From the Beauty Desk: The Art of the Edit, Larissa Thomson on ONDA Beauty, Summer Skin & the New Language of Clean Luxury

From the fashion world to the forefront of clean beauty, ONDA Beauty founder Larissa Thomson has built a destination rooted in discernment, discovery and a distinctly modern approach to luxury. This summer, as ONDA brings its signature treatments to the Hamptons, Thomson speaks with The Hamptons Edit about the art of curation, the evolution of clean beauty, the secret to radiant summer skin and why the future of beauty may be less about quick fixes and more about longevity.

The Hamptons Edit: Before founding ONDA Beauty, you spent years in the fashion world, including as a Fashion Market Director. How did that experience shape your eye for curation and ultimately influence the way you approached creating ONDA?

Larissa Thomson: Working in fashion taught me that great style isn’t about having more, it’s about having a discerning eye and being authentically you. As a Fashion Market Director, I was constantly editing, curating and looking for pieces that felt special, but also timeless and worthy of their place in someone’s closet. I realized early on that the best pieces tell a story and create an emotional connection, whether that story is simple or complex.

When I created ONDA, I brought that same philosophy into beauty. I wanted every product to earn its place on our shelves. It wasn’t enough for something to be beautiful or buzzy, it had to perform well, align with our values, hopefully look and smell beautiful, and genuinely improve someone’s routine.

I also wanted the experience of discovery at ONDA to feel the way discovering a beautiful piece of clothing does: personal, inspiring and sometimes a little unexpected. That sense of thoughtful curation has always been at the heart of ONDA. We edit relentlessly so our customers don’t have to, and they can trust that everything they find with us has been chosen with intention.

The Hamptons Edit: Was there a defining moment that inspired you to leave fashion and enter the clean beauty space?

Larissa Thomson: It wasn’t one defining moment so much as a gradual shift in the way I thought about health, wellness and the products I was using every day. As I became more interested in ingredient transparency, I realized there wasn’t a great deal of awareness around what people were using and the potential concerns that, at the time, weren’t being discussed.

There needed to be a different approach, one that was educational, but also inviting and trusted.

I saw an opportunity to create a destination where every product was thoughtfully curated, vetted, beautifully presented and truly earned its place. That idea became the foundation for ONDA.

The Hamptons Edit: When ONDA first launched, clean beauty was still an emerging category. How have you seen both the industry and the consumer evolve since then?

Larissa Thomson: When we launched ONDA, clean beauty was still very much a niche. We were really among the first. Today, consumers are far more educated and intentional. They’re reading ingredient labels, asking thoughtful questions and looking beyond marketing claims and greenwashing.

What’s been most exciting is watching the conversation evolve from very little awareness or understanding of the category, to avoiding a minimal list of ingredients, to really embracing the idea of clean beauty.

People want products and treatments that are safe, beautifully made and truly perform and that’s exactly what ONDA has always believed in.

The Hamptons Edit: With so many brands entering the clean beauty space, what does it take for a product to earn a place on ONDA’s shelves?

Larissa Thomson: A product has to check a lot of boxes before it makes it onto our shelves. Of course, we’re looking at ingredient integrity and performance, but it also has to offer something meaningful. We aren’t interested in adding products simply for the sake of having more. I don’t want to have ten different vitamin C serums.

I always ask myself: Does this deserve a place in someone’s routine? And how does it differ from the others in its category?

It should be effective, beautifully formulated, thoughtfully made and bring something genuinely good, new or better to someone’s experience.

Ultimately, it comes down to trust. We want our customers to know that if it’s at ONDA, we’ve done the editing for them. We love the idea that you’ll always find your tried-and-trues, but you’ll also always discover something new.

The Hamptons Edit: Summer on the East End brings long days in the sun, salt water, humidity and evenings out. What is your ideal clean beauty routine for keeping skin healthy and glowing throughout the season?

Larissa Thomson: Summer skin is really about supporting and protecting the skin. Between sun, salt water, chlorine, humidity, air conditioning and sunscreen, skin can easily become dehydrated, congested and inflamed.

