A powerful force for empowering women through her art, her words and her actions, Marisa Aocella is today’s feature for our Saint Series. Marisa is the New York Times best-selling author of the graphic novels The Big She-Bang and Ann Tenna, the graphic memoir Cancer Vixen, and Just Who the Hell is She, Anyway? She is also a cartoonist for The New Yorker and her work has appeared in the New York Times, Glamour, and O, The Oprah Magazine. A breast cancer survivor, she is the founder of the Marisa Acocella Foundation, which, through a grant from Bloomingdale’s, funds the free Marisa Acocella Empowerment Program that includes holistic therapies and journaling classes and more for women with breast cancer and breast cancer survivors at the Mount Sinai Best Israel Comprehensive Cancer Center. Welcome to Sainthood, Marisa!

1. Congratulations on your new book!  It’s about Saints, female empowerment, and the feminine divine...subjects that are close to our heart too.

Thank you! Congratulations on creating my favorite beauty and makeup line ever! Saint Jane, we are so in sync in our hearts and our souls! Furthermore, I think Saint Jane the Saint needs to be profiled in the sequel of The Big She-Bang! 

2. Can you tell us about The Big She Bang: The Herstory of the Universe According to God the Mother and why you decided to write it?

I’d love to. Saints have always been a huge part of my life. My family always had Icons of Saints all over the house. I have always been obsessed with the lives of Saints. I wanted to know who they were, what they did, and how they became Saints. I was also that young girl who always questioned, questioned, questioned everything, many times to the point of exasperating everyone. And my biggest question was “how could a Male God, God the Father, give birth to all this? What happened to God the Mother? Where is SHE?”  

Then, flash forward from my childhood to when I was twenty-nine. I had become an advertising executive, and I was unfulfilled. I knew in my heart was meant to do something else with my life, but what? Now, every New Year’s Eve I have a ritual. I sit down with my journal and write down my goals for the year. And December 31,1990 was no exception. Only this time I lit a candle. I called in Mary, Jesus, Joseph and all the Saints in Heaven for Divine Intervention. And guess what — They did not let me down! 

Instead of writing down my goals, I drew a blonde bombshell I’ve drawn ever since I could remember (see below for that story) with a gun in her mouth with the line SHE was a little upset during the meeting…

It was my AHA moment. Excited, I leaned into my journal, forgetting about the candle and my hair caught on fire. So, not only did I have a new career - I got a new hairstyle - a shag! 

A year later, SHE became a monthly comic strip in the great women’s magazine Mirabella. I always saw SHE as an archetypal single woman who was a searcher. SHE questions everything. And while I developed SHE, the title The Big SHE-Bang popped into my head. There again was THE question. What happened to God the Mother? Where is She? I knew I had to write Her Story. The Big She-Bang has been my passion project for over 25 years — I just felt I needed the life experience to write it. And the more research I did, the more I found out about not just God the Mother (She was “Holy Ghosted!”) but about all the other Saints, Goddesses and Shevolutionary Divine Females who have been scapegoated (Eve), marginalized, minimized, maligned (many of them) sidelined (Saint Thecla), slut-shamed (Saint Mary Magdalene—did you know she was a Princess?) and unnamed (Noah’s wife, who, when she was mentioned in the Bible five times no less—she was unnamed. Her name Norea means “beautiful fire”, and believe me, that story is lit!) Back to Eve, did you know that she was the divine spark? Adam was an inanimate lump of clay and Eve gave him life. In The Big SHE-Bang, all the women wrest their origin stories and we hear from them directly. Because history is just that, “his story”. But when we hear from Her, Her story changes history…forever!

3. Your first graphic novel came out in the ’90s when the genre wasn’t so popular as it is today.  What initially attracted you to the medium?

In 1994 I published my first book Just who the hell is SHE, anyway? And back then, not many people knew what a graphic novel was. My publisher at the time didn’t know how to sell it. To be honest, I knew and loved Maus, but the genre was even new to me. I wrote it on instinct. When The New York Times compared my book to a Japanese manga, I had to look that up.

