You might have noticed, but we have become big fans of Elizabeth Parry and her all-natural beauty line, Parry Botanicals. Elizabeth lives right here in West U with her husband and three-year old son. We sat down with her recently to pick her brain about being an entrepreneur and her skincare line.
Tell us how and why you created your beauty line, Parry Botanicals?
A few years ago, I got very sick! I went to over a dozen doctors that year. No one could seem to figure out what was wrong. I began doing a great deal of research and what I was learning really scared me. At the time, I was pregnant with my son, so I was especially careful with all the products I was using. Having battled significant allergies for years, I began analyzing everything I put in and on my body. I was so tired of wasting money on products that companies advertised worked, but were filled with toxic ingredients.
I learned that fragrances are usually made of chemicals in a lab, not from flowers and plants. Others used mineral oil because it is a cheap lubricant. The more I learned, the more concerned I became. I’ll pass on putting petroleum-based products on my skin, especially since it only takes 26 seconds for chemicals to enter our bloodstream from the skin. There is a lot of false advertising out there. I knew that I wasn’t the only one worried about these things and wasn’t the only person with autoimmune and chemical sensitivities. It’s severely on the rise. I previously used the big named products, the $250 per jar marine peptide face creams and the special serums from the dermatologist’s office; however, my skin is so sensitive I have instant reactions if that stuff comes even remotely close to my skin. I wanted healthy anti-aging that works without a side of toxins. I simply could not find good quality skincare that worked so I created my own. Parry Botanicals officially launched January 2015.
To back up a little bit, it was not my first time in the beauty business. In early 2000 I began experimenting, making my first products in my KitchenAid mixer and giving them to friends. They loved them so much they wanted to buy them as gifts. The company progressed and before I knew it, I had 80 something sku’s and had reps in Atlanta, Dallas, New York and Denver.
Then the recession hit, and I made the decision to close that company. Although very different, I learned a lot from that business, including my knowledge of chemists, labs, sourcing, printers, graphics, packaging, shipping and warehousing and used it to create something better. When I decided to create Parry Botanicals I used all of this knowledge and background to create something even better that anyone can use, even my son at birth.
What sets you apart from other beauty products?
My line is 100% natural, completely free of synthetic chemicals. We have ZERO fragrance, dyes, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde (yes, that’s unfortunately still used in beauty products), propylene glycol (found in most main stream health and beauty products), mineral oil or fillers of any kind. We only use the highest quality natural botanical seed oils. Each ingredient is chosen intentionally for its unique ability, such as bilberry extract for sensitive inflamed skin, cold pressed avocado seed oil which is packed full of vitamins and minerals, natural aloe (an acne fighter), mango seed butter, radish root extract and more. This means your skin is receiving its daily dose of healthy vitamins and minerals, Vitamins A, C, E and more. Anti-aging at the cellular level.
Our tag line is “See and Feel the Parry difference with just one use”. I love seeing people’s reaction, the ooohhh’ and the ahhhhh’s. Then they smell and say, you’re right, no fragrance! For allergy, asthma and autoimmune patients, this is really important.
We’re also very proud of the fact that cancer patients use us with great results with the extreme dry skin radiation and chemo can produce.
Why is it important to use organic products?
Natural botanical seed oils are a rich source of nutrients. Just as our bodies need healthy food, our skin need nourishment too. Organic and natural ingredients is just like eating a salad. When you choose healthy ingredients it shows, it glows!
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way? Any advice for other women, particularly young women who are just starting their journey?
No, there have been plenty of days I’ve questioned ,BUT then I receive little love notes from our customers about helping a 5-year-old going through radiation for cancer, a burn victim, a baby with severe eczema, an adult with autoimmune problem skin so severe they are on chemotherapy drugs, people with allergies issues like me or just someone thankful for a safer, healthier way to prevent aging, then it’s all worth it!
There are always struggles, I call those ‘learning experiences’. When you start something new, there are often kinks along the way. We’ve learned a lot with freight companies, printers, etc.
My advice it that if you are truly passionate about something, go for it! Do at least one thing every single day to move in the direction you want to go. Life your life purposefully, authentically and with intention. There will be really great days and really hard days. Ask questions, look for the answers. You can make a difference if you set your mind to it. Keep learning, always.
What is your top selling product and why?
Our 2 oz. Restorative Cream is our best seller; it is a work-horse. The thick salve heals the skin leaving it hydrated for hours. It stays with you in a good way. I use it every night and always wake up still feeling it moisturizing and benefiting my skin. This cream is so effective, cancer patients use it with superior results during radiation treatment, minimizing burns. It’s also beneficial to chemotherapy patients experiencing dry and distressed skin. Due to the high quality botanical seed oils and extracts in my formulas, this cream improves skin texture, tone and appearance with one use. . We just launched our daily regimen which includes four skincare products and an organic lip balm. This is quickly becoming a favorite because it allows you to make a clean sweep with your skincare with quick and visible results. Two of the products include natural hyaluronic acid which plumps the skin and retains moisture. Our serum stimulates collagen synthesis for cell renewal and I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like that.
What are future products or new products that you plan to brand?
We are currently working on a sunscreen as well as a facial oil that works much like Rentin-A without chemicals or harsh side effects. We always love hearing from our customers and launched our Hydrostorative Face Cream this year due to one of our loyal retailers, an esthetician and skincare instructor’s specific request.
The Holidays are right around the corner, what are your suggestions for gift giving for the season?
We have three different gift sets, Daily Regimen, 3-Piece Gift Set, and a 7-piece Gift Set, that are wonderful and at various price points to meet different budgets! If you are looking for stocking stuffers, our Mineral Lip Glosses and Lip Sticks are perfect for that. Of course, a jar of Restorative Cream also goes a long way!