hunting for an excellent exfoliating foot cream since 2011. Learn more about that search — and the beautiful product that MyHavtorn created for us as a result — here.
Ayla, pronounced ā-lah, is an old Irish name that means “bearer of light.” The reason why we chose an Irish name for our business is one of our founder's own models of brighter beauty; learn more about her here.
Bradley Crane is not just one of San Francisco's best stylists. He’s also a truly excellent teacher who understands how to break techniques down for real people dealing with real life situations: time-crunched mornings and San Francisco fog, for starters....
Two of our favorite skin gurus, Kristina Holey & Marie Veronique, recently visited the Ayla studio together to share some of their wisdom about perioral and periorbital dermatitis: what it looks like, common triggers, and suggested approaches.
In this video, the brilliant Dr. Macrene Alexiades shares her top acne tips: understanding key external causes, considerations when choosing anti-acne skincare products and prescription treatments, and ways to prevent acne scars.
BioRecept was created by one of France’s top skincare formulators (pictured above, during a visit to Ayla) as her personal passion project. These hyaluronic acid-infused formulas leave skin glowing — and we're thrilled to offer them exclusively in the US.
Clogged pores and blackheads plague most of us at least some of the time. We asked Julia March, master facialist for such clear-skinned beauties as Linda Evangelista and Liv Tyler, to tell us her most surefire solutions for clogged-pore aggravation.
We didn’t know much about Bach flower essences before we stumbled upon Les Fleurs de Bach during a recent trip to Paris, but now that we do, we just have to tell you about them.
We were delighted to be selected as the first online retailer in the US to carry MyHavtorn's sea buckthorn-infused organic skin care products. Why are we such ardent fans of MyHavtorn? Let us count the ways.
While washing your hair, do you sometimes stop and wonder if so much of it should be going down the drain? We do. So we asked Diane Berson, MD, a leading dermatologist and national hair loss expert, for advice.
We’re always very excited to introduce a brand to the US for the first time —especially when it has considerable pent-up demand and a founder who’s also the formulator (because then we can ask all kinds of questions).
Ellis Brooklyn was created by Bee Shapiro, a chic Williamsburg mom who happens to be a style columnist for The New York Times. When we wanted to get a little Fragrance 101, Bee was naturally the first resource we thought of.
Inika's Certified Organic BB Cream & Liquid Foundation both come in 6 shades; Inika's Baked Mineral Foundation comes in 8 shades. How do you choose the right one? We've got you covered.
Leading nutrition consultant Ian Marber represents a voice of reason in the world of nutrition, a realm that can be confusingly contradictory. During his visit to our SF studio, he helped us reset with a few pieces of advice for everyone.
Kosas put together a brilliant chart to help you figure out which lipstick and Color & Light palettes (Creme or Pressed) might work best for you. Still torn? Call us.
Many of our lovely customers come to us for help with skin care challenges related to perimenopause and menopause, so we approached top dermatologist ad menopausal skin expert Jeannette Graf, MD, for advice on the best solutions.
Red, irritated skin can be a mystery. Is it rosacea? Eczema? Are you simply a delicate flower? Leading dermatologist Elizabeth K. Hale, MD, helps us sort out the differences.
Pedro Catalá — founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty — is one of the most thoroughly educated founder-formulators we know; he has not only a pharmacy degree, but also a PhD in Natural Product Formulation. As one beauty editor put it, "What Pedro doesn't know...
Shampoo: It seems like it should be the simplest step in hair care, yet contradictory advice about it seems to be coming out of everyone's ears. To clear things up, we approached Josh Rosebrook, celebrity hair stylist.
Firmness and elasticity are top of mind for many of us these days. For more on this topic, we interviewed Dr. Macrene Alexiades — the revered dermatologist with three Harvard degrees and one of the most enviable CVs in her field.
One of our founder's favorite products was whipped up specifically for her sensitive complexion by Marie Veronique herself. Marie tucked “Dara’s Oil” into our shipments from her lab from time to time, to be discovered with a squeal of delight.
Whether you call it clean, nontoxic, green, or — our favorite — healthy, this part of the beauty world has been our sandbox since the day we launched in 2011. Here's a closer look at the why and the how.
Marie Veronique is one of our most beloved brands; Kristina Holey is one of the most celebrated facialists in the country. Anything they do together is bound to be extraordinary.
Two of our favorite skin gurus, Kristina Holey & Marie Veronique, recently visited the Ayla studio together to share some of their wisdom. In this quick little video, they discuss product layering: when it can be helpful to layer serums...
Marie-Veronique Nadeau has developed a well-deserved reputation in natural and non-toxic beauty circles as something of an acne-fighting wizard. Read on to learn more.
One of my oldest friends asked me recently what she could do about a rosacea flare-up. She’s a lawyer who’s been working like mad to prepare for a trial and, like many a working mom these days, packed up her...
We’ve written many times of our love of the combination of a hydrating serum with a moisturizing facial oil in our email newsletter. The face serum + face oil combination (like Dara's own favorite combination, shown above) isn’t necessarily better...
