About

Welcome to The New Knew!

I’m Lisa Fennessy, founder of TNK. Born and raised in Boston, MA, I’m a city girl at heart currently living in Atlanta since 2017. I am passionate about access to healthy food, water, beauty, consumer goods and more. I want nontoxic to be the norm and this drives my passion daily. 

On TNK, you’ll find well-researched info about better (clean) beauty, healthy living and going gray (a journey I’ve been on for the last three years!). 

Lisa with her boys in Atlanta.

My Journey to TNK

I wasn’t always an organic living-clean beauty advocate. After my son Quinn was born with eczema, the docs prescribed him a steroid cream that ended up discoloring his skin. We soon realized his symptoms were being treated but not the root cause. We played around with some holistic remedies but when we decided to remove dairy from his diet, his skin cleared up in two weeks and our world changed. 

Around the same time, I was experiencing IBS. I got all the tests and the docs were calling it “microscopic colitis.” They were basically saying my intestines were inflamed. Again, identifying the symptom but not getting to the root. I eventually realized I needed more testing and when I saw a functional medicine practitioner, they diagnosed me with Celiac. That was the last day I intentionally ate gluten (I miss real pizza!).

Both of these experiences taught me that no one is going to come and hand us a solution. If we want health, we need to seek it out. If we want access to clean food, we need to support non-GMO, organic and biodynamic growing practices. If we want clean beauty and personal care, we need to do the work and find out what that really means to us.

A woman on her laptop.

And that’s where The New Knew (me and my team!) comes in. With a BA in Journalism from Northeastern University, I explore the latest and greatest in better beauty as well as THE WHY. This has been my full time job for the past three years and I LOVE IT. What I’ve learned is there is typically no “perfect” solution. But there are certainly a ton of great options. 

And what’s perfect for one person may not be perfect for another. But, as a team, we are committed to continuing the better beauty and organic lifestyle conversation in hopes of empowering every woman to feel confident about what we are consuming.  

Where to Start

Ready to dive in? Here’s where to start.

The bottom line? There is something better for everyone. We just need to know what to look for and how to shop. 

Right now, conventional, mainstream and big box brands formulate fast and cheap and with little to no regard for our health or the health of the planet. It’s what makes cash registers ring and it’s what lines pockets. BUT we can change that.

When we educate ourselves. When we stand up and make a choice about what we allow in our homes and on our bodies. When we create a demand for clean, organic and nontoxic….guess what? Clean, organic, nontoxic and better becomes the new norm. 

It’s you and me, girl. We’ve got this.  

xo, lisa in cursive

As Seen In….

TNK has been cited as an authority in the clean beauty space around the web in publications like The Editorialist, CNN Underscored, The Atlantan and….

The Water Break

The Water Break with Cara Kneer via 11Alive, Atlanta, GA’s leading local news station. Speaking on the four things we can do to reduce our daily toxic load.

True Roots

Quoted and referenced in True Roots by Ronnie Citron-Fink. Here is an excerpt:

Lisa contacted 10 “natural” hair color companies to ask for their ingredient lists. She identified PPD, coal tar and SLS or derivatives of these chemicals as toxic culprits in many of the organic hair dyes. (Read the full post here).

The one point that I really want to drive home here is when a hair dye is labeled “organic” or claims to be “natural” don’t be fooled into thinking you are getting a healthy alternative. Lisa said she was hard pressed to find a truly chemical-free dye that both covered will and looked good. She concluded that her two healthiest options were henna and Hairprint.

Beauty Independent

The New Knew Is A One Stop Content Shop For Info On Clean Beauty, Packed Lunches, Grocery Runs And Unwieldily Gray Hairs

I love keeping it light and fun, but I’m honest, and I’m not afraid to ask the big questions, which I think people value.

Gray Hair Don’t Care: How WomenDitching Dye Could Uproot The Hair Care Industry

“Fennessy thinks interest in going gray is rising, although it’s far from universal. She says, “I can totally feel this movement rumbling, but it’s not loud yet.”

Beauty Influencers Are Shifting Content And Business Strategies Amid The Pandemic

“I’ve been focusing on tasks that move the needle in the short term and pressing pause on side projects like SEO, list building, keyword research, brand outreach and networking. I’ve been playing with hosting exclusive events, offers, experiences and gifts for my readers. It’s creating some new opportunities, and it’s been really exciting.”

