Rich Dogs
Steph Shep and Cara Santana-Leto think your pets should shop at FWRD.
Have you noticed dogs are kind of having a moment? I mean, in my house, the moment always belongs to them, but lately I’ve clocked everything from high-end shampoo to Hermès-esque canine accessory brands—and even dogs cast as fashion’s new supporting characters.
The category has leveled up. One brand that really caught my eye is Lil Luv Dog… not just for its sleek packaging, but for who’s behind it. Lil Luv Dog was co-founded by longtime friends and dog obsessives Cara Santana-Leto (@carastantanaleto) and Stephanie Suganami (@steph_shep), the brand is built on the premise that dogs deserve stuff just as nice as our own.
It’s the first pet brand to be EWG Verified® for pet grooming — meaning its formulas meet the same ingredient-transparency and safety standards you’d expect in human products.
It’s worth mentioning that Suganami is recognizable from television to many as Kim Kardashian’s former longtime assistant, because it’s a role that placed her at the center of one of the most influential lifestyle and image machines of the past decade. If you understand how brands are built in that orbit, it’s easy to see why Lil Luv Dog sticks the landing.
The brand launched with a chic, low-mess dry shampoo for dogs — the kind of product that makes sense if your dog is on your couch, in your bed, and (like my man Hank) has a tendency to be a lil’ stank.
I’m always down to chat with fellow animal lovers, so I asked the girls to tackle our Boxcutter Shopping Questionnaire in honor of their brand launch, and they replied with a rich scrapbook of outfits, beauty tips, and other inspiration.
My “uniform” (the thing I reach for over and over) is:
CS: A white tee, a tailored pair of pants from Toteme’s Garderob or my vintage Levis and a ballet flat with a cardigan.
SS: An oversized vintage tee is my safety blanket. And specifically this one Def Leppard tee that I have had for over 10 years now. The cut is perfect, and it just keeps getting better.
Something I just bought to wear is:
CS: My delicious dark brown Saint Laurent Marron Fonce drop-shoulder jacket in a size up so it feels a little bit more oversized. I’m living in it. My husband surprised me with it. There were only 2 in the US and I kept searching and no one had it, but he had bought it 3 weeks earlier and was waiting for our trip to Tahoe to surprise me with it!
SS: the Italian Batwing coat from Auter.
Something in my cart right now is:
SS: Eterne Sweats. I love the crew neck and the wide leg sweatpants. They have the best basics.
If I could, I’d spend all my money on:
CS: creating a dog sanctuary for every shelter animal I could find. But fashion-related — hmmm that’s hard –
SS: A vintage Audemars Piguet Bamboo Day-Date Moon Phase Automatic in 18k Yellow Gold for my husband.
The piece I’m always re-purchasing is:
SS: Skims G-strings.
The best under-$100 fashion buy I’ve ever made is:
CS: Steph did a collab with Adanola, and she made the perfect white tee — since we’ve established this is my uniform, I’m going to have to go with that. It’s the perfect fit.
SS: Hanes Ribbed Tanks.
The last thing I panic-bought before an event was:
CS: Underwear! Skims actually.
SS: Last week, Tom Ford satin pumps. And they are really worth it.
The best money I’ve ever spent on a beauty treatment was:
CS: Polynucleotide injections. I love them and it’s worth it.
SS: A trip to Korea.
A beauty product I’m constantly reaching for is:
CS: My Agustinus Bader Rich Creme. Panic ensues when I’m out.
SS: Tatcha Longevity Serum, I went to Okinawa to meet the scientists behind Tatcha — it was such a reset. Their whole approach to skincare and longevity is so much deeper than just products; it’s really a way of living.
The product I buy in multiples so I never run out is:
CS: Controversial, but Lumify. I like a white bright eye.
SS: Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Mint or Birthday Cake.
The most overrated beauty product I’ve tried is:
CS: Any teeth whitening strips. I don’t think they work. They leave my teeth sore. Not into it.
SS: Jade rollers. what do they really do?
A beauty product that actually changed my life is:
CS: Shani Darden’s Retinol and Lactic Acid. When I started alternating those two at night, my skin was game over.