Debra Jaliman, MD shared this list of foods and other lifestyle factors that can exacerbate inflammation. Spoiler alert: Red wine is on the list. Tragic, we know.
We’ve been hearing this phrase more than ever: “My skin has really lost its glow these days. What’s going on?” Like many things right now, it’s a little complicated — a few different things tend to contribute to dull skin,...
Dr. Macrene Alexiades has long been an Ayla inspiration for many reasons, starting with her list of accomplishments. She has a BA, MD, and PhD in genetics from Harvard, where she was a Fulbright scholar; a bustling dermatology practice on...
TWELVE Beauty's founder, Dr. Pedro Catalá, kindly shared some tips with us a few weeks ago as we were first thinking about the transition from summer to fall and how it might affect the skin. Now that fall is here,...
Shifts in temperature and humidity can lead to changes in the way your skin’s barrier functions: during these times, skin has to work harder to stay in balance, particularly where hydration is concerned. This is a frequent struggle in the...
A quick Google search for “blackhead removal” will reveal a variety of devices ranging from those that look fairly medieval to those that look like a miniature Dyson vacuum cleaner. In our view, none of them will be the answer...
Collagen is an endlessly fascinating topic to us, and to many of you, too — especially these days, when we’re spending a little more time than usual looking at our skin in bathroom mirrors and Zoom meetings and perhaps wondering...
Tamara Neuhaus, MD is an OB/GYN who specializes in menopause and perimenopause at The Cusp, where she serves as Chief Medical Officer. Hormones wreak havoc on skin, particularly once women reach their late forties and fifties: Perimenopause and menopause...
DIY beauty is not our favorite trend, simply because there are many ways it can go wrong. But homemade face masks are so tempting, aren’t they? Here are some that are formulator-approved.
Frequent washing and sanitizing is leaving many of us with dry, cracked hands. For some natural home remedies, we approached Pedro Catalá, founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty.
If you missed Dara's Instagram Live chat with Kristina Holey and Kristy Moore-Jeffress at Marie Veronique HQ in Berkeley, you can watch the full video here
“I think I need a Vitamin C serum.” It’s something we hear from a lot of you, and you’re right: you probably do. But finding the right one can be tricker than it may seem. We asked the brilliant Marie Veronique to...
Marie-Veronique Nadeau is something of a folk hero in the healthy beauty world. Here, she reveals how we can all be thinking about exfoliation differently.
If you suffer from perioral or periorbital dermatitis, or simply have sensitive skin, you’ll want to read Pedro's explanation of why mature skin cells are your friends.
Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold, the creator of a line of herbal tinctures, is a key collaborator of star facialist Kristina Holey's. Here, these two superwomen discuss their work together and how Dr. Gold's tinctures fit in.
We were delighted to have Dr. Pedro Catalá, creator of TWELVE Beauty, visiting us from Spain this month. During his time here, he wrote this absolutely lovely journal and invited us to share it with you as a guest blog...
Hyperpigmentation is a real problem for many, and an annoyance for many more. Elizabeth K. Hale, M.D. gives us an unbiased expert perspective on what it is, how it can be prevented, and the best treatments.
Anne Dupouy-Camet created her best-selling Lycoconfort de Peau moisturizer for her mother during her chemotherapy treatment. “It was the only thing that could soothe her skin,” she noted — and it’s our go-to for those whose skin is so parched...
Dr. Pedro Català started creating his TWELVE formulas while working as a pharmacist at a London oncology clinic. It’s no wonder his products are so wonderfully soothing — and he's full of excellent advice on how to care for skin during cancer...
A clear link between air pollution and accelerated skin aging has been demonstrated in a number of studies in recent years. We asked Parisian pharmacist, skincare researcher, and chemist Anne Dupouy-Camet to weigh in.
Is an over the counter retinol product enough, or do you need to get a prescription retinoid like Retin-A? To get the straight scoop, we consulted Seth Matarasso, MD, our favorite West coast dermatologist.
Pedro Català, founder of TWELVE Beauty, is one of our most trusted resources for ingredient information; he is constantly evaluating new raw materials and is known for his exacting standards. These days, he's particularly excited about niacinamide.
When we asked the brilliant chemist Marie Veronique about what's new in skincare, she said, “It’s all about the mitochondria.” (Mitochondria: it's the new microbiome.)
Dehydration: it's the common link between combination and dry skin conditions, and it's the reason why Pedro Catalá created his marvelous moisture serums.
DIY face masks are a lot of fun. But as founder-formulator Dr. Pedro Català of TWELVE puts it, “Natural product formulation is a science, not an experiment.” Who better to ask for a perspective on the DIY craze?
To understand what we need to know about sunscreen and clear up a few frequently asked questions, we spoke to Elizabeth K. Hale, M.D., a leading expert in the field of dermatology with a particular passion for sun protection.
Two of our favorite skin gurus, Kristina Holey & Marie Veronique, recently visited the Ayla studio together to share some of their wisdom about perioral and periorbital dermatitis: what it looks like, common triggers, and suggested approaches.
