Well with Arielle Lorre - 425: The Real Secret to Confidence, Aging & Self-Possession with Sheena Zadeh of Kosas

Episode Date: November 26, 2025

This week I’m joined by Sheena Zadeh, founder of Kosas, to talk about the real story behind building a massive beauty brand while trusting your intuition through every twist. She opens up a...bout young marriage and divorce, losing her home in a fire, and deprogramming the belief that women are only valuable if they’re partnered. We also explore how confidence, self-knowledge, and true self-possession come from surviving what was meant to break you. We get into the reality of growing a brand (yes, even when you see celebrities using your products), her beauty philosophy and current trends she’s loving, unhinged beauty purchases, thoughts on aging, and the gifts that come from hardship as we navigate our 30s, step into our 40s, and fully own who we are.This episode is brought to you by:Go to ProLonLife.com/BLONDE for 15% off plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-day program.Get up to 25% off your order at Bakedbymelissa.com/BLONDE.Go to fromourplace.com/BLONDE and use code BLONDE for 10% off sitewide. From Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday, get 40% off at cozyearth.com with code WELL.Visit YourReformer.com to shop their Black Friday sale now until December 4th and save. Get $10 off your first month’s subscription and enjoy free shipping when you visit Nutrafol.com and use promo code BLONDE.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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Starting point is 00:00:22 Go to your rise-adviseur or sunnycars. The following podcast is a dear media production. This is well. a podcast about wellness in all its forms. I'm Ariel Lori, and each week I'm sharing unfiltered conversations with people shaping how we feel, live, and look. Come for the substance, stay for the honesty, and leave with the tools to be well, inside and out. Welcome to the show today. I am so excited because I'm sitting down with somebody who I have admired for such a long time. I'm talking about Sheena Zaday. She is the founder of Kosis. But this episode isn't just about building a cult favorite beauty brand. It's really about
Starting point is 00:01:09 trusting yourself when life doesn't really go the way that you planned, something that we both have experience with and unlearning old stories about what makes us valuable as women, finding confidence in chaos, and so much more. So we of course talk beauty since it is a beauty-based episode. We talk about her beauty philosophy, makeup she's loving, even some unhinged beauty purchases, but we also talk about getting married young, going through divorce, we talk about losing her home in the fire in the beginning of 2025. We also talk about going through all of this and still choosing to expand, to evolve, stay rooted in intuition. We talk about self-possession, the gifts that come from hardship, the beauty and knowing yourself,
Starting point is 00:01:57 and what it really means to embrace aging and step into your power in your late 30s and 40s. This conversation really made me feel empowered after I listened back to it. And I feel like I learned a lot about confidence as well, which is something that people ask me about. So I think you'll love it for that reason. This is one of those conversations that just sits with you, especially if you've ever had to rebuild, reinvent, or just remember who you are. So I hope you guys love it. Please enjoy Shina Zade. First of all, I've been a fan of your products for so long. I mean, you've had Kosas for what, 11 years now? Almost, yeah, 10 years.
Starting point is 00:02:37 So you were one of the first, I feel like, to get in this game. Like, now it's so crazy. I just had Shawnee Darden on just before you. And she was talking about her first product, I think, was 11 years ago as well. And she started just because she wanted one product that she couldn't find. And I know that you started with, what, four lipsticks, right? I started with four lipsticks. Yeah, I had like a real.
Starting point is 00:03:02 strong vision about the makeup I wanted to create, but it was a totally different world 10 years ago. Like, I think beauty was considered like a chill industry. Like it was, there weren't that many people doing it. A lot of people ran away from fashion to come into beauty because it was a slower pace. Like, it's, it couldn't be any more different now. It's the polar opposite. Yeah. Now it's like a crazy game where everybody is trying to throw their hat in the ring, right? Totally. Yes. And it's like cutthroat. I mean, she was saying the same thing. She was just like, I don't know what's going on, like, and where it can go from here. I always feel like there's, like, always throughout history, anyone I ever talked to in really any industry, like they'll always tell you the same thing. It could be beauty
Starting point is 00:03:49 or whatever their thing is. They'll be like, don't get into my industry. It's so saturated. There's already so many people doing it. And like, eventually that's not true for some people. Like, you have are compelled to tell a story and, like, create a thing. And that's how I feel about it. And the discipline for me is staying in my lane. Like being committed to the thing that I love to do, which is creating things, telling stories, like the actual joy and fun that I get out of that. And like kind of keeping blinders on about it because then it's not about anyone else. It's just about like my expression.
