Allison McNamara: “The Hero Reveals Itself Over Time” (From Canceled TV Show to Cult Sephora Brand)

Former POPSUGAR host Allison McNamara turned a canceled show into MARA, the algae skincare brand she has self-funded for eight years and grew into Sephora. She launched in 2018 with one face oil, and her cleansing oil got 11 orders on its first day before Hailey Bieber made it a bestseller. Allison covers naming the brand on the Sea of Marmara, two years of R&D on top of other jobs, her three-step rule, years of Sephora “not right nows,” designing the packaging herself when an agency quote matched her whole budget, what it costs to own a formula, and why she’s raising outside money now. Her Chia + Moringa Algae Enzyme Cleansing Oil ($58) is in The Night In gift guide at womansplainpod.com/gift-guides/night-in. Use code WOMANSPLAIN20 for 20% off at themarabeauty.com (excludes sets and bundles, can’t be combined with other discounts). The Womansplain Collective is open for 2027: founder matching, members-only dinners, and your ticket to next year’s Summit. womansplainpod.com/membership Find MARA: themarabeauty.com | @themarabeauty | @allisonmcnamara Find Womansplain: @womansplainpod | [email protected] | womansplainpod.com/newsletter