HERE / SAY
Our space for reflection and dialogue—conversations with the artists, clients, thinkers, and creators who inspire our practice and shape our community.
nº 2- October 16, 2025
Meet Susanne Manasi, founder and creative force behind (M)ANASI 7. A makeup artist by training and visionary by nature, Susanne approaches beauty as a form of design — where color, texture, and consciousness intertwine. Rooted in her Swedish heritage and inspired by the natural world, she creates products that feel both artful and alive: modern formulations that honor craft, integrity, and imagination in equal measure.
We met Susanne Manasi at her Stockholm studio, where her world of creation unfolds in color, texture, and quiet intention. As the founder of (M)ANASI 7, she approaches beauty as both craft and consciousness—each shade a brushstroke of imagination, each product a reflection of integrity. Fresh from her BOF Global Award for Creative Execution, Susanne speaks about artistry, sustainability, and the imaginative process behind her timeless formulations.
CL: We instantly fell in love with (M)ANASI 7 the first time we played with its colors and textures , there’s something so artful yet effortless about the way they come to life on skin. Seeing our clients embrace the brand with the same excitement has been incredibly rewarding. And now, with your recent Creative Execution award win at the BOF Global Awards, it feels like the rest of the beauty world is catching on too. Beyond the recognition, what did this moment mean to you personally, and what did it affirm about your creative approach?
Susanne: Thank you so much. The experience was truly incredible, and I still find it hard to fully take in. This achievement represents one of the most significant milestones for us so far, and it is something we are deeply proud of. What makes it even more meaningful is that it also shines a light on the remarkable work of my partner, Olof, our Art Director. He has dedicated countless hours to shaping our visual identity—overseeing everything from packaging design to photoshoots and the overall creative direction. His talent and
commitment have been instrumental in bringing our vision to life, and I’m delighted that his efforts are receiving the recognition they so richly deserve.
CL: The award celebrates originality, storytelling, and vision in beauty. In your own words, what does ‘creative execution’ mean, and how does (M)ANASI 7 bring that to life, from product innovation to brand imagery?
Susanne: For us, creativity is not only the artistic side—the design, aesthetics, and overall visual expression—but also the ability to find smart, practical solutions that allow a smaller business like ours to bring ambitious ideas to life. Working with limited resources often presents challenges, but it also encourages us to think in innovative
ways and approach projects with a problem-solving mindset. In many cases, it’s about finding alternative paths to achieve results that might typically require much larger budgets, without ever compromising on quality or vision.
CL: Your colors and textures were what first drew us in, along with your incredible sustainability achievements, like creating biodegradable products, as well as your beautiful imagery and branding. When you’re dreaming up a new shade, do you see yourself more as a makeup artist, a painter, or even a storyteller? And can you walk us through your process, from that first spark of inspiration, whether it’s a color found in nature or a texture you’ve been envisioning, to developing the product and finally seeing it on the shelf?
Susanne: I often rely on my intuition, and much of my inspiration is drawn directly from nature. A single detail—such as the unique color combination on a bird or the texture of a leaf—can spark new ideas. For example, the “Eye Glow” shade Ochaya was inspired by a natural colour palette I observed in the wild on a bird. These organic, harmonious tones are usually what set my creative process in motion.
When it comes to product formulations, I carry countless ideas in my mind, each with the potential to become something meaningful. The challenge, however, lies in the fact that I cannot pursue them all at once. Every concept requires careful development—finding the right ingredients, designing the packaging, and ensuring the product delivers the intended effect. It is a process that takes time, but one that I deeply value because it allows each creation to fully take shape in a thoughtful and authentic way.
CL: For you, sustainability isn’t just an ethical choice, it’s a creative one. How does working with sustainable materials and processes shape, challenge, or even inspire your product development?
Susanne: I have to admit, it is often quite a challenge, but when we manage to find the right solution, it feels like a true achievement that we are very proud of. At the moment, we are developing something new, and one of our key priorities is to minimize the use of virgin plastic as much as possible.
The difficulty lies in the fact that the most functional option for this particular product would typically be plastic. However, post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic comes with its own challenges, such as very high minimum order quantities and certain design limitations, especially when it comes to colors and finishes. Glass, on the other hand, often requires a pump mechanism (for the development we are currently working on), which is usually made of plastic or a non-monomaterial combination, making it difficult, if not impossible, to recycle properly. Aluminium presents another option, but it is not always compatible with direct contact with the formula, and in many cases it also requires additional materials, which again prevents full recyclability.
Balancing functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability is never simple, but it is a responsibility we take seriously. Each choice involves trade-offs, and our goal is always to find the best possible balance between performance, design, and environmental impact.
CL: (M)ANASI 7 occupies this rare space- independent, unmistakably luxurious, and with sustainability at its core. Where do you see indie sustainable luxury beauty heading, and how do you hope to help shape that conversation?
Susanne: I truly believe this represents the future of beauty. The industry can no longer continue down the path of mass consumption and overproduction. Too often, brands are acquired by large conglomerates, which ultimately results in just a handful of corporations owning the majority of the market. My philosophy is rooted in “less is more”: focusing on higher quality, thoughtful creation, and personalization rather than endless quantity.
That is why I am especially proud to be partnering with Carrie Lindsey Beauty. Your ethos is completely aligned with ours- centered on quality, genuine personal connection, and a deep commitment to your community. You have built a strong and loyal customer base that truly understands and values this approach, which makes the collaboration both meaningful and exciting.
CL: Without giving too much away, are there any new plans or products in the works for this year that we should keep an eye out for?
