Tag Archive for: GOLDFADEN MD

Behind The Scenes With Lauren and Lisa Goldfaden

“There are so many benefits to working in a close family business, chief among them being trust and agility. Having control of the business and easy access to one another allows for fast critical decision making with an implicit shared mission that has the best interest of the business at heart.” Lisa Goldfaden

Learn more about the two women driving the success of Goldfaden MD

What is one standout quality you each see in each other? 

LW: I hit the jackpot, literally. One of the best things about having the right partner is your ability to divide and conquer, to understand each other’s limits and support one another’s strengths and weaknesses and that is just the base of Lisa. I don’t think i can land on just one thing that stands out to me from her because i know that i (and our brand) would not be here today if it weren’t for her passion, dedication, inspiration and drive. 

LG: Besides being my sister-in law, business partner and best friend, her work ethic never ceases to inspire me.  She is a positive and strategic problem solver as well as creative minded. We wouldn’t be where we are today without her vision and she inspires me to be better at my job. 

What are the best decisions that you have made in your careers thus far? 

LW: I would have to say that this answer is two-fold: 1. Moving out to Los Angeles as it has opened up the ability to grow and connect in ways that were not possible while trying to run our business out of Miami and 2. Never accepting NO. I always pocket a “no” with “not now” and it has always proved us right – either in the form of a work relationship, partnership or collaboration. Sometimes, it’s all about the right timing.  

LG: Leaving my prior career in education to help start and grow our brand. I also know we choose the exact right time to launch as there were no other brands like us. This was risky in the sense that we couldn’t be certain the market was ready for our brand and DNA. We wanted to and have bridged the gap between high performance and natural plant based products. 

What are the worst? 

LW: Disclosing a launch plan to a retailer prior to it actually happening and it ruined a potential partnership with them at that time; i’ll always remember that as a lesson to be careful with your words and pivot to adjust to the audience that you’re speaking with! 

LG: I don’t “do regret”  in life because every bad decision is a learning experience. I’ve learned to value my own opinion and decision making skills. 

In what areas do you want to see women progress in 2020?

LW: More women in C-suite positions! 

LG: Government and the continuation in media/social images and messaging.

What’s your advice to women trying to make an impact in their career? 

LW: Find something you have a passion for, as that is the key to ultimate personal and professional success as it is what truly shines through in every aspect of your work, relationships and beyond. Be willing to try things you secretly think you may not be able to do; it’s about making mistakes along the way and learning from them. For me, making mistakes is the only way to truly learn what you are able to accomplish, adapt and grow through them.

LG: Be true to yourself and don’t change to try and fit a stereotype or specific roll.I also think finding a mentor or surrounding yourself with other women who you look up to can be very beneficial. 

What will be the biggest challenge for the generation of women behind you? 

LW: I think the greatest challenge for women in the generation behind me will be achieving work life balance; it’s always a struggle – no matter if you have children and a family or not. Leadership does require some sacrifice – mostly in the personal life standpoint –  and I hope that the women behind me will be able capitalize on the work that has been accomplished by previous generations of women without sacrificing so much of their personal lives. 

LG: I think the women in the generation behind me will still be challenged by a  lower pay rate than male counterparts. They will have to continue to push for equality. I also agree that the work life balance will continue to get more challenging for this generation of women. 

Which women inspire you the most and why?

LW:  I can truly and honestly say that I am most inspired by the women that surround my life – from both a personal and professional standpoint. Every single woman in my life is juggling so many things, are all multi-taskers and do it all with such grace. These are the women that inspire me beyond what I could never have imagined on a daily basis; It’s the people that touch you and surround you that can often inspire you the most. 

LG: Of course I am inspired by women making important changes in our world, but I am most inspired by kindness, patience and hard work-which is found in women all around us.

What is your self-care routine?

