Known as the holistic skin guru by the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and Julianne Moore, Tammy Fender is the Founder of Tammy Fender Skin and a holistic skin therapist. Fender heads her West Palm Beach spa which encourages her clients to experience soulful care from herself and her team, where they use her eponymous skincare line which is beloved by many across the globe. Fender’s healing work is at the forefront of her practice, and permeates the life she leads. Here, we speak with Fender about her beauty icons, her vegetable garden, and why positivity is the best beauty advice she can give.

 

 

What is your morning beauty routine?

My morning routine supports the heart and the mind and the complexion. While the house is still quiet, I spend my first hour after waking in quiet meditation. I drink water with lemon, to help alkalise the system and to encourage the detoxification process. I cleanse my skin with gentle, light Cleansing Milk, which leaves the complexion soft and radiant. Then I apply Awakening Eye Gel, an ultra-nourishing eye cream that's light and silky enough to layer. I follow with Plant Milk, the perfect daytime treatment serum, nurturing sensitive skin with traditional plant remedies such as white Lily and Mountain Arnica, protecting the complexion from environmental aggravation. To finish, I apply a light layer of Intensive Repair Balm, an intensively hydrating moisturiser that seals in all the benefits and envelops the skin in a dewy veil. Before she heads off to school, I always make time to walk through the garden with my youngest, Savi. We gather herbs, whether Lemon Balm, Tulsi or Butterfly Pea, to make our morning tea.

 

What is your night beauty routine?

I love to de-accelerate with a good book. Sometimes I apply exfoliating Epi-Peel before I take a shower, allowing it to dry for 10 minutes before removing it in the shower. Afterwards, I love to use ultra-nutritive Quintessential Serum as a night treatment, sometimes layered under Intensive Repair Balm. And after the shower, I love to apply Bulgarian Lavender Body Oil, which creates a total aura of calm before bedtime, while leaving the skin so soft and supple.

 

Describe what you do for a living? What does a typical day look like for you?

I work hands-on every day both in the treatment room at my Spa in Florida, and in the apothecary, working with ancient herbal remedies to create the skincare collection. No matter how busy the day is, however, I always make time for dinner with my family. Coming together around the table is precious to me.

 

What is the supermarket/ drug store/ chemist beauty product(s) that you use and love?

For years I’ve loved Burt's Bees 100% Natural Lip Shine, which has such a subtle sheer colour and has long-lasting protection. I keep several shades handy, at home, in the office and in my handbag. I use Crystal Essence Mineral Deodorant in the scent Lavender & White Lily, which feels truly safe and effective, created with natural mineral salts. It has a lovely faint aroma—and it really works, even after an intense dance class.

 

What is your main form of beauty body maintenance? What products do you use on your body?

I use both Bulgarian Lavender Body Oil, and for richer, restorative moisturising Rose Geranium & Tangerine Body Lotion, which has an incredible floral/spiced scent. Once a week l give myself a scalp massage with Bulgarian Lavender Body Oil, or with warmed Argan oil, which does amazing things for my hair.  The scalp is replete with pressure points, so this is such a wonderfully stimulating way to start the day. Once I've finished the massage, I wrap my head in a warmed towel and let it soak in for 10 minutes before showering.

How do you keep fit/ healthy? Does exercise form a large part of your routine?

Mixing up the routine is key for me. I exercise several times a week, always shifting and moving between dance, yoga, stretching or Pilates, and I love to sauna. Spending a few quiet minutes in the sauna brings such a fresh energy to the day.

 

What cosmetic procedures/ professional treatments to you have as part of your beauty routine?

I am lucky to receive incredible holistic facial treatments at my Spa, incorporating sacred plant remedies to restore and nourish the skin and our signature massage techniques. I also love to receive Reflexology with our staff reflexologist Helya Burgon, who is a true master of the art, and Thai Massage with Lumduan Roth, who is impeccable. I always feel utterly renewed.

 

What do you do when your body needs to recover?

No matter what work-around ideas crop up, there is nothing like sleep to give the body all of what it needs. That said, I’ve also experienced an incredible sense of restoration after drinking wheatgrass juice. To receive full benefits you can even swish it around in the mouth for 1 minute before swallowing, absorbing all the nutrients and naturally antibacterial benefits of Chlorophyll.

You’re tired/ hungover/ rundown: what is your beauty hack?

Almost nothing revives the complexion like our Skin Perfecting Duo—Epi-Peel followed by Quintessential Serum, a two-step treatment that will keep skin polished, supple, and luminous. First, massage the skin with micro-exfoliating Epi-Peel, blended with pure Moroccan Rosemary, Spearmint, and purifying clay to cleanse away impurities and refine the pores. After removing, press two drops of Quintessential Serum into the skin, restoring the complexion instantly with precious essence of Rose and Frankincense, revealing a fresh luminosity.

What is the one non-negotiable in your beauty routine?

So often the beauty industry comes up with quick-fixes, but I've learned over the past 25 years of working with clients that there is no such thing when it comes to caring for your skin. Nature works at nature's pace, and the skin thrives when it's treated with all-natural ingredients, and especially those ancient remedies found in the plant kingdom.

Do you have a beauty icon? Who are they and why?

The way my mother cares for her skin is so simple—soap and water. I hold that dear. Simple ingredients and clean, fresh skin.

 

What is the best advice on beauty you’ve received?

The importance of positivity. I see every day how a smile, or positive thinking, can create a beautiful shift inside and out.

 

What is the best advice on health you’ve received?

You are your own best doctor—meaning that each of us can take responsibility for our health and wellbeing, which can feel empowering, and that nature holds many of the answers to our most pressing health questions.

 

What is the one product you can’t live without?

For me, Quintessential Serum is that stranded-on-a-deserted-on-an-island formula. Layered under a favourite crème, or worn on its own, it is a majestic blend that is so versatile, pure and nutritive. I use it throughout the day to give my skin an instant pick-me-up.