A Community of Mental Health + Beauty Activists

  • In 2020, a small and ambitious group of emotional humans came together on a video call, curious about the connection between self-worth and beauty.

    As the global pandemic dragged on longer than imagined, we felt the profound impact of intense stress and anxiety on mind, body, and skin.
    Through the screen, we fed our need for connection that steadied us against rising uncertainty.
    From countless conversations and connections, we built something far deeper than the skin’s surface. Turns out, beauty is an inside job. When you feel good, you look good, and live better. A sense of shared purpose emerged: to change the way we take care of ourselves.
    Together, we joined forces with mental health experts to build selfmade—a creative, stimulating, and accessible space for conversations, resources, and tools that make self-exploration a daily ritual, part of our skincare routine.

👋 I'm Stephanie...

An activist, disruptor, and a deeply human work in progress. Explorer—of both the internal and external worlds—and a doer, super-powered by years of therapy, trial and error, and a strong support system.

  • I know firsthand what it means to lack access to mental health tools, resources and conversations. Ultimately no way to embrace my inherent self-worth. That’s why selfmade exists.
    My personal crisis while in the beauty industry forced me to rebuild my relationship with self from the inside out. It taught me that beauty isn’t about how we look to others—it’s about how we feel and experience the world.
    Growing up in my mom’s hair salon meant sweeping floors as she rebuilt her life in the U.S. as a refugee. My understanding of beauty was shaped by unrealistic societal expectations while navigating life as an undiagnosed neurodivergent, first-gen tomboy of color.
    Through bootstrapping selfmade, I've learned that life isn’t about chasing one singular feeling—really living is embracing the full spectrum of human emotion.

"I know what it’s like to struggle, doubt myself, and feel like I don’t belong in spaces not built for me. For a while, I let that define me—until a mental health crisis forced me to unlearn everything I thought I knew about success, self-worth, and real self-care."

The Junior Advisory Board

  • From co-creating products to leading discussions on self-worth, each year the JAB cohorts ensure that selfmade reflects the real needs of the community.

  • The Board puts mental wellbeing advocacy in action through testing and building tools, influencing formula and packaging, and attending or hosting events.
  • "I found a space where my voice matters. We are helping build something that challenges the way beauty and mental health are talked about."
    – Caroline Z.
  • "selfmade didn’t just let me be part of the conversation—they trusted me to lead."
    – Bria C.
  • "Our thoughts and opinions have been incorporated into all current and future projects—we are truly being heard."
    – Selena B.
  • "I joined JAB when I wasn't feeling my best mentally and emotionally, and this space helped me rethink beauty and self-worth."
    – Hala A.
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APPLICATIONS OPEN SPRING 2025

Our Community of Experts

Redefining wellbeing from the inside out.

  • Dr. Byron Young

    CHIEF MEDICAL ADVISOR
    A child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist currently with the LA County Mental Health Department within the foster care system. He currently consults with Sony and Netflix Animation Studios on emotional wellbeing programming at the intersection of creativity, social justice and mental health.

  • Dr. Jeshana Avent-Johnson

    CHIEF THERAPY ADVISOR
    Psychologist, psychosomatic, trauma and intimacy Expert as well as host of "Let's Get Intimate" on KBLA1580 Talk Radio. There, she hosts live couples sessions with couples to educate and de-stigmatize mental health and therapy within the BIPOC community.

  • Robyn Melissa-Watkins

    BEAUTY + WELLNESS ADVISOR
    Award-winning clean beauty pioneer and development leader with over twenty years of experience. Currently SVP at CÉCRED, she drives global innovation, R&D, and sustainable formulation. Robyn is known for creating high-performance, ethical, and inclusive products.

  • Dr. Cezary Skobowait

    PSYCHODERMATOLOGY SCIENCE ADVISOR
    A multidisciplinary scientist with 15 years of experience at the intersection of dermatology, neuroscience, and product innovation. His groundbreaking research in skin neuroendocrinology has reshaped how we understand the effects of UV radiation and inflammation on skin health.

  • Natalie Lupiani

    RESEARCH + ADVOCACY ADVISOR
    Research strategist with over 15 years of experience leading research and advocacy for Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and advocacy groups. She specializes in workplace culture, mental health, and youth engagement. A U.S. Air Force veteran and dedicated advocate for veteran mental health.
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