Individual creations
To order customised products from Marcia, customers need to send their requests on The Raw Rebel’s Instagram or Facebook page. She follows up with questions on their skin and hair types, whether they have skin allergies or sensitivities, the products they are currently using and their daily beauty routine. Based on this information, she would embark on extensive research on the ingredients to find out which would work best on a customer.
“I then give them at least two or three choices of products. I tell them about the ingredients, how they work and what the effects are. They can ask me any question, or they can research the ingredients themselves. I want them to have complete information about the products so they can make informed choices.
“They usually ask about the benefits of the ingredients if it will help their skin or hair and when they will see the effects. When they share their skin concerns, they also ask for product recommendations.”
Marcia says the entire production process takes between five and seven days. It includes getting the ingredients, making the product, packaging, labelling, and getting it ready to be shipped out. She would include instructions on how to use and store it and its shelf life.
“I love creating products because it gives me a sense of pride and joy.It makes me happy when I receive positive feedback that the products work really well, that customers are happy with my creation. So they will continue to trust me to make the products for them. It is a personal accomplishment when I get these comments.” A nourishing cocktail of oils for eyebrows and eyelashes.
Set up in 2015, The Raw Rebel is the result of Marcia’s own experience with acne when she was a teenager. She had tried many commercial brands to treat the condition but often, they did not work.“I decided to try making skincare products myself. I did a lot of reading and online research for do-it-yourself remedies. I then created the products with natural ingredients and wrote about the results on my blog.
“I received a lot of questions on the products and my sister encouraged me to sell them. But I did not think about it at that time, because I wanted to pursue a career in writing. I was working as a lifestyle and content writer for magazines and portals and as I was busy with work, I stopped making them.”
But after eight years of working fulltime, Marcia decided it was time to make the products again, this time, as a business, as she had just resigned from her job. The first few products she made were the body and lip scrubs, which were very well-received.
Marcia says The Raw Rebel is focused on using wild and organic ingredients for skin and hair care.
“I would describe it as wild, non-conforming, fun, earthy, sassy and eco-friendly. Personally, it is important for me to offer natural and organic products. I have tried products that are not chemical-free, not natural and not organic. I was frustrated and disappointed with the results.
“The products I make are those that I use on my own skin. I have tried every single product myself. I think using the right beauty products is important because it is important to love your skin.
“Growing up with problematic skin, people’s reactions affected me. I wouldn’t want that for someone else. A customer once told me I helped her gain confidence. That inspired me to keep coming out with better products.”
Growing up with problematic skin, people’s reactions affected me. I wouldn’t want that for someone else. Marcia Anne Gandhi