As the founder of Meadow & Bark, a Long Island–based, plant-powered skin-care company that started in my backyard and has since gone global, I’ve always believed that true beauty starts with nature. With the growing demand for clean, high-performance alternatives to conventional products, I knew it was time to offer something deeper—beyond skin care and into full-body wellness.

That was the inspiration behind Wellness in Paradise, our inaugural retreat in Turks and Caicos. Designed not just to pamper but to restore, it brought together women who craved inner radiance and outer glow in a setting that honored ritual, community, and the healing power of plants.

More than a getaway, the Meadow & Bark Wellness Retreat is a plant-powered revolution—where skin care, clean living, and the truth about toxic beauty harmonize in paradise.

Tucked along the soft shores of Sapodilla Bay, our villa became a sanctuary for nourishment, connection, and empowerment. For five days, an incredible group of women gathered to replenish through movement, mindfulness, clean eating, laughter, and the powerful act of taking time for ourselves.

Each morning began with guided meditation and yoga led by Stephanie Filardi, followed by Pilates and paddleboard sessions in turquoise waters with Jennifer Hanono, our head of sustainability. The rhythm was fluid and joyful—no pressure, just presence.

Meals were crafted with intention by Chef Suzette, featuring vibrant, nutrient-rich dishes that fueled both body and spirit. Around the table, conversations flowed—about wellness, hormones, rest, and embracing change.

A highlight: an afternoon at the Palms Resort & Spa, where guests experienced Meadow & Bark facials and body rituals, followed by a breezy beachfront lunch overlooking Grace Bay.

We swam, we laughed, we walked the shoreline. We had professional individual portraits taken that captured our glowing, radiant skin—inside and out. We lounged in the sun with our shimmering, protected skin—SPF is never optional!

Wellness in Paradise returns in 2026. To join us please email hello@meadowandbark.com

 

5 Takeaways to Bring Home

Schedule your reset.  One intentional day can restore you.

Make skin care sacred.  Let it be a daily act of connection.

Nourish to flourish.  Food is fuel, but also joy.

Move with meaning.  Joyful movement is powerful medicine.

Community is medicine.  Wellness thrives in connection.

 

 

 

About Meadow & Bark

 

 

Meadow and Bark: Botanical Skin Care With a Purpose

In the heart of Long Beach, New York, Meadow and Bark is a sanctuary for those seeking luxurious, plant-powered skin care. Founder Marisa Russell has woven her diverse experiences and passions into a brand that transcends traditional skin care, embracing a mission driven by quality, sustainability, and empowerment.

A Passionate Beginning

Russell, a seasoned marketing and sales executive, approached skin care with the same determination and creativity that defined her professional journey. Looking to protect her family with nontoxic, effective sun care, she embarked on an innovative path, spurred on by a serendipitous discovery by her husband, Scott. During a surf trip to the Mentawai Islands he encountered an indigenous botanical paste that healed his severe sunburn and became the inspiration behind Meadow and Bark’s flagship sun-care products.

Crafting Excellence: From Concept to Creation

Combining Marisa’s expertise in marketing and technology with Scott’s organic farming practices, Meadow and Bark’s unique offerings began to take shape. Their living lab in Long Beach serves as an incubator for new products and an immersive shopping experience. As chief alchemist, Marisa conducts master classes at the lab, sharing her knowledge and passion for clean, botanical-based skin care with customers eager to learn.

Handcrafted in small batches, each Meadow and Bark product is potent and pure. Ingredients like shea butter, macadamia nut oil, and other essential oils, sourced from socially responsible companies and women-owned co-ops, reflect the brand’s commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainability. Its skin-care solutions work harmoniously with the skin, merging age-old techniques with modern science.

Commitment to Community and Environment

At the core of Meadow and Bark is a deep commitment to philanthropy. Two percent of proceeds are donated to charities supporting environmental causes, women’s rights, and cancer research. Notably, the brand partners with the Fabian Cousteau Ocean Learning Center, an organization dedicated to protecting and preserving our planet’s waters, coastal areas, and marine habitats through education, research, collaboration, advocacy, and empowerment. This dedication to positive impact extends to Meadow and Bark’s business practices, including UV light-resistant glass packaging and recycled paper boxes sourced from New York. Additionally, the company offers an incentive program for customers to return bottles for recycling and reuse, furthering its commitment to sustainability.

Transforming Skin Care Into Rituals

Meadow and Bark transcends conventional skin care, offering a holistic approach to self-care. Its products, infused with the exclusive Phyto-Lumen Complex and the transformative properties of Thanaka, provide a spa-like experience that elevates daily routines into cherished rituals. Each product embodies an unwavering commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation.

A Vision for Empowerment and Global Collaboration

Marisa envisions a world where self-care is synonymous with trust, luxury, and efficacy. Meadow and Bark aims to be at the pinnacle of self-care brands, empowering individuals and fostering collective upliftment. With every product, it delivers guilt-free luxury that radiates joy, confidence, and spiritual fulfillment.

Through growing partnerships and collaborations with like-minded brands, spas, and boutiques, Meadow and Bark’s reach continues to expand globally. Its products can be found in such locations as St. John; St. Thomas; Montauk; Greenport; New York City; Paso Robles, California; Hawaii; and many more.

Where Nature Meets Innovation

In 2024, Meadow and Bark launched its first FDA-approved sunscreen, Mineral 45, one of a very small handful that are certified as reef safe. Through its dedication to harnessing nature’s best and its commitment to ethical practices, Meadow and Bark is redefining skin care. Join Marisa Russell on this journey, embracing the magic of botanical-based products and the ethos of a brand that genuinely cares.

https://www.meadowandbark.com/