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What the Stylish Team Behind Beautycounter Wears to Work

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Welcome to Working It, a feature we've borrowed from Racked National that follows street style into the office.

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

We're not the only ones who are a little obsessed with Beautycounter, the Santa Monica-based startup that creates 100% non-toxic skincare and cosmetics. Founded two years ago by entrepreneur Gregg Renfrew, the brand's products have made their way into the makeup bags of stars like Alessandra Ambrosio, Lauren Conrad, and others thanks to its safe ingredients and luxe packaging.

"This whole thing began back in 2006 when I watched An Inconvenient Truth, and that for me was a real wake-up call," Renfrew tells us. "It was the first time I learned of our exposure to toxic chemicals [and] how they were affecting everyone I loved."

"Fast-forward to a couple years, and I was looking for skincare and color cosmetics that were high-performance, aspirational, on-trend, exciting to use, made me feel beautiful and sexy, and were also safe for my health," she reveals. "Women shouldn't have to compromise their health in the name of beauty, and they shouldn't be asked not to use beautiful products."

For our first-ever Beauty Week, we're bringing you a very special edition of our At The Atelier series. In addition to touring the brand's sunny and new HQ, we've asked Beautycounter's team to show off their office style.

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Gregg Renfrew, founder and CEO, is wearing a Jenni Kayne top, Marni leather jacket, Citizens of Humanity jeans, Chloé heels, a Lela Rose necklace, bracelets by Jennifer Meyer and Lizzie Disney, and a vintage Rolex.

What was your first major beauty splurge?

Probably my Calyx fragrance by Prescriptives. That was like, back in the day. I just loved that citrus-y fresh scent—but now I don't even wear perfume anymore.

What's your current beauty must-have?

I'm really addicted to our cleansing balm; it's my go-to for cleansing and moisturizing.

What are your top three Beautycounter products?

I love our Twig Lip Sheer. I'm now obsessed with our Tint Skin and the Retractable Complexion Brush; [it's] the brush I never knew I needed and now I can't live without.

What's your game-changing beauty tool?

The brow pencil. I never knew that the color in my brows—Christy taught me though—how much it can shape your eyes and make you look younger and make you look more awake and alive. She always says if there's one thing, [make sure that] your brows are well-defined. But I'm not the beauty expert, I'm the entrepreneur!

Who's your style muse?

I think one of my favorite style icons of my friends [is Le Catch blogger] Marlien Rentmeester. She has an unbelievable sense of style. Jenna Lyons—there are a bunch of girls who have great style; Taylor Thomasi Hill has such great style.

What's your skincare routine like?

I'll put the Cleansing Balm on and I'll often sleep with it on all night and I'll rinse it off in the morning. I always put our Number 2. Jasmine Face Oil and I mix it with our AM Hydrating Cream. I use [that] or our Countertime Day Cream, and then I layer  that with Tint Skin. I don't have a really major routine.


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Tiffany Tse, Editorial Content Manager, is wearing a Maje leather jacket, & Other Stories top, a Nicholas skirt, Vince shoes, and Giles & Brother rings.

What was your first major beauty splurge?

An expensive haircut after I graduated college. Before that, I think all my cuts were $20 or courtesy of my mom's skill with scissors.

What's your current beauty must-have?

My new electric toothbrush. I've been trying to take good care of my teeth lately and make sure they're healthy, clean, and white.

What are your top three Beautycounter products?

I often wear our Lip Sheer in Twig because the neutral, brownish pink color is so understated and office appropriate. I also love our oils, like the Lustro Body Oil in Rosemary + Citrus, which I apply before going out at night to give my shoulders, legs, and arms a luminous glow; and our nourishing Lustro Face Oil 3 in Ylang Ylang & Wild Chamomile, which has improved my skin's texture and smells lovely.

What's your game-changing beauty tool?

Years ago, someone gave me a fancy blow-dryer from Japan. It dries my hair—and I have a lot of it!—so quickly and shaves precious minutes off my morning routine.

Who's your style muse?

Bianca Jagger during her '70s heyday and Rihanna today. I love their attitude-filled, boundary-pushing style; it feels cool and glamorous without trying too hard. You also need panache in spades to pull off their looks—something no amount of money can buy.

What's your skin care routine like?

As streamlined yet effective as humanly possible. I like to take care of my skin, but I don't want to be stuck in front of a mirror for more than 10 minutes. All I do is cleanse, apply a face oil and eye cream, and moisturize. About once a week, or if I've had a particularly late night, I'll use a hydrating mask.


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The interiors were designed by Renfrew's friend and interior designer, Antony Todd.

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Jenna Colgrove, Senior Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis, is wearing an Ann Taylor Loft top, 10 Tomorrow shorts, BCBG shoes, a necklace from Macy's, a Marc Jacobs watch, and jewelry from Gorjana & Griffith and Bip & Bop.

What was your first major beauty splurge?

A pricey anti-aging cream that I was probably too young to need.

What's your current beauty must-have?

Beautycounter's Touchup Skin Concealer Pen. I use it to cover any under-eye circles or minor imperfections.

What are your top three Beautycounter products?

Lustro Sugar Scrub, Lip Sheer in Currant, and Lustro Face Oil 3 - Ylang Ylang & Wild Chamomile.

What's your game-changing beauty tool?

Can I pick two? A curling iron and a red lip. Total beauty must-haves.

Who's your style muse?

Olivia Palermo.

What's your skin care routine like?

It's relatively simple Monday through Friday: a lightweight foundation during the day and a cleanser and a moisturizer/face oil combination before bed. On weekends, I up the drama with eyeliner and a red lip.


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Justin Stoltsfuz, Executive Assistant to the Founder/CEO, is wearing an H&M jacket and button-down, Banana Republic pants, and AllSaints shoes.

What was your first major beauty splurge?

A bottle of cologne that every guy was wearing at my junior high in Lancaster, PA, circa 1997.

What's your current beauty must have?

Not applicable. I ride a Harley-Davidson, does that count?

What are your top three Beautycounter products?

Wash Everyday Body Wash, Clean Everyday Shampoo, and Hydrate Everyday Body Lotion.

What's your game-changing beauty tool?

A perfectly-designed razor that's effective and affordable.

Who's your style muse?

Billy the Kid or James Dean.

What's your skin care routine like?

I use Beautycounter's Hydrate Everyday Body Lotion when my skin feels super dry, but otherwise my routine doesn't really exist.


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Christy Coleman, Head of Creative Design, is wearing a The Row top, vintage Levi's, shoes by Ancient Greek Sandals, Cartier rings, a bracelet from Burro on Abbot Kinney, and a friendship band "from my friend Alessandra Ambrosio."

What was your first major beauty splurge?

Every Sunday after church [my mother] would let me charge one beauty product at the pharmacy—but the one super large splurge was a Fendi perfume. We would go to Dallas and I went to Neiman's to buy it. It was $200; basically all of my savings. I put it on and got a major headache within an hour. I was in tears.

What's are your current beauty must-haves?

The Color Define brow pencil and Lip Sheer in nude.

What are your top three Beautycounter products?

I'm really into the Body Butter; we just launched it. I'm really into Lustro Face Oil 2 and the Tint Skin Complexion Coverage, you have to apply it with the retractable brush.

What's your game-changing beauty tool?

I love a jade roller [for] the face; I don't know the name of it.

Who's your style muse?

There are so many; it's changed a little bit as I've gotten older because you have to dress much differently as you get older. I think [Céline designer] Phoebe Philo always looks good.

What's one of your favorite beauty hacks?

The Cleansing Balm—I love it rubbed in as a highlight or on your face to give you that dewy, healthy glow. If you're feeling kind of mucky and you just need a quick refresh, I [use] that.

What's your skincare routine like?

My skincare routine is tricky; I'm always trying new products. I'm basically like a guinea pig. I really don't have this massive beauty routine. I do have this pillow that I sleep on so I don't get wrinkles.


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The conference room.

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Ann Weintraub, Editorial Director, is wearing a Chloé top, Rag & Bone pants, Nina Ricci heels, a Ten Thousand Things necklace, Tiffany earrings, and a Karen Karch ring.

What was your first major beauty splurge?

My very first salon visit in third grade to take my hair from waist-length waves to a short, of-the-moment Dorothy Hamill cut—unfortunately, also my biggest personal beauty mistake to this day. Not the right shape for my hair texture and therefore requiring a styling skill level that was well beyond a nine-year-old.

What is your current beauty must-have?

Sleep. As a working mom, I'm trying to make it more of a priority whenever possible.

What are your top three Beautycounter products?

Tint Skin Complexion Coverage, which gives that glowing no-makeup makeup look; Countertime Nourishing Cleansing Balm, a unique multitasker that moisturizes while it cleanses and removes makeup; and Lustro Face Oil 2 in Jasmine, the perfect lightweight primer under my makeup.

What's your game-changing beauty tool?

An oversize round brush that really grips and smooths my thick hair well on days when I bother to blow it out straight. No small task!

Who's your style muse?

Charlotte Rampling, whose style is chic, timeless, and seemingly effortless, with a sexy masculine edge.

What's your skin care routine like?

Increasingly complex with each passing year, yet I thankfully work at the right place to find solutions to help.


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Natalie Wilson, Head of Special Events, is wearing an A.L.C. top, A Frame denim, Jeffrey Campbell shoes, an Hermes watch, Cartier rings, and Tiffany earrings.

What was your first major beauty splurge?

A great haircut in Beverly Hills.

What's your current beauty must-have?

Alkaline water, which I drink all day long.

What are your top three Beautycounter products?

Routine Clean Cream Cleanser, a sweep of our Lip Sheer in Twig, and Color Contour Matte Bronzer in No. 1, which gives me a natural-looking glow.

What's your game-changing beauty tool?

I use Beautycounter's Lustro Sugar Scrub in the shower—it saves me so much time because I don't need to apply lotion afterward!

Who's your style muse?

I have no style muse. I just think of how I want to look every day or for a certain occasion.

What's your skin care routine like?

In the morning, I wash my face and apply a day cream directly after; then I'm out the door to work. At night I love using a face oil before bed.


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Beautycounter's cactus-cool exterior.