Angela Kim is the founder of Savor Beauty + Spa, a clean beauty brand inspired by Korean rituals. As she says, think of it as Korea’s Seoul meets NYC’s Soul–results-driven formulas streamlined for someone who has a full life and no time for 12 steps.
Tell us a little about yourself!
Before skincare, I was a concert pianist. After a performance where I broke out in hives from a “natural” lotion, I became obsessed with ingredient integrity, which eventually led me to create my first cream in my NYC kitchen. My intention was simple: make something luxurious and effective enough that my mother, a true Korean beauty purist, would approve. Today, I run a New York–made beauty brand, NYC spas, national spa partnerships, and a collection of self-care books and journals. My work is devoted to the Art of Radiance, from skin to soul.
How did you first become interested in skincare?
I grew up watching my mom and aunts nourish their faces, necks, and bodies with exotic creams, oils, and essences. My mom’s sisters would send her creams from Seoul made of gold flecks, silkworm cocoon, and pigeon poop. My true interest started with that moment at the piano with the hives. My body was telling me something. I began researching every ingredient on every label I owned. That became a kind of obsession, and out of that came my first cream. When people started asking for it, I realized I wasn’t just making products…I was creating solutions. Rituals. A new way of treating your skin like the most expensive silk on earth.
Did you ever think you would not only develop your own skincare brand, but also your storefront/spa?
Not at all. I thought I’d be a pianist forever! The facial spa came from a desire to create a little sanctuary in the middle of a fast city. It’s a place where people can exhale, feel cared for, and walk out glowing. What began as one boutique spa in the West Village grew into a full ecosystem of facials, rituals, education, and products that now live in spas across the U.S.
What does your usual day look like as a founder?
I wake up early, splash cold water on my face, and begin what I call my “serum soak”--layering Hyaluronic Acid, Carrot Rose, and Blue Tansy serums onto my parched pores. Then I head into my little “magic meditation room” for Kundalini, pilates, breathwork, visualization, and collagen coffee with my dog, Zoe. Mornings are for creativity, writing, dreaming, mapping ideas. The rest of my day is spent with my team, in the spas, developing products, reviewing marketing, and creating. I’m an artist at heart, and I lead a team of creatives…I lovingly call the day “gorgeous chaos.” I like to infuse calm structure, clarity, and beauty into everything we do.
"I’m an artist at heart, and I lead a team of creatives…I lovingly call the day "gorgeous chaos.""
You’re also an author—what inspired you to further share your passion for wellness/self-care through your written work?
Writing is where I take what I’ve lived and turn it into something others can use. Radical Radiance came from watching women give from empty cups. (Guilty as charged!) I often teach what I most needed to learn. Just as my first cream came from a pain point, my book came from a desire to heal patterns around overworking, perfectionism, and burnout. When I write, I share the solutions that helped me heal from the inside out.
What role did education play in your career?
My most formative education came from piano from the age of four: discipline, perseverance, the pursuit of excellence. Those invisible skills shaped everything from how I formulate products to how I run a team. But I also joke that I graduated from the School of Hard Knocks because I started this business with zero funding, connections, or business experience. A true Aries at heart, I often have to learn things my own way. I live by Nelson Mandela’s quote, “I never lose. I either win or I learn.”
How does your personal style impact your wellness/self-care approach to living? Are these connected?
Absolutely. My style is very minimalist and easy with a penchant for soft fabrics, clean lines, pieces I can slip into without fuss. I like to move through my day with ease, from the pilates mat to my desk to an evening event. That’s exactly how I approach beauty and wellness. I’m a fusion girl at heart: Korean heritage meets NYC efficiency. I love taking a traditionally elaborate K-beauty routine and distilling it into a multi-tasking five-step ritual that still feels incredibly luxurious. Even my workouts are a blend…Kundalini for breath and grounding, pilates for strength and sculpting. Style, skincare, movement–it’s all about ease and flow.
What is your favorite piece from your Marcella Capsule?
The red Elizabeth Coat. It’s gorgeous, cozy, and who doesn’t feel extra confident in red? Those big pockets hold everything from dog treats to mittens. I wear it to walk Zoe, shopping with my daughter or date night with my husband.
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