19 Questions With Aubrey Hubbell
by The Candidly Team
This article is part of our series called "People We Like," in which we highlight interesting women, across all walks of life.
Leaders, great cooks, doctors, parents, writers; people who inspire us.
Today, we’re highlighting Aubrey Hubbell, founder of Hazel, a very new brand making thoughtul, sleek products for the shockingly underserved market of women going through perimenopause and menopause. Because if there’s someone addressing the needs of women over 40, we have to write about them.
The Candidly Questionnaire
1. What’s your most compelling quality?
My ability to connect with people ages 2-102.
2. What’s your worst quality, according to your friends?
I can’t just say “thank you” to a compliment. If they love my hair, I tell them it’s dirty. If they say my shirt is cute, I point out the toothpaste stain - ha!
3. What’s an overrated value you don’t buy into?
Being extroverted. That’s the “leader stereotype.” I’ve learned that introverted leaders are some of the most powerful.
4. How do you feel about cilantro?
LOVE, especially in salsa and in noodle bowls.
5. What's the most effective beauty trick you use?
Constant, daily zoom meetings to perfect the cat-eye with Glossier’s Pro Tip. No one will be able to tell if it isn’t perfect.
6. How do you get your self-esteem?
Self-confidence comes from all of those uncomfortable moments. Whether I’m trying tennis out for the first time or pitching Hazel to new investors. Proving to myself that I can do hard things gives me confidence.
7. What meal can you make the hell out of?
Pasta with fresh tomatoes, burrata, and basil. Not complete without a glass of red wine.
8. What’s your favorite item of clothing you own?
Any one of the many LBDs hanging in my closet.
9. How do you handle conflict in your closest relationships?
Conflict is tough. I try to be direct and really intentional with the words I use. If that means reading from a script, I’ll do it.
10. What’s something you’ve changed your mind about in the last year?
Zoom meetings. They’re a great equalizer. It takes off the pressure to show up perfectly – kids giggling in the background, dogs barking at the buzzer. And it’s the perfect excuse for a statement sleeve.
11. Who is someone in your field of work that you admire?
Sara Blakely. As women, we’ve never talked about our shapewear so much. We owe it to Sara.
12. What Insta account speaks to you deeply?
I’m obsessed with imagery, so it’s really about pulling from many places:
For inspiring spaces: @jazziscool and @jentalbotdesign
For style: @squarepearls and @theheidimerrick
For inspiring women: @and.bloom and @the_renaissance_magazine
For a rush of creativity: @thecartorialist, @jaimebeck.co, and @koketit
13. What quote or phrase has stayed with you?
“I feel invisible.”
I’ve heard that phrase from so many women, and felt it on a really deep level. I want to make sure that’s never said again. Being seen and heard is everything.
14. What’s your favorite movie from the last ten years?
The Grand Budapest Hotel. The design nerd in me can’t say no to a Wes Anderson film…but I’ll also watch anything with Tilda Swinton and Saoirse Ronan.
15. What’s the most delicious bite of food you’ve ever had?
A fresh baguette in Paris.
16. What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned about yourself as a leader?
When I was younger, I never saw myself as a leader. And then I quickly realized that my ability to make friends quickly and plan a party were leadership skills – organizing and juggling (while staying calm) and making people feel comfortable is important as a leader.
17. Is social media ruining our brains?
It’s all in how you consume it. I try to bucket it – work research and inspiration. More often, I seek out inspiration and that keeps it from ruining my brain.
18. Describe your actual bedtime routine.
Glass of wine at the end of the day.
Close the laptop.
Wash my face, brush with my fancy Quip, floss (v important).
Set my alarm with coordinating emoji (ie early morning tennis = 🎾🎾).
Read a few pages of the book sitting on my nightstand. Currently, A Woman Makes a Plan by Maye Musk and What Kind of Woman, poems by Kate Baer.
Listen to a meditation (Shine or Peloton).
Fall asleep, most of the time.
19. What’s your relationship with bangs?
I don’t have any, but I’ve always admired them on others…
What is your single favorite:
Wellness product that *actually* works: Any Peloton class with Ally Love.
Lip balm: Supergoop with SPF.
Jeans brand: Everlane, hands down.
Mascara: Combination of Glossier Lash Slick & L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Original Mascara.
Leggings: Lululemon.
Effective “lady” product: Lola Tampons.
Last minute gift: Bottle of Bubbly.
Shampoo: R+Co Dry Shampoo.
Comfortable shoes: Jeffrey Campbell block heel.
Splurge skincare: Ouai Hand Soap and AmorePacific Treatment Enzyme Powder Cleanser
Drugstore skincare: Trader Joe’s Sheet Mask. My favorite post-flight ritual.
Everyday bag: Céline Bucket Bag in Black.
Guilty-pleasure TV show: Gossip Girl, obviously.
Drink: Red Wine or a Vodka Martini (extra olives!).
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We have to eat.
