How did you come up with the name for the company?

I started the business by mixing products in my kitchen. Lip Balm was the first product I created.



What is/are the most popular products at theBalm?

NUDE'tude, hot mama, Mary-Lou Manizer, and TimeBalm Concealer.


How did you get started? 

The company started around 12 years ago when I was relocating from New York City to San Francisco. I was having a bit of a quarter-life crisis, so I quit my job, broke up with a boyfriend and headed west to California. At the time I was working in Television. On my way to California, I met a woman who worked in Cosmetics…and I had an epiphany. I didn't realize you could actually "work" in cosmetics and decided this was the path for me. I sent my resumé to all of the Bay Area cosmetics companies and I waited, and waited and waited for someone to call me in for an interview. No one called. Rather then panic, I decided that if no one wanted to hire me, I would start my own cosmetics company because this is the logical thinking of a twenty-something year old. When I realized I knew very little about cosmetics, I bought 11 books on amazon.com about how to make makeup. The books arrived but they were all written for chemists and I could not decipher the recipes, the only simple formula was mixing Shea Butter, Beeswax and Castor Oil…to make lip balm. I went a bit overboard and started adding essential oils and fragrances to create the “perfect” formula… and theBalm was born. Fast forward 12 years, we now sell in nearly 60 countries and have over 180 sku’s between our haircare, nailpolish, skincare and color cosmetics.

 

What is the benefit/s of using serums. I use it daily. 

Serums are a great product to focus on specific skin concerns. For example, our serums (strawberry and pomegranate) are concentrated with skin refining ingredients known for their anti-aging benefits.

 

The product packaging is to die for, who's are the designer?

Thanks! We have three great designers. Mary is our lead. Melissa and Darya are great as well.

 

 

What is the culture of the balm? 

It's like a family here. Not just because my family is involved with the business but because most of ouremployees started as interns and grew into their current roles. Everyone knows how to do every job and no job is to big or to small for any employee (including myself).

 

theBalm