Welcome to the Localite Lounge! Today I am chatting with Mila, co-creator of Nala, a free-from beauty line that marries science with nature. Mila can you explain what you mean by free-from?
Conventional cosmetics have a laundry list of toxic ingredients and Nala has taken great care to ensure their products are free from the worst offenders in the cosmetic world (including aluminum, phthalates, parabens and petroleum). I have also done extensive research to ensure there are no ingredients with known or potential carcinogens in the products. Nala excludes all ingredients found on California’s Proposition 65 list. The list contains a wide range of naturally occurring and synthetic chemicals that are known to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. So naturally occurring or natural ingredients are not always good enough for Nala standards. Nala uses the finest ingredients (organic where possible) that come with quality certificates. The ingredients that are found in Nala deodorants can be found on the website with a description of each.
What is your background?
I have a Biotech Engineering undergraduate degree, with an MBA in Biotech from SFU.
Full disclosure – I previously worked with Mila at a Biotech company many years ago and know her to be both brilliant chemist and fun to work with!
Mila, I understand your daughter, Ada co-founded Nala with you (however Ada is currently on maternity leave – congratulations on your grandson!). What roles do each of you play?
I work on researching and sourcing the ingredients, formulations, product development and manufacturing and Ada, with her Marketing degree, runs the marketing, social media, branding and public relations. We both work on business development and packaging development.
What is it like working with your daughter?
I really enjoy working with Ada. In a way it is like getting to know another dimension of her and admire her talents and smartness. It does get challenging at times but we learn to let each other play our strengths and passions. If we disagree we let the person who is more passionate about the subject of our disagreements, to lead and have it her way. In other words we respect each others expertise and passion!
What made you want to start your own business?
Nala was inspired by the loss of Alan, my husband and Ada’s father to cancer. With the pain of losing Alan and the feeling of failing to help him, I felt an urge to channel the force of grief into creating something meaningful, something that can potentially help other people avoid the pain my family was feeling. And that is how Nala was born. We wanted to create products that are both safe and efficacious, the products one can trust and rely on without having to read and study the long list of ingredients. We also wanted to promote deep self care and self love as we believe it is really up to us to take care of ourselves and our health in a way that will help us around our loved ones for a long time. Therefore, our slogan “I care for me, I care for you’<3.
Can you explain what is meant by personalized deodorant?
Each person has a different body chemistry and scent preferences so Nala has enabled customers to personalize their deodorant. There are 3 different strengths: mild for sensitive skin, regular and extra strength. The choices for scents are: Unscented, Citrus, Eucalyptus, & Woodsy. The choice is yours.
This is in addition to their regular line up: Detox: Peppermint & Activated Charcoal, Lemon Myrtle & Geranium and Sandalwood & Bergamot. My daughters and I (which covers the entire spectrum of hormonal sweatiness!) have tried all three of these deodorants and found that they really work. We all have our favourites, mine is Sandalwood & Bergamot. The scents are lovely and very different from the typical deodorants.
Nala has won several awards for their deodorants including 2020 NewBeauty Awards: Body Essentials for Best Deodorant & Vancouver Magazine’s Best Made in Vancouver Award in the Beauty category.
Can you tell us about your new hand sanitizer?
Nala recently launched a new hand sanitizer in response to the global shortage in these crazy times. The ingredients include a soothing blend of high-grade eucalyptus, tea tree, and manuka oil with undertones of uplifting lemongrass and calming lavender floral water and of course contains the necessary amount of alcohol to kill harmful bacteria & viruses.
Any other new products on the horizon?
Yes! there are a few products in the pipeline – please stay tuned to social media or join our newsletter for announcements.
Anything else you would like to tell us about Nala?
Nala products are manufactured in Vancouver in small batches with no preservatives. Nala products are vegan and cruelty free. 10% of proceeds for the hand sanitizer go to Covenant House Vancouver, to continue to supply essential services to youth experiencing homelessness.
Thanks very much Mila – it was great talking to you again. Stay safe!
Use the coupon code THELOCALITE to receive 15% off Nala products. www.nalacare.com