Here's Willa on top of the world.

After some requisite chit chat about how fifth grade is a real bitch (I’m paraphrasing here), we got down to business with a bit of moderating from me, the grown-up.

Fashionista/Mabel: Why did you want to start this? It seems like it’s so hard!
Willa: I used one of my mom’s face washes and my skin broke out in a rash and pimples and was itching. I went to Dunkin Donuts and I had to put a bag on my head!

Fashionista/Cheryl: What was the hardest part about starting the line?
The hardest thing is spreading the word. I feel like so many girls probably want something like this.

Cheryl: Mabel, what would you like to have as a product to use?

Mabel: Special lotion!

Willa: Come here! We worked for a long time on the smell for this one. [expertly squirts a sample on Mabel's hand and blends]

Willa hard at work in the lab.

Mabel: Ooh, it smells so good! What kind of ingredients did you use?

Willa: We used a lot of natural products. Like aloe.

Mabel: I’ve heard of that. It’s green.
Willa: Yes! And eucalyptus and green tea extract, too.

Cheryl: Willa, are you allowed to wear makeup? And do you want to or no?
Willa: I’m not really allowed. I mean, I think I can if I want, but my makeup is my skin. I don’t think I need it.

Cheryl: When do you guys think girls should start wearing makeup?
Mabel: Maybe once they start to develop.
Willa: Yeah, that’s smart.

Cheryl: Anything else you’d like to say, Mabel?
Mabel: Good job, Willa!

The event seemed to make an impression on Mabel, who when asked if she used any lotions now said, “No, but I’m going to start!” She snagged her first-ever beauty goody bag, too, which is a momentous occasion in a beauty writer’s life. When I asked her if she thought it might be a cool job to have she said thoughtfully, “Maybe. If I was doing it with important people, like the New York Times.”