Cynthia Sakai's path to sustainable beauty is rooted in reinvention. A longtime designer and former founder of the jewelry line Vita Fede, Sakai launched evolvetogether in 2020 with a single intention: to create essentials that are beautiful, functional, and kind to the planet. What began with minimal, design-forward face masks has since expanded into a line of biodegradable, refillable, and dissolvable personal care products—scented rituals that leave no trace, right down to the packaging.

Drawing from her Japanese-American heritage, global perspective, and reverence for detail, Sakai is reshaping what luxury looks like in the context of climate responsibility. She's not interested in perfection—only progress. With evolvetogether, she invites us into a more conscious daily routine, one rooted in care, community, and small actions that add up. Here, she reflects on her journey and how she designs with both people and the planet in mind.

You've had a dynamic path, from your roots in design to founding evolvetogether. What early influences or experiences shaped your approach to beauty and sustainability?

I've never seen these categories as rigid—not just "beauty" or just "jewelry." For me, it's always been about the process: creating something from an idea, turning a vision into something real and meaningful. That way of thinking started early. I'm Japanese and grew up with the mindset that everything has a purpose, the small details matter, quality comes before quantity, and waste should be minimized.

My grandmother used to import fabrics from France to make her own kimonos. That level of intentionality—the care for materials, design, and detail—really stayed with me. Whether it's jewelry or personal care, it's never just about the product. It's about how it's made, why it exists, and how it makes someone feel.

Your aesthetic draws from luxury and minimalist Japanese traditions. How do those cultural influences guide your choices—whether selecting biodegradable materials or ingredient sourcing?

Our influences are global, and there's always been something grounding about simplicity for me. I'm drawn to design that's both casual and elevated. That sensibility shapes everything we create at evolvetogether—from the fine ingredients we choose to the way our biodegradable or reusable packaging feels in your hands. It's all about clarity and ease.

As a parent and busy founder, how do you live sustainably in your everyday? In what ways does your home life reflect the same ethos as evolvetogether? And how do you go about translating that ethos into your family life?

What I do at home is what I bring into our brand. We don't use plastic in our house. We cook with whole foods. We avoid canned or overly processed things. It's not about being perfect—it's about being mindful and making consistent, small choices that reflect what matters to us. That's the same approach we take at evolvetogether: thoughtful, transparent, earnest, and compounding. We endeavor to build a brand that makes people feel good.

In your personal skincare journey, was there an "aha" moment that led you to seek out cleaner, more conscious products? What first shifted for you?

Deodorant. That was the first thing I changed, particularly during my pregnancy. That journey made me realize how many of our daily habits are just that—habits. But with a little more intention, they can become meaningful rituals that support both our health and our values.

Throughout your entrepreneurial journey, you've evolved from jewelry to PPE to holistic personal care. How has your relationship with the land, ingredients, and environmental stewardship changed over time?

It's been a personal evolution. About eight years ago, I was diagnosed with Lyme disease, and that shifted everything. I started rethinking what I was eating, how I was living, and what I was putting on my body.

As a Japanese-American, I was raised with a deep respect for food—real food. My parents made everything from scratch. But like many kids, I just wanted to fit in. I'd beg for packaged snacks because that's what my friends had. Over time, though, I came back to my roots and realized how important quality really is—in food and beyond. I also wasn't raised with fast fashion. My parents taught me to buy one thing you love and take good care of it, instead of ten things you ultimately retire. That practice of intentionality runs deep—and it's part of evolvetogether's DNA.

evolvetogether's Gone Today  collection dissolves entirely—no microplastics, no trace. In an industry where sustainability often stops at recyclable, why was going a step further so important to you? What did it take to design packaging that disappears without a footprint—and how do you balance that innovation with the desire for tactile experiences?

Gone Today is about redefining what's possible. We wanted to create something that disappears—but still feels good to use. It's tactile, it's beautiful, and it's functional. Because being kind to the planet shouldn't mean compromising on design or experience.

Our goal is to make planet-mindedness part of modern luxury—not something you do out of obligation, but something you're drawn to because it's considered, elevated, effortless, and beautiful. That's why every detail matters to us: the formulation, the packaging, and the end of a product's life. Our name is intentional—we truly believe in evolving the everyday. When you know better, you do better.

For those looking to transition to more sustainable skincare, where's a good place to start? Are there ingredients, certifications, or packaging signals that you think matter most?

Everything matters—but not everything has to matter all at once. It really depends on what's important to you and your family. We try to meet our customers where they are. That's the beauty of thoughtful design: it offers a better choice without pressure or judgment. At evolvetogether, we're not here to tell you what to do. We're here to offer something we believe in. And if that happens to fit into your life—and maybe even make it better—that's the greatest gift.

For a limited time, we're collaborating with evolvetogether for a gift that gives back: Spend $75 at evolvetogether.com and receive a complimentary bottle of our Organic 100% Pure Avocado Oil. At westbourne.com, every order will receive a complimentary evolvetogether Hydrating Lip Balm.

See more at evolvetogether.