YOUNGSTOWN — BrookeLynn Cohol, founder of the all-natural skincare and self-care brand Ella Vatour, has launched The Evolution Series. which is her collection of five essential oil blends in support of individuals going through life transitions.

The series, introduced for the holiday season, draws from Cohol’s experiences in brand development and essential oils during her time in Los Angeles. She described the blends as “scientifically proven to trigger different mental phases, representing stages of clarity, inspiration, direction, expansion and arrival.”

The Canfield native returned to the Mahoning Valley about two and a half years ago after working in film, music and corporate roles on the West Coast. She said the move was planned to reconnect with family and rediscover her passions as an artist, singer and songwriter.

Jason Esposito, a longtime friend and fellow Canfield High School graduate who now serves as corporate director of brand experience for a hotel group based in Irvine, California, has witnessed Cohol’s evolution firsthand.

“Knowing her growing up, I couldn’t be more proud of the human that she has become,” he said.

The two have been best friends for 30 years, having met in high school and later having moved to New York City and Los Angeles.

“I’ve seen her journey of becoming an entrepreneur and really investing in herself and a business that she really believes in,” Esposito said.

Now living in West Hollywood after 11 years in New York and close to 20 years in Los Angeles, he said they shared a similar determination.

“(We) were both very determined, even as teenagers, to do something great or to really fight for yourself to become something that you really love to do or give back to a community,” he said.

Achieving material success made Cohol question the purpose of it without authenticity. “I had all the things, but it still felt empty,” she said.

The Evolution Series evolved from her personal rebuilding process, where she documented experiences and applied knowledge from a decade in the essential oils industry. The blends are designed for nonlinear use, addressing moments of stress or motivation during major life shifts.

Cohol started Ella Vatour after creating custom skincare for family members, including under-eye serums for a cousin and a solid body lotion for her mother. The lotion uses tallow blended with hydrating ingredients, which she said mimics skin cells more closely than other components.

Other products include a face tallow to avoid clogging pores and a face oil with bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative to retinol that provides similar effects without irritation.

“You can put it on anytime during the day,” she said.

Ingredients are sourced globally from distillers and suppliers she connected with over more than a decade, emphasizing clean, plant-based materials without chemicals.

The brand operates through e-commerce at www.EllaVatour.com, with no physical store yet, though Cohol is considering partnerships for a brick-and-mortar location within a year.

Cohol said her sales are split between Ohio and California, with growing interest in the Midwest. For 2026, she plans to expand the brand and its messaging. “I just want to grow. I want to grow more,” she said.

The Evolution Series Discovery Set, featuring all five blends, is available online for gifting or personal use. Cohol encouraged authentic living.

“It’s OK to authentically live as you and find ways that you can do it. And there are ways, and there’s no such thing as no.”