LW: I try to maintain a well-rounded wellness routine that consists of regular exercise, sleep (8 hours a night), a balanced diet, treatments when i need them (i.e. acupuncture, massage), and meditation. I don’t always get it packed into one day or even a week, but I do my best to find the balance and fit it into my overall lifestyle. I also push myself to always see the bright side of things as there is nothing worse than negativity! 

LG: I exercise daily, eat a clean keto based diet, practice intermittent fasting and take a lot of supplements. I try to get as much sleep as I can. My skincare regimen is pretty simple, I wash with our Pure Start cleanser and Doctor’s Scrub followed by our Brightening Elixir Serum and then a face oil (either our Fleuresence oil or Cecilia Wong’s Strengthening Serum). I always moisturize my entire body the minute I get out of the shower with a special bespoke Body Oil created by Cecilia Wong. I try to practice patience and kindness with myself as well as everyone around me.  Life goes by very fast and I want to be the best version of myself.

 

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Clean Swaps: Simple Changes You Can Make to Live a Cleaner Life

The Beginner’s Guide to Clean Living 

It’s clear that we’re in the midst of a beauty and lifestyle renaissance, and it’s all centered around this idea of “cleanliness”—that is, the cleanliness of our diets, our beauty routines, and our home and lifestyle products. This renaissance is due, at least in part, to research that has been steadily mounting over the past decade, which shows that the human body absorbs chemicals that go in and on it. Scientific studies have shown that the human skin is capable of absorbing a worrying percentage of chemicals on contact (in fact, research suggests the skin absorbs up 60% of the products we apply). Research conducted by a UK-based personal care brand famously made headlines when it concluded that the average women comes into contact with 515 chemicals per day through her beauty and grooming products alone. One Swedish study found that there are even potentially harmful chemicals found in our clothing. It’s all very scary (and overwhelming) stuff, and it’s only made worse by the amount of contradictory information, fear-mongering, and op-eds that are available in a sinlge Google search. So, what are we supposed to do?

First, take a deep breath, because no one lives a completely “clean” lifestyle. Even those clean beauty bloggers you follow on Instagram, who wear organic cotton and shop at local pesticide-free farmer’s markets aren’t 100% clean. Do you want to know why? Because the word “clean,” doesn’t even have a set definition. A clean diet can mean one thing to one person and something entirely different to another. Clean beauty is the same way. It generally refers to products made from only non-toxic ingredients. However, seeing as the FDA has only banned 11 chemicals in cosmetics, it’s up to brands (and consumers) to define the word for themselves.

The best thing we can do for ourselves is become conscious of our daily routines and the products that we make part of them. The worst thing we can do is stress out about how we can live a completely clean lifestyle (that won’t help anyone). Keep scrolling to see all of the easy swaps you can make on the journey to a cleaner life.

Diet

Let’s start with food, because there’s a lot of emphasis on so-called clean eating. Most experts agree that organic food is best, so if you can, consider incorporating more organic fruits and vegetables into your diet. Avoid processed foods, because they’re just as bad for your skin as they are for the rest of your body (fresh foods, on the other hand, provide vital nutrients and hydration to our skin). That means swapping out bags of crackers and chips for veggies and hummus or a handful of nuts, choosing wild-caught fish or lean meat instead of red meat, and drinking filtered water instead of flavored drinks that contain added sugar and dyes. Making these simple changes each day is an easy way to start on a cleaner, healthier path, without feeling deprived, overwhelmed, or frustrated.

Skincare

The US has banned 11 potentially harmful ingredients from skincare. The EU has banned over 1300, which is why an easy way to feel more confident in the cleanliness of your skincare products is to make sure they follow EU regulations (most brand will tell you in the FAQ section of the website). Keep in mind, though, there are many American skincare brands that are committed to producing healthy, non-toxic products as well, and all it takes to find them is a little research. Before buying, read up on a brand’s ethos and mission statement. Scroll through a product’s ingredient list. Ask for clean skincare recommendations from friends, family, and acquaintances. In short, a little research can go a long way.

On that note, if you’re unsure about whether or not a product is healthy or not even after doing thorough research, plug it in to EWG’s Skin Deep database. This database is operated by the Environmental Working Group, and it acts as a resource for health-conscious consumers. Thanks to a clear numeric rating system, it’s easy to see how your favorite cosmetics rank in terms of cleanliness.

To avoid overhauling your skincare routine all at once, Dr. Goldfaden recommends swapping out your cleanser and your treatment first, since these are the products that generally have the most impact on your skin. When it comes to cleanser, swap out your old one for Dr. G’s Pure Start Gentle Detoxifying Facial Cleanser, which is full of plant-based actives like rose hip oil, grapefruit, and seaweed. Because what’s left out is just as important as what’s left in, it’s important to note that this cleanser is formulated without any silicone, parabens, mineral oil, or alcohol, all of which can be potentially harmful to the skin.

As for treatment options, there are many. If you’re struggling with dullness and discoloration, try Dr. G’s Brightening Elixir Protect + Hydrate Brightening Serum, which uses ferulic acid and vitamin C to firm and brighten the skin and treat discrepancies in tone. If it’s dullness, dryness, and rough texture that you’re looking to fix, try Dr. G’s Fresh A Peel Multi Acid Resurfacing Peel. Lactic acid, sugar cane, and vitamin C will smooth the skin’s texture, unclog pores, and purify the surface of the skin.

We also want to mention that when it comes to skincare, simplicity is key. After all, your skin really only needs a few effective products to stay healthy and glowing. Don’t overdo it with steps and products you don’t need. Be conscious of what you’re using and listen to your skin. It’s really as simple as that.

Makeup

There are a lot of clean makeup brands that we admire. These include such brands as RMS Beauty, Kosas, tenoverten, W3ll People, and Ilia. To us, they’ve struck the perfect balance between clean beauty and effective beauty, because at the end of the day, we need products that work. If you’re shopping RMS, try the iconic Lip2Cheek, which is a creamy lip and cheek tint that comes in an array of flattering colors. When it comes to Kosas, try the brand’s Weightless Lip Color, which really does feel weightless on the lips. We like tenoverten’s non-toxic nail polish, W3ll People’s Expressionist Volumizing Mascara, and Ilia’s Polka Dots & Moonbeams Illuminator. Like we said, there are a lot of clean makeup products out there, but these are just a few of our personal favorites.

Homecare

We can’t talk about clean living without talking about homecare. This could be anything from cleaning supplies to personal care and beyond. Some of the worst chemicals we keep in our homes fall under this category (just think of how many chemicals you could be keeping in the cabinet under the sink…from bleach to bathroom cleaners and beyond). So, in order to avoid using unnecessarily harsh cleaning products, we like ordering from Grove Collaborative. It’s a site that curates a wide-range of non-toxic homecare and lifestyle products, so you can shop (and swap) with confidence.

One more thing. There’s also a consumer database for homecare products. It’s called GoodGuide, and it gives personal care items, homecare products, and even childcare products a simple health rating, which is very useful when you’re shopping for a product or brand that you’re unfamiliar with. We recommend looking up new products on the database to make an educated decision. After all, a swap is only as good as the product you’re incorporating into your routine.

If there’s one thing we want to leave you with, it’s this: don’t beat yourself up about being perfectly clean in all of its definitions. Simply stay cognizant of the products you’re using each day and make simple swaps in favor of healthier products. Your body and your skin will be all the better for it.

Written by, Kaitlyn McLintock

ABOUT THE WRITER:

Kaitlyn McLintock is a beauty and wellness writer based in Los Angeles. Her work has appeared in such publications as Popsugar, Byrdie, Hello Giggles, Who What Wear, and more. When she’s not writing, researching, and editing, or testing out the latest skincare and makeup products, she’s drinking coffee and spritzing Goldfaden’s Mist RX all over her skin.

