Marla Malcolm Beck is the co-founder, CEO, and visionary behind Bluemercury, Inc., the nation’s largest and fastest growing luxury beauty products and spa retail chain. Guided by her passion and belief that beauty clients desire honest, friendly, and expert advice, Beck started Bluemercury in 1999 when she was 29 years old. Bluemercury’s innovative retailing model has been the topic of numerous books, including Shopping: Why We Love It and How Retailers can Create the Ultimate Customer Experience and Be Happy at Work: 100 Women Who Love Their Jobs and Why.
Beck holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and is on the Advisory Board of Harvard Business School’s Rock Center for Entrepreneurship. She lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with her husband and three children. Follow Bluemercury on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
December 15, 2014
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R&S
What is your favorite holiday meal?
Marla
I am a vegan, so I have an amazing quinoa, butternut squash and kale salad recipe that I make with a light dried cranberry dressing. Even the meat eaters love it!
R&S
What do you love most about the holidays?
Marla
The desire to nest with our family, eat warm food and hang out and talk together (and being able to wear sparkles and festive clothes during the day!). I have a new Carven dress with gems on the front that is perfectly daytime appropriate right now.
View Marla's Essentials
R&S
The best holiday present you've received:
Marla
For me, it is always exotic trips with my family. The year we went to Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand two years ago was an absolute dream. We were at Angkor Wat on New Year's Day. The best gift is time with my family.
R&S
Your best holiday gifting advice:
Marla
Make a list beforehand with each person and some of their hobbies or passions and then keep that in mind as you are shopping.
R&S
You'll be buying most of your holiday presents at [fill in the blank.]
Marla
Bluemercury, of course! I also adore giving books - especially out-of-print ones. My favorite local book store in DC is Politics and Prose, and you can often find me at The Strand in NYC.
R&S
Skincare product you can't live without (and why):
Marla
M61 Power Glow Peel. It's so travel friendly and gives you new skin in 1 minute. I am addicted.
R&S
Your dream dinner party guests:
Marla
Great women- Estée Lauder, Sheryl Sandberg, Angel Merkel.
R&S
Your last great read and why you enjoyed it:
Marla
I've just picked up Paper Love by Sarah Wildman, which is the true story of the author searching for the love of her grandfather's life that he left behind in Europe before World War II. It's fascinating.
R&S
On Sunday, we'll find you wearing:
Marla
Morning casual. Usually Lululemon or Under Armour black workout leggings and a J.Crew long sleeve black tissue tee (I own 10 and they are so soft!).
R&S
One piece of advice you would give your 18 year old self:
Marla
Listen to the voice in your head and cut out all of the noise around you. What do you really like to do? What is your opinion? My favorite slogan of all time is "find your own road." I truly believe in that.
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