A life long beauty and wellness enthusiast, Allison has always had a passion for beauty and drummed up the idea for her clean algae-based skincare line MARA.

MARA–which is the last four letters of Allison’s last name,–means “sea” in Gaelic and pays homage to her family’s Irish heritage and the brand’s proprietary algae blend which took two years to develop and is sourced off the coast of Northern Ireland and Brittany, France. MARA has quickly developed a cult following and quickly launched nationwide in-stores and online with Credo Beauty and The Detox Market, internationally on Cult Beauty and most recently with Blue Mercury.

Growing up on the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, Allison has always been inspired by the sea. While on a trip to Istanbul, Turkey gazing at the Sea of Marmara it suddenly became clear to her that she needed to create MARA–a line of fast-acting, algae-infused face oils that harness the incredible nutrient powers of the sea.

The ocean is an amazing resource filled with life nutrients like plankton, algae, and seaweed that have been around for millions of years and offer miraculous skin and health benefits. After a years of extensive research, trial and testing (but never on animals, please!) they finally settled on the right medley of sea and plant ingredients that delivered the results she was looking for.

Allison sourced the ocean’s fountain of youth, creating her own signature algae blend comprised of alaria esculenta extracts–also called Irish Wakame–and microalgae extracts sourced off the coasts of Ireland, the British channel, and Brittany, France. Her proprietary algae blend used throughout the line is high in omegas 3, 6, and 9 to fight free radicals and smooths the appearance of the skin’s texture making it look and feel baby soft.

While deep in her research, Allison was blown away when she discovered the incredible hydrating powers of moringa oil. This key ingredient offers exceptional skin benefits and is much lighter and faster absorbing than the oils more commonly used in quality skincare products. Moringa, called the Miracle Tree, is quite literally that–it has an insane nutrient profile loaded with 46 antioxidants and has 7x the vitamin C of oranges!, 4x the vitamin A of carrots!, 3x the potassium of bananas! and 2x the protein of yogurt!

LIke us, Allison wants a lot out of her skincare products, but she also believes that skincare should be simple, effective, and beautiful, which is why she created our first product MARA Universal Face Oil which truly does it all. Try MARA and get ready to #SeatheGlow.

MARA // www.themarabeauty.com

NAME:

Allison McNamara

NICKNAME: PROFESSION:

Founder, MARA

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

Palos Verdes Estates, CA

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

Hollywood Hills, CA

WHEN YOU’RE EATING HEALTHY, WHAT IS A TYPICAL…

BREAKFAST: Room temperature water with lemon, then I brew coffee with ghee or oat milk. I try to intermittent fast most weekdays so I don’t eat first thing in the AM. If I do eat it is always a smoothie with spinach/ kale, 1/3 cup frozen raspberries, filtered water, sliver of avocado, hemp seed, chia, Vega protein powder, and one of my powdered supplements – right now I’m adding lots of Liposomal Vitamin C, Zinc and Elderberry.

LUNCH: We have been ordering veggies weekly from Flamingo Estates, so usually lunch is a leftover protein from the night before or a hard boiled egg over chopped Flamingo Estates greens from that week. My current fave is chopped chard and beet leaves, cilantro, green onion and bell pepper. I make homemade dressing that I’ve been keeping at the house for salads – EVOO, organic mustard, Himalayan salt, ground pepper and a squeeze of lime.

DINNER: We love scallops with lots of fresh roasted veggies on the side or lettuce tacos with Belcampo meat. When we’re trying to be healthy we load up on the veggies and protein and try and keep carbs minimal.

SNACK: I try really hard not to snack! It’s actually easier for me to not snack at home–when I’m at the office I snack way more on Hippeas or carrots.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS/RESTAURANTS TO EAT HEALTHY?

Organico, Croft Alley, Kreation, the Paleo People, The Breakroom Cafe, Daichan, Sweet Green, Earth Bar

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INDULGENCE?

I love dessert! I don’t discriminate, I enjoy just about everything. Lemon bars are my weakness along with Salt & Straw ice cream.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS/RESTAURANTS TO INDULGE?

Daichan (it can be as healthy or as hearty a you want it to be, when I’m indulging I get the chicken curry it is heaven), Bestia, Jon and Vinnys takeout, Cecconis, Rosaline, Dan Tanas… there are so many but I really love going out for delicious Italian.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR LAST MEAL ON EARTH?

Daichan – can you tell it’s my fave? I would probably order the entire menu but some staples are: Lotus Root, Seasame Seaweed, Tuna Tataki sashimi, Chicken Katsudon or Chicken Curry and lots of organic sake. It’s Japanese comfort food and truly my favorite restaurant here in LA.

WHAT IS THE BEST DISH YOU COOK/ YOUR FAVORITE RECIPE?

I am not a cook, I’m a compiler! I wish I was better, but really I’m great at making a delicious salad out of whatever veggies are in the fridge that can be chopped, grilled or roasted. I also have a really hard time following directions, so I always go rouge.

WHERE DO YOU GROCERY SHOP?

Studio City Farmers Market, Erewhon, Whole Foods when life is normal. Currently, wherever I can get an Instacart order at.

TOP 3 ITEMS YOU ALWAYS HAVE IN YOUR KITCHEN?

