We’re So Happy You’re Here
Welcome to &Co., a conversation about real life—and everything that goes with it—from your friends at Iris&Romeo. Plus: a giveaway for our nearest & dearest.
If you’re here reading this now, it’s because at some point along the last five years, you’ve found us—Iris&Romeo—used our products, signed up for our newsletter, maybe even met me, Michele the founder of this tinted skincare brand that I think I’ve been building my whole life.
Why a Substack? Why now? Well, there are thousands of you (Hiiii!) and we want to get to know you AND what you love (& what you absolutely do not love, too:). And since Substack is the place to go deeper and connect with other people who care about the same stuff we do, we wanted to be here, too.
Here's a little more about what you can expect from us/&Co. (ie: this newsletter:):
Conversations with real women who inspire us on the daily
A safe space for musings about what it's really like to be an older woman surviving/thriving in the modern world
An intersection for connection and learning (from each other!) about better self care and beauty that actually works, life challenges and shifts (ALL the shifts...), entrepreneurship, menopause, starting over (again and again!)
A place to be unapologetic, real & raw…ALWAYS
Some background—The name &Co. has some history. It was the name of our original blog, where we started sharing stories not just about our products, but the women who use them (and, in many ways, inspired them).
To us, &Co. isn’t just about a company but OUR community—you, the beating heart of what we do. And why I initially felt compelled to create this tight line of essential products for women in the middle of their lives—in the throes of so much discovery, expansion, and CHANGE. So, our newsletter is going to talk a lot about those things—what women, mostly over 40, are experiencing right now—the best parts, the hard parts, and especially the parts nobody ever seems to want to talk about. We’ll be talking about it—here!
“&Co. is about you, the beating heart of what we do. And why I initially felt compelled to create this tight line of essential products for women in the middle of their lives—in the throes of so much discovery, expansion, and CHANGE.” — Michele Gough-Baril,
Founder of Iris&Romeo
Despite the world and our everyday lives not always feeling like a safe place (especially lately), the ritual of what we do to take care of ourselves is one of the most crucial things that can ground us—and prepare us for whatever the day ahead may hold. And how we connect through those rituals is one of the things I love about this work the most.
In fact, it was those daily rituals that eventually allowed me to create space for something new…after a LONG career in the beauty industry. Even after I thought I was done—like really done with business and beauty—it turned out I wasn’t. And that’s when Iris&Romeo was born in 2020. Because even though some people think of skincare/beauty as just products, I know that the RIGHT products are SO MUCH more…creating respite, renewal, confidence, and connection…every single day.
Many of you here found Iris&Romeo because you are over 40 and felt left behind or misunderstood by other brands that just didn’t get YOU and what you and your life/skin are about. Well, all that stuff that those other brands don’t get is exactly why I wanted to launch this brand and what we’ll be chatting about here. Think of &Co. as a sort of chain letter that’s fun to read (🤞🏼) and also useful in finding inspiration/advice from other women like you (or maybe it will be YOU 😇). We’ll also be sharing news and updates about products we’re working on to help you feel really good about yourself, as well as being a part of what I can only describe as the REAL board members of Iris&Romeo, ie: the opinions I care about the most. So, we can continue to learn and become not just one of the best beauty brands for women over 40—but the #1 brand.
More News: Last week we launched Weekend Skin SPF 30 Moisture Lip Balm. A first-of-its-kind lip balm oil hybrid with mineral SPF 30 to actually protect your lips, not just gloss over them. We call it lip oil—the second act.
For this campaign it was important for us to feature women in their 50s—women who had really walked the walk. Dynamic women with 2nd, 3rd, and 4th acts.
Women who are definitely NOT done.
The best thing all three of them told us about turning 50? The freedom. Letting go of what others think or expect of us—“no longer giving a f*ck” to be exact. And we couldn’t agree more.
The best thing all three of them told us about turning 50? The freedom. Letting go of what others think or expect of us — “no longer giving a f*ck.”
Looking ahead, we’ll be sending this newsletter a few times a month. As a member of our community you’ll be the first to try new launches, access exclusive discounts and giveaways.
Speaking of giveaways, as a thank you for being here with us, we’re gifting a few of you our Spring Heroes (all our best-sellers!). So, drop a like and a comment below of what you hope to read here as well as what you love most about Iris&Romeo.
If you made it this far, we’re so excited to be on this journey with you, exploring ALL the good stuff…now and always:).
With love,
Michele + Iris&Romeo
P.S. Stay tuned for our newsletter next week with New York Times best-selling author, Maggie Smith on reinvention, aging backwards, and making 2025 her very own LEAP year (and maybe ours, too:). ✨
You're hereeeeeee❤️!! So excited for what's to come and to learn from you and ALL you do. Thank you for all the goodness and beauty you bring to the world...it shows✨✨✨
When I am wearing this makeup, I can literally see people's eyes looking around my face. I get so many "you're glowing" compliments, which is a great new trend after turning 41!