Behind The Brand With Tammy Fender

There was a time, not too long ago, when the terms natural and luxurious did not exist together. You could have one, but usually not the other. If you wanted good-for-you ingredients without the harmful additives, you'd find yourself in a health food store with some questionable smelling concoctions. If you liked beautiful, sensorial textures and aromas, you'd need to be ok with things like parabens and phthalates. Fortunately for us, people like Tammy Fender believed there was a better way.

The famed aesthetician knew that there was a way to combine the world of luxury skin care with natural beauty and set about creating a line of products that would do just that. The result was her eponymous brand, which launched to the public over a decade ago.

Jess has been a fan of Tammy and her line since day one and even carried her early on. Now, the brand is back on shelves at Shen and to celebrate, we decided it was the perfect time to have Tammy take part in our Behind The Brand series.

Keep reading to learn about how the brand got it start, the bestselling product people can't seem to get enough of, and what's next for this fabulous brand.

Brand name: Tammy Fender Holistic Skin Care
 
Founder: Tammy Fender
 
Date founded: Spa in 2003, skincare collection widely in 2008.
 
What was the inspiration for the line?
When treating my clients, I could not find skin-care formulas on the market that were both luxurious and natural. With a background in plant chemistry, herbalism and holistic health, I began blending my own custom-made formulas. And word just spread and spread. 

What is the Tammy Fender philosophy?
I take a holistic approach to beauty. For me, beauty is not separate from overall wellness, from an overall holistic lifestyle. Beauty is a state of vitality, in body, mind and spirit, and that radiates from within. 
 
What was the first product you developed and why did you create it?
Working as an aesthetician, I knew that treating my client’s skin with pure, all-natural remedies would provide them the most exquisite care, and especially for those clients who were healing or post-op. Intensive Repair Balm, my powerfully hydrating moisturizing cream, was created to treat damaged or recovering skin. It’s powerful, with a blend of potent traditional herbal remedies like helichrysum, white lily and lotus and brings such beautiful moisture and a dewy protective veil to the complexion.

What is your bestselling product?
Intensive Repair Balm is our best-seller, not only because it is so pure and so potent, blended with all the most powerful plant remedies, but because it can be used both by those who have dry skin and by those who have sensitivities, or might be working to heal scars or treat a range of skin conditions.
 
What's your personal favorite?
Of course it changes all the time and I love them each and all. Right now, however, I find myself recommending the ultra-nurturing Plant Milk to so many. It contains the most nourishing and protective plant remedies — white lily, mountain arnica, and chamomile — to soothe the skin and steady the heart.


What makes Tammy Fender unique?
Every day I’m hands on in the Spa’s treatment room, working with clients to revitalize their skin. Each of my formulations has come through that direct experience in working with my clients. Each new formula has addressed very specific needs. 
 
What's one surprising thing people might not know about Tammy Fender?
Our team works tirelessly to provide a beautiful experience to customers. You would never guess how much effort goes into every detail, the sourcing of every ingredient, the painstaking development and craft. 
 
What do you want people to think of when they think of Tammy Fender?
The purest and most luxurious plant-based skin care. 
 
What was one of the biggest challenges you faced in the early days of the brand?
When I first started out the big question was, ‘does natural skin care work?’ I’m thrilled to say that every day I am amazed by the efficacy of plant-based remedies. And even over the past five years our clients have grown and learned so much. Plant-based skin care has become a revolution. 
 
How did you know you'd made it as a brand?
I measure our success by customer loyalty. Some of our clients started using my skin-care formulas years ago. I want each person’s experience to be so special and supportive. 



What is your proudest moment as a founder?
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved helping people, and whenever I receive feedback from those who have benefitted from the collection, or have had a turnaround with their skin health, it just reminds me how what we do is so special.
 
What can we expect from Tammy Fender in the future? Any exciting news you can share?
We have so many great projects on the horizon. I’m delving ever more deeply into ways that we can further the full sensory experience of our favorite formulas.