9 Questions with Lemon Laine Founder, Laura Lemon
In May 2017, a gem of a store called Lemon Laine opened in Nashville, Tennessee. Beyond the inviting, picture-perfect interior, Lemon Laine is carefully curated with natural beauty and wellness products. There’s even an Oil Bar where Lemon Laine customers are invited to experience a vast assortment of seed, nut, and plant oils, and have a custom oil blended onsite with their personal beauty goals in mind. We love thinking of our Alima Pure products nestled in their colorful Nashville home with all their new buddies. We were so lucky to have the opportunity to chat with founder Laura Lemon (real name!) about beauty, balance, and what led her to Lemon Laine.
9 Questions for Laura Lemon
AP: What inspired you to open Lemon Laine?
LL: It seems silly to say, but I’ve only recently come to realize that after the age of 10, my whole personal and professional life has led me to Lemon Laine. From making lip balms for my friends in middle school to being a self-taught makeup artist who landed my first job at Saks Fifth Avenue. From launching natural beauty products at Walmart to working in product development at Juice Beauty. Even my own struggles with acne and hormonal issues led me to study holistic nutrition in Berkeley. All of these steps were pivotal to what Lemon Laine is today. But most of all, I’m inspired by the magic of makeup and the confidence it can give women. I’m inspired by the discovery process of beauty and the opportunity that trying new things can provide, as well as those who take charge of their health, even when they don’t know where to start. I’m in love with how women can come together to create a community. Lemon Laine is just my humble attempt to chase after the things I’m inspired by. I want it to be a place that women can trust, a place that is approachable, personalized and, most of all, fun.
AP: What are your favorite Alima Pure products and why?
LL: The Pressed Eyeshadows! They are perfectly pigmented and never crease.
AP: Do you have a mantra or words to live by?
LL: Everything you want is on the other side of fear.
AP: How do you unwind after a busy day (or a busy month) at work?
LL: I try to set aside time to recharge after stressful days whether it’s a bath, walk with my pups, or cooking dinner at home. And staying off my phone!
AP: What is the best beauty advice you’ve received?
LL: Smile.
AP: What are some of the products you can’t live without?
LL:
- Mother Dirt Cleanser—It takes off my eye makeup so well!
- Pai Rosehip Oil —It has only one ingredient but that’s all you need. It works so well to soothe my redness-prone skin.
- Lumion Oxygen Mist – My skin tends to be dry and I love using this mist throughout the day.
- Clary Collection Balm – I never leave the house without it. Keeps my skin and lips from getting chapped.
AP: What is wonderful about Nashville?
LL: Everyone is so warm and welcoming. The city has seen significant growth in the last few years. It still feels like you know your neighbors and small businesses are thriving.
AP: What are your current interests/obsessions?
LL: Coconut collagen in my coffee is a daily occurrence. I love my Teux Deux app to stay on top of things. My Luiny earrings. Anything peach.
AP: What does wellness mean to you on a day-to-day basis?
LL: It means so many different things depending on the day. Some days, I show up to my Pilates class. I have a green smoothie. I talk to a friend on the phone. And other days. I don’t do anything and eat ice cream. It’s all about self-reflection and taking it easy on yourself.
If you find yourself in the Nashville area, go check out the wonder that is Lemon Laine. And if you can't get there in person, one look at their whimsical Instagram will make you feel like you're on vacation. Thank you Laura!
Photography by Caroline Sharpnack and Courtesy of Lemon Laine
