Katy Hearn On Her Skincare Routine, Work-life Balance, and 2020

Wellness is at the core of Katy Hearn’s brands + products. Even though 2020 has been an unpredictable year, she remained focused on bringing new products to life that she loves and uses herself. She’s the founder of Onyx + Rose and self-made health, fitness, and wellness entrepreneur. Beyond Onyx + Rose, the roster of brands that she owns and has built from the ground up include Alani Nu, Stori, FIT by Katy, and her own Katy Hearn gym. We sat down with Katy to talk about her skincare routine, the new additions to her family and businesses, and what navigating through 2020 has been like.

2020 has been an unpredictable year. How has this year affected your outlook and priorities?

There really is no precedent for 2020, and most of us are experiencing a time that’s brand new in so many ways. That said, how you get through it is really individual and requires knowing what truly matters to you. For me, that’s my family, my mental health, and our businesses. I think a lot of people, including myself, are going to come out on the other side a little more grounded, focused, and thankful for all of the things that we used to take for granted before Covid.

What are some small ways you’re finding joy + calm this year?

I’ve tried to majorly shift my mindset from feeling stuck to just being grateful for so much quality time with Haydn and our boys. If you think of it as being stuck at home, you’re going to feel like you don’t have control over the situation, and that’s never a good thing. But, if you think of it as being safe at home, it’s easier to find a silver lining in the whole situation. Having a positive mindset and well-being go hand in hand, so it’s been nice to slow down and prioritize self-care, a good night’s rest, and my skincare routine. I’m also a big fan of our Bright Side capsules to calm my mind.

We’re constantly admiring your businesses and are so glad to be among them. What are you most excited about and proud of business-wise this year?

I’m incredibly excited and proud of our skincare line for Onyx + Rose! Since dealing with cystic acne a few years ago, skincare is something that I’m passionate about, and that hits a personal note with me. I know what having stubborn cystic acne can feel like because I’ve been through that myself. That’s why I’m a huge advocate for taking care of my skin from the inside and out. As far as our other businesses go, Alani Nu is breaking boundaries by entering some major retailers like Target and Vitamin Shoppe. I couldn’t be more excited to see the brand grow on a national scale and easily accessible to so many women. Stori also launched this fall, and the color palettes and designs we’re working on are so, so good.

What does your skincare routine look like? What are your must-haves and holy grail products?

It’s important to find a skincare routine that works for you and stick to it day in and day out. I start by double cleansing, first with an oil-based cleanser and then with a gentle, foaming cleanser like Start Fresh. There really is no better way to wash away the day, remove dirt and bacteria, and prep your skin for the next products in your skincare routine. After that, I apply my products from the most lightweight formula to the thickest formula so each product can do its job the way it’s supposed to. For daytime, I apply Glow Complex serum and Dew the Most to cleansed skin, followed by sunscreen. At night, I swap out Dew the Most for our Overnight It sleeping mask, and it’s absolute heaven on my skin.

What is the one thing that you love most about the O+R skincare line?

I love the peace of mind I get from knowing that these products are good for my skin. Onyx + Rose is a brand that’s founded on honesty and transparency, and you can put your mind at ease when you use these products because we only use the highest quality active ingredients, full spectrum CBD in quantities that make sense. Everything is dermatologist, allergy, and third party lab tested. If you look at the science of CBD and its well known anti-inflammatory properties, it makes a lot of sense why CBD has serious potential to be beneficial for the skin. A lot of the most common skin problems that people deal with, such as breakouts, psoriasis, and rosacea, are rooted in inflammation. These formulas are also full of other wonderful actives like microalgae, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid that all work together to deliver stunning results. With every application, my skin literally feels healthier. I’m obsessed with the subtle glow from using the full skincare line daily, and the way my skin looks each morning after using Overnight It the night before is next level.

You just welcomed a new addition to the family! Congrats. Now that you’re a mom of 2, what does your “me” time look like?

I feel like my “me time” is fleeting, so I treasure it even more than before. One thing I love to do is wake up an hour or so before the boys and start the day with the house to myself, so I can drink coffee, journal, read, and set my intentions for the day in peace. It’s a much-needed chance to be mindful and in the present moment. I’m turning 30 next September, and I’m making a commitment to my fitness beforehand. It’s tough with two young kids, but I know I can do it and that a good workout does wonders for my well-being in more ways than one. If I’m sore from hitting the gym, there’s nothing better than an Onyx + Rose Botanic Bath Bomb. And at night, I try to avoid being on my phone and just have some quality time with Haydn.

Work-life balance is harder now than ever. How do you find your balance?

It’s certainly a struggle as we have no family around where we live in Florida and no help with our littles. We make the absolute most of nap time and hustle to get tasks and work done while they’re asleep. There’s a lot of time that Haydn and I don’t both need to be on a call or zoom meeting, so we’ll trade off on who’s working and who’s watching the babies. Some days are easier than others, and some are truly survival mode! It’s absolutely worth every single moment, though, and we try to cherish every minute because they really do grow up so fast. Keeping our calm in those stressful moments, a little help from CBD also helps!

Katy, thanks for spending time with us and catching up. What’s next for you?

Right now, we’re completely focused on bringing our absolute best to our current lineup of brands. We have so much good stuff planned for 2021, and I can not wait for you to see what we’ve been working on! Onyx + Rose skincare has been a long time coming, and I hope that all of you love it as much as I do.