Speaking Plaiin-ly
January 27 2021
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January 27 2021
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We’ve recently welcomed Plaiin Cosmetics to the store. It’s been such a pleasure having their skin food at Better Half and if you’ve been in store recently I’m sure that their delicious display has surely caught your eye (and nose!)
It’s rare to come across a cosmetics brand that is not only sustainable but gender neutral too. Plaiin’s range of bars each target various troubles which we all face with our bodies and help us take self care seriously in a fun way. Each product preaches edible ingredients and zero waste policies from packaging, shipping and materials used in production.
We're all about hosting brands in store who are making conscious efforts to ethical creation so it was great to get a chance to speak with Megan about all things Plaiin Cosmetics.
1. Plaiin Cosmetics is a relatively new brand, mostly sharing bars and scrubs. Are there any other products and scents you hope to share in the future that we can look forward to?
I have learned so much in the past year that Plaiin has been running and definitely want to be releasing products more consistently this year. I have plans to release hair and face products this year which I'm really excited about.
2. Your site mentions that it took close to five years to bring Plaiin Cosmetics to life. What are some of the lessons, trials, and errors that you can share with someone who is also trying to start a small business?
When I first dreamt up the idea of Plaiin, I was fresh out of college and bartending to support myself. I had so many ideas, but no capital to execute them, so I went to South Korea to teach English and eventually came home with enough money to invest in my dream. I could have worked in South Korea for a year and that would have been enough, but I got distracted by travels and new adventures. My dream of Plaiin kept nagging at me, and so I knew I had to either go for it, or give up onit; the rest is history. My advice would be that it's never too late to start something you believe in and if you really put your heart and mind to it, you will most certainly succeed.
3. Your bars and scrubs look and smell so delicious! Have you ever eaten your products, before or after use and would you recommend this?
Haha! I get this question a lot! Well, technically my products are edible as I only use food-grade ingredients. I have tasted them, specifically, my Scrub Balms, which are actually quite delicious! Butt First Coffee and Masala Chai especially as they have sugar as their exfoliant, making them tasty little chocolates. With our skin being the largest organ of the body, I wanted my products to be safe and to follow the philosophy of 'skin food', if you can't eat it, your skin shouldn't either! So if my customers want to steal a little taste here and there, go for it haha!
4. You've mentioned online your interest in Ayurveda. Could you tell us a bit more about this and whether it has impacted Plaiin in any way?
Well, my interest in Ayurveda started when I read a book about it when I was living in Taos, New Mexico. Ayurveda is a 5000-year-old science of self-healing, which basically encourages us to practice awareness in our bodies every day. When you're aware of small changes in your body, you are able to notice an ailment, deficiency, or whatever it may be, way sooner. It is a proactive way of living, rather than waiting for your body to show very obvious uncomfortable symptoms, which can mean it's too late or needs drastic medical attention.
Plaiin products, the Scrub Balms, and Body Oil Bars are definitely influenced by Ayurveda. Abayangha, an ayurvedic practice of self-massage, is encouraged to improve blood circulation, tone and texture of the skin, and overall health. My products are designed to be tools to add to your Abayangha before your bath or shower to exfoliate and moisturize the skin. Each product has a 'directions for use' that describes the intention of the product, which align with the practice of Abayangha.
5. What does it mean for Plaiin to be stocking at Better Half?
It means the world! I have admired Sarah and her business as long as I've known her and so to be stocked at Better Half is an amazing affirmation for me! The more places I'm able to stock means the more convenient it is for people to choose zero-waste beauty, which is the goal in the end!
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