To put it simply, Gail Federici is an OG beauty gal. When you think of John Frieda, do a swarm of ’90s and early 2000s memories trying to tame your frizz come to mind? (It can’t just be me.) You have Federici to thank: She founded the brand in 1989 as a partner and CEO.
In 2002, she sold the business and went into the music industry for five years before founding another hair-care company, Color Wow, with her business partner Ann Bell in 2013. “I love solving legit concerns that have been plaguing women forever! Roots, frizz, flat hair,” the Connecticut-born-and-raised beauty guru tells the Cut. “It is so gratifying to hear from customers who tell us that our products have made a real difference to them.”
Federici mentions she was always shy growing up, but, “the more experiences I had, the more I learned, and the harder I worked at things, the more confidence I gained,” she adds. “The more prepared you are, the more confident you feel. I love to strategize and problem solve,” Federici says. “I’ve been doing that for so many years which has resulted in building successful businesses.”
An intentional self-care routine doesn’t hurt, either. “It’s all about scheduling in some good times that actually make me forget about work and any other stressors in my life,” she says.
Below, she discusses the quiet beauty and wellness moments that bring some Zen to her day-to-day.
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A.M. Routine
My life is pretty nonstop, but I’ve learned the hard way that self-care isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity. And for me, that doesn’t mean a 5:30 a.m. alarm clock and a sprint to the gym. My self-care routine is all about giving myself a gentle start to the day. I wake up around 7 a.m. without the rush, allowing myself about 30 minutes of quiet time in bed. This is when I catch up on emails and browse the top news stories. It’s my way of easing into the day, knowing full well that once it starts, it’s a whirlwind.
I usually take my first meetings from home, connecting with our U.K. team. This flexibility means I don’t have to race into the office first thing, which is a little act of kindness to myself. By 9:30 to 10 a.m., I’m ready to tackle the day head on.
I really love Augustinus Bader’s skin-care line for my skin — it’s super hydrating and leaves my skin feeling plumped and smooth which I really need these days. In the morning, I start with their foaming cleanser; it’s gentle, yet effective. After that, I apply their Rich Cream. It’s like a drink of water for my skin, leaving it feeling nourished and plump. Then I dab on some of their eye cream to keep those under-eye areas looking fresh.
My makeup favorites include Jouer Blush Bouquet, Jones Road mascara, and Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk lip pencil.
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P.M. Routine
I aim to be back by 6:30 p.m. for dinner, especially since my daughter and her family, including my two granddaughters, often join us. They live just a few doors down, and hearing about their day is the highlight of my day.
After dinner, it’s back to work for me, usually wrapping up loose ends or planning for the day ahead until I’m ready to sleep. My nighttime beauty routine is quick and focused. Makeup removal is a must, followed by a simple skin-care regimen. On nights when I feel like giving my skin an extra boost, I’ll use my OmniLuxe LED mask. I’ve seen a difference in my skin’s glow since I started using it and it only takes ten minutes.
At night, my routine’s pretty similar but with a tiny twist: I start with the Augustinus Bader Cleansing Balm to melt away any makeup from the day. Then, I cleanse again with the foam cleanser for that double-cleanse effect, making sure my skin is super clean and ready for bed. I finish off with another round of the Rich Cream and Eye Cream. It’s simple and it leaves my skin feeling great.
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On Rest
Exercise definitely helps me to sleep. I like to read before I go to bed or watch a good series on TV to unwind, along with an herbal tea.
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On the Product That Actually Makes a Difference
I can’t live without our Extra Strength Dream Coat. My hair is the definition of dry and frizzy and nothing else works quite like it. It took us years to refine the formula (I tested countless iterations of the formula on my own hair) until we got it just right! Now it’s my holy grail.
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On Movement
I like going for long walks. Being outside in the fresh air helps clear my head and when/if I get to 10,000 steps, I feel like I’ve done something good for myself that day. In the summer I like playing tennis and more recently have started playing pickleball. I also enjoy a cold plunge and sauna, but not every day.
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