In this episode, we sit down with beauty mogul Agnes Cazin, the visionary force behind branding and communications agency Haiti73 she is about to launch the inaugural Buzz of Beauty Festival “for the girls who shop at Selfridges and get their hair done in Peckham” which takes place at London's Africa Centre, Saturday 29th-Sunday 30th March 2025.

With a career spanning global beauty giants like L’Oréal, Unilever, ORS, Puig, and Cantu, Agnes has dedicated herself to bridging the gap between Black consumers and the beauty industry. We discuss her journey from producing fashion shows and music videos in London’s creative scene to launching an event that supports and champions Black beauty entrepreneurs. Agnes shares the inspiration behind Buzz of Beauty, the challenges of navigating the industry and the vital need for education in brand-building. If you’re a beauty founder or passionate about the industry, this episode is packed with invaluable insights.

Tickets for The Buzz of Beauty Festival can be purchased here.

@buzz_of_beauty_festival

[email protected]

In this episode, we chat with Francesca Cherruault, founder of Filthy Brands, about shaking up the fragrance industry and championing independent brands. From her early days at Escentric Molecules to launching her own distribution agency, Francesca shares insights on how consumer buying habits have evolved, the power of brand storytelling, and what it takes to get a niche fragrance onto the shelves of top retailers. Tune in for a candid and inspiring look behind the scenes of luxury fragrance distribution.

filthybrands.com

In this episode, we sit down with Fizah Pasha, founder of Brulée Beauty, to discuss her journey in tackling colourism within the beauty industry. With over 15 years of experience as a makeup artist, Fizah saw a gap in the market for makeup that truly caters to South Asian and other under-represented skin tones. Reflecting on her own experiences with colourism growing up, she created a brand that goes beyond the traditional beauty standards, offering products designed for, in her words, "golden and in-between" skin tones and encouraging customers to expect more than just having to mix different shades together to find their perfect match.

bruleebeauty.com

In this episode, Viola chats to the renowned Azzi Glasser, who has spent over three decades designing bespoke fragrances for Hollywood's elite. Azzi shares the story of how she first entered the fragrance world, her journey from creating iconic scents for names like Kylie Minogue and Helena Bonham Carter to becoming a sought-after creator for top celebrities.

We discuss the powerful role fragrance plays in personal expression, confidence, and how it can truly transform one's mood or character. Azzi also reflects on the evolution of the fragrance industry and her pioneering role in making scents an essential part of storytelling for film and fashion, as well as finding renewed success on Tiktok!

Tune in for a fascinating conversation about the art of scent and the way it connects to our sense of self, and discover how Azzi’s creations have shaped the way some of the world’s most famous names express their identities.

theperfumersstory.com

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Find out more and book your spot at Smart Beauty's Brand Story Bootcamp below:

smartbeautycreative.com/brand-story-bootcamp

Today, we’re thrilled to welcome the brilliant Rebecca Jaquest, founder of Nyita, a brand that’s redefining luxury beauty with its unwavering commitment to ethical and sustainable practices.

Sustainability is often seen as a non-negotiable in today’s beauty market, but Nyita takes it to a level we rarely encounter. From rethinking extraction methods to developing their patent-pending sunflower wax candle—a sustainable alternative to soy—Rebecca and her team are pushing the boundaries of innovation and environmental responsibility.

In this episode, we’ll explore the often-overlooked complexities of natural ingredient extraction and the challenges of staying truly eco-friendly in an industry so deeply tied to petrochemical practices. Together, we’ll uncover Rebecca’s passion and expertise as she shares the journey behind Nyita and the fascinating ancient techniques she’s revived to create products that are both sustainable and unique.

nyitacollection.com

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Sign up to Smart Beauty's Brand Story Bootcamp

In this mini episode of the Smart Beauty Podcast, host Viola Levy tackles a challenge many beauty brands face: crafting a brand story that truly stands out. Viola discusses the pitfalls of relying on overused narratives, like the familiar “I couldn’t find anything on the shelves, so I made my own,” and explores how to dig deeper to create a compelling, emotionally resonant story that captures the hearts of customers, retailers, and investors alike.

Drawing on her extensive experience as a beauty editor and branding expert, Viola shares practical insights on how to refine your brand’s narrative, ensuring it makes a lasting impression in today’s saturated market. Plus, discover more about the upcoming Brand Story Boot Camp—a 90-minute interactive workshop designed to help beauty brands hone their story and stand out.

If you’re ready to elevate your brand narrative, tune in and take the first step toward creating a story that resonates.

✨ Links Mentioned in the Episode

• Click here to sign up for the Brand Story Boot Camp on February 26th
• Visit smartbeautycreative.com for more details
• Connect with Smart Beauty Creative on Instagram @smartbeautycreative

Don’t forget to rate and review Smart Beauty on iTunes and Spotify

What does "luxury" really mean in the beauty industry today? In this episode, host Viola Levy sits down with long-time industry friend and beauty PR powerhouse, Deborah Johnson. With over 17 years of experience in the beauty industry, Deborah shares insights into her journey from agency life to running her own consultancy. The conversation dives deep into the evolving role of Black consumers in luxury beauty, the need for inclusivity beyond token gestures, and redefining what "luxury" truly means. Tune in for an engaging discussion on representation, equity, and the future of beauty branding.

deborahtjohnson.com

@deborah_t_johnson

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

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

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