Beauty Boss: Wendee Saunders Launched eclisse Beauty To Provide Chic Sun Protective Clothing That Doesn't Compromise Style

Our latest Beauty Boss is Wendee Saunders, Founder of eclisse Beauty, a brand that offers luxury UPF 50+ sun protective clothing and accessories.

Beyond sunscreen, UPF clothing can shield you from the sun to help you avoid burns and other harmful effects of the sun. UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor, and its number designates how much UV radation can get through a fabric. (UPF 50+ is the highest rating available.) According to skincancer.org, while SPF only measures protection against UVB rays, UPF measures protection against both UVB and UVA rays.

UPF clothing provides a consistent and reliable form of sun protection, but options aren’t always the most fashionable. When Saunders learned that she would need to avoid the sun after having open heart surgery, she got the idea to create a collection of sun protective clothing that didn't compromise style.

The brand has caught the attention of prestigious resorts and med spas, including The Global Ambassador, The Phoenician, The Arizona Biltmore, Nakie Face Med Spa, and more. "From the start, our vision has been to position eclisse as a beauty product and skincare you wear. Seeing our products on shelves alongside the most coveted skincare brands has truly brought that vision to life," says Saunders.

Eclisse's latest launch is Curio Collectibles, custom UPF scarves exclusively designed for prestigious brands (like the Waldorf Astoria in Park City) with artwork by Saunder's daughter, Katelyn.

We chatted with Saunders to learn about her journey to launching eclisse, the brand’s latest launches, and her personal beauty and wellness secrets.

Can you share a little about your journey in the industry and what led you to launch eclisse?

I had open heart surgery, and my esthetician said the number one thing for healing it nicely was to keep it out of the sun. She said not one drop of sun for one year—not through my shirt, not through the car, not a drop. I started shopping for sun protective clothing and accessories and struggled to find anything that I felt was chic, fashionable, and elevated. Then it hit me—fashion and beauty is my sport. I am going to create something.

When was eclisse founded and what's the meaning behind the name?

eclisse Beauty opened in July of 2023. The name eclisse is the Italian word for eclipse.

Fun fact: Our logo is my late mother's handwriting that I curated from old recipe books and had a graphic designer turn her script into our logo.

Our scarves are called The Merrick—Merrick is the name of my heart surgeon. And one of our tops is called The Ramy Top—Ramy is the name of my cardiologist.

Tell us about your products. What makes them special?

What makes our products special is that we know our customer values her skin health and understands that sun protection is the pillar of an effective beauty routine. We also know that our customer values style. We have created a beauty product—skincare you wear—that protects the skin without compromising fashion.

Do you have a hero product? What's your favorite?

We love all of our products; we are thrilled that they all have gotten rave reviews. We do have something special we have recently created, and that is eclisse Curio Collectibles. These are custom scarves, with custom artwork that we have created for high-end properties. Think elevated souvenir. Our inaugural curio piece is available at the Waldorf Astoria in Park City. You will see other Curio Collectibles at the Waldorf Astoria in Chicago, St. Regis Aspen, and maybe this summer you will find them in the Hamptons (hint-hint).

Is there anything you want people to know about the materials used for your products?

I think it is important to note that part of my struggle with not being able to find UPF clothing was that the fabrics were very thick and just didn't feel good. We have gone to great lengths in our sourcing to find fabrics that feel soft and luxurious, while still providing UPF sun protection.

Where are your products sold?

Our products are sold on our website eclissebeauty.com and also available at some Five-Star resorts, notably Global Ambassador, The Phoenician, and The Arizona Biltmore. We are also thrilled to sit on the skincare shelves at some med spas and dermatological offices, namely Nakie Face in Old Town Scottsdale and Marmur Medical on Park Ave on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

What's next for the brand?

We are so excited for what is next! We cannot wait to take all the incredible designs out of our heads and put them into the world. You can anticipate seeing a lot of new styles from us. We want to make sure that our customer has something they love for wherever their sun is.

Secret to success?

First, our customers. We want them to feel great in Eclisse and get the coverage they desire for their skin and the elevated fashion they expect for their closet, from the time of purchase to the time of unpackaging to the time they spend in the sun. They are our top priority. Secondly, I would say the secret to success has been to be a bit delusional about what's possible. We are going for it.

Biggest beauty secret?

The biggest beauty secret is a nipples-up, backs-of-hands-focused beauty routine with an obsession with the daily drops of UV you are getting.

Wellness tips?

My personal wellness tip is work on yourself, your happiness. When you feel self-awareness, happiness, and joy, that does wonders for your health and beauty.

Best advice?

Don't compare yourself to others. Comparison is the thief of joy.

Favorite ways to relax?

My favorite way to relax is spending time with my kids (adults) and my husband doing anything.

For more information, visit eclissebeauty.com and follow @eclissebeauty_ on Instagram.

A University of Michigan graduate, Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning writer/editor. You can also find her work in publications including Healthline, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo!, MindBodyGreen, Men’s Journal, Bezzy, and more. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA, and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter: @zillizy, @zillizy16

beautyLizzy ShermanJune 20, 2025Beauty boss, Wendee Saunders, eclisse beauty