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Q & A

P L U S / modern natural skin care

A conversation with Ann Alexander Leggett and her son Nic Leggett, the creators of Denver based PLUS modern skin.

10 I N T E R V I E W: Chantel Ellerington P H O T O G R A P H S: Jordan Leggett, David Lauer / Design Platform (exterior shot of Michael Stars)

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M I N U T E S W I T H T H E F O U N D E R

PIKKAS PERUVIAN CUISINE & PISCO BAR

AVIANO COFFEE

SECOND HOME KITCHEN + BAR

“So many people just aren’t aware that what they put ON their bodies everyday matters just as much as what they put IN.”

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CHANTEL ELLERINGTON: Share with us what is PLUS?ANN ALEXANDER LEGGETT + NIC LEGGETT: We started PLUS modern skin to provide people with all-natural, safe, non-toxic and well-designed alternatives to chemical-laden mainstream skin care. Our products are totally free of all toxins including parabens and pthalates, and chock-full of bio-active extracts and oils. We use incredibly powerful ingredients such as emu oil, apple stem extract and sea buckthorn oil (among other amazing ingredients), which are blended by hand with nutritive oils and shea butter to create all-natural products that really work.

CE: What is PLUS modern skin’s mission & purpose? AAL + NL: Our mission is to provide only the finest, chemical free products that still feel rich and luxurious. We are constantly researching and finding the most cutting edge, all-natural ingredients to use in our formulations.

We love talking to people about our products. So many people just aren’t aware that what they put ON their bodies everyday matters just as much as what they put IN. The skin is the body’s largest organ! We want people to look at the labels on their products and be aware of what they are putting on their skin.

CE: What inspired you to create this brand and why now?AAL: I have been diagnosed with breast cancer twice. This chain of events started our research into all possible causes of breast cancer. What we learned was frightening; common chemicals found in many body care products can contribute to cancer and are actually found in breast tissue samples. Through our early research we learned about parabens, dmdm hydantoin and countless other toxins. Many of these chemicals are endocrine disrupters.

As a result, one morning I looked at the labels on my body care products and threw literally every single product I owned in the garbage. I was stunned at what was in my common everyday products. The problem was I didn’t like any of the available alternatives. Thus began our 10-year odyssey to find a better solution: products that are all natural, non-toxic and clean; products with a soothing, naturally-derived fragrance; and products that feel rich and that actually work. But we didn’t want to sacrifice luxury. As a result, we created our own line.

CE: The best business advice ever received?AAL + NL: B E P A T I E N T! Getting a business up and running takes patience. Not a quality either of us is typically known for.

CE: What does it mean personally to share this product with people in Colorado and across the globe?AAL: Oh, it means more than anyone will ever know. PLUS was born through strength and vision, and with hope for me and for those we love who have been affected by cancer. So this company is very, very personal and important to us. It is our passion. Together we set out to build a little company to give back, to educate, to fight a disease. It was all we knew how to do in the face of fear. We took a terrible situation and twisted it into something good. Sharing the end result-skin care products that are good for people-makes it all feel a little better.

CE: Michael Stars now carries PlUS at all of their stores nationwide...How has this opportunity inspired your goals for 2015?NL: It has long been a dream to make these products available to everyone concerned about their health and the health of their skin, and the opportunity with Michael Stars has made it even more real. Michael Stars is a contemporary lifestyle brand offering both women’s and men’s fashion collections. We are in all 11 of their national stores including those in East Hampton, NY and Malibu. We are still pinching ourselves about that! Being in Michael Stars has helped us think even bigger. 2015 is going to be our best year yet and we have plans to really expand our retail presence. However, our products will always be available online at www.plusmodernskin.com.

“I loved PLUS hand lotion the second I tried it. My hands stay soft and moisturized, even if I forget to apply it for a couple of days. I cannot say enough good things about these products-high quality, wonderful (and never overpowering) fragrance, lasting effects.” -Dana N., Anchorage, AK

“I loved the concept of PLUS as soon as I heard it. And, I was hopeful the products would live up to the concept. They do and more! I love the FACE HYDRATE and my new favorite is the HAND HYDRATE -a little goes a long way and I love the fresh, citrus scent. It is so nice to have found natural skin care that is not only good for my body, but feels so fantastic. Thank you Ann and Nic!” - Stephanie G., Louisville, CO

Santa Barbara Michael Stars by Julie Birschbach

Q & A

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“Together we set out to build a company to give back, to educate, to fight a disease. It was all we knew how to do in the face of fear.

CE: Insiders tip for Colorado winter dryness?AAL: I have the driest skin ever, so I formulated these products for me. If they can work on my skin, they will work on yours. A tip? I always put on my BODY HYDRATE and FACE HYDRATE as soon as I get out of the shower, when my skin is still a little damp. That routine keeps my skin moisturized all day. It also allows the FACE HYDRATE, which is very rich and nutritive, to absorb before I put on any non-toxic powder foundation.

CE: Share with us a few-must have products you’ve created?NL: Well, our HAND HYDRATE, our LIP HYDRATE and our FACE HYDRATE seem to have developed a cult-like following. The HAND HYDRATE is so light and absorbs so quickly but works amazingly well and isn’t greasy. And the scent of the HAND HYDRATE, mostly because of the sea buckthorn oil, is everyone’s favorite. The comments that we get about the FACE HYDRATE are all centered around wrinkles actually disappearing, so we love hearing that! (And our products are not just for women. Men report that using the FACE HYDRATE after shaving makes their skin feel better than ever.) And the LIP HYDRATE, well if you love zingy, minty, healing lip balm you won’t be able to quit this stuff. People are addicted.

CE: Lastly, why should someone choose PLUS / modern skin care? AAL + NL: Many moisturizers on the market today act as band-aids for winter dry skin. They appear to make skin more supple and hydrated, but most contain oils that cannot penetrate beyond the first layer of skin and thus, don’t actually moisturize at all. You have to constantly reapply, and no difference will be made in the actual moisture content of your skin.

We use emu oil in our products. Emu oil is one of the most nutritive natural oils in existence and this is largely due to the fact that it completely lacks phospholipids. Phospholipids cannot be absorbed by the skin. Emu oil’s lack of these compounds means that it can truly penetrate all layers of your skin, carrying other moisturizing ingredients with it.

As a result, your skin will feel and look better than ever, plus you will feel good about using products that are free of harmful chemicals and toxins.

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Photo by David Lauer / Design Platform