Rachel Postovoit, owner of the newly-opened Greenhouse Beauty store in Old Lyme, never pictured herself owning a business.
Having studied music at the University of Connecticut with the intention of pursuing music education, Postovoit was devastated when she was rejected from the education program and could no longer become a teacher. “It shattered my perception of myself,” she says with unabashed honesty, “But it shaped my life in a very different path because I was like, ‘Well, what am I going to do? What am I good at?’”
Soon thereafter, Postovoit began working for Reliance House, a non-profit mental health organization based out of Norwich, and took a part-time job at Lush, a cosmetics retailer. Having loved make-up her whole life, she decided to pursue a career in cosmetics becoming first the store manager for Bare Minerals at Mohegan Sun, then opening her own store in Trumbull, and ultimately becoming a “color specialist” for Sephora.
She explains her lifelong passion for make-up this way, “As a kid, every friend, my mom, my sister, every person I could get my hands on, I would do their make-up. But I didn’t really get into skin care until my own skin became more of a struggle.”
As Postovoit pursued different options to improve her skin, she quickly realized that there were many ingredients in products that she did not recognize. She began to research home remedies and started to make her own skincare products to ensure that there were no toxins in them that could jeopardize her health.
Postovoit decided to open Greenhouse Beauty to give people an opportunity to try new products that are safe and all-natural. Tucked in a little corner next to The Hideaway in the Old Lyme Shopping Center, the store feels comfortable and welcoming to all. “All of this is foreign to me,” she laughs. “I did 10 years in the retail world, but I’ve never owned my own business. I’m hoping that the community views it as their store. If you want your space, you can have it. If you want me pamper you, you can have that, too.”
Greenhouse Beauty offers a relaxed, carefree environment with products that range from natural face cleansers to sweetly scented candles. A photo gallery hangs on the wall above a pale, blue couch, and various plants adorn the space. Postovoit wants get a piano as well, with hopes that people will feel more at-home and comfortable.
She explains,“I want people to feel like you can really just relax and be yourself,” she says. “I hid under my make-up for years, and it’s not a good feeling. I hope people are able to find themselves and fall in love with themselves, even just a little bit. Everyone’s trying to change themselves, but there’s only one you. You are a gift, and I want people to know that when they come here.”
Greenhouse Beauty is located at 19 Halls Rd. in Old Lyme and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 12 to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.greenhousebeautyct.com