Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Kim.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My first dive into the beauty industry was as one of the first interns at Birchbox. I received my BFA from Parsons and went on to work for Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, Obliphica, and L’Oréal-owned Kérastase and Shu Uemura. I focused heavily on branding, design, packaging, marketing, UX, UI, and the nitty-gritty around e-commerce.
The idea of Moonlit arrived when I was living in NYC with Kriszta, my best friend and roommate from college. The combination of late nights and stress were affecting our skin and what we found on the market for nighttime skincare was over-priced and generic. It was clear to us that the most restorative hours for skin were an after-thought in the beauty industry. After working years at various design agencies and beauty brands, we decided to join forces and create Moonlit Skincare.
Right after we launched, an editor from Refinery29 DM’d us on Instagram and asked for a few samples. A few weeks later, the article came out, and we got picked up by retailers nationwide. Since then, Moonlit has been featured on Buzzfeed, WWD, Martha Stewart Living, Cosmopolitan, Into The Gloss (Jonathon Van Ness), Marie Claire, and shortlisted on CEW’s “Indie Brands to Watch.”
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest lesson we have learned is that the life of a small business owner has seasons.
Progress is not a linear, upward path. Sometimes, everything is thriving, blooming, and full of energy. Then there are days when everything is quiet, you’re not getting responses, and there’s not much happening.
And some weeks, we are planting ideas and prepping for certain events and launches way into the future. Realizing there is an ebb and flow to it has allowed us to breathe and also plan accordingly.
Moonlit Skincare – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Moonlit is dedicated to overnight skincare and sleep wellness. Our current assortment includes silk pillowcases, silk eyemasks, evening salt soaks, and of course, our best-selling Midnight Shift Overnight Oil,
I think we all can agree that if we don’t sleep, it shows on our face. I thought that nighttime skincare was always incredibly expensive and overlooked- basically an afterthought in a brand’s line.
Most evening products were stale and generic-looking. We wanted to bring life into it and make nighttime a focal point. Moonlit Skincare’s energy and research capabilities are devoted to these restorative, healing hours.
We are proud of our ethical business practices, which include sustainably-sourced, potent ingredients, and our minimal carbon emissions facility in Bali.
Many of the women who create our handmade formulas are supporting their families and communities. Our facility features a child-friendly area that allows many employees to spend time with their children on-site, honoring our commitment to empowering women.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I’m grateful for our sustainable practices, the fact that we’re self-funded, but above all, I’m so proud that Kriszta and I are still BFFs.
Pricing:
- Midnight Shift Overnight Facial Oil – $34
- Slumber Bath Salts – $19
- Cloud 9 Silk Pillowcase – $49
Contact Info:
- Website: https://moonlitskincare.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @moonlitskincare
Image Credit:
Main photo: Bree McCool
Grey & Elle
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