What attracted me to the medium is this: drawing and writing is how I love to tell stories. I love envisioning a world and then seeing it come to life on the page. When you’re a graphic novelist, it’s all you—you’re the creator of your own universe! You’re the director. You’re the cinematographer. You’re the casting director. You’re the character designer. You’re the set decorator. You’re the costume designer. You’re the script girl in charge of continuity. Can I tell you know many times I wanted to fire that script girl because a shirt on a main character would miraculously change from one panel to the next in the same scene! Continuity! But I couldn’t because who else was I going to hire? I’d just be firing myself!

4. Besides your graphic novels, you are a celebrated cartoonist for publications like the New Yorker, Glamour, and Elle – to name a few.  Who or what inspired your interest in drawing/ cartoons?

So, going back to my childhood. My mother, Violetta, was the shoe designer for Delman. One day at her office, she received a phone call. From Jackie Kennedy. She needed shoes for a very important event. My mother, in disbelief, nearly hung up on The First Lady! In her whispery voice, Jackie told my mother that it was impossible for her to find shoes, she was a size 11 1/2! Violetta, in her New Jersey accent confided “I’m a size 11 1/2, we can commiserate!” Guess what the very important event was—JFK’s Inauguration! At that time my mom was pregnant with me and Jackie was pregnant with John-John. After my mother gave birth she worked from home, designing shoes. She’d do these trend reports of fabulous women wearing her fabulous shoes, and three-year-old me would imitate her and I’d draw those fabulous women. Then, when I was about eight, we had our first real vacation that wasn’t the Jersey Shore—it was Bermuda. We stayed in a pink elephant of a house, and in that house were drawings with captions on them. The pink elephant was James Thurber’s house! The legendary New Yorker cartoonist! Seeing those drawings, I thought to myself, the women in my drawings could talk! Then later, I forgot them, and went into advertising. And you know what happened after that.

5. Your organization, Marisa Acocella Foundation, and your Marisa Acocella Empowerment Fund are truly wonderful for those with Breast Cancer and survivors too.  Can you tell us about the mission and how your own experience with breast cancer inspired you to give back?

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, I didn’t have health insurance. That double-whammy combo sent me into a downward spiral. It was one of the lowest points in my life. How can you fight when you already feel defeated? At that time I had a monthly cartoon in Glamour magazine. When I told my editor, Lauren Smith Brody, she asked me to write about it. Later, my friend Bob Morris, who is a writer, asked me what I was going to title it my story. And then he looked at me, his eyes narrowing. “What’s with you? You’re a mess! Ratty sneakers? Aren’t you the daughter of a shoe designer? You look like a victim!” (I did.) Then he said “where’s the vixen?” And it was Bob who named my piece for Glamour, which later became a book, Cancer Vixen. I went home and drew myself as a cancer kicking Vixen, and in that cancer year, and I became one. See it. Believe it. Achieve it. I didn’t want to see myself as a victim, and I didn’t want to anyone who was going through breast cancer to see themselves as a victim, either. I wanted to give women tools to empower themselves. Today the Marisa Acocella Empowerment Program (funded by a grant from Bloomingdale’s) funds holistic therapies, guided imagery, journaling and more. My motto has always been “no breast left behind.”

6.   We understand you have quite a fabulous shoe collection.   Do you have a favorite pair?

My favorite pair of shoes are a pair I’ve never walked in—Alexander McQueen pumps with a purple lucite heel strewn with purple roses. They’re on my dresser. They’re a work of art. Other than that, I love wedge. I love a lug heel. I have a wedge lug heel from Robert Clergerie that are on their last legs, but they’re so comfortable, I can’t give them up.

7.     What are your secrets to self-care and balance? 

 I make myself organic coffee every morning. Then I start with a my manifestation ritual—I write down what I want my life to be, then I pray to all my Saints for guidance, to keep me in the light and on mission of service for humanity. Later in the day I’ll go for a walk, or a swim. Vitamin D from the sun lifts my spirits and prevents cancer. I take vitamins to maintain a healthy immune system. My father, Tony, is a pharmacist and has a PhD in nutrition and I’m on his anti-covid, anti-cancer vitamin protocol. And staying connected to the people I love. I talk to my parents several times a day. That keeps me grounded.

8.   If you were to be anointed into sainthood, what would it be? 

You mean I would be “beautified”? Isn’t it ironic that’s what the process is called to become a Saint! 

