Eva Mendes on her stylish line of sponges, fatherhood and her ‘blue’ camera

Not everyone has a soft spot for cleanliness, but Eva Mendes does.

“I love making pottery, it’s completely meditative for me. That’s mental well-being for me,” says the 48-year-old actor and businessman. the hollywood reporter. And in the early days of the pandemic, he scoured the internet to find the best sponges that could withstand heavy cleaning without turning into a damp, smelly pillow.

That search led him to Skura Style, a maker of quick-drying antimicrobial “smart” sponges with a colorful, non-abrasive pad and a faded monogram indicating when it’s time to replace it. (The brand name translates to “to rub” in Swedish.)

“I, like most people, went crazy cleaning and changing, and I’m pretty sure I did more harm than good,” says Mendez. “But I’ve been through many clouds. I ordered a few different ones, and Skura Style was one of them. [them]. It was the only one that stayed with me and it was a lot of fun because when I used it, [I thought], ‘Oh, this fade-to-change technology is great.’ It tells you that when it’s time to change, you disappear.”

“I had a weird reaction, like a good weird reaction, when I took it all in. I’m the kind of weirdo who likes to prick the sponge,” he admits. “Loved the product; it does what it says. When do you realize that, be it skin care or anything else?

The Cuban-American star was so in love with the home cleaning company, founded in 2017 by former advertising and media execs Alison Matz and Linda Sawyer, that she became an investor and celebrity ambassador in May. The star recently celebrated her new role with an intimate brunch at the Michelin-starred Ardor restaurant at the West Hollywood Edition hotel, where she joined Skura’s co-founders and close friends.

The sponges cost $15 for four and are available as monthly and bi-monthly subscriptions ($12 per installment). Skura also offers heavy duty cleaning pads, reusable microfiber cloths, drying towels and cleaning kits. All products are made in the USA and can be found at Amazon, Target, Walmart, Sur La Table and other online and traditional retailers.

Skura Style is in line with Mendes’ previous entrepreneurial ventures in the lifestyle category. Previously, she designed a homeware line for Macy’s and a fashion label with New York & Co., and was creative director of the Old Hollywood-inspired beauty brand Circa. She has also starred in animal campaigns for Estée Lauder, Revlon, Calvin Klein’s Secret Obsession fragrance and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Matz and Sawyer (who are also childhood friends) narrate THR that Mendez, obsessed with cleanliness, was a perfect match for them. Adds the actor: “The relationship blossomed through Zoom [during the pandemic] And we decided to do business together. It was very natural. “

There’s a camaraderie Mendes says she shares with Skura’s co-founders as a working mother of two (she has daughters Esmeralda, 7, and Amada, 6, with partner Ryan Gosling).

“[I love] How wonderful it is to work with women who have children and who understand what it means to be a working mother. [They understand] When your kid uses Zoom and how can I see him as cute but other people might see him as unprofessional,” says Mendes.

He continues: “It’s really amazing when Linda and Alison understand everything, whether I’m late because I’m missing school or something. I don’t need to explain much. I shouldn’t feel bad [and feel it’s a] Failed mother or company. It gives you a lot more freedom to be creative and feel valued and not embarrassed.”

Mendes is currently focusing on Skura and his most recent role was in the Australian animated children’s show, blue. (Natalie Portman and Lin-Manuel Miranda also lent their voices to the series.) He last appeared on the big screen in Gosling’s 2014 film, lonely riverWith Christina Hendricks, Matt Smith and Saoirse Ronan.

Mendez sat at brunch in Los Angeles THR to talk about what drew him to Skura Style and the lessons he is learning in life and business. Read more of our conversation and buy Skura products below.

She has had other business ventures in fashion, beauty and home decor. What was so attractive about Skura?

This is a woman-owned business; It was of great interest to me and I wanted to be a fan. I have a lot of experience starting my own business now: being part of an existing business, partnering, licensing agreements. The one thing I always say is that I am not afraid of failure. I love quotes around “failure” and this is how I try to raise my daughters too. “Failure” is not a dirty word.

This is a great lesson for everyone. It’s not a “failure”, it’s a learning experience.

That’s really what you do with “glitches” in quotes. Life is full of “failures”. Again, I use quotes around this word, as if you’re saying it’s an experience to learn. I learned more from my past business failures than my successes. It’s great when something works, but when something doesn’t, it’s a learning opportunity.

Getting back to Alison and Linda, what have you thought of working with them so far?

They’re teaching me a lot about things that don’t interest me, things that I’m still learning: stocking and shipping, especially post-Covid, what that means. So I’m your student in that way.

And then we have the really cool symbiotic thing. I have the value that I bring and I can share what I know with them, and they teach me in school all the parts of the business that I really don’t have experience with.

Moving to Hollywood – We’d love to have you on the Australian children’s show, blue. How did this happen?

I love that you know this. It was literally two lines as a yoga instructor. Where are the manufacturers from? blue I call [and said] Listen, we know you love it blue, and I say, “Say no more! I do this. So I went to a little studio and [recorded] The. my kids loved it blueIt’s amazing, it’s so deep. You think everything is funny – yeah That is Funny, he gets it right, and there’s some really cool stuff in there.

By the way, do you have any other film or television projects?

No, I’m emphasizing [Skura] now. I have another side hustle, I’m so superstitious, I can’t speak. As for the acting, it has to be correct. It has to be exciting because at this point I want to say it has to be super exciting. This door is not closed, it is slightly open! But it’s not closed.

One last question: what is a life or business hack that is really working for you right now?

Now, especially with my kids, I don’t try to explain their feelings to anyone, including mine. I’m like, “Okay, I’m feeling this right now, and that’s more than fine, I don’t need to figure out why I’m feeling this or how I can stop feeling this. And I try to do the same with my kids and admit, “You’re frustrated now, I get it, I’m frustrated too,” and I’m not trying to find a solution or fix anything, just to engage. . It looks so easy, but for me it’s harder than it looks. But [practicing this] There was less pressure on me, less pressure on the kids.

I also want to not feel like I have to explain myself all the time. I have no problem explaining myself if anyone thinks I’m being rude. But if I can’t do something, I don’t need to write it in the text of the novel. Sometimes I reread my texts and [think], “Oh my God, this is it, let me say, “Oh, I’m sorry I can’t be there. All the love.'”

I don’t know if it works for other people, but now that I have two little girls… and we ride the roller coaster of emotions together all day. I think, How am I going to deal with this, especially as I get older? A big part of it is just using it. Do not try to stop the tour.

Skura style sponge set, 4 pieces

Clean Happy Skura Style Pack