This week the episode focuses on my favourite topic - compliance - and it asks the big question: Why should I make compliance a priority, and what can happen if I don’t? In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of cosmetic regulations and the why it's so important in the beauty industry. I shed light on the basics of regulatory compliance, including the consequences of non-compliance and the myriad of benefits of adhering to the regulations (hint: it's not what you think). We explore ...
If you’re a skincare or beauty brand owner you may have already heard of APCO, and if you’re just starting out then the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation is someone you should know more about. So for this week's episode, I went straight to the expert - Renata Daudt from AWEN Consulting. Renata gave me the low down on what the new sustainable packaging regulations could be, how they will impact beauty brands, and why it’s important to consider sustainability when designing your...
In this episode of Skincare Social, we explore brand-building and beauty trends with brand founder and passionate creative, Meagan Pate. Meagan is a co-founder of Straand, Australia's first microbiome focused scalp care brand, and Chief Marketing Officer of Three Warriors, a Certified Organic sunless tanning range. Meagan shares her wealth of experience in the beauty industry, shedding light on the intricacies of launching successful brands and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of...
In this enlightening episode of Skincare Social, we dive into ethics, transparency and ingredients with Lisa Carroll, the driving force behind Native Extracts. With her profound insight into the phyto-tech world and a staunch advocate for transparency, Lisa shares insights on the complexities of the industry, the importance of traceability and transparency as well as the innovative work being done at Native Extracts. We close the loop on the Biologi court case and its aftermath, then move o...
In this episode of Skincare Social, we explore the complexities of marketing, myths and mistakes in the beauty industry with guest, Fiona Tuck. With over 30 years of industry experience, Fiona spills the tea on her incredible journey to date, navigating fearmongering and the importance of staying true to your brand values. We delve into the widespread spread of misinformation within the industry. Fiona and I are on the same page here: unravelling these misconceptions is key to empower...
In this episode, we dive into the realm of clear beauty - a fresh perspective on skincare transparency that goes beyond just product formulations. I unpack the shift from 'clean beauty' to 'clear beauty,' highlighting its emphasis on honesty, trust and ethical practices. "Clear beauty" is a much-needed movement centered around transparency and empowering consumers with the knowledge they need to make informed choices (ultimately leading to rebuilding consumer trust in the industr...
In this episode of Skincare Social, we dive into the essentials of starting your own skincare or beauty brand. I break down the recent live round of Beauty Brand Bootcamp, which is the first step to creating must-have products that your customers can’t wait to get their hands on AND building a beauty brand that lasts. We'll talk about everything from understanding the differences between cosmetic and therapeutic products and other common mistakes new startups make, and celebrate the jo...
In this week's episode, Dr. Jacqueline Beltz, founder of Okkiyo, shares her journey from ophthalmologist to beauty entrepreneur. Whether you're a beauty enthusiast or budding entrepreneur, you won't want to miss this insightful discussion of how this amazing mascara brand came to be Here's a snapshot of what we cover: Okkiyo’s origin storyThe highs and lows of product development and testingHow visual accessibility is incorporated into the brand (+ why it's so important)How Label Launc...
Kicking off season two of Skincare Social, I'm diving into the hot questions every budding skincare entrepreneur has - around qualifications, timeframes and cost. If starting a skincare or beauty brand is on your dreamboard for 2024, this episode is for you! (And even if you've already got one, you'll still learn a thing or two!) Specifically, we'll look at: Do you need any qualifications to start a skincare business?How long will it take to launch your skincare brand?How much will it c...
In the final episode of season 1, I chat with the amazing Jayde from sunless tanning brand Sontse. I knew from the moment Jayde slid into my DMS to ask me to review her labels and packaging that this wasn't just another sunless tanning product. Since Sontse launched earlier this year, it's been featured in leading publications such as Herald Sun, Broadsheet, Who magazine, Harpers Bazaar and Marie Claire - to name a few! Here's what we spoke about: The challenges Jayde faced whe...