In this video, the brilliant Dr. Macrene Alexiades shares her top acne tips: understanding key external causes, considerations when choosing anti-acne skincare products and prescription treatments, and ways to prevent acne scars.
Clogged pores and blackheads plague most of us at least some of the time. We asked Julia March, master facialist for such clear-skinned beauties as Linda Evangelista and Liv Tyler, to tell us her most surefire solutions for clogged-pore aggravation.
Many of our lovely customers come to us for help with skin care challenges related to perimenopause and menopause, so we approached top dermatologist ad menopausal skin expert Jeannette Graf, MD, for advice on the best solutions.
Red, irritated skin can be a mystery. Is it rosacea? Eczema? Are you simply a delicate flower? Leading dermatologist Elizabeth K. Hale, MD, helps us sort out the differences.
Pedro Catalá — founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty — is one of the most thoroughly educated founder-formulators we know; he has not only a pharmacy degree, but also a PhD in Natural Product Formulation. As one beauty editor put it, "What Pedro doesn't know...
Firmness and elasticity are top of mind for many of us these days. For more on this topic, we interviewed Dr. Macrene Alexiades — the revered dermatologist with three Harvard degrees and one of the most enviable CVs in her field.
Every batch of de Mamiel products we sell passes through creator Annee de Mamiel's hands, and somehow, that's palpable. Read on to learn more about her fascinating approach to skincare.
If we had to pick one single reason for our love of hairstylist Garrett Markenson’s Reverie product line, it would be this: it actually inspires you to love your hair. These flexible, foolproof products invite experimentation and what we think...
Luzern Labs has been one of our founder's favorite skincare brands since 2003, and it's beloved by our team and customers at Ayla. We asked cofounder Jen Herbert-Coste to tell us just what makes these products so spectacular.
Our founder's scouting trip to Italy all began with an Italian hairbrush that she had fallen deeply in love with after stumbling upon it in a little shop in France.
In 2016, our founder flew to Florence — along with her rebellious hair — in search of the secret to those healthy, voluminous, just-tamed-enough locks seen on the likes of Monica Bellucci and Claudia Cardinale.
Abi Oyepitan and Liha Okunniwa met in 1998 while at Brunel University London, where they became fast friends. What we find particularly interesting about their story is that the two women were drawn to elements in one another that would...
It is easier to deal with maskne if you’re wearing a mask that’s more breathable — and maskne is less of an issue to begin with. Our favorites are designed and sewn by a cool San Francisco company called Aplat.
We've known the delightful duo behind 27 Rosiers, Stephanie and Kevin, since they first visited Ayla in fall 2018; we've met them in their hometown of Paris, too.
Read on to learn more about their story and their uniquely French-Californian philosophy.
Orcé founder Yu-Chen Shih now lives in Los Angeles, but she grew up in Singapore — where, given her Polynesian roots, she spent most of her childhood being teased for her darker complexion and curvy build, which stood in stark...
RiseWell is one of those brands that just fell into our laps, as if some sort of dental angel looked at our shelves and thought, “The poor dears, they don’t have a toothpaste brand in there, do they?”
Kahina’s story is a rich one, and we love the team behind these beautiful products, so we asked Katharine to share more of their story — and some of the secrets behind their new products — with you.
In this thoughtful, thorough interview, Max & Me creator Tanja Gruber covers Austrian farming history, tales of visits to suppliers in far-flung destinations, and secrets to lasting love.
Activist Raw Manuka honey is in a class of its own. We hadn’t spent too much time thinking about honey before spring 2019, to be candid. Then Activist came to us, and everything changed.
Marie-Veronique Nadeau and her eponymous skincare line had been on our radar for some time. But it wasn’t until someone described her as a “mad scientist with a heart of gold” that we really sat up and paid attention.
We didn’t know much about Bach flower essences before we stumbled upon Les Fleurs de Bach during a recent trip to Paris, but now that we do, we just have to tell you about them.
We were delighted to be selected as the first online retailer in the US to carry MyHavtorn's sea buckthorn-infused organic skin care products. Why are we such ardent fans of MyHavtorn? Let us count the ways.
We’re always very excited to introduce a brand to the US for the first time —especially when it has considerable pent-up demand and a founder who’s also the formulator (because then we can ask all kinds of questions).
In this video, hairstylist Mandy Wray shows us how to pre-wash, wash, condition, and air-dry long, wavy hair using Reverie: CAKE, EVER, SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER, MILK, RAKE, and MARE.
We adore Boris Oak, the creator of our favorite hometown haircare brand, EVOLVh. He always bounces in the door with so much enthusiasm that, when we can all gather for a big bash again, it's clear he’ll need to join...
We asked Michele Scott-Lynch, the founder of Bouclème, to answer the most frequently asked questions of our biggest Bouclème fans. Here, she covers secrets to getting more volume at the crown; making curls last all day; and refreshing curls the...
Much to our delight, EVOLVh’s founder, Boris Oak, popped in for a visit to our SF studio. Even more delightful? He told us his secret to keep curls frizz free. Read on for his tips and an introduction to the...
EVOLVh does many things well; one of the first things we noticed was how beautifully volumizing their products can be. No crunch, no dryness — just bouncy, shiny, touchable hair. So we had to ask their founder, Boris, “How do...