Berries, MarthaNature Almond Butter, Organic Lemons, Avocados

WHAT IS YOUR FITNESS REGIMEN? (how often & what you do)

I workout 4x a week with my pilates trainer, Pilates by Amanda on the reformer. She is so incredible! Because of quarantine, she has created these incredible online workout videos which I have been doing about 5x a week. I also try and do a 20 minute walk each day and weekly incorporate some cardio by doing a run or the stairs next to my house.

WHAT IS YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE? (products, facials, etc)

I like to keep things simple and effective. My mantra is: cleanse, active, hydrate and I basically follow that morning and night.

AM: Damp Cleanse: MARA Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil // Active: Vitamin C Serum Hydrate: MARA Universal Face Oil // SPF: Supergoop Mineral SPF or Biossance SPF

Night: Dry Cleanse: MARA Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil*Deeper Exfoliate if needed: Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser // Active: MARA Algae Retinol Face Oil 4 nights a week. Alternating nights with Biossance Lactic Acid or Sunday Riley Good Genes // Hydrate: MARA Universal Face Oil.

Sometimes mix in with Weleda Skin FoodMasks: (I usually mask once a week) // True Botanicals Detox Mask // Tata Harper Clarifying Mask // Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask // Sonya Dakar Rose Gold Radiance Mask // Biossance Glycolic Mask Versed Charcoal Mud Mask // Gua Sha with MARA Gua Sha stone – I try and do this when I’m watching TV paired with MARA Universal Face Oil Facials: Sonya Dakar, Noelle Sims from True Botanicals and Jacky B Skincare are my go-tos.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE MAKEUP/NATURAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS?

Ilia SFP Oil Serum (I wear Tulum) - Saie Glowy Super GelI - lia Limitless Mascara - Kosas Wet Lip Oil (all shades TBH I love) - Tower 28 Bronzino in West Coast, Cheek in Golden Hour, Lip in Fire, - Super Dewy Gloss Balm- Aether beauty eye palettes are so so gorgeous- RMS Living Luminizer and UnCover Up - Beautycounter Concealer - Kosas cream palettes– all of them I rotate!

IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND, WHAT 3 PRODUCTS WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU?

MARA Universal Face Oil - Supergoop Mineral SPF - The Now Massage Lip Balm

WHAT PROFESSIONAL BEAUTY/HEALTH/FITNESS/SPIRITUAL GURUS DO YOU SWEAR BY?

Pilates by Amanda, she is the best in LA! - Cassondra Kaeding for hair color at 454 North, she’s also my fiancé - Facials by Sonya Dakar, Noelle Sims at True Botanicals - Cynthia Marie Franco for Head to Toe Glow treatment - Camila Perez for Lymphatic Drainage – she is a genius!Vie Healing fro Acupunture - The Now Massage for massages - Sari Hoban at West Side Aesthetics for injectables

TOP 3 FAVORITE SONGS?

Local Natives Wide Eyes // Carol King, I Feel the Earth Move // Fleetwood Mac, Dreams

MOST-WATCHED MOVIE?

Oh man that’s hard! Probably something easy like Mean Girls, Legally Blonde, Devil Wears Prada or Princess Diaries… not even kidding on the last one.

MOST LIFE-CHANGING BOOK?

For Human Existence: Sapiens by Dr Harari // For Business: The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz // For Encouragement: You Are a Bad Ass

FAVORITE SHOPS/BOUTIQUES?

Credo Beauty, The Detox Market, Reformation, Pasadena Flea Market… I do most of my shopping online though!

COOLEST PLACE YOU’VE EVER VISITED?

Too many to count! Coolest probably Marrakech, Morocco. Favorite place is definitely Positano, Italy. I got engaged in Capri so that will always be a favorite spot for us.

FAVORITE HOTELS?

La Mamounia Marrakech, Le Sirenuse in Positano, Ventana Inn Big Sur, The Ludlow Hotel NYC, Le Calette in Cefalu Sicily

WHAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?

My dad brought me back this little gold elephant with jade on it years ago. I remember how special it made me feel when I received it and to this day I remember the way it made me feel when I look at it.

MOST PROFOUND HEALING EXPERIENCE YOU’VE EVER HAD?

A Chakra Cleansing facial with skin witch Emma Goodman at Skin Worship. The entire room turned pink as she was opening my heart chakra, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

WHO ARE YOUR MOST TRUSTED HEALERS?

I love Mona Dan at Vie Healing and the rest of the acupuncturists there.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE YOU’VE HAD TO FACE AND WHAT DID YOU TAKE AWAY FROM IT?

Creating my own business has definitely had the largest learning curve but the biggest reward. It’s taught me patience, which is something I still am working on but it’s gotten much much better! Learning how to pivot has been a major takeaway too.

DESCRIBE YOUR PERFECT DAY.

Waking up on my own time, a long walk with my dog, a nice cup of coffee. Followed of course by a mid-morning workout (literally never get to do that but 10am is my dream workout time) followed by a delicious smoothie. I’d then love to spend sometime reading in the backyard then head to Malibu for late afternoon cocktails and dinner with friends by the beach watching the sunset and game night. Super simple and easy.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST VALUABLE GLOW TIP/SECRET?

Drink lots of water, exercise consistently, only wear makeup when you really need to (same with styling your hair.) Don’t use a million products, your skin can only absorb so much! Don’t over exfoliate.

FAVORITE QUOTE?

I’m not a huge quotes person but one that really resonated recently with me on IG: “Success isn’t a place; it’s not a result, it’s an action not a verb. It’s a movement, not a noun.” — Chuck Lorre