Under the sea! MARA Beauty founder Allison McNamara might as well be the real-life Ariel from The Little Mermaid. Like the beloved Disney princess, McNamara is known for her fiery red hair, ocean-blue eyes, glowing skin, and sea-inspired rituals.
The main difference? Her self-care routine is far more sophisticated than detangling hair with a fork.
Instead, the beauty entrepreneur swears by nutrient-rich marine ingredients, including her brand’s proprietary algae sourced from France and Ireland, to achieve her signature glow from the inside out.
“Algae is arguably the most resilient plant on Earth. It survives the harshest weather conditions, uses sunlight as its sole energy source, and sits at the center of the marine ecosystem, balancing carbon, absorbing toxins, and serving as the basis of the aquatic food chain,” McNamara explains.
And on land, it does the same for your skin.
“There’s an undeniable radiance you get from using our products,” she says. “Our multi-functional formulas help hydrate, firm, smooth, and brighten.”
Celebs like Hailey Bieber, Gwyneth Paltrow, Chrissy Teigen, Riley Keough, Hailee Steinfeld, and Olivia Munn seem to agree, al stocking their shelves with the Algae Cleansing Oil, SeaDream Algae Cream, Sea Silk Lip Balm, and Algae Retinol Face Oil.
Beyond consistent use of her product line, McNamara satisfies her algae cravings through her diet as well.
“I never turn down a sushi night, and when cooking, I use the Algae Cooking Club oil because it has a high burn point, which makes it healthier and more effective for stove-top cooking,” she shares.
Even on the go, she sneaks the super-plant into snacks, smoothies, and water.
“I recently began baking cottage cheese on top of dried nori seaweed and it’s delicious,” she says. “I also love adding spirulina to my smoothies and frequently reach for Juna chlorophyll drops to add into my water, especially when I’m feeling bloated or need a detox.”
But when it’s time to truly unplug, the California native naturally opts for a seaside getaway, and she’s never without her travel-sized treasures.
“Our Mini MARA Set has everything your skin needs to stay healthy and glowing from the plane to the beach, including our Sea Kale Sunscreen Serum for lazy, no-makeup makeup days.”
As for her mermaid-inspired vacation style: “I pack Toteme sandals, a cute Elce set that can be styled up or down, my favorite white tank and fitted dress from Clyque the Label, and Luv AJ’s new Sunset Stone collection in green,” she spills.
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