Much to our delight, EVOLVh’s founder, Boris Oak, popped in for a visit last week with some new products that are not only excellent, but also might fall under the “where has this been all my life” category — especially...
We asked nationally recognized hair loss expert Diane Berson, MD a question that we figured most of you would have: "How can we keep our hair and scalps healthy so that we don't lose our hair in the first place?"
Bradley Crane is not just one of San Francisco's best stylists. He’s also a truly excellent teacher who understands how to break techniques down for real people dealing with real life situations: time-crunched mornings and San Francisco fog, for starters....
While washing your hair, do you sometimes stop and wonder if so much of it should be going down the drain? We do. So we asked Diane Berson, MD, a leading dermatologist and national hair loss expert, for advice.
Shampoo: It seems like it should be the simplest step in hair care, yet contradictory advice about it seems to be coming out of everyone's ears. To clear things up, we approached Josh Rosebrook, celebrity hair stylist.
If you’ve been following us for some time, you may already know how much I love Bach flower remedies. They didn’t sweep me off my feet right away; rather, I was swept off my feet by a beautiful body scrub...
We have not discussed this, you and I. But I imagine that if you’re not already a devotee of Dr. Anna Gold’s ingestible tinctures, you might view them with a modicum of skepticism: “Are they just another thing for me to...
Debra Jaliman, MD shared this list of foods and other lifestyle factors that can exacerbate inflammation. Spoiler alert: Red wine is on the list. Tragic, we know.
When we were looking for advice on encouraging nail health, one of the first people we turned to was, naturally, Dr. Anna Gold: Chinese Medicine views the nails as a window into the health of the body overall.
When we introduced the Bare Hands Dry Gloss Manicure Kit, we wanted to dig deeper into nail health. Dr. Anna Gold provided us with a fascinating perspective on both Eastern and Western approaches to nail health; while discussing nail conditions...
Chandler Chang, PhD, is the Founder & Clinical Director of Therapy Lab, a California practice that offers science-based teletherapy from the comfort of home. You may have heard about Dr. Chang in the LA Times or on Cheddar TV; our...
Sometimes we imagine that, inside each one of us, there’s a little cheerleader jumping up and down, waving pom-poms, calling to us, “You can do it! You’ve got this!” It can be a charming, motivating visual. But this year, for...
We’ve been the exclusive US partners of Elixirs & Co and their Les Fleurs de Bach brand since our founder met their team in Paris five years ago — after having stumbled upon their absolutely perfect body scrub in a shop in...
When CBD was first on everyone’s minds a few years ago, we started hunting for good resources to help us understand it. All paths seemed to lead to Jewel Zimmer, the founder of Juna: “If you want to hear about...
We’ve been fascinated by the topic of perimenopause and menopause for years — as have many of you, given how popular this interview about menopausal skincare (one of our personal favorites) has been. As always, we found ourselves wanting to...
Try this invigorating exercise, a yoga-class favorite, to focus on your heart—your center of love, compassion, and joy. (Kids will love this one, too.)
Between its three stellar, distinct, and incredibly efficacious natural deodorant formulas — Hoppin’ Fresh, Base Layer, and Sublime Sage — Ursa Major is likely to be the one brand that will make you switch over from your “eh, it may...
The past few months have been trying times for everyone, filled with stress and anxiety for many. We interviewed Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold, one of the Bay Area’s most sought after practitioners of TCM and the creator of Dr. Anna...
Virus prevention on your mind? Wouldn’t you know it — ours, too. We interviewed Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold, one of the Bay Area’s most sought after practitioners of TCM and the creator of Dr. Anna Gold (formerly Arcana) herbal tinctures,...
Tamara Neuhaus, MD is an OB/GYN who specializes in menopause and perimenopause at The Cusp, where she serves as Chief Medical Officer. Hormones wreak havoc on skin, particularly once women reach their late forties and fifties: Perimenopause and menopause...
Pranayama is the yogic exercise of controlling the breath. Viloma Pranayama is a simple exercise that can be done at bedtime — or anytime — to achieve a sense of calm and balance.
Lisa Brinker is the go-to Manual Lymphatic Drainage expert in San Francisco — the one who is consistently recommended by other massage therapists and bodyworkers for her particular expertise in this specific discipline. Since we've recently introduced products that speak...
Our seaweed forager, Ian, tell us how we can use the kelp from our Sea Soak and Straight Up Seaweed products as a fertilizer once we've taken our baths.
Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold, the creator of a line of herbal tinctures, is a key collaborator of star facialist Kristina Holey's. Here, these two superwomen discuss their work together and how Dr. Gold's tinctures fit in.
MIJA Superstar was developed by a registered dietitian with serious credentials: Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN is one of the most well-respected nutritionists in the Bay Area. Naturally, we were full of questions for her.
We asked Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN to share some of her favorite smoothie recipes with us — because one of the best things about her Mija Superstar supplement is how nicely it works in your morning smoothie.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the oldest forms of medicine; it’s been practiced for over 5,000 years. Even more awe-inspiring, to us, is the fact that it is not only still widely practiced, but also increasingly used to...
