Jessica Alba Says "Lame Sauce," Shares Some Honest Conversation
It's no secret that celebs often branch out from their raison d'être in the interest of a well-rounded career. More and more, we're seeing our favorite faces dabble as recording artists and campaign models, while others are taking it even further by creating their own lifestyle brands (hello, Gwennie!).
Another Hollywood darling, Jessica Alba, is gaining newfound attention with The Honest Company, her year-old line of eco-friendly home and baby products. Jessica, who is the proud mama of two gorgeous girls, found a need in the market for safe and affordable products for both moms and children. Her journey is an inspiring one, and along the way, she's also managed to finesse some serious style points.
The multi-hyphenate talked to us about her new book, creating her own company, and what it means to have Honest style.
Tell us about the decision to create your own company.
"It felt like it was out of necessity. When you are growing a person inside of you, and you're like, 'I'm responsible for this little person,' not only keeping her alive, but making sure that she is going to be healthy and happy. So I guess you're just more aware of the things you want to avoid, something as easy and obvious as toxic chemicals. There weren't many great options, so that's why I had to create the company."
It does seem like an obvious lifestyle choice for you. So, what's the hardest part about living what you call "The Honest Life?"
"It's not so hard, actually. I looked around me and saw people who were extremely green, extremely eco, extremely vegan — and I'm not an extreme person. I believe everything in moderation is good. I think you need to cut yourself some slack, and I know that everyone's doing the best they can. Having a little more of a balanced perspective is really what "The Honest Life" is about: The philosophy that you can make healthier and better choices for you and your family. You don't have to live way on one end of the spectrum, so take from it what works for you. Maybe you see three or four little changes that work for you; that's cool."
Your new brand encompasses a lot of aspects of life, similar to what Gwyneth Paltrow has done with GOOP. Do you think this will change women's perspectives on what it means to be glamourous?
"The thing is, nowadays with paparazzi and the access that anyone with a camera has on you and your life, it takes away a lot of the glamour. So, I'm putting gas in my car — what's glamorous about that?! I think it's just being able to filter information and put out what's genuine and authentic to you. I think there are things in the book most people might not know about me. I cook, I come from a family that I care about, I put together my house, I don't have designers and celebrity chef friends, and I'm not buying the most fancy and expensive versions of everything — that's just not how I grew up. I like nice things, absolutely, but it's about choosing quality over quantity, that's kind of my philosophy."
Do you have any mentors that inspired this initiative?
"Martha Stewart is certainly one of my idols as far as what she created. When I was younger I'd think, Oh gosh, it'd be great to be able to make cheese, or have a garden (laughs). I wanted everything to be pretty and Easter-egg colored. I don't know if the expectations are different now. I do think people look at individuals as brands more than ever, but maybe that's because of social media."
Photo: Courtesy of Hannaway PR.
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