Bee Shapiro is well-versed in beauty products and travel, which go hand-in-hand with her clean fragrance brand, Ellis Brooklyn. Bee’s idea for the company spawned more than 10 years ago, as she was becoming more discerning about her beauty products. At the time, she was pregnant with her first child, Ellis, and living in Brooklyn.
The brand name is an homage to her eldest daughter (she has two), while the names of the individual scents are inspired by American destinations, experiences and stories. (Speaking of stories: for 11 years, Bee wrote about all things beauty for The New York Times.)
These days, Bee travels with and without her kids — for work and for play. And, admittedly, those are two very different ways to travel.
In between Ellis Brooklyn launching VANILLA RICE and PLUM TONIC scents this summer, Bee shared her thoughts on underrated and overrated destinations, her travel bucket list and where she’s visiting next.
Galavante: What’s the first thing you do when you arrive somewhere new?
Bee Shapiro: If I’m staying in a hotel, I typically like to spray my own perfume in the room and on my pillows. It gives an air of familiarity that I like to have when I’m traveling for work.
Galavante: Window or aisle?
Bee: Aisle for short trips, and window for flights, when I need to sleep.
Galavante: Carry-on only or checked luggage?
Bee: Checked! I used to cram everything into a carry-on, and then was miserable for the trip. I am now a happy over-packer.
Galavante: What’s always in your travel bag, no matter the destination?
Bee: I always have an eye mask. I just can’t sleep if I don’t have my eyes covered.
Galavante: What trip changed the way you see the world?
Bee: I’ve traveled quite a bit, including everything from backpacking when I was young to more luxury-style hotel vacations as I’ve gotten older. When I was in my 20s, I backpacked from Croatia to Montenegro to Serbia and then up to Bulgaria and then Istanbul. That trip had everything from heaps of fun, to scary train rides to luxurious nightclubs on the Bosphorus.
Galavante: What’s the most underrated place you’ve visited? The most overrated?
Bee: Underrated: Australia. Some of the most beautiful scenery I have seen has been on my work trips to Australia. I would love to stay an entire month or two with my kids.
Overrated: I’m sure I’m going to get dinged for this, but St. Barths. It’s beautiful. but it’s like this tiny microcosm of the South of France — but in the Caribbean. It’s nice, but not for the prices and hassle of a connection and so on; I’ve experienced better.
Galavante: Where do you think everyone should go at least once?
Bee: I think people should go somewhere that is still developing or changing. When I went to Montenegro, it had just joined the EU and things were changing quickly there. Budva was one of the prettiest beaches I had ever seen in the Mediterranean up to that point. It’s exciting to be in a country that is energized or in the midst of growth.
Galavante: Is there a destination that’s still at the top of your bucket list?
Bee: I have so many dream trips! I would love to go to Perth in Australia. I’ve always wanted to hike Reunion [Island]. I have yet to go to Africa and dream of going on safari.
Galavante: What instantly tells you a hotel is exceptional?
Bee: I love design and service. Design in that there is an artfulness and intention to the rooms and common spaces. Service is what sets true luxury destinations apart.
Galavante: What’s the most memorable hotel you’ve ever stayed in?
Bee: One of my favorites is Lily of the Valley in La Croix Valmer. It’s not over-the-top luxury. It’s very discreet French chic, but in a wellness-boheme kind of way.
Galavante: What’s the best travel advice you’ve ever received?
Bee: I interviewed Ian Schrager back in the day, when I was writing for The New York Times, and I remember him telling me that work trips are for work — it’s all about function. Despite him having a hand in so many hotels, he often doesn’t even stay the night, and will fly in and out. I have flown to San Francisco and back in a day for a meeting, and I prefer it if I can avoid a night stay. I’d rather be home. It’s a whole different thing if I’m headed on vacation though.
Galavante: What is your favorite travel advice to give?
Bee: I know today everyone wants to take pictures and traveling can be this entire photo roadshow, but there’s something freeing about being extremely minimal on vacation. Bring your absolute favorites and that’s it. It’s a time to disconnect from everything, including materialism.
Galavante: Where are you headed next?
Bee: I’m going to Seattle to visit my sister. It’s where I grew up. Then in September, I’m going to Melbourne and the Gold Coast for work.
Galavante: Is there a hotel scent that has stuck with you over the years? If so, what is it, and where is it?
Bee: I love the scent at Lily of the Valley. It’s fresh and unpretentious. I don’t love hotel scents that are overwhelming. I prefer my personal fragrance to be the star.
Galavante: How do you capture various destinations in a scent?
Bee: Scent is all about escapism. I like to close my eyes and imagine what the surrounding smells like, and what’s the energy I want to capture. Yes, it’s about the ingredients, but it’s also about the vibe.
Galavante: Are there scents that you have travelled across state lines or oceans for?
Bee: I actually need to travel for inspiration. I especially love to be in the open air and in nature. It could be mountains and evergreens, or it can be oceans and cliffs. I love all of the above.
Galavante: How do you balance luxury travel with traveling with kids?
Bee: This is such a challenge! Luxury hotels can make a trip with your kids that much easier, but of course, there are budgets to things and such! I like to mix nature or activity trips with nice hotels — so a little Seattle hiking, and then later in the year, Four Seasons Orlando kind of balance. I do love hotels that have a lot of activities, such as tennis or a beach club to walk to. My kids are active, and I need to keep them busy, or they will bounce off the walls.
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