Rose Theodora is a celebrated astrologer who currently resides in Spain. We're thrilled that she will visit Ayla for a residency at the end of October — just in time for Scorpio season.
According to Dr. Amy Wechsler, one of a handful of doctors in the United States board-certified in both dermatology and psychiatry, stress can have a major impact on the condition of our skin — particularly as we age.
We fell hopelessly in love with the delicate, health-boosting sea buckthorn leaf tea that our friends at MyHavtorn make from the sea buckthorn trees on their Swedish farm. So we asked them if we could buy all of it.
We didn’t know much about Bach flower essences before we stumbled upon Les Fleurs de Bach during a recent trip to Paris, but now that we do, we just have to tell you about them.
Ellis Brooklyn was created by Bee Shapiro, a chic Williamsburg mom who happens to be a style columnist for The New York Times. When we wanted to get a little Fragrance 101, Bee was naturally the first resource we thought of.
Leading nutrition consultant Ian Marber represents a voice of reason in the world of nutrition, a realm that can be confusingly contradictory. During his visit to our SF studio, he helped us reset with a few pieces of advice for everyone.
Olio E Osso is a small, Portland-based company that makes beautifully simple and versatile skincare and makeup products. Olio E Osso’s founder, Paola LaMorticella, has been the go-to makeup artist and stylist for top athletes for the past 25 years. In...
Shade matching sounds simple enough, but it can be frustrating and time-consuming. There are a few ways to make the process a whole lot easier, and we’re breaking them down.
Manasi7 creator, makeup artist Susanne Manasi Persson, shares her top tips on the summer-to-fall transition — which can be a tricky one from a makeup perspective.
We're a very, very picky bunch; you may know this already. It's one of the reasons why we keep our product collection so tightly edited. Another reason is that we don't want to overwhelm you unnecessarily with choice — but still,...
Olio E Osso’s founder, Paola LaMorticella, has been the go-to makeup artist and stylist for top athletes for the past 25 years. Here, she shares application tips for her best-selling Tinted Balms along with various secrets about her fascinating life....
Want to learn how to use the beautiful Color & Light duos from Kosås? At Ayla's SF studio, makeup artist Melissa McMillan demonstrates the use of these palettes featuring wearable, blendable blush, bronzer, and highlighter colors.
Inika's Certified Organic BB Cream & Liquid Foundation both come in 6 shades; Inika's Baked Mineral Foundation comes in 8 shades. How do you choose the right one? We've got you covered.
Kosas put together a brilliant chart to help you figure out which lipstick and Color & Light palettes (Creme or Pressed) might work best for you. Still torn? Call us.
A bath with Bach flowers can feel like a spiritual hug — and it's so easy. Here, our founder, Dara, and the founder of Les Fleurs de Bach, Gérard Wolf, discuss the practice of bathing with Bach flowers.
One of our favorite under-the-radar antioxidants, astaxanthin, happens to be one of the key ingredients in one of our favorite products, YÜLI’s Ambrosia Beauty Nectar. Here, YÜLI co-founder Eddie Zhao tells us what he loves about this ingredient.
de Mamiel Restorative Cleansing Balm is a favorite for our entire team. We asked our esthetician, Sarah, to put together a video to show us how to use it for a deeply relaxing and restorative facial massage.
MyHavtorn’s Sea Buckthorn Soap has been a sensation at Ayla: it seems nearly impossible to keep it in stock. What we are equally excited about is its liquid version, the new MyHavtorn Liquid Hand & Body Wash — offered exclusively...
In this video, hairstylist Mandy Wray shows us how to pre-wash, wash, condition, and air-dry long, wavy hair using Reverie: CAKE, EVER, SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER, MILK, RAKE, and MARE.
Pedro Catalá— founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty — is one of the most thoroughly trained founder-formulators we know; he holds a pharmacy degree, a Master's degree in Botany, and a PhD in Natural Product Formulation. As one beauty editor put it,...
Olio E Osso is a small, Portland-based company that makes beautifully simple and versatile skincare and makeup products. Olio E Osso’s founder, Paola LaMorticella, has been the go-to makeup artist and stylist for top athletes for the past 25 years. In...
We caught up with Activist co-founder Gabrielle before her family left for their annual trip back to New Zealand to ask a few frequently asked questions about their phenomenal honey.
We’ve written many times of our love of the combination of a hydrating serum with a moisturizing facial oil in our email newsletter. The face serum + face oil combination (like Dara's own favorite combination, shown above) isn’t necessarily better...
Washing your face: not so basic. Dr. Macrene Alexiades pointed out to us that improper cleansing methods and products can cause unnecessary harm to skin.
Luzern’s head of education, Lisamarie DeLucia, recently shared the brand's thoughtful perspective on maskne with us; read on for her top tips on keeping skin healthy these days.
Don't you often want to know what a founder's favorite products are? At the start of a long winter, TWELVE founder Dr. Pedro Catalá leans on the Ideal Rebalancing Facial Serum and Intelligent Frontier Facial Oil.
