Q&A with Aaryan Ramzan: The Making of 'Halo & Earth'

A: I'm Aaryan Ramzan, founder of Earth & Halo, a skincare brand that champions self-acceptance and sustainability. We're dedicated to changing how beauty is perceived and practiced. Born out of personal struggles with self-acceptance during my gender transition, Earth & Halo aims to reshape the industry by rejecting the narrative that beauty is about concealing imperfections. Instead, we embrace and celebrate the natural aging process with our philosophy of "Graceful Aging."

Our mission is to provide clean, vegan, and cruelty-free skincare solutions that do not compromise on efficacy. We believe in simplifying skincare routines with multifunctional products that deliver multiple benefits in single formulations, reducing the need for numerous separate products. Our flagship products, the Blue Crystalline Face Serum and the Apple Of My Eye Eye & Lip Contour, have been recognized for their innovation and effectiveness with several prestigious awards, including Elle's First Class Beauty 'Best Serum of 2023'.

Earth & Halo stands for more than just skincare; we advocate for environmental responsibility and support various causes aligned with our values, like the ACLU, Greenpeace, and the It Gets Better Project. We're committed to making a positive impact on both the planet and our customers, promoting a message of love, acceptance, and beauty in its most authentic form.

A: My superpower is resilience. It's the ability to face adversity with grace and to keep pushing forward no matter what. This resilience has been a cornerstone throughout my life, particularly during my gender transition—a time filled with deep personal and societal challenges.

One moment where this superpower really shone was during the early days of Earth & Halo. Launching a business in the highly competitive beauty industry, aiming to shift entrenched beauty standards, was incredibly daunting. There were endless hurdles, from perfecting our product formulations to aligning with partners who shared our vision for clean, ethical skincare. My ability to persist, to keep striving through setbacks, is what transformed those early struggles into a brand that now boasts multiple accolades and genuinely enriches people's lives.

Resilience has also guided me through some of the toughest times on a personal level—navigating through financial troubles, surviving a mass shooting, being held at gunpoint multiple times, and losing people I loved. Each challenge has reinforced my commitment not just to survive but to thrive, advocating for inclusivity and authenticity within the beauty industry. This superpower hasn't just shaped my business; it's empowered me to support others in embracing their own paths toward self-acceptance and empowerment.

A: For self-care and de-stressing, I stick to simple things that really work for me. Meditation is a big one—it helps me clear my mind and find my center, no matter how chaotic things get. I'm also a big fan of the beach; there’s something about being near the water that just calms me down. Riding my bike or just walking along the shore lets me reset and get back to myself. It's like all my worries disappear, in fact, thoughts disappear, I'm just there in that moment, not a care in the world.

I love nature in general, actually. Whether it’s the beach, a lake, or the woods, being outside is where I feel most at peace. Even just a walk in my neighborhood can be great. I’m that person who’ll stop to touch a beautiful tree or smell the flowers, sometimes even dancing a little as I go.

Skincare was a later discovery for me, but it’s become a key part of how I look after myself. Each time I use my products, it’s not just about skincare—it’s a little ritual of self-love, taking care of my skin and appreciating my journey. These moments ground me and remind me to enjoy life with all its ups and downs.

A: I most identify with the heart chakra. It feels central to everything for me—keeping the heart clean and open is essential. Although I do focus on the Third Eye Chakra, especially during meditation to enhance insight and intuition, I believe it all begins with the heart. It's about maintaining an openness and compassion that underpins how I connect with myself and others.

We can't wait to share Laura's live interview with Aaryan-check it out here.