Hope Dworaczyk Smith
The Mutha founder believes in minimal beauty for maximal good.
Written by Laura Regensdorf
In a way, the skin care line Mutha started with a flashback to adolescence. That time of growth spurts and hormonal changes is when Hope Dworaczyk Smith got her first stretch marks—practically a blight, to a self-conscious teen. Years later, while pregnant, the possibility of their return loomed. “I couldn't imagine being uncomfortable in my own skin the way I was during puberty,
” says Smith. She took matters into her own hands, assembling a spreadsheet of skin-friendly ingredients and ordering raw materials in comically large five-gallon tubs. The resulting body butter did the trick, and samples found their way to friends-of-friends, which led Cassandra Grey to intervene. “She sat me down in Malibu”—at the house the Smiths lost in January’s devastating LA fires—“and told me, ‘You have got to make this into a brand.’”
Now a mother of four kids under 10 and based in Palm Beach, Smith continues to guide Mutha’s lineup with multitasking women in mind. The products are all clinically tested in Germany, and the formulas are solution-minded, allowing for concise routines. “I just want to know that what I’m spending time on is going to give me results at this point in my life,” she says. “Every minute counts.” Of course, name aside, Mutha is a line for everyone whose skin needs nourishment. The older boys have used the body butter since they were babies. The twin 5-year-old girls are budding beauty savants. “When they put on their eye cream, they’re patting it in with their fingers,” Smith says with a laugh. “By the time they’re 10, they’ll probably be telling me what to make.”
1.
“It’s the kind of scent that doesn’t introduce itself. It lingers in a room, on skin, in memory. You don’t know why you need it, only that you’ll never forget the moment you first smelled it. It’s familiarity disguised as mystery. A pheromone dressed in grey.”
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2.
“I have really curly, often dry hair, and this hair serum was a game changer I found on a whim. I usually reach for heavier conditioners or leave-ins when air-drying, but this one is surprisingly lightweight while still being ultra-hydrating. It leaves my curls feeling soft, defined, and not crunchy.”
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3.
“Made for anyone who loves a little extra glow. It’s everything you adore about the OG Body Butter, but with a bronzy shimmer that leaves your skin looking airbrushed. I once read a review where someone skipped their spray tan before vacation and said this worked even better. My daughters are also obsessed. They slather it on daily because they’re in their glitter-loving era, and I totally get it.”
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4.
“I stopped getting lash extensions. They were weighing down my natural lashes, and honestly I just don’t have time for the upkeep. This serum has made such a difference. It’s low-maintenance but seriously effective. My lashes look visibly longer and fuller. I recommend it to all my friends!”
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5.
“I love Ami Colé. It’s such a stunning BIPOC woman-owned brand. Back in my modeling days, MAC’s clear Lipglass was my holy grail, and I hadn’t found anything that compared, until now. This treatment oil gives the same high-gloss finish, but with nourishing, clean ingredients.”
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6.
“This brush rivals my ride-or-die Mason Pearson. It makes my blowout so soft and smooth, and doesn’t disturb my natural curl pattern when I air-dry. Plus, it’s super lightweight and compact—perfect for travel.”
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7.
“Fun fact: I’m allergic to most vitamin C serums. The L-ascorbic acid in them makes my skin break out in hive-like blotches. That’s why we use THD, a stabilized form of vitamin C shown to be 50 times more effective. Maybe I’m biased, but this serum truly does it all: It’s clinically proven to brighten, hydrate, repair, and improve pigmentation and elasticity. I’ve had people stop me on the street to ask what I’m wearing, and it’s just this.”
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8.
“I’m extremely particular when it comes to fragrance. This one is woody, seductive, and so long-lasting. I love all of Victoria Beckham’s scents, but this one feels especially chic.”
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9.
“This was a new discovery on VIOLET GREY, and I’m genuinely obsessed. Your hands are one of the first places to show signs of aging, and this peptide-packed serum leaves mine looking so hydrated and glossy, it’s wild! The patent-pending gloves boost absorption and are incredibly comfy. I even wear them while driving for added sun protection.”
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10.
“I’m such a fan of U Beauty and of Tina, the incredible founder. I love supporting fellow women-owned brands, and this tinted moisturizer has become my go-to base for busy days. It’s super buildable, so I’ll even wear it in place of foundation. Definitely a staple in my beauty routine.”
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11.
“A total underdog product and the only bar soap I’ll use. It’s perfectly exfoliating without being too harsh, and the round shape makes it easy to use on areas like ankles, knees, elbows—everywhere. It’s incredible for KP and razor bumps. Men love it, women love it. I can’t recommend it enough.”
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12.
“I’m into face tools, and this one is a favorite. The hot and cold settings feel like a mini massage, especially when I have a moment to use it during my morning or evening skin care routine. I notice a real difference in puffiness. Pro tip: Pair it with our Mutha Beauty Sleep Eye Cream for an extra boost of hydration and even better results.”
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