How the Founder of Pacifica Beauty Starts Her WFH Mornings

What's the first thing you do when you get out of bed in the morning? A well-rounded morning routine sets the tone for the day and gets you prepped—both mentally and physically—before diving into a packed schedule filled with emails, chores, happy hours, workouts, and more. Our series Morning Person profiles those who have mastered the art of the morning routine.

Tune in every Monday and Friday morning here and on our Instagram to learn exactly how the pros get it all done before the sun comes up, from their go-to breakfasts to their a.m. workouts.

At this stage—several months into quarantine—we've hopefully learned to adapt and settle into our new normals, whatever that may look like. For Brook Harvey-Taylor, founder and CEO of Pacifica Beauty, a brand that has been a mainstay in the vegan and cruelty-free beauty world for well over twenty years, life these days is all about balancing work and familial life under one roof. Her daily wellness rituals help to set the tone for the rest of the day. 

Keep scrolling to see how Brook starts a typical morning working from home. 

I wake up with one of my dogs, Wally. He's my alarm clock. I keep my phone away from my bed and I don't have a clock in my room. 

I make my double espresso with frothy oat milk first thing to start the day (you know, my cup of ambition).  I always use the same cup with RBG on the front from Crazy Cat Lady Ceramics. My love for her is unflappable. It is the perfect weight. It's a handmade ceramic that feels so good in my hand.

I apply some Pacifica Sea & C Sheer Face Serum with SPF 55, put on my hat, and head out with my dogs and my daughter (and sometimes husband) down the neighborhood path to the beach for a 30-minute walk in the sand. That is my mediation. 

Usually, I go barefoot, but today I wore my Vans because it was a bit chilly. They are a great vegan option for shoes.

When I get home, I usually pick some fresh flowers from my yard. I grow things for cocktails and things that smell good: lemons, limes, oranges, mint, guavas, and fragrant flowers. Right now, the ginger flowers are in full bloom and they smell incredible.

I bathe the sandy dogs, wash my face with Sea Foam Face Wash, and apply Dreamy Youth Face Cream, some Stellar Gaze Mascara, and some Vegan Care Balm. 

I head upstairs to our deck and snuggle on the couch with my daughter before we start our day. We talk about what she is up to at school and sometimes we might watch an episode of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Her class starts at 8 a.m., and with stay-at-home orders, it takes place in our dining room. 

I eavesdrop from the kitchen while I make her breakfast and myself my juice. I have been trying to stick to a healthy diet, so my mornings start with celery, blueberry, and kale juice with some veggie protein powder.

I use the rest of my morning—before emails and phone calls start—to look at new products or samples and to write copy.

My morning ends abruptly, but those three sweet early hours are some of the best times of my life.

Next: This Aromatherapist and Clean Skincare Founder Uses Scents to Guide Her Mornings