A consistent morning and evening routine is non-negotiable for me. I always recommend a non-stripping cleanser that works for your skin type, followed by hydrating and brightening serums, then a nourishing cream or face oil to keep skin hydrated and balanced. A great non-comedogenic mineral SPF, one you’ll actually want to wear every single day, is also a must.

A gentle but effective exfoliator a few times a week can make a huge difference. It helps remove buildup from sunscreen, sweat and environmental exposure while allowing your other products to work more effectively.

And finally, I always reach for products that calm, repair and reduce inflammation. Healthy, resilient skin is what gives you that effortless summer glow.

And, of course, if you have the time, adding a facial to your schedule regularly is always a wonderful choice. You’ll absolutely see the benefits.

The Hamptons Edit: ONDA is offering special facial experiences in the Hamptons this season. Tell us about the treatments and what makes them particularly suited to summer skin.

Larissa Thomson: We’re offering a selection of facials from our Tribeca menu that we believe will resonate beautifully with the Hamptons community, including treatments our customers consistently ask for, such as Lift & Sculpt, Glow On the Go and ONDA Luxe.

The ONDA x Faraway Signature Facial, however, is the treatment that’s new and receiving a lot of attention this summer. It was created specifically for summer skin and the way people live Out East.

The treatment is completely customized to each guest, combining deep hydration, gentle exfoliation and restorative products and techniques to nourish, heal and strengthen the skin barrier while calming inflammation. We’ve also recently added the LYMA Laser PRO to the treatment, which we’re very excited about.

The goal is to leave your skin healthy, balanced and naturally radiant.

We wanted the treatment to feel like an extension of a perfect day in the Hamptons—relaxing, restorative and luxurious, while still delivering real, visible results. Guests leave not only with glowing skin, but with a personalized plan for maintaining that glow throughout the season.

The Hamptons Edit: For someone booking their first ONDA facial, how do you recommend choosing the right treatment?

Larissa Thomson: I always recommend beginning with our Signature Facial, whether you’re in Sag Harbor or Tribeca, because it’s completely customized to your skin’s unique needs.

Every treatment begins with a thorough skin consultation, allowing your esthetician to tailor everything—from the products used to the tools and techniques—to help you achieve the best possible results.

Our goal is for every guest to leave feeling not only refreshed, but truly cared for.

The Hamptons Edit: You’ve spent your career developing an incredible eye for what feels fresh, beautiful and truly special. Which shifts in beauty and wellness are exciting you most right now?

Larissa Thomson: I’m most excited by the shift toward skin longevity. The conversation has moved beyond quick fixes and toward supporting the skin’s long-term health through barrier repair, a healthy microbiome and ingredients that work with the skin rather than against it.

I’m also intrigued by the innovation happening in regenerative treatments and technologies. When paired with thoughtfully formulated skincare, they have the ability to support the skin’s natural ability to repair and thrive.

More than anything, I love seeing the industry move away from the idea that “clean” means compromising on performance. Today’s best brands are proving that you can have beautiful formulations, incredible efficacy and thoughtful ingredients all in one.

The Hamptons Edit: After making such a significant career transition and building ONDA, what advice would you give to women considering reinventing themselves professionally or pursuing an idea outside the world they already know?

Larissa Thomson: Don’t let the fear of not knowing everything stop you. Some of the most rewarding opportunities come from being willing to take risks, learn, ask questions and trust your instincts. I call it jumping through the ring of fire.

It’s also important to stay true to your values. Trends come and go, but if you build something with authenticity, purpose and genuine passion, people connect with it.

Reinvention isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about having the courage to follow your curiosity and create something that feels deeply aligned with who you are.

If you do that, I don’t think you can go wrong.

The Hamptons Edit: Finally, what’s next for ONDA Beauty and what are you most excited about as you look toward the future of the brand?

Larissa Thomson: Hmm… I can’t share too much just yet, but we’re exploring a few ideas that feel both fresh and like a very natural evolution of the brand.

For me, this stage—the discovery, dreaming and creative process is always the most exciting.

We will see…

Larissa Thomson