Evolve Organic Beauty x Maya Magal
Hi Laura! We're huge fans of Evolve Organic Beauty but for anyone that isn't familiar with your brand, can you introduce it to us in two sentences?
I founded Evolve Organic Beauty in 2009 with a mission to make ethical sustainable and organic beauty more desirable and accessible. We hand craft certified organic vegan and cruelty- free skin, body, and hair products from our eco-studio in Hertfordshire.
What inspired you to start an organic beauty brand?
One of the things I’m really passionate about is giving people natural organic and effective product choices for their entire beauty regime if they want to lead a toxin free lifestyle. I created Evolve Organic Beauty with a mission to create sustainable organic products that could help people live a little healthier and greener every day. I believe that natural, organic and eco-friendly ingredients are better for us and for the planet. I love using natural products which are packed full of high quality and pure ingredients such as Hyaluronic acid, Bio-retinol, and organic Rosehip Oil. It’s also important to recognise what’s left out of our formulations as we don’t use any potentially harmful ingredients or preservatives.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced so far?
I have loved being an entrepreneur but it hasn’t always been easy. The most difficult part was 2-3 years in, before we had gained brand traction. In the early years, it was very challenging to initially grow the business and we boot strapped everything as the business is completely self funded which was tough, but I am very grateful now that we did it that way as it means we are completely independent and I have also done most of the roles in the business myself. It takes a lot longer than you think to build a brand and it is important to not give up!!
We all have our daily ritual for skincare and getting ready in the morning. Can you tell us about your skincare routine, your favourite Evolve product and insider tips?
I genuinely love all our products, but my go-to has always been the Gentle Cleansing Melt - one of the products that has been in the line up since the start, so that is definitely a staple in my routine. I also love testing new products and formulas, so my daily routine is always changing and it’s really exciting to find formulas that me and my skin love that could also help other people.
The best tip I can give people is to not overload their skin
Like us, you create your products in small batches, can you tell us why you choose to make your beauty products this way?
At first, making our products in small batches in our own studio was driven by necessity but now we see it as a real product benefit. It means that we know what is in them, why each ingredient is included and where every single ingredient comes from. It also means with unnecessary and perhaps overly harsh ingredients. Our skin is our biggest organ so it’s important to nourish it just as you would your other organs with healthy nutritious food that they are as fresh as possible which maximises the efficacy of our certified organic ingredients and minimises wastage.
We champion women in business and love that Evolve Organic Beauty is a female-founded brand. Are there any female figures in particular that influence or inspire you?
My professional icon is my mother. Growing up my mother had her own business and she was a huge role model to me in how to be an independent woman entrepreneur at a time when this was not a common thing to do. She told me that working hard and having a vision is the way to achieve your dreams, and I’m very grateful for the example she showed me.
It's been a turbulent few years in business! Are there any really important lessons you have learned since starting your brand?
I believe in establishing long-term relationships with our suppliers, customers and of course our employees as well! Investing in these relationships and treating everybody with kindness, compassion and consideration is one of my key principles as an entrepreneur.
Finally, the question we ask everyone...what’s your favourite Maya Magal jewellery piece?
I love gold, gemstones and green, so it would be the Solid Gold Heirloom Hexagon Emerald Necklace - I don’t have this yet in my collection but perhaps I will be lucky enough to get it as a gift from my hubby!!
