Karissa Bodnar is the Founder and CEO of Thrive Causemetics, a popular makeup brand with a purpose. For every product purchased, the company donates to help a woman thrive. Long before starting her company, Karissa created makeup as a little girl from crayons and flowers. Nowadays, her products are high-performing, vegan, cruelty-free, as well as paraben, sulfate, and latex free. Using her experience working as a makeup artist, then a product developer and formulator for some of the largest beauty brands, including the luxury division at L’Oreal, Karissa has built a business that is revolutionizing beauty. Below, this founder takes us into an evening in her life.  

7 P.M. I usually get home from the office between 7:00 and 8:00 pm. As soon as I get home, I take my two rescue pups on a walk. I’ve lived in LA for about a year now but I’m still getting used to the weather and try to be outside as much as I can. Then, I make a quick dinner, something easy and healthy, but mostly just easy!  

8:00 P.M. Working at a makeup company, I often come home wearing more makeup than when I left my house that morning, so cleansing my face is a necessity. To remove my makeup, I keep it pretty simple with jojoba oil and a cotton pad—jojoba oil is one of my favorite ingredients and I love using it in our products because it’s one of the most bioavailable oils (aka it’s most like the oils your skin naturally creates and replenishes essential fatty acids to the skin while effectively removing waterproof makeup like our Infinity Waterproof Eyeliner and Liquid Lash Extensions mascara).

8:30 P.M. I’m obsessed with saunaing because it really helps melt away all of the stress of the day. Adding essential oils makes the experience even better, especially eucalyptus oil which naturally calms your senses. 

9:00 P.M. After I sauna, I love to make my favorite sleep cocktail. This cocktail, however, does not have alcohol but instead a mixture of magnesium, collagen protein, trace minerals and a splash of lemon juice. All of the ingredients help me relax and are also great for my skin as and preparing your body for sleep.

9:30 P.M. I take a shower and spend extra time cleansing my skin. I’ve been working on developing a cleanser for the last 2 years, so I’m currently using that. After cleansing, I apply a hyaluronic acid serum and eye cream. I then apply Overnight Sensation Brightening Sleep Mask, taking extra care to apply under my eyes as well as my eyelids. Overnight Sensation is one of the only sleeping masks out there that is ophthalmologist approved to be used around your eyes. The skin around your eyes is super delicate, so we wanted to make sure we created a formula that was powerful while still being safe around your eyes. 

10:00 P.M. Before shutting down for the night, I’ll catch up on a few more emails and read on my Kindle (if I have time). 

11:00 P.M. I’m off to bed so I can get a good night of sleep and wake up early to get a workout in before work the next day!