The Patron Saint of Panic Attacks Who Somehow Alchemizes them into Power.

Bonus Q: What's your favorite SAINT JANE product and why do you love it?

 THIS IS THE HARDEST QUESTION OF ALL! I love your lipsticks — so creamy AND the Vitamin C-Drops—for which I must thank you Saint Jane for your Divine Feminine Intervention—my skin has never looked brighter or better!

 Also, I see you’ve asked for my daily mantra. I wrote this for myself whenever I have moments of self-doubt: I always make the right decision because I am a woman of vision. 

In a blind study conducted with 100 consumers under doctor supervision, Luxury Beauty Serum scored highly in visibly correcting some of the biggest skin concerns. 

CONSUMER RESULTS

• 100% of clients said dry skin improved
• 99% saw visibly improved redness
• 99% noticed reduced irritation
• 99% saw an overall improvement in their skin
• 95% would recommend to a friend
• 88% said they had more radiance
• 82% had improved appearance of fine lines

These results are powered by our small batch, sustainably sourced, potent botanical blend with nutrient-dense, whole plant Hemp Extract molecules that absorb deeply and quickly into the skin to visibly calm redness, visibly improve skin texture and blemishes, and restore the skin to a harmonious balance. Rich concentrations of Sea Buckthorn, Rosehip and Helichrysum empower cell turnover for a smooth, radiant complexion while cold-pressed Grapeseed Oil infuses omegas, antioxidants and vitamins into the skin. The results are smoother skin, a more even tone, supple hydration and a lit-from-within radiance. 

We believe in skincare that transforms your most stressful complexion issues. At Saint Jane, we harness sacred botanicals used for centuries to infuse beneficial nutrients to the skin. Whether it’s balancing blemish prone skin, calming redness or restoring hydration, these benefits visibly improve the skin. 

Luxury Beauty Serum is our hero product for a reason. Reaching cult status, we’ve received incredible testimonials from skincare enthusiasts, beauty editors, aestheticians and so many others sharing their stories of how their skin has transformed since using this multipurpose, powerhouse serum.

“With continued use, my skin felt more hydrated, my areas of texture decreased, and my skin had a slight glow to it.” - Jessica O.

“I have seen results and changes in my skin, it helped with my sun spots, and my skin is glowing when I wake up.” - Gia G.

“My acne, scars and hyperpigmentation are being replaced with new healthier skin.” - Melissa H.

Shop The Results

With small, creamy white flowers in long spikes clustered towards the tips of the branches, the Kakadu Plum is an extraordinary botanical and superfruit originating from the wilds of Australia. Aboriginal people have valued this sacred plant for thousands of years for its nutrient-rich and medicinal properties, even using the red bark of the tree to heal skin conditions.

It wasn’t until the 1980’s that western scientists discovered just how extraordinary this fruit really is. They found phenomenally high Vitamin C concentrations in Kakadu plums. Traditional fruits like oranges and lemons are well known for being natural sources of Vitamin C, but the Kakadu Plum has the highest recorded concentration of Vitamin C in the world, measuring at 100 times that of an orange.

Natural contents in the plum are also rich in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Research has even shown its extract has excellent preservative qualities. With these powerful benefits, this superfruit ingredient is a dream for infusing into your clean beauty routine.

When we were developing The C-Drops, infusing Kakadu Plum as one of our sustainably sourced, hero ingredients was the answer to harnessing the power of this superfruit to benefit the skin. Grown free from human intervention, this beautiful, wildcrafted ingredient thrives in its harsh growing conditions, developing a highly efficient defense mechanism made up of diverse antioxidants. These antioxidants help to detoxify the skin and fight off free radical damage caused by environmental factors.

Kakadu Plum works to restore the skin’s natural barrier and encourages skin elasticity and suppleness which is ideal for balancing the complexion. Perfect for acne prone or oily skin, while its deeply soothing qualities can calm sensitive skin. 

Image courtesy of Celeste Thomas, IG: @celestethomas

Our favorite way to incorporate Kakadu Plum into your skincare routine is through a targeted serum like The C-Drops. Rich in Kakadu Plum, citrus botanicals like lemon, lime and mandarin work to visibly smooth skin textures, brighten dullness and leave a radiance you only get with high concentrations of Vitamin C. 