In this episode of Skincare Social, I chat with Nell Casey from Fete Creative, who specialises in content strategy and copywriting for e-commerce brands. Two weeks ago, Alex from Haven Studio came on to talk about all things brand and branding from a VISUAL perspective (go check out that episode if you haven't already!). Today's episode is all about the WORDS you use when it comes to your brand. Nell and I discuss: The importance of brand voice and brand authority, especially ...
In this episode, I unpack the landmark 3-year legal battle involving skincare company, Biologi, and ingredient supplier, Plant Extracts. The case concluded with the companies found guilty of making numerous false and misleading claims, leading to an order to publish eight corrective notices so consumers can be made aware of what's happened. I'll be spilling the tea on: How the court case came aboutWhat exactly the court found them guilty of How Biologi and their stockists have responded...
Dive into the dynamic world of branding with Alex Stockdale of Haven Studio, who has loads of experience creating beautiful skincare and beauty branding and websites. Alex shares her expert insights on establishing and growing a compelling brand identity. This conversation is a treasure trove for business owners eager to understand and harness the power of effective branding. In this episode, Alex explains: The key differences between brand and branding and why both matter to your business.W...
In this episode I've got another inspiring founder story for you with Zac London, Co-Founder of Frase Skin, who's also been one of my students and clients. Zac launched Frase Skin only 6 months ago with his younger brother Beau, and they're already making huge waves in the men's skincare space. We chat about: Why they took three years to launch the brandThe one thing that's been a gamechanger for their marketing - and helped them make $100k in sales in 3 months of launching!Navigating t...
Candice and I met at an in-person business workshop early this year. Candice runs Sanctyouary Beauty Studio in the heart of Maleny, offering holistic beauty services and spa packages, as well as makeup lessons using natural products. We connected straight away and have stayed in touch since. Recently, I slid into Candice's DMs after she shared a post on 'toxic' chemicals in skincare. I explained why I'm not a fan of these posts, and we had a constructive convo in the DMs which we decid...
It's no secret that making claims about your cosmetic products can be one of the most challenging parts of being a skincare and beauty brand owner: Can I say this about my product? Can I write this on my social media? Can I add this to my label? Am I going to get in trouble with the regulator if I say this?And it can be hard to find information online that's Australian-based. So that's why this episode is dedicated to claims! It's important to be compliant, because these regul...
In this episode, I'll be talking to Saul Pyle, Founder and Creative Director of skinterest, all about product development and formulation. It's a big and important topic that a lot of new skincare and beauty brand owners don't really know a lot about because it's hard to find information online! Saul explains: The benefits of working with a formulatorMust-know facts about the new product development processThe truth about how long it REALLY takes to develop a new productWhat intellectual pro...
In this episode I chat with Clare Wood, Money Mentor. Clare was my business coach for a few months last year when I received a business grant, and really helped me get on top of my business finances, which was something I didn't really focus on before that. We dive into money mindset and strategy hacks for skincare brand owners, including: The biggest tip for startups when it comes to budgetingWhether you need to use an accountant or notThe one thing that can do to fast-track your prog...
Join me for episode two of Skincare Social episode where I speak with the inimitable Bec Connolly. Bec is the founder of Australian, vegan and results-driven skincare line Botanicals By Luxe, and she sat down to chat with me about her journey from dream to reality, and about how she knew it was the right time to break out and start a line of her own. When talking about her journey from skin therapist to skincare brand founder, Bec breaks down: The challenges of finding a manufacturer a...
Before we dive headfirst into the ins and outs of skincare in future episodes, I thought I’d spend a minute telling you about who I am and why I do what I do. In this episode, you’ll hear all about: Why I think the beauty industry is still a wealth of untapped potentialHow I started my own skincare line - and what killed it My journey to become the Compliance QueenWhy I feel like compliance is SO UNDERRATEDSHOW LINKS: Learn how to start a skincare or beauty brand with Label Launchpad.Lea...