SS: Lil Luv Dog’s dry shampoo for dogs— because Binx and I both deserve a good hair day.
Absolutely essential in my bag is:
CS: Lip moisturizer. I have every balm you can think of: Ole Henriksen, Rhode, Summer Fridays — if it comes in a tube and goes on your lips, it’s in my bag.
SS: An Emi Jay hair clip, I have way too much hair to eat or type without support.
My desert-island beauty product is:
CS: sunscreen. I love Typology. Suncare 100%.
SS: Logistically yes sunscreen, but figuratively a sheet mask. I live for a sheet mask.
A wellness splurge that’s actually worth it:
CS: Massage, cupping, and acupuncture.
SS: The Hoffman Process. I won’t say too much about it. I think everyone should have their own experience not influenced by anyone else’s take on it, but if you can take the time for a wellness retreat, you should!
A beauty treatment I’d never do again:
CS: Under-eye PRP. Strong no! Downtime for the reward not worth it.
SS: Lip filler.
Something I use because a friend recommended it is:
CS: my hairstylist, Irinel Del Leon, recommended the shu uemura hair mask for my curls and I go through tubs.
SS: Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint, it’s the most natural skin coverage. I don’t like to wear a lot of makeup in my everyday life so this is a really good minimal product.
Something I recommend to all my clients/friends is:
CS: Rejuran topical serum. It’s so good.
SS: Muting your friends’ stories so you can genuinely ask them what they have been up to without already knowing. It’s actually more fun to yap about it than to see it in 15 seconds.
In my opinion, everyone is sleeping on:
CS: No alcohol. Best beauty secret.
SS: Handwritten letters. Put a pen to paper. Write a love note. Get some personalized stationery or send a postcard to someone to let them know you’re thinking of them.
My favorite place to shop in my home city is:
CS: LA shopping sucks. Maxfields, I guess.
SS: Scout, I’m supposed to gatekeep this, but I won’t. Sometimes I start to feel like everyone has all the same things, and that’s why I love vintage. It brings back a sense of individuality — pieces that feel lived-in and one-of-a-kind.
My favorite beauty treatment in my home city is:
CS: Facials — Shani Darden, Barbara Sturm, Dr. Diamond.
SS: Dr. Ellie Byun for Korean beauty treatments and Chinese medicine. I love her holistic approach to beauty—she really works from the inside out.
Whenever I’m in a new place, I always:
CS: walk!! I love walking to get to know the city like the locals.
SS: go to a park—I love park culture. LA doesn’t have park culture like New York and London, and I need it to.
_____ is a brand I love supporting because:
CS: Any brand that stands on business. I like brands that make their voice clear and don’t try to play it safe. I like to know my money is going to people who care about more than themselves.
SS: Flamingo Estate, founded by two of my best friends! Their work feels intentional at every level — it’s not just about products, it’s about creating with meaning. That kind of care is rare.
The store, brand, or designer I wish more people knew about is:
CS: Rohe, Gia Studio, Tove come to mind.
SS: Colleen Allen, Kallmeyer, Rue Sophie, Flore Flore.
My go-to hostess gift is:
CS: Vespa Olive Oil.
SS: a Snif candle – the holiday scents will change your life. My favorite is probably the yellow apple one.
The indulgence I will always justify is:
CS: Home organizer
SS: fresh florals. Shout out to Isa Isa florals, who does my arrangements!
My most regretted purchase was:
CS: I got a stupid St. Laurent dog carrier – haven’t used it once. Was a dumb impulse buy. I cringe.
SS: That stepper thing from TikTok, i never use it.
I knew I was a “shopper” when:
CS: 7th grade, when I was at Target and I had to have these brown shoes to go with my day 1 outfit for school. They were sold out in my size, and I made my parents drive me to 6 targets to find them. You can’t see it, but these are the shoes for this outfit I HAD to have.
SS: I was born. Unfortunately for my bank account, I think it’s in my DNA.
LOVED reading all of Steph and Cara's faves & insights!!
this is so fun! do you have a favorite dog leash company?