Be prepared for serious life envy as I intro you to the awesomeness that is Laura Rudoe, the founder and driving force behind beauty range, evolve.

Laura, who has always had an interest in ethical and environmentally friendly business practices, is also passionate about food and wellbeing, and has worked extensively using alternative medicine and nutrition to improve her own health.

Inspired by natural superfoods, Laura’s deep appreciation for nature is at the centre of the evolve range; “nature is much smarter than we think. there are so many amazingly effective ingredients we have found derived from natural superfoods used for generations such as moringa, acai and argan as well as natural peptides. there is really no need for synthetics.”

See? Told you didn’t I?

Laura, what is it you do exactly?
I create ethical products that help people be a little better in their everyday lives. I look after my super cute 6 month old baby son Daniel. Those 2 things are keeping me quite busy right now so that’s about it.

What is evolve, why and how did you set it up, and what do you love most about it?
evolve is a range of fabulous organic beauty products packaged in recycled milk bottles. I created it to prove that eco products can be fabulous and desirable, without costing the earth. I developed it over the past 15 months, whilst I was pregnant with my first baby, Daniel. I launched it (somehow, not quite sure how I managed it) when he was 4 months old. What I love most about it is that people keep on telling me how much they like the products – it is really satisfying!

Can you tell us a bit about your daily routine – do you get involved in what actually goes into the products, do you have to be creative and business-like? What’s a typical day like for you?
The best thing about my job is that every day is different and that I can be both creative AND business like at the same time. One day I’m at a factory, another day pitching to John Lewis, another doing an interview for a magazine and then next I’m working in a store telling staff and customers about our products. I do actually get involved in what is in the products. I design them all and find the main ingredients. (These days that mostly involves calling up suppliers but I have been up the Amazon to look for ingredients too!) I then work with a UK based family run manufacturer who help me create the finished products and manufacture them.

What’s your best beauty secret – care to share?
Use as little as possible to avoid irritation! I only use 2 products on my face – our soap free gentle cleansing melt and our multi action single cream.
Also keep it natural as that is what the skin knows best – all of our products are edible as we knew if we made it good enough to eat it would be good for the skin. Most women use too many products and expose themselves to loads of chemicals every day that build up in their bodies.

What’s the secret to being beautiful?
Your skin is the biggest organ of the body and beautiful skin reflects inner health. We’ve made our products with superfoods but it is also really important to eat them as well as putting them on the skin. Eat them raw and as fresh as possible to maximise the goodness.

What’s your favourite evolve product and why?
Probably our multi action single cream – I use it morning and night as my daily moisturiser. I formulated it with anti aging peptides from coconut so I wouldn’t need to use another anti aging product and it smells divine – really creamy and coconutty. It leaves my skin matte and really smooth but not greasy.

What do you love most about being a woman?
Being a mother.

What’s your greatest achievement?
My wonderful son. He is such a lovely person and so smiley and happy. I’m so proud of any part I’ve played in that.

Your biggest life lesson?
Do what you love and you will be successful.

Five must-have beauty items that you could not live without?
evolve radiance boost smoothing cream. It really smells divine.
Organic pharmacy lip gloss – just like juicy tubes except natural. And when you eat most of what is on your lips that’s important!!
Clarisonic for gentle facial exfoliation
Sleep (though I’m doing my best right now!)
Love.

What five songs would be on an Evolve soundtrack?
Evolution – cinematic orchestra
Better things – massive attack
It’s only natural – crowded house
We can make it better – Kanye West
Nice work if you can get it – George Gershwin

What’s your advice for being successful in the beauty industry?
Really understand your market, test your products with real people, keep costs lean and get the product out there and then don’t be afraid to iterate towards perfection.

The Evolve Sassy List: What’s your favourite…
Book: I’m an avid reader so too many to choose from! I’m currently rereading “a new earth” by ekhart tolle
Food: Cherries – I’m a summer girl at heart.
Clothing label: I’m loving Whistles – partly because there is one in Hampstead close to my house and I’m lazy….
Make-up brand: Organic glam by the organic pharmacy
Movie: The age of stupid
Music: Gotan Project
City: London. I’ve lived in Boston and Sydney but London is home.
Shop: Content Beauty and Wellbeing in Marylebone.
Website: www.evolvebeauty.co.uk – where else!!

What does the term Sassy Minx mean to you?
A smart woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to use what she’s got.

Go buy dee-lish evolve prods at: www.evolvebeauty.co.uk and read their fabulous blog here