We are delighted that this year’s batch is finally here, and to celebrate, Robin and Ingrid shared some pictures of the 2020 Happy Tea harvest and production.
For many, spring 2020 heralded a time of slowing down. For Robin Johansson, co-founder of MyHavtorn, it was time to make soap — which we couldn't have been happier about.
Bare Hands creator Suzanne Shade teaches our team member, Ellen, how to use the Dry Gloss Manicure Kit with her dominant hand as well as her non-dominant hand.
Dr. Macrene Alexiades has long been an Ayla inspiration for many reasons, starting with her list of accomplishments. She has a BA, MD, and PhD in genetics from Harvard, where she was a Fulbright scholar; a bustling dermatology practice on...
We’ve been the exclusive US partners of Elixirs & Co and their Les Fleurs de Bach brand since our founder met their team in Paris five years ago — after having stumbled upon their absolutely perfect body scrub in a shop in...
Shifts in temperature and humidity can lead to changes in the way your skin’s barrier functions: during these times, skin has to work harder to stay in balance, particularly where hydration is concerned. This is a frequent struggle in the...
We’re proud to donate 5% of all our Sea Soak sales to Reef Check Foundation, an incredible “citizen science” nonprofit that educates and empowers anyone who’s SCUBA certified to help with marine conservation efforts. Reef Check has chapters in 40...
Every year, we look forward to the harvest update from Robin and Ingrid at the MyHavtorn farm in Bollebygd, Sweden. Read their latest news below, and to learn more about the harvest in general (it's fascinating!), check out this interview...
MyHavtorn's sea buckthorn products are fresher, purer, and packed with more sea buckthorn than any others we've tried. Want to know more about how these berries are grown?
Shade matching sounds simple enough, but it can be frustrating and time-consuming. There are a few ways to make the process a whole lot easier, and we’re breaking them down.
When COVID-19 swept the world, many cosmetics manufacturers pitched in by making hand sanitizers to alleviate shortages. TWELVE’s founder, Dr. Pedro Catalá, wanted to help, too — but in typical Pedro style, he wanted to make the best hand solution...
Between its three stellar, distinct, and incredibly efficacious natural deodorant formulas — Hoppin’ Fresh, Base Layer, and Sublime Sage — Ursa Major is likely to be the one brand that will make you switch over from your “eh, it may...
A quick Google search for “blackhead removal” will reveal a variety of devices ranging from those that look fairly medieval to those that look like a miniature Dyson vacuum cleaner. In our view, none of them will be the answer...
We adore Boris Oak, the creator of our favorite hometown haircare brand, EVOLVh. He always bounces in the door with so much enthusiasm that, when we can all gather for a big bash again, it's clear he’ll need to join...
The past few months have been trying times for everyone, filled with stress and anxiety for many. We interviewed Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold, one of the Bay Area’s most sought after practitioners of TCM and the creator of Dr. Anna...
Virus prevention on your mind? Wouldn’t you know it — ours, too. We interviewed Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold, one of the Bay Area’s most sought after practitioners of TCM and the creator of Dr. Anna Gold (formerly Arcana) herbal tinctures,...
Collagen is an endlessly fascinating topic to us, and to many of you, too — especially these days, when we’re spending a little more time than usual looking at our skin in bathroom mirrors and Zoom meetings and perhaps wondering...
DIY beauty is not our favorite trend, simply because there are many ways it can go wrong. But homemade face masks are so tempting, aren’t they? Here are some that are formulator-approved.
Frequent washing and sanitizing is leaving many of us with dry, cracked hands. For some natural home remedies, we approached Pedro Catalá, founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty.
If you missed Dara's Instagram Live chat with Kristina Holey and Kristy Moore-Jeffress at Marie Veronique HQ in Berkeley, you can watch the full video here
TWELVE founder Pedro Catalá shares the secrets behind his new Reverent Antioxidant Body Oil, a firming body oil infused with botanical extracts that act as a second skin while also stimulating the lymphatic drainage system.
Guldkorn Cream was created just for us in Sweden by our wonderful friends at MyHavtorn. Read more about its development in our interview with Robin, MyHavtorn's charming co-founder.
“I think I need a Vitamin C serum.” It’s something we hear from a lot of you, and you’re right: you probably do. But finding the right one can be tricker than it may seem. We asked the brilliant Marie Veronique to...
Marie-Veronique Nadeau is something of a folk hero in the healthy beauty world. Here, she reveals how we can all be thinking about exfoliation differently.
Our seaweed forager, Ian, tell us how we can use the kelp from our Sea Soak and Straight Up Seaweed products as a fertilizer once we've taken our baths.
If you suffer from perioral or periorbital dermatitis, or simply have sensitive skin, you’ll want to read Pedro's explanation of why mature skin cells are your friends.
Dr. Anna Hsieh Gold, the creator of a line of herbal tinctures, is a key collaborator of star facialist Kristina Holey's. Here, these two superwomen discuss their work together and how Dr. Gold's tinctures fit in.
MIJA Superstar was developed by a registered dietitian with serious credentials: Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN is one of the most well-respected nutritionists in the Bay Area. Naturally, we were full of questions for her.
