Before founding Stripes, actress Naomi Watts would often find herself playing bathroom chemist, mixing and matching different beauty products in an attempt to address her menopause-induced dry skin.
“I didn’t even know dry skin was a possible symptom — I just knew about brain fog, hot flashes and night sweats but nothing else,” said Watts in conversation with WWD’s executive editor of beauty, Jenny B. Fine.
It was during her late 30s that Watts entered perimenopause and realized the severe lack of support for women like her who sought to understand — or even just talk about — what was happening to them.
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“I didn’t know the word ‘perimenopause’ — I didn’t know much at all,” said Watts, who had long been advised as an actress to keep her personal life a mystery — a silent backdrop to the characters she played on-screen. “I felt this was a travesty: women are half the population, it’s always been the plan that we are going to enter menopause — why aren’t we better set up for success?”
So Watts began talking.
She talked with her Onda Beauty cofounders, Larissa Thomson and Sarah Bryden-Brown, about clean, efficacious ingredients; she talked with other women experiencing similar symptoms or who simply wanted to better understand what menopause will mean for them, and in 2021, she inked a deal with biotech beauty manufacturer, Amyris, to launch Stripes.
“We identified these three pillars to set women on a path for success: to arm her with knowledge and give her agency; to connect her with community and make her feel safe, and to drench her with lotions,” said Watts.
Launched in October 2022, Stripes offers 12 facial and vaginal products featuring hero ingredients ectoine and squalene, which combat dehydration and replenish moisture. The brand is available on Amazon, sephora.com and direct-to-consumer, and its best-sellers are the Vag of Honor hydrating vaginal gel and Oh My Glide vaginal lubricant, $50 and $40, respectively.
“We wanted to have fun with the names — there are plenty of tears through this time, I just want to put a smile on your face wherever we can,” said Watts, adding Stripes will introduce a sleep supplement this fall.
The brand’s mission extends beyond product: Stripes customers can join the brand’s online community, called The Hot Spot, to connect and share their experience with others, and browse the brand’s “Menoguides” which tackle topics ranging from what to ask your gynecologist about menopause, to specific symptoms like digestive issues and breast pain.
“Everyone’s experience is very nuanced, so we’re listening acutely to our consumer, we want to hear from them all the time,” Watts said. “A woman’s story matters at every age, and we should never quiet that down.”
In light of Amyris’ recent chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, Stripes is in search of a new partner to continue its journey with, said Watts. “It has definitely been a bumpy road, but we’ve achieved far more than we ever expected. I’m not at liberty to discuss details, but I see a great future for Stripes.”
Besides, if there’s anything Watts has taken away from her journey with Stripes thus far, it’s not to shy away from the unknown.