Supporting life on Earth est. 1996
Nearly 30 years ago, I set out on a mission to change the beauty industry. At the time, no one was really talking about compassion or inclusivity in beauty. Everything felt cold, formulaic, and disconnected from the values I believed in. That’s when Pacifica was born—out of a desire to fill a gap between beautiful, high-performance products and kindness toward the world and its inhabitants.
I’ve always believed that beauty should stand for something bigger. Why couldn’t we have products that were not only effective but also ethical? I wanted to create a brand that was more than just skin-deep. Pacifica was my answer to a beauty industry that I felt could be more compassionate, more inclusive, and kinder to animals and the planet.
Grounded in Nature
Growing up on a cattle ranch in Montana, I had a deep connection to animals and nature. My early life revolved around the rhythms of nature—feeding cows before dawn, riding my horse, and helping in the garden. But it was also where I experienced the harsh realities of life. Participating in 4-H, I raised animals that would later be taken to slaughter. One day, the family cow, Dirkie—who was more like a pet—just disappeared. It wasn’t long before I realized where we had gone, and that we were eating the animals we had loved.
That moment was an emotional turning point for me. I couldn’t reconcile the idea of loving animals but consuming them. From that day forward, I committed to living differently, and that decision started me on the path toward compassion in every aspect of my life—including beauty.
Around the same time, my mom was diagnosed with MS. She became hyper-aware of what she put into and onto her body, shopping at our town’s food co-op for natural products. My sister and I worked there to help get a discount on the products she wanted. I worked in the health and beauty section, stocking shelves with the body care products that would inspire me to imagine my own brand. I would dream about what my future products would look like, what colors and scents would I choose if I had a brand?
A Vision
Fast forward to my college days in Eugene, Oregon, where I first ate an avocado and was introduced to veganism. It was a revelation. I discovered a new way of living that aligned with my values. I dove deep into learning about natural ingredients and cruelty-free living. My love for fragrances also flourished. Under the guiding apprenticeship under an aromatherapist, I learned how scent could heal and transform—connecting us to nature on a deeper level.
Blending my own perfumes became my creative outlet, and it was the beginning of Pacifica. My boyfriend (now husband), Billy, and I moved to Portland, a place that was brimming with youthful energy and a desire to change the world. It was the perfect environment for two idealists with big dreams. We wanted to shake up the beauty industry, which, at the time, seemed impossible. There was no Sephora, no Ulta, no social media to help spread the word. Vegan beauty? That was unheard of.
A Mission
When we launched Pacifica, it felt like we were pioneers shouting into the void. Vegan beauty didn’t exist. We were creating products that didn’t harm animals or the planet, and it felt radical. But we didn’t stop. I believed, and still believe, that beauty should be an act of love—not just for ourselves but for animals and the planet too.
From the beginning, every element of Pacifica had to reflect my core values. It wasn’t just about the formulas; it was about the packaging, the supply chain, and how we marketed our products. I remember a key moment in 2013 when I walked into a major packaging supplier and asked for sustainable options. They handed me something that was supposed to look “eco,” but it was just more waste disguised as something good. That’s when we committed to post-consumer recycled materials (PCR) for our packaging, even though it was expensive and complicated at the time. Now, it’s more common, but back then, we were truly pushing the boundaries.
It wasn’t just packaging. I refused to use any ingredients derived from animals, which back then was practically unheard of. I insisted on finding alternatives to beeswax for our mascara. Suppliers thought I was crazy, but I knew we could do better. And we did—we pioneered one of the first-ever vegan mascaras, setting a new standard in the industry.
Today, it’s hard to imagine a world without vegan beauty. But back then, it was a constant uphill battle. There was no blueprint, no map to follow. We trusted our instincts, driven by a passion to create change. Each small victory, whether it was a new formula or a more sustainable packaging solution, felt monumental.
whether it was a new formula
or a more sustainable packaging solution,
felt monumental.
Not Just a Brand
I’m a natural challenger, and I believe that the world can be better—for humans, animals, and the planet. I’m a caretaker at heart. I see my role not just as a founder and CEO, but as a steward of the things I love. I’m responsible for the people who use our products, for the animals that share this earth with us, and for the planet itself.
Looking back, I’m so proud of how far we’ve come. Pacifica is more than just a beauty brand—it’s a movement. We’ve helped reshape the beauty industry, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice performance for compassion. Vegan, cruelty-free, and conscious beauty are finally becoming mainstream, but we’re still pushing the boundaries.
For the Future
As the world of beauty evolves, so does Pacifica. We continue to innovate, creating science-backed products that push the envelope of what’s possible. Whether it’s exploring new plant-powered ingredients or finding more eco-conscious packaging solutions, we’re always looking for what’s next.
What’s truly exciting is how far we’ve come, but there’s so much more to do. What’s the next big thing in beauty? How can we make an even bigger impact? These are the questions that drive me forward.
Supporting Pacifica means choosing compassion. Every time you opt for a product that aligns with your values, you’re casting a vote for a kinder, more inclusive world. Share our message. Join our community. Keep advocating for what’s right.
Together, we’ve made amazing progress. But the future? It’s even brighter. At Pacifica, we’re just getting started.
With love and gratitude,
Brook Harvey-Taylor
Founder, CEO & Chief Scentologist