WELL + GOOD

Young Women Are Embracing Their Gray Hair Like Never Before And I, For One, Am Rooting For It!

Society taught me to cover up and keep up instead of embracing the aging process.

Parade Magazine

Could Hairprint Be The Secret To Covering Your Gray Naturally?

After taking a trip to the Hairprint Salon in Sausalito, CA: “It looked beautiful and exactly like hair dye. I couldn’t see any gray hairs, and I left knowing I could do it.”

WELL INSIDERS

Gray Hair, Don’t Care: Two Green Beauty Founders on Their Journey To Ditching the Dye

Body shaming applies to hair, too, you know. I didn’t realize it at the time, but before I stopped dyeing my hair, I was consumed with thoughts about my roots to the point where it would affect my behavior.

Podcasts

Live Simply Podcast

Navigating Nontoxic Skincare with The New Knew. This episode was the most downloaded episode of the Live Simply Podcast for season 2.

Wheatgrass and Champagne

Clean Up Your Beauty And Skincare Regimen with The New Knew.

The Golden Hour

The Power of Going Gray with Lisa from The New Knew.

a selfie with dr. sarah and lisa from the new knew
Hanging out with Dr. Sarah founder of OSMIA

Around the web

  • Named one of New Hope’s Top 100 Responsible Health & Wellness Influencers of 2020
  • Named one of nine organic beauty blogs to green your beauty routine by The Good Trade.
  • Coming Clean with Lisa Fennessy of The New Knew at Maya Chia.
  • How to go green with your products at The Green Beauty Scene.
  • Sharing My Morning Routine with Well Insiders plus 5 Wellness Products I Can’t Live Without.
  • Talking about how I clear my mind over at OSMIA.
  • 2019 ShiftCon Shifter Awards runner-up for Best Green Beauty Blog.
  • 2018 ShiftCon Shifter Awards runner-up for Best Original Photography.
  • Melissa from Natural Health Resources and I Youtube about How To Live A Toxin Free Lifestyle Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.
  • Lunchtime! Packing Healthy School Lunches over at Maison Pur.
  • Creating the Perfect Beauty Parlor at Home with Porch.

Speaking Engagements + Events

  • How To Work With Influencers And Have Influencers Work For You – Southeastern Bath & Body Conference, Atlanta, 2020
  • ShiftCon Panelist on True Beauty, Atlanta 2019
  • Aging Beautifully with Dr. Sarah Villafranco + The New Knew at Aillea, Atlanta, 2019
  • Glow Summit 2.0 Speaker on Going Gray
  • Discussion Leader at The Influencer Summit for Natural Products Expo East, Baltimore 2018 + 2019
  • 5 Things You Can Do TODAY To Lessen Your Everyday Toxic Load and Optimize Production with WELL BUSINESSED, Atlanta, 2018
  • 5 Things You Can Do To Start Living Healthier NOW with Corrective Chiropractic, Atlanta, 2018

Ambassadorships + Testimonials

masking with Jeanie Jarnot founder of Beauty Heroes
Girls night in with Beauty Heroes founder Jeannie Jarnot and Molly Hill of Maison Pur 2019

Beauty Heroes Ambassador 2016 – Present

Lisa speaks in an authentic voice to the modern woman who wants to know the real deal. I appreciate her level of professionalism, attention to detail and diligence and really enjoy our working relationship and personal connection.

Jeannie Jarnot, Beauty Heroes Founder

True Botanicals 2016 – Present

The New Knew is one of our go-to authorities on all things non-toxic beauty and green living.

True Botanicals

The Detox Market Box Ambassador 2018 – Present

Boxwalla Box Ambassador 2017 – Present

Media Kit

For press and media kit inquiries email [email protected]

23 Comments

  1. Reply

    Alisha

    I’m sure you get this all the time but you are a blogger, researcher and Mom after my own heart. I’m so glad to have found your site! Keep fighting the good fight!

    1. Reply

      Lisa

      Oh my gosh Alisha! Thanks girl! Made my day! xo

  2. Reply

    Kim

    I just think you’re the coolest, Lisa. I love following you on IG and I have found so many gems because of your suggestions. I thank you so much for the work you do and for making my green life much easier.

    1. Reply

      Lisa

      Oh my gosh Kim, thank you! I’m so happy to her that and so glad you are here! xo

  3. Reply

    Stephanie

    My 13 yo daughter’s nutrition class used your Toxic Ten list to comb through their families’s products at home. We had one that I must have missed, or their ingredients changed. She’s on it!!
    Thank you so much for all the work you do toward making our world a better place!

