Behind The Beauty with Elizabeth Issac
- Apr 29
- 6 min read
What does a typical day look like for you?
My days start early. I'm usually up at 5.30 AM and have my morning drink, our Golden Glow Blend with warm water, followed by a matcha. I play tennis three days a week, and on the other days, I go to the gym or at least try to get a walk and stretch in. I'm typically back home by 7:30 AM and have a plant-based protein shake with our Blue Spirulina, followed by a savory breakfast (usually eggs and veggies). I prep lunch and then I'm off to work by 9 AM.
We typically schedule our external meetings for the mornings so we have the rest of the day to complete tasks. I end up eating lunch quite early with my team, around 12.30 PM. After lunch, I have my last cup of matcha for the day, which usually gets me going until my workday is done. Once I'm home in the evening, I typically prepare and eat dinner right away, have some herbal tea along with my supplements and watch TV. I am usually in bed by 9:30 PM.
Your top three ways to unwind.
Tennis definitely tops the list because I don't have time to think about anything else! Additionally, I play outdoors early in the morning when it's nice and breezy, whereas I'm typically indoors and in the air conditioning throughout the day. I also love a lazy, relaxing day at home with my husband, some good food and TV and spending time at my favorite cafe with my friends.
What does self care mean to you?
For me, self care is anything that I do for myself with intention. It's so easy to get distracted and not be present in your day-to-day, and I'm guilty of always rushing. I know when I wake up at 3 am, unable to fall back asleep, that my body needs a reset. My morning routine is definitely a form of self-care, and it definitely requires effort. When I'm consistent, I know it pays off, but more often than not, I've struggled to be consistent. Currently, I'm working with two professionals who help me stay consistent, and I hope it will pay off.
If you had to pick one product from the Gunam lineup as your top favorite, which one would it be?
It's always hard to pick just one, but the Daily Liquid Exfoliant is definitely an all-rounder, and although it took time, it's come out on top as our bestseller! We've also won two beauty awards for it, which just reinforced my belief in the product. We have some great new launches coming up soon, and our current skincare is also set to receive an upgrade, so I'm excited about that, too!
A brand that you think is doing really well right now.
There are honestly so many! I'm inspired by founders both near and far, and some of my current favorite brands include Mokae, d'you, Aminu, Pūrearth, Dab to Fab and Suhi & Sego. All of their respective founders are creating products with intention and purpose and without compromising on quality. For brands to truly thrive in the long run, the quality needs to show at every step of the way, and I feel each of those brands do just that!
What does your skincare routine look like?
I would have a very extensive routine because I love trying new products, but unfortunately, my skin has always been sensitive. My morning starts with a gentle cleanser and a spritz of a hydrating facial spray before my activity. I try to use a hypochlorous acid spray immediately after I'm done because I sweat a lot! I always rewash my face after my shower and follow up with a calming serum and a face cream. Currently, I love the Anua Heartleaf Silky Moisture Sun Cream, and I use a primer after! I love the Perfecting Concealer Stick from Merit, and use that to cover any PIH spots. I usually go in with one pump of my favorite NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation, which gives me just the right amount of coverage, and top it off with the Kosas Cloud Set Setting Powder and Blush Is Life powder blush. I finish my look with the Mokae Cosmic Eyes Eyeliner, Merit Clean Lash Mascara, and Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil, as well as some brow gel.
In the evenings, I double cleanse, usually with a balm or oil, and go in with the foam cleanser. I also use a BHA cleanser if I'm feeling particularly congested. I got a bunch of toner pads from Korea, so I've been enjoying those, although I find them to be quite unsustainable. I use our exfoliant after, about three times a week. Right now, I'm also testing out a new product, which is a light serum that effectively targets pigmentation, and I'm really excited about how that's shaping up! I use our face cream and/or oil after (both of which we're currently reformulating), and some days, I also enjoy using the Collagen Night Wrapping Mask from Medicube, which really seals in your skincare. Plus, peeling it off in the morning is very cool, and my skin is always soft and not greasy. I always try new products on rotation, and whenever I've gone too far, I keep things simple, and that always does the trick.
Three words to describe your beauty philosophy.
Balanced, clean and intentional.
What inspires you as a beauty brand founder?
I'm constantly inspired by women who lead with heart, purpose, and a real point of view. Mathilde Thomas has always been a huge inspiration to me; what she built with Caudalie was ahead of its time. Her ability to blend French pharmacy sensibilities with natural ingredients and sustainability really shaped how I think about beauty. Deepica Mutyala inspires me so much — what she's built with Live Tinted is so powerful. She took her personal story and turned it into something that makes so many of us feel seen.
I also love what Marianna Hewitt has done with Summer Fridays. Everything feels intentional but effortless — like there's so much thought behind it, but it's still soft and relatable. Nancy Twine is another one I really admire. Her journey from launching Briogeo to where she is right now now, supporting other beauty founders, is truly motivating. Back home, I think Shamika Haldipurkar, the founder of d'you, is doing such incredible work — her focus on science, efficacy, and real education around skincare is refreshing and needed. Sandhya Shekar, who I've gotten to know over the last year, has left a lasting impression and her brand, Mokae, is expressive, intuitive, and emotional. I also have to mention Akash Mehta here from Fable and Mane. He was incredibly kind and instrumental when I was just starting out. His openness, generosity and guidance gave me the push I needed early on, and I'll always be grateful for that. I'm most inspired by people like them who are building with intention, shifting the narrative and making space for more honesty and depth in beauty.
Your favorite homegrown Indian brands.
All of the beauty brands I mentioned earlier, of course! There’s also Yam and Summer Away for their linens, Bodice for their more formal wear, Subko for their coffee and baked goods, Cosmix for their protein, Paul & Mike chocolate and Atmosphere and Kumbayah for their Kombucha.
Your top tip for aspiring founders.
Do your research and listen to the market, but also don't get lost in the noise! Especially in beauty, which is such a crowded space, it's so easy to get lost, but always stay true to your beliefs and do things the right way. While it's easy to cut corners, I know I'll always get a peaceful night's rest knowing I've done right by my customers.
What would you be, if you were not a founder of a beauty brand?
I'd definitely be doing something in the food space, but I'm able to fulfill some of that through what we're doing with our supplement category! What you put in your body is such an important (if not the most important) part of your routine.
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