What inspired you to create Pestle & Mortar?
“As a busy mother of five, I believe that skincare shouldn’t be complicated. I come from six generations of Indian healers, so I decided to use my heritage in natural healing and combine it with science to create skincare that is easy to use, simple to understand and effective.”

Why was it important for the brand to be clean?
“The definitions around ‘ethical beauty’ can be confusing, but we are crystal clear regarding our philosophies and promises. We value simplicity, beauty and the Earth. We don’t use any worrisome ingredients and we are committed to advancement towards eco-friendly, organic and recyclable raw ingredients.”

What are the biggest success moments so far?
“We are among just 1% of companies who sold out on QVC in the United States in under seven minutes. We are the only Irish company to have won the highly coveted Trendsetter Award 2018 at Cosmoprof Las Vegas. I am also one of 24 finalists for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2019 and this year, we won the National Enterprise Award!”

Tell us about the hero product and the reaction it’s received.
“Our first, and now iconic, product Pure Hyaluronic Serum has been described as

‘Botox in a bottle’. While there are a multitude of hyaluronic serums on the market, ours stands out because it provides instant results and it doesn’t feel sticky or tacky on the skin.”

What was the inspiration behind the brand name?
“My uncle still practises as a ‘medicine man’ in India today – in the exact same spot as five generations before him. He uses a 100-year-old pestle and mortar to grind down powders and medicines. I named my business Pestle & Mortar because my vision is that it will withstand the test of time.”

Are there any skincare trends to look out for?
“I think interest in whole-body skincare is rising fast. Skincare doesn’t just stop at our necks!”

What’s the best thing about living in Ireland?
“The people, the food, the scenery and the sense of humour. Sometimes even the weather.”

Any advice for those wanting to pursue their dream career?
“Start where you are, use what you have and do what you can.”

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