It’s that season again—the annual tradition of creating New Year’s resolutions, only to watch them fizzle out within just a couple months. While nearly 80 percent of Americans embark on resolutions to invest in their health and wellness, only about 10 percent follow through on this commitment (Drive Research Surveys, November 2024).  

I will be the first to confess that my own track-record for maintaining New Year’s resolutions could use some improvement, so in 2025, what if we start focusing on resolutions we actually want to pursue? What if we funnel our time, effort, and resources into what makes us feel vibrant in our own skin, instead of what makes us believe we’re falling short? 

Enter: Natural Apothecary Shoppe. Nestled in Sarasota’s charming Gulf Gate Village, this local purveyor of organic skincare, homeopathic remedies, herbs and vitamins, essential oils, natural beauty enhancers, and other holistic wellness products is on a mission to help us embrace our most radiant selves—no matter the time of year.  

For this first Community Spotlight of 2025, I spoke with Laurie Lombardi, a makeup artist, clinical nutritionist and para-medical skincare expert, who owns Natural Apothecary Shoppe. Her husband, Eric Sauer, is a licensed holistic pharmacist who also works in the Shoppe, assisting clients with homeopathy, medication interaction through supplements, and  more. Lauri was kind enough to offer me the scoop on her new organic mineral cosmetic line, the Fill Me Up Kit. So, let me introduce you to the fruits of her labor in the Q&A below!  

Natural Awakenings: What can you share with us about the newest product launch you have been working on at the Natural Apothecary Shoppe?   

Laurie Lombardi: I created the Fill Me Up Kit to teach women how to enhance and accentuate their beauty. This organic mineral cosmetic line, crafted with all vegan and natural ingredients, is a magnetic pallet with six holes to fill with the foundation or makeup shades of your choice. I worked with a chemist to ensure each component of the kit is clean and contains no petroleum, talc, parabens, dyes, petrochemicals, or other carcinogens. These products are entirely safe to use, and have an indefinite shelf-life.  

This customizable kit features mineral powder, lip gloss, bronzer, and eyeshadow creams in various color palettes, so everyone can choose their own distinct look. The contour mineral powder also comes in numerous shades for all skin tones, whether fair, medium, or dark. The result is a cosmetic routine that will nourish, moisturize, and protect your skin, while radiating both confidence and allure—no matter the occasion.       

I am also in the process of creating another natural cosmetic line, the Korrective Contour Palette, for a company named Beau Pur. This pallet will come with instructions on how to contour and enhance the features of your unique face shape. You can purchase all my makeup and skincare products here at the Natural Apothecary Shoppe.  

NA: What ingredients are in this Fill Me Up Kit, and what makes it unique from other mineral cosmetic products available on the market?  

Lombardi: Unlike many other cosmetic or skincare products you’ll come across in store aisles (even some claiming to be natural), the Fill Me Up Kit is plant-based with absolutely no harsh chemicals or carcinogens. I formulate each product with clean ingredients such as castor and jojoba seed oils, honeysuckle flower extract, and natural waxes to help smooth out wrinkles, hold in moisture, condition the skin, and revitalize your whole appearance. 

Another element that differentiates the Fill Me Up Kit from other cosmetic lines is that it’s fully customizable. I welcome all my clients to visit the Shoppe for a skincare consultation, makeover, or both. After this consultation, I will demonstrate the right skincare for each client, as well as the ideal contour and makeup shades to suit their skin type and facial structure. 

Not only do these cosmetic products create a tailor-made look that exudes natural beauty and confidence, but they also offer unique all-day coverage and a sheer finish that’s comfortable to wear in any environment. The mineral foundation will glide on as a smooth cream, then transform into a silky powder that softens fine lines or wrinkles. I refer to this Fill Me Up Kit as “The glam that every woman deserves!”         

NA: Where does your passion for natural beauty and holistic wellness stem from? What drew you to start Natural Apothecary Shoppe here in Sarasota?  

Lombardi: I love empowering others to embrace their own beauty from the inside out—that’s my mission in life, and it has taken me to some extraordinary heights. For more than 20 years, I worked with celebrities at NBC Studios as a makeup artist on Saturday Night Live, Inside the Actor’s Studio, The Today Show, and Late Night with David Letterman. In fact, my work on Letterman earned me two Emmy Awards in 2001 and 2002. 

However, despite the meteoric success I had in New York City, I’ve since come to find that my true calling is to help normal folks learn to feel comfortable and confident when they see their own reflections in the mirror. A beauty routine is a form of self-expression, and I enjoy offering this to everyone who walks through my doors. So, if you’re looking for a conscious alternative to mainstream cosmetics that will accentuate your features, enhance your wellness, and care for the planet, come visit us at Natural Apothecary Shoppe.        

Laurie Lombardi, CDN, is the owner of Natural Apothecary Shoppe, located at 6608 Gateway Avenue, Sarasota, in the Gulf Gate Village. For more information about all the natural, organic, and holistic products available both in-store and online, call 941-554-8623 or visit https://naturalapothecaryshoppe.com/