From journalist to beauty founder, Sophia Chabbott launched her ‘down-to-earth’ skincare brand Testament Beauty with just two products in July 2021. Inspired by her own heritage and upbringing, Sophia grasped the idea of the Mediterranean diet and bottled it up. Now her extraordinary line is changing the way we think about beauty and her beneficial and innovative products will have you obsessed. I recently had the privilege to speak with Sophia to learn how it all started and so much more.
Sophia, you worked in the beauty industry for over 15 years before starting your own business. Could you please tell us about it.
Interviewing beauty executives and founders was one of the most exciting parts of my roles as an editor at publications such as WWD and Glamour. I learned firsthand about new products, ingredients, formulations, and innovations from the makers themselves. It was like a Master Class in the industry, ranging from science to marketing.
And then, there was always the beloved beauty closet! I’d spend hours in the beauty closet, filled with thousands and thousands of products… and would just kind of try it all and get messy. The experience really forged my idea of what an ideal skincare routine should look like.
I can imagine how many different products you have tried out. When did you have the revelation after experiencing so many different brands to start your own line?
Yes, as you can imagine, I’ve tried a lot of products. Often, I overdid it in the name of editorial — anything for the story! Early on in my beauty editor days, I actually developed acne and dermatitis from overusing products and overdoing it with too many clinical actives at once. That experience taught me that less is truly more when it comes to packing on the products. My philosophy is to reach for high quality ingredients and formulas that balance and protect your skin barrier. So many people ask me how many steps my routine is — and they are always surprised by the answer. I cleanse, apply a few drops of our Ancient Vine Vitality Serum, then a bit of our Damascena Rose De-Stress Moisturizer, followed by our new Rosa Canina Essential Face Oil and SPF. I mask twice a week, sometimes more depending on the season with our masks, and that’s it. The whole shebang in a few easy steps.
I find Testament Beauty fascinating because your skincare is known as the Mediterranean Diet for your face. Can you elaborate on this?
I came up with the concept of the Mediterranean Diet for Your Face during one of these flare-up phases I had by using too many products at once. Frustrated, I was talking to my brother one night, and said that someone should be doing a simple, but luxurious skincare line that’s just like what my grandmother Frieda taught me — use rosewater as a toner, blend oils from the kitchen for your hair and skin — you know, like the Mediterranean Diet, but for your face!
It was a lightbulb moment. I never planned on starting a brand. I was a journalist, after all. But it captivated me and I decided to follow that journey and go back to my roots and my own family heritage in developing Testament Beauty.
Can you share your journey in finding the best quality ingredients, and why that was important to you?
Each formula starts with a lesson from my grandmother and we build upon that. For example, my grandmother’s tip on using the rosewater on your face was the seed of inspiration for the Damascena Rose De-Stress Moisturizer. Damascena Roses are so beautiful and have such an incredible history, from their roots, which date back to the Ottoman empire. They are grown in Isparta, Turkey, a.k.a The Valley of Roses and for generations the custom has been to pick each bloom by hand, when the dew is still upon the flower to capture its essence. This is such a beautiful story in and of itself, but what’s extra cool about these roses is that they have been shown to reduce signs of environmental and emotional stress in the skin. Within weeks of using this moisturizer, I have customers reach out and tell me how many compliments they’ve received on their skin, or that they look like they just came back from vacation. To me, this is the definition of the Mediterranean Diet, for your face. It all starts with the ingredients.
How do you think the beauty industry has changed since you began your career?
The beauty industry has completely changed from when I began my career (which was before social media even existed, for reference). But what has not changed is how brands genuinely care and try to get to know their customers. Beauty is such a deeply personal category, where customers are often looking for guidance, empathy, and a bit of fun. Estee Lauder and Helena Rubenstein are some of my personal heroes, for more than their businesses. They got to know their clients and created a world of beauty for them. They’re who I look up to.
Having a vast knowledge and experience in beauty and wellness do you have any top tips you swear by?
So many! Use fewer products. Most people do not need six or seven step routines — in fact, all those steps may actually do you more harm than good. Always wear SPF, which is a boring tip, but vital! The most important thing is internal. Stop comparing yourself to others or even how you used to look ten or more years ago. A true glow comes from within, when you are feeling joyful and confident in your own skin.
Are there any future plans or products you are able to share with us now?
I’m super excited to share our Rosa Canina Essential Face Oil with you, launching this spring! I’m in love with roses and what they can do for your skin (if you can’t tell from my dissertation on Damascena Roses!), and so I wanted to create another rose product that’s formulated to smooth, soften and impart radiance. This would be the last step before SPF and it’s a gorgeous face oil that’s sure to become a staple in your skincare repertoire.
Elevate your skincare regime at https://testamentbeauty.com/.
