Five years ago, this brand—Matte Equation—was nothing more than a fleeting dream. I was an entertainment publicist, working in what I thought was my dream job. The reality was far less glamorous: sleepless nights, skipped meals or stress-induced overeating and a toxic work environment that left me in constant defence mode.
I still remember those moments vividly—taking the subway to the office, my mind racing, my heart pounding. On one of those days, I saw an ad for an indie beauty brand. I didn’t know it at the time, but that moment planted a seed. I found myself wondering: What would it be like to launch a beauty brand?
When the pandemic hit and the entertainment industry came to a halt, I lost my job. For the first time in years, I had space to breathe. On the advice of my parents, I took a year off. That year became the catalyst for everything that followed.
At first, I kept busy experimenting. I developed a concealer I loved but quickly realized colour cosmetics wasn’t the right starting point for me. It was during those quiet days at home that I stumbled upon the magic of face masks—specifically, mud masks.
Using simple ingredients from my kitchen—honey, matcha, oats—I began crafting my own blends. Something profound happened every time I applied a mask. The act of putting it on forced me to slow down. I had to take off my glasses, rendering myself visionless. The mask dried on my skin, making me motionless. For those 15 minutes, I was forced to sit with my thoughts.
It was grounding. It was peaceful. And it was powerful.
That was my “aha” moment: a face mask is beyond skincare. It's a ritual, an invitation to pause in an otherwise chaotic world.
From that point on, I became fascinated with creating a product that embodied this experience. I wanted something that could transport people to a place of calm, no matter where they were. This led to the creation of our Quantum Mud Mask, a spa in a jar.
Initially, I called the brand “Psychology,” reflecting the connection between skincare and mental well-being. But when the trademark wasn’t available, I rethought the name. Skincare, after all, is deeply personal—a unique equation for everyone. That’s how Matte Equation was born.
The brand began with a mission: to tackle self-care challenges and help people find their calm. I poured everything into this vision, financing it myself while running my PR firm on the side. It wasn’t easy—I lived with my parents for a while, sacrificed personal luxuries and sometimes doubted if it would all be worth it.
But the deeper I went, the more I realized this was my purpose.
In many ways, Matte Equation feels like coming full circle. I grew up in a family of scientists—specifically, my grandmother was a chemical engineer, and my mother a chemist. As a teenager obsessed with skincare, I dreamed of becoming a dermatologist. My mother would read the ingredients on skincare products to me, explaining their purpose and benefits.
Though life took me in a different direction, I carried those early influences with me. Whether it was prepping for red carpets or swapping skincare tips with friends, I never stopped exploring ways to feel good in my skin. Over time, I realized that true self-care goes beyond what you put on your face. It’s about the food you eat, the way you move, and the habits you cultivate.
I wanted Matte Equation to be a philosophy. Not another skincare brand. It’s about recognizing that how you feel internally is reflected in how you express yourself externally. And so, our products aren’t just about results. They’re about encouraging a lifestyle of slowing down, creating balance and living intentionally.
I believe skincare should be an anchor in your self-care routine, not just another step. When you put on our Quantum Mud Mask, I want you to feel like you’re reclaiming a moment of stillness, grounding yourself in peace amidst the noise of daily life.
Building this brand has been one of the most humbling and rewarding experiences of my life. It’s a constant challenge to seek balance—not just for myself, but for those who trust Matte Equation to be part of their journey.
Now, I guess this story goes beyond the mud mask. It’s a story about resilience, transformation and creating something meaningful out of chaos. It’s about the small rituals that remind us to pause, reflect and reconnect with ourselves.
So, as we move forward together, I hope you’ll join me in exploring what self-care can truly mean—not as a quick fix, but as a way of life. You know, the glowing, grounding and growing.
— Matthew Celestial, Founder & CEO.
