The Founders
What does it take to build a world-renowned beauty business? We spoke to the founders of some of the brands we respect the most in the industry to find out.
The Founder: Maria Hatzistefanis The Brand: Rodial
@rodialbeauty
What do the first 30 mins of your day look like?
Double espresso, meditation and checking my @mrsrodial Instagram feed.
How did you know it was the right time to start your own brand?
I was fired from my job in finance that I knew it wasn’t right for me and decided to follow my passion, beauty. I tried to get funding to start my business but didn’t and started really small from a back room with £20k in savings and doing everything myself.
What invaluable advice have you learned since building your brand?
As I say in my book How to Be an Overnight Success, success is not straightforward, you go through ups and downs all the time, it takes time and patience.
Why do you think clients are so loyal to your brand?
I never launch a product unless I know that I am 200% excited for it. I always think as a consumer and want to make sure every product we launch solves a skincare problem and delivers results.
Which Hero products would you recommend to everyone?
The Dragons Blood Sculpting gel is the one product that everyone needs to own. It is the perfect solution for all skincare problems. If I feel my skin is irritated, sensitive, dehydrated, dull, needs a lift & sculpt, I always go to the Dragon’s Blood Sculpting Gel.
This issue is The Beauty Issue, what to you is beauty?
Beauty is confidence!
The Founder: Dr Lamees Hamdan The Brand: Shiffa
@shiffabeauty
What do the first 30 mins of your day look like? I usually spend about 15 mins lying in bed, just imagining and sorting out through my head what my day will look like. Then the next 15 mins (while drinking hot water) I quickly scan my phone for any urgent messages I have to attend to - I work a lot in different time zones.
How did you know it was the right time to start your own brand?
I didn’t, it was simply something I myself, as a consumer wanted and couldn’t find – I wanted a high-end organic skincare line that delivered results – so I assumed that perhaps other people also wanted the same.
What invaluable advice have you learned since building your brand?
How to be very honest with yourself and your ideas – not everything you think of will be a success and you really need to weed out the “normal” stuff and concentrate on the superb ideas. Also, know your weaknesses and make sure you get team members that are good at what you are not.
Why do you think clients are so loyal to your brand?
I adore my clients! I think because I do try and produce the best product that I can.
Which Hero products would you recommend to everyone?
Tri acid peel! Summer is here and it’s so important to keep you skin exfoliated, hydrated, plumped and reduce pigmentation – all of which the Tri acid peel does.
This issue is The Beauty Issue, what to you is beauty?
Happiness and healthy skin – I like seeing a few wrinkles, a few freckles on fresh, glowing skin – it also looks youthful believe it or not!
The Founder: Aline Marcadet, President of Anne Semonin
The Brand: Anne Semonin What do the first 30 mins of your day look like?
I usually wake up at 7:00 am. My very first 30 min are devoted to checking my e-mails and reading the daily newspapers reading while having a healthy breakfast.
How did you know it was the right time to start your own brand? It was my own gut feeling as at that time, as being an interior designer, I got many requests and interests for spa design and the trend was around the spas. Anne Semonin is the skincare brand, created for spas. I used the products and was convinced that I could improve the brand with my vision and cosmetics experience.
What invaluable advice have you learned since building your brand?
Working hard and the passion and perseverance will guide to success.
Why do you think clients are so loyal to your brand?
No doubt, the efficacy of the products. Anne Semonin products are formulated with active ingredients which are carefully selected to offer immediate and long-lasting results.
Which Hero products would you recommend to everyone?
There are a few Anne Semonin Cult products that I would recommend: The Mineral Mask has remained one of our best sellers for 30 years. It is a dynamic versatile mask, rich in natural marine trace elements and minerals to boost vitality, purify and hydrate the skin. Lemon, hops, horsetail, pine and rosemary extracts detoxify, tighten and rebalance the skin, leaving an all-over healthy glow. The Express Radiance Ice Cubes are also a magic product that offers an instantly radiant complexion. Guaranteed to plump up your skin and restore brightness within minutes! The Precious Serum, a powerful skin rejuvenator, the solution to fatigued and lack lustre skin.
This issue is The Beauty Issue, what to you is beauty? Beauty is… in the eye of the beholder!
The Founder: Eva Alexandrides, Co-Founder of 111SKIN
The Brand: 111 Skin
What do the first 30 mins of your day look like?
I definitely like to have a routine; my mornings are very important, and I don’t deviate too much from it. I’m up at 7am so I can have time with my older son before walking with him to the station for school and I then wake up my younger son and before he heads off to school, I spend 20-30 minutes chatting with him over breakfast. I have an hour or so to go on my run with Yannis and Sparky (a much-loved Jack Russell that is classed as the fifth family member) and then by 9am I am ready to start my working day.
How did you know it was the right time to start your own brand?
We developed a luxury skincare brand from the demand of my husband’s patients. My husband, Yannis Alexandrides, an American Board and European Boardcertified surgeon, is known worldwide for his cosmetic practices and has set a base for the last 20 years at 111 Harley Street. What started as wanting to create a product that helped post-treatment has moulded into 5 expert skincare ranges, over 50 tailored products, used in world class spa resorts and coveted by the leading luxury retail spaces.
What invaluable advice have you learned since building your brand?
The same advice that I continue to give to myself now and that would be to follow your intuition, if I hadn’t have done so then I wouldn’t have found my soulmate in Yannis or have the business. I always follow my heart and it hasn’t failed me so far.
Why do you think clients are so loyal to your brand?
I didn’t ever think 111SKIN would be sold in a retail environment like Harrods or Net-A-Porter, let alone all over the world, it really was something very small for the patients in the clinic. Then I understood I had a passion for it and people understood it and loved it, so I was very happy to dedicate time to building and developing the brand. 111SKIN’s philosophy is to create effective products that continue to be at the forefront of new innovations, trends and clinical standards. We produce effective products with quality ingredients as well as engaging with our clients on a long-term basis.
Which Hero products would you recommend to everyone?
I use 111SKIN products, particularly our cult favourite, the Y Theorem Serum for its healing qualities and most recently the Rose Gold Radiance Booster that I’ve been using to supercharge my tinted moisturiser. I’ve been loving this but I often opt for lighter products as I don’t like the feel of heavy products on my skin and I believe if you have good skin then you shouldn’t layer too much product onto it. I use tinted moisturiser, mascara because I’m so blonde and I need it badly, a little blush and lipstick. For hair, I have my good friend and hairdresser come to my house, I physically don’t have the time to sit in a hairdresser so when I’m home getting my hair done, I can also do something else or talk to my kids. I don’t believe in spending a lot of time on my makeup and hair, my time and life is too precious, so my routine is literally 6 or 7 minutes – I would rather read an article, listen to podcasts or walk Sparky – my dog.
This issue is The Beauty Issue, what to you is beauty?
Confidence in your own skin.