In 2016, Naomi Watts joined forces with Larissa Thomson and Sarah Bryden-Brown to open ONDA Beauty, a clean beauty oasis that highlights products made with ethically sourced, clean, non-toxic, and organic ingredients, and also offers luxurious treatments. Since then, ONDA has grown to three outposts – including one in Sag Harbor.
For Mother’s Day, Thomson and Watts hand-picked 11 of their favorite clean beauty products, which are featured in The ONDA Mama Box – and five percent of the proceeds of every Mama Box sale will be donated to ONDA’s charity partner Every Mother Counts.
In an interview with Hamptons.com, Watts shared her skincare must-haves and routine, what an ideal day in the Hamptons looks like, and much more.
Why was the clean beauty movement something that interested you – and when did you first start exploring the industry?
NW: Working as an actor puts immense strain on one’s skin. It’s up to 16-hour workdays under hot lights and hopping in and out of the makeup chair, with reapplications all day long. That’s a lot of chemical wear and tear on your skin. And my skin eventually started having reactions…
Larissa Thomson, a friend, and also a co-founder at ONDA had me try clean beauty alternatives, and though I hadn’t avoided clean beauty entirely, I was a little bit skeptical at first, but I saw almost an immediate improvement. Everything was just as effective and I didn’t have any adverse reactions. Also the knowledge of the ingredients being used, all being devoid of anything harmful yet still active.
What inspired you, Larissa, and Sarah to found ONDA? Why did you select Sag Harbor for an outpost?
NW: We all have a connection out east one way or another and not only that, it’s a beautiful place to spend time, so it was a natural fit. Larissa and I live in the city, so it’s a gorgeous destination that’s necessary and within arms reach, or at least a long weekends.
Can we expect any special guests or events at the Sag Harbor store this spring/summer?
NW: We always have a great lineup in spring and summer, so we can expect some of the same peeps. Jenny Kane and Sunny’s Pop and plenty of others too. Doing collabs is one of our favorite things. Getting to use the garden and joining forces with other brands we authentically match with makes for a greater community.
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The ONDA Mama Box. (Photo: @jeff_sutera) |
Tell us about your skincare and beauty routine.
NW: Being in “the biz” and I mean skincare business, means I am always trying new things. So I have a lot of varied products on my shelf at any given point. Call it a job perk, but when I’m not testing things, and that’s usually when I’m traveling, I always have some favorites with me.
I’m usually in the shower first thing in the morning and that’s where it starts, I’ll use a light cleanser like African Botanics Baobab Clay Oxygenating Cleanser, which is super moisturizing for a cleanser. Rahua Hair products are always in the shower, although I don’t wash my hair everyday.
Once I’m out I always start with a face mist (which makes the products absorb more easily into the skin afterwards), then I apply a serum, BeautyCounter does a great C-serum, then a face oil like Vintner’s Daughter and I’ll often mix the oil with a moisturizer, like Barbara Sturm’s Face Cream Rich and that’s usually it! If I’m heading out I’ll use a clean SPF and slap on a little bit of lippy. BeautyCounter is always in my lipstick rotation.
What are some products you can’t live without?
NW: Sunscreen. I love Beauty Counter’s and Barbara Sturm’s. Also Beauty Counter Dew Skin is a must-have as it gives you a little coverage as well as a light SPF.
Besides The ONDA Mama Box, what are you hoping Mother’s Day includes this year?
NW: Always time with my kids. They’re at an age where I’m not “cool anymore” so I love that they at least fake it a little for me on Mother’s Day, and at least in faking it they can enjoy themselves in the process. They know I love breakfast in bed with handwritten cards. We’ll play some games, and if out east, hopefully have a trip to the beach for a walk or even a swim. It’s really just the perfect excuse to spend time with them exactly the way I want. Let’s hope it lasts!
Five percent of the proceeds of every The ONDA Mama Box sale goes to your charity partner Every Mother Counts. Why is that an organization that is near and dear to your heart?
NW: Absolutely! All of the initiatives we have at ONDA are near and dear. We’re obviously very connected to the wellbeing of the environment, but other than that it’s our community and that stretches beyond our customer base, five percent of proceeds from the sale of the Mama Box is going to our charity partner Every Mother Counts (EMC). EMC’s mission is to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother, everywhere.
What does an ideal day in the Hamptons look like?
NW: Being woken up by my dog, Izzy, although she likes a lie in just as much as I do. Smaller bladder though. And then I love getting breakfast on the table, which is usually followed by a predictable nagging yell to get the kids either off their devices or out of bed, what can I say, teens will be teens. I do like a slow start, but if I don’t get some exercise in it sits on me all day, so if I get that in before the kids wake up all the better. I like a busy house, kids’ friends over, mums over, sometimes my brother will pop by, snag some breakfast. Unstructured, gentle chaos is comfort to me – but somehow the best days always follow the same rhythm. And hopefully end with salty hair and not too much of a sunburn.
The ONDA Mama Box, which is available on ONDA Beauty’s website, is $298 (a $749 retail value).
ONDA Beauty is located at 42 Main Street in Sag Harbor. For more information, visit ondabeauty.com.
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