Smart Beauty

Smart Beauty

by Viola Levy
Fashion & BeautyBusiness
Season 2

Pro-ageing in beauty: a candid conversation with Millie Kendall OBE

In this special episode, we speak to Millie Kendall OBE, serial entrepreneur, founder of British Beauty Week and CEO of the British Beauty Council, to discuss one of the most critical shifts in the beauty industry today: pro-ageing messaging and representation. With over three decades of experience, Millie is a leading voice advocating for inclusivity, transparency, and empowering beauty standards. Together, Viola and Millie explore how attitudes toward ageing are evolving, the rise of the menopause care market, and the role of wellness in shaping a more holistic approach to beauty. They also dive into the balance between marketing trends and genuine support for consumers of all ages. Join this candid conversation as Millie shares her insights on how the industry can celebrate diversity and create meaningful change while empowering people to feel fabulous at every stage of life. britishbeautycouncil.com britishbeautyweek.co.uk
S2 · E5
Dec 16, 2024
44:24

Estée Lalonde on authenticity, ambition & building Mirror Water

Today, we're chatting with the inspiring Estée Lalonde. From her early days as a beloved content creator to becoming the founder of the wellness-focused brand Mirror Water, the Canadian-born Londoner had a truly inspiring journey. In this episode, Estée is honest about the ups and downs of living life online, how she stays true to herself in an ever-evolving digital landscape, and what it’s really like to juggle being a brand founder and a public figure. She opens up about the challenges of anxiety, judgement, and the pressure to “always get it right,” while still focusing on what matters most—building genuine connections and championing self-care. It’s an honest, heartfelt chat packed with insights on authenticity, ambition, and what it means to redefine success in the beauty and wellness space. (And if you haven't tried them already, her Mirror Water bath salts are truly heaven-sent!) mirrorwater.earth @esteelalonde
S2 · E4
Dec 8, 2024
44:29

Breaking boundaries in beauty with Former Liberty Head of Beauty Buying Rhea Cartwright (Part 2)

Today, we’re diving back into the second part of my conversation with the brilliant Rhea Cartwright. If you missed part one, I highly recommend going back to listen, as we explored Rhea’s fascinating career journey and her advice for navigating the beauty industry. In this episode, we take a closer look at her time as Head of Beauty Buying at Liberty London. Rhea shares her invaluable perspective on what it takes for a beauty brand to stand out in a competitive space—spoiler alert: storytelling is key. She also reveals exactly how to capture the attention of beauty buyers and secure that dream retail partnership. @its_rhea linkedin.com
S2 · E3
Dec 2, 2024
41:20

Breaking boundaries in beauty with Former Liberty Head of Beauty Buying Rhea Cartwright (Part 1)

In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Rhea Cartwright, a trailblazer in the beauty industry whose career spans everything from sales and training roles on the shop floor to becoming the first—and only—Black Head of Beauty Buying in the UK at Liberty. Rhea’s career is as diverse as it is impressive. She began working in beauty during her university days, gaining invaluable experience on the shop floor before moving into roles at luxury brands like Oskia and Chantecaille. Later, she became Head of Operations at a facial clinic, qualified as a facialist, and worked as a consultant, helping US beauty brands establish themselves in the UK market. Her work in new product development and marketing strategy has further solidified her position as one of the most forward-thinking voices in beauty. During the pandemic, Rhea pivoted into beauty journalism, contributing to Vogue, Marie Claire, Refinery29, The Zoe Report, and becoming Beauty Editor at The Stack World. It was during this time that Rhea championed my writing, including a now highly relevant piece on how to smell expensive—a trend that has since taken the fragrance world by storm. In the first of this two-part conversation, we explore Rhea’s groundbreaking career and discuss the power of building a personal brand and how it can transform your career trajectory. Rhea shares her perspective on what it means to be disruptive in an industry that desperately needs change and how her time as a beauty buyer at Liberty shaped her approach to the market. We also delve into the unique challenges and opportunities brands face when marketing to Millennials, a generation both Rhea and I belong to—and one that’s often misunderstood by the beauty industry. This is an insightful and empowering conversation with one of beauty’s most dynamic voices. Whether you’re in the industry or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes world of beauty, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. @itsrhea LinkedIn
S2 · E2
Nov 24, 2024
38:36

How Cult Beauty changed the digital beauty landscape – with co-founder and former CEO Alexia Inge

In this episode, we dive into the remarkable journey of Alexia Inge, co-founder of Cult Beauty, one of the first purely digital beauty retailers that reshaped the online beauty landscape. From the early days of 2008, when the internet was still uncharted territory for many in the beauty world—one brand memorably responded to Alexia’s pitch by asking, “The internet, that’s eBay, right?”—to becoming the go-to destination for digital-first, independent beauty brands, Cult Beauty carved out a unique space with its highly curated, storytelling approach. Alexia shares her experiences of challenging traditional retail norms and building a platform where every product was cherry-picked and personally vouched for by her team. Known for its iconic “What Makes It Cult” section, the retailer gave customers insights into each product's value and impact, establishing a trusted voice in an industry known for hype. In this insightful chat, Alexia reflects on the milestones, the hard-won trust of customers, and Cult Beauty’s pioneering role in making online beauty shopping a respected, experiential space long before it became mainstream. Tune in to hear how she did it—and why Cult Beauty’s impact is still felt across the industry today.
S2 · E1
Nov 4, 2024
1:11:02
Season 1