Get the full benefits of this rich ingredient in your morning skincare routine, and be sure to follow with a good sunscreen to add another layer of protection for your skin.

It’s no secret that Vitamin C is one of the most powerful ingredients in skincare. In the 1920’s a Hungarian scientist named Albert Szent-Györgyi became interested in the cell respiration and energy production in plants, and would meticulously study any “browning” or interrupted growth. While conducting a series of experiments, he discovered that he could delay these interruptions by adding citrus juice to nurture the plants. Eventually, he would learn to isolate what he believed to be the protective acid agent in the citrus juice, and made the game changing discovery of Vitamin C. 

Our skin is just as delicate as the botanicals in Albert’s studies, and infusing Vitamin C into your skincare routine can be just as powerful as the results he witnessed in his discovery.

Like many ingredients, not all Vitamin C is created equal. There are different variations, different potencies and different levels of quality. We believe that in order to transform the skin, only the best Vitamin C will do.

We use an innovative form of Glycerin-Encapsulated Vitamin C that goes into every drop of our award-winning The C-Drops and Bright Repair Eye Cream to deliver potent benefits to your skin. Glycerin is a natural hydrator that is known for its ability to deeply absorb past the skin’s surface. In combination with Vitamin C, it increases the efficacy in visibly brightening, smoothing texture, and nourishing the skin. Delivering Vitamin C to your skin in this form also helps to improve your skin barrier and provides a level of protection against skin stressors.

 Our Vitamin C is formulated for top level potency. Active at 20% in C-Drops and 10% in Bright Repair, the brightening and resurfacing power is at its highest level of efficacy. Our decision to infuse Full flower Hemp Extract into the formula helps to soothe on contact, and keeps irritation at bay...a common problem with traditional Vitamin C skincare. The way these two ingredients perform is a beautiful balancing act, a dream for even the most sensitive complexions. 

Like all of our ingredients, our Vitamin C is held to the highest standards of clean beauty. Sustainably sourced and thoughtfully formulated, we never compromise when it comes to keeping every component meticulously clean.  A clean approach to skincare for peace of mind so you can squeeze the day. 

“Life is a wondrous phenomenon. I can only hope that someday man will achieve a deeper insight into its nature and its guiding principles and will be able to express them in more exact terms…To express the marvels of nature in the language of science is one of man’s noblest endeavors.” — Albert Szent-Györgyi

I’ve always been inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit. I must get it from my great grandmother, an extraordinary woman (and personal inspiration) who came to California as a mail-order bride from Italy where she became a mother of 7 and made a living growing grapes with my great-grandfather. She believed in achieving more, so she went to the bank, took out a $10,000 loan and started our family heritage in the wine business. She became one of our country's first female entrepreneurs seeding well-known wine brands Franzia and Gallo.

Growing up with such a deep family history in winemaking ignited my passion for botanicals and cultivation. I joined the industry myself (I developed Cupcake Vineyards and many others), and it was that journey that eventually led me to start Saint Jane. Infusing all of this knowledge of botanical ingredients and the power they hold, and channeling female empowerment from my great grandmother’s story. 

So where does beauty come into the mix? I’d always had a passion for cosmetics and had my eyes set on Sephora, the leader of innovation. I interviewed in 2007 and became Sephora’s 1st unpaid MBA intern. (I was paid in makeup, which was fine with me!) I learned the business, I soaked up every moment, I dove in head first. This eventually led to my role in Creative Marketing for Kendo. It was an incredible opportunity to build Sephora exclusives like Marc Jacobs, Disney, and Elizabeth and James. 

When I created Saint Jane, I wanted it to feel like a beautiful marriage between my two biggest passions, beauty and botanicals. The journey has led me here, to building Saint Jane and crafting botanical and nutrient-rich formulas that transform the skin. 

Seeing this brand in Sephora stores and on sephora.com is a dream come true. I got my start there 13 years ago and it's surreal to see my own brand on it’s shelves. They took a chance on me then, and now they are taking a chance on Saint Jane. I couldn’t be more grateful. 

Every day I go to work and channel the fierce courage of my great grandmother. I think about all she accomplished when it wasn’t normal as a woman to pursue entrepreneurship. She had the guts to take the risk. I’d like to think that some of that spirit is in Saint Jane, inspiring women to be powerful, transformative, and to change the world.