We asked Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN to share some of her favorite smoothie recipes with us — because one of the best things about her Mija Superstar supplement is how nicely it works in your morning smoothie.
We've been enthusiastic supporters of Dr. Macrene Alexiades and her 37 Actives product line since its very beginning. And we're delighted to now be one of the first retailers to introduce her updated product line, which includes new formulas, new...
We were delighted to have Dr. Pedro Catalá, creator of TWELVE Beauty, visiting us from Spain this month. During his time here, he wrote this absolutely lovely journal and invited us to share it with you as a guest blog...
The Clementine Cleansing Balm is the latest addition to the stellar TWELVE lineup. Here, creator Dr. Pedro Català explains why it works so well with just five ingredients.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the oldest forms of medicine; it’s been practiced for over 5,000 years. Even more awe-inspiring, to us, is the fact that it is not only still widely practiced, but also increasingly used to...
Our first Ayla product has so many fascinating stories attached to it — and we’re so incredibly excited about it — that it’s hard to know exactly where to begin. So we’ll start with what it is: the Ayla Sea...
S5 has been designed to address chronic skin stress — a common culprit behind redness, sensitivity, and adult acne. Laura, S5's founder, tells us the story behind S5.
Anne Dupouy-Camet created her best-selling Lycoconfort de Peau moisturizer for her mother during her chemotherapy treatment. “It was the only thing that could soothe her skin,” she noted — and it’s our go-to for those whose skin is so parched...
Dr. Pedro Català started creating his TWELVE formulas while working as a pharmacist at a London oncology clinic. It’s no wonder his products are so wonderfully soothing — and he's full of excellent advice on how to care for skin during cancer...
We asked Michele Scott-Lynch, the founder of Bouclème, to answer the most frequently asked questions of our biggest Bouclème fans. Here, she covers secrets to getting more volume at the crown; making curls last all day; and refreshing curls the...
Manasi7 creator, makeup artist Susanne Manasi Persson, shares her top tips on the summer-to-fall transition — which can be a tricky one from a makeup perspective.
Much to our delight, EVOLVh’s founder, Boris Oak, popped in for a visit to our SF studio. Even more delightful? He told us his secret to keep curls frizz free. Read on for his tips and an introduction to the...
Pedro Catalá — founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty — is one of the most thoroughly educated founder-formulators we know; he has not only a pharmacy degree, but also a PhD in Natural Product Formulation, a subject that he also teaches at...
Manasi7 was created by Susanne Manasi Persson, a Stockholm-based makeup artist. It has an approach to makeup products that is at the same time deeply thoughtful and refreshingly boundary-crushing, inspiring us to mix and match and play.
EVOLVh does many things well; one of the first things we noticed was how beautifully volumizing their products can be. No crunch, no dryness — just bouncy, shiny, touchable hair. So we had to ask their founder, Boris, “How do...
Much to our delight, EVOLVh’s founder, Boris Oak, popped in for a visit last week with some new products that are not only excellent, but also might fall under the “where has this been all my life” category — especially...
A clear link between air pollution and accelerated skin aging has been demonstrated in a number of studies in recent years. We asked Parisian pharmacist, skincare researcher, and chemist Anne Dupouy-Camet to weigh in.
We fell hopelessly in love with the delicate, health-boosting sea buckthorn leaf tea that our friends at MyHavtorn make from the sea buckthorn trees on their Swedish farm. So we asked them if we could buy all of it.
Pedro Català, founder of TWELVE Beauty, is one of our most trusted resources for ingredient information; he is constantly evaluating new raw materials and is known for his exacting standards. These days, he's particularly excited about niacinamide.
Olio E Osso’s founder, Paola LaMorticella, has been the go-to makeup artist and stylist for top athletes for the past 25 years. Here, she shares application tips for her best-selling Tinted Balms along with various secrets about her fascinating life....
When we asked the brilliant chemist Marie Veronique about what's new in skincare, she said, “It’s all about the mitochondria.” (Mitochondria: it's the new microbiome.)
There's just something about Ursa Major's healthy, gently-priced, and active-lifestyle-minded products from Vermont that we love. So what's the story behind this cool brand? Read on for the inside scoop from Emily Doyle, one of its founders.
Dehydration: it's the common link between combination and dry skin conditions, and it's the reason why Pedro Catalá created his marvelous moisture serums.
If you don’t already know the story behind this company, it’s a great one: EVOLVh is a partnership between Boris Oak and Gary Smith, the chemist responsible for such hair product superstars as Jhirmack, Jheri Curl, Frizz-Ease, and KMS.
Vintner's Daughter Active Botanical Serum has been called many things: "Unicorn Tears," "The Face Oil to End All Face Oils," and "The Best Natural Beauty Product of All Time." Why is it so effective? We got the scoop from its creator....
DIY face masks are a lot of fun. But as founder-formulator Dr. Pedro Català of TWELVE puts it, “Natural product formulation is a science, not an experiment.” Who better to ask for a perspective on the DIY craze?
