Meet Blair Armstrong! Blair is the Founder of Gilded Body – an innovative brand that creates effective products and tools that make body care easy and luxurious. Inspired by her clinical medical experience, Blair developed a powerful skincare range and, with a team of medical professionals, she created products that eliminate unnecessary steps – while nourishing and improving skin texture and appearance.
Blair Armstrong, Founder of Gilded
MJ: What was missing from the beauty market that inspired you to create Gilded?
BA: There’s so much marketing around facial skincare routines that skincare is now synonymous with face care. We spend an inordinate amount of time practicing facial skincare routines. My goal with Gilded is really to elevate the conversation around body skincare and to encourage people rediscover the art of body care. A balanced approach to skincare is better for total wellness. One that includes caring for the skin on the body with the same effort we use for face care.
The skin on the face makes up only 3% of the total surface of our skin but receives nearly all of our attention. A luxurious body care routine can be centering, restorative & rejuvenating. I believe that the things we fill our lives and spaces with matter and that each decision we make is an opportunity to make a statement about who we are and the type of life we want to live. I’ve tried to build the brand around this idea.
Gilded is inspired by the love of Neoclassical sculpture, particularly of the human form, art, and architecture. I believe that high-quality dermatologic care should be accessible to everyone regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or income. I want to make body care enjoyable and elevate the products and tools we use to practice body care. Like Mae Jones, I believe there is beauty in representation. The luxury skincare/beauty sector has very few Black-owned brands. Black people love and appreciate luxury products and we can create them.
MJ: What’s your skincare routine?
BA: I’m going through a minimalist phase. I spend most of my personal care routine caring for my body with a relaxing bathing ritual. I start with dry brushing, followed by a nice bath and moisturizer. I’m loving slow mornings and day bathing at the moment.
MJ: Explain the art of dry brushing, the benefits, and why it’s so important?
BA: I love dry brushing not only for the skin benefits but also as part of a centering and meditative practice. Dry brushing is the process of gently brushing the skin, a combination of exfoliation and massage. It has wonderful benefits for overall health and body care. With consistent practice, it’s great for improving the tone and texture of the skin. The myriad of benefits includes physical exfoliation that removes dead skin cells, assisting lymphatic flow, and reducing ingrown hair. It’s one of the easiest and most effective acts we can practice to promote healthy skin.
MJ: One lesson you’ve learned as an entrepreneur and beauty brand founder?
BA: I’ve learned so many lessons on the journey of being an entrepreneur and beauty brand founder. The most recent lesson I’m revisiting is not taking on more than I can handle. I’ve spread myself too thin in the past.
MJ: On average, how many hours of sleep do you get?
BA: At least 8 hours of sleep.
MJ: The first thing you do in the morning?
BA: I start my mornings with meditation.
MJ: Coffee or freshly squeezed juice?
BA: Currently coffee. Fresh squeezed juice on vacation.
MJ: Bubble bath or shower?
BA: Bubble bath for sure.
MJ: Bold Lip or Smokey Eye?
BA: Bold lip. My favorites are by Marie Hunter.
MJ: If you had to give one piece of advice to someone aspiring to follow in your footsteps, what would it be?
BA: The one piece of advice I would share is to find and pursue your true passion. It will be the fuel you need to persevere.
THREE TIPS FOR WINTER WEATHER SKINCARE:
1 . Adopt a body skincare routine. Beautiful summer skin starts by prepping in the winter.
2. Hot showers feel great and warm us in the winter but it’s best to limit shower time and lower the water temperature to avoid stripping and irritating the skin.
3. Moisturize frequently. Balms, creams, and ointments are great in the winter.