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Mother's Day Interview with Tanja Dreiding Wallace

Please tell us how you came to be the CEO and owner of Osswald Zurich and Osswald NYC! Parfumerie Osswald has been in my family for almost 100 years; it...

Please tell us how you came to be the CEO and owner of Osswald Zurich and Osswald NYC!

Parfumerie Osswald has been in my family for almost 100 years; it was founded by my grandfather Boris in 1921. After him, my father took over the business, and then my mother. In 2005, she told me it was time for me to start working in the family business! Being the good daughter I am, I separated from New York with a heavy heart and moved back to Switzerland. Soon, I found out that I really loved my new job and really began to thrive. After living in Switzerland for six years I began to miss New York too much and decided that New York needed a store like Osswald. Hence, Osswald NYC opened in August 2012!

Have you always loved beauty products, or did your appreciation grow as your role at Osswald expanded? 

I started a skincare routine at the age of twelve (see the next question!), but perfume I really didn't get into until I started working at Osswald Zürich in 2005. My first beloved niche fragrance was Parfumerie Generale 08 Intrigant Patchouli.

Do you have any fond, specific memories of your mother's beauty routine? Did she share any good beauty advice with you?

When i was twelve, my mother decided that i had to start a daily skincare routine: soap, toner, moisturizer. I hated it at first because it took such a long time to do, but I stuck with it because I suspected that it had an effect - my mother had fantastic skin!

What are your 'must-have' items when it comes to fragrance? To skincare? To makeup?

For fragrance, my signature scents are both from Maison Francis Kurkdjian: Baccarat Rouge 540 and Ciel de Gum. For skincare, I follow a strict routine of double cleaning, toner, moisturizer, and eye cream - either from Kanebo Sensai or from the NativAge range of La Colline. For makeup, I like using a foundation with SPF, but since none of the foundations we carry at Osswald NYC contain sunscreen, I use a separate one before Josie does my makeup. (Josie note: I typically use the Edward Bess Precious Pearl Perfector mixed with the Edward Bess Ultra Dewy Complexion Perfector when doing Tanja's makeup! She has amazing skin.)

How do you juggle taking care of yourself while also taking care of your family and businesses?

I religiously stick to my daily cleansing and moisturizing routine twice a day, no matter what! I also make time during the week for extra treatments. Once a week I use the La Prairie Cellular 3-Minute Peel. Also once a week, I'll use theJK7 Perfecting & Replenishing Face Mask. Whenever I travel, I am sure to moisturize like crazy while on planes; I bring the Derm Institute Anti-Oxidant Hydration Gel Masque packets with me in my carry-on! Twice a year, while in Zurich visiting the team, I find the time to get a half-hour Med Beauty Amino Acid peel at the Osswald Facial Spa.

What beauty routines have you established with your daughter, Georgia?

I make sure Georgia is washing her face with water every morning and every night, and that she uses a strong SPF on her body every day when she's outside for longer than usual. I also allow Josie and Daniel to use some sparkly makeup on her when she comes to visit the store!

What advice do you have for clients looking for the best way to honor the women (or Mr. Moms, can't leave them out!) in their lives this Mother's Day? Any products you would specifically recommend they purchase as gifts?

I'd recommend bringing the women (or Mr. Moms!) in your life by the store to sip on some champagne and enjoy some personalized service to help pick out a signature scent! That way, the scent becomes a marker by which you remember them. That, or I'd pick up the La Prairie Cellular Radiance Perfecting Fluide Pure Gold so that she shines as much in person as she does to you!

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