Our latest Beauty Boss is Julie Longyear, Founder of Blissoma—a holistic skincare line that restores balance through the sacred relationship between plants and people. An herbal chemist, Longyear began working with herbs and essential oils while searching for natural solutions to her own health and skin issues, which ultimately led to the development of her vegan skincare line.

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Combining cutting-edge chemistry with traditional herbal knowledge, Blissoma’s products are formulated with raw plant ingredients and contain 75% or more active ingredients. Their herbs are sourced from organic farms around the world including regenerative farms such as Oshala Farm in Oregon and La Colina Linda in Illinois. Their formulas are biodegradable and they are a Certified Cruelty-Free brand by the Leaping Bunny Program.

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The brand uses and composts more than 250 pounds of herbs each year, and their vertically integrated manufacturing facility features a solar array that produces most of the power they use to create and ship products. Their product boxes are also made with FSC Certified paperboard to ensure sustainable planting of trees.

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From rebuilding the skin barrier and balancing skin oils to reducing redness and providing hydration, Blissoma’s products are designed to help create vibrant and resilient skin. We chatted with Longyear who shared her favorite beauty and wellness tips, secrets for success, best advice, and much more.

When was Blissoma founded and what’s the meaning behind the name?

I started making herbal products in 2001 and then the Blissoma brand was trademarked in 2006. We launched our skincare line in 2009, so it was a gradual process to get to what we are best known for today. The word Blissoma is a combination of the words “bliss” and “soma.” Soma means “body” and our goal is to help people feel really good in their bodies. Having healthy skin is a huge part of creating that feeling each day.

Blissoma’s holistic skincare products restore balance through the sacred relationship between plants and people.

What inspired the creation of the brand?

My own health challenges and skin problems led me into herbalism and holistic wellness looking for solutions. The conventional treatments that were available just caused me lots of side effects and additional problems. I wanted a sustainable solution and just couldn't find it. I started getting really painful, consistent cystic acne breakouts in my late twenties and my skin got really oily, dry, and flaky all at the same time.

As I tried more and more skincare, I was able to figure out that my skin hated basically everything that was on store shelves. Frequently despite the marketing claims sounding really good, the products actually made my skin behave even worse. I started researching the skincare industry more and tinkering around with my own recipes. During that process I figured out that many products have hidden preservatives in them and that most cosmetic products are made with heavily processed ingredients that are completely devoid of nutrition.

The label might say it has hemp seed oil, for example, but it's a tiny percentage and it's probably been deodorized and decolorized. All that processing damages the nutrients and vitamins, and can actually cause partial rancidity. That means your skin is getting no real benefit and possibly even being harmed since rancid oils are sticky and cause problems for your skin (hello, breakouts!)

I was able to make a first recipe for my own skin that ended up clearing up all my frustrating skin problems. I realized that many people were experiencing the same problems I had, and that there was a real need for a product line that would really do justice to plant ingredients.

I love showing people what is possible when they finally use something that provides their skin all the right nutrients and nothing irritating. My first moisturizer recipe is now our Awake Morning Firming Facial Moisture product and each year we help thousands of people keep their skin calm and happy.

Blissoma Free Rejuvenating Herbal Cleanser and Makeup Remover ($58) removes makeup and cleanses skin while protecting the barrier.

Does Blissoma have a hero product?

I never really chose a hero myself, but over time our customers have definitely made our Free Rejuvenating Herbal Gel Cleanser our top seller. We are a very customer-led company and we also believe that it's really important to have just the right products for your individual skin, so what works for someone else may not be your ideal product. So with that in mind we always emphasize that a skincare journey is really individual. That said, the Free Gel Cleanser works for just about everyone!

What are your favorite products from your brand?

I personally use most of the products in our line at some point as my skin's needs change due to weather, hormones or other influences. The most consistent product in my routine is our Fresh Mild Rice Cleanser, which I use twice a day. I use our Aura Phyto Brightening Serum a lot as well as it's perfect to layer with any other product. I'm 46 now so I need the extra antioxidants in it.

Where are your products sold?

We sell through our website and through lots of spas and estheticians. We also have international representation in Canada, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and the EU. Our business clients are all independent and we love it that way. Working with businesses that specialize in skincare also helps ensure that our customers have the best possible experience with the line. Someone with lots of skill and experience is there to guide them through building a routine that is great for their allergies and specific skin needs.