Get your PR act together – with Kelly Marks, founder of Pure PR

In our latest episode, we’re joined by the industry veteran Kelly Marks, co-founder of Pure PR, an agency that has been shaping the beauty landscape for 25 years. From growing up surrounded by the industry, thanks to her father’s pioneering beauty business, to working alongside PR legend Jenny Halpern, Kelly’s career has been a journey of innovation, passion, and strategic brilliance. With Pure PR, Kelly has helped iconic brands like Malin + Goetz, MoroccanOil, and e.l.f. Cosmetics rise to prominence, all while championing sustainability and integrity. We chat about the true value of PR and how a well-executed strategy can elevate your brand beyond advertising. Kelly talks about what brands should really look for when hiring a PR agency—highlighting the importance of understanding your unique brand story and finding an agency that truly gets you. If you’re a beauty entrepreneur considering PR or wanting to understand how to stand out in a crowded marketplace, this episode is a must-listen. Check out Kelly’s insights on what it takes to succeed in today’s evolving beauty world. purepr.com
S1 · E20
Oct 23, 2024
46:15

The rise of doctor-led skincare with Dr Sabrina Shah

We dive into the burgeoning world of doctor-led skincare with Dr Sabrina Shah, a distinguished UK-trained oculoplastic surgeon and aesthetic practitioner. With decades of experience and a remarkable array of accolades, Dr Sabrina recognised a crucial gap in effective, science-backed solutions for the delicate eye area. She shares her journey of creating her eponymous skincare brand, designed to tackle concerns like dark circles, puffiness, fine lines, and wrinkles using clinically proven ingredients supported by independent studies. Discover the challenges and successes of building a skincare brand grounded in medical expertise, and learn how Dr Sabrina is reshaping the skincare landscape with her patient-focused approach. perfecteyesltd.com instagram.com/drsabrinashahdesaiofficial
S1 · E19
Oct 11, 2024
54:53

The tricky situation with LUSH & The Body Shop

Joining us once again is Sarah McCartney, founder and perfumer of 4160Tuesdays, who shares her insider perspective on the ongoing tension between LUSH and The Body Shop—intensified by LUSH’s latest collection, "The LUSH Version." This range has sparked controversy for putting LUSH's own twist on some of The Body Shop’s most iconic products. For context, LUSH founder Mark Constantine (pronounced "tine" like "twine") was once the formulator for The Body Shop's late founder, Anita Roddick. Their relationship soured after Roddick sold the brand to L’Oréal. Constantine played a key role in developing many of The Body Shop’s best-selling products before founding LUSH. Both companies were pioneers in the activist-driven beauty movement, although The Body Shop recently entered administration, only to be acquired by the Aurea Group. As the former editor of The LUSH Times, LUSH’s in-house newspaper, Sarah offers a unique insight into the brand’s dynamics and weighs in on whether this latest launch is a cheap PR stunt or something more strategic. You can listen to Sarah's first episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/sarah-mccartney-perfumer-founder-of-4160tuesdays/id1670645345?i=1000607697998 4160tuesdays.com lush.com/uk/en/c/the-lush-version thebodyshop.com
S1 · E18
Sep 27, 2024
1:02:30

Transforming eczema care with Lauren Bell, founder of Cosi Care

In this special episode for National Eczema Week, we’re excited to feature Lauren Bell, the innovative founder of Cosi Care. Lauren’s mission to address eczema began with a deeply personal challenge: finding a safe, steroid-free solution for her brother’s severe eczema and topical steroid withdrawal. What started as a university project has transformed into Cosi Care, a celebrated global brand known for its stylish and effective safe-scratching devices. Join us as Lauren shares her journey from a personal struggle to founding an award-winning brand that offers relief to countless individuals. We chat about her unique product designs, the emotional and entrepreneurial challenges she’s overcome, and what’s next for Cosi Care. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of personal experience and business innovation, especially during National Eczema Week. Tune in to hear how Lauren is changing the narrative around eczema and making a real impact in the wellness space. cosi-care.com
S1 · E17
Sep 16, 2024
44:23

Becky Symes: How "authentic" do you need to be with your brand?

Today, we're joined by the incredibly talented Becky Symes, a visionary designer and digital storyteller who helps women with personal brands bring their bold, bright ideas to life. Becky was also the artistic mastermind behind the beautiful visuals here at Smart Beauty Creative, so she truly knows her stuff. We’d highly recommend her to anyone looking to build a personal brand and website—you’ll find her links below. In this episode, we dive into the world of personal branding, discussing how to let your personality shine without oversharing, a challenge that many female founders face in their hybrid roles as CEOs, brand ambassadors, and influencers. Becky shares her insights on redefining authenticity and finding the right balance between sharing enough to build trust and maintaining the boundaries that keep you sane. beckysymes.com instagram.com/beckysymes
S1 · E16
Sep 14, 2024
27:44
5 of 7