Meet Renata Helfman, a philanthropist, clean beauty advocate and an inspirational addition to our Saint Series. Always searching for ways to share her knowledge and help those around her, Renata began volunteering with cancer patients at Cedars Sinai in 2011 and was surprised to learn that the hospital did not have a beauty program in place. Specifically, she made it her mission to bring beauty, compassion and human touch to patients in need through offering complimentary, personalized, and oncology-sensitive beauty and skin care services. That’s when she founded Lipstick Angels. Renata shared her story with us, and we know you’ll find it just as inspiring as we do. 

Q: What inspired you to start Lipstick Angles?

A: I started Lipstick Angels because I was looking for a way to give back simply as a volunteer. I was a busy makeup artist working around the country and when I looked for an opportunity to work with cancer patients in a hospital setting I could not find one, so I took it upon myself to create it.  It definitely was not easy but the organization always had a life of its own from day one. I am so happy that now there is a venue for other makeup artists and aestheticians to give back in this capacity and of course an organization that is looking at people living with cancer with a mind, body and spirit connection.

Q: Because of the Pandemic, you’ve had to pivot and find new ways to reach cancer patients virtually.  Can you tell us about it? 

A: Yes, I am so incredibly excited that we have launched a virtual platform for our classes and private sessions. We can now send our patients a wonderful variety of skincare , make up and wellness products directly to their homes .We then set up a private Zoom call for them to work directly with a Lipstick Angel. We feel that this is a unique opportunity to expand our footprint and be able to reach more and more cancer patients in need. We are thrilled that we will be able to do this even when we go back into the hospital and have more options for patients to connect with us.

Q: Makeup and beauty can be transformative, especially for those who are going through Chemo. Can you share some of your favorite moments since starting Lipstick Angels?

A: Well, there are so many incredible moments. But I can remember one that always sticks out. I was actually working with this beautiful woman in the infusion center while she was getting her chemotherapy and tears came to her eyes after I showed her how she looked in the mirror. When I asked her if she was ok she just said that she was so happy that today she was not going to hide in the car when she picked her daughter up from school, she was going to go in and get her. This was a huge moment for our organization to understand how cancer affects the whole family and I always see that little girl’s face and how she must have felt seeing her mom come into the school and get her and feel like herself again.

Q: You are an advocate for clean beauty.  Why is using clean beauty/skincare important for you?

A: Clean beauty for me is very personal. When I discovered all of the chemicals in the personal care items almost 20 years ago my life really changed for the better. I was suffering from some health issues and I knew I had to clean up my act and learn what was really going into my body. Thinking about it now, who could have imagined how important it would be for my career now working with people living with cancer. There is no reason for anyone not to be educated about what they are putting on their skin ( it is your largest organ) but as a cancer patient you have to be even more careful about everything you do. Staying as healthy as you can imagine is vital to keep your immune system strong so you can get through the chemotherapy and or radiation.

Q: How can we support and get involved with Lipstick Angels?

A: There are lots of ways to support Lipstick Angels. If you are a makeup artist or aesthetician and you are interested in volunteering please visit our website Lipstickangles.org. You can also make a tax-deductible donation on our website - every dollar helps us deliver our programs around the country! Also, supporting brands like Saint Jane who we have partnerships with is such a beautiful way to show your support and receive the gift of beauty yourself.

Q: What are your secrets to self-care and balance?

A: I think that’s the key is definitely balance in everything in life. It is a hard lesson to learn but I will say if you can be kind to yourself and others and let yourself color outside of the lines once in a while it is a really good thing!

Q: If you were to be anointed into sainthood, what would it be for?

A: I hate to say it but I think I would be the Saint of Overworking! I don’t look at it as a negative at all, I just love what I do and get excited to get up every day and lead this organization with all my heart and soul. 

Bonus Q: What's your favorite SAINT JANE product and why do you love it?

Life can be stressful. We believe that stealing moments of self-care for yourself whenever you can is so important to recharge your battery, soothe your soul, and relax your body. When was the last time you took a moment for yourself to just...be? Self-care is so much more than a good bath and a calming skincare routine, but it's a great place to start. It may seem small, but it can make all the difference.

We asked Sunnie Brook, celebrity hair stylist, beauty expert, and a busy new-mother how she incorporates Saint Jane into her nightly routine to melt away stress and prep for a restful night's sleep.

STEP 2: Brighten and depuff under eyes.

Next, layer on Bright Repair Eye Cream on your under eyes using your ring finger and gentle tapping motions. Concentrate the product on any dark circles or discoloration and tap the access over any fine lines and wrinkles and down onto the orbital bone and surrounding eye area.

This eye cream visibly corrects the intensity of dark circles and with 10% active Vitamin C, while calming botanicals work to de-puff delicate under eyes. Green Tea and Grapeseed deliver rich antioxidants for a calm, well-rested look.

Pro Tip: Store this eye cream in the fridge for even more of a cooling, de-puffing effect and a soothing experience.

STEP 3: An ultra-luxe bath.

This step is one of our favorite ways to use Luxury Body Serum. Run a hot bath (bubbles optional!) and dispense 3-5 pumps of Luxury Body Serum directly into the water. The nutrient-rich formula will permeate the water and envelope your skin for a restorative experience. 

Soak for at least 30 minutes (or longer if it's been one of those days). Allow the serum infused water to absorb into the skin and bask in the vanilla-bourbon sensory experience. 

Pro Tip: Give yourself a rub-down while soaking! Massage your hands, feet, calves or anywhere you feel tension. The potent hemp extract in the serum works wonders to soothe muscle fatigue. It's the ultimate in self-care

On damp, post-glorious bath skin, apply Luxury Body Serum here, there and everywhere. Massage into the skin until fully absorbed.

This serum is a vitamin-rich super blend packed with 28 potent botanicals delivering omegas, and exfoliating fruit acids into the skin. The blend is the perfect balance of rich hydration and gentle exfoliation to reveal the most radiant, silky soft skin.

Pro Tip: This body serum can be used in so many different ways. Try using as a cuticle treatment, or a leave-in hair oil for head to toe benefits. 

The body serum is super rich but absorbs really quickly meaning you can jump right into your pajamas, put on a sleep mask and crawl into bed.

Taking the time to treat your body to these simple self-care steps will help clear your mind, and relax your soul for the most deep, restful sleep that you deserve.

Pro Tip: Have trouble falling asleep? Listening to a meditation app or a soothing sound machine helps to calm your body and relax your mind. 

There are few things we love more than indulgent self-care rituals. Taking a few moments out of a hectic day for yourself can do wonders for your mind, body and soul to rejuvenate for whatever comes next. These moments of calm were top of mind when we formulated our Luxury Body Serum, rich with 28 potent botanicals like Grapeseed, Avocado oil, and Sunflower oil to deeply nourish the skin. These botanicals combined with radiance boosting actives like Pink Grapefruit and Blood Orange reveal softer skin by gently exfoliating for a lit-from-within glow. It’s quickly become an award-winning, self-care staple.

Luxury Body Serum, because of it’s clean, efficacious ingredient list can be used for more than just a post shower, body hydrator. You can incorporate this multi-purpose product into so many different self-care rituals, but here are our 3 favorite out-of-the-box uses:

A Luxury Leave-In Hair Treatment

Remember those 28 potent botanicals we were talking about? They are really healthy for your hair too. The concentration of Avocado oil in the serum can help to nourish, repair and strengthen hair strands. Hydrated hair strands mean less frizz and more shine. 

How-to: On clean, damp hair apply 1-2 pumps and warm the product in your hands. Comb through your mid-lengths to your ends with fingertips and work the product in evenly. Style as usual. You can also apply a small amount onto dry, styled hair when you need a boost of hydration or to tame fly-aways.

A Nourishing Cuticle Oil

We have been LOVING at-home manicures lately and cuticle care has been a big part of our routine. Dry, cracked cuticles can be really problematic. The botanical-rich oils in Luxury Body Serum are perfect for alleviating dry cuticles, especially in winter. In just a few-minutes you can refresh your manicure and keep your fingertips looking healthy.

How-to: After a manicure, or between manicures, apply 1 pump of Luxury Body Serum onto your fingertips and massage into your cuticles and nail beds for 2-3 minutes in circular motions. After the product has mostly absorbed, massage the excess into your hands (for extra hydration)

A Soothing Soak

It’s no secret how much we love a luxurious bath. It may be our top choice when we have some time for self-care. Luxury Body Serum is a big part of our bath routine. Not only do we slather it on damp skin after, but we love to add it to our bath water and have a deep soak. The botanical oils permeate the water and allow for deep absorption, leaving behind silky soft skin and relaxed muscles. Heavenly.

How-to: Run a warm bath and dispense 4-6 pumps directly into the water. Soak for at least 30 minutes (or longer depending on the day you’ve had!).

Mix up these gorgeous cocktails inspired by the botanical ingredients found in some of our cult favorite Saint Jane skincare products. We're thoughtful and meticulous about sourcing and selecting each clean, potent ingredient that goes into our skin-saving elixirs. Designed to calm skin-stress, boost radiance and leave behind an iconic lit-from-within glow, we blend ingredients worthy of worship (and a signature cocktail!)

Speaking of calm, we can’t think of a better way to unwind throughout the holiday season than with a soothing skincare routine and something super festive to sip. Here’s what’s currently in our shaker…

Pomegranate Maple Fizz + Luxury Beauty Serum

Can you guess what this bubbly cocktail and our Luxury Beauty Serum have in common? Pomegranate is a powerhouse antioxidant that has been used for centuries for its natural benefits. We infuse Punica Granatum (pomegranate) seed extract into our Luxury Beauty Serum formula to help promote cell regeneration and fight the free-radicals that cause skin aging. Pomegranate is a dream botanical for both dry and oily skin types because of its small molecular structure that allows deep absorption into the skin delivering hydration where needed and soothing skin irritation.

Pomegranate Maple Fizz Recipe

Smoke and Cinnamon Old Fashioned + Luxury Body Serum

Warm, classic, and luxurious are just a few words that come to mind when we think of Bourbon cocktails and our iconic Bourbon-vanilla scented Luxury Body Serum. One of the best bits of feedback we get on our body serum is the delicious scent and what a beautiful experience it is for the body and the soul. We combined 28 potent, botanical-rich ingredients to deliver deep hydration and a boost of radiance to the skin. A real selfcare experience comes from the Vanilla Planifolia (bourbon vanilla) fruit extract for the senses and full-flower hemp extract helps to deeply calm the skin and tired muscles.

Smoke and Cinnamon Old Fashioned Recipe

Grapefruit and Thyme Mocktail + The C-Drops

Something bright (and alcohol-free!) for your glass and your skin. We adore Citrus Paradisi (Pink Grapefruit) as one of our citrus alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) ingredients in The C-Drops for its potent, brightening properties and a high concentration of Vitamin C. Grapefruit works to gently resurface the skin, revealing fresh radiance and a smooth canvas to better absorb the serums and hydrators you apply next. Think of it as creating a clean slate for the skin, revealing a brighter glow and a more even tone and texture.

Grapefruit and Thyme Mocktail Recipe

Calendula is one of our favorite botanicals for calming the skin. Coveted for centuries, this sacred, ancient skin-soother is known and clinically proven for its anti-inflammatory properties, regenerative potency and antioxidant-rich benefits. 

Calendula was first named by the ancient Romans, who observed the plant would bloom on the first day (Latin: kalends) of every month. They viewed the plant’s non-stop blooming as a symbol of joy and cultivated it in their gardens to spread happiness. Ancient Egyptians extracted the sap from the plant’s stem and used it to heal wounds and promote healthy skin growth. In World War I, battlefield doctors would hydrate dried Calendula flowers and apply the mixture to soldiers’ wounds to prevent infection. 

When it comes to stressed skin, we take inspiration from mother nature and botanicals that have been used for centuries to restore, heal and nourish. This beautiful ingredient which restores balance, boosts hydration and aids the skin barrier, is the ultimate lifeline for stressed-skin, and one of our potent botanicals in our Luxury Beauty Serum and Luxury Body Serum. Our Calendula is sustainably sourced in Egypt using CO2 extraction methods directly from the flower to ensure potency and efficacy. But most of all we chose Calendula to infuse your skin with moments of restorative calm.