The Clean Beauty Aisle
The Best Beauty Shopping List from Tribeca’s Favorite Boutique
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Published on: April 30, 2024

Orchestrating not just the rebirth of a brand but also a much-loved store and spa has been a journey for Larissa Thomson. The former fashion editor first cofounded ONDA—a luxurious clean beauty boutique that also offered famous-throughout-New-York facials—in 2016. In 2022, ONDA was acquired by Amyris and she stepped away from it; in 2023, she managed to buy it back.

“For a minute it looked like the sale wasn’t going to happen, but in the end it all worked out,” she says. “This next chapter has felt very right from day one (of chapter two).” Since then, Thomson has worked to shift the energy of the space with rich, moody tones; Moroccan and Asian rugs; vintage furniture; and a deep-blue paint job (Hague by Farrow & Ball) for the treatment room. “From the second you walk in the door, it’s calming, smells great, and feels luxurious and nourishing,” she says.
She’s also revamped the facial menu with all-new facials, along with cutting-edge treatments like dermaplaning, BioRePeel, carboxy, EMS, and more.
But what Thomson loves most is connecting with her community in the store. “When I can help guide or customize a plan for someone, I feel great,” she says. “Clean beauty is important—your skin is your largest organ and can absorb what you put on it—and so is luxury and efficacy. I test and vet every product we bring on.” We had her cherry-pick her all-time favorites—the must-haves she finds herself recommending to customers over and over.
1
ROZ MILK Hair Serum
goop, $52“I honestly sell so much of this at the shop that we can’t keep it in stock. When we first got the ROZ hair-care line in, I started using it and suddenly everyone was complimenting me on my hair. My ends, which get dry and split, suddenly looked healthy and silky smooth. I use this three-in-one leave-in every time after I shampoo and condition: I towel-dry, then work a few pumps of the hair milk into my ends and brush them out. It detangles, smooths, and adds frizz-free definition. Perfection! All I can say is I’ve never looked back.”
2
Tammy Fender Intensive Repair Balm
goop, $150“Lightweight but extremely hydrating, this is the one our ONDA aestheticians recommend to clients with sensitive or irritated skin. It’s also great for all seasons and all climates. The ingredients—like helichrysum, white lily, and lotus—are ones you don’t see in the average moisturizer. We all refer to Tammy as the plant whisperer.”
3
de Mamiel Spring Facial Oil
de Mamiel, $140“Annee de Mamiel is just one of those people. She exudes light, knowledge, and healing guidance. Makes sense that she’s the only founder I know of that makes a new face oil for every season, each customized and formulated for that year and season’s circumstances. This spring’s blend of botanicals is aimed at supporting cellular renewal and elasticity and helping plump, strengthen the skin barrier, protect, and calm. I can’t recommend this face oil enough.”
4
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
goop, $300“The Rich Cream is like nothing else I’ve ever tried. It’s a serious game changer, and I’ve recommended it to many, many customers and friends. The patented TFC8 supports cellular renewal and helps the key ingredients absorb into the skin. My skin feels deeply hydrated after every use, and I wake up with soft, glowing skin. I’ve also noticed fewer fine lines and wrinkles, which is such a nice bonus. The price tag is worth it.”
5
Saint Jane Luxury Sun Ritual Pore Smoothing SPF 30
goop, $38“As a sun lover my whole life, I have to be super careful to add sunscreen to my routine every day—not just at the beach. So I’ve been screaming about this one from the rooftops. I can’t wait to put it on every day. I just love the texture, feel, and luminosity it brings to my skin. And it’s such a beautiful feeling as you put it on. It smooths and acts as an amazing primer for my makeup. I’ve been turning all our customers on to it, especially if they are traveling. No white cast, lovely soft scent—it’s a win, win, win in my book.”
6
Living Libations Best Skin Ever Face Oil - Seabuckthorn
goop, $42“Long before I knew much about clean, conscious, safe beauty, I stumbled on this product in an organic juice shop on Long Island. At the time, I just knew I loved anything healthy, with beautiful, great-smelling ingredients. The oil’s vibrant, glowing orange mesmerized me, then the scent took me to about a hundred incredible places in my mind. I was obsessed and bought two for me and more for many of my friends. That summer, our kids were all littles and everyone, big and small, smelled—and glowed—of sea buckthorn oil. It’s multiuse: It’s an oil cleanser for your face, a hydrating face and body oil, and great for dry hair as well. It’s an ONDA tried-and-true with our community for healthy-looking, glowing, beautiful-smelling skin and hair.”
7
VENN Synbiotic Defense Mist
VENN, $85“We see our customers return over and over for this—we often run out and reorder. It’s a favorite among our aestheticians and staff, too. There are many hydrating mists out there, but VENN’s proprietary combination of prebiotic and probiotic ferments makes it one of the most potent, supercharged mists that we’ve seen. Fun fact for those who are mist-picky like me: This one is a fine mist that sprays beautifully and evenly, no spitting.”
8
BL+ Retinol Cream 0.3%
Blue Lagoon Skincare, $160“I’m a big believer in retinol. I love this brand, which harnesses the healing, regenerative powers of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. I think they’ve created something quite special with unique bioactives, microalgae, silica, and other minerals found there. We’ve used them in our facials—all our practitioners are big fans. Using it on a nightly basis really helps my skin’s tone and texture, reducing the appearance of lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. It gives a renewed and refined look to my skin—and it never irritates. Make sure to use it only at night and wash your face in the morning.”
9
Angela Caglia Neroli Cleansing Oil
Angela Caglia, $80“Our lead aesthetician Kristen and I agree: Every good skin-care routine starts with an excellent cleanser. We just started stocking this multi-award-winning one and using it in treatments; it’s potent and antioxidant yet doesn’t strip your skin barrier. I use it every night to both remove makeup and deeply cleanse. Our clients (and I) love the heavenly, deeply relaxing scent. I discovered Angela’s products when we first opened in 2017 and she would travel from LA to offer her facials here monthly. Well—we’re doing it again! She’s a true talent.”
10
Dr. Alkaitis Organic Soothing Gel
Dr. Alkaitis, $67“This to me is a unique product. Way before I even had the idea of opening ONDA, I was intrigued by the founder, who’s studied the healing and medicinal qualities of plants around the globe. His products are all certified organic and raw. I always travel with this gel—for me, it’s helped manage irritations related to sunburn, bugbites, poison ivy, and weird random rashes. Magic in a bottle? That’s definitely been my experience!”