Prolific beauty brand and product developer Jenny Frankel has created it all: from full coverage phenomenon CoverFX to no-makeup makeup Nudestix. Did we mention that she also created MAC’s iconic LipGlass? She did that, too.
On today's episode, we sit down with Jenny to hear about how her early interest in science led her down a storied cosmetics career that married marketing and her love of formulation. Listen in as I discuss Jenny’s fascinating career path and the philosophy behind everything she's created. From a chance meeting in a parking lot that turned into the creation of LipGlass, to a family vacation where Nudestix was conceived with her daughters, Jenny is building the next First Family of Beauty.
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On the 20th anniversary of her brand, I sat down with makeup icon and entrepreneur, Laura Geller. We discussed everything from her start in the business, to the philosophy behind her line, product creation and distribution, customer education, and even parenting.
Though Laura got her start working as a theatrical makeup artist, she built her brand around teaching Upper East Side woman how to do their own makeup and find their own beauty. Her storefront transcended a beauty studio to become a local hangout. Laura took this love of educating her customer to QVC, and her business has been growing ever since.
“My path wasn’t something that was plotted out, but more based on the demand of what people were asking for.” -Laura Geller
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Today’s episode will feature another interview I did while on site at the CEW Conference. However, there is a bit of a twist: the guest is a High School classmate who also found herself a late-comer to the beauty industry. Lillian Tung, co-founder of Fur, a pubic hair care line, discusses how she got into the beauty business and how she promotes her brilliantly niche product.
While in China, Lillian Tung did TV broadcasting. She was inspired by her makeup artists and found the beauty world intriguing. She went to business school and ended up at L’Oreal. From there, she met her partners and founded Fur. Because of her path, Lillian has a lot of interesting insights into start-ups and the beauty industry in general. Join us as we discuss what it is like to be beauty outsiders.
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On today’s episode, I record live from the CEW conference in order to speak with Lisa Pryce, the founder of Carol’s Daughter. We dig into the issues of building a beauty business and how Lisa was not only able to build her success, but find a work/life balance.
Carol’s Daughter started in Lisa’s kitchen as a way to give family and friends original, homemade gifts. Eventually, she began selling her products at craft fairs and flea markets. When she realized she had a successful line of products, Lisa slowly built her business up to what it is today. After a twenty year journey, Carol’s Daughter was acquired by L’Oreal.
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On this episode of Beauty Outsider, I get the opportunity to speak with Divya Gugnani, the founder of Wander Beauty, a company specializing in cosmetics for the intrepid traveler. We discuss her company, her personal career journey, and beauty hits and misses.
Divya got her start working in finance at Goldman Sachs, then went on to train at the French Culinary institute before building various companies. It is through owning and selling various companies that Divya gained the experience to create Wander Beauty and build it into a successful business. Join us as she shares some great insight for beauty aficionados and entrepreneurs alike.
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“Whatever the day may bring, you can take your Wander products with you.” -Divya Gugnani
“One piece of the brand that is distinctly ours is that we believe in global inspiration.” -Divya Gugnani
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On today’s episode, I get the chance to sit down with Eleanor Langston, the CEO and founder of nail art studio, Paintbox. We discuss how Paintbox stays ahead of the curve and keeps nail art designs current.
Eleanor Langston got her start working in the magazine industry. She worked as the beauty editor for Fitness, Self, and Cosmopolitan magazines. Taking the knowledge she gained as a beauty editor, Eleanor set out to create a one-of-a-kind nail art studio that gives clients a unique and relaxing experience. Join us as we discuss her business and nail art trends.
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“There is no age limit…or barrier to getting cool things done on your nails…” -Eleanor Langston
“We’re really trying to help women step out of their comfort zone.” -Eleanor Langston
“We brought editorial touches to manicures and really made nail art approachable…” -Eleanor Langston
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Today I sit down with Christine Chang of Glow Recipe, a Korean Beauty brand curator. Glow Recipe specializes in natural and clean K-Beauty skin care products and seeks to widen the scope of the Korean skin care market.
Christine spent a decade working for L’Oreal before starting Glow Recipe. Glow Recipe is now a top distributor of international beauty products and has contracts with many major beauty retailers, such as Sephora and Ulta. Listen in as we discuss Glow Recipe’s mission and why the Korean skin care market it blowing up.
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“Our number one thing that we look for in curation is really a point of difference… We’re just always on the look for brands that offer innovations…” -Christine Chang
“Korean manufacturers, because they have such a strong local customer base… [it's] a market that innovates at hyper-speed.” -Christine Chang
“We wanted to make sure that these efficacious, natural, wonderful brands were also being given visibility and having a voice in the U.S., as well.” -Christine Chang
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Stuart Schultz, President and Co-Founder of BeautyRx, is a fish out of water in the beauty world. But he's getting the inside scoop from the experts who know it, and sharing their insights, experiences, and stories with you.