Wyoming State Fair Skin Stories: Simple Tallow Care for Life on the Go
Every year, the Wyoming State Fair brings people together from all over the state. There are livestock shows, rodeos, rides, food, dusty boots, long days in the sun—and, of course, plenty of conversations.
For Up at Dawn Tallow, some of the most memorable conversations this year weren't about the fair itself. They were the conversations i had with people about their skin.
People stopped by my booth to talk about dryness, sensitive skin, eczema, everyday scrapes, and their personal skincare routines. And a few of the stories people shared with me are ones i won't soon forget.
Sometimes, It's the Stories That Stay With You
One of the most emotional moments of the fair happened when a woman came to my booth who had been struggling with extremely uncomfortable eczema.
She told me she hadn't slept through an entire night in more than five years because of the itching.
She purchased a jar of the tallow and went on her way.
The next morning, she came back to my booth.
She had tears in her eyes.
She told me that she had slept through the entire night for the first time in years and that her skin felt so much better.
As a small business owner, there are moments that stop you in your tracks.
That was one of them.
i know everyone's skin is different, and i would never suggest that one product is the answer for everyone. But hearing someone tell me that this tallow had become part of a routine that made such a meaningful difference to her was incredibly special.
Those are the moments i remember.
A 15-Year-Old With a Very Different Reason for Stopping by
Another story came from a 15-year-old who had recently been in a four-wheeler accident and had a skin graft.
He and his family were looking for something simple to moisturize the area as part of his ongoing skincare routine, and they chose this tallow.
There's something humbling about knowing that a product you make by hand in Wyoming is being trusted by families during very personal moments in their lives.
i am always grateful for that trust.
And, especially when it comes to areas that have been through a medical procedure or injury, i believe it's important for people to follow the recommendations of their medical professionals about what products are appropriate for their individual situation.
Then There Were the Everyday Stories
Not every conversation was about a major skin concern.
Some people simply wanted something nourishing and simple to keep in their bag during long days at the fair.
One customer told me she was using our tallow as part of caring for a cut and appreciated having a simple product on hand.
Others talked about dry hands, rough patches, chapped lips, and skin that simply felt dry after spending long days outdoors.
And honestly, that's where tallow makes sense for me.
I didn't create Up at Dawn Tallow to make skincare complicated.
I created it because i believe there is something beautiful about keeping things simple.
Why i Make Tallow Differently
For me, the story isn't just about tallow.
It's about how i make it.
At Up at Dawn, i personally render and purify this bison tallow through a meticulous process. i don't simply purchase a finished ingredient, put it in a container, and call it a day.
i care about where this fat comes from, how it's handled, and what ultimately goes into the jar.
That attention to detail is important to me because when someone chooses a small-batch product, i believe they should know there is a real person behind it who cares about what they're making.
Life at the Wyoming State Fair Isn't Exactly Easy on Your Skin
If you've ever spent a full day at the Wyoming State Fair, you already know the combination:
Sun. Wind. Dust. Heat. Hand washing. Long days.
It's Wyoming.
And sometimes your skin lets you know about it.
That's why keeping a small jar of tallow in your bag can be an easy addition to your everyday routine.
A little can be used on areas that feel dry, rough, or in need of some extra moisture.
For me, it's not about having a complicated 10-step skincare routine.
It's about having one simple product you enjoy reaching for.
More Than a Product
Standing at my booth during the Wyoming State Fair gave us the opportunity to do something we don't always get to do online:
Talk to the people who use our products.
i heard stories.
i answered questions.
i learned about people's routines.
i laughed.
And sometimes, i got a little emotional.
That's one of the things i love most about being a small Wyoming business.
Every jar i make has a story behind it, but sometimes the people who take that jar home give me a story in return.
The woman who came back the next morning with tears in her eyes.
The teenager and his family looking for something simple to incorporate into his skincare routine.
The customer who reached for our tallow as part of caring for a cut.
Those are the stories i carry with me.
More Than a Product
i started Up at Dawn Tallow because i wanted to make something simple, intentional, and rooted in Wyoming.
i hand-render the bison tallow, i care deeply about the process, and i am incredibly grateful every time someone chooses to bring one of my jars home.
The Wyoming State Fair reminded me that skincare isn't always about products.
Sometimes it's about comfort.
Sometimes it's about simplicity.
Sometimes it's about finding something that fits naturally into your everyday routine.
And sometimes, it's about the people you meet along the way.
Thank you to everyone who stopped by my booth, shared a story, asked a question, bought a jar, or simply said hello.
You made this year's Wyoming State Fair one we'll remember.
— StaceyFounder, Up at Dawn Tallow
If you deal with skin issues or want a natural moisturizer that works hard, consider adding tallow to your skin care kit. It’s a simple, time-tested option that supports healing and hydration, perfect for life on the go.