    1. Reply

      Lisa

      This is amazing Stephanie! So cool! What a fun and EDUCATIONAL project!!! Thanks so much for sharing with me! xo, Lisa

  4. Reply

    April

    I have stopped dying my hair and was looking for inspo and found your blog! I have been on a similar mission ehivh has waxed and wanned over the last 20 years but this year I decided to commit whole heartedly. My family and I are seeing the major benes and I feel like going gray au naturale is my last major hurddle. I have long thought who the hell has the right to say gray hair isn’t beautiful or youthful and now I’m gonna live it. Thanks for the inspriation and keep fighting the good fight!

    1. Reply

      Lisa

      Thank you April for this beautiful comment. Wishing you all the best in your grow out too! xoxox

  5. Reply

    kerry

    I am so proud of Lisa! Lisa is married to my godson Jason and she is a joy to have in our family. She is a wonderful and loving wife, and mother to Quinn and Cole . I am so proud of the journey she is on and how much she inspires people to be a healthier version of themselves. I have switched over to many of the products that Lisa recommends and have loved them all! So proud of the independent, strong, loving and most of all kind person she is! xoxoxo Kerry

    1. Reply

      Lisa

      Hi Kerry! Thank you so much! I’m so happy you love everything you’ve tried! xo

  6. Reply

    Yoanna

    Hi Lisa, So very happy to have discovered your blog! I am turning 48 this year and I started leading a natural lifestyle when I moved to California for the first time in 2006. You inspire me to continue, gray hair, wrinkles and all! Thank you for your honesty, perseverance and willingness to think out of the box. That is exactly what we need now, especially when so much of what we see, hear and read pushes us to conform to practices that very often mask who we really are. Those of us who like skincare, haircare and looking good but also care about our planet, our health and the welfare of all need a place where we can educate ourselves on products we can buy and use in good conscience. All the best, Yoanna

  7. Reply

    Patti Zlaket

    Going to the salon TODAY to get started on my journey to go natural and let my gray hair come in. You are one of the people who has inspired me to do it! Thanks for sharing your story. I am very excited!!

    1. Reply

      Lisa Fennessy

      Awesome Patti! Be sure to let us know how it goes! We are *rooting* for you! xo, Lisa

  8. Reply

    Sherry

    Hi, I am 72 with gray/some still dark hair. And lots and lots of hyperpigmentation, age spots and red areas from surgeries on my face. I am looking for a tinted foundation that can cover this but isn’t too cakey. I have long used Lancome Absolute for about all my facial products but am finding the foundation too drying and cakey. Saw new products but am looking for recommendations. Any suggestions?

    1. Reply

      Lisa Fennessy

      Hi Sherry! YES! Check out the True Skin Serum Foundation which I review about in this post! It’s the best! xo, Lisa

  9. Reply

    Sci Researcher

    Hi Lisa! Thanx for posting your chemical list! Found you through research of the Chlorphenisin. It is not banned in France but appears to be banned in the USA. I have an elderly relative who is going through what your son had. The steroid creams are not working. Can you share what you used to solve his eczema?

    1. Reply

      Lisa Fennessy

      We ended up doing an elimination diet and found that dairy was the trigger so we stripped that from his diet and it went away😱

  10. Reply

    Karina Arias

    Hi! Any recommendations on clear mascara? I’m a stay-at-home mom and when I do simple errands like grocery shop I don’t necessarily want to put on mascara, but I also like to be put together in some kind of way.

    1. Reply

      Lisa Fennessy

      Hi Karina! Zuzu Luxe has one that’s less than $20. xo, L

  11. Reply

    Rebecca A Lance

    Please let me know what you did to your facial skin in the one picture. It looks beautiful so I kinda think it was a treatment…which I might want when I begin my gray transition! Thank you:)

    1. Reply

      Lisa Fennessy

      Hi Rebecca! The one where we are wearing the headbands? It’s this!

  12. Reply

    Lili

    Hi Lisa – what are your thoughts on the Thrive Cosmetics line?

    1. Reply

      Lisa Fennessy

      Hi Lili! Thanks for your question. Just scanned a few ingredient lists and I did see some of our No Thanks ingredients being used here like PEGs and phenoxyethanol for example. Hope this helps! xo, Lisa

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