May Lindstrom is often referred to as a "Skin Chef," and one of the things we love about her products is how well they work when mixed together. We asked May to lead us through her favorite product combinations.
We’re delighted to be the first and only SF retailer for May Lindstrom, the much-swooned-over line of gourmand skin treats. These remarkable, luxurious formulas make skincare not only results-oriented, but also truly pleasurable. Read on for the story behind them.
We've been hunting for an excellent exfoliating foot cream since 2011. Learn more about that search — and the beautiful product that MyHavtorn created for us as a result — here.
BioRecept was created by one of France’s top skincare formulators (pictured above, during a visit to Ayla) as her personal passion project. These hyaluronic acid-infused formulas leave skin glowing — and we're thrilled to offer them exclusively in the US.
We’re always very excited to introduce a brand to the US for the first time —especially when it has considerable pent-up demand and a founder who’s also the formulator (because then we can ask all kinds of questions).
Ellis Brooklyn was created by Bee Shapiro, a chic Williamsburg mom who happens to be a style columnist for The New York Times. When we wanted to get a little Fragrance 101, Bee was naturally the first resource we thought of.
Inika's Certified Organic BB Cream & Liquid Foundation both come in 6 shades; Inika's Baked Mineral Foundation comes in 8 shades. How do you choose the right one? We've got you covered.
Kosas put together a brilliant chart to help you figure out which lipstick and Color & Light palettes (Creme or Pressed) might work best for you. Still torn? Call us.
Pedro Catalá — founder and formulator of TWELVE Beauty — is one of the most thoroughly educated founder-formulators we know; he has not only a pharmacy degree, but also a PhD in Natural Product Formulation. As one beauty editor put it, "What Pedro doesn't know...
Shampoo: It seems like it should be the simplest step in hair care, yet contradictory advice about it seems to be coming out of everyone's ears. To clear things up, we approached Josh Rosebrook, celebrity hair stylist.
Firmness and elasticity are top of mind for many of us these days. For more on this topic, we interviewed Dr. Macrene Alexiades — the revered dermatologist with three Harvard degrees and one of the most enviable CVs in her field.
One of our founder's favorite products was whipped up specifically for her sensitive complexion by Marie Veronique herself. Marie tucked “Dara’s Oil” into our shipments from her lab from time to time, to be discovered with a squeal of delight.
Marie Veronique is one of our most beloved brands; Kristina Holey is one of the most celebrated facialists in the country. Anything they do together is bound to be extraordinary.
2021 has not yet proven to be less crazy than its predecessor, has it? Perhaps because of this, I’ve taken a bath almost every evening this year: whether due to the news, the weather, or something else, I seem to crave...
The other day, I talked to a customer who said of our team, “This might sound strange, and it’s probably entirely one-sided, but I feel like I have a relationship with you all. You feel like friends.” I assured her...
One of my oldest friends asked me recently what she could do about a rosacea flare-up. She’s a lawyer who’s been working like mad to prepare for a trial and, like many a working mom these days, packed up her...
If you’ve been following us for some time, you may already know how much I love Bach flower remedies. They didn’t sweep me off my feet right away; rather, I was swept off my feet by a beautiful body scrub...
About five years ago, I went through a phase where the amount I was spending on groceries each week seemed outrageous. I’m not sure what I was comparing it to, exactly, but it just seemed like a lot. And it...
Have you been feeling a little dragged-down? The inevitable settling-down that comes after a period of intensity — combined with the arrival of cold weather and earlier darkness — can pose a challenge even to the most motivated. Especially, I imagine, if...
We have not discussed this, you and I. But I imagine that if you’re not already a devotee of Dr. Anna Gold’s ingestible tinctures, you might view them with a modicum of skepticism: “Are they just another thing for me to...
For some time, I’ve been thinking that the world of beauty and wellness needs to place greater emphasis on the health of our minds and spirits. I’ve been thinking about this since before I started Ayla, actually: it was one...
Hanging out in Thailand with my big brother in 1983…and actually seeking out sun exposure. Hello, freckles. (By the way, I must find that vintage Wonder Woman t-shirt.)
We’re currently living through what some historians have described as “a trifecta of awful”: a global pandemic, economic turmoil, and stark reminders of the systemic racism affecting Black communities, in particular, across the country. Like so many right now, we’re trying...
We opened our virtual doors at aylabeauty.com on Valentine’s Day nine years ago, and every year, our birthday prompts the question: why that particular day?
We've been hunting for an excellent exfoliating foot cream since 2011. Learn more about that search — and the beautiful product that MyHavtorn created for us as a result — here.
Ayla, pronounced ā-lah, is an old Irish name that means “bearer of light.” The reason why we chose an Irish name for our business is one of our founder's own models of brighter beauty; learn more about her here.
One of our founder's favorite products was whipped up specifically for her sensitive complexion by Marie Veronique herself. Marie tucked “Dara’s Oil” into our shipments from her lab from time to time, to be discovered with a squeal of delight.
Whether you call it clean, nontoxic, green, or — our favorite — healthy, this part of the beauty world has been our sandbox since the day we launched in 2011. Here's a closer look at the why and the how.