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beauty
F.MILLER Founder Fran Miller On Evening Beauty Rituals And The One Product She Can’t Live Without
05/09/23
Author: ANDRÉA TCHACOS
DOCUMENTED BY: F.MILLER
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How does the founder of a cult skincare brand look after their own skin? For Fran Miller of botanical skincare line F.MILLER, it’s kind of a chicken or egg question.
How does the founder of a cult skincare brand look after their own skin? For Fran Miller of botanical skincare line F.MILLER, it’s kind of a chicken or egg question.
The brand’s origins are inherently personal. About a decade ago, Fran couldn’t find a remedy for her sensitive skin concerns and decided to (literally) make her own.
F.MILLER began at home, where Fran started experimenting with natural formulas, landing on an organic oil blend that would inspire the brand’s clinically proven, plant-based products. So when Fran invited us over and shared her evening routine, we were excited to learn that her talent for combining nourishing ingredients extends to the kitchen – and that she still loves a DIY skin treatment!
It’s testament to the intuitive approach that made F.MILLER a ‘clean beauty’ icon long before that was a hype term. “When you work closely with plants and see how transformative and healing these relatively simple ingredients can be, it reinforces that less is more,” Fran explains. Refreshingly, she’s also an advocate of doing what works best for your skin—with “safety and efficacy” in mind—whether that means using natural formulas or otherwise.
When it comes to her creations, Fran’s not afraid to pick personal favourites – nor is she slow to divulge what she’s learned as a skincare insider. Here, she shares her non-negotiable nightly ritual and her favourite edible face mask, along with the F.MILLER product she takes with her whenever she goes.
Documented By: F.MILLER
RIISE: Hi Fran! Thank you so much for allowing us a glimpse of your evening skincare rituals. Have you always been interested in beauty, or was there a defining moment that led to you founding F. MILLER?
Fran Miller: I came from a fashion background but had always had a—somewhat obsessive—love for beauty and cosmetics.
When I initially set out to develop F.MILLER nine years ago, it was with the aim of addressing my personal skincare needs. I had been struggling with a range of skin sensitivities and only began to find relief and results upon shifting my routine to a simpler, cleaner, more nourishing one, led by an intuitive approach. Less but better.
RIISE: Where’s home for you, and what makes it feel like home?
FM: Home is my kitchen. It’s where I spend most of my time, making food for my partner and I. It’s my go-to space to take pause during a hectic day.
RIISE: Talk us through your evening skincare routine. How does it differ from your approach in the AM?
FM: My AM routine is pretty scaled back. I splash with cool water followed by a generous misting of Toning Mist. I apply a serum—something new coming soon!—followed by one to two minutes of Gua Sha massage using the Face Oil—I run the tool under cold water for an extra awakening/depuffing situation—and SPF if I’m leaving the house.
My PM routine starts in the early afternoon when fatigue often sets in. I keep a bottle of Eye Oil in the fridge that I apply when I start to feel the inevitable afternoon slump. It has cucumber and green coffee to depuff and a stainless steel roller ball that instantly cools and awakens. It does double duty to moisturise dry cuticles, too.
At night I deep cleanse with the Cleansing Oil and a warm face cloth. Then I layer in as much hydration and nourishment as possible: Toning Mist, serum, a retinol every other day, and the Face Oil to seal it all in. Another application of Eye Oil and a generous coating of Lip Balm as a light overnight lip mask.
RIISE: The Eye Oil is one of our favourite products here at RIISE!
FM: The Eye Oil is addictive! I always carry one in my bag and apply it throughout the day by my eyes, on my cheekbones, lips, and cuticles. I also use it on any dry patches that might be present on any given day. It is, by far, our most versatile product.
RIISE: Aside from skincare, what other rituals do you incorporate to wind down at the end of the day? Are there any non-negotiables in your nighttime routine?
FM: Scent plays a huge part in my environment and definitely helps me ground and focus but also unwind. I burn incense sticks regularly. It’s how I start my day and also end it.
RIISE: F. MILLER is the result of your experimentation with botanical ingredients to find what worked for your skin. Do you still enjoy a DIY approach in your personal routine?
FM: I do. One to three times a week I'll do a mask that I can leave on while I do my morning things. I've recently been testing out some new formulas but I also love mixing Activist Mānuka honey with a bit of white clay or kefir when my skin is feeling dry, reactive, and in need of nourishment. Especially ideal for the winter months.
RIISE: What’s the biggest misconception people have when it comes to natural skincare?
FM: The most common misconception is that natural skincare isn’t effective and anything synthetic is harmful. Truly, the effectiveness of skincare products, whether natural or formulated with synthetic ingredients, is not inherently better or worse for your skin. It depends on the ingredients used, formulations, individual skin concerns and desired outcomes. Both natural and synthetic products have their strengths and weaknesses, and the key is to choose products that align with your skin's needs and your personal preferences while considering safety and efficacy.
RIISE: Oils are central to the F. MILLER line. Why did you decide to make them the focus?
FM: On my personal skin journey, a simple organic oil blend was one of the first things I saw true results from, and my obsession with oils began soon after. Plant oils have a level of efficacy that's hard to beat and are incredibly multi-tasking, each with an abundance of deeply nourishing, skin-supporting benefits.
RIISE: What's your take on ‘clean’ beauty?
FM: My definition of clean beauty is the balance of safety, sustainability, and efficacy. It’s the use of transformative healing ingredients that come from the earth and the respect of the land they come from.
RIISE: You’re packing an overnight bag and can only bring one F. MILLER product. Which one are you going to choose, and why?
FM: Same as you all, it’s the Eye Oil for me. Its endless multi-functional abilities have me reaching for it the most. It’s an instant brightener for tired skin, and the perfect size for any bag.
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Documented By: F.MILLER
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