19 Questions With Mayssa Chehata
by The Candidly Team
This article is part of our series called "People We Like," in which we highlight interesting women, across all walks of life.
Leaders, great cooks, doctors, parents, writers; people who inspire us.
Today, we’re featuring Mayssa Chehata, founder of BEHAVE, a candy brand making gummies in dreamy flavors like lychee and passionfruit. Oh, and each bag of gummies has only 1g of sugar, soooo…
The Candidly Questionnaire
1. What’s your most compelling quality?
I’ll try to turn anything into a joke, with a side of sarcasm. Will do pretty much anything for a laugh, as it feeds my soul (and ego).
2. What’s your worst quality, according to your friends?
That I think I’m oh so funny.
3. What’s an overrated value you don’t buy into?
That politics and [insert relationship or facet of life here] should be kept separate.
4. Are essential oils anything?
A wonderful placebo. And aromatherapy is real, so there’s always that.
5. What's the most effective beauty trick you know?
Drinking a gallon of water a day.
6. How do you get your self-esteem?
Being a perfectionist growing up, I received a lot of external validation. But I’m working on cultivating this from within now. Will keep you posted :)
7. What meal can you make the hell out of?
Anything available on UberEATS.
8. What’s your favorite item of clothing you own?
A multi-colored fur coat. It’s ridiculous but I feel so powerful when I wear it.
9. How do you handle conflict in your closest relationships?
I’m obsessed with reaching a resolution as quickly as possible. This can come at the expense of standing my own ground and upholding my own boundaries, and/or fully listening to and understanding the other person.
10. What idea has really challenged you in the last year?
What if things work out exactly how you imagine it, or better? Spend more time picturing things going well rather than pre-emptively planning for the worst-case scenario.
11. Who is the most interesting person in the zeitgeist right now?
AOC.
12. What Insta account speaks to you deeply?
13. What quote or phrase has stayed with you?
“Remember when you wanted what you currently have.”
14. What’s your favorite movie from the last ten years?
Moonlight.
15. What forms of therapy have changed your relationship to yourself?
Working with a therapist has single-handedly been the most life-changing experience of my life. Through that journey I’ve picked up gratitude journaling, free-hand journaling, and manifesting.
16. What’s the most delicious bite of food you’ve ever had?
A perfect bite of my grandma’s couscous and lamb.
17. Is social media ruining our brains?
No, I’m not that pessimistic about it.
18. Describe your actual bedtime routine.
Laptop down, TV off, ideally phone away but truth is I usually scroll TikTok until I’m in bed. Lights down to just a dim lamp or two. Skincare, dental care. Get in bed, gratitude journal (I use the 5 Minute Journal) and freehand journal, then if I’m not crashing immediately, I will read until I dose off.
19. What’s your relationship with bangs?
Have never had them. Will hopefully never have a mental breakdown severe enough to get them. I support all my fabulous friends who have ever gone for it.
What is your single favorite:
Wellness product that *actually* works: Tretinoin (topical retinol).
Lip balm: Nivea.
Jeans: Vintage Levi’s.
Mascara: L’Oreal Voluminous.
Sweats: HommeBody.
Effective “lady” product: I’m just gonna say The Womanizer and you guys can thank me later.
Last minute gift: BEHAVE Candy, Otherland candle, Assouline coffee table book.
Bra: Cuup.
Shampoo: Olaplex.
Comfortable shoes: Adidas Ultra Boost.
Splurge skincare: Laser hair removal and micro-needling facials (you should talk to a derm before doing this!).
Drugstore skincare: Neutrogena Hyaluronic Acid Hydro Boost.
Everyday bag: Black YSL Carryall.
Guilty-pleasure TV show: Sex And The City reruns.
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We have to eat.