Susanne: This fall, we’re introducing beautiful new shades of the Tinted Beauty Potion, along with two Holiday Limited Edition sets that I’ve personally curated with the most loved color combinations.
And looking ahead to 2026, I’m happy to share that I’m working on some truly exciting projects—including one or two completely new products that I can’t wait to tell you more about when closer to finalizing.
CL: If you could share one beauty philosophy or practice with everyone who uses your products, what would it be, and why?
Susanne: I would encourage you to explore and experiment with confidence. In beauty, there are no strict rules—only what makes you feel your best and most comfortable for each occasion.
nº 1 - July 5, 2025
Chelsea Leyland on Endometriosis, Epilepsy & Founding Looni
Meet Chelsea Leyland—DJ, activist, and co-founder of Looni, a menstrual wellness brand born from her personal journey with epilepsy and endometriosis. After years of navigating hormonal health with few real solutions, Chelsea set out to change the narrative, with science-backed support, holistic tools, and a whole lot of honesty.
We caught up with her to talk about the gaps in women’s health, the power of plant medicine, and how Looni is supporting everything from mood swings to hormonal imbalance.
CL: Looni was born from your personal journey with menstrual pain—what moment made you realize this needed to become a brand?
Chelsea: Looni was born from a long and colorful journey of healing—a true culmination of mine and my co-founder Tatiana’s experiences with our cycle, my endometriosis, and ultimately, my passions.
But if there was one defining aha moment, it was realizing that every conventional solution I’d been offered—surgery, synthetic hormones, antibiotics, painkillers—had ultimately failed me.
By becoming my own best advocate and committing deeply to feeling well again, I found tremendous relief from the pain. I cleared my skin naturally and discovered the profound power of botanicals, the healing force of community, and a range of transformative tools: nutrition, acupuncture, mindfulness, cycle syncing, trauma work, and more.
That’s when it became clear to me: women are entering puberty with a profound deficit in body knowledge—particularly when it comes to our hormones—and that needs to change. Body literacy can be taught—and it should be. That truth became the heartbeat of Looni.
CL: How did your experience with epilepsy and hormonal health shape the vision for Looni?
Chelsea: My endometriosis journey taught me that healing isn’t linear and that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. True healing must be holistic—focused on root causes, not just symptoms, as is so often the case in Western medicine.
My experience with epilepsy laid the foundation for my deep respect for plant medicine and nature’s ability to work in harmony with our bodies to restore balance. I’ve been seizure-free for almost a decade thanks to phytocannabinoids—molecules derived from the cannabis plant—which profoundly shaped my belief in the body’s innate capacity to heal when supported in the right way.
These two journeys deeply informed the vision for Looni: a brand rooted in body literacy, natural support, and a radically integrative approach to hormonal health.
CL: Looni’s supplements are plant-derived and developed with board-certified physicians. Can you walk us through that collaboration process?
Chelsea: From the beginning, we knew we didn’t want to create formulas based on buzzy ingredient trends—or rely solely on personal experience. So we started by conducting extensive consumer research, which revealed something surprising: while we assumed menstrual pain would be the most prevalent concern, the overwhelming pain point shared by hundreds of women was actually low mood.
That insight helped shape our direction. Our goal was to blend evidence-based medicine with holistic, integrative care—which meant collaborating with a diverse group of medical experts. We worked closely with board-certified OB-GYNs, including one who also held certification in integrative medicine (a rare and powerful combination), a reproductive-focused functional medicine practitioner, and a female urologist.
We wanted to approach hormonal health from multiple angles—to reflect the complexity of our bodies and experiences. That multidisciplinary lens became foundational to how we formulated our supplement and how we continue to build the Looni product line.
Our hormonal support supplement Balance Beam—reflects the strength of clinical insight, integrative wisdom, and a deep commitment to supporting hormonal health with integrity.
CL: Looni was created with menstrual and hormonal health in mind—but do you see it also offering support for people navigating perimenopause?
Chelsea: While we don’t specifically market Balance Beam for menopause symptoms, we’ve seen many women in perimenopause using it and finding meaningful support. Several ingredients in the formula offer benefits that align with some of the common challenges during this transition. Ashwagandha, for example, is an adaptogen traditionally used to help the body manage stress and promote overall well-being, including better sleep quality. L-theanine, an amino acid derived from green tea, is known for supporting relaxation and calm without causing drowsiness, which can be incredibly helpful when navigating hormonal shifts. And 5-HTP, a precursor to serotonin, may help regulate mood and support more consistent sleep patterns. So while it wasn’t designed specifically for perimenopause, the formulation naturally supports many of the symptoms people experience during this time.
CL: I know Looni has an online community that benefits women at different stages of their hormonal life cycle. Can you tell us a little more about it?
Chelsea: Yes—I started the community after experiencing a long and painful struggle with fertility due to endometriosis, which resulted in multiple pregnancy losses and an ectopic pregnancy. While going through this incredibly challenging time, I felt a deep desire to connect with other women who understood what I was facing and could make me feel seen.
In a world where you can’t easily filter out endless baby announcement posts or targeted ads for baby products on social media, I saw the need for a dedicated space where women facing these challenges could truly support one another. and thus bring about healing.
From there, this incredible community grew into a space with hundreds of women looking for support and a way to crowdsource information from others they trust. We now have dedicated groups for pregnancy and mums, those trying to conceive, pregnancy loss, and chronic conditions like endometriosis, PMDD, PCOS, and more.
Shop Looni's Balance Bean
Thoughtful care for your hormonal journey.
In The Flow...
Hormones aren’t linear and neither is this mix. Listen to Looni Bleed, Chelsea’s personally curated playlist for when you’re in all your feels.