Future plans for the brand?

We're really excited to expand more in Europe, and we have a new product in the pipeline that will debut this summer. I want to continue to build more relationships with independent farmers for our herb supplies and it would be awesome to get to travel to visit many of them. We have farming resources as close as two hours from our studio and also halfway around the world.

Blissoma Aura Phyto Brightening Serum ($79) is an advanced vitamin C and botanical antioxidant serum that improves the look of hyperpigmentation.

Who inspires you?

I love reading the stories of women who have really been on the path less traveled. Beryl Markham's autobiography was an incredible read and I was just really struck by her sense of adventure and independence. She was an aviator in Africa and also trained racehorses. t was a really unusual path for a women in the early 20th century and it doesn't seem like she ever let challenges truly stop her.

I also was very inspired to read Judy Wicks' book, "Good Morning Beautiful Business." She helped encourage ideas around truly local business practices and started so many earth and people-friendly initiatives. I feel like if she could then so can I! My maiden name also happens to be Wicks so we were almost name twins.

And more recently, I just have to say Beyonce is just such an impressive business woman and artist. I was lucky enough to get to go to the Renaissance concert with my daughter when it came to St. Louis and it was such an incredible artistic vision and impeccably executed. She is so smart and driven, and while my endeavors may never be on that scale, it impresses the heck out of me that she managed all that.

Secret to success?

Focus, stubbornness, brutal consistency, and being willing to look for the silver linings in lots of otherwise difficult situations. I have outlasted many other small businesses partly just because I stuck with it through some really tough moments, and every day I get up and try to find something I can do to move us forward. Some days are inspired, but others are just grounded in discipline. I also have been lucky to attract some really great people to work with and I think we've built a sweet little haven for ourselves. A lot of that comes from the tone I set for the company and how I treat people, which is with lots of compassion and care.

Blissoma Awake Morning Firming Facial Moisture ($50) improves firmness ins kin with antioxidants, vitamins, and herbs.

Beauty secrets?

Looking your best is all about taking great care of all facets of yourself. Blissoma is a holistic brand and that's how I approach my life. You need good quality sleep, exercise that moves your lymph and keeps your body flexible, fresh and nutrient-dense food, play time, joy and pleasure, and to keep detrimental influences to a minimum.

Stress, alcohol, medications, environmental toxins, and that sort of thing can really burden your body and prevent it from being vibrant. I include synthetic irritants from skincare in that category. Too many things that people are applying to their bodies are not things our cells know what to do with and instead of creating benefit it causes problems.

Wellness tips?

I think the number one thing people need to do more of is to just tune into their body and how it's feeling at any given moment. That's the only way you'll know what to give it so it can thrive. It's so easy to get distracted in today's world and many people also numb out or suppress signals from their body. But if you learn to listen, you'll know better when you really need to drink some water, when you are tired and need to rest, and when you are feeling something challenging and need to take a moment to breathe and let it move through you.

I try to bring my awareness to how I'm really feeling in my body at least a few times a day so I can take action to give my body what it needs. Self regulation is unfortunately not something that is taught in school but it should be! We all have bodies and we all need to take care of them so we can have the best possible experience each day.

Best advice?

Everyone in your life can teach you something. It's up to you to figure out what you are learning from them and find the value in it, even if it's someone that also hurt you. I can say that some of the people that hurt me the most were also some of the people that showed me where my own growth areas were. Getting out of the blame game and instead asking what I can gain from an experience has been key to improving my life.

Favorite way to relax?

Relaxation is often very intentional for me. In order to get a real vacation, I usually have to travel away from home and work since there is always something to do here. On a daily basis I do a lot of yogic breathing, toning or singing, and dancing. Music is amazing for its ability to shift energy. Once I found out that using your voice for humming or singing has vagal nerve benefits, my love for singing really made a lot of sense!

Using your voice to soothe yourself is so easy and portable too. It's with you wherever you go and you don't have to be a skilled singer. I sing while I'm driving almost everywhere and my staff would verify that I often sing to songs I love even at work. I'm hoping to join a choir again soon if I can carve out enough time.

For more information about Blissoma, visit their website and follow on Instagram: @blissomaskin

[Images courtesy of Blissoma]

Beauty Boss: Julie Longyear, Founder of Blissoma