Gilded Body

Beyond the Complexion: How Blair Armstrong is Redefining the Art of Body Care

We’ve all heard the advice: invest in your skincare. But for years, that advice seemingly stopped at the jawline. While our medicine cabinets were filled with high-performance serums and dermatologically-backed creams for our faces, the rest of our bodies were often relegated to basic, big-box lotions.

Gilded Body was founded to bridge that gap. Built on the belief that botanically-driven, dermatologically-developed skincare shouldn’t apply only to our complexions, the brand draws inspiration from the purifying, restorative practices of ancient whole-body bathing rituals.

From ultra-hydrating cupuaçu butter and hand-harvested sea salt from France’s Guérande Peninsula to high-grade marble accessories sourced from the world’s finest quarries, every element of Gilded Body is a study in efficacy and elegance. Inspired by the time-honored tradition of adorning exquisite objects with whisper-thin gold leaf, Blair Armstrong crafts essentials that nourish and beautify, elevating body care into a sacred, sensorial experience.

The Hustle: A Conversation with Blair Armstrong

As part of our series The Hustle, we’re profiling the innovators and experts—the BIPOC women and woman-aligned folks—who are the backbone of the beauty and wellness industries. Today, we’re sitting down with Blair Armstrong, the dermatology physician assistant turned founder who saw the “Year of Body Care” coming long before the rest of the industry caught on.

Since its launch in 2018, Gilded Body has moved from a visionary concept to an award-winning brand stocked by the likes of Saks, Goop, and Thirteen Lune. Ahead, Armstrong discusses her pivot from accounting to medicine, the logistics of launching a luxury brand, and why your skin deserves more than just the basics.

The Pivot: From Accounting to Anatomy

You worked as a dermatology PA before launching your brand. What sparked your interest in a career in skincare?

“I was always really passionate about beauty and tried to take care of my skin from a young age. But before becoming a dermatology PA, I actually worked as an accountant. I reached a crossroads where I needed a Master’s to continue growing in the accounting world, and I realized my heart just wasn’t in it.

I’ve always had a deep love for science and healthcare, so I decided to pivot entirely and return to school to study medicine. That medical background eventually became the foundation for everything we do at Gilded.”

The Inspiration: Closing the Gap

What inspired you to launch Gilded Body specifically?

“In my practice, I noticed a strange disconnect. People would spend an incredible amount of time and money on their face care, but they would shop for body products almost exclusively at big-box stores. At the time, the options for high-performance body care were so limited.

I wanted to create products that would elevate the experience—things we would actually look forward to using. My goal was to inspire people to be more thoughtful and intentional about their body care practices, treating it as an art form rather than a chore.”

The Reality Check: Navigating Year One

What was year one like for you? What were some of the highs and lows you encountered?

“If you don’t have a background in the beauty industry, there is a massive learning curve. You have to learn as you go and, in the beginning, you’re doing everything yourself. It was challenging, to say the least.

I started by focusing on the ‘must-haves’ rather than high-level specialty products. I wanted to perfect the basics—the exfoliators and moisturizers—before expanding. I spent months contacting manufacturers across the East Coast, learning about minimum order quantities, ingredient sourcing, and the complex logistics of manufacturing. It wasn’t just about the ‘beauty’ side; it was about the grit of the business.”ser to help promote this blog post once it’s live?

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