Our latest Beauty Boss is Bee Shapiro, Founder of Ellis Brooklyn—a line of clean and unique fragrances that are sustainably sourced and feature beautiful packaging. Shapiro started her career as a beauty writer and is passionate about the written word so her scents are inspired by literature, articles, poetry, songwriting and verse.

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Since launching in 2015, Ellis Brooklyn has expanded to include a wide variety of memorable fragrances in different sizes, as well as candles and home fragrance diffusers. Their best-selling fragrances are also now available in a new 100ml size so fans get even more of their favorite scent.

In October 2022, the brand launched its first-ever skincare product, Satisfying Skin Caring Moisturizer. The all-in-one moisturizer is packed with nourishing, rejuvenating, and brightening ingredients including squalane, niacinamide and red algae, and is soothing on even the most sensitive skin. Ellis Brooklyn also has several scented body oils and rich body milks that are fast-absorbing and lock moisture into skin.

We chatted with Shapiro, who shared the inspiration behind the brand, secrets for success, wellness tips, and much more.

When was Ellis Brooklyn founded and what does the name mean?

I started the company when I was pregnant with my daughter Ellis and living in Brooklyn. The brand name is a literal reflection of my life at that point. We came out with our first products in 2015.

What inspired the creation of the brand?

I was looking for a more thoughtful way to wear fragrance. I knew I didn’t want certain ingredients on my skin or breathing them in. At the same time, I was covering beauty for the New York Times then and there was so little diversity in who was creating fragrances and bringing them to life. I felt like I had something to say via scent.

Does Ellis Brooklyn have a hero product?

We have three actually! MYTH, SALT and SUN FRUIT eau de parfums.

What’s your favorite product from your brand?

I love MYTH anything in the line. I created MYTH originally for myself

Where are your products sold?

On our website and at Sephora.

Future plans for the brand?

We’re going to continue to explore all different formats for scent and how we experience fragrance.

Who inspires you?

People in my everyday life inspire me. I used to look for mentors far and wide and actually my heroes are the moms in my life that are holding it down—for themselves and for their families.

Secret to success?

I’ve worked very hard to separate my self worth from my success. It’s given me a resiliency that has helped me be successful.

Beauty secrets?

I love masking in the shower. I’ll do an exfoliating one before I hop in, then I’ll wash it off in the shower. If I have time I’ll pat dry and then do a clay mask on top of that. I just stick my head out of the shower to apply.

Wellness tips? 

I’m a big believer in regular exercise. I don’t mean super intense boot camp classes although that’s great too. I mean at least fitting in a 15-minute run, a 30-minute weights workout and so on.

Best advice?

Just keep going.

How do you like to relax?

I love cozying up in front of a good show. Doing a tough tennis lesson is my special treat to release some stress. Then again I won’t turn down a really skilled massage—that’s heaven.

For more information, visit Ellis Brooklyn’s website and follow on Instagram: @ellisbrooklyn

[Images courtesy of Ellis Brooklyn]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk