1. Introduce yourself: your name and where you’re from.
Mandy Madden-Kelley, and I’m from Auckland, New Zealand. I moved to Los Angeles after meeting my husband at the LAX baggage claim!
2. Your house looks so beautiful, where in LA do you live?
Close to Melrose Place in West Hollywood. I love being able to wake up, walk out my door and enjoy the sunshine.
3. What’s your favorite thing about living in LA?
The sun. It’s incredible. It’s the reason I first came to LA when I was trying to escape the cold and rain of New Zealand!
4. What is Pagerie?
Pagerie is something that’s been in the back of my mind since moving to the US, and it’s basically my love and passion for good quality products. My belief in having something that lasts a lifetime, versus buying something that’s only going to last 3 months and throwing it away. Merging that with my love for my dog, is how Pagerie came about. I’d love to tell you more about it once we launch (which we’re hoping will be this August)!
5. Favorite make-up brand?
Hmm that’s hard. Probably Ilia - it’s make-up, but then it also feels like skincare as it’s still really healthy for your skin.
6. Who is your top beauty icon?
Jane Birkin. The reason I love her is she was this effortless beauty with the perfect balance between being a bit of a tomboy, but also being chic and classy.
7. If you were sent to a desert island, what would be the 3 beauty products you would take with you?
For sure, Lotion P50 by Biologique Recherche - that is a must! Then some kind of a sleeping mask. I love the Black Rose Cream Mask from Sisley Paris. It’s so hydrating and can be used as both a mask or cream, making it really versatile. Then some kind of oil, maybe a CBD oil or something anti-inflammatory.
8. Do you mix up your products or are you a creature of habit?
I like to mix them up. It’s the same as eating or working out. If you always wake up and do squats every day, your body is expecting that, but if you shock your body, your body doesn’t know what to expect, and the benefits are much higher. So, I’d say mixing it up has the best results.
9. What’s your go to workout?
Ironically, I would have to say squats!
10. What does your typical breakfast, lunch and dinner look like?
Breakfast is always the same. My hubby wakes up before me and he makes a smoothie for the whole family. Then a cup of coffee. Lunch is usually a salad as I’m always on the go and in my office, so I like to keep it easy. Dinner is usually some kind of a grain like quinoa, with some roasted vegetables and grilled salmon.
11. What’s your daily uniform?
It would be a white shirt and jeans. That’s my go-to as you can dress it up or down. Wearing a shirt can be business-like, but if you team it with heels you could go out for dinner, or wear it with sneakers for a casual look.
12. Where are you dreaming of travelling to once lockdown is over?
Definitely Europe, especially now that I’m working on Pagerie and my factories are based in Spain. I want to connect with the people who are making all our beautiful products by hand.
13. What is your most guilty pleasure?
Chocolate cake! But not just any chocolate cake, it’s the Vegan Chocolate Cake from Urth Caffé. It’s to die for! In fact, I can’t believe I’m telling you this and sharing my secret!
14. Current mood?
Relaxed. I guess, fulfilled. I feel complete being at home and being able to spend so much time with my husband and daughter. On a normal day my husband would be at work, but every day during quarantine we all take a break and meet in the back yard and have lunch together.
