Can you please share with the AILLEA audience a little background about yourself, both personally and professionally?
I grew up like most kids in the 80s and 90s, eating a steady diet of processed foods and guzzling soda. It never really occurred to me that what we eat can have a big impact on how we feel until I got sick- with Malaria of all things! On a journey to feeling like myself again, I did a deep dive on nutrition and healthy eating, which eventually spilled over into all areas of my life. The next thing I knew, I was careful about what cleaning products I was using, what kind of home furnishings we had, even what cookware we used!
Since I’ve been into makeup and skincare since my early teens, of course, I started to clean up my beauty products as well. I absolutely fell in love with many green beauty brands that were putting so much thought and care into their products. I was testing out so many things and being asked for recommendations from friends and family, so it only made sense to have a place to share about all of these things. That’s when I launched Maison Pur.
What was your inspiration when initially launching Maison Pur?
I knew firsthand how overwhelming it could seem to switch over to natural products but I also knew it didn’t have to be! I set out to help others create a healthier home in all areas, especially in their beauty cabinets. Women not only use far more products daily than men do, but we are also marketed 10 times more stuff. That means our exposure to potentially harmful ingredients really adds up. I wanted to not only educate people about that but also share the great brands out there doing it right!
What does the name ‘Maison Pur’ mean?
It means Pure Home in French. It summed up what I wanted to stand for and though I still get asked how to spell it or pronounce it (haha), it’s unique.
Why was creating a clean, conscious living platform important to you?
I saw other women, especially mothers or moms-to-be, trying to sift through the options available to find the healthiest one and getting so frustrated. I knew I could help. It’s so important to me for people to know what they’re spending their money on and to be confident they’re getting products that are healthy for not only them but for the planet.
Moving into a cleaner lifestyle can be overwhelming at first, do you have any advice to offer someone who is currently thinking about making the leap?
Baby steps! When you start learning about what’s in conventional products it can be SO tempting to toss all of your stuff and scramble to buy new, natural ones. But, I’ve learned from experience and from countless readers, that approach will set you up for failure. Go slow and replace things as you run out. That will not only give you time to find the best swap for each product but help you not get stuck with a bunch of products that aren’t a great fit for your needs. The same philosophy goes for all areas of your healthy living journey.
You share a lot of amazing information about how to use products that are pure for household cleaning, what are some of your favorite products and/or brands for at home?
My favorite cleaners are actually pretty basic! I use things like white vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide for quite a few cleaning tasks. There is a lot of greenwashing in the cleaning space, but a few brands are truly green and clean. Truce and Branch Basics have safe ingredients and Bon Ami is a great scrubbing powder that’s totally non-toxic. It makes my sink shine!
The importance of using clean, conscious products for babies and children is immense - what are some of your top tips for moms that are looking for products that will keep their children safe?
I would certainly prioritize finding safer products for young kids & babies. This is where bloggers can be a big help! Find a natural living blogger you trust and see which brands they recommend or advise against. I frequently do label read-throughs in my Instagram stories showing which products are the best option and which you should skip.
You can also use apps like SkinDeep to scan products while you shop and see how natural it is. Sometimes the apps can be flawed since they pull from databases that aren’t always correct or have enough info. But overall, they give you a good starting point. You can also find cheat sheets with lists of ingredients to avoid that you can take with you when shopping. If you see something you don’t recognize, don’t be afraid to Google it!
What are some of your favorite products and/or brands at AILLEA?
AILLEA has so many of my favorites! I especially love Agent Nateur, Maya Chia, and One Love Organics for skincare and body care. Henné makes some of the best lip moisturizers around! And makeup, where to begin? Kosas has some amazing products- you can’t go wrong with their Wet Lip Oils. I also love RMS, Ilia, and Vapour for makeup. Honest Hazel Eye Gels works so well, as do Orgaid masks. AILLEA also has some wonderful facial tools to choose from. I could go on and on!
Is there anything else that you would like to share with the AILLEA audience about yourself and/or Maison Pur?
If you like doing deep dives into topics about wellness and healthy living, you can also check out my podcast, Maison Pur, on your favorite listening platform. I have expert guests who cover everything from holistic pediatric dentistry to organic lawn care, and even have insightful interviews with green beauty brand founders.
