Our latest Beauty Boss is Dr. Jenelle Kim, Creator of Cannabis Beauty Defined—an all-natural CBD hemp oil product line formulated with a unique Bi-Bong blend of herbal extracts that aim to maximize its anti-aging and antioxidant effects to protect skin from free radical damage. Nationally board-certified in herbology, Oriental medicine and acupuncture, Dr. Kim is an author, mentor and motivational speaker who lives by Eastern philosophies and believes in developing internal and external beauty simultaneously. We chatted with the beauty and wellness entrepreneur, who shared her secrets to success, beauty secrets, wellness tips, and more:

When did Cannabis Beauty Defined launch?

In 2012.

What inspired the creation of Cannabis Beauty Defined?

In 2012 before the CBD industry really existed, the pioneers of the industry came to our lab, JBK Wellness Labs, and asked us to develop powerful products using CBD. They came to us because of our knowledge of herbal medicine and special ingredients, and our ability to combine this deep knowledge with the cutting-edge ingredients and technology of today.

I come from a long lineage of doctors and herbologists, and I‘m the first female in my family to hold the treasury of my family’s proprietary Bi Bong® herbal formulas that have been passed down for centuries. In Chinese medicine, hemp is one of the 50 fundamental herbs, which means that I’m certainly aware of its powers for the body—particularly the skin. 

I developed Cannabis Beauty Defined using this herbal knowledge where each formula is properly balanced, which means that the skin is able to absorb it easily and attain all of the incredible properties from the herbal ingredients.

Tell us more about your line. Do you have a hero product?

My husband and partner, Craig Nandoo, and I have been in the spa/beauty industry for more than 15 years developing products, which have launched in multiple national retailers. So when I developed Cannabis Beauty Defined, I created the core skincare regimen that you would find in a luxury spa setting—cleanser, exfoliator, mask, toner, serum, and moisturizer. 

I truly love the entire line, because each product has a special duty to truly detoxify and nourish the skin, leaving it with the healthiest and most radiant glow. I don’t wear face makeup because these products make it so that I don’t need to!  

What’s your favorite product from your line?

If I had to choose one product it would be the Anti-Aging Exfoliant, because it helps to resurface the skin by removing dead skin cells and allowing for new cells to be revealed—leaving skin smooth, firm, and glowing.  

Where are your products sold?

JBK Wellness Labs is the “(wo)man behind the (wo)man,” which means that we create the products for the brands that are sold. Our products are sold at Whole Foods Markets, Neiman Marcus, Urban Outfitters, Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons resorts, Mandarin Oriental, and other national retailers. 

We manufacture nutritional and cosmetic products in the United States, Europe, and Asia. We are currently one of the largest producers of CBD products in the United States and Europe, and have customers with operations in more than 30 countries globally.

Who inspires you?

I’m inspired by those who truly wish to establish something good in the world and set out to do so—no matter how challenging and no matter what stands in their way.

Secrets to success?

From as far back as I can remember, with my earliest memory beginning at the age of five, my mentor gave me the following advice to follow if I wanted to be special: “You can never be afraid to be different and when everyone else is sleeping, you keep working hard.” This is what set me on my path to success. The three most important things that I believe unlock the secret to success are:

1) Truly set your mind and set your intention for what you wish to achieve.

2) Go with the Tao (“the universe”/“the flow”). Set your “eyes” on the goal, but it‘s vital to be flexible and to move with the Universe as you get there.

3) Be grateful. No matter how challenging a moment is, gratitude helps me to rise above difficult times and ground myself in everything—all of the opportunities—that I have been given.

Beauty secrets?

Beauty truly comes from the inside. While it’s so important to care for your skin using proper formulations and the best quality ingredients, it’s absolutely necessary to make sure that you are taking care of your condition as a whole by eating properly, taking vitamins and internal formulas that are balanced for your body, sleeping well, and exercising and calming your mind to relieve stress.

Wellness tips?

I’m a working mother of two young boys and I run a company with many people that I care deeply about, which means that I have to constantly find balance in my life and that can be hard. I do know, however, that to achieve wellness and optimal well-being, it’s so important to be balanced with everything in life! This means the way that you eat—I love to eat and I don’t deprive myself of anything, but I avoid indulging in things that aren’t good for the body (sugar, greasy foods, etc). It also means being able to calm your mind and balance stress in your life, because we must remember that the mind and body are connected.

Favorite way to relax?

While I do appreciate a day at the spa, my favorite way to relax is lying in bed and cuddling with my boys while reading them a book or watching a movie.

For more information and to purchase, visit the brand’s website and follow them on Instagram: @mjna_inc

[Images courtesy of Cannabis Beauty Defined]

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