A Story of quiet growth and gratitude

Author: Felicity Brewster AKA Fee

Some people breeze through life fearless. I’m not one of them. But here's my story of navigating the fear, staying true to my passion and finding success along the way.

If you asked me to describe myself a few years ago, “bold” or “fearless” wouldn't have made the list; and if you’re hoping for a dramatic moment where I declare that now I’m fully confident, well, spoiler alert: that's not this story.

 

No, I’m someone who very often second-guesses myself, someone who constantly questions, "am I really good enough?", fears judgement…but here I am, still doing it anyway.

 

For the last 15 years, I’ve run my own business, helping beauty brands discover their unique voice. Before that, I spent 10 years as Head of Product, navigating the fast-paced world of beauty and innovation. That’s a long time in an industry full of constant change, eye-watering progress, shifting conversations and moments of enlightenment.

 

But beyond the professional side of my journey, I want to speak to those of us who are brave, but maybe not always gutsy enough to go for it, to the women with ambition, creativity and big ideas, who are often held back by nerves or imposter syndrome. The ones who are celebrated and yet still hesitate, questioning their worth.

 

I hope some of this resonates with you and helps you find the courage to step out of your own way. 

Storytelling is how I make sense of the world

When I sit at my desk, writing for clients, I marvel at how lucky I am to do this for a living. I didn’t choose this path because it was easy, in fact, the vulnerability of putting your creativity on the line every day can be terrifying. But storytelling has always been how I make sense of the world. I feel it, from my soul and that, I think, is my strength. I don’t need to be loud – I just need to be believe that passion and purpose, like so many of my founder clients, are what truly make connections. 

 

True story, Ros gave me my first job and has never stopped opening doors for me. She has always believed in me, entrusted me and I will never forget one of the most powerful things she once said to me, “You meet people for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.” That stayed with me and when I later settled on the strapline Beauty for a reason, a season, or a lifetime for Curated Beauty London, it was inspired by that exchange.

 

Ros is a lifetime connection that has shaped who I am as a professional.

 

Then there’s Nat; kind, knowledgeable and infinitely supportive. She’s the kind of person you want by your side, guiding you through. I know that both she and Ros surround themselves with exceptional people, like Sam and that’s the magic of this industry: it’s about the human connections.

 

Now, if you were to ask me what are the highs of the journey so far, well, there’s nothing like watching a brand come alive, whether through the words I create, hearing from clients who feel truly seen for the first time, or seeing someone pick up a product I’ve helped shape. Those moments never get old.

A moment of INNER CONFIDENCE

Life is not a straight line

I’ve worked with some bucket-list brands, sure, but my heart lies with founder-led businesses, driven by passion and authenticity, they are raw, real, intense and deeply personal. I am so proud to have made friends with people I have worked with across the world, it’s been a privilege to be trusted to help them tell their stories and shape their language.

 

But of course, with highs come the odd lows and this is where you earn your stripes. When I wonder if I’m enough or feel frustrated for holding back on dreams I’ve had for years. When I compare myself to peers and question my journey. But here’s the thing, I’m learning that comparison achieves nothing. My path is mine to define.

 

Being a single mum adds its own set of challenges, and balancing responsibility, ambition and care is never easy. But every time I push through the doubt, even when I feel unready, it feels like a quiet victory.

I have a mantra: life is not a straight line, it’s a scribble. You don’t have to be loud to be successful, you have to turn up relentlessly, you have to define what makes you content. You have to embrace that perhaps, your vulnerability is strength and if you’re lucky enough to have people who believe in you, listen to them. 

 

So, that’s a bit about me…a bit about how I see the world, being a woman in beauty, a founder, a business woman, a mum…

ONE last thing......

Ros asked me to give my desert island product. 

 

I genuinely can’t pick one. There are quite a few products that have my heart…but I think, if I was stranded it would either be an SPF50 (and of course that would be Curated Beauty FLAWLESS DEFENCE!), because, obviously….but probably, my all-time love affair has been with oils and balms. Because they represent more than skincare to me, they are often about finding a moment of calm and care, a reminder to be gentle with myself even when everything feels overwhelming.

 

Thank you if you’ve been part of my story so far, thank you to Ros, Nat and Sam for giving me a moment to write a bit of it in my words, I hope I have shared a little of how I got to be part of the Curated Beauty London story. 

 

Enjoy the products, enjoy your journey and don’t forget, write your own story.

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FOUNDERS

At Curated Beauty, we didn’t launch on a whim or with a ready-made cheque from investors. We came to this with decades of experience, hard work, lessons learned across beauty and retail, and our own money on the line.  We started the way many women do, with determination, experience, and our own savings.

As three female founders over fifty, we’ve seen what works, what fails, and what truly matters in beauty. We know the difference between a passing fad and a product that delivers real results. We also know how easy it is to get distracted by quick wins instead of focusing on what lasts. That’s why we chose independence. By funding ourselves, we kept control, took our time, and created products we genuinely believe in. 

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