A Houston-Born Line of Sanitizers Elevates the 'New Normal'

A Houston-Born Line of Sanitizers Elevates the 'New Normal'

Make room in your handbags for an all-new generation of personal-size hand sanitizers, surface cleaners, mask sprays and travel kits, created by Houston entrepreneurs Molly Voorhees and Christina Milligan.


After trying so many harsh (and unattractive) sanitizers, Voorhees and Milligan decided to make their own elegant product for everyday use that would not only smell great, but also feel and look great. Cobalt was born. "As working moms of school-aged children, we saw a gap in the market for a convenient and elevated product that allows consumers to confidently resume their new normal lifestyles when soap and water are not available," says Milligan. "Our hands are exposed to so many high-traffic surfaces throughout the day, and we wanted to create a product that not only looks great, but smells and feels great, too."

Cobalt's initial launch includes six FDA-approved products: Crisp Peppermint Hand Sanitizer ($15), Cootie-Killing Bubble Gum Hand Sanitizer ($15), Surface Cleaner ($15), Germ Out Keychain ($14), Peppermint Mask Spray ($15), and the Touch & Go Kit ($30), which includes an all-surface cleaner, hand sanitizer and two microfiber cloths. Every little detail has been beautifully thought through: from the chic cobalt-blue glass bottles and refreshing peppermint and bubble-gum scents to the keychain's clip-on design that's perfect for backpacks and purses. The fast-absorbing mask-misting spray, in particular, is an attractive on-the-go product that is sure to become a must-have.

If you need another reason to feel good, Cobalt has partnered with William Price Distilling Company, a local whiskey distillery providing relief and employment to furloughed restaurant and bar employees. "Each purchase not only protects our customers and others from unnecessary germs, but it also directly supports out-of-work hospitality staff who are working with our team to fill and package each product," says Voorhees, who's also the president of Beck's Prime. "We are passionate about finding solutions to help consumers feel comfortable with traveling, returning to work and revisiting their favorite restaurants."

Cobalt hand sanitizers are currently available online at cobaltclean.com, and the rest of the collection launches soon.

Style
Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less

Photo by Lynn Lane

HOUSTON GRAND OPERA’S second fall repertoire production is Gioachino Rossini’s Cinderella. The colorful, commedia dell'arte-inspired production opens Friday, Oct. 25, and stars Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard — a breathtaking brunette beauty, even when doused in soot — in bel canto role of Angelina, known to her mean step-sisters as “Cenerentola.”

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

BRETT MILLER WAS just 10 years old when his parents took him to a screening of the 1925 silent film, The Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney as “The Phantom” of the Paris Opera House, with an accompanying soundtrack played live by an organist. The film contains one of the most famous “reveals” on celluloid (We won’t give it away!) and is all the more shocking when accompanied by live music played on the Phantom’s favorite instrument.

Keep Reading Show less