Starting point is 00:04:24 And like the smaller I keep that actually, the, like, healthier and stronger the brand is. Have you been tempted to go outside of your lane before? so many times. And what I've learned is, like, that's not my destiny, unfortunately. And it's so annoying because, like, I think some people actually thrive in that. Like, they see something that's working. And then they pick up that idea and they do it. And it works 10 times better. And it's, like, really good. And that, like, strategy works for some people. It's never once worked for me because it's not my destiny. And the positive way that I talk to myself about that story is I'm like, I guess, like my role is to come up with new ideas like kind of be an innovator do things that feel really
Starting point is 00:05:05 right to me regardless of whatever else is going on and sometimes that starts a trend and when that happens like that's great that's cool I like that yeah and you've talked about how you're very in tune with your intuition right yeah and that has guided you throughout this whole process so can you talk about how you came to I guess hone in on that and trust that I'm still learning how how to hone in on it and trust it. The one thing about it is it's always there. It's so loud. Like for me, it comes almost as a voice, like a very clear sentence.
Starting point is 00:05:41 Like, I'll hear it. And then I go through this process and I've done this many times of talking myself out of it, asking too many people of their opinion, like going into the logic game. And only over the course of many years of, either talking myself out of the thing that I like very clearly knew to be true from the beginning and then seeing it manifest and watching myself go down the wrong path only to come back around and find out that that thing that I felt so strongly was the right thing to do. I'm learning how to hear that and like stay true to it because that's I think just the
Starting point is 00:06:21 hardest thing about intuition and it's not all every decision isn't purely that way. Like there isn't always a clear voice about certain things. Like some things aren't really intuitive and they do need to be researched and like a lot of the decisions happen that way too. But when the voice is there, like just learning how to trust it is the biggest skill. Yeah. I have that same thing and I think I was talking about it on my solo episode yesterday. Right. Tessa?
Starting point is 00:06:47 And I was saying how like more times than not I will honor that. But sometimes like I'm very stubborn and like to kind of be in. will sometimes sometimes I want to do something and that voice will be like don't do it don't do it don't do it and I do it anyway and it's so interesting because oftentimes it will lead me down a road where like at first I'm like oh well there are no consequences so like it must have been the right thing and that voice was wrong and then it sets things in motion in a way that I never could have expected where then I look back and I go oh that's why I shouldn't have done that has that ever happened to you Yes. It takes a while to understand sometimes if it was like the right or wrong decision or if you, if something had a positive or negative effect. Sometimes you think like the thing is this went really badly and then only way later like when more things happen. Are you like, oh, actually I was being protected that whole time or actually now I see why that happened and why it had to unfold that way. But it's like the final analysis hasn't happened yet every day.
Starting point is 00:07:53 in the whole situation. Like we're still living. The life is still going on. I think there's so many things that have happened in my life or that continue to happen where I'm like, we'll see. And sometimes like 50 years from now, we'll see. Yeah. Yeah. It's like, what was that old thing with the butterfly? Do you know what I'm talking about? Like where if somebody had stepped on a butterfly, like 50 million years ago, like the world wouldn't be here today or something like that? Is it the butterfly effect? Is that what it's called? Is that the butterfly? I don't know. But, you know, but, you Yes. Is that what they say in that? Okay, so I thought I discovered the butterfly effect, but I just don't know.
Starting point is 00:08:32 I'm hanging on by thread. I'm like that thing. That butterfly thing. That's so funny. Well, okay, so I want to rewind a little bit. So you started 10, almost 11 years ago with these four lipsticks and your life was very different at that time, right? You had a baby? I had a baby. I had a baby under one. Yeah, eight months old. Okay. And you were married at that time. I was married. Yeah. And in the last decade, a lot has unfolded, good and bad.
Starting point is 00:09:01 But you talked about how there was about five years in there that were really difficult and really transformative for you. And I'm just curious, like, what that experience was like with so many things going on. I went through a divorce a few years ago. And it was many years of like separating, get back together, separate. you know, it was a very long, slow unraveling. And then also simultaneously building this business and having ultimately, what I would imagine are some really high highs while having really low low. It's like, what was that experience like for you? So something like not a lot of people know is actually, I've been married twice. And the marriage that you're talking about ending was my first marriage.
Starting point is 00:09:44 And that was the one where I had my child. And it was longer term. And it was like, I really went into that with this very sweet dream of having just this nuclear family. And I think it was a really healing experience for me to even like form that thought of my own because my family wasn't really like that growing up. And I wanted to make that for myself. And that ended for its own reasons. And after that, I got married a second time. And that was really where the lesson had to come for me because what I didn't do in between those two experiences was like really fully come to terms with the idea that I don't need to be saved and any little part of me like any part of the little girl that like was still inside of me that was really at odds with what was happening externally
Starting point is 00:10:37 for me I think and that's like sometimes the thing that seems a little confusing because it's like on the one hand you seem really accomplished and like have done all these things but on the other hand, I'm just a person who's also having that feeling and the insecurities and like questioning whether I can do this on my own and like, am I valuable on my own? But it was a lot of programming that I had that said that, you know, as a woman, you're valuable if you're partnered or you're married. And that belief system caused me to overlook things that I should never, ever have overlooked. The person that I am today, which is the same person, but the process that I've gone through to like more so deprogram those those ways of thinking and you know feel great with myself
Starting point is 00:11:24 like learn how to be joyful in my solitude and enjoy my own company so much like that has when I look back on some of the things that I overlooked or could have easily you know not gotten myself into that I'm like wow that's real evolution and like I really really feel happy that that finally happened. I wish it didn't happen so late. Like I feel like a little bit of a late bloomer in that way in my experience and process. But at the same time, it's been very valuable for me. And that's just been my journey. Like, that's kind of what's happened. And along the way, like, I always had this thing that kept on growing and was so, like, dear to me in my expression. And it was such a, like, I can't even call it. Like, it wasn't really planned. It wasn't that I had this big grand.
Starting point is 00:12:15 idea. Like I had more of a calling of some kind to like just do this makeup brand. I had something to say about beauty. I love beautiful things. I feel destined to make beautiful things. And like that's my kind of position, I think, on the planet, like as I'm having this experience. And that has been there for me in a weird way. Like I've always had that while I've gone through these cycles of having to understand my personal life in a different way, which I think there's been some difference between the two. Yeah, and I heard you saying in a different interview that, like, you know, you've been through a lot of destabilizing things from those divorces, I would imagine. I mean, any divorce, even like in the best cases, mine was super amicable and like as kind and loving as
Starting point is 00:13:01 could be. And it was super destabilizing. And also, you know, you lost your home in the fire and all of that. But you said that your work and that calling for you has been one of your stabilizing. things. I'm sure your daughter is another one. But it sounds like, you know, your work is also kind of like a child. It is. It's a place where I, like, it's for me and like it's a place of my expression. And my daughter is the like biggest, by far the most grounding force in my life. And it is like the greatest joy that I have. And if all of that had to happen just so I could have her, then that's okay. How has going through all of that affected your confidence? I think the different things have affected me in different ways.
Starting point is 00:13:50 Like the relationship learnings, and it is a very destructive thing to, like, form a marriage and then end it. But the learning that I had to do and, like, becoming really confident and comfortable and being a bit more, like, non-delusional, because I think it was. was my, there's a lot of my mind playing tricks on me, but there's no truth to the fact that I would need somebody else to save me. That is just a story I made up. And so unlearning that story has been hugely pivotal and really empowering for me as a person. And I feel grounded in myself, no having that knowledge. The fire was a different thing for me. It wasn't like something that
Starting point is 00:14:37 I needed to learn and therefore this fire happened and like, you know, it happened for a reason. I don't see it that way. But I think it really showed me just how much I value the idea of home and how important that is to me and how like that creation of sanctuary like for me and my daughter really means a lot to me, even though it's a physical thing and it's like, you know, a material thing if you want to call it that. But it's not. I think there's a real symbolic thing about what a home is. And I've been able to very much feel that having lost one. Was there a time where you felt like, there was a major inflection point when it came to growing your brand. Was there a point where things shifted and you felt like, okay, this is actually like
Starting point is 00:15:21 turning into something more than I thought that it would ever be? I so have not felt that the whole time. I still don't. I think because like a business always has to grow. Like we always, there's this feeling that it's not there yet because it's not. There is no real end. There's no like finish line with it. So we're always in the process. And I think it just, it still feels like a very small company to me because it kind of is one. It's, you know, it's not that many people working on something that is really personal. And the one thing that happens that I can't believe, like is when people actually know what it is. Because it for the first seven years, like I, people would ask me, what do you do? And I'm like, I have this brand. What is it called? It's called Kosis. Like, what's that? They have no idea.
Starting point is 00:16:10 and that was really normal to me because how would they know? I didn't expect anyone to know this little brand that I started and then I would tell them about it. And the day that like a few people when I would say this is what I do and this is the brand and they would know it, like that has never gone away as shocking to me still because it's only been a few years that I think that I've been having that experience. But it's amazing to me. And I don't take it for granted for one second because I know like you've seen great brands exist and then just go away. And it's like, it takes a lot of work. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:16:42 What about when you see like Haley Bieber using your concealer? I mean, it's so cool. And she used it first. I want to say like three, maybe four years ago, maybe like 2021, 2021, 2022, something like that. And she wasn't still yet where she is today, like where it was like she was more of a like, if you know, you know, like if you follow her, obviously I did. And it was amazing and exciting just because I like seeing the process. in the real world and I like the way she was using it. Like she was so intentional with it. It felt
Starting point is 00:17:16 like a new perspective because it wasn't like what I had been seeing forever. So it was just, yes, it was awesome. And what effect does that have on your business? If someone like that influential. I mean, I'm sure like four years ago is a little bit different than, you know, if she's doing it today. But yeah, when somebody influential is like posting about it, do you see that reflect, I would imagine, in sales? Or is it not exactly? what people might think it is from the outside looking in. It's not exactly like that live just because there's so much activity going on behind the scenes at all times in the brand and like in our marketing efforts and in our influencer relationships and in the media that we do. There's
Starting point is 00:17:57 such a constant like stream of things going on that it's like hard to tell if it's one thing. That's like the spike isn't that crazy where you're like, oh, it was that one moment. It was. more like that in the beginning. I feel like it's it's like the it girl makeup. I feel like it has been for a long time. So it's surprising for me to hear like that it wasn't until seven years in that people started recognizing it or knowing what it was. Barely. Barely. Crazy to me. And do you feel like this year has been a year of a lot of growth for you? I feel like it we've had steady growth. But like I think what happens is the steady growth means you eventually get to the. this size where there's more weight. And like that weight, you can feel that weight in the marketplace.
Starting point is 00:18:47 And even though the growth rate might be the same, but it's like if a dollar becomes two dollars and then that becomes four dollars and eventually it's a hundred dollars. And just even though the growth's been steady, like the weight of that $100 is heavier than the one. So you feel it more in the market. You know when you're trying to find the perfect gift, something that's thoughtful, fun, and guaranteed to make people smile and everything just kind of feels meh. That's why I am obsessed with baked by Melissa. These tiny bite-sized cupcakes are my go-to. They are adorable. They're delicious. And they are always a crowd pleaser. I swear every time I send them, I get texts that are like, what are these? Where have these been my whole life? So each cupcake is handmade in literally the
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Starting point is 00:23:21 include food. And for a limited time, Prolon is offering my listeners 15% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their five-day program. Just visit Prolon. prolonlife.com slash blonde. That's P-R-O-L-O-N-L-I-F-E dot com slash blonde to claim your 15% discount and your bonus gift. Prolonlife.com slash blonde. How has your beauty philosophy changed since you started? I don't think my beauty philosophy has changed at all. I have always felt a very strong connection to my beauty routine. I've always taken it really seriously. I've always felt that whenever I feel my best is when I feel like getting up and like getting ready and putting on my makeup and I find that process to be really fun for me. I've never gotten bored of doing my makeup,
Starting point is 00:24:17 not once. What's your makeup routine? My makeup routine like kind of varies a little bit from day to day and it used to not like I used to be like boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, this order. Now I mix up the order and I do different things depending on what's going on. And my face has changed over the years. Like it's, you know, there's always going to be slightly different needs. But I always do a serum, like my serum spray, the plump and juicy serum spray. That's my like ride or die. Like I get anxiety if I run out of that and I've instacarded it to my own house before. It makes it like I need it immediately. So it starts with that. And then like I do always wear sunscreen also. And then like just. use coverage where I need it. I'm obsessed with color correcting. Like, I find that to be so powerful
Starting point is 00:25:06 because I can just use a tiny bit, but because, like, there's color theory, it just works really well. And then I like a good brow and a good lip liner and bronzer and blush. I do everything. I actually do all the steps. Uh-huh. All your products. All. Are there any other products that aren't yours that you use? No. I love it. I mean, I know. And like, I will change my beauty routine because we come out with new products. So like my look has changed over the years as we've came like when we came out with eyeliner. Like then I started wearing eyeliner. When we didn't have mascara, I didn't wear mascara, things like that. So and I'm always like working on things a couple years ahead too. So I'll have that stuff on. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I was curious how long it typically takes for you for
Starting point is 00:25:54 a product to be in formulation until it hits the shelves? It technically, it takes about two years. And is that because of the formulation itself, componentry, just testing, everything? It's literally all of that. It's like the developing the formula, the creating the packaging for it, like getting all of that made the right way, like making sure it works together. There's a lot of testing, trial and error shade development. That's my favorite part of the process, I think, is just like creating the shades. It's all of that. You've said that beauty is a reflection of your inner world. So how does that show up for you now? It is the, I mean, it shows up every day and just the way
Starting point is 00:26:34 that I actually do my makeup and the relationship to how I feel. Like I feel my most beautiful when I am rested, when I'm comfortable, when I'm well resourced, when I'm like, like all of those things internally first. And then my makeup becomes like a really fun part of that process of like putting myself together and it's like my grooming and it feels really personal. And that's how it shows up. It's just so evident. Like I see it in people too.
Starting point is 00:27:09 Is it like the feeling of someone's energy? That's what I feel like that is. Well, when you started Kosis, you were what, 29? 28, 29? I was 30. 30 when I launched the brand. So are you 40 now? I'm about to turn 42 next week. Whoa. You look amazing. I feel like it's such like a banal conversation to have, but I sit here. I mean, I sat here with Shawnee. She's 50, 51. I just don't get that. But I feel the same about you. And I was sitting with Maeve before and she's like 40 or 39 or 40. And I'm like, is it just because like as we age, the age that we think is old is like, is like, this. So it's like a graph that keeps going up. But I mean, I feel like 40s now are not what 40s were 20 years ago. It's insane. I think they're not. But then sometimes I think back and I'm like
Starting point is 00:28:06 when I was in my 20s and I would see a really beautiful like self-possessed, confident woman. And I'm like, when can I look like that? And then I'd find out her age and she could be in her 40s or 50s. And I feel like you can't be that way until you get to that age. And like that's when you get to. So we still have like 50s to look forward to actually because I look at women in their 50s. And I'm like, it's the way you carry yourself. It's the confidence. Yes.
Starting point is 00:28:35 Yeah. That is like I really look forward to that. I think self possession is one of the most attractive qualities that anybody can have. And I agree with you. I was watching an interview before. I think it was like Gwyneth Paltrow and she's mid 50s, maybe. be and you look at her and she's not completely frozen and she doesn't have like flawless skin or anything. I've always liked her. I know she's kind of a divisive person, but I think she's very cool
Starting point is 00:29:00 and like self-aware in who she is and what people don't like about her. And like she just gets it. She's in on it. And she has that self-possession and that self-awareness. And I'm like, she's beautiful, I think. So beautiful. It's like so attractive. And then like you look at someone and you're like, can I ever be that pretty? Like it's so. attractive. Yeah. Yeah. Well, I feel like you have that. You have this like calm, self-aware, self-possessed thing. And I'm sure that that's a result of a variety of things. I mean, I feel like some of that comes from going through hardship, you know? Yeah, there is a dimension that comes when you've like had pain. And then you can enjoy joy a lot more, I think. Like,
Starting point is 00:29:44 sometimes I remember being younger and being like, what were you complaining about? Oh, you just hadn't experienced pain yet, sweetie. But it's coming and then you'll be happy when you're happy. Yeah. And it's not something that anybody wants to go through. And I think that sometimes like horrible things happen and they're just horrible. And I'm not one of those people where it's like, oh, everything happens for a reason, the sickness or the house burning down or whatever. Like it's all for a reason. But if you can find a lesson in it, I think that you can use it to add to that dimension. Totally. And it's like, at the very least, like, I agree with you, by the way. Like, I don't, I think that there's good things that happen in the world and there's bad things
Starting point is 00:30:26 that happen in the world and it's just energy. And, like, sometimes it happens to certain people and, you know, it picks its energy. But to be able to witness yourself having survived something, like, that does add something that no one can take away from you because that's such an internal experience. Like, I don't think there's any, like, really good reason for my house burning down, but I can say that I survived that. I feel and I know what it feels like to have gone through that. And the long aftermath that's ongoing about it, by the way, too, because I think like there's the moment and then there's the reality. Yeah. Of like not having a place to live and all the things that come along with it
Starting point is 00:31:04 as an example. But when you have those experiences and you live through them, you know that you can do things. Yeah. And then it gives you confidence. I mean, I look at my own journey and it's like getting sober, You know, at 28, I thought it was like the worst thing that could have ever possibly happened to me and all of the horrible things that happened leading up to that moment. Now I look at it as like my superpower. And that's evidence to me that I can draw from when the next hard thing happens to be like, no, okay, no, I've like been through hard stuff before. The divorce was something that to me seemed insurmountable. It was probably one of the hardest things I've ever. been through like before sobriety or after. But I came out on the other side of that with so much confidence in my ability to do hard things and to trust myself and to like be resourceful and walk through hard shit. So yeah, it's like you don't want to go through it. But we do. And like what you know as a woman now, no one can take that away from you. Yeah. That like deep knowing that you can handle very difficult things that you can.
Starting point is 00:32:17 can take care of yourself by yourself and do a really good job at it. That is like I hope that people have that feeling. I hope every woman gets that feeling at some point in her life. And I know that they don't. I know a lot don't ever have the luxury of like coming to that realization and knowledge. But it's so powerful and it's so stabilizing and it's so settling and it feels so good. Yeah. And no one can take that away from you. Yeah. Absolutely. I've been doing this meditation, which I won't get too off in the weeds about. But he was talking about like the transient nature of things. And he's like just notice when like a thought comes up and then like when it disappears,
Starting point is 00:32:56 where does it go? And he said when something appears by very nature, that means that it's going to disappear. And it's like that's everything in life, you know? Yeah. So I think that's something just if anybody is going through anything hard that they can hold on to. Like in addition to everything else that we're saying here is that like, it's not forever. And because you're experiencing it now,
Starting point is 00:33:19 it means there's going to be an end to that experience. Yeah. So enjoy the good times and don't stress about the bad times because it's all going to flip and you're going to have all the different times. Yeah. I think too, like the idea of this whole like self-possession thing and what we're talking about, which is basically like going through a lot of hard experiences and then you get a lot of evidence because you witness yourself in these hard experiences.
Starting point is 00:33:46 And I don't know if you ever went through this like that feeling of imposter syndrome that people talk about when you're first starting out your career and it's like 20s 30s. And it makes sense to me why someone in their 20s would feel that way. Like you haven't experienced all the things yet. And what's beautiful about going through it is like that just slowly goes away naturally. There's no need to like push against it. It's not an odd feeling to have like of course you're starting out. You haven't, you know, figured out a lot of things.
Starting point is 00:34:14 but like going through all these cycles surviving them, looking back, learning from yourself. Like that just makes it naturally go away. And I love that. Yeah. I wouldn't go back to my 20s. Never. For anything.
Starting point is 00:34:27 We're worse. I don't even want. And just go like party a little bit. I don't even think so. I'd rather be this age and go party a little bit. I don't even want to go back to being 39. Yeah. Even that I don't want to do.
Starting point is 00:34:40 Yeah. 39. 39 was okay for me, but late 30s. It's tricky. Yeah. 37 to 39. Like you're approaching 40. It's a weird transition.
Starting point is 00:34:50 Like you're not like a girl. Yeah. And it's confusing. Yeah. But I've loved my 40s so far. Yeah. I've only been 40 for a few months. So far, I love it.
Starting point is 00:35:00 But yeah, the 35, I would say 35 to 37 for me was really weird. Because I feel like post 35, you're like, I'm, this is happening. Like, I'm heading towards 40. I'm not in my early 30s anymore. I'm like past my mid 30s, 35, 36 and 37, I would say, were the weirdest because I was like, oh my God. And then 38, I just kind of accepted. Yeah. They are really weird. You feel like old for some reason. Why? Why do we feel that way? I think 30s can be really boring. Yeah. For a lot of people because it's like it might be the time you're starting a family. Like there might be you're just working really hard all the time and you don't have a lot of time. for yourself and you're like, this is a very, it's like you're laying the groundwork for the rest of your life, but it's certainly not a super fun decade, I would say. Yeah, I agree with that. Actually, I've never thought about it that way. But you hear people say like 40s are the best, 50s are the best. I feel like whoever I talk to, the older they are, the older they say the best time is, right?
Starting point is 00:36:05 Yeah. Like everyone I know, like in their 70s are like, this is the best time in my life. I mean, they wouldn't take certain like ailments here and there, you know. But I think that, So much of that comes with exactly what we're talking about, like going through all of these life experiences, gaining wisdom, gaining self-assuredness and that self-possession and knowing who you are and like not giving a fuck of the rest. Yeah. So if we've heard that all the time, then we should just be excited about aging. Yeah, I know. But it's so hard. I was going to ask you, like, because you are in the beauty industry and because you put yourself out there and you've kind have shifted from founder to creator, which is an interesting trajectory. You usually see the other
Starting point is 00:36:45 way around. Totally. How has that been aging, being in the beauty industry, turning the camera on yourself, all of that? I haven't found it to be like difficult really. I was never a model. I was never an actress. And I didn't grow up that way. So I think like I didn't have that ingrained. pressure and I talk about confidence and I'm like I'm on a mission myself to feel comfortable and the more I put myself out there the more I'm like challenging that mission and it's actually like part of the whole entire story that I'm telling so it's not I don't think that for me like I'm kind of shy so like that part's sometimes hard but it's not so much about the aging part I feel like I do my best to take pretty good care of myself and probably have some amount of good genes
Starting point is 00:37:45 because my mom is 70 and like she still doesn't have a wrinkle and I just don't get that. And she's never even had like a Botox or anything. So I don't know. But that, you know, so I have that too. But like I try my within reason like best to just be in. maintenance mode. Yeah, what are your beauty habits, tips and tricks if you can share them? They're like pretty simple. They're not, there's nothing like super elaborate because like I also don't like use a lot of day to day. I would say like my makeup is my skincare. So like that's already
Starting point is 00:38:25 that. The skincare that I use is like only the closest stuff that I have, which is super minimal too. And then like whatever I'm working and testing, but I don't do like a multi-step routine. I am far too lazy for that. That's crazy. I sleep with a sleep mask. I put my hair in a low ponytail when I sleep. I wear like comfortable pajamas and I keep the room cool and I like do that. But I am not super obsessed that obsessed with it either because I have been and then that doesn't feel good. So that's like a big part of it. And then I exercise, which I feel like is important too and consistently for many years. And then I'll do like a few things. Like I do microneedling with PRP two to three times a year.
Starting point is 00:39:13 And I find that to have been the most effective thing that I do out of everything. And like I started doing it maybe three years ago. And it took like I feel like I can see the results get better and better over the course of the years. Yeah. Your skin's bananas. Really? Yeah. Thank you.
Starting point is 00:39:30 I mean, I know it's also the makeup products. But like you can tell. You know, you're not covering anything. I have like oily acne prone skin. Like I get breakouts and stuff from time to time. I double cleanse like a crazy person. That's my non-negotiable skincare thing. So like I do like and I take my time with it too. Hot towel always. Keep it simple. Oily skin is the best because it doesn't wrinkle. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. The holidays can get busy and overwhelming quickly and thoughtful gifts that encourage slowing down and prioritizing self-care. always stand out. With Nutrafol, you can give the gift of stronger and faster growing hair, which is an ideal gift for anybody who deserves a boost of confidence and science-backed support
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Starting point is 00:44:56 if you want. I like don't purchase beauty things. Is that crazy? Okay, fine. You don't have to. You have all the best products. I have bought like seven of this one sleep mask. I need this thing every single night. And it's this like beautiful silk sleep mask. And I'm so worried about losing it or like leaving one when I travel. And I now have seven of them. Who makes it? Door and Rose. Okay. Highly recommend. The colors are so pretty. Oh, Tessa is running to Amazon or wherever. They're like obscenely expensive. That's okay. I mean, I think silk like when I was on my no Botox journey, that was one of the things that made such a big difference, especially with the eye area.
Starting point is 00:45:45 Because I sleep on my side. So if I'm on that like cotton pillow, it's just like taking off all the hydration and soaking up whatever skincare I have on there. And yeah. Okay, maybe try the eye. Yeah, I'm going to try that one. I tried another silk one. but it was, I don't know, I wasn't consistent with it. Morning ritual versus nighttime ritual.
Starting point is 00:46:07 My biggest morning ritual is like time. I give myself time. I'm not one of those people who can wake up and like get out of bed and get immediately in the shower and then put on my outside clothes and like make a coffee to go and leave. Like I don't understand how anyone can do that. I need at least an hour and a half before I even. and get ready. So like that ritual is critical to me. And I'm like, I'm one of the most inconsistent people in the world, but I consistently have that hour and a half. And that's when I have my coffee.