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Meet Holly Snow Hollenbeck, Founder & Principal Designer of HSH Interiors

Meet Holly Snow Hollenbeck, Founder & Principal Designer of HSH Interiors. HSH Interiors works with clients for interior large-scale remodels, ground up construction, single-room revamp, or furniture selection. They make every project feel manageable without leaving a single detail to chance and we love the work they have done! We had a chance to sit down with Holly to learn more about her inspiration and more in an intimate interview you don’t want to miss.

Where do you find inspiration?

I am a visual omnivore and find inspiration everywhere. From fashion magazines to art galleries to ballet and theater, to well-curated boutiques, to the creations of the many incredible artists and manufacturers we are lucky enough to work with, inspiration is everywhere. Our wonderful clients also provide us with a source of inspiration in their passions, their lifestyle and their sense of personal style, which we work to capture in the interiors we create for them to live in.

 

Did you always want to be an Interior Designer?

I started my career working in recruitment for an investment bank and a consulting firm, and went from there to a technology start up in the first “dot com boom”.  After a few years, I realized I needed more creative work that would engage me on many levels, and that did not keep me at a desk in front of a computer all day.  While considering my next career move, I remembered how much I had loved art as a child, and how often I had stolen my mother’s Architectural Digest magazines to look at the beautiful houses in them.  While other little girls were drawing horses and dresses, I drew houses.  I decided to go back to school and study interior design.  I am, however, grateful for the time I spent in other industries prior to design school as I learned some of the practical knowledge needed to run a company.

How is it different working on your own home vs. your clients’ homes?

My family and I love moving and restoring pre WWII homes to live in.  We have moved every 3 to 5 years for over 20 years!  Each time I make a new home for my family it is a creative endeavor of blending the architecture and our art with the practical lifestyle needs of my family.  Every home we have created for ourselves has been different from the last one purposefully.  When working with clients, their needs and desires take center stage.  Its my job to create home that embodies the clients, not one that looks like me. Designing a space the client feels comfortable in and loves being in is paramount.

What is your favorite room in your home?

I love our living room with its beautiful view of Alamo Square.  Our home is a historic 1901 Edwardian with lovely traditional moldings and very high ceilings, but which I modernized with lighting and furnishings by my favorite manufacturers.  The living room has an abstract pattern rug from Stark, an Apparatus chandelier, and a Chesney’s statuary white marble mantle paired with modern low button tufted Lawson Fenning royal blue velvet sofas and a vintage 1970’s glass and lucite coffee table.  It’s a room with lovely historic bones paired with modern lighting and furnishings in a way that is always fresh and inviting to me. Because my children are musicians, we also have a 1940 Steinway baby grand and a collection of guitars in the living room.  We spend time in there as a family playing instruments and singing together, or just reading and relaxing on weekends.

How do you start your mornings?

I have three children and six pets, so as you might imagine, its chaotic at our home in the mornings.  Coffee first.  Then I’m focused on getting my beauty routine done, walking the dogs, feeding the kids and pets and getting everyone to school on time before I make it to my office.  Usually I have the phone in one hand all the while fielding the early emails and texts that are already arriving. If I’m lucky, once or twice a week I can squeeze a run in there somewhere which helps keep me centered.

What are your go-to daily beauty products and why?

In dry, cold winter weather I like to use a scrub like Goldfaden’s Doctor’s Scrub to remove dry, flaky skin, followed by hydrating serums and oils. I like SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic and Caudalie’s Overnight Detox Oil.  I finish my beauty routine at night with Goldfaden’s Bright Eyes to help prevent wrinkles and dark circles, and I always use a thick coating of lip protectant such as Laniege’s Lip Mask.

How do you de-stress?

I love reading a good book in a hot bath at the end of the day.  That’s the best way for me to relax, unwind and prepare to sleep. I’m also a lover of running and yoga, both of which help me to clear my head. I have come up with some of my best design ideas while running.

What is your daily mantra?

Life is not a dress rehearsal.

 

Images courtesy of HSH Interiors and Lacy Kiernan Photography. 

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