Meet the Olive & June Founder Changing the At-Home Mani Game

You spent a year doing only DIY manicures. What was the biggest lesson you learned?
It's really hard to paint your nails with the current products on the market! Polish bottles are designed for professionals to paint with their dominant hand. I knew that the key to making nails part of your beauty routine at home was to create the products that made it easier. The Poppy allows women to get comfortable with painting on their first try. The shape of The Poppy gives you a comfy, natural grip with either hand so you can control the brush better and paint even, steady strokes. I’m so excited for women to be empowered to do their nails the way they are doing their makeup and hair.

When formulating the Olive & June polishes, what were a few non-negotiables?
So many! I'm a bit of a perfectionist. We formulated our nail polish to go on super smooth, really have staying power (I wanted 7-plus days), dry as fast as possible while still having enough shine, and do so without the most common harmful chemicals often found in polish. Our formula is 7-free, vegan and cruelty-free. We are so proud of what we have created.

How did you choose the colors and pick which color corresponded with who?
Our debut colors were really focused on the foundation of our ideal polish wardrobe — a range of unexpected neutrals that flatter every skin tone. We also really wanted to create shades that are forgiving to paint with so that creating that perfect O&J mani anywhere is achievable. We want to really make it possible for every woman to have beautiful nails all of the time! We then named the polishes after some of our favorite clients by selecting the shades that felt the most "them". We, of course, also got their input; it was fun to see them have a hard time picking a color because they loved them all.

Who inspires you?
My daughter because I want to be the best version of myself for her. Our amazing team because they are so smart at all of the things I am not and wish I was. Other founders who are changing the world because innovating is everything. Friends of the brand like Eva Chen because she has time to not only help me and Olive & June on everything I ask her (and more!), but she also leads a huge, full life that always inspires me to do more. Dan Levy because no show makes me laugh harder than Schitt's Creek. (This is my not so subtle plea for him to come back for more seasons.)

Makeup is _________?
Makeup is a major confidence booster for me. I find great strength when I am pulled together. Thank you, Pat McGrath for your perfect Margot Tenenbaum eyeliner.

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