Kind Lab Interview with TAYLOR + tess Founder, Tess Taylor
Kind Lab: Please introduce yourself.
Tess Taylor: My name is Tess Taylor. I am the founder of the plant-based, CBD skincare line, TAYLOR + tess: a family-run company in Dallas, Texas.
Kind Lab: When & why did you start Taylor + tess?
Tess Taylor: My Marine Corps + Army veteran parents started using cannabis products for chronic and severe pain, and I witnessed just how powerful this plant is first hand. I have smoked since my teens, but watching my Vietnam veteran father get over the stigma of weed and find healing gave me so much hope and inspired me.
As a family, we collectively became interested in cannabis and hemp. In 2018, my mom enrolled my dad, sister, and me in an online program for a “master’s degree in cannabis” and bought over 15 books on Kindle because she was so eager for us to learn more. She’s over-the-top in the best way.
Starting a CBD skincare line was a no-brainer after learning about its benefits to the skin and watching it transform mine. It healed my eczema, cleared my face’s complexion, and gave me an approachable platform to educate folks about cannabis, hemp, their endocannabinoid system, and equity in the industry.
Kind Lab: What is the short and long-term mission or vision of TAYLOR + tess?
Tess Taylor: My short-term goals are to expand our product offerings as a skincare and lifestyle brand online while connecting with more brick and mortar retailers across the country.
My long-term goal is to have our own manufacturing and research facility to formulate even more effective products that heal and protect the skin.
Kind Lab: Tell is a little about the story behind your favorite TAYLOR & tess product?
Tess Taylor: I love our ‘in the Buff’ cleansing bar because I can travel with one product for my face and body and it smells amazing! It is handmade, vegan, toxic-free and cruelty-free. It features African black soap made from organic cocoa pod and plantain ash that gently cleanses, fights bacteria, and is full of antioxidants, iron, and vitamins A + E to help soothe your skin while evening texture.
The activated charcoal acts as a magnet for dirt and oil. we added a well-balanced blend of olive, coconut, avocado, and castor oil to leave your skin feeling hydrated + supple. We wanted a universal scent that would appease pretty much everyone, while also not being identifiable as “feminine” or “masculine.”
Shower time is sacred to me and I take it very seriously, so I loaded our bar with essential oils and CBD to make it a truly therapeutic experience. I like to use our exfoliating face sponge a couple of days a week and loofahs/exfoliating body brushes during my daily shower routine.
Kind Lab: What’s important to look for in any skincare product?
Tess Taylor: You could spend countless minutes Googling every ingredient in a product, or you could look for the words “vegan,” “organic,” “sustainably sourced,” and “paraben and phthalate-free” to narrow down your options.
Also, check the “Clean Beauty” standards of your favorite retailers and see if they align with your values or standard for products. We have too many affordable and ethical options to settle for shallow marketing and toxic chemicals.