Over the last ten years, healthy lifestyles have become a norm in America. The definition of health looks different to everyone based on their budgets, geographical location, and lifestyle choices. To one person it may mean eating organic food and exercising every day, to another it may look like exercising and following an "everything in moderation" eating style, and to the last it may be simply using clean beauty products. To me, living a healthy lifestyle means exercising, following the 80/20 eating rule, and using natural, toxin-free cosmetics. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, I have personally made a much larger effort than ever before to be as healthy as possible to keep my immune system in tip-top shape. This meant changing my eating habits, slowly switching over to clean skincare brands, and exercising more regularly. Switching to cosmetic and beauty brands that omit toxins and chemicals required a lot of research. Throughout this process, Haoma came across my browsers numerous times. When I was given the opportunity to interview this incredible company, I nearly jumped for joy. Haoma is a clean skincare brand that believes in reconnecting people to nature through their products, inspiring individuals to take care of themselves and the planet. Haoma's plant-based, cruelty-free beauty products are truly one-of-a-kind. I tried the Charcoal Earth Bar last week and was astounded by how gentle and hydrating it is, and, as silly as this sounds, by how clean I felt after. With no perfumes or unnatural ingredients, I felt at ease knowing I had not worked out and eaten healthy all day just to lather toxic chemicals all over my body. While Haoma's products give back to communities by reducing the number of harmful products on the market through smart consumption and ethical craftsmanship, they also have partnerships with companies that give back to communities where the Haoma product may not reach, expanding their impact across the globe. We love brands that give back! Doreen Hatcher, Haoma CEO and Brennan Courtney, Haoma Residential Herbalist, answer a few of my questions on the company, it's partnerships, and the products in the following interview. Let's dive in! How did the founder(s) come up with the idea for Haoma? DH: Haoma's origin story stems from our founders' deeply held belief that the human connection to Nature is key to wellness. Creating those pathways of connection is at the heart of this company. Your work with Trees.org is extremely inspiring. How does Haoma choose the companies it partners with and does Haoma have any plans to collaborate with other impactful brands? DH: Our partnership with Trees.org came out of the idea of returning to the earth what we take: 'A plant for a plant, everytime.' We also wanted to make sure it was free and easy for everyone to recycle their Haoma packaging from day one, so we partnered with Terracycle, a wonderful company whose business model is built around "recycling the unrecyclable" - all those little pieces that aren't accepted by curbside recycling programs can be put into a pre-paid envelope and turned into materials that can be used to make new products. How does Haoma pick the ingredients that are used in products and lines? What does this process look like? BC: As a brand, we're focused on ingredients that have stood the test of time as agents of health and vitality. Our ingredient selection process involves a round table approach, taking many aspects into consideration. We all come up with ideas, which are fleshed out by myself and the rest of our product development team. Then, we work closely with our chemists, who tweak and finalize the products until the whole team is satisfied. We're also always taking pause to make sure our products feel inclusive, genderless and inspired. Where did inspiration for Haoma's new clay-based earth bar come from? BC: Our Earth Bar was created with a nod to the concept of forest bathing. The earthy, grounding clays, scents of Douglas Fir and Frankincense and the exfoliating powers of Volcanic Sand all lend themselves to the experience of a deeper connection to nature and our own bodies. This soap also possesses potent antimicrobial plant oils and rich butters and oils to keep skin clean yet properly hydrated. What have been a few of Haoma's biggest accomplishments? DH: Honestly, our biggest accomplishment is the quality of our products. Some of the feedback we get from our customers is simply astounding - for instance, a pediatric nurse in Austin, TX shared with us that the Temple Balm has been a lifesaver for her overwashed hands - and has even had a remarkable effect on her chronic psoriasis. It's these moments that keep us going! How does Haoma differ from other clean skincare brands? BC: The positive union of herbalism and science, coupled with years of experience in the industry, creates truly superior products. Our unique approach to genderless, plant-based beauty creates something timeless, luxurious and effective. For more information, visit haomaearth.com.

As the co-founder of Austin-based design firm LAND, Caleb Owen Everitt’s portfolio includes Hermes, Nike, Vans, Warbly Parker and Patagonia just to name a few. His latest client however is HAOMA, a unisex skincare brand that was just released in time for Christmas shopping.   Everitt and the rest of the team at LAND were instrumental in making sure that HAOMA was not just a cruelty-free and vegan-friendly brand, but that they were also giving back. They partnered with Trees.org – every product purchased directly plants one tree to help assist with reforestation – and Terracycle – an innovative company that breaks down hard-to-recycle items to ensure HAOMA packaging is 100% recyclable.   With a recent product launch, Everitt was eager to talk about how his team’s work ensures HAOMA will stand out in today’s crowded beauty market.      

How did LAND and the rest of the HAOMA team come up with the brand’s concept?

HAOMA was born from the idea that plants and humans share a deep symbiosis; and having faith in the idea that returning to the earth and trusting in the healing and nurturing nature of plants can heal us on a personal and global level.  

Why were having all-natural ingredients and sustainability partnerships important?

We longed to create a brand that wholly venerates nature, and it’s only right that we give back far more than we take. Working with Terracycle and Trees.org is a first step in that direction – as we grow as a brand, we plan to evolve our sustainability program, always aiming to lessen our environmental impact and hopefully inspire other brands to take similar approaches.  

What makes HAOMA stand out in the crowded beauty market?

We’re guided by a deep respect for the plants we’re working with, and we are committed to enriching the world by creating culturally rich content and events. We believe that will transcend the crowded market.  

A lot of people still aren’t familiar with CBD – do you feel like an educational component is necessary when marketing HAOMA?

People are becoming more familiar with the effects of cannabinoids, but we do find ourselves explaining that cannabidiol, the cannabinoid we are currently working with, has no psycho-active effect – unlike its better-known cousin THC. That said, we have cannabinoid receptors all throughout the epidermis, so CBD in skincare is a really effective way to access plant medicine.  

What does HAOMA mean?

We originally heard about haoma in a lecture by Terence McKenna. The plant was described in early religious texts as stimulating, healing and nourishing but the actual botanical identity has been lost in time. We were drawn to the idea of this mysterious plant and all that it encapsulates.  

What was the aesthetic you were going for with HAOMA’s packaging?

As designers, we were interested in exploring a new, more humanist version of luxury. We set out to design a system that’s rooted in the past, yet looking into the future.

It kicks off around the beginning of November: the not-so-subtle holiday gift inquiries. The incoming texts from family members, asking which perfume you wore that one time — and oh, do you happen to own it? The Instagram posts, forwarded via DM by significant others, gauging your interest in whichever products are lining the picture's virtual shelf. This timing can be tricky for anyone interested in unwrapping eco-friendly beauty gifts once the holidays arrive; scouting out products that center style and sustainability is more time consuming than simply clicking over to a beauty retailer's top-sellers page.   And in case you are already receiving demands to email over a wishlist, keep on reading. Ahead are 10 fan-favorite, eco-friendly beauty products that you'll definitely want to add to your list — ranging from under-$20 stocking stuffers to a $145 body and massage oil that's almost too pretty to use. Each one approaches being environmentally friendly in a unique way, as well, allowing you to opt for the technique that resonates with you; like Lush's recycling program, PYT Beauty's microplastic-free glitter, or Aether Beauty's almost completely recyclable eyeshadow palette — which is made primarily from paper.   So, the next time someone in your family asks which perfumes you like — no reason, just asking! — you'll be prepared. Below, 10 beauty products that are as environmentally friendly as they are chic.