Starting point is 00:46:41 And it takes me like the full hour to drink the cup of coffee. Yeah, we're the same because I have to ease into my day no matter what. Even if I'm getting up at like 530, I can get up early, but I need that time. My boyfriend will wake up, open his eyes. He doesn't drink coffee or anything. He just raw dogs the day, every day. And he has one mood, happy, and one energy, which is full of energy. And he'll jump out of bed and go to the trainer. Crazy. Yeah. Crazy. Like, worse, have you ever seen anyone jump out of bed and put jeans on immediately? I'm like, are you? If he's not going to the trainer, he'll jump out of bed, put jeans on and go to the Beverly Hills Hotel to go to the coffee shop every single morning. See, I can't do anything in public.
Starting point is 00:47:25 Like 6.45. I'm like, I love that. Sometimes I go with him on the weekend because I have to be a good girlfriend. Yeah, that's nice of you. But I'm like, God, this is early. Like, oh my God. It's too early to be like out in the world. No, I need to be in my robe. I get back in bed with my macha, putter around, do my things. Yeah. I feel you. What about nighttime? Nighttime is my one nighttime favorite thing. And it's not all the time, but my favorite thing is family dinner. Like sitting down at the the dinner, which is me and my daughter sitting down at the dinner table with her, I love that as the closing to my day. So if like everything is crazy, which it always is, I at least know I'm going to have coffee for an hour and I'm going to have dinner probably with my daughter. And then like, it's okay if everything else is insane. I love that. You bookend your day. Yeah. And it makes it
Starting point is 00:48:18 like manageable. What is your go-to scent? Go-to scent is a fragrance by Dead Cool. Do you know. I've been seeing that one everywhere. It's called sunlit blooms. Okay. And it's like the, it's exactly the type of scent I like. It's kind of like it's lightly sweet, but it's like a little bit sandal woody. It's a little like earthy too. It's not floral at all for me.
Starting point is 00:48:42 It's beautiful. Amazing. I need to try it because I've been seeing dead cool like everywhere. Smells really good and like it doesn't give me a headache, which most fragrances do. Yeah, I get headaches too from everything. And what's a beauty trend that you secretly love, even if it's a little cringe? God, is there a beauty trend right now that I love? Great question.
Starting point is 00:49:05 I guess overlining. Like, I know it's like maybe a little tacky, but I love it. I don't think it's so cute. Yeah, I don't think it's talky. I love an overline too. What is the belief you're currently shedding? I guess I've been shedding the belief that, like, I can't do. it, whatever it is. And like becoming really good with like, yes, I can. And I can figure things out. And I can,
Starting point is 00:49:33 I can be, you know, organized and handle my life and do it by myself. What makeup item from COSS feels the most to you? I think reveal or concealer, like in the end, it feels the most me because it's really comfortable and I'm obsessed with being comfortable. Like, I just, cannot simply be uncomfortable. I physically can't handle it. And that is like that. It has like this softness and this weightlessness. And then it's like just the Goldilocks amount of coverage where it's like some but not too much, but it's enough. Like it's transformative. So it's like that in the middle balance, I guess. And like I'm always looking for balance. So that one represents that to me. I love it. And that's like the best. I mean all of the products are amazing, but that's like that girl.
Starting point is 00:50:21 That's the one. She's the one. Yeah, for sure. Well, thank you so much for coming on. Thank you so fun. Tell everybody where they can find you. Find COSA. That's all about.
Starting point is 00:50:32 They can find me at Sheena on Instagram and COSUS is at COS on Instagram and TikTok. Amazing. Thank you. Thank you. I hope you enjoyed that episode. If you liked the episode and if you like the show in general, please take a second to rate review and support. and subscribe. It goes such a long way in supporting the show. Follow the show over on Instagram at well.pod. You can also follow my personal Instagram at Ariel Lori. I'm always sharing great
Starting point is 00:51:13 clips from the episodes. And we also have full episodes on YouTube as well if you want to watch in entirety. Thanks for listening. Hi, I'm Gabby. Join me on the Gabby Rees show where we dig into health, performance, longevity, relationships, family, and business. Each week, I will say, down with experts who bring real experience and practical insight, and together we break things down in a way that's direct, usable, and rooted in everyday life. If you're looking for support to get better in the areas that matter most, join me. It's not about perfection. It's about building a practice that actually works for wherever you are in your life. New episodes out every week on Monday. It's all an experiment. Please note that this episode may contain paid
Starting point is 00:52:05 endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.

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