What is the Formulaah for success? For two sisters from Portland, Maine, it's a combination of commitment, excellence, and perseverance. The Formulaah was founded in 2000 by Theresa Cady Libby, a career stylist and proprietor of Cady & Co, Hair and Bodyworx. Theresa is driven by her passions. She has a strong desire to educate and make a difference in the lives she touches each and every day. She is a perfectionist who believes in doing things right and will settle for nothing less. Theresa grew tired of being unable to provide her clients with exfoliating and hydrating products that actually worked- so she fixed the problem and created her own start-up.

She started out with a chai salt scrub, a lotion, and some cuticle oil. "I am very critical about my work," she says... "my greatest rewards come in creating happiness for others. Maybe it's helping one feel great about a new cut or color. Maybe it's helping one solve a chronic cracked hand issue with the Formulaah. If I can make a physical difference, their smiles are my reward." Theresa continued to sell her products exclusively out of the salon until A Perfect 10 picked up the line in 2003. Then, in 2007, her sister, Mary Sue Cady Mainella, came aboard as marketing director to help brand the line. The Formulaah has since grown to 29 locations in small gift shops, boutiques and hair and nail salons throughout ME, NH, MA, NY, and AZ. Simply put, Mary Sue has a talent for making good things happen. You can hear the admiration in Theresa's tone as she affectionately talks about her sister: "She is the planner, the coordinator, the go-to girl. Somehow she juggles family, friends, kids' sports, the Formulaah shows locally and out of state. She does all the marketing, web marketing, and shipping...amazing...her home is always my favorite place to go for any occasion or just to brainstorm. She keeps me in check, and is always motivated...she inspires me daily and I love her for it all!"  Mary Sue's energy and enthusiasm are contagious and her efforts have definitely taken the Formulaah to new levels. Her children's classmates refer to her as "The Formulaah Lady," a title she bears with great honor. "I give 110% to the project I'm working on,"  she says."I'm a perfectionist, but I wish my house was more organized!"  Mary Sue says she loves traveling to shows and the satisfaction she gets watching consumers realize the benefits of their product. "It's a terrific feeling to be at an event and someone who uses our products on a regular basis tells others that our products are fantastic. Then there is the first-time user who is amazed at how our products make their skin feel soooo good and they haven't felt that good in years...and then they turn and tell others who are walking by!"

 So what sets the Formulaah apart from other body care products? Theresa will tell you that it's all about the ingredients. The Formulaah contains no preservatives and most products are made to order using only the freshest blend of ingredients. In fact, don't be surprised if you find a sweet orange blossom tucked with care into your jar of scrub. The Formulaah avoids using silicone or petroleum-based products because these products merely sit on the surface of the skin, allowing for very little moisture retention. Instead, the Formulaah focuses on grapeseed oil as a key component. It is lightweight, easily absorbed, and has cumulative and long-term benefits with regular use.

The Formulaah specializes in exfoliating and hydrating products and promotes three primary items: a salt scrub, lotion, and hydrating body mist. Secondary items include specialty soaps and gift sets. Currently, each product is available in three fragrances: Maine Coast, which is a lovely orange/cinnamon mix, Lavender, (my favorite) and Fragrance-free. The Formulaah is also in the process of developing some new fragrances including a unique citrus scent. Because the Formulaah's salt scrub is on the drier side. Mary Sue says it "has more effective results and a rinse that leaves a clean finish, rather than a gooey mess...you can feel the effects of the salts exfoliating while scrubbing and the natural  oils being worked into the skin. The lasting feel is fantastic !"  The base for the Formulaah's lotion is made of chamomile and aloe and, it, too, leaves a non-greasy finish. Though you don't necessarily need to apply the lotion after using the salt scrub, the Formulaah recommends that when using the two products together, applying them before bed so that the hydrating oils and lotion can "work their magic" while you sleep. But the mother of all products, the Formulaah's pride and joy, is their hydrating body mist. It is specifically designed for after-shower use. Composed of distilled water, witch hazel, and jojoba grapeseed and coconut oils, this hydrating mist can be used as a total lotion replacement method, says Mary Sue, adding that  she and her sister only use the body mist and hardly ever use the lotion. Simply towel dry off, apply the mist, and let your open pores "pull those oils in and hold onto them." However, whether you use the scrub, lotion, mist, or a combination of all or any, the products you choose all boil down to personal  likes and preferences.

I asked what the future holds for this small, family-run, New England business. Though the slow economy has caused some consumers to purchase fewer luxury items, both sisters maintain a positive outlook. " You have to try our products to know their benefits and how different they are from many other body care products out there, " says Mary Sue. "When people use the Formulaah and feel the difference, they realize the Formulaah is a necessity, not a luxury!"