Moonlit's In Bed With... Series is a collection of intimate interviews with tastemakers, core-shakers, and the people we love. We explore what keeps them up at night, in addition to their sleep secrets.
Amy with a Clean Routine Beauty box
Amy is the founder of Clean Routine Beauty, a monthly beauty subscription box service focusing on non-toxic and cruelty-free beauty products. Her motivation in starting this brand came from her own very personal journey. We dive into what she's learned, her challenges, the best parts, this solopreneur's nighttime ritual, and which book she loved this year! The Moonlit team is thrilled to be a part of CBR's box this month!
Q: Hi Amy. We know the motivation for starting Clean Routine Beauty came from a very personal experience. Can you share a little bit on why you created the subscription service?
My story started over two years ago when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a rare blood cancer. I am in remission, but it was one of the toughest times in my life. Once I learned I had a blood cancer I started thinking, "Why me?" and "How could this happen?"
I learned that what we put on our skin absorbs into the bloodstream and has toxins and cancer-causing chemicals. I was shocked. It was then that I decided that I needed to make the switch to a cleaner beauty routine.
I created Clean Routine Beauty, a monthly non-toxic, cruelty-free, clean beauty subscription box service so I could help others find beauty brands that put their health first. I want to help people become aware of the harmful chemicals commonly found in beauty products.
Q: What do you think is the number one little-known fact people are not aware of about the cosmetics they use on a daily basis?
On average women apply over 168 chemicals a day! Hearing that alone should make people want to learn more about clean beauty and start trying out clean beauty brands to start making the switch.
Clean Routine Beauty's November 2018 box
Q: Through Clean Routine Beauty you work with a lot of indie and clean beauty brands. What are the latest trends you have noticed in the clean beauty world?
I discover a lot of the products that I source for my boxes at the Indie Beauty Expo (yes, that's where Moonlit was found!), which is an amazing event! Even consumers can go and shop! Highly recommend.
A few trends I have been noticing and loving are Dry Face Masks, Shampoo Bars, Facial Cleansing Bars, CBD/Hemp Infused products and Tinctures, gua sha and jade rolling!
Q: You're a solopreneur, what keeps you motivated and inspired to keep Clean Routine Beauty going day in and day out?
OK, so I just read the book, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert and it made me think differently about my business. I started concepting the idea of a subscription model. I let that idea simmer for a bit and it wasn’t until months after treatment when I dreamt about starting my business.
I woke up from the dream and said out loud, “I am naming my subscription box, Clean Routine Beauty and I am starting today”.
My husband looked at me like, “Whaaat?” It was magic and I have never looked back! I think ideas are meant to go to certain people and I think my personal struggle has made me believe my purpose in life is to inspire others and that idea was meant for me to carry out.
*One piece of advice to people I would give who are just starting out: You can figure it out and you will if you want it. Just don’t give up or give in or compare yourself to others!
Amy at work
Q: What are some of the challenges and rewards of starting a subscription box service?
I would say when you are first starting there are way more challenges than rewards and you have to be OK with that. I’m learning every day and you have to roll with the punches. Learning how to set up the business, build a website, accounting, etc. The digital marketing part I was fortunate with because I have a background in that.
However, the most rewarding part is seeing people making the switch to cleaner beauty and loving how they feel about the products they use and the brands they support. The positive feedback from our members is also what keeps us going.
Q: What's in the cards for Clean Routine Beauty for 2019? Which beauty trends in 2019 are you most excited about?
We are launching a full e-commerce site in 2019 so our members and potential customers will be able to buy the products found in the boxes and other products as well. I think the CBD infused product space is exploding and something to keep and eye on. We are actually going to include a hemp-infused product in our December box that’s really cool!
Q: What's your nighttime ritual?
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Brush Teeth & Floss with Cocofloss (sometimes with activated charcoal to whiten up my smile!)
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Wash Face ( + exfoliate, but not every night)
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Apply Toner
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Apply Serum (sometimes with a jade roller when I have more time!)
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Apply Moisturizer
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Apply Eye Serum
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Sometimes a lip scrub and then lip balm
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Dab on some Moonlit Skincare Facial Oil
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Take a few deep breaths, lay down and snooze!
Q: What keeps you up at night?
Usually thinking about things I could be doing for CRB! There is not enough time in the day! I can actually fall asleep really fast if I’m in the right mindset. My husband wishes he could fall asleep as fast as I can. Haha!
Q: Best place you've woken up in?
Bar Harbor, Maine - the fresh air and lobster pot smell is incredible.
🔥 QUICKFIRE 🔥
My ideal # of hours of sleep is: 8 Hours
But in reality I get: 6-7 Hours
Sleep season for me is: Winter
How many pillows: 1 and it’s an organic wool and shredded natural latex pillow!
AM or PM?: PM - I am NOT a morning person
Nightcap?: Bourbon on the rocks
Bad sleep habit: Spending too much time on my phone right before bed
Good sleep habit: Always washing my face and using Moonlit Skincare Overnight Facial Oil before bed.
Can't sleep with: I can’t sleep with sheets only a comforter (the sheets always get kicked off the bed) I also can’t sleep without my rain or ocean sounds app
Side/back/stomach sleeper: Side and back - never stomach
Mantra: “One Day At A Time” & “Keep Inspiring Others”
All images courtesy of Clean Routine Beauty.
Amy with